Taylor
Waldron

Uncommitted, currently ranked No. 52 in Illinois. Athletic, high-waisted build, standing 6-foot-2, 188-pounds. Started on the mound against Joliet Catholic and showed to have control over a polished three-pitch mix. His arm works with a clean arm circle out of the glove, moving into a high ¾ slot. Working with an up-tempo delivery, Waldron moves with a flexible lower-half into a slightly coiled leg-kick, transitioning into a repeatable stride down the mound that works in-line with the plate, front foot landing square. The right-hander’s fastball worked in the 85-87 mph range, playing with some life to the arm-side and demonstrating control to his glove-side as well. His slider plays from a 10/4 plane with sharp action, showing above-average depth at times and missing barrels often. He also flashed a late fading changeup, working 81-82 mph with impressive feel over the zone. Over his five innings of work, Waldron allowed just three hits to go along with five strikeouts; struggling to locate slightly in the beginning of the day due to unfavorable weather conditions, but finding a groove shortly after and settling in nicely.

Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 6-1, 175-pounds.
Delivery: Repeatable, tall and fall delivery. Easy effort. Lands front toe closed.
Arm Action: RH. Long arm action, works from a high 3/4 slot.
FB: T89.7, 88.5-89.6 mph. Plays straight.  T2086, 2019 average rpm.
CB: 70.4-72.0 mph. Late downer action. T2339, 2250 average rpm.
CH: 79.2-81.3 mph. Maintains arm speed. Fading action to the arm side. T1769, 1666 average rpm.

Another arm on the rise coming out of the event: RHP Taylor Waldron (Ottawa-Marquette). Waldron has added almost 30 pounds of quality muscle to his athletic frame since last year, now standing at 6-foot-1, 188 pounds. Waldron, long known for his advanced feel and quality three-pitch mix, has seen his velocity take a huge jump as well. Saturday, his fastball sat 89-90 mph with an advanced curveball featuring late downer action, 70-72, and a 79-81 changeup. Given the uptick in strength, velocity and stuff, Waldron should be a high-follow arm this spring and beyond. 

Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 6-foot, 160-pounds. Lean, loose-body; young look with plenty of room for continued physical development.
Delivery: Smooth tall and fall delivery, works on-line, repeats and lands front-toe slightly closed.
Arm Action: RH. Long, loose arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T83, 81-83 mph. Controlled the zone, flashed run and sink. T2071, 1914 average rpm.
CB: 65-67 mph. 12/6 shape, lands for strikes. T2260, 2198 average rpm.
CH: 71-75 mph. Advanced offering. Maintains arm speed, feel and late fade. T1683, 1589 average rpm.

Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 5-11, 135-pounds. Lean, high-waisted frame with plenty of room for continued physical development.
Delivery: Linear delivery, highly-repeatable, smooth rhythm throughout, stays in line to target, shoulders work slightly uphill.
Arm Action: RH. Long, loose action, high 3/4 arm slot.
FB: T83, 81-82 mph. Four-seam type, works downhill at times, controlled the zone.
CB: 67-68 mph. 11/5 shape, gradual action, intent to finish down in zone, flashed feel, average spin rate of 2,140 rpm.
CH: 75-76 mph. Creates angle/tilt, maintains arm speed.

5-foot-11, 135-pound, lean, high-waisted, right-handed pitcher with plenty of room for continued physical development. Started game one of the tournament for the Cangelosi Sparks 2023s and threw a complete game gem. Fluid, repeatable delivery, clean, easy arm action and polished three-pitch mix.