Jake
Esp

5.12.15 - 6-foot-2, 190-pound Villanova signee. Athletic build, high waist, has present strength with room to add more. Pitches from a high ¾ slot, reared back at times and came straight over the top. Long arm action, with a bit of stab before delivering the pitch. Back leg in a flex position. Transfers weight well through his extension towards the plate, maintains balance while landing. Lands in line, keeps front side closed well, bit of a segmented windup. Maintained that solid balance and velocity when pitching out of the stretch.  Fastball is straight, sits 83-86 mph, keeps it down in the zone. Curveball flashed 11-5 shape in the 72-76 mph range, casted at times and didn’t get much bite on it. Threw the curveball with some authority. Keeps the change up down as well in the 72-75 mph range, creates deception and missed some bats with it. Was very comfortable throwing the fastball on the inner half, jammed several hitters because of it. Commanded the strike zone well, as he walked just one hitter. Ran into a bit of trouble in the sixth inning as the fastball was left up and over the plate a few too many times. Will continue to improve thanks to projectable frame with added strength.

6/19/14 - 6-foot-5, 185-pound lanky, projectable right-handed pitcher currently ranked No. 40 in Illinois’ 2015 class, No. 151 overall.  Esp showed a feel for three pitches from a repeatable delivery with toe up at balance point and a hand bump giving him some rhythm.  His shoulders stay level and lower body stays online towards home plate as arm action is long and quick at a high ¾ slot.  86-87 mph fastball showed some sink, and 75-77 mph slider was thrown hard at same arm speed for strikes with horizontal action.  79-81 mph changeup showed some arm side run and occasionally bottomed out.  Esp is loose and projects to throw harder, especially considering his ability to spin a hard breaking ball.

2/16/14 Highly projectable 6-foot-5, 190-pound frame; prototypical pitcher’s build, long-limbed, plenty of room to physically develop. Works from 3/4 slot, long arm action, athletic, repeatable delivery. Fastball topped at 87 mph, sitting 85-86, with late arm-side life in strike zone. Good feel for changeup, in 78-81 range, with arm-side run. Throws changeup for strikes. Slider ranged between 74-76 mph, one-plane, minimal action. Overall, Esp is a high-ceiling prospect who should continue to add velocity as he fills into his frame.

5/1/13 - Esp is currently ranked 23 in Illinois’ 2015 class. tall, lanky build, wide shoulders, 6-foot-4 frame.  Sat 82-83 throughout 4 innings.  High-follow prospect.

Esp impressed on the mound and will be a pitching prospect to watch for many years to come. The long and loose right-hander operated from a low � slot with a fastball that topped at 79 mph and was consistently 77-78 mph with arm side run. The lean 6-foot-2, 170-pounder showed good rhythm, tempo and direction while finishing out front. Esp additionally displayed a sweeping slider that showed good movement across the plate.