The Preseason All-State Games is one of Arizona's most highly anticipated events on the PBR Arizona showcase calendar. The invitation-only event displayed prospects from 2020-2023 grad classes this year and was held on Jan. 26th, at Arizona State in Tempe, AZ. Over 75 players were represented.

As expected, this was a loaded event that yielded brand new prospects to keep an eye on as well as seeing returning players that have started to establish themselves. We have released early analysis with our Quick Hits (Part 1), Quick Hits (Part 2), Statistical Analysis, and Positional Breakdowns. 

Today, we are taking a look at the Top 5 pitching prospects that toed the rubber at our invite only event. Always one of the more followed positional groups of events, there was talent across the board at all grad classes including a possible future draft pick in this years MLB draft. Here is a look at the top pitching prospects:

Ronan Kopp LHP / 1B / Scottsdale Christian, AZ / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 5 / POS: 1 OverallRank: 220 / POS: 23 6-foot-4 210-pounds, Arizona State commit, physical presence with broad shoulders, long limbs, strength to frame. Threw one inning of work against live hitters, striking out 2 batters while allowing one walk. Delivery had some moving parts, staying relatively linear down the mound. Throwing with longer arm action from a near ¾ arm slot. Heavy FB sat 93-96mph, effectively erratic. Threw two different breaking balls- one being a firm sweeping SL and the other a gradual BB with 2/8 shape. The firm sweeping SL showed glimpses of being an above average pitch. Threw one CH in the outing at 84mph with some run to the arm side. Kopp’s frame combined with elite arm strength and upside will be closely monitored by MLB clubs in the near future.

Kaden Schiefelbein RHP / 3B / Liberty, AZ / 2021 Rankings  StateRank: 8 / POS: 2 6-foot-2 170-pounds, lean, athletic frame with long limbs and projection. Ran a 6.89 60-yard dash. Two-way player. Hits from an average balance base, using small forward move. Level swing with line-drive contact, 86mph exit velocity. Gap to gap approach. Athleticism plays in the infield with low effort actions and strong arm across the diamond at 84mph. More than capable HS third basemen & hitter. Showed solid tools as a position player, but his future lies on the mound. He pitches with a controlled, repeatable delivery and quick arm from a higher slot. He gets downhill with a high-spin fastball that sat 83-87 and touched 90 with riding life through the zone. He mixes in a short curveball in the upper 70s that shows more downer break and has shown glimpses of being a swing-and-miss pitch in the past. Current tools & athleticism should make him a high follow as a pitching prospect.

Jason Barres RHP / OF / Perry, AZ / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 56 / POS: 14 5-foot-10 170-pound RHP, Chandler-Gilbert commit, large athletic body, some defined strength. Showed raw athleticism in unorthodox delivery with natural arm strength. Pitched with short deceptive L3/4 arm action with a fast arm. FB sat 85-88mph with some heavy arm side run, topping out at 89mph. Mixed in a slurvy breaking ball from the same deceptive arm slot at 71-72mph. Going to be an interesting arm to follow. Ball jumps out of the hand with movement. With a few tweaks, could throw even harder with continued life and deception.

Hayden Lewis RHP / OF / Chaparral , AZ / 2022 Rankings  OverallRank: 396 / POS: 98 6-foot 150-pound, two-way player. Thin body with some twitchy movements, strong forearms. Ton of room to fill out physically. Hips worked well. Starts from a medium base in an upright position with a slightly open stance. Uses a leg lift to gather energy in the back leg. Minimal forward movement. On time with some rhythm. Pull approach with some hard contact at 86mph. Tracks the ball in the OF. Showed aggressiveness, playing through the baseball. Uses step behind crow-hop with carry on throws at 86mph. Had a decent day positionally but really stood out with his noticeably fast arm on the mound. Throws from a ¾ slot with a quick delivery. Sat 84-86mph on firm FB with fade. Mixed in a hard tight slider 73-77mph. CH was thrown at 71-72mph. Hitters couldn’t catch up with how fast he worked.

Gavin Muller RHP / OF / Desert Ridge, AZ / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 86 / POS: 19 6-foot-1 175-pound, Cerro Coso CC commit, proportional strength & athleticism, some definition, slightly stiff hips. Stood out on the mound with his calm approach. Jumps into front foot strike at times. Showed some shoulder/ hip separation. Slight upward tilt of the shoulders. Worked 84-87mph with FB with short OT arm action, displaying some arm speed. Mixed in a loose 75mph 11/5 CV and 80mph CH. Pounded the strike zone.

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