Liam
Jenkins

6/6/18 - Drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the 17th round out of Louisville.

6.14.17 - Drafted in the 40th round out of Wabash Valley CC by the San Francisco Giants. 

4.1.15 - Arizona State recruit; ranked No. 5 in Illinois’ 2015 class, No. 58 overall. Hulking 6-foot-8, 235-pound frame, high-interest draft prospect. Fastball sat 91-93 mph in first inning, reaching as high as 94 mph multiple times. Held velocity well in middle innings, 90-92 mph, was 88-90 in fifth. Fastball has arm side run when down in the zone, late life on strikeouts up in the zone. Threw mostly fastballs first time through the order, started working in curveball in the third inning, two consecutive 73 mph breaking balls froze hitters for strikeouts. Curveball had 11/5 shape, 72-75 mph range. Did not throw a changeup in game, but looked to have solid feel in bullpen and between innings. Jenkins is beginning to put it together, impressing most with the fact he threw 53 of 79 pitches for strikes. Struck out 10, walked two in 4.1 innings. Both walks and the only hit allowed occurred during the fifth inning when he tired.

3.26.15 - Arizona State recruit; ranked No. 5 in Illinois’ 2015 class, No. 58 overall. Hulking 6-foot-8, 235-pound frame, high-interest draft prospect. Came out hot, velocity-wise, despite low-40 temps. Pitched 1.1 innings of relief, fastball sat 91-93 mph in first inning of work, with more 92’s and 93’s. Fastball has arm side run, occasional sink, loses it arm side at times, but generally around the zone. Curveball sat 74-75 mph, thrown sparingly, but one with plus depth, 11/5 shape. Fastball sat 89-92 mph in second inning of work. Slow from the stretch, 1.6-1.7 with runners on base, but did a better job of holding velocity and stuff at the plate from the stretch. Extremely interested to see where he is velocity wise as the weather warms up, could be touching the mid 90’s. Sitting for two hours in low 40’s temps and then getting loose to throw, still showing low 90’s heat is impressive.

3.21.15 - Arizona State recruit; ranked No. 5 in Illinois’ 2015 class, No. 58 overall. Hulking 6-foot-8, 235-pound frame, high-interest draft prospect. Came out hot, velocity-wise, despite low-40 temps. Fastball sat predominately 90-92 in the first, touching 93 once. In the second inning, pitched at 90-91 from the windup, but worked mostly out of stretch at 87-90. In the third, fastball ranged between 88-91. Jenkins breezed through the first inning in order, recording two strikeouts with fastballs up in the zone. In the second and third innings, control became an issue, walking four with several wild pitches that led to four runs. Had tendency to miss up, gloveside, especially out of the stretch. Although it didn’t benefit him much during his outing, the action on Jenkins’ curveball looked sharper and tighter that what we’ve seen in the past; he threw a few in the 73-75 mph range with late 11/5 bite. As Jenkins continues to get more comfortable in his frame, his athleticism continues to improve. As the weather warms, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the velocity to jump in the mid-90s. On Saturday, Jenkins’ final line: 2.1 innings, four runs, two hits, three strikeouts, four walks.

6/19/14 - 6-foot-8, 225-pound right-handed pitcher currently ranked No. 4 in Illinois’ 2015 class, No. 51 overall.  No prospect in the state of Illinois has come further over the past year than the projectable Jenkins.  At the Top Prospect Showcase Jenkins fastball sat 90-92 mph from a long and loose high ¾ arm action.  Like many pitchers with long limbs who have experienced huge growth spurts in a short time period, Jenkins struggles with command at times, but at this event he was locked in and showed a feel for all three pitches.  His mechanics are clean and repeatable, stays over the rubbers at load, and his lower half is in line with home plate at foot strike.  He slows his arm slightly on his 71-74 mph curveball with 11/5 shape and erratic command.  He did throw a few that flashed plus action, and in the past it shows slider tilt at times.  Jenkins impressed with plus feel for his 79-81 mph changeup that is thrown with a Vulcan/split grip.  He showed the ability to throw it consistently for strikes, occasionally flashing fade to his arm side.  Jenkins is one of the top pitching prospects in the Midwest, and will garner significant professional interest for the 2015 MLB Draft.

5/6/14 - Ranked No. 12 in Illinois’ 2015 class, No. 51 overall in PBR’s coverage area.  The unsigned 6-foot-8, 250-pound righty will garner heavy D-1 attention over the summer as well as the eyes of pro scouts next spring.  Looks to still be growing, and when body catches up to growth spurt watch out.  In a predetermined two inning outing, Jenkins allowed three walks, three hits, and three runs.  Despite the walk total, Jenkins’ overall package is hard not to like.  Stays online towards home plate with lower half, coming from the extreme first base side.  Located better to glove side than arm side, possibly due to positioning on the rubber.  Athletic delivery that he repeats, which is usually not easy for a young pitcher of his size.  Good load over the rubber, more so in the wind up, as lower half varied with leg kick height out of the stretch.  Arm action is quick and loose, high ¾.  Worked 85-88 mph with fastball out of the windup.  Dipped down as low as 83 while trying to speed up lower half in the stretch.  Fastball was not overly wild, but left up in the zone consistently during this outing.  Creates impressive downward angle on fastball due to size when pounded down in the zone, flattens out when up.  Curveball flashed 12-6 action when down in the zone at 70-73 mph, but this too was up more often than not.  Strikeout to end the second had more slider tilt than curveball.  Threw predominantly fastballs, which is a North pitching philosophy.  All three of their elite arms I’ve seen this year: Jenkins, Calderon, and Ostrowski pitch off their fastballs, which is refreshing to see in high school baseball.

2/16/14 - Extra-large build, 6-foot-8, 225-pound, right handed pitcher. Delivery works well, stays online and repeats well for size, delivery shows athleticism and body control. Arm action is quick and loose, high ¾ slot, arm action has whip. Fastball is mostly straight with occasional run to his arm side, has control of the zone, heavy feel, good finish through the zone, 87-88 mph touched 89 mph. Curveball has 12/6 action, advanced bite, near fastball arm action, showed the ability to throw it consistently for strikes, 70-73 mph. Straight changeup had tendency to leave up, showed fell for it, 76-80 mph, near fastball arm speed. Jenkins has grown leaps and bounds this winter improving his velocity by more than six mph since the summer. Jenkins frame and live arm makes him one of the best available right handers in the state.

6/26/13 - Large frame, 6-foot-7, 225-pound right-handed pitcher shows projectability. Jenkins delivers with some rhythm in a tall-and-fall approach – works in line with the plate with an athletic finish and throws with long, quick high ¾ arm action. Flashed control for his fastball and curveball – fastball sat 80-81 mph topping at 82 mph, curveball showed loose, gradual break between 61-65 mph. His 65-67 mph changeup showed cutting action with occasional sink. With his size and loose arm action, Jenkins could be a prospect to follow.

2/18/13 - Big frame, long levers, 6-foot-6, 210-pound right handed pitcher. Jenkins looked much improved since we last saw him. Delivery showed a smooth rhythm, tall and fall approach, minimal effort, good balance throughout. Arm action is loose, high ¾ slot, showed feel. Fastball was erratic in velocity, sitting at 79-81, touching 84-85 at times. Changeup showed to have plus potential, excellent deception, thrown with fastball arm speed, well above average fading action with occasional sink, showed well above average command, 73-75 mph. Curveball was thrown for strikes, 11/5 shape, tends to sling it, flashes sharp bite, 65-67 mph. Jenkins shows a high ceiling and if he can harness that 84-85 mph velocity more consistently could see his stock rise tremendously.

9/25/12 - Jenkins is a 6-foot-4, 190-pound right-handed pitcher with good projectability. The lanky Jenkins threw from an over the top arm slot, he stays tall well creating good downhill plane on his fastball. Jenkins fastball sat between 73-78 mph on a downhill plane. His curveball showed 11-5 action at 61-63 mph, while his changeup sat between 68-70 mph.