Craig
Kabat

Since the fall of last year, RHP Craig Kabat (Bay Port, 2024) has been making some big jumps on the mound, and his performance on Sunday was no different. Standing at a strong 5-foot-10, 180-pounds, Kabat is an easy and athletic mover on the mound. He coupled this with a quick arm that created velocities up to 90.4 mph with his fastball and not only is the velocity of this pitch impressive, but the hard running action, 19’ of horizontal movement on average, also makes this a well-above average offering in its own right. Also, this slight velocity bump has seemed to make his offspeed offerings even better than they were previously. His first offspeed pitch is an aggressively thrown curveball that plays with downer action and he is able to the lower part of the zone. His second offspeed pitch might even be his best, a hard thrown splitter (79.7 mph avg.), that plays with late fade and depth low in the zone.

Kabat is one of the highest ‘Risers’ in the class, now ranked No. 27 overall. He was dynamite in a couple looks this fall, where he showcased increased velocity that only made him that much tougher to hit and it didn’t result in fewer strikes either. Kabat is a strong, compact 5-foot-10, 180-pound righty who reached new highs of 88 mph with some late life in the strike zone, and it adds to his well-above-average secondaries, too. The first of which is a tight, downer-type breaking ball that is thrown with intent, and the second being a true changeup that plays well off of his fastball. After another full offseason of work in front of him, our staff is excited to see what this uncommitted prospect can accomplish. 

Kabat is 5-foot-10, 175-pounds with a well-proportioned frame with a defined lower half. Shows a loose, easy delivery with clean arm action. Repeats mechanics well through all pitches in his repertoire. Works fast on the mound with a strong, commanding presence. FB sat 84-86mph, displayed cutting action at times. CB sat 72-74mph with a sharp 10/4 break. Created lots of swings-and-misses with the BB, showed confidence to throw in any count. 

Positional Profile: RHP/OF
Body: 5-9, 165-pounds. Strong lower, broad shoulders.
Delivery: Controlled drop and drive delivery.
Arm Action: RH. Short arm action with some quickness. 3/4 slot.
FB: T85.7, 84.6-85.7 mph. Heavy sinking action.  T2069, 2012 average rpm.
CB: 71.8-73.1 mph. 11/5 shape with depth.  T1975, 1859 average rpm.
CH: 75.1-77.1 mph. Hard running action. Flashed late depth.  T1534, 1475 average rpm.

Kabat is another name that we will keep an eye on as the WIAA season starts to get going. Built at a sturdy 5-foot-10, 175 pounds, Kabat uses his strong lower half to drive off of the rubber, working well down the mound. As for his offerings, Kabat’s fastball, one that topped at 85.7 mph, showed some hard sinking action from his lower ¾ slot. Kabat’s breaking ball showed depth along with slight horizontal movement, throwing it with intent while also being able to control the zone. The changeup is maybe his best secondary, too, as it mimics his fastball deceptively and also features quality sinking action that he spotted well.

During the PBR Badger State Battle, Kabat stood out as a follow arm in the state’s incoming sophomore class. The quick-armed righty showed a low-80s fastball that played with jump and carry into the zone and paired it with advanced feel to spin a breaking ball. He didn’t allow a hit over his five innings of work, striking out six. 

Kabat is an arm to keep an eye on moving forward. Kabat showed an advanced feel for three pitches, especially for his age, with his changeup looking like a plus offering moving forward. The changeup is thrown at arm speed with feel for the bottom of the zone, and plus fade action, measured at 17.8 inches of max horizontal movement. Kabat also filled up the strike zone with a 83-84 mph fastball, touching 85, and a late-biting 12/6 curveball, 70-73 mph.