Riley
Gowens

2022 MLB Draft League: Redesigned arsenal during Draft League stint and paid dividends with a 93-96 MPH riding fastball (18-21 IVB) that posted a 40% whiff%, paired with a sweeping slider and depth-killing changeup. Starter traits.

Illinois commit, currently ranked No. 22 in the Illinois’ 2018 class. 6-foot-3, 200-pound, right-handed pitcher, strong, wide-shouldered, durable frame. Long been known for his lively arm, Gowens took it to a new level in his start against Mundelein. In the first inning, fastball sat 92-93 mph, touching 94 once. Settled in anywhere from 88-91 mph after the second inning, still touched 91 in his fifth and final inning. Fastball jumps out of the hand, late life and finish through the zone, hard run and sinking action at times. Curveball, has 10/4 shape, inconsistent action, gets underneath it at times and guides it into the zone. Best when thrown aggressively, flashed a few with sharp spin and depth, sat 70-74 mph. Did not see a changeup in game. Proved he has one of the strongest, liveliest arms in the Midwest.

Six-foot-3, 200-pound right-handed pitcher. Works from a high ¾ arm angle with a long arm action. Tall and fall delivery with an open landing. Upright finish with a recoil after release. Minimal lower half involvement, lets the arm do the work. Fastball sat 83-86 topping out at 87 mph. Missed up in the zone. Curveball has 11-5 shape with loose rotation at 70-71 mph.

7.30.17 - Verbally committed to Illinois.

4.17.17 - Currently ranked No. 17 in the Illinois’ 2018 class, No. 390 overall. 6-foot-3, 200-pound, thick lower-half, durable, strong, right-handed pitcher. Continues to prove he is one of the top uncommitted 2018 arms in Illinois. Gowens stock continues to ascend after his performance this winter and yet again in this start. The durable right-hander went six innings, scattered four hits, two earned runs, struck out eight and walked to in the win. Slow, controlled delivery, repeats, tall at balance point, foot hangs under the knee, strides open, lands square and finishes athletically. Highly projectable arm; works loose, quick and clean out of a high ¾ slot. Fastball velocity was up from the winter; sat 87-89 mph and touched 90 early on in his start. Held the velocity for the majority of the start and did not lose anything out of the stretch; was still sitting 87 mph in the fifth and sat 86-87 mph in his sixth and final inning. Threw his fastball for strikes consistently, worked downhill at the bottom of the zone early in counts, misses tend to be to the arm side. Has success with his fastball up in the zone with two strikes, four-seam action, has late life, missed barrels. Consistently mixed a breaking ball for strikes throughout his start, slurve action, 11/5 shape, 74-77 mph. Given his arm slot, could see it developing into a hard slider-type. Did not see a changeup. Should be a highly-sought after 2018 right-handed arm.

2.19.17 - 6-foot-3, 200-pound right-handed pitcher with a solid, athletic frame. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a loose, whippy arm action. Tall and fall delivery with a short stride working in line with home plate. Upright finish, arm does most of the work. Fastball showed running and sinking action, heavy at times at 86-87 mph. Slider has 10-4 shape with tight rotation and sharp breaking action at 76-78 mph. Changeup is thrown with fastball arm speed at 79-81 mph with sinking action down in the zone for strikes.

8.21.16 - Strong bodied, 6-foot-2, 200-pound right-handed pitcher. Balanced, slow tempoed to top of balance point, tall and fall delivery, upright through release, lacks lower half. Arm action is quick and loose, good arm speed, can get more out of lower half, short action from over the top slot. Fastball flashed heavy feel, 83-85 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape, occasional sharp action, 67-72 mph. Changeup showed arm side run, above average feel, 74-77 mph.