Will
Vanderheyden

Uncommitted. Currently ranked No. 41 in the 2028 rankings. Stands in at 5-foot-11, 165-pounds. Showed a feel for a three-pitch mix. Threw the fastball at 84-86 mph, attacking the zone with the pitch and holding its velo throughout the start. Got some swing and miss with the pitch up in the zone. Primary secondary pitch was a low 70s curveball that came with 11/5 bite, showing confidence in the pitch by throwing it in different counts and landing it for a strike. Also threw a 75-76 mph changeup that he offered to lefties that came with some fade. Went 5.2 innings for the Panthers, allowing eight hits, five walks, five unearned runs, and collected five strikeouts.

Vanderheyden earned a win against Parkway South, throwing six innings and allowing zero earned runs. He surrendered only two hits and one walk while striking out eight batters.

Uncommitted, currently ranked No. 38 in the state. 5-foot-11, 160-pound frame with long-term starter upside. Took the mound against a veteran Normal Community lineup loaded with Division I prospects and held his own, striking out six over three innings of work. The fastball sat 86-88 and touched 89 with carry, generating 2300+ rpm. Mixed in a curveball at 74-76 with 2250+ rpm and a changeup at 78. Has continued to build on a solid winter showing and is establishing himself as one of the better arms in the Metro East area in the 2028 class. Name to follow.

5-foot-11, 160-pound arm who took the ball in a number of big games for O’Fallon as a freshman. Long been known as a performer, Vanderheyden has seen a huge uptick in velcoty from his freshman to sophomore year and is poised for a big spring. The talented right-hander sat 86-87, T88 with reports he has been even firmer this winter. He gets notable carry and life through the zone with the fastball, averaging 17.1” of IVB and his 12/6 curveball plays well off of it; 72-74 mph with 2270 average rpm, landing in the zone half the time. He also flashed a slightly firmer slider with short action and a mid-70s changeup where he kills spin and gets some late fade. Name to know in the Metro East area.

Positional Profile: RHP/SS
Body: 5-11, 155-pounds. High-waisted, some present strength.
Delivery: Side step, uptempo, high knee, closed at balance; athletic delivery.
Arm Action: RH. Long draw, loose, fast arm; high 3/4.
FB: T88, 86-87 mph. Carry, vertical, backspins well at times. Inconsistent shape that projects as he matures. T2383, 2300 average rpm.
CB: 72-73 mph. Two-plane; depth, sweep, advanced action that projects. T2330, 2270 average rpm.
SL: 74-76 mph. Thrown with more intent; more sweeper-like action. T2249, 1684 average rpm.
CH: 76-77 mph. Mostly maintains arm speed; straight change, some deception. T1652, 1449 average rpm.

Positional Profile: RHP/SS
Body: 5-10, 149-pounds. Lean, athletic build with more strength coming soon.
Delivery: Easy, repeatable, high kick motion, drop and drive lower half.
Arm Action: RH. Clean, short arm action, 3/4 slot.
FB: T82, 79-82 mph. Ride through the zone with slight cut. T2207, 2029 average rpm.
CB: 67-68 mph. Slurvy, 11/6 shape, works down. T2303, 2165 average rpm.
CH: 73-73 mph. Flashed, drops off from FB. T1802, 1794 average rpm.

Uncommitted. Really impressive outing against a very tough and intimidating opponent for anyone, let alone a freshman arm. Came out throwing with confidence, unafraid to attack the zone with any of his pitches. Developing frame, currently listed at 5-foot-10, 150 pounds with athleticism. Drop and drive delivery with a quick tempo, featured a lively FB that played in the lower 80s. Also offered a CB with 11-5 bite and a change-up with depth and fade. He ended up finishing the day with four innings pitched, three hits, three walks, and a strikeout. While the stat line may not wow you at first glance, there’s a lot to like with VanderHeyden, and he is a name to keep an eye on going forward.

Uncommitted. Athletic 5-foot-10, 150-pound frame with room to add strength. Started on the mound and hit out of the eight-hole. Vanderheyden impressed on Wednesday as held a tough lineup to four runs through 4.2 innings. The right-hander operates from a drop/drive approach with a high leg lift with tuck. Long, clean arm action from a ¾ slot. Fastball sat 80-82 with arm-side run. Mixed in a changeup that sat 72-75 and maintained arm-speed. Also, threw a curveball that sat 66-69 with depth. Quick-mover on the mound. Interesting 2028 arm to keep an eye on.