Lincoln
Causero

Besides throwing the hardest fastball of the event and sitting at 91-92 mph throughout his ‘pen, RHP Lincoln Causero (Hersey, 2025; Xavier commit) has intriguing pitch data to back his loud stuff. The 6-foot-4, 180-pound junior spun his fastball at 2483 RPM on average, peaking at 2572 RPM, with 96% spin efficiency. He also averaged 17.7 inches of vertical break on his fastball, peaking at 20.6 inches. Causero also threw a tight, hard slider at 79-80 mph from a lower slot, on average, than his fastball, and he limited spin (1436 RPM) on a 80-83 mph changeup that reached 17.5 inches of horizontal movement at peak.

Recent Xavier commit and Illinois Future Games participant RHP Lincoln Causero (Hersey, 2025; Xavier commit) provided one of the most polished looks throughout the entire weekend. Standing at an upside 6-foot-3, 185-pounds, Causero is an easy mover on the bump and pairs it with a loose arm. During his outing, Causero sat in the mid-to-high-80s range, touching 88 mph multiple times on a lively fastball. His slider played exceptionally well off of his fastball, as it played with tight horizontal action, and he showed the ability to land it in the zone for strikes while also throwing it outside for whiffs.

RHP Lincoln Causero (Hersey, 2025), a recent Xavier commit, came out fo the bullpen for Top Tier Americans and worked with a clean, easy operation and loose arm. The fastball was coming out easy at 83-87 mph and seemed to jump on hitters at times. His slider flashed the makings of a real out-pitch at 75-76 mph with late horizontal action and quality depth at times. The stuff and velocity varies at times but the upside remains and he should continue to see his velocity tick up as he adds strength to his 6-foot-3, 185-pound, athletic, well-portopiened frame.

Verbally committed to Xavier.

In a three-inning stint, Causero once again showed well on the mound, a trend from the winter and throughout the early portion of the summer. His fastball reached 87 mph and hovered in the mid-80s, as the right-hander relied on the lively pitch for most of his outing. Causero sprinkled in a slider and changeup as well to keep hitters off balance, allowing zero hits and becoming a part of a combined no-hitter in a 14-0 win. Previously over the summer, Causero hit 88 mph, making him an intriguing follow, as he has already earned an invite to the Illinois State Games in a couple of weeks.

Uncommitted. 6-foot-3, 185 pounds. Skinny, lean, projectable frame with a strong lower half. Causero is the 14th ranked pitcher in the state of Illinois and 64th overall player in the state. Causero had a dominant start at the 16U National Championship. He has a two-pitch mix. His FB sat 85-87 (T88) with life through the zone as it produced some rise to it and got onto hitters in a hurry. While his SL sat at 73-74 (T75) with short, aggressive bite as he mostly used it against RHYE's and worked it toward his glove side. His SL is one of if not the best pitch in his arsenal as it was the cause of many swing and misses. Causero has a clean, quick arm action with his 3⁄4 arm slot release. Causero worked those two pitches in any count and had all the confidence in the world as soon as he was on the mound. He has a very repeatable operation with aggressive intent as soon as his front foot strikes the mound. Very impressive young arm with room for continued growth & development as his frame fills out. Causero will be a fun player to watch throughout the summer. 

RHP Lincoln Causero (Hersey, 2025) is built at a strong 6-foot-3, 180 pounds, and his ‘pen was among the day’s most impressive. Causero has a very quick arm and the mid-80s fastball (86.8 mph max) leaves a high ¾ window that’s boosted by above-average spin (2,341 rpm avg.) that produces rise and run through the zone. His slider features short action, thrown aggressively, and it’s an upside pitch in his arsenal that he was locating to his glove-side well, on the outer half or just off it. Causero’s changeup is firm, 79-80 mph, but he showed impressive confidence in it, spotting it under the zone consistently and the pitch itself has late run/sink traits that could make it a swing-and-miss offering on its own.

RHP Lincoln Causero (Hersey, 2025) is built at a strong 6-foot-3, 180 pounds, and his ‘pen was among the day’s most impressive. Causero has a very quick arm and the mid-80s fastball (86.8 mph max) leaves a high ¾ window that’s boosted by above-average spin (2,341 rpm avg.) that produces rise and run through the zone. His slider features short action, thrown aggressively, and it’s an upside pitch in his arsenal that he was locating to his glove-side well, on the outer half or just off it. Causero’s changeup is firm, 79-80 mph, but he showed impressive confidence in it, spotting it under the zone consistently and the pitch itself has late run/sink traits that could make it a swing-and-miss offering on its own.

Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 6-3, 180-pounds. Athletic, high-waisted, projectable frame.
Delivery: Slow and controlled, tall and fall delivery, plays with rhythm and intent at foot strike, lands front-toe closed.
Arm Action: RH. Loose, quick, clean arm action, stays on top from a high 3/4 window.
FB: T87, 86-87 mph. Live through the zone, carries. T2399, 2341 average rpm.
SL: 76-77 mph. Aggressive with tight, short bite; flashed the feel to spot it well on the outer half, glove side. T2021, 1997 average rpm.
CH: 79-80 mph. Firm with aggressive arm-side run/fade. Located it well, beneath the zone. T1646, 1567 average rpm.

Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 6-3, 180-pounds. Athletic, high-waisted, projectable frame.
Delivery: Slow and controlled, tall and fall delivery, plays with rhythm and intent at foot strike, lands front-toe closed.
Arm Action: RH. Loose, quick, clean arm action, stays on top from a high 3/4 window.
FB: T87, 86-87 mph. Live through the zone, carries. T2399, 2341 average rpm.
SL: 76-77 mph. Aggressive with tight, short bite; flashed the feel to spot it well on the outer half, glove side. T2021, 1997 average rpm.
CH: 79-80 mph. Firm with aggressive arm-side run/fade. Located it well, beneath the zone. T1646, 1567 average rpm. 

RHP Lincoln Causero (Hersey, 2025) was yet another freshman who showed well over the weekend, impressing with a mature three-pitch mix. From a projectable 6-foot-2, 160-pound frame, the right-hander worked exclusively from the stretch, starting with his feet staggered and moving fluidly into a drop/drive lower-half downhill. His fastball played through the zone with ride and an average of 2,206 rpm, topping out at 80 mph and thrown for strikes. He then went on to show our staff his ability to throw his breaking ball for strikes, sitting primarily 66-68 mph with 11/5 shape and depth. His changeup looks to be a promising third-pitch in his arsenal, sitting at 70-72 mph with the ability to navigate around the zone, also fading into right-handed hitters. 

Positional Profile: RHP/SS
Body: 6-1, 160-pounds. Tall, lean build. High upside frame.
Delivery: Stretch only delivery. Closed, narrow base set up. Lands on line with front toe closed.
Arm Action: RH. Long, loose arm action. High 3/4 arm slot.
FB: T79.7, 78.3-79.5 mph. Plays straight. T2266, 2206 average rpm.
CB: 65.8-68.2 mph. 11/5 shape. Some depth and slight lateral action. Feel for the zone. T2049, 1925 average rpm.
CH: 69.5-71.5 mph. Plays well off the fastball. Arm-side fade. Sinking action. T1436, 1387 average rpm.

Hit: RHH. Tall, upright setup. Quiet load and stride. Long, uphill path. Gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 84.6 max exit velocity, averaged 79.2 mph. 312’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 79 mph. Compact arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Plays through the baseball.
Run: 7.83 runner in the 60.