Zach
Straley

6/6/16
A two-way prospect with a 6-foot, 180-pound athletic frame. Has improved substantially at the plate since the last time we saw him. He has always had the strength and athleticism but showed up to this event with much more rhythm and more fluid movements. Gets efficient use out of his lower half and whips the barrel through the zone on a level path. Produced consistent line drives in batting practice. Topped out at 86 mph off the tee and ran a 7.18 60-yard dash. His feet are snappy. They move quickly, but aren’t necessarily fluid and maintaining direction. Has a good arm with top velocity of 83 mph across the infield. Fielding traits lean towards average. On the mound he creates good direction to home plate with his lower half. Has quickness to his arm. Fastball sat 82-85 mph. Have seen him up to 88 mph previously. Curveball has definite sharpness with some swing and miss to it when down in the zone. Needs to throw for strikes more consistently. Has some feel for a 73-76 mph changeup.

2/20/16
The 6-foot-0, 180-pound right-handed pitcher showed off an easy live arm as his peak fastball velocity clocked 88 mph. Sat between 85-88 mph while throwing through an over the top arm slot. Life in arm that could see more added velocity. Offers a strong secondary pitch with his 67-71 mph breaking ball; shows late breaking action through an 11/5 plane. A possible two-way prospect that showed off his strength and athleticism at the plate. He goes with an easy, hands back load during his short stride forward. The ball jumps off his bat in batting practice, while producing a top exit velocity of 86 mph. Zach also was impressive in the outfield. He is mechanically sound and is able to carry momentum through fielding position into his throws. He threw accurately to home plate with impressive, 89 mph arm strength. Ran a 4.19 from home to first.

2/15/16

6-foot, 180-pound prospect with strong, athletic frame. Throws with quick arm speed through high ¾ to over the top slot. Slow tempo to his delivery. Fastball sat at 84-86 mph. Typically straight movement. Still developing command of the pitch. Breaking ball showed late, 12/6 movement at 72 mph. Showed signs of being an effective out pitch. His changeup was thrown with good arm speed, but a bit erratic at 77-79 mph. Overall good athlete that seems to still be refining his raw tools and athleticism, so they’re consistently effective on the mound. Draws comparison to Ty Suntken (OU recruit … now at Owens CC). At the plate he uses an easy, hands back load during his short stride forward. He is able to create and transfer a good amount of energy into contact. Would like to see him loosen up his upper body to get more whip through the zone. Registered a top exit velocity of 82 mph. In the infield he moves very well laterally and has confidence in his glove. Showed off a big time arm as he threw across the infield with 88 mph arm strength. Ran a 4.19 from home to first.

1/24/18
6-foot, 180-pound athletic build. Possible two-way prospect. Ran a 4.31 from home to first. Has a simple approach at the plate but is able to create efficient use out of his body. Applies a short leg lift and a short, aggressive stride to create good forward energy into contact. Starting with his bat vertical he uses a scap load to generate good whip while staying compact through the zone. Exit velocity was 80 mph. In the infield he has confident hands and uses athletic footwork. Showed off impressive 85 mph arm strength across the diamond. Was equally as impressive on the mound using long, loose arm action from a high-3/4 slot his fastball sat 84-86 mph. Curveball showed good depth and shark break at an 11/5 tilt sitting 69-70 mph. Had good feel for his 77-78 mph change up that he threw with fastball arm speed.