Josh
Ekness

Cape Cod- Nineteen year old who just completed his freshman season for the Cardinals, finishing with mixed results (5.93 ERA, but 39 strikeouts in 27 IP). The 6-foot-4, 225-pound Ekness showed a quick arm from three-quarter slot. As a starter he ran his fastball up to 95 during my first look, then up to 98 when he relieved a week later at Cotuit. It's also higher-spin heat with a range of 2350-2475 rpm. During both looks, his delivery was inconsistent (it especially got out of whack from the stretch) and kept him from consistently finding the strike zone. He flew open with his fastball, but held it together better when throwing his low-80s curveball with 2600+ spin. He reminds me of the Rockies 2022 third round pick, McCade Brown who also pitched with high-spin stuff and landed his breaker for strikes more often than his heater. Talented arms like Ekness (and Brown) typically go in one of two directions. They continue to refine and become a top round pick or the stuff remains, but the control never improves. Ekness has the arm and stuff to become a first-rounder in 2023, but without improvement to the consistency of his delivery/release point, he could fall into the mid-rounds. Either way he is a big-time talent, was fun to scout on the Cape and will be even more fun to watch develop over the next two seasons.

6-foot-4, 210-pound athletic, lanky frame. The right-hander hitter showed a more disciplined approach at the plate, trying to stay and take the ball the other way. He has lots of power in his swing and it showed on his HR. He’s a wiry strong kid with even more room to grow into his frame.

The uncommitted 2020 right-hander, listed at 6-foot-3 shows projectability to his wiry frame. He throws from a high ¾ slot with a whippy arm swing. His fastball was 85-87 mph, touching 88 mph early on and settled in at 84-86 mph. Flashed command of the pitch to both sides of the plate but lost his command with four walks in the 4th inning. Complementing the fastball, Ekness flashed an 11-5 curveball at 72-73 mph and throwing it to both sides of the plate. At the plate, he showcases a long, effortless swing with easy power.