Jack
Crowder

Also showing some velocity out of the Illini pen was junior Crowder. The 6-foot-4, 235-pound righty touched 95 with his high-spin (2645 rpm max) heater during Friday’s contest and showed a 2500-2600 rpm slider for strikes.

Making the start against Indiana State was strong-armed junior Jack Crowder. The 6-foot-4, 250 pound right-hander pumped his high-spin (2600+ rpm) heater into the zone consistently at 94-95, touching 96. He finished with a better than average, slider up to 84 mph. The pitch started quietly in his first inning or work, but it finished loudly with two swinging strikeouts during his second and final inning pitched. Crowder also flashed a usable changeup against left handed batters.

Ranked 9th in Illinois’ 2020 class. 6-foot-4, 225-pound right handed pitcher with a strong and durable frame. Crowder has super clean arm mechanics on the bump. He has long and loose arm action and works from a high ¾ window. He ran his fastball up to 94 mph early on, before settling into the 91-93 mph range and plays heavy when thrown up in the zone. He mixed in a hard slider at 78-79 mph with 10/4 shape and sweeping action. He also used a changeup at 84-85 mph that plays with fading action. Intriguing prospect to watch as he enters college. 

Started for Cangelosi in the 18U championship game, touching 94 with his first pitch and sitting 91-92 in the first. He settled into the high 80s after that and struck out two in 3.1 innings, allowing one run on three hits and two walks.

Currently ranked No. 8 in the Illinois’ 2020 class and No. 235 overall. 6-foot-3, 185-pound, strong-bodied, right-handed pitcher. Came out of the bullpen in Friday’s game, worked two innings and continued to prove he is one of the top arms in the class. Long, clean arm action, works quick and loose out of a ¾ slot. Went right after hitters with a fastball that sat 91-93 mph in his first inning of work before settling in anywhere from 88-91 mph. Fastball has late run and life through the zone. Also mixed in a mid-70s breaking ball and showed a fading changeup at 81 mph. Crowder is still just scratching the surface of his immense upside.

6-foot-3, 185-pound, right-handed pitcher; Strong, workhorse type frame, looks bigger than weight listed. Started and got the win on the mound. Went five innings, two hits, no runs, no walks and seven strikeouts. Rocker step delivery, stays on-line and lands square. Long, loose, quick arm action from a ¾ to high ¾ slot. Fastball comes out of the hand easy, arm-side-run, around the zone, occasional arm-side-misses. First pitch out of the hand was 92 mph but settled in anywhere from 87-90 mph early in the outing. Slider, inconsistent action, 10/4 shape, flashed a few with depth and late bite, 72-75 mph. Saw one changeup in warmups, fade and sink action; potential above-average offering. Also hit cleanup. Right-handed hitter, open setup, looks to pull, present bat strength and has natural lift in swing. Finished 2-for-3 with a double, run scored and a walk. High-level 2020 prospect.

Illinois commit. 6-foot-3, 185-pound, strong, physically-advanced, right-handed pitcher. Started game one of the event. Repeatable delivery, works on-line and with rhythm. Loose, easy arm action, clean on the backside and comes out of a high ¾ slot. Challenged hitters with his fastball throughout and got a number of ground ball outs. Fastball has tilt when down in the zone,  mostly straight action, sat 86-87 mph early, mostly 84-85 mph later. Went to his curveball more often later in outing, feel, flashed late bite at times, 11/5 shape, 73-74 mph. Also, started the semi-final game of the event. Showed more of the same from his first outing but his fastball was a tick up at 86-88 mph.

The Illinois commit has a 6-foot-2, 180-pound frame. The righty works from an average tempo delivery with a fluid arm circle coming through a high-¾ slot with easy arm speed. At OK Limited Series, his fastball sat 86-87 mph with some lift. Changeup has some fade at 80 mph. Also flashed a breaking ball. Didn’t put up his best stat line, but it’s easy to see why the Illini committed the physical righty.

Illinois commit. 6-foot-2, 180-pound right-handed pitcher, large thick build, carries strength and shows athleticism. Delivery is easy, works tall and lets fall down the hill. Arm action is loose, easy, high ¾ slot, clean out front, occasionally cuts off and guides. Fastball has hard heavy run, ugot away from him at times, plus action/finish when in the zone, gets easy swing and misses with it, 84-86 mph, dropped as low as 82 mph out of the stretch. Curveball has natural 11/5 shape, worked 12/6 at times, sat 70 mph.

Large frame, 6-foot-2, 180-pound right-handed pitcher, durable type build. Showed feel for three pitches with minimal effort. Clean arm action out of a high ¾ slot. Fastball played down in the zone, hard finish, showed command at 84-86 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape, good action and down in the zone. Changeup also plays with feel, sinking action. High follow 2020 right-handed pitcher.