IA Top Prospect Games: Pitching Analysis

September 25, 2015

By Rob Allison
Prep Baseball Report Iowa

The Prep Baseball Report Iowa's Top Prospect Games took place on August 9th, 2015 at Duane Banks Field on the campus of the University of Iowa. The showcase featured prospects from the 2016 class who showcased their talents in front of our scouting staff, college coaches, and professional scouts.

The top pitching prospect at this year's IA Top Prospect Games was Parker Thode from Ottumwa High School. Thode threw the event's best fastball; along with having a projectable body, feel for secondary pitches, and command of zone with 3 solid pitches.

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pitching prospects (listed alphabetically)

Blake Bagenstos, RHP/3B, Dowling Catholic, 2016
6-foot, 170-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. 7.56 runner. Square stance. Leg kick trigger. Strength in swing. Some length to contact. Drives ball with authority middle/in. Solid approach at plate. 90 mph exit velocity. Avg. feet and hands at third base with strong arm. Quick release with accuracy to bag. 83 mph across infield. Slight tuck and turn delivery. Wrap on back-side; but come out of hand well with loose arm action. Fastball shows good life with ASR at 82-85 mph. 10/4 shape on breaking ball with avg. spin and depth. Changeup is thrown with fading action and avg. arm speed.

Adam Barrett, OF/LHP, Council Bluffs A.L., 2016
5-foot-10, 175-pound right-handed hitting outfielder. 5-foot-10, 175-pound right-handed hitting outfielder. 7.16 runner. Square stance with short stride. Solid balance. Stays on backside at contact. Leans back in swing. Pull approach with solid pop in bat. 86 mph exit velocity off tee. Quick feet and solid actions in outfield. Fields on side occasionally. Arm action is clean. Throws are online with avg. carry and accuracy. 80 mph arm strength. High leg kick. Drags back-side through on release. Fastball was 74-77 mph with flat action and occasional cut. Curveball with avg. rotation and shape. Slider had short loose break. Changeup had down action with avg. arm speed.

Ben Dotzler, RHP/SS, OA-BCIG, 2016
6-foot-2, 205-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. Physical build. 6.9 runner. Strides across body. Stiff lower half in swing. Pull approach with raw power to pull-side. 92 mph exit velocity. Tall fielding position. Fields underneath. Does good job of working through baseball when fielding. Above avg. carry on throws at 80 mph. Good tempo and direction in delivery. Lands slightly across body. Arm is clean and loose. Fastball has downhill plane with late ASR at 83-87 mph. Curveball is avg. Slider is much better with above avg. depth and shape thrown at 74-77 mph. Slows arm on changeup causing flat action.

Jack Gray, 1B/LHP, Burlington Notre Dame, 2016
5-foot-11, 185-pound left-handed hitting 2-way player. 7.59 runner. Early load. Front heel turn trigger. Line drive swing plane. Avg. power. Solid contact when he stays in middle of field. 79 mph exit velocity off tee. Ability to make routine plays at first base. Solid glove. Avg. feet. Above avg. footwork around bag receiving throws. 73 mph arm strength across. Up tempo delivery. 2-piece arm action. Uses multiple arm slots. Fastball is straight at 70-75 mph with occasional cut. 10/4 breaking ball with early gradual break and loose spin. Throws changeup with stiff wrist; shows avg. sink and action.

Brandon Heilskov, 3B/RHP, Ankeny Centennial, 2016
6-foot-2, 180-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. 7.62 runner. Slightly crouched athletic stance. Open to start. Front heel turn trigger. Compact swing. Flashes pop to gaps. Above avg. contact. 81 mph exit velocity. Above avg. feet with solid glove at third base. Active fielder with good angles to ball. Stiff arm action. Solid/avg. carry and accuracy to bag. 76 mph arm strength across. Lands slightly across body in delivery. Creates some tilt to release. Fastball shows varying cut and run at 73-76 mph. 11/5 breaking ball with loose spin and slider action at 63-64 mph. Changeup has above avg. sink and is thrown with good arm speed.

Jacob Henry, 2B/RHP, Cedar Rapids Kennedy, 2016
5-foot-11, 165-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. 7.32 runner. Simple swing. Slight shoulder load creating length to contact. Some stiffness in lower half. Handles middle/in well. Has present strength in swing. 84 mph exit velocity. Avg. feet and actions in field. Soft glove. Ability to make plays. Quick release. Solid accuracy. Sinking action to bag. 82 mph arm strength. Simple mechanics. Some collapse at balance point. Short arm action. Fastball is straight at 78-81 mph with occasional downhill plane. Tends to be on side of breaking ball causing sideways spin and flat break. Above avg. changeup with late sink and good arm action.

Will Karrer, RHP, Sioux City Heelan, 2016
6-foot-2, 160-pound right-handed pitcher. Loose projectable body. Pause at balance. Solid body control. Good rhythm in delivery. Lands slightly across body. Arm is clean and loose. Fastball was 78-81 mph with down action and occasional ASR. Breaking ball showed avg. action and was thrown for strikes. Changeup was best secondary pitch; with late sink, thrown consistently for strikes, with above avg. arm speed.

Adam Ketelsen, LHP, Mount Vernon, 2016
6-foot-3, 165-pound left-handed pitcher. Lean projectable body. Arm works well and is loose from H ¾ slot. Stays connected well through delivery. Short stride to plate with avg. use of lower half. Fastball shows varying cut and sink for strikes at 79-81 mph. 1/7 breaking ball had sharp break with tight rotation and depth. Changeup had plus fade and was thrown at fastball arm speed. Ketelsen offers projection and potential on mound. Shows pitchability with 3 pitches.

Cory Koster, LHP, Ankeny Centennial, 2016
5-foot-9, 160-pound left-handed pitcher. High leg kick with tilt at balance point. Lands across body. Hides ball from hitter. Mowed through hitters; pitched well at this event. Fastball was 80-83 mph with slight ASR and flashes of late action. Breaking ball shows 2/8 shape and slurve action to plate with avg. rotation. Changeup was straight with decent fade for strikes.

Ross Kramer, OF/RHP, Urbandale, 2016
6-foot-2, 185-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. 7.28 runner. Projectable build. Athletic set-up in box. Shows strength to all fields. Ball jumps off bat with line drive swing plane. Short finish through contact. 88 mph exit velocity. Good actions in outfield. Solid accuracy with plus carry on on-line throws. Arm is fast and loose. 89 mph arm strength. Long clean arm action on mound. OT slot. Fastball is heavy with slight cutting action at 82-86 mph. Breaking ball has loose spin and early break. Tends to slow arm on split; with flat action.

Justin Kress, RHP, East Buchanan, 2016
5-foot-11, 175-pound right-handed pitcher. Tucked front leg. Short arm action with good direction to plate. Fastball showed varying run and cut action at 71-75 mph; touching 79 mph. Hump action on curveball with average rotation and minimal depth at 62-64 mph.

Hunter Lee, RHP/1B, Des Moines Lincoln, 2016
6-foot-1, 190-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. 7.03 runner. Spread stance. Front heel turn trigger. Pull approach. Rotational swing tendencies. Slight uphill bat plane. Flashes above avg. power to pull side of field. 82 mph exit velocity off tee. Works low to ground and fields out front. Soft glove. Fields flat-footed. Avg./ok actions in field. Quick release with above avg. carry and accuracy across. 82 mph arm strength. Solid mechanics on mound. Lands closed to plate with good direction. Strong lower half. Some hitch in arm action. Comes out of hand well in front. Fastball shows slight ASR with occasional cut to glove side at 83-85 mph. 11/5 shape on breaking ball with avg. rotation- inconsistent release point. One of better changeups at event with good feel for zone, late sinking action, and thrown at fastball arm speed.

Victor Malloy, RHP/OF, Williamsburg, 2016
6-foot-3, 190-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. 6.87 runner. Projectable build. Controlled swing at plate. Stays inside baseball. Middle/away approach. Would like to see him more aggressive and drive baseball to gaps. 83 mph exit velocity off tee. Solid actions in outfield. Works through baseball well. Clean arm action. Throws show above avg. carry and accuracy to target. 79 mph arm strength. Good balance and tempo in delivery. Clean arm action with short stroke in back. Some quickness to arm. Ball jumps on hitter. Fastball shows downhill plane with slight cut at 78-83 mph. Flashes 2-seam with above avg. ASR. 10/4 breaking ball with sweeping action and avg. depth.

Rece Martin, LHP/OF, Saydel, 2016
6-foot-2, 185-pound left-handed hitting 2-way player. 7.13 runner. Uphill set-up. Early load. Lift in swing. Active load with hands. Solid contact when he stays in middle of field. Strength in swing. 89 mph exit velocity. Solid actions in outfield. Fields on side occasionally. Clean arm action. Accurate throws to plate. 81 mph arm strength. Projectable body on mound. Short balance point. Some collapse. Direction to plate is good. Lands slightly across body. Fastball has late cutting action at 74-77 mph. Curveball has solid 1/7 shape with flashes of depth with tight rotation. Above avg. feel for changeup thrown at fastball arm speed.

Max McCay, C/RHP, Carlisle, 2016
5-foot-7, 170-pound left-handed hitting 2-way player. 7.34 runner. Open stance. Good rhythm in swing. Front heel turn trigger. Some rotational tendencies. Shifts weight well through contact. Solid approach in box. Avg./ok power in bat to gaps. 82 mph exit velocity. Leadership qualities behind plate. Plays with energy. Ability to receive. Clean exchanges. Short release. Above avg. accuracy to bag. 1.93 pop time with 72 mph arm strength. Bulldog mentality on mound. Competes in zone. Clean arm action from OT slot. Fastball has downhill plane at 78-81 mph with slight ASR. 12/6 breaking ball has gradual break and avg. depth. Changeup thrown at fastball arm speed with quality late sink for strikes.

Walker McDonald, 2B/RHP, Waukee, 2016
5-foot-11, 155-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. 7.00 runner. Spread stance. Front heel turn trigger. Inconsistent load. Slight arm bar. Good approach and stays in middle of field. Line drive contact with flashes of pop in bat. 80 mph exit velocity. Works low to ground. Fields underneath occasionally. Solid glove and feet. Second base actions. Clean exchanges and quick release. Avg./ok accuracy to bag. 83 mph arm strength with avg. carry. Up tempo delivery. Front foot outside body in balance point. Lands across body with short stride to plate. 79-80 mph fastball with slight ASR for consistent strikes. 11/5 breaking ball with loose spin and gradual break to plate. Good feel for changeup with fading action and thrown at fastball arm speed.

Cooper Merrill, SS/RHP, Clear Lake, 2016
5-foot-8, 160-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. 6.64 runner. Quick twitch actions. Good balance and direction in swing. Line drive swing plane. Average power. Good approach and works middle of field. 79 mph exit velocity off tee. Shows good hands and feet in field. Accurate arm across. Light on his feet. Solid range. 84 mph arm strength across. Fastball is heavy with flashes of late life at 80-82 mph. 11/5 breaking ball with slider action. Changeup is firm with cut action.

Nic Mougin, C/1B/RHP, Cedar Rapids Prairie, 2016
6-foot, 175-pound right-handed hitting player with versatility. Lean build with strength. 7.31 runner. Creates good bat speed at plate. Above avg. contact. Solid hand-eye to ball. Some length to contact with arm bar. Solid approach. Uses whole field. Hard line drive contact with flashes of pop to pull side of field. Easy actions at first base. Above avg. defender. Above avg. athleticism for first base. Good footwork around bag. Receives throws with ease. Also has ability to catch. 70 mph arm strength across infield. Slight tuck and turn delivery. Competes well in zone. Slight ASR on fastball at 77-81 mph. 12/6 curveball has gradual break with avg. rotation and shape. Cut action on changeup with slight fade.

Sam Powell, RHP/OF, Waukee, 2016
6-foot-1, 180-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. 6.97 runner. Tall athletic set-up in box. Swings down and through baseball. Good swing plane. Needs to stay through zone longer; take advantage of long levers. Good bat speed- 91 mph exit velocity. Strength to gaps. Easy actions in outfield. Plays through baseball well. Long clean arm action. Above avg. carry and accuracy to target. 87 mph arm strength from outfield. Projectable body on mound. Throws 3 pitches for strikes. Easy effort. Flashes arm quickness from ¾ slot. Fastball was 82-85 mph with slight ASR. Slider is thrown at 74-75 mph with 11/5 shape and avg. depth. Changeup has split-type action with cut to glove side.

Alec Rickabaugh, RHP, Waukee, 2016
6-foot-5, 185-pound right-handed pitcher. Tall projectable build. Good direction to plate. Short pie arm action. Varying slots. Fastball was 77-81 mph with late running action and occasional sink. Flashed avg. curveball at 67-70 mph. Slider was 70-71 mph with loose spin for strikes. Changeup is thrown near fastball arm speed with fade at 71-72 mph.

Nile Ringen, 1B/RHP, Iowa City, 2016
6-foot-3, 200-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. 7.9 runner. Square stance. Hovers/glides in stride; causing off-time at contact. Low hand slot. Flat swing plane. Flashes power to pull side. Pull approach. 87 mph exit velocity off tee. Solid glove at first base with above avg. feet. Moves well around bag. Receives with ease. 80 mph arm strength across. Some crouch at balance point. OT slot with short arm action. Arm action is clean. 78-82 mph fastball has slight ASR with flashes of late action for strikes. 12/6 curveball is an above avg. pitch with tight rotation and depth at 64-66 mph. Changeup shows fade with avg. depth.

Drew Schmit, RHP, Ames, 2016
6-foot, 165-pound right-handed pitcher. Controlled delivery. 2-piece arm action from mid ¾ slot. Drop and drive tendencies with lower half. Fastball is heavy with running action and solid life at 78-82 mph. Slider has 10/4 shape, flat break, and loose spin. Changeup is thrown near fastball arm speed with slight sinking action.

Joe Seuferer, SS/RHP, Saydel, 2016
6-foot-2, 165-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. 7.25 runner. Tall closed stance. Stiff lower half in swing. Dead pull approach. Barrel out front at contact. Avg. power. 80 mph exit velocity off tee. Light and quick on his feet. Good actions in field. Aggressive confident fielder. Soft hands. Shows avg. accuracy to bag with solid carry at 79 mph. Up tempo delivery. High balance point. Lands across body with stiff front leg. Avg. extension to plate. Fastball shows slight ASR at 74-77 mph. 10/4 breaking ball has loose spin and gradual break to plate. Changeup is firm with fading action at 69-72 mph.

Gage Smart, LHP/OF, Indianola, 2016
6-foot-2, 165-pound left-handed hitting 2-way player. 7.46 runner. Dead pull approach. Stiff upper half in swing. Contact hitter. 75 mph exit velocity off tee. Elevated throws from outfield. Avg. defensive actions. 75 mph arm strength. Hides ball from hitter. Lands far across body. Cross-fire delivery. Fastball has sinking action with heavy ASR at 80-81 mph. 2/8 breaking ball with loose spin and inconsistent feel for zone. Shows ability to throw changeup for strikes with ASR and above avg. arm speed.

Cal Stalzer, SS/RHP, WDM Valley, 2016
5-foot-10, 150-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. 6.87 runner. One of better 2-way players in state. Slightly open to start. Strides across with front heel turn trigger. Shows good approach at plate and uses whole field. Hard contact middle/away with consistent solid contact. 84 mph exit velocity. Fields low to ground and through baseball. Above avg. exchanges and release. Above avg. hands. Throws show very good accuracy and carry to bag at 85 mph. Quick twitch actions on mound. Pounds zone with 3 pitches for strikes. Fastball shows above avg. life with cutting action to glove side at 83-86 mph. Slider has tight rotation with late break/depth. Good fade on changeup thrown with plus arm speed.

Max Steffens, RHP, Central Dewitt, 2016
6-foot, 170-pound right-handed pitcher. Continues to develop physically. Clean loose arm stroke. Short arm action. Comes out well in front. Solid balance point; lands closed to plate with good direction. Ball jumps on hitter with slight sinking action at 82-84 mph. 10/4 shape on breaking ball with slider action at 74-76 is best secondary pitch. Changeup is thrown with avg. arm speed and avg. sink at the plate for strikes.

Parker Thode, RHP, Ottumwa, 2016
6-foot-1, 165-pound right-handed pitcher. Lean athletic body. Long legs with high waist. Loose and flexible. Long arm action. Shows avg./ok life on fastball. Fastball is 84-87 mph with heavy sink for strikes. Throws a 11/5 curveball with avg. break for strikes; mixes in a slider with tight rotation, 10/4 break, above avg. shape, with flashes of plus depth. Changeup is thrown at fastball arm speed with late ASR. One of best uncommitted arm available in the state.

Brett Tornow, LHP/1B, Clinton, 2016
6-foot-2, 170-pound left-handed hitting 2-way player. 7.71 runner. Solid rhythm in box. Double tap trigger. Pulls off with negative weight at contact- loses leverage. Pull approach. Avg./solid contact. Avg. pop in bat. 80 mph exit velocity. Active feet. Fields out front. Solid glove. Makes routine plays. Good footwork around bag. 65 mph arm strength across. High balance point. Solid body control. Lands slightly across. Short arm action. Fastball was 67-70 mph with slight cutting action. Breaking ball had loose spin with gradual break to plate. Change thrown with avg. arm speed with cut action.

DeShawn Welch, RHP/1B, Indianola, 2016
6-foot-3, 190-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. 7.5 runner. Body is beginning to develop physically. Solid strength. Stiff swing. Barrel is in/out of zone. Pull approach. Some strength in swing with 89 mph exit velocity. Athletic actions at first base. Soft glove and moves well laterally. 78 mph arm strength across. Projectable body on mound. Clean arm action. Solid mechanically. Fastball shows above avg. life with ASR at 79-81 mph. Slider is better breaking ball; thrown at 72-73 mph with tight rotation and depth. Curveball is “get me over” pitch presently. Above avg. feel for changeup with ASR and thrown at fastball arm speed.

Chris Witzke, OF/LHP, Humboldt, 2016
5-foot-10, 160-pound left-handed hitting 2-way player. 7.12 runner. Square stance with small stride. Athletic actions in box. Hard line drive contact to pull side of field. Some lift in swing plane. 85 mph exit velocity. Active feet in outfield. Works to get into proper position. Aggressive fielder. Clean arm action from OT slot. Above avg. carry and accuracy to target. 84 mph arm strength. Committed shortly after event to U. Illinois-Springfield. Clean arm action from short release point. Moderate effort occasionally with head jerk. Fastball shows early run with slight sink at 80-83 mph. 1/7 breaking ball with slider action and gradual break. Changeup is thrown at fastball arm speed with solid fade action.

IA Top Prospect Games: Pitching Analysis

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