Payton
Hutchings

University of Illinois commit. 6-foot, 170-pound, athletic, lean-framed left-handed pitcher. Shows long arm action, from a high arm slot, at times a arm slot, plus arm speed, quick, smooth rhythm on the mound, drop-and-drive type. In playoff action against Pro Player Canes Belo, Hitchings showcased a three pitch mix of a fastball, curveball, and a changeup. Fastball was his best pitch on the night sitting 84-86 mph, topping out at 87 mph. Used his fastball to close out the game and get his team the victory. Curveball at 66-68 mph showing 1/7 shape, sharp break, and a changeup at 75-77 mph. Final line: 7IP, 2ER, 3H, 15K, 1BB.

Illinois commit and one of the top left-handed pitchers in the state. 6-foot, 170-pound, strong, athletically-built, live-body. Got the start on the mound and was dominant in his three innings of shutout baseball. Scattered two hits, struck out eight and walked one. Composed, competitive presence on the mound, exudes confidence; polished pitcher, works fast, constantly on the attack and pounded the strike zone (71% strikes). Arm works clean and extremely quick out front. Fastball jumps out of the hand, hard late finish, locates to both sides of the plate and plays harder than the velocity; sat 84-85 mph, touched 86 mph a handful of times. Curveball was his go-to secondary offering on this day; depth, 1/7 shape, inconsistent feel at times, 63-65 mph. Only saw changeup in warmups, late run and sink action, maintained arm speed. Looked to be a swing and miss pitch. Also, a left-handed hitter, led off for Coal City. Hit the ball on the barrel in every at-bat. Quick-twitch swing, stays short to the ball, advanced hand/eye and controls the barrel with sneaky strength. Finished 2-for-4. Singled hard through the right side in his first at-bat. Lined a single to left in his second and then lined out to right in his final at-bat. High-level, polished 2020.

12.19.17 - Verbally committed to Illinois.

4.13.18 - Illinois commit. 6-foot, 175-pound left-handed athlete, frame projects, lean build, broad shoulders, live loose body, athletic actions. Natural two-way, multi-sport athlete, makes actions look easy. Delivery is uptempo, likes to get it and go, short quick rocker into balance position, works slightly across body, closed toe landing, quiet front side. Arm action is quick and loose, slight plunge out of separation to deceptive high slot out of tight window. Fastball is a plus potential offering - jumps on hitters with late arm side run through the zone, swing and miss pitch induced several late swings and misses throughout, earned most of his 16K’s with it. Present control, showed ability to command the fastball, only misses were up and arm side when got rushed. Velocity sat 84-85 mph throughout the contest, never dipped, held and showed best consistent velocity in the seventh (85-86 mph). Curveball plays 1/7, above average feel, plus depth at times, disappeared on hitters, back footed RHH, 67-69 mph. Showed a changeup in warmups with fastball arm action and feel for the zone, sinking action to arm side, likely completes a plus-potential three pitch repertoire that will command the zone. Left-handed hitter, easy athletic setup, stays balanced with pull side approach. Quick hands create bat speed, loose and athletic. Will ambush first pitch fastballs as well as work counts, made three hard contacts to pull side, two doubles. Easy gliding runner, 4.76 on a turn, aggressive confident baserunner, earned a hustle double. Legitimate two-way prospect at the next level.