Josh
Hartle

The prized freshman lefty started Sunday's first game and looked good through three scoreless frames before the Seminoles started getting to him in the middle innings. A loose, slingy low three-quarters southpaw with serious athleticism and projectability, Hartle's operation reminded me of former Arizona State All-American Josh Spence. But Hartle has a firmer fastball (87-90 right now, with plenty more in the tank as he matures). His command wasn't its sharpest on this day, but it's obvious that he has real feel for pitching at a young age. He can manipulate his big-breaking slurve at 75-80 mph, and it is an out pitch that he can land for strikes or use as a chase. His changeup was below-average on this day, and he seemed to shelve it after giving up a couple of doubles on the pitch in the first two innings. (Fitt)

Wake Forest commit.  Tall, slender build.  Body will continue to mature but will probably maintain a straight line build.  Balanced over the rubber, using an average leg kick.  Stable head.  Long arm action, reaching down with length before getting short at the top as the foot strikes, working to a low-3/4 slot.  Quick arm.  Athletic through release.  Lands online and square.  Advanced feel for control and command showing an ability to locate to the glove side and stick balls in to right handed hitters.  Can elevate to change eye level.  Fastball ranged 86-88 with late tilt to the arm side when down.  Seemed to play better than the gun reading, getting a lot of swing and miss on the fastball.  Breaking ball sweeps with late, tight depth.  Spin works with length creating issues for hitters as both a freeze pitch and a swing and miss pitch at 70-74.  Ceiling remains very high with pitch-ability and command matching current stuff.

The 6-foot-3, 160-pound Hartle already possesses some polish on the mound. He pitched for Team USA’s 15U gold medal club over the summer and showed advanced command while including weak contact with a fastball that has late life and touches 84 at times. His change-up produces swings and misses and he throws it with good hand speed, mimicking the fastball. He has a loose, easy arm swing that screams projection. He is already committed to Wake Forest.