Chase
Slota

6/19/14 - Extra-large frame, 6-foot-5, 215-pound right-handed pitcher, wide shoulders gangly arms, typical pitchers build. Tall and fall style delivery, regular effort. Arm action is loose and quick, high ¾ slot. Fastball has slight run, pounded the zone, 86-87 mph, occasional heaviness. Curveball flashed 12/6 shape, showed the ability to throw it for strikes, occasional biting action, 70-72 mph. Changeup showed advanced feel, 72-75 mph, arm side run with confident arm action, controlled it well. Slota has a big strong frame and projects to have more velocity in the tank.

5/15/14 - Currently unranked, but will be a big riser in updated 2015 rankings. Imposing mound presence; extremely projectable 6-foot-5, 220-pound frame, wide shoulders, long arms, with room for additional physical development.  For his size, he possesses an athletic arm and delivery. Works from high-3/4 slot, short, athletic arm action. Pitched entire game at 84-86 mph, mostly 85-86 in later innings. Pounded the strike zone with his fastball. Reports of upper-80s velocity in his previous start, which is easy to see; on Wednesday, it was cold and wet. Looks like he will throw significantly harder in the future. When his delivery is synched up and not over-striding, his fastball has good downhill plane. Secondary stuff needs refinement. He threw his curveball infrequently, in the 69-71 range; threw one curveball for a strike. Against Wauconda, Slota didn’t need anything other than his fastball, though. He threw a two-hitter, struck out seven with no walks. Slota retired the side in order in five innings, and finished the game with 10 consecutive outs. A Wauconda base-runner never reached second base in the game. In Slota’s last outing, he threw a one-hit shutout against previously ranked Grant. Improved to 5-1 on the season. High-follow in Illinois’ 2015 class.