Prep Baseball Report

Class of 2014 Showcase: Pitcher Analysis



By Steve Nielsen and Sean Duncan

The Class of 2014 Showcase on October 21 unveiled a lot of impressive arms, many of whom were previously unknown to us.   

A complete breakdown of all the junior pitchers:

1. Mike Costanzo, St. Rita HS, LHP, Class of 2014
Costanzo established himself as one of the premier left-handed prospects in the Midwest. The 6-foot, 165-pounder earned top prospect honors at the event after his electric bullpen. Coming from a high-3/4 angle, Costanzo’s 87-88 mph fastball exhibited hard, late arm-side life. He also showcased a 72-75 mph curveball with sharp two-plane action. His curveball showed the potential to be a swing-and-miss pitch at the next level. He also showed a firm 79-80 mph changeup that had some cut and sink action. All three pitches he threw with confidence and with similar arm action. Costanzo has an extremely quick arm, and is athletic and deceptive in his delivery.

2. Luke Morgan, Lincoln-Way West HS, RHP/3B, Class of 2014
Morgan was one of the biggest revelations at the Class of 2014 Showcase, as the 6-foot-1, 165-pounder proved to be a legitimate two-way prospect. On the mound, the right-hander comes from a high-3/4 angle, using a short and quick arm action. He’s clean, loose, balanced and repeats. Morgan’s fastball topped at 87 mph, sitting around 85, and demonstrated sink down in the zone. He also commanded a sharp 73-77 mph curveball with late 11/5 action. His changeup, too, was a solid pitch, as he pounded the zone with excellent arm action, in the 75-77 mph range. All three pitches Morgan locates with confidence. Positionally, Morgan continued to impress at third base. He moves well laterally, and showed soft hands and solid arm strength (79 mph) across the infield). Offensively, he has a simple, balanced approach. He demonstrated quick, quiet hands to the baseball as he barreled balls to both power alleys. Morgan showed a repeatable swing with excellent balance throughout. He also ran a 7.09 60. Overall, Morgan showed himself to be a higher-end prospect in the Class of 2014.

3. Jonathan Figueroa, Roberto Clemente HS, RHP, Class of 2014
Figueroa is an athletically built 6-foot, 176-pound right handed pitcher. Figueroa showcased an effortless arm action producing an 85-87 mph fastball. His delivery is free and easy, throwing out of a high ¾ arm action with a loose arm. His balance was solid throughout his delivery, showing a direct tall and fall approach. He commanded his fastball well with a heavy feel. His curveball showed feel as well, showcasing sharp 12/6 action at 69-72 mph. His changeup also proved to be an above average pitch showing command with arm side run thrown with deceptive arm action. Figueroa should be one of the top right-handed pitchers in his class.

4. Danny Janowski, T.F. South HS, LHP/1B, Class of 2014
Janowski is an athletic 6-foot-5, 200-pound two-way player who proved to be an asset all over the field. On the mound, Janowski works out of a high ¾ arm slot from the left side, producing an 84-86 mph fastball with cut action in the strike zone. He also showcased a sweeping curveball at 76-77 mph along with a change up at 78-82 mph. Janowski also showed soft hands at first base with fluid footwork around the bag. Offensively, he hits from a slightly open stance using a leg kick while generating bat speed. Janowski has the frame and tools to be a solid prospect at the next level.

5. Alex Troop, Marmion HS, 1B/LHP, Class of 2014
Troop is a very projectable athlete at 6-foot-4, 178-pounds he has the frame to add significant growth. Troop is a talented athlete who could project as a legitimate two-way player. On the mound, Troop worked out of a balanced delivery throwing from a high ¾ arm slot, with long loose actions. His fastball registered at 80-83 mph featuring some run with a solid feel for the pitch. His change up also showed above average feel thrown with deceptive arm action producing hard arm side run in the zone at 72-75 mph. Defensively, Troop showed solid footwork around the bag coupled with soft hands. At the plate, he hits from a tall open stance showing bat speed while working gap to gap.

6. Brad Wood, St. Laurence HS, SS/RHP, Class of 2014
Wood showcased a well-rounded game. Wood showed solid actions in the field showing fluid body control showing the ability to release the baseball freely while on the move. A strongly built 5-foot-8, 160-pound athlete; Wood used a balanced setup with a slight leg kick to get into his hitting position. He showed a short bat path producing line drives and showing good balance throughout. On the mound, Wood operates from a ¾ arm slot, showcasing a quick loose arm that works well. He showed solid athleticism in his delivery with direction to the plate. Wood’s fastball showed control down in the zone with late sinking action at 82-85 mph. Wood throws his curveball hard at 72-75 mph on an 11/5 plane thrown with solid arm speed. His change up showed feel at 73-74 mph that was thrown for strikes with arm side run.

7. Tommy Bordignon, Loyola HS, INF/RHP, Class of 2014
Bordignon is a lanky 5-foot-11, 155-pound two-way player. On the mound, Bordignon showed hard run and sink when down in the zone on an 83-85 mph fastball. His ¾ arm slot produced a sweeping curveball throw for strikes at 68-70 mph. He also showed excellent feel of a change up that exhibited sharp arm side run thrown with fastball arm speed sitting at 76-77 mph. Bordignon showed excellent splits between all his pitches on the mound. Bordignon showed athletic infield actions using soft hands and fluid footwork. His arm played well at 81 mph across the infield using a loose arm action out of a high ¾ arm slot showing carry and accuracy to his target. Offensively, Bordignon’s approach is quiet; his head stays still throughout his swing resulting in consistent contact. His stance is slightly open and produces strong bat speed on a level path, showing the ability to work to both gaps.

8. Ian Luttrell, Oak Park River Forrest HS, LHP/OF, Class of 2014
Luttrell is a 5-foot-11, 175 pound two-way player who showed well on the mound. Luttrell operates from a high ¾ arm slot using a quick, loose arm action that is clean and shows deception. His delivery shows rhythm and balance working on line to his target out of a tall and fall style approach. Luttrell showed the ability to command the bottom of the zone with his fastball at 78-80 mph. His breaking ball showed sweeping action while being thrown for strikes at 62-66 mph. At 68-70 mph, his changeup demonstrated some arm side run in the strike zone while being thrown with deceptive arm speed. Luttrell showed the ability to control 3 pitches demonstrating his potential for pitchability. Offensively, Luttrell hits from a tall narrow stance showing some pop with solid bat speed.

9. Josh Rahn, Schaumburg HS, RHP/C, Class of 2014
Rahn is a long limbed 6-foot-4, 195-pound right handed pitcher. Rahn demonstrated a solid, balanced delivery resulting in an easy arm action from a high ¾ slot. Rahn showed excellent command of his fastball at 81-82 mph. His curveball worked on an 11/5 plane showing the ability to throw it for strikes. His changeup showed some feel with sink at 73-74 mph.

10. John McAllister, Oak Park-River Forest HS, RHP, Class of 2014
McAllister is a physical 6-foot-2, 235-pound right-hander who features an extremely strong lower half and wide shoulders. McAllister throws a heavy ball coming out of a high-3/4 slot; his fastball sat in the 81-82 mph range, down in the zone. He also commanded a sharp 67-69 mph curveball with late 11/5 action. McAllister also showed excellent feel for his changeup, in the 74-75 range, which exhibited sink. All three pitches he throws with similar arm speed, coming out of the same window.

11. Matt Tomazzolli, Hillsboro HS, LHP, Class of 2014
Tomazzolli is a 6-foot-3, 190-pound left-hander who showed considerable upside. Coming from a high-3/4 angle, he has a quick, loose arm, short on the backside. His curveball showed big potential, as it demonstrated sharp two-plane action in the 66-67 range. His fastball sat at 79-80 mph, while his changeup checked in at 68-69.

12. Reed Rogers, Normal West HS, 1B/RHP, Class of 2014
Rogers is a physical 6-foot-4, 225-pound two-way player who showed a well-rounded game. Offensively, Rogers showed power to his pull side, displaying an aggressive swing. He showed excellent bat speed and hit with a short stride which should project well the further he progresses. On the mound, Rogers threw from an over the top slot delivering strikes with his fastball at 77-80 mph. His curveball showed sharp action with some 12/6 tendencies while also commanding the strike zone. Rogers also threw a change up at 72-76 mph that showed control.

13. Travis Auer, University High, RHP/MIF, Class of 2014
Auer is a 5-foot-10, 165-pound two-way player who showed a well-rounded game. On the mound Auer throws with a short arm action from an over the top slot. He showed solid feel for three pitches. His fastball sat at 82-84 mph in the strike zone, while his breaking ball was 66-69 mph. His changeup also showed control at 73-75 mph. Offensively, Auer hits from a tall, open stance showing solid bat speed and a line drive approach. Auer also ran a 7.03 60.

14. Danny Spinuzza, Downers Grove South HS, LHP/OF, Class of 2014
Spinuzza is a 6-foot, 157-pound left handed pitcher. Spinuzza throws from a ¾ arm slot using a long arm action. Throwing across his body, his fastball showed slight sink at 78-80 mph with the ability to control the zone. Spinuzza also showed feel for a sweeping breaking ball at 63-66 mph. He also showcased a change up at 66-69 mph.

15. Vinny Clesceri, Prairie Ridge HS, OF/LHP, Class of 2014
Clesceri is a 5-foot-9, 165-pound left-handed two-way player. On the mound Clesceri showed an excellent curveball. Thrown for strikes at 70-72 mph, his curveball worked on an 11/5 plane showing powerful depth thrown with fastball arm speed. His fastball registered at 78-79 mph while also controlling it well. Clesceri also threw a change up for strikes at 73-75 mph. Defensively, Clesceri showed athletic actions in the outfield playing through the ball well with solid hands. His arm action was long and over the top, being clocked at 78 mph. At the plate he hits out of a balanced setup using a smooth load.

Best of the rest (Listed alphabetically)

Belal Abuzir, Reavis HS, LHP, Class of 2014
Abuzir has an athletic 6-foot-2, 195-pound projectable frame. The left-hander showed feel for three pitches, including a 65-66 mph curveball that showcased as his best pitch. His curve displayed sharp late break, thrown with consistent arm speed. He works from an over-the-top slot, long on the backside. His fastball topped at 76 mph, with his changeup checked in at 72-73.

Giorgi Arbisi, Rockford Lutheran HS, RHP/OF, Class of 2014
Arbisi is a 5-foot-10, 160-pound right handed pitcher. Arbisi throws across his body out of a long, high ¾ arm slot. His fastball sat at 74-76 mph, while his curveball showed sweeping action at 64-66 mph. His change up was thrown at 69-70 mph.

Matthew Barajas, Reavis HS, OF/RHP, Class of 2014
Barajas is a 5-foot-7, 160-pound two-way player. On the mound Barajas operates from a high ¾ arm slot throwing a 78-79 mph fastball. His curveball sat at 73 mph working on an 11/5 plane thrown with fastball arm speed. He also threw a change up at 71-74 mph. Offensively, Barajas hits out of a slightly open stance using a short stride and finding the barrel with regularity.

Michael Boehmer, St. Charles East HS, RHP, Class of 2014
Boehmer is a 5-foot-10, 170-pound right handed pitcher. Boehmer works across his body from a ¾ arm slot throwing his fastball at 78-80 mph showing slight sink. He also threw a slider at 67-69 mph showing sweeping action on a 10/4 plane. Boehmer also featured a changeup at 71-74 mph.

Ryan Cerney, Loyola HS, RHP, Class of 2014
Cerney is a 5-foot-10, 170-pounds. Cerney uses a short, high ¾ arm slot in which he delivered strikes at 73-74 mph. He also showed a curveball that worked on an 11/5 plane at 63-67 mph. His change up came in at 71-72 mph.

Mitchell Coughlin, Plainfield East HS, LHP/1B, Class of 2014
Coughlin is a 6-foot, 175-pound two-way player. On the mound, the left-hander showcased a 74-76 mph fastball, working slightly across his body. His changeup, in the 68-69 range, exhibited some arm-side run. He also threw a 63-64 mph curveball. Coughlin showed his athleticism by running a 7.07 60 and also demonstrated fluid footwork and reliable hands around first base.

Sam Cybulski, Lyons Township HS, SS/RHP, Class of 2014
Cybulski is an athletically built 6-foot-3, 175-pound two-way player who ran a 6.94 60. Offensively, he has a balanced setup, and demonstrated some bat speed through the zone and a short line-drive approach. He showed athletic feet in the field, while being clocked at 75 mph across the diamond. On the mound, the right-hander topped at 80 mph. His changeup, in the 65-66 mph range, had arm-side run down in the zone. He also threw a 60 mph curveball.

AJ Diepholz, Mattoon HS, RHP/1B, Class of 2014
Diepholz is a 6-foot-2, 170-pound right handed pitcher. Diepholz works out of a short high ¾ arm action showing a fastball at 79-80 mph. His curveball proved to be his best pitch, showing the ability to throw it for strikes at 66-67 mph with feel. His change up showed slight arm side run at 75-76 mph.

David Dobrinich, Mt. Carmel HS, OF/LHP, Class of 2014
Dobrinich is an athletic 5-foot-11, 155-pound two-way athlete. Dobrinich showed well in the outfield, exhibiting a loose, over the top arm that showed consistent accuracy to his target at 79 mph. He displayed fluid footwork to the baseball playing through the ball well. Offensively, Dobrinich hits from an open stance using a smooth load and diving back to the plate to get into his hitting position. He showed solid barrel awareness hitting hard line drives to his pull side. Dobrinich also ran a 7.14 60. On the mound he showcased a 74-75 mph fastball, a breaking ball at 62-64 mph, and a change up at 69-70, all from a high ¾ arm slot.

Eric Dubek, Providence Catholic HS, RHP, Class of 2014
Dubek is a 5-foot-10, 150-pound right handed pitcher. Dubek has a quick and loose arm action operating out of a high ¾ arm slot. His fastball sat at 78-80 mph showing slight run and sink. Dubek showed some feel for a change up at 72 mph, showing solid arm action and arm side run. His breaking ball works on an 11/5 plane at 66-68 mph.

Conner Gremer, Urbana HS, RHP, Class of 2014
Gremer is a 6-foot-2, 210-pound right-hander from Urbana HS. Coming from a high-3/4 arm slot, Gremer showed some rhythm in his delivery of his fastball, which topped at 79 mph. His curveball ranged between 66-69 mph, while his changeup displayed some arm-side run in the 74-76 range.

Dan Lindich, T.F. South HS, RHP/OF, Class of 2014
Lindich is a 6-foot-2, 160-pound right handed pitcher. Lindich throws from an over the top arm action featuring a fastball that topped out at 75 mph, coupled with a 65-68 mph breaking ball and a 70-71 mph change up.

Francisco Mari, Elgin HS, RHP/OF, Class of 2014
Mari is a lanky 6-foot-2, 160-pound left handed pitcher. Mari operates from a high ¾ arm action using a short loose arm action, while working on line directly to his target. His fastball sat at 77-79 mph. Mari also threw a curveball at 63-64 mph in which he showed the ability to throw it for strikes on an 11/5 plane. He also threw a change up at 67-68 mph.

Nick Newman, Vernon Hills HS, RHP/3B, Class of 2014                                                 
Newman is a 5-foot-10, 155-pound right handed pitcher. Newman throws from a low ¾ arm slot producing run and sink with his fastball, l throwing strikes at 78-80 mph. Newman also throws a sweeping slider at 69-72 mph thrown with above average arm speed while throwing it slightly across his body. His change up was clocked at 68-70 mph.

Chris Pedrak, Downers Grove South HS, 1B/RHP, Class of 2014
Pedrak is a 5-foot-11, 180-pound two-way player. As a pitcher Pedrak showed command of a 76-79 mph fastball, operating from a high ¾ arm slot. His curveball showed 11/5 action at 65-67 mph while his change up showed control with arm side run at 66-67 mph. Offensively, Pedrak hit out of a wide, balanced setup. Showing some barrel awareness, he uses a level bat path working with a gap to gap approach.

Ben Rashid, Illinois Valley Central HS, LHP/OF, Class of 2014
Rashid is a 6-foot, 150-pound left handed pitcher. Rashid works out of a drop and drive style delivery from a lower ¾ arm slot. Rashid showed the ability to throw three pitches for strikes; a fastball with sink at 74-76 mph, a curveball at 58-59 mph, and a change up at 66-68 mph.

Ian Smith, Northwood HS (IN), LHP, Class of 2014
Smith is a 6-foot-3, 185-pound left-hander who works out of a high 3/4 slot with a long arm action. His fastball topped at 74 mph, while his curveball checked in at 58-59 mph. He also threw a 63-66 mph changeup.

Sam Smith, Riverside-Brookfield HS, LHP/OF, Class of 2014
Smith is a 6-foot, 145-pound two-way player. On the mound, Smith showed a smooth, repeatable delivery with the ability to throw strikes, working slightly across his body. His fastball sat at 68-70 mph while his curveball worked on an 11/5 plane at 58-60 mph. His change up showed cut actions at 64-65 mph with solid arm speed.

Isaiah Taylor, Princeton HS, OF/LHP, Class of 2014
Taylor is a 5-foot-10, 155-pound two-way player. Taylor operates out of a short, high ¾ arm action displaying slight run on his 75-78 mph fastball. His curve ball showed sharp action on an 11/5 plane at 60-62 mph. His change up sat at 69-73. Taylor showed above average foot speed running a 6.97 60. Offensively, Taylor hit from a tall, open stance using a short stride working to his pull side.

Roger Wilson, St. Laurence HS, 1B/RHP, Class of 2014
The 6-foot-4, 190-pound Wilson impressed with his offensive prowess. The right-handed hitter demonstrated excellent bat speed and the ability to drive the ball with authority. He showed his athleticism by running a 7.26 60 and exhibited nimble feet and glovework around first base. On the mound, the right-hander topped at 82 mph.

Ben Wylde, Normal Community HS, OF/RHP, Class of 2014
The 6-foot-3, 175-pound Wylde ran a 7.10 60 and was clocked at 83 mph from the outfield. Offensively, he hits from a wide setup with no stride, yet showcased some barrel whip through the zone. On the mound he topped at 75 mph with his fastball.

Justin Vogel, Marengo HS, LHP/1B, Class of 2014
The 6-foot-2, 195-pound Vogel topped at 74 mph with his fastball. The left-hander also threw his curveball in the 56-58 mph range, and a 63-66 mph changeup. Offensively, Vogel ran a 7.97 60 and flashed occasional pop from the left side.

Jacob Voyles, Hononegah HS, OF/RHP, Class of 2014
Voyles is a 5-foot-11, 160-pound two-way player. His defensive prowess in the outfield was excellent, showing clean efficient actions. His footwork was fluid in getting to the baseball and making his exchange. His arm worked well displaying a true outfield arm action at 82 mph and on target. Offensively, Voyles hits from a balanced setup. His bat path is level and he shows solid balance throughout his swing. On the mound, Voyles showed a 77-78 mph fastball along with a 63-65 mph breaking ball showing some feel. He also displayed a change up at 72 mph.

Tyler Zunkel, York HS, SS/RHP, Class of 2014
Zunkel is a 5-foot-10, 155-pound two-way player. Zunkel operates out of a full windup throwing from a high ¾ arm slot. His fastball showed command at 77-80 mph with hard sinking action. He showed feel of a change up at 68-69 mph throwing it with arm speed and exhibiting sink. He also showed a curveball at 62-64 mph. Zunkel also ran a 7.06 60. Hitting from a slightly open stance, Zunkel uses a short stride producing 70 mph exit speeds.

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