Prep Baseball Report

CLASS OF 2024

SS
3B

James
Novakovic

Purdue
New Trier (HS) • IL
6' 1" • 190LBS
L/R • 19yr
Travel Team: Top Tier North/Top Tier Select

Rankings

2024 National

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2024 State

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Best of Snapshot
Positional Tools Velos / Pop
TrackMan Hitting
Blast
TrackMan Pitching
Pitch Scores
Pitching Velos
Visual Edge
News
Comments
Contact

Best Of Stats

Hitting
20.8
Hand Speed (max)
3/27/21
76.7
Bat Speed (max)
3/27/21
10.7
Rot. Acc (max)
8/22/20
-
Hard Hit %
Power
89.3
Exit Velocity (max)
2/26/22
83.1
Exit Velocity (avg)
6/08/22
327
Distance (max)
8/22/20
58
Sweet Spot %
8/22/20
Run
7.33
60
6/08/22
-
30-yd
-
10-yd
-
Run speed (max)
Defense
81
INF Velo
2/26/22
-
OF Velo
-
C Velo
-
Pop Time
Pitching

Fastball

77
Velocity (max)
8/22/20
74.5 - 76.3
Velo Range
8/22/20
1783
Spin Rate (avg)
8/22/20

Curveball

64.5 - 66.2
Velo Range
8/22/20
1742
Spin Rate (avg)
8/22/20

Positional Tools

2022
2021
2020
2019
60 Yard Dash
7.33
Infield Velocity
81.0
Power / Speed Score
12.2
60 Yard Dash
7.38
Infield Velocity
80.0
Power / Speed Score
11.8
60 Yard Dash
7.42
Infield Velocity
75.0
Power / Speed Score
11.9
60 Yard Dash
7.72
Infield Velocity
73.0
Power / Speed Score
10.4
Top Tier Scout Day
Jun 8, 2022
Position
7.33
60-yard
80
INF Velo
88
Exit Velo
Power Speed Score
Preseason All-State: Underclass (Invite-Only)
Feb 26, 2022
Position
7.45
60-yard
81
INF Velo
89
Exit Velo
Power Speed Score
Chicagoland Open
Aug 22, 2021
Position
7.38
60-yard
80
INF Velo
87
Exit Velo
Power Speed Score
Underclass Invitational (Invite Only)
Mar 27, 2021
Position
7.42
60-yard
79
INF Velo
87
Exit Velo
Power Speed Score
2024 Top Prospect Games
Aug 22, 2020
Position
7.42
60-yard
75
INF Velo
83
Exit Velo
Power Speed Score
Underclass Showcase
Oct 20, 2019
Position
7.72
60-yard
73
INF Velo
80
Exit Velo
Junior Future Games
Aug 3, 2019
Position
7.75
60-yard
68
INF Velo
69
Exit Velo

Hitting

2022
2021
2020
Exit Velocity Max
89.3
Exit Velocity Avg
81.2
Distance Max
312
Distance Avg
210
Launch Angle Avg
23.3
Hard Hit %
Sweet Spot %
Line Drive %
Fly Ball %
Ground Ball %
Exit Velocity Max
87.1
Exit Velocity Avg
80.1
Distance Max
315
Distance Avg
227
Launch Angle Avg
24.8
Hard Hit %
Sweet Spot %
Line Drive %
Fly Ball %
Ground Ball %
Exit Velocity Max
88.6
Exit Velocity Avg
79.1
Distance Max
327
Distance Avg
246
Launch Angle Avg
31.1
Hard Hit %
Sweet Spot %
Line Drive %
Fly Ball %
Ground Ball %
Top Tier Scout Day
Jun 8, 2022
Trackman - Hitting
88.3
Exit Velocity (max)
83.1
Exit Velocity (avg)
203
Distance (avg)
306
Distance (max)
Sweet Spot %
Line Drive %
Fly Ball %
Ground Ball %
Preseason All-State: Underclass (Invite-Only)
Feb 26, 2022
Trackman - Hitting
89.3
Exit Velocity (max)
79.4
Exit Velocity (avg)
218
Distance (avg)
312
Distance (max)
Sweet Spot %
Line Drive %
Fly Ball %
Ground Ball %
Chicagoland Open
Aug 22, 2021
Trackman - Hitting
86.9
Exit Velocity (max)
79.5
Exit Velocity (avg)
197
Distance (avg)
292
Distance (max)
Sweet Spot %
Line Drive %
Fly Ball %
Ground Ball %
Underclass Invitational (Invite Only)
Mar 27, 2021
Trackman - Hitting
87.1
Exit Velocity (max)
80.7
Exit Velocity (avg)
262
Distance (avg)
315
Distance (max)
Sweet Spot %
Line Drive %
Fly Ball %
Ground Ball %
2024 Top Prospect Games
Aug 22, 2020
Trackman - Hitting
88.6
Exit Velocity (max)
79.1
Exit Velocity (avg)
246
Distance (avg)
327
Distance (max)
Sweet Spot %
Line Drive %
Fly Ball %
Ground Ball %

Hitting

2022
2021
2020
Hand Speed Max
18.5
Hand Speed Avg
17.9
Bat Speed Max
64.4
Bat Speed Avg
62.8
Rotational Acceleration Max
Rotational Acceleration Avg
On-Plane Efficiency Max
On-Plane Efficiency Avg
Hand Speed Max
20.8
Hand Speed Avg
18.2
Bat Speed Max
76.7
Bat Speed Avg
66.5
Rotational Acceleration Max
Rotational Acceleration Avg
On-Plane Efficiency Max
On-Plane Efficiency Avg
Hand Speed Max
20.0
Hand Speed Avg
19.4
Bat Speed Max
69.0
Bat Speed Avg
67.6
Rotational Acceleration Max
Rotational Acceleration Avg
On-Plane Efficiency Max
On-Plane Efficiency Avg
Preseason All-State: Underclass (Invite-Only)
Feb 26, 2022
Blast - Hitting
18.5
Hand Speed (max)
17.9
Hand Speed (avg)
64.4
Bat Speed (max)
62.8
Bat Speed (avg)
Rot. Acc (max)
Rot. Acc (avg)
On Plane Eff (avg)
MaxOnPlaneEfficiency
Chicagoland Open
Aug 22, 2021
Blast - Hitting
18.6
Hand Speed (max)
17.4
Hand Speed (avg)
63.6
Bat Speed (max)
59.5
Bat Speed (avg)
Rot. Acc (max)
Rot. Acc (avg)
On Plane Eff (avg)
MaxOnPlaneEfficiency
Underclass Invitational (Invite Only)
Mar 27, 2021
Blast - Hitting
20.8
Hand Speed (max)
18.9
Hand Speed (avg)
76.7
Bat Speed (max)
71.6
Bat Speed (avg)
Rot. Acc (max)
Rot. Acc (avg)
On Plane Eff (avg)
MaxOnPlaneEfficiency
2024 Top Prospect Games
Aug 22, 2020
Blast - Hitting
20.0
Hand Speed (max)
19.4
Hand Speed (avg)
69.0
Bat Speed (max)
67.7
Bat Speed (avg)
Rot. Acc (max)
Rot. Acc (avg)
On Plane Eff (avg)
MaxOnPlaneEfficiency

Pitching

2020
Fastball
Velocity Max
76.8
Fastball
Velocity Avg
75.4
Fastball
Spin Rate Avg
1783
Fastball
Spin Score Avg
23.7
Fastball
Total Movement Avg
Curveball
Velocity Avg
65.4
Curveball
Spin Rate Avg
1742
Curveball
Total Movement Avg
2024 Top Prospect Games
Aug 22, 2020
Trackman - Fastball
76.8
Velocity (max)
74.5 - 76.3
Velo Range
72.8
Eff Velocity (avg)
1,917
Spin Rate (max)
1,783
Spin Rate (avg)
IVB (max)
IVB (avg)
HM (max)
HM (avg)
Extension (avg)
Release Ht (avg)
Spin Score (max)
Zone %
Trackman - Curveball
66.2
Velocity (max)
64.5 - 66.2
Velo Range
62.2
Eff Velocity (avg)
1,835
Spin Rate (max)
1,742
Spin Rate (avg)
IVB (max)
IVB (avg)
HM (max)
HM (avg)
Extension (avg)
Release Ht (avg)
Spin Score (max)

Pitch Scores

2020
Fastball
Hop+
Fastball
Sink+
Fastball
Rise+
Curveball
Hammer+
Curveball
Sweep+
2024 Top Prospect Games
Aug 22, 2020
Pitch Scores - Fastball
Hop+
Rise+
Sink+
Pitch Scores - Curveball
Hammer+
Sweep+

Pitching Velos

2020
2019
Fastball
Velocity Max
77.0
Fastball
Velocity Avg
75.5
Curveball
Velocity Avg
65.0
Fastball
Velocity Max
75.0
Fastball
Velocity Avg
72.5
Curveball
Velocity Avg
60.0
2024 Top Prospect Games
Aug 22, 2020
Pitching
77
Max FB
75 - 76
FB
64 - 66
CB
Underclass Showcase
Oct 20, 2019
Pitching
75
Max FB
71 - 74
FB
58 - 62
CB

Game Performance

Visual Edge

2022
2021
Edge Score
84.88
Edge Score
84.25

Pitch Ai

Notes

Comments

5/18/24
Purdue commit. Currently ranked No. 38 in the state. Lean, athletic frame, 6-foot-1, 190-pounds with room to add on more strength in the coming years. Started at shortstop and hit out of the two-hole for the Trevians. The right-handed hitter was on the barrel three times in this look but was only rewarded with one hit, making a couple loud outs with a fly-out to right and lineout to center. Athletic stroke, quick/fast hands that stay through the zone with looseness in his operation. Quality awareness of the strike zone, works the count and waits for his pitch. Above-average defender on the dirt with fluid actions, moves well laterally with range to both sides of his glove, should be able to stay on the infield at the next level.
6/01/23

Purdue commit, currently ranked No. 29 in the Illinois’ 2023 class. 6-foot-1, 185-pound, well-proportioned, left-handed hitting shortstop. Advanced defender at shortstop with natural instincts and feel for the game. Arm plays easy, from multiple slots and highly accurate. Can play off-kilter and make lays on the move look easy. Soft, confident hands, smooth glove-to-hand release and internal clock. Offensively, loose hands, bat plays with loft through the zone, stays inside the baseball and works up the middle and to the opposite field comfortably. Went 1-for-2 with a double and two RBIs.  

6/08/22

James Novakovic (New Trier, 2024) was one of the top all-around prospects on the day. Novakovic has a calmness and polish to everything he does on the field starting with his presence in the left-handed batters box. Novakovic stays quiet and simple, routinely getting the barrel through the zone on time and making hard lifted contact to the pull-side gap while staying balanced throughout.  Novakovic has active bouncy feet on the infield while playing through the baseball in rhythm with clean, soft hands and polished glove-to-hand release. 

2/26/22

Positional Profile: SS/3B
Body: 6-1, 182-pounds. Lean, athletic build. Projectable frame.
Hit: LHH. Balanced, slightly open setu. Fluid load and leg-lift. Athletic hands, stays on-plane, natural lift, gap-to-gap approach, controlled finish.
Power: 89.3 max exit velocity, averaged 79.4 mph. 311’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 81 mph. Short, clean arm action from a high 3/4 slot. Easy carry on throws across the diamond.
Defense: Plays with rhythm and tempo. Quick, confident hands. Under control on the move.
Run: 7.45 runner in the 60. 

2/26/22

From New Trier, Novakovic has a fluid, uphill stroke and savvy infield actions with the ability to play comfortably on the move and throw from multiple platforms. 

8/22/21

Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 6-foot-1, 182-pounds. Wiry, high-waisted frame.
Hit: L. Balanced setup, smooth load, short stride with an occasional toe-tap trigger.  Loose hands with bat speed, short and uphill bat path, gap-to-gap approach and repeats.
Power: 86.9 max exit velocity, averaged 79.5 mph. 292’ max distance.
Arm: R. INF - 80 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Present pre-pitch bounce, nimble feet, smooth lower half that works in rhythm around the baseball, athletic on the move. Soft hands, ultra-quick hand transfer, savvy actions.
Run: 7.38 runner in the 60. 

3/27/21

Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 6-0, 169-pounds.
Hit: LHH. Balanced setup, smooth load, toe-tap trigger, short stride, advanced pre-pitch actions. Fluid, athletic swing, average bat speed of 71.6 MPH, path works uphill, gap-to-gap approach with pull side tendencies, line drives.
Power: 87.13 max exit velocity, averaged 80.69 mph. 314’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 79 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Steady hands, clean exchanges, smooth double play turn.
Run: 7.42 runner in the 60. 

8/22/20

Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 6-0, 156-pounds. Athletic build.
Delivery: Simple tall/fall type delivery with some tempo, level shoulders, works in line to target and lands square.
Arm Action: RH. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T77, 75-76 mph. Two-seam/sinker type pitch, showed both run and sink.
CB: 64-66 mph. 12/6 shape with sharp, late break in his ‘pen. 

Hit: LHH. Open, balanced setup, smooth load and short toe-tap stride. Fluid rhythm, loose, athletic hands, natural lift in swing and made a lot of hard lifted contact to the pull-side.
Power: 83 mph exit velocity from the tee. Max exit velocity of 88.56 with a max distance of 326' during BP, according to TrackMan. 69 mph of max bat speed, via Blast.
Arm: RH. INF - 75 mph. Short, loose arm action, accurate arm with the ability to throw from multiple slots.
Defense: Bouncy, actiony defender on the infield. Plays natural on the move, soft confident hands, body control and clean release. Advanced double play turn. Has the tools to stick at shortstop moving forward.
Run: 7.42 runner in the 60. 

10/20/19

Positional Profile: SS
Body: 5-foot-11, 152-pounds. Lanky, athletic build. Room to grow.
Hit: LHH. Tall open set-up, smooth hand load, controlled leg kick into short stride.  Short and level bat path, power approach to the pull-side, extension through the baseball, took an impressive round.
Power: 80 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 73 mph. Short arm action, high 3/4 release point, baseball carries across diamond, quick release.
Defense: Solid actions, active footwork, soft hands, clean exchange,
Run: 7.72 runner in the 60. 

Positional Profile: RHP
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery, some rhythm, utilizes slide step out of stretch.
Arm Action: RH. High 3/4 release point, short arm action, regular effort.
FB: T75, 71-74 mph. Sinking movement, thrown for strikes.
CB: 58-62 mph. 11/5 shape, pops up out of hand. 

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