Erik
Kaiser

5.8.17 - Vanderbilt commit. Ranked No. 9 in the Illinois’ 2017 class and No. 130 overall. 6-foot-4, 190-pound, right-handed pitcher, durable, athletic build, strong lower-half. Possesses one of the strongest arms in the Illinois senior class with seemingly more in the tank. Struck out 10 in five innings of work. Arm slot was significantly lower than in the past; early on worked out of a true ¾ slot and as the game progressed it varied between ¾ and high ¾. Arm works fast and fastball jumped out of his hand in the first inning. Sat mostly 90-92 mph, touching multiple 93’s and one 94 in the first. Settled in anywhere from 88-91 mph but still was able to touch 92 a couple of times and 93 when needed later in the start. Fastball flashed hard arm-side-run on occasion when thrown out of the ¾ slot. Spotty command with his fastball throughout, made big pitches when needed and got a number and swing-and-misses. Curveball was his primary secondary offering throughout. Threw it out of a slightly higher slot than the fastball, more comfortable with it as the outing progressed, 11/5 shape, flashes depth at times, average overall feel. Threw one changeup, got a swing-and-miss, maintained arm speed, located down in the zone. Overall, maintained good mound presence and body language throughout. Still has a high-upside with his best days ahead of him.

4.15.16 - Vanderbilt commit, ranked No. 9 in Illinois’ 2017 class. 6-foot-4, 190-pound right-handed pitcher with a solid lower half and imposing frame. Slower paced delivery, slight coil at balance point with rhythm and works slightly across his body; lands square and stays on-line. Clean, loose arm action out of a high ¾ slot; arm occasionally drags and lacks extension out front. Fastball is mostly straight, occasional arm-side run and at times flashed cut to his glove side, 85-89 mph for most of the start. Held velocity late and out of the stretch. In his sixth and final inning his fastball sat 88-90 mph. Average overall command of the fastball. Good feel for his curveball, with depth. Consistent 12/6 shape, ability to throw it for strikes and expand with it out of the zone with two strikes. Flashed a changeup between innings, maintained arm speed, sinking action and some feel. Overall, only featured a fastball/curveball combination in this start, settled in as the game progressed and held his velocity. Profiles as a starting pitcher at the next level with improved fastball command. Highly projectable, right-handed pitcher, who has not reached his potential. Final Line – 6IP, 0R, 1H, 2BB, 10K. 2017 draft follow.

10.2.15 - Verbally committed to Vanderbilt.

Future Games 2015 - Big bodied 6-foot-4, 190-pound right-handed pitcher matched Corrigan for best fastball velocity on Team Illinois, also touching 90 mph over the weekend at the Future Games. The power-armed right hander seems to just be scratching the surface of his potential. His easy fastball sat 87-89 mph. His arm works long and over the top but when out in front creates some downhill tilt to his fastball. When Kaiser gets on top and out front, the ball jumps out of his hand.  Showed feel for a 12/6 curveball with good depth at 73-77 mph. Routinely dropped it in for strikes during his stints on the mound. Throws a change-up at 76-77 mph. His three pitch repertoire leads me to believe he could be a legitimate weekend starter at the next level. Proved to have swing and miss offerings in his two innings of work at the Future Games Kaiser by recording all his outs via the strikeout, a total of six.

4.24.15 - Ranked No. 6 in Illinois� 2017 class, No. 49 overall; 6-foot-4, 185-pound frame, young for his age, still isn�t close to filling into frame. Two-way talent, though ranked primarily for his arm on the mound. Did not pitch in the game, but showed off arm in a few plays at third base. Switch-hitter, bats cleanup for high school team. Finished 1-for-4 with a single and run scored.

3.24.15 - The 6-foot-4, 185-pound right-hander has flashed upper 80’s fastball velocity from a loose, quick, high ¾ arm slot, reportedly touching as high as 91 mph and is receiving significant recruiting interest from several SEC schools.