Dennis
Helwig Jr

Verbally committed to Notre Dame.

Notre Dame commit. Currently ranked No. 43 in the Illinois 2023 class. Ultra long-limbed, 6-foot-6, 175-pound frame, lanky with room for added strength. Long/loose arm that plays from a high ¾ slot. Tall/fall style delivery down the mound, remains in-line to the plate and repeats well for size. Helwig’s fastball worked mostly 87-89 mph, topping out at 90 mph a couple times with some downhill action. His changeup looked to be his best secondary offering this day, playing with heavy fade to the arm-side and feel for strikes, 78-82 mph. His final offering was a breaking ball that played off a 10/4 plane, 73-78 mph.

Uncommitted and a 2020 Future Games participant. Currently ranked No. 43 overall and No. 17 as a right-handed pitcher in the state of Illinois. 6-foot-4, 165-pound, long-limbed, loose-bodied frame. Helwig started on the mound for St. Laurence and went 6.2 innings, allowing one run on six hits and struck out seven. Up-tempo tilt and topple delivery with effort, quick balance point, shoulders close off to home, long stride, lands squared to home, falls off to first. Creates a tough deception with a long, clean arm action from a 3/4 slot. Helwig showed a three-pitch mix throughout. Four seam fastball, above-average spin, creates rise and hop through the zone at 86-89 mph. Straight changeup with similar arm speed as the fastball, ability to locate away from the hitter, held at 75-78 mph. Curveball worked 11/5 with sharp, tight spin at times, 72-73 mph.

Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 6-4, 165-pounds. Long frame.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery, repeatable, quick tempo, shoulders work uphill, lands square, works in line with target, balanced finish on strong front side.
Arm Action: RH. Long, loose arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
FB: T87, 85-86 mph. Plays downhill, arm side run, flashes heaviness. T2140, 2127 average rpm.
CB: 73-74 mph. 11/5 shape, gradual action. T1961, 1908 average rpm.
CH: 76-77 mph. Straight change, some downward action, arm speed similar to fastball. T1955, 1802 average rpm.

6-foot-4, 165-pound, long-levered, loose-bodied, right-handed pitcher. One of the few 2023s to be selected for Team Midwest Select at this summer’s Future Games. Directional delivery, present front side, long arm action, some reach out of the glove, works quick and loose out front, high ¾ slot. Attacked primarily with his fastball in the outing and did not give up a hit. Fastball finished through the zone, downhill tilt at times, sat 83-84 mph, touched 85. One of the stronger arms and higher ceilings in the 2023 class. 
Final Line: 3 IP, 0 H, 3 K, 3 BB.

Chicago Elite produced one of the more noteworthy headlines when three of their 2023 right-handed arms; Matt Sauser (Normal University), DJ Helwig (St. Laurence) and Pambo Nicoloudes (Naperville Central), combined to throw a no-hitter in their only game on Saturday. 

Positional Profile: RHP
 Body: 6-4, 165-pounds. Premium projection in lanky, high-waisted frame.
 Delivery: Upright start from the left of the rubber; side steps to high knee and hip turn at an athletic balance point. Deep draw at separation as shoulders go uphill and closed, high front side. Leg swings to on-target landing with toe slightly open, athletic finish. Flexible torso, stable lower half with a naturally long stride.
Arm Action: RH. Long, loose, fast arm action to a high 3/4 release.
FB: T83, 82-83 mph. Low-spin type with some carry through the zone; natural arm-side action.
CB: 74-76 mph. Raw feel for spin at present; thrown aggressively.
CH: 75-77 mph. Projects as an out-pitch; closely matching his typical arm slot and speed. Flashes late fade action.

Helwig has a 6-foot-4, 165-pound, high-waisted, high-ceiling arm that looks to be just scratching the surface of his potential. The arm works long, clean and quick out front, showcasing the ability to pitch to the glove-side with his fastball early in the outing. Control became more scattered as the outing went on but his fastball sat anywhere 82-84 mph throughout, touching 85 and gets late arm-side-run and sink at times. Would be really interesting to see Helwigs’ perceived velocity numbers on the TrackMan B1 unit, given how far he gets down the mound at foot strike; as well as his high front side adding deception. When he was at his best he was out front, finishing his offerings and the fastball seemed to play up from the already impressive velocity. Helwig has a chance to be a power arm in Illinois down the road.