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Junior Sunbelt Classic Tryout Pitching Analysis

May 21, 2015




By John Cackowski
State Director 

The Junior Sunbelt Classic Tryout took place Sunday May 3rd at ThunderRidge High School.  75 players from the 2016 and 2017 classes were on display at this event.  Prep Baseball Report Colorado will bring you analysis by position of the players who participated in the showcase.  We kicked off our tryout analysis with the catchers, corners, outfielders, and Middle Infielders . Last up is the Pitchers

To check to see who made the Junior Sunbelt Classic Team click here

To see the overall stats of the event click here.

Jerome Bohannon, Cherokee Trail, LHP, 2016
5-foot-11, 180 pounds. Athletic strong build for size. Bohannon was not able to pitch due to pitching in game day before, but from the mound in live play we have had Bohannon at 84 mph from a high 3/4 arm slot that is short going back and quick to the plate.  In the outfield uses same arm slot and threw 80 mph from right field to 3B. Ranges well to ball. At the plate small load and slight leg kick. Swings down to the ball, extends though it level and finishes high. Has line drive power, and produced an exit velocity of 86 mph off the tee. Ran a 7 flat 60.

Matt Burkart, Eaton, 2016, RHP/SS
6-foot-1, 195-pounds. Bats and throws right. At the plate has open stance, leg kick approach. Comes off as smooth and has ability to drive the ball through the outfield. Like his rhythm, and bat speed is very fast through the zone, and ball jumps off the bat. Strong lower half, good extension through the zone with 2 hands.  Had a 88 mph exit velocity off the tee. At ss showed good actions and attacks the ball. Gains ground on his throws with good feet and hands. Threw 81 mph to first base. On the mound is very deceptive displayed a loose arm with a slight stab out of the glove.  Arm speed was quick and over the top. Hides ball extremely well, hard to pick up. Good balance point all owed shoulders to stay level and landing to be square to the plate.  Fastball was 84-85 with slight run and good command both in and out in the zone.  Knuckle Curve was on display and registered 75-77 with sharp 12/6 break. Was thrown for strikes low and out in the zone. Threw a slider at 76 mph. Burkart finished his day with a 77-78 MPH change with near FB arm action and slight cut. Player to follow in 2016

Anthony Camacci, ThunderRidge, 2016, RHP
6-foot, 175 pounds. Has a very simple delivery on the mound that lulls you to sleep a little. Throws from a high 3/4 arms slot, square to the plate. Fastball sat at 80 mph. Deception in off-speed pitched because uses identical arm speed as fastball. Liked changeup at 73 mph. Curveball had 11/5 tilt at 70 mph. Very effortless on all pitches. Good athlete. Ran a 6.98 60 time. Has some fast twitch going on because he also had 87 mph exit velocity off the tee. More raw as a hitter. Short swing to the ball, and could extend more through baseball. Line drive hitter. Threw 78 mph from ss from same arm slot. 

Kendrick Catron, Columbine, 2016, LHP
6-foot-1, 170 pounds. Like his frame. Room to grow and add velocity. Pumps hands down during delivery and comes from high 3/4 arm slot, very square to the plate, and does a good job throwing off two-feet generating power from lower half. Pretty effortless in delivery. Fastball was 77-78 mph. Curveball had good 1/7 tilt, and change-up had some fade at 72 mph. Liked his make up on the mound. Projectable LHP.

Donovan Contreraz, Sheridan, 2016, RHP/SS,
5-foot-8, 145 pounds. Bats and throws right. On the mound has simple delivery with more potential to add velocity if more explosive towards mound with lower half but throws off two-feet. Flashed an 80 mph fastball from a high 3/4 arm slot, and that was after pitching on very short rest because of a start for his high school team. Change up was same arm speed as fastball, and curveball had 11/5 tilt, shortens arm a little out front on extension. Had a dominating season for his high school team on the mound. At the plate stands tall with short stride. Level swing through zone with one-handed finish and pull tendencies. Exit velo was 84 mph off a tee. At shortstop lets ball come to him, and has quick exchange from glove to hand. Threw 77 mph from position. Ran a 7.31 60 time.

Wade Council, Pine Creek, 2016, LHP
6-1, 155 pounds. Council has a very lanky frame with room to grow. In the outfield ranges back on ball well and throws from a 3/4 arm slot. Threw 81 mph from right field to 3B. At the plate upper and lower body work well together, and has a nice smooth load, level swing, short stride, and line drive power gap to gap. Pretty simple approach. Had a 78 mph exit velocity. Was not able to pitch at the tryout because of the upcoming district playoff game, however in that game he shutout Cherokee Trail 1-0, and we have seen him live in the lower 80's with his fastball. Ran a 7.48 60 time. Projectable lefty.

Taylor Dye, Columbine, 2016, RHP (Was not able to pitch due to having to pitch the day before)
6-foot-5, 210-pound right-handed pitcher with projectable frame.  Motion is smooth with level shoulders and square landing to the plate.  Easy effort and a long quick arm produced fastballs from 83-85 MPH with late sink in the zone.  Over the top arm slot allowed for a 67-70 MPH curve with 11/5 gradual break and lived down in the zone.  Change was thrown at near FB arm speed, 69-73 MPH with good sink.  All three pitches were thrown for strikes at this event. Threw faster then last time we saw him in August. Also looked more smooth to the plate.

Cole Geiger, Pomona, 2016, RHP/1B
6-foot, 170 pounds. Bats and throws right. On the mound you can see his upper body still has more room to catch up to lower body. Does a good job generating power and drive from his lower half. Throws from an over the top arm slot, and fastball sat at 75 mph. Also if he follows through more with arm could generate more arm whip. Has room to add more velocity. Curveball was same arm speed as fastball with gradual 11/5 tilt at 60 mph. Change up had late fade at 68 mph. At the plate hands start low and load back. Line drive swing with one-hand finish producing 80 mph exit velocity off the tee. At first base showed soft hands and good feet throwing 67 mph from 1st to 3B. Was honorable mention All-Jeffco League.

Alex Gonzales, Rocky Mountain, 2016 RHP/C/MIF
5-foot-10, 167 pounds. Bats left and throws right. Gonzales is a weapon for the Rocky Mountain Lobos being able to play anywhere on defense. On the mound throws from over the top motion, square to plate. Repeatable simple delivery. Body comes towards the plate with good lower half.  Fastball was 79-81 mph. Off speed pitches come in as same arm speed as fastball. Curveball was 12/6 with gradual tilt at 68 mph. Change up had some fade at 74 mph. Behind the dish had soft hands framing with little movement. Receives well. Good feet that gets him in position to throw. 2.14 pop-time. Also went to SS. Moves towards ball well. Quick hands and good exchange. Threw from more of a 3/4 arm slot at shortstop. Ran a 7.7 60. Intriguing player. Looks like he belongs anywhere on the baseball field a coach needs. A lot of versatility.

Jake Greenwalt, Windsor, 2016 RHP/SS
6-foot-1, 165 pounds. Bats and throws right. Lanky build and very projectable. One of the best arms at the tryout. Starts slightly closed in stance and throws from a 3/4 arm slot from an uphill delivery. Lands square to plate, throws off two-feet, and falls off towards first base.  Hides ball well, tough to pick up. Fastball was 87-88 mph with one 90. Curveball has good tight spin with late 11/5 tilt at 67 mph. Change up has some sink at 74 mph. Both pitches same arm speed as fastball. At the plate loads back and is short to the ball with uphill swing through zone. Some pull tendencies. Uses leg kick and short stride. Exit velo was 84 mph off the tee. At SS throws from a 3/4 arm slot. Shows good action, closes down and gains ground on throws to first base. Threw 79 mph to first. Ran a 7.21 60 time. Very projectable. Player to follow.

Aaron Hammann, Chaparral, 2016, RHP/SS
5-foot-10, 160 pounds. Bats and throws right. On the mound it's hard to pick up ball out of hand. Has short path back then throws from 3/4 loose arm slot. Lower half works well, lands in-line. Fastball was 85-86 mph with one 87. Square to plate and repeatable delivery on all pitches. Change up is very effective, hard to pick up at 75 mph. Curve ball had late break and a 10/5 tilt. At the plate stands tall, slight open stance, loads hands back and has uphill swing with opposite field tendencies. Finishes with one-hand, rocks back in swing and strides short. Exit velo was 80 mph off tee. At shortstop has good actions, moves well to back hand and front hand side with smooth exchange. Threw 81 across the diamond. Ran a 7.15 60 time.

Spencer Hammond, Eaglecrest, 2016, LHP
6-foot-1, 175-pounds. Bats right and throws left. At the plate hands start low, and swing is uphill. Generates most of his power from upper body and gets good extension through the ball with pull tendencies. Generated 87 mph exit velocity off the tee. In the OF arm is short back and over the top. Threw 76 mph from right field to 3B. Spencer did not throw at the event due to pitching for his high school team on Saturday but at last event threw from a ¾ arm slot and sat 80-82 with his fastball with arm side run.  He also displayed command of a 72 MPH change and a 65 MPH curve with 1/7 rotation.  Hammond showed good command of all three pitches and showcased repeatable mechanics. 

Brice Johnson, Pine Creek, 2016, LHP
6-foot-6, 185-pound left-handed pitcher with room to grow. Every time we see Johnson we like him more. Still a little raw, but projectable LHP with a smooth motion with level shoulder, square landing and athletic finish. Was more in line, and not opening up front knee on landing as much. Gets great extension towards plate.  Arm is long and quick and delivery comes from a high ¾ arm slot.  Easy effort to the plate produced and increased fastball of 85-86 MPH fastball with slight tail and good command of the zone.  Threw a slider this time that sat 75 mph with late tilt.  Change was thrown with FB arm action with good sink down in the zone also at 75 MPH. Again another highly projectable pitcher, especially when looking at frame.

Garrett Keaney, Grandview, 2016, LHP
6-foot-4, 200 pounds. Big left-handed pitcher. Pumps hands over head with nice rhythm in delivery, then throws from over the top arm slot, lands in line and square to plate. Gets most out of stride and gains a good distance and extension to the plate. Fastball sat consistently at 80 mph with a couple at 81. Changeup was 74-75 mph thrown at same arm speed as fastball. Curve ball had good 12/6 tilt and gradual break sitting at 63 mph. Intrigued by size. If adds a few more pounds could be a mid-80's thrower by spring 2016.

Dalton Lind, Eaton, 2016, RHP
6-foot-3, 180-pounds. Lind was nasty at the tryout. A right-handed pitcher, displayed a smooth delivery with level shoulders lands in line off two feet, then falls off to first  Arm was loose from a high ¾ slot with quick actions.  Fastball seemed to be on you in the zone consistently at 87 to 88 mph. Up from 83-85 from last time we saw him in early March. Could get event more extension. Has room to add more weight. Projects as a lower 90's kid.  Knuckle Curve was an eliminating pitch at 74-76 with 10/4 late break.  Lind’s third pitch was a slider at 76-77 MPH. 

Nicholas Morris, Grandview, 2016, RHP
6-foot-6, 180 pounds. Cannot ignore his size. Creates very good down-angle, with very good extension and is on top of you at plate. From a high 3/4 motion fastball was 86-87 mph, and could even get more with added weight. Fastball was increased from lower 80's in the spring and fall.  Lands in-line and is smooth for big size. Mechanics take him to the strikezone. Throws a slit-finger with late sink at 73 mph. Curve ball is 12/6 with late break. Less raw from last time we saw him in the fall.

J.T. Mossberg, Eaton, 2016, RHP/2B
6-foot, 160 pounds. Bats and throws right. Is square to plate, short, 3/4 arm slot towards plate with inline athletic finish. Fastball sat at 79 to 80 mph with some sink. Curve ball had a 10/5 tilt and late break at 69 mph. Change up was 71-72 mph that faded away from a lefty. Attacks the strikezone with all three pitches and shows same arm speed on all three. Repeatable delivery. At the plate hands load down, uses leg kick, and swing is uphill. Finishes with one hand. At times off-balanced. 81 mph exit velocity off the tee. In the infield threw 81 mph across the diamond from same arm slot. Quick exhange and gains some ground in throws. Ran a 7.4 60 time.

Buhm Jin Song, Doherty, 2016, RHP
6-foot-0 145-pound right-handed pitcher. Jin Song works at a fast pace. Fastball was increased to 80-81 mph from an over the top arm slot since the last time we saw him. Fluid delivery, lands square in-line to the plate and throws off two feet. Works at a good pace.  Song is a strike thrower with all three pitches, and has good fastball command of the strike zone and throws down angle. Song also showcased a 67-68 MPH curve with 11/5 tilt and a 74 mph MPH change with sink. If Jin Song adds some weight you can see a mid 80's thrower by next spring.

Nick Spiliotis, Regis Jesuit, 2016, RHP 3B
6-foot, 185 pounds. Bats left and throws right. Very versatile ball player.  Liked make-up on the mound. Has strong legs. Has long in-line stride and extension to the plate with good finish. Throws from a short over-top loose arm angle. Hides ball well. Fastball was 78-80 mph with a couple at 81. Change up is very effective at 74 mph with fade and thrown from same arm speed as fastball. Was best changeup at the tryout. Curveball was 12/6 tilt with late break. At the plate has minimal load, and is a line drive hitter gap to gap. No stride, just raises foot, and has a bottom hand dominant swing with very good bat speed that is slightly uphill. Had an 89 mph exit velocity, one of the top velos at the tryout. In the outfield ranges well with good arm, gains ground and attacks ball. At 1B showed good feet and soft hands around the bag. Threw 82 mph across the infield. Ran a 7.31 60 time. Like his versatility.

Ryan Steinert, Chaparral, 2016, LHP, 1B
6-foot-2, 170 pounds. Smooth effortless motion from high 3/4 arm slot. Lands in-line and square to the plate. Nice stride, and great job of using lower half and throwing off two feet. Fastball was consistently 80 mph with good down angle. Like off-speed mix. Curve ball was 69 with tight spin and 11/5 tilt thrown for strikes. Changeup has effective and thrown at same arm speed of fastball. Liked his 3 pitch mix, and if he adds some weight could be a mid-80's thrower by next spring.

Zach Sundine, Grandview, 2016, LHP, OF
5-foot-9, 142-pound left handed pitcher and outfielder.  We like Sundine's live arm for his size. Last time we saw Sundine he was 80 mph, but was 83-84 mph in the tryout from high 3/4 arm slot.  Smoother delivery but still falls off to the third base side. Sundine has a 12-6 sharp breaking 69 mph curve with sharp late break. Change up had some sink, and was 74 mph at same arm speed as fastball.  Defensively moves well on balls both right and left.  Arm velo from the outfield increased from 77 mph last time we saw him to 81 mph. At the plate, has minimal load, short stride, and level line-drive, gap to gap swing that produced a 82 mph exit velocity. Ran a 7.27 60 time.

Preston Snavely, Fort Collins, 2016, RHP
6-foot-5, 190-pound, right-handed pitcher.  Snavely is more impressive each time we see him. A Very projectable right-handed pitcher for the class of 2016.  Smooth easy effort delivery keeps him square to the plate with a long and loose arm.  Delivered pitches from both an over the top slot as well as a high ¾ slot.  Fastball was 87-88 with one at 90.  Snavely's ball has run and good down angle.  A 70-72 MPH curve had 12/6 rotation with gradual break. Curveball was thrown consistently for strikes. Changeup was thrown at 76-78 MPH change, and was thrown more at same arm speed as fastball since the last time we saw him. Snavely is very projectable, and looks effortless when he throws.

 

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