Jack
Slightom

Cincinnati commit, currently ranked No. 4 in the state, No. 33 nationally. 6-foot-4, 205-pound frame, high-waisted, ultra-projectable, young look with much more physicality still to come. Started on the mound and went all seven innings, scattering six hits with two earned runs, one walk and 11 strikeouts. Athletic mover with the ability to repeat his delivery - controlled and up-tempo leg-lift with a coil into balance point, hands work in-sync with lead leg before separating into a drop/drive lower-half, works in-line with a sink into the back leg, lands with a closed toe. Whippy and quick arm from a high ¾ slot, clean and full arm circle with layback, present arm-speed. Fastball worked up to 96 mph a couple times early on, sat 92-94 mph through six innings and more 90-93 mph in the final inning - collected swing/miss in the zone, played up out of the hand with finish through the zone. Slider was a quality second offering with sweep and feel around the zone, can land in the zone or use as an out-pitch, 76-80 mph, flashed two-plane action at times. Changeup continues to look like a real third pitch, sells out of the hand with arm-speed, plays with late dive and tumble, comfortable throwing to either handed hitter and can throw it for strikes. Starter profile with immense upside, MLB Draft stock continues to rise for the right-hander.

Cincinnati commit, currently ranked No. 4 in the state, No. 77 nationally. 6-foot-4, 205-pound frame, long-levered with ample projection, young look. Started on the mound and was dominant over his 5.1 innings of work, scattering two hits with no earned runs, two walks and 10 strikeouts. Hybrid delivery from the windup, subtle side-step before working into a shorter balance point, gets momentum moving down the mound and works in-line, gradual drop/drive from balance point, shoulders work downhill, closed landing foot. Medium arm circle, quick and uninterrupted into a ¾ release, loose and whippy. The fastball played in the 94-95 mph range, topping at 96 mph early a couple times, glove-side misses early on but control cleaned up as he went, settling into the 93-94 mph range, carry up in the zone for whiffs, intent to work glove-side often. Slider showed sweeping shape in the 77-79 mph range, control wavered early but found it later on and was able to land it under the zone for whiffs. Changeup was the real separator, threw to both RH and LH hitters with confidence, strikes and late dive under the zone for whiffs, sells with arm-speed - seemed to help sync up his release and improve overall control for his arsenal when he started throwing it more. High-ceiling arm with starter upside, will be one to follow as he continues to gain MLB Draft helium.

Verbally committed to Cincinnati.

Uncommitted, currently ranked No. 9 in the state. 6-foot-3, 193-pound frame, some present strength in the lower-half, still has plenty of room to add strength, young look. Started on the mound and flashed four pitches, high upside with a starter profile. Hands work in sync with his leg-lift, high balance point, drop/drive lower-half, explosive down the mound, works in-line. Clean arm circle with a high ¾ release. Fastball played around 88-90 mph, touching 91 mph in the first inning, maintained velocity in the stretch still grabbing a 91, was more 87-90 in the second inning, collected swing/miss up in the zone and reached back for velocity when he needed to. Slider showed sharp action and 10/4 shape, 78-80 mph, flashed depth. Changeup is similar out of the hand to the FB, 79-83 mph, plays with gradual dive to the arm-side. Cutter flashed a short wrinkle, 85 mph, could be a quality fourth offering to play off the FB/SL. High-ceiling arm with his best days still ahead.

RHP Jack Slightom (Lyons Township, 2026) has continued to show to be a must-know name in the state’s junior class. He possesses an imposing and durable frame at 6-foot-3, 193-pounds. Slightom is a clean and controlled mover down the mound with a loose/clean arm action. His fastball has made a jump since we last saw him at the State Games, now sitting 90-91 mph (T92) with the pitch. His cutter played off his fastball well at 81-84 mph with an average of 4.7” of cut with some spin-feel (avg. 2293 rpm). He would then go to an 80-81 mph changeup that played with heavy fading action (avg. 17.6” HM). Slightom rounded out his arsenal with a 74-75 mph curveball with late vertical action. Slightom will be a name to continue to follow throughout the upcoming spring.

Positional Profile: RHP/C
Body: 6-3, 185-pounds. High-waisted, extremely projectable, long-levered.
Delivery: Clean, controlled mover, high leg lift with tuck, drop/drive down the mound.
Arm Action: RH. Long, loose, clean arm action from a low 3/4 slot.
FB: T92, 90-92 mph. Clean out of hand with life, straight actions. T2200, 2000 average rpm.
CB: 75-75 mph. 11/5 shape, late, sharp actions. T2033, 1902 average rpm.
CH: 81-81 mph. Heavy fade and sink. T1966, 1893 average rpm.
CUT: 81-84 mph. Tunnels well, late actions.

Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 6-2, 179.9-pounds.
Delivery: Deliberate mover, smooth/repeatable motion, front side tuck, strong hip drive.
Arm Action: RH. Long arm swing, loose action, 3/4 slot. In two innings of work, he struck out three against two walks and only surrendered one hit.
FB: T88, 84-87 mph. Snappy late life. Thrown consistently for strikes. T2545, 2301 average rpm.
CB: 77-77 mph. 11/5 shape. T2196, 2196 average rpm.
CH: 74-79 mph. Arm-side run and fade. Tunnels effectively off of fastball. T2232, 2053 average rpm.
CUT: 74-83 mph. Slight glove-side cut, short wrinkle.

Positional Profile: C
Body: 5-6, 135-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced setup toward the front of the box. Short stride.  Simple/repeatable swing, level path with a line-drive approach.
Power: 76.1 max exit velocity, averaged 68.3 mph. 255’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 65 mph. Short quick action, loose, carry.
Defense: 2.25-2.35 pop times. Clean and quick transfer, plays through the baseball with tempo, above average actions.
Run: 8.35 runner in the 60.

Positional Profile: RHP
Delivery: Simple, repeatable, tall and fall delivery, works with minimal effort throughout.
Arm Action: RH. Clean, easy arm action, projects for much more velocity to come, 3/4 slot.
FB: T73.3, 70.0-72.4 mph. Easy and clean out of the hand, late arm-side action. T1876, 1753 average rpm.
CB: 61.5-63.1 mph. 10/4 sweeping action, short wrinkle, underneath it at times. T1818, 1625 average rpm.
CH: 62.7-64.7 mph. Feel for the zone, fade action. T1777, 1654 average rpm.