Landen
Patton

Perhaps the most noteworthy ‘pen from this event came towards the end when LHP Landen Patton (Sangamon Valley, 2024) toed the rubber. The 5-foot-11, 176-pound sophomore pumped his fastball in at 82-83 mph from a long, loose fluid arm stroke that finished from a ¾ slot. Patton’s fastball metrics make it especially unique as it averaged 21+ inches of vertical break from an average release height of 5.1 feet, creating more natural rise from that lower arm angle than most. Patton complimented his fastball with a curveball and changeup, both of which he showed feel for throughout his ‘pen. His breaking ball played at 72-74 mph at a 2,200+ RPM average while flashing hard late action off a 1/7 plane. Patton threw his changeup at 75-76 mph with intent and from a similar slot than his fastball, spotting it up in the zone with occasional fade to the arm-side. He’s certainly a follow name on the mound in the state’s 2024 class. 

Positional Profile: 1B/LHP
Body: 5-8, 159-pounds. Well-proportioned build.
Delivery: Slight drop/drive type delivery, high front side stays strong throughout, lead leg swing to an open-toed landing, downward follow through release. Hides the ball some.
Arm Action: LH. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T74, 72-73 mph. High front side helps hide the ball some. Four-seam type with some cut, strikes.
CB: 57-57 mph. 1/7 shape with depth, gradual action with advanced vertical break. Averaged 2,152 rpm. 
CH: 70-70 mph. Used sparingly. 

Hit: LHH. Balanced setup,  minimal load and leg-kick timing trigger. Stays short to the ball, level through the zone and line-drive approach.
Power: 79 mph exit velocity from the tee. 22.10 mph of max hand speed with a 77% on plane efficiency, according to Blast.
Arm: LH. INF - 74 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Steady first base defender. Plays under control and with body control. Sure-handed.
Run: 8.47 runner in the 60. 

Positional Profile: 1B/LHP
Body: 5-7, 145-pounds. Lean frame.
Defense: Athletic feet, two-hand gather.
Arm: LH. INF - 70 mph.  Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Hit: LH. Tall setup, hands start high over head, high leg kick timing trigger.  Short and level path with a line drive approach. 
Power: 78 mph exit velocity from the tee. More power to come as he continues to fill out.
Run: 8.79 runner in the 60. 

Delivery: Rocker step initiates delivery, extension downhill, works closed to target, front foot lands open.
Arm Action: LH. Long arm action, over-the-top slot.
FB: T73, 71-73 mph. Plays straight.
CB: 55-58 mph. 12/6 shape with depth. Early break.
CH: 64-67 mph. Straight. 

Positional Profile: 1B 
Body: 5-foot-7, 145-pounds. Athletic frame.
Defense: Soft hands, fluid footwork and plays athletically.
Arm: LH. INF - 74 mph. Long, loose arm action, over the top arm slot, throws played with carry.
Hit: LHH. Tall setup, pre-pitch load back, leg-kick stride. Long, uphill bat path with a gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 78 mph exit velocity from the tee. 
Run: 5.00 runner, home-to-first. 

Delivery: Tall and fall delivery, smooth rhythm, lands open and finishes athletically.
Arm Action: LH. Long arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
FB: T72, 70-71 mph. Arm side run action.
CB: 58-60 mph. 1/7 shape, sweeping action at times.
CH: 62-65 mph. Plays straight, feel.