Garrett
Acton

10.12.17 - Committed to Illinois out of Parkland JC (IL). 

7.6.17 - Transferred to Parkland JC. 

6/11/16 - Drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 35th round out of Lemont HS.

4.29.15 - 6-foot-1, 200-pound RHP ranked No. 16 in Illinois’ 2016 class, No. 189 overall. Struggled in this outing against Oak Forest, compounded by several Lemont errors. Fastball sat 87-90 mph in first inning, dropped more into 85-86 range in second inning, both long innings in a 50+ pitch two inning stint. Still reached back for 89 mph on final pitch in second. Curveball flashed 11/5 shape, struggled to throw for strikes from 68-70 mph. 74-75 mph slider only thrown a handful of times, but flashes promise. Also flashed a firm changeup in the 83 mph range, thrown aggressively with run to his arm side. Acton is committed to St. Louis, if he figures out a consistent breaking ball, his power fastball/slider combination could prove devastating on opposing hitters.

2.15.15 - 6-foot-1, 200-pound right-hander has consistently shown a power repertoire this winter. Acton sat 90-91 mph at the Preseason All-State Showcase, pounding the bottom half of the strike zone from a short, quick, high ¾ arm slot, tall/fall delivery, smoothly rhythm, lower half stays in line with home plate, lands slightly closed at foot strike, but has plus momentum moving down the mound directly at home plate. Acton showed improved feel for a 69-72 mph slider with sweeping 10/4 shape, feel for strikes. Also showed feel for 71-74 mph changeup with sinking action. Acton has a bulldog mentality on the mound, coming right at hitters with his fastball. He’s consistently thrown 89-91 mph all winter, and is turning into one of the top power arms in the 2016 class.

12.8.15 - Committed to St. Louis.

12.16.14 - 6-foot, 195-pound RHP ranked No. 27 in Illinois impressed this spring for Lemont during their class 3A state title run. Acton sat 84-87 mph this spring, and 87-88 mph this summer at the Future Games. His breaking ball took a step back in the fall after tinkering between a curveball/slider. This weekend Acton sat 88-89 mph with his fastball touching 90 mph, while also displaying a better 71-74 mph slider than what was shown in the fall. Acton has always been aggressive throwing consistent strikes with his fastball, developing a consistent breaking pitch to add to his 74-76 mph changeup will increase his prospect status.

8/2/14 - Acton impressed in his two innings in game two against Team Ohio, recording a strikeout and giving up one run.  His fastball sat 87-88 mph from a short, quick, over the top arm action.  He does a great job of loading his lower half over the rubber, and pounds the zone with three pitches.  His 75-77 mph slider flashes above average potential at times, and his 77-79 mph changeup has sinking action.  Acton currently carries some baby fat, and his youthful appearance bodes well for future velocity projection as he continues to focus on his athleticism.  He impresses with his ability to go right after hitters with his fastball.  His second frame was a quick one-two-three inning.  Acton is already receiving national recruiting attention, and should step into Jake Latz’s shoes as Lemont’s ace over the next two years.

4/18/14 - Uncommitted sophomore, ranked No. 27 in Illinois.  5-foot-11, 190 pound frame.  Short arm action worked cleanly out of high ¾ slot, with elbow below shoulder, pushing fastball and changeup at times. Short arm action and deception makes fastball appear harder and gets on hitters quickly. Fastball sat 84-87 early, but settled in between 82-84. Showed the ability to reach back later on in the game for 86-87. Early on threw predominantly fastballs, with late finish, coming right at hitters. Short slider with occasional tilt showed promise at 70-72, and we’ve seen it with more power in the past. Changeup was effective at 77-79 when driven down in the zone out front, and not pushed underneath. Shoulders get rotational at times, leading to pulling fastball out of the zone down and away from right handed hitters. Advanced three pitch mix for a sophomore. Growth and firming up body could lead to potential gains in the future.

2/17/14 - 5-foot-11, 190-pound right handed pitcher, young build. Delivery has regular effort, squared landing, athletic finish. Arm works cleanly, loose action, quick arm out of a high ¾ slot. Fastball is straight with slight action to his arm side, showed well above average command of the zone, 85-86 mph, touched 87 mph. Flashed a sinker at 78-83 mph, occasional heavy action to his arm side. Slider works on 10/4 plane, sharp action, power pitch with excellent potential, fastball arm speed, showed well above average feel of the zone, 73-74 mph. Changeup thrown with fastball arm speed, occasional sink, solid control, 76-79 mph. Acton shows the ability to throw multiple pitches out of the same window with similar arm action, making him highly deceptive. His ability to pitch appears to be far beyond his peers.

4/2/19: A junior college transfer from Parkland College (Ill.), Acton is a high-effort closer for the Illini. He currently leads the team in ERA (0.68) and is second in the country with ten saves. He's allowed just three hits in 13.1 IP this season. On this look he worked 90-92 mph with an above average spin rate of 2400-2500 rpm on his fastball. His curveball ranged from 78-80 mph at 2100-2200 rpm with a very high spin efficiency resulting in a sharp break. He doesn't have to throw his curveball with as many rpm as someone with lower spin efficiency to have it break the same amount. Acton walked two of the four batters he faced, but still earned the save in his one inning or work. (Seifert)

9/20/18: Acton is a 6’2/225 strong bodied righty reliever with a quick arm and much effort, including a head snap finish. Ran his fastball up to 93, mostly sitting on 92 mph, while mixing in a tight-spinning slider thrown with good hand speed. With a tough, two-pitch arsenal, look for Acton to nail down a role in the back end of the Illini bullpen this spring. (Seifert)