Nolan
Buss

RHP Nolan Buss (Arrowhead, 2024; Kansas State commit) is one of the most intriguing arms inside of the Badger State’s now senior class. Built at a strong 6-foot-, 190-pounds, Buss generates some electric arm speed that reached highs of 92 mph during his outing at The Rock, while sitting in the 88-91 mph range. For his offspeeds, he spun in a high-70s slider with sharp, late bite and was confident in a fading changeup that was used against left-handed hitters. While all of Buss’ offerings are impressive in their own right, the funk in which they are delivered make them play up even more, making Buss one of the most unique and impressive arms inside of the state.

RHP Nolan Buss (Arrowhead, 2024; Kansas State commit) has long been a top arm inside of the state’s 2024 class and his ‘pen at the Eastern Wisconsin Open asserted the notion even more. On the mound, the 6-foot, 190-pound right-hander features a unique delivery in which he creates some cross-fire action and pairs it with a strong arm from a low 3/4 slot that surely makes it tough for opposing hitters to pick up. During his ‘pen, Buss ran his fastball up to 93 mph, while sitting in the 91-92 mph range throughout. Also, Buss created over 14” of induced vertical break on average; that paired with an average release height of 4.7 feet makes this play with even more carry than previously mentioned. As for his offspeeds, Buss featured a wipeout slider in the 79-80 mph range with late bite and averaged nearly 15” of horizontal movement, too. He also showed an improved feel for a deceptive changeup in the mid-to-high-80s with late fade and depth to put the finishing touches on his powerful three-pitch arsenal. The uniqueness mixed with the power stuff that Buss possesses makes him one of the most intriguing arms in the entire state, and he is surely someone we are eager to continue to follow as he enters his final prep season.

Positional Profile: RHP 
Body: 6-0, 190-pounds. 
Delivery: Stretch only, controlled tempo into a medium leg lift, slight drop and drive lower half, works in-line with the plate, front foot lands square. 
Arm Action: RH. Long/loose arm swing, 3/4 slot, ball explodes out of the hand. 
FB: T93, 91-92 mph. Clean out of the hand with life, rides through the zone. T2319, 2209 average rpm.
SL: 79-80 mph. Sharp bite, horizontal action, locates well to both sides of the plate, best of the off-speed offerings. T1970, 1892 average rpm.
CH: 86-87 mph. Throws to both sides of the plate, hard, downer action at times. T2003, 1852 average rpm.

At 6-foot, 175 pounds, Buss brings the funk from a low release with a long loop, working from an average release height of 4.9 feet and considerable forward extension (6.5 feet). His fastball worked at 90 mph all day with 15 inches of vertical break, 20 inches of horizontal action, spinning at a 2,300 rpm peak, making for a unique profile that should garner plenty of swings and misses on its own. The slider he showed works in the upper-70s with shorter action, and the changeup comes out firm with large horizontal action (20 inches on average). Buss has a full arsenal of large spreads, with laddered velocity separation for timing disruption tactics. His ability to spin may be understated based on his grips and action when observing in close proximity.

Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 6-0, 175-pounds.
Delivery: Funky, patient, stays tall, coiling down the mound. Long stride.
Arm Action: RH. Long, funky action with a full loop delivery low release, side arm slot. Loose quality to the arm action.
FB: T90.8, 90.1-90.6 mph. Firm fastball plays at the top of the zone with arm side finish. T2322, 2132 average rpm.
SL: 75.9-77.8 mph. Thrown with arm speed, 10/4 shape. T1939, 1782 average rpm.
CH: 81.3-83.4 mph. Hard sinking action, thrown with side spin, aggressive arm speed. T2045, 1957 average rpm.

Buss has made big strides in syncing up his release point more regularly, which has translated to more strikes this fall, without sacrificing velocity. At the PBR Midwest Fall Championships, Buss sat 84-86 mph and reached back for 87-88 several times early on, on a fastball that really exploded through the strike zone. Facing a quality lineup, Buss earned plenty of ugly swings and misses on the fastball alone. He has long levers attached to a 5-foot-11, 165-pound frame, and Buss is really only just scraping the surface of his massive potential.

Buss has emerged as the top freshman arm we’ve seen along this winter circuit. At 5-foot-11, 165 pounds, Buss has broad shoulders, a high waist, and long levers that indicate prominent projection as he continues to develop and mature. He works a fluid pace with his shoulders level and closed down the mound, and he reaches the mid-80s with minimal effort from a low ¾ slot, reaching an 86 mph high here. His feel to locate his breaking ball is raw, understandably, but the pitch projects well as it spins at an above-average rate (2,244 rpm on average), with large horizontal action and depth.

Positional Profile: RHP A high-octane arm in Wisconsin's 2024 class.
Body: 5-11, 165-pounds.
Delivery: Tilt and topple delivery with upbeat tempo. Delivery adds deception, hiding the baseball well.
Arm Action: RH. Long and loose arm action from a true 3/4 window. Arm works well out front, accerlerating prior to release.
FB: T86, 84-86 mph. Two-seam type, heavy arm-side action with late run. Averaged 17.6 inches of horizontal movement, per TrackMan. Easy velo.  T2234, 2086 average rpm.
CB: 70-71 mph. 11/5 shape. Still fully developing feel to spin.  T2295, 2244 average rpm.
CH: Mimics fastball well when synced up; works from a similar slot with running action.  T1478, 1403 average rpm.