Nate
Larson

LHP Nate Larson (Huntley, 2027) was a big winner from the event overall. A durable frame at 5-foot-11, 184-pounds, he had a noticeably athletic and quick arm. His fastball was clean out of the hand with life through the zone at 85-86 mph (T87), while spinning at an above-average clip (avg. 2475 rpm). Larson would then toss in a sweeping curveball at 74-78 mph that flashed out-pitch potential. Rounding out his arsenal was a firm changeup 79-80 mph with downer action while maintaining fastball arm speed. A name to follow going into the spring.

Positional Profile: LHP/OF
Body: 5-11, 185-pounds. Well-proportioned with present strength throughout.
Delivery: Stretch-only; controlled higher leg kick into balance point, tall/fall lower-half.
Arm Action: LH. Clean arm action, 3/4 slot.
FB: T87, 85-87 mph. Clean out of the hand with life, flashes run, above-average spin. T2526, 2475 average rpm.
CB: 75-77 mph. Has some sweeping action, flashes out-pitch potential. T2274, 2187 average rpm.
CH: 79-80 mph. Maintains arm speed, plays with downer, feel for the zone. T1451, 1344 average rpm.

Larson would show well during his Friday start, working three innings of no-hit baseball in which he would collect five strikeouts. Showed a low-80s fastball that would top out at 84 mph and was thrown alongside a mid-70s changeup with varying shape, particularly arm-side fade at its best. Athletic 5-foot-10, 175-pound frame. Name to follow for college coaches in Illinois’ 2027 class.

Another southpaw to note from the day is Nate Larson (Huntley, 2027). Larson looked to be an extremely clean mover, working exclusively out of the stretch with a controlled operation. His arm action is also extremely clean, delivering his arsenal from a high ¾ window. His fastball played with arm-side life and finish through the zone, also showing some carry traits, 80-82 mph, T83 mph. His curveball looks to be a potential out-pitch with sharp, tight action and 11/5 shape, thrown with intent at 72-74 mph. Lastly, his changeup is a quality third offering with feel under the zone and natural fading action, thrown with fastball intent, 73-75 mph.

Positional Profile: OF/LHP
Body: 5-10, 170-pounds.
Delivery: Stretch only, clean mover, controlled leg-lift into balance point, drop/drive lower-half, works in-line, slightly closed landing foot.
Arm Action: LH. Clean arm action, high 3/4 release.
FB: T83, 80-83 mph. Plays with arm-side life and some finish through the zone.  T2186, 2108 average rpm.
CB: 72-73 mph. Sharp, tight action, 11/5 shape, thrown with intent.  T2101, 2017 average rpm.
CH: 74-75 mph. Thrown with fastball intent, natural fading action, showed some feel under the zone,  T2280, 2140 average rpm.

Positional Profile: OF/LHP
Body: 5-10, 170 pounds.
Hit: RHH. Athletic, setup, knees bent, medium leg kick. Strong hands, flat path, can stay through the ball the other way, works to stay middle of the field. 71.1 mph bat speed with 23g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 91 mph max exit velocity (85 avg.); 287-foot max batted distance.
Arm: LH. OF - 81 mph. Quick arm with some whip, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Steady footwork, stays behind the ball, one-hand gather into body, short crow hop to target.
Athletic Testing: 4.41 runner in the 30-yard dash; 19.20-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 79 Edge Score.

Positional Profile: OF/LHP
Body: 5-6, 135-pounds. High-waist, room to mature physically.
Delivery: Clean operation, controlled leg lift into a high balance point, drop/drive lower-half, leads with from hip down the mound and stays closed into a footplant, stride works in-line, good timing in the lower-half.
Arm Action: LH. Long arm out of the zone in the back, transitions into a high 3/4 slot.
FB: T77, 75-76 mph. Easy life out of the hand with running action to the armside, showed some control for the zone. T2159, 2022 average rpm.
CB: 66-67 mph. Showed sharp 1/7 bite, feel for the zone and below. T2140, 2107 average rpm.
CH: 70-71 mph. Near identical fastball arm-speed, plays with fade/sink. T1981, 1893 average rpm.

Positional Profile: OF/LHP
Body: 5-6, 135-pounds. High-waist, room to mature physically.
Hit: RHH. Slightly crouched and open setup, small leg lift into short stride. Loose, flat path, stays through the zone, works up the middle of the field. 59.9 mph bat speed with 9 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 82 max exit velocity, averaged 75.4 mph. 245’ max distance.
Arm: LH. OF - 76 mph. Loose arm action has some arm-speed out front, throws with intent. High 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Active feet, plays off to the side of body at times, gains ground through release.
Run: 4.45 30-yard dash.

Another 2027 who handled themselves well offensively, was right-handed hitting OF/LHP Nate Larson (Huntley). Larson has a presence and rhythm in the box. He has loose, athletic hands, his bat stays through the zone a long time and he showed an above-average feel to hit, driving hard contact to all fields. 

Positional Profile: OF/LHP
Body: 5-3, 120-pounds. Long levered, athletic, fill coming.
Hit: RHH. Narrow, open setup, confident look in the box, leg-lift trigger. Athletic, loose hands, long through the one and whole field approach. Advanced look and feel to hit.
Power: 69 max exit velocity, averaged 62.7 mph. 171’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 71 mph. Long out of the glove into a clean high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Active feet, two-hand gather, secures the ball into the body.
Run: 4.82 30-yard split. 

Delivery: Smooth windup with a high leg kick, shoulders slightly close off, lands open.
Arm Action: RH. Long arm action, over-the-top slot.
FB: T69, 67-69 mph. Mostly straight. T1921, 1812 average rpm.
CB: 60-61 mph. Slurve type action. T1546, 1392 average rpm.
CH: 63-64 mph. Arm-side action with some sink. T1762, 1662 average rpm.