Colorado Underclass Invitational: Pitching Analysis

March 6, 2019
John Cackowski
Director of Scouting

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The 5th Annual Underclass Invitational brought together a collection of some of the top talent in the 2021 & 2022 classes. Over 90 players participated in the event. With the spring season quickly approaching, the players were able to impress with the advancements made throughout the off-season.

BEST OF THE BEST: PITCHERS

CALE LANSVILLE RHP / SS / THUNDERRIDGE, CO / 2021

Rankings StateRank: 1 / POS: 1 OverallRank: 61 / POS: 18

6-foot, 180 pounds. Committed to Louisiana State. The sky seems to be the limit for Lansville. It's not to often you see a sophomore throwing 93 mph, which he topped out at, living 91-92. What is impressive about Lansville is the command of not only the fastball, but also his secondary pitches for his age. Still in the medium frame range, you can tell how much work he has put in outside of baseball since last spring, which is indicative to his fastball velocity jumping 4 mph. Lansville has an athletic delivery with impressive leg drive towards the mound. Arm delivery is compact, and hand is on top of the baseball at a 3/4 arm slot with good reach towards the plate making the fastball play with late life, and two-seamer has late arm side run. Hips are quick and free. Works through balance point well. Change is thrown at same arm speed, at 83-84 mph, and will be an effective second out pitch. Working on a new curveball, it was thrown at 80-81 mph with tight spin and 11/5 shape with more slurve type action but effective. All thrown for strikes. With his exceptional work ethic, don't be surprised to see another velo jump in a year to mid 90 to possible upper 90's.

RYAN DEPEW RHP / OF / GRANDVIEW , CO / 2021

Rankings StateRank: 7 / POS: 4

6-foot, 170 pounds. Uncommitted. On the mound Depew has a medium sized lanky frame with more room to fill in. He has a controlled, balanced delivery with upper and lower half working well together. We like his quick arm that is compact and clean that comes from a high 3/4 arm slot. Fastball lived 85 today touching 86 twice. We have had at 88 before. Depew is a strike thrower with all of his pitches. His change was 72-73 mph with some late fade at same arm speed as fastball, and the curve was 71-72 with late break at 11/5 shape. Depew sooner then later will get the fastball in the 90's range as he continues to grow.

COLE MARTINO RHP / 1B / PUEBLO COUNTY , CO / 2021

Rankings StateRank: 16 / POS: 8

6-foot, 210 pounds. Uncommitted. What is impressive about Martino is his solid foundation of mechanics for his big frame. Arm delivery is compact, and comes from a high 3/4 arm slot. Delivery is controlled and balanced, weight transfer can have a tendency to throw threw stiff front leg. Throws a heavy fastball that has gained about 5 mph since last time we saw him, living 83-85 mph, and doesn't use a lot of effort to gain velocity. Curveball was 69-70 mph with 12-6 downward action. Change was a plus pitch at 73-74 mph. Martino has very good command of the zone with all three pitches.

ZACH HERRICK RHP / 3B / CHERRY CREEK , CO / 2021

Rankings StateRank: 19 / POS: 9

Uncommitted. 5-foot-11, 170 pounds. Bats and throws right. Has Medium size frame. Arm is loose through the zone, hidden on backside. Comes from high 3/4 arm slot. Simple delivery that lands inline towards the plate, athletic finish that spins towards 1B. Fastball was 78-80, played faster. Change was a good pitch thrown at same arm speed as fastball at 71-72 mph with late sink. CB had 11/5 shape with good spin at 70-72 mph as well. Herrick was confident on the mound and attack the strike zone. At the plate Herrick has a balanced stance, short stride, and swing was level through the zone with good extension through the baseball. Keeps it simple and hands were quick with strength in swing. Very good live round, everything barreled gap to gap. Produced a 86 mph exit velocity off the tee. At 3B showed quick feet and soft hands. Release was quick from same arm slot and had good arm strength throwing 80 mph across the diamond. Ran a 4.55 simulated dry swing home to first time. Projects to be a very good two-way player for the Bruins.

Best of the Best: Listed Alphabetically

ALEXANDER BRUNS LHP / 1B / REGIS JESUIT, CO / 2021

Uncommitted. 6-foot-3, 265 pounds. Large frame on the mound with some broad shoulders. Body is proportioned head to toe. Strong legs. Delivery is simple, arm is short on back side, hidden, and tilts torso to get to over the top arm slot. Lands inline to plate then falls off to 3B. Fastball lived 78-80 mph. Two-seam had some arm side run. Utilizes change as secondary that was 71-74 with some late sink. Arm speed slows a little in front of body on change. Bruns is a strong, physical pitcher with potential to get that fastball up a few more notches.

CONNOR CHOLEZ RHP / OF / MOUNTAIN VISTA, CO / 2022

Uncommitted. 5-foot-8, 130 pounds. Smaller frame on mound. Works at a fast pace with confidence. In delivery, arm wraps back a little, comes from 3/4 arm slot, and arm is quick through zone. A little quicker then lower half. Lands slightly closed on firm front side. Athletic finish in windup. From stretch lands more closed. 4-seam fastball lived 77-79 with late carry. 2 seam had arm side run. Curve had late break with 11/5 shape at 65-76 mph. Change was thrown at same arm speed as fastball at 72-73 mph with late sink. At the plate has thin, narrow open stance. Medium stride. Could benefit with quieting his feet down a little. Line drive hitter with quick hands through the hitting zone. Slight up hill swing path produced a 79 mph exit velo off a tee. Has good fundamentals in the outfield. Long loose arm, gains good ground on throws. Was 75 mph and accurate. Ran a simulated dry swing home to first time at 4.6.

NOLAN DANIELS RHP / OF / CORONADO HIGH SCHOOL, CO / 2021

Uncommitted. 5-foot-11, 140 pounds. Bats and throws right. Lanky, medium frame, sloped shoulders. Long legs, still growing. On the mound has a delayed pause in windup, stabs back behind back, comes from high 3/4 arm slot. Lands open to 1st base side of mound, and recoils. Some effort in delivery. Arm is quick through the zone with fastball living 75-77 mph. Curve had 11/5 shape with tight spin at 62-63 mph, and change was thrown at same arm speed as fastball at 71-72 mph. At the plate he's very quiet. Wide stance, no stride, lets his hands do the work. Quick hands through the hitting zone, level bat path, bottom hand finish. Line drive hitter up the middle. Produced an exit velocity of 80 mph off a tee. In the outfield arm is loose, and on top of the baseball. Athletic actions, and gains good ground on throws. Was 79 mph. Ran a simulated dry swing home to first time at 4.28. Raw, athletic player with some good tools to work with.

NATHAN GUTIERREZ LHP / 1B / DOUGLAS COUNTY, CO / 2021

Rankings StateRank: 35 / POS: 2

Uncommitted. 6-foot, 150 pounds. Bats and throws right. On the mound has medium frame with high hips. On the mound is short on the back side, and comes from a 3/4 arm slot, lands inline, and is square to the plate. Plant foot lands short and he drives hard over his front side. Most of velocity comes from upper body and arm. Fastball lived 80-82 mph. Secondary pitches are thrown from same arm speed and angle as fastball. Curve was 62-65 with more with more slurve action. Change was a good deviance from fastball at 74-75 mph. At the plate has a simple approach, tall narrow stance, short stride. Hands are quick down to ball with slight uphill swing with good extension through the baseball. Exit velocity off the tee was 85 mph. Had a good live round showing gap to gap tendencies. At 1B moved well around the bag. Soft hands and fields the ball out in front. Throwing velocity to 2B was 79 mph and accurate. Ran a simulated dry swing 4.15 home to first time.

ZACHARY HORWITH RHP / SS / DOUGLAS COUNTY HS, CO / 2021

Rankings StateRank: 55 / POS: 18

Uncommitted. 6-foot, 160 pounds. Bats and throws right. On the mound has some pre-rhythm movement, moves to left side of rubber, hand pumps over head. Wraps behind then comes from 3/4 arm angle. Balance point is good, then lands inline spins towards 1B after finish. Fastball has some zip to it. Thrown from 78-81 mph. Change is thrown at same arm speed as fastball for strikes at 67-68 mph. Curve had 12-6 shape with good spin. At the plate has a tall, narrow stance, slow medium leg kick. Does a good job of meeting ball out in front, level swing through zone with pull side tendencies. Produced a 79 mph exit velocity off the tee. At shortstop has quick feet and soft hands out in front. Quick release from 3/4 arm angle throwing 73 mph across the diamond. Ran a 4.80 simulated dry swing home to first time at 4.80.

BRADEN KRAMER RHP / 3B / PINE CREEK , CO / 2022

Uncommitted. 6-foot-2, 196 pounds. Bats and throws right. Big frame on the mound for his age. Is short on the back side, and comes from a 3/4 arm slot. Short arm action from back to front. Plant foot lands short and he drives hard over his front side. Fastball lived 75-77 mph with more there. Body slows a little on secondary pitches. Curve was 62-63 mph with 11/5 shape. Change was 68-69 mph with late sink. At the plate has tall, narrow stance, slightly open. Bat on shoulder approach. Loads back, toe-tap stride, and hands go down to ball creating uphill swing path. Good extension through the baseball with pull side tendencies. Exit velocity off a tee was 83 mph. At 3rd had quick feet to both sides for size. Arm release was quick, accurate, from 3/4 arm slot. Threw 73 mph across the diamond. Ran a 4.53 simulated dry swing home to first time. Has some rawness. With his size, and raw tools, can develop into a very good player.

SHANE LEJEUNE-DEACUTIS RHP / SS / THUNDERRIDGE, CO / 2022

Uncommitted. 5-foot-11, 150 pounds. Bats and throws right. Has a nice pitcher's frame with more to come. Delivery is effortless, arm is long and loose, straight back and them comes from high 3/4 arm angle. Lands inline, square to the plate with good extension towards catcher. Throws off two-feet. Fastball sits 75-77 with good down angle. Slows arm a little on curveball which might be the result of 56-mph velocity. Change was 63-64 mph, and arm speed was a little slower then fastball. At the plate has a balanced stance, load is short, and drops hands down to contact creating an uphill swing path. At shortstop, has a tendency to field ball off to side. Showed soft hands. Arm velocity across the diamond was 68 mph. Ran a 4.65 simulated dry swing home to first.

BLAKE SHEPARDSON RHP / OF / MOUNTAIN VISTA, CO / 2021

Rankings StateRank: 26 / POS: 12

6-foot, 160 pounds. Uncommitted. Shepardson has a ton of projection. Stands tall on the mound, Shepardson is short on the backside in delivery that is hidden, and comes from a high 3/4 arm slot. Arm is quick. Will throw over stiff front side but still gets good extension to the plate, and could get more. Doesn't use any effort to get velocity. We have had fastball in the lower 80's, today touching 79 mph. When he adds more weight you are going to see a big jump. Strike thrower on all three pitches. On his curve, he is more 3/4 arm slot throw at 66-68 mph with 11/5 shape and tight spin. Change has sinking action for strikes at 71-72 mph. With Shepardson it's all about projectability, and with added weight, you will see a big jump in fastball velocity.

GRIFFEN WELLS RHP / OF / DOHERTY HIGH SCHOOL, CO / 2021

Uncommitted. 5-foot-9, 113 pounds. Bats and throws right. Smaller size on the mound. Stands tall on mound, and gets good drive from backside. Arm is nice, loose and clean. Comes from an over the top arm slot. Gets a lot out of small frame. Lands inline, and gets good drive from lower half. Strike thrower, fastball had good down angle, and was 74-76 mph. Curve ball had 12/6 shape at 61 mph, and changeup had late fade at 62-63 mph. At the plate has a narrow stance, loads short, and generates good bat whip through the zone. Bat is level through the zone, line drive hitter who produced an 82 mph exit velocity off a tee. In the outfield attacks the ball well, and gains ground on throws. Arm velo was 78 mph. Ran a simulated home to first at 4.31.

BEN WHIPPLE RHP / 1B / VALOR CHRISTIAN, CO / 2021

Rankings StateRank: 33 / POS: 14

Uncommitted. 6-foot-5, 220 pounds. Bats and throws right. Big framed player and big presence on the mound. Arm is straight back, and comes from a high 3/4 arm slot. Generates good down angle on fastball. Fastball sat 81-83 mph with that plays up in the zone. Has tendency to slow body down on secondary pitches. Curve ball had gradual break at 64-65 mph. Change had good deviance from fastball at 71-72 mph. At the plate has a big presence and raw power. Wider stance, short stride. Meets the ball out front and ball jumps. Very good live round with pull side tendencies. Hands are quick to the ball, swing path uphill, pull-side power. Good bat control. Generated a 87 mph exit velocity, one of the top velos at event. At 1B moves well around the bag, plays position with confidence. Soft hands, quick release at 70 mph to 3B. Player with a lot of raw tools that can develop into a power pitcher and hitter.

MAX WEISER RHP / SS / GEORGE WASHINGTON/DENVER ACADEMY OF TORAH, CO / 2021

Uncommitted. 6-foot-2, 170 pounds. Bats and throws right. Very projectable frame right now. Hips are high. Wiry frame. In delivery wraps back, quick, loose arm that works well with lower half. Comes from a 3/4 arm slot, and gets great extension , square towards the plate. Lands inline with athletic finish/fall off towards 1B. Fastball was 78-80 mph with more to come. Secondary pitches were thrown at same arm speed as fastball. Curve had late depth and tight 11/5 shape. Thrown at 65-66 mph. Change had late arm side fade thrown at 71-72 mph. At the plate has wide stance, no stride. Minimal load with level swing through the zone. Line drive hitter with bottom hand finish. Exit velocity was 76 mph off the tee. At shortstop had smooth quick actions. Fields fall with soft hands out front with quick 3/4 release, good range to both sides and gets in front of the ball. Ran a simulated dry swing 4.70 home to first time. Curious to see development because if he puts on more weight and continues to grow he would be an intriguing prospect.

BLAKE WINDHAM RHP / C / CASTLE VIEW, CO / 2021

Rankings StateRank: 57 / POS: 19

Uncommitted. 5-foot-10, 143 pounds. Bats and throws right. Medium size frame. In delivery gets to good balance point, then comes quick towards plate, arm is quick back and comes from a high 3/4 arm slot. Good leg drive towards the plate. Lands inline with athletic finish, fall-off towards 1B. Fastball was 76-79 with arm side run. Improved curve since last time we saw him. Thrown at same arm speed as fastball at 64-66 mph with tight speed at 11/5 shape. Change at same arm speed as well thrown at 63-64 mph. At the plate has narrow stance, hands start low, and loads down. Leg kick stride, quick hands to ball. Slight uphill swing. Line drive hitter. Produced a 82 mph exit velo off the bat. Ran a simulated dry swing home to first at 4.22.