Kevari
Thunderbird

Decommitted from Eastern Kentucky.

LHP Kevari Thunderbird (Kenwood, 2024; Eastern Kentucky commit) looked to have one of the better breaking balls in attendance on the whole weekend. The southpaw ripped off a low-70s sweeper with sharp lateral action, thrown both for strikes and to put hitters away. Tunnels especially well off fastballs that start up and out of the zone. His fastball cruised in the 85-87 mph range with heavy arm-side run at times. Loose and projectable, should continue to add on velocity as he fills out.

Eastern Kentucky commit. Ranked No. 35 in the updated 2024 Illinois rankings. Lean, wiry, left-handed pitcher, got the start on the mound against Homewood-Flossmoor. Thunderbird got the win in his last start against, at the time, No. 1 Nazareth (Week 7) and struck out five over four innings. In this start, Thunderbird tossed a six inning complete game with six strikeouts and allowed three runs on six hits. Thunderbird landed pounded the zone with his fastball to the tune of 72% while sitting 84-86 mph, topping at 87 mph. On the year, opposing hitters are batting .211 off of Thunderbird.

Eastern Kentucky commit, currently ranked No. 30 in the Illinois’ 2024 class. Lean, wiry, left-handed pitcher, got the start on the mound. Struck out five in four-plus innings. Stretch-only delivery, works on-line, highly-athletic mover and quick worker. Loose, quick arm, ball comes out of the hand clean and lively. Challenged hitters throughout with his fastball, plays mostly straight, around the zone and sat 84-86 mph. Mixed in a breaking ball with slurvy 1/7 shape and occasional depth at 74-75 mph. Also showed a straight changeup at 81 mph. Plenty more velocity and stuff to tap into down the road. 

Dominated his outing to begin the tournament on Thursday. The lefty went five innings, giving up zero hits, struck out nine, only walked two, and got the victory. On the bump, Thunderbird had a FB-SL combo to keep a quality Stiks Black 16U lineup off balance. FB ranged from 81-83 mph, topping at 84 mph, and presenting a little fade to the outside corner to right handed batters. Advanced feel for SL, sat 69-72 mph, showed ability to get outs and swings and misses from it. Room to strengthen and develop as a pitcher as well. 

High-upside left-handed arm in the 2024 class. Lean, athletic frame with plenty more physicality to come. Arm works long, loose and quick from an over-the-top slot. Fastball plays true and flashes ride up in the zone, sitting in the low-80's climbing as high as 85 in the past.