PBR IA Top Prospect Games: Pitcher Evaluations
September 12, 2019
The Prep Baseball Report IA Top Prospect Games event took place on Sunday, August 11, 2019. The event was held at Mount Mercy University in Cedar Rapids, IA. The event featured prospects from the 2020 grad class; and included many breakout performances from this year's participants. Players showcased their talents in front of our scouting staff and numerous college coaches in attendance.
There were a number of great individual performances this year at the PBR IA Top Prospect Games.
As we drill down into the statistics:
+ 23 players ran sub 7.2 60-Yard Dash Times.
+ 29 players recorded 85+ mph Exit Velocities
+ 13 players recorded 80+ mph Infield Throws
+ 11 players recorded 80+ mph Outfield Throws
+ 7 catchers recorded 70+ mph throws to second base
+ 5 catchers recorded sub-2.1 Pop Times
+ 23 pitchers were 80+ mph on the mound
CLICK HERE TO VIEW COMPLETE STATISTICS IN PDF FORMAT.
Below we have listed our evaluations for each player by position from the event.
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piTCHER EVALUATIONS
Jack Allison, 3B/RHP, Southeast Polk, 2020
6-foot-1, 190-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. #84 ranked player in IA 2020 class. 7.47 runner. Square stance, leg kick trigger with shoulder load, line drive path with lift through contact, pull approach, solid pop in bat, 84 mph exit velocity. Active feet, solid/avg. footwork and quickness, sure hands, occasional actions, solid accuracy to bag, 77 mph arm strength across infield. On mound; short rocker step into medium balance point, inline to catcher, lands with open front foot. Fastball was 74-76 mph with varying action to plate. Shortens arm action on curveball; avg. 11/5 shape and depth. Consistent action on changeup with slight fade and sink.
Jake Benson, RHP/OF, Southeast Polk, 2020
6-foot, 170-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. #69 ranked player in IA 2020 class. On mound; long rocker step into quick medium balance point, compact arm action with good hand speed, shows ability to spin breaking ball for strikes. Late cutting action on fastball at 82-83 mph. Flashes of sharp break on curveball. Late fade and sink on changeup thrown near fastball arm speed. 7.38 runner. Square stance, heavy body load, flat swing plane, occasional hard contact off bat, pull approach with spray contact off bat, 83 mph exit velocity. Quicker tempo, works through ball, sure hands, online throws with accuracy and carry to target, 85 mph arm strength from outfield.
Brett Berg, 1B/RHP, Van Meter, 2020
6-foot-3, 210-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. 7.51 runner. Pre-set hands, double tap trigger, aggressive swing, has knack for finding barrel, consistent hard contact, works middle of field well, spray contact off bat, 90 mph exit velocity. Sure hands, solid around bag, arm is playable across, solid defender at first base, 78 mph arm strength across infield. On mound; rocker step, quicker tempo, strike thrower, lands hard across body, cuts hips off in delivery. Fastball was 77-79 mph, straight, with occasional run and sink action. Solid break on 11/5 curveball for strikes. Flat action on changeup; thrown with stiff wrist.
Reece Beuter, RHP, Dike-New Hartford, 2020
6-foot-1, 185-pound right-handed pitcher. #25 ranked player in IA 2020 class and recent Kirkwood CC commit. One of the faster risers in the class; Beuter was 88-91 mph at the PBR IA Top Prospect Games. Durable build with longer arm action, delivers from ¾ slot, lands across body with occasional cross fire delivery to hitter. Fastball showed avg. action with solid command of strike zone. Tight spin with 11/5 on breaking ball for avg. percentage of strikes. Slider shows sharp break around plate. Solid fade and sink on changeup.
Tucker Christensen, RHP/SS, Norwalk, 2020
6-foot, 180-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. #19 ranked player in IA 2020 class. On mound; simple athletic delivery, higher balance point, longer arm action with wrap on back side. Fastball was 82-84 mph with flashes of late cutting action. 12/6 shape with early break on curveball. Developing feel for changeup with avg. action. 7.27 runner. Square stance, shoulder load, line drive swing, avg. rhythm in swing, consistent solid contact, mid/pull approach, 80 mph exit velocity. Athletic in field, avg. footwork and angles, hands work to field, shows carry and accuracy to bag, 85 mph arm strength across infield.
Nick Crandell, C/RHP, Johnston, 2020
6-foot-2, 190-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. 7.24 runner. Upright stance, leg kick trigger, some stiffness in legs, avg. timing to swing, occasional hard contact to pull side of field, 90 mph exit velocity. Present strength to receive, solid blocker, quick exchange, slight one piece arm action, avg. accuracy to bag, 79 mph arm strength with 1.98-2.03 pop times. On mound; short balance point, compact arm action, cuts across body with short finish. Fastball was 81-83 mph with varying action to plate. Occasional late break on slider with 10/4 shape. Arm side run with good deception on changeup.
Easton Dermody, RHP, Council Bluffs Lewis Central, 2020
6-foot-2, 155-pound right-handed pitcher. Rocker step into tuck and turn balance point, solid arm action from high ¾ slot, lands inline to catcher, out and over front leg. Lean athletic build producing 81-84 mph fastballs with varying late action for strikes. Curveball has early break with loose spin. Slider is better secondary, thrown with arm speed, showing 10/4 shape and sharp break.
Jacob Draeger, RHP, Johnston, 2020
6-foot-2, 175-pound right-handed pitcher. #43 ranked player in IA 2020 class. Rocker step into higher tucked balance point, segmented delivery at times with pauses, lands inline to catcher, has extension and finish to plate. Fastball was 82-85 mph with solid command to both sides of plate. 11/5 breaking ball was inconsistent; though flashed sharp break at times. Above avg. action on changeup with late diving action to bottom of zone. Slider was sharp with late 10/4 break.
Nolan Frey, LHP/OF, Iowa City Liberty, 2020
6-foot-1, 185-pound left-handed hitting 2-way player. #77 ranked player in IA 2020 class. On mound; rocker step into quicker medium balance point, short arm action, dumps glove side early, lands slightly across body. Fastball was 80-82 mph with above avg. run and sink. Tight spin with late break on 12/6 curveball. Late sink with feel and command of changeup for strikes. 7.51 runner. Square stance with body load, line drive swing, occasional whippy bat speed, mid/pull approach, quiet actions and makes consistent hard contact, 95 mph exit velocity. Solid arm strength, avg. fielding mechanics, tends to field underneath, shows accuracy to target, 87 mph arm strength from outfield.
Mason Gersdorf, SS/RHP, Davenport Central, 2020
5-foot-8, 155-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. 6.91 runner. Square stance, aggressive swing, line drive swing plane, lift through contact, consistently squared baseball, harder contact to pull side of field, 87 mph exit velocity. Active feet with sure hands, upright fielding position, solid ability to make plays, arm is accurate to bag with solid carry, 77 mph arm strength across infield. On mound; segmented delivery, strike thrower, typical left side infielder in ability to get on mound and throw strikes. Fastball was 77-78 mph.
Alex Heckroth, RHP/3B, Davenport Assumption, 2020
6-foot, 165-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. On mound; short rocker step into tuck and turn, solid athleticism, compact arm action with quickness out front. Fastball was 79-81 mph with flashes of cutting action to glove side of plate. Shows tight spin with late break on curveball. Has feel for changeup with run and sink action. 7.40 runner. Square stance, leg kick trigger, length to contact, arm bar in load, solid gap to gap contact, 84 mph exit velocity. Solid footwork with avg. hands in field, one piece arm action, avg. accuracy to bag, 78 mph arm strength across infield.
Brant Hogue, LHP, Sioux City Heelan, 2020
6-foot-3, 205-pound left-handed pitcher. One of the top arms at event; recent commit to Iowa Western CC. Durable build with solid athleticism. Shows sequence and tempo to delivery with easy effort on release. Fastball was 81-84 mph with late diving run and sink action for strikes. 2/8 shape on curveball with above avg. depth. Has deception with changeup; ball comes out of hand clean with late fade and sink to right-handed hitters.
Ever Jens, RHP, Davenport Central, 2020
5-foot-11, 160-pound right-handed pitcher. High knee, rolls up and out of balance point, longer stride down mound, short arm action. Fastball was 77-79 mph, straight, with avg. action and movement to plate. Small break with loose spin on curveball. Flat action on changeup.
Kody Kleve, C/RHP, South Winneshiek, 2020
5-foot-11, 190-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. #82 ranked player in IA 2020 class. 7.34 runner. Square stance, body and shoulder load, stiffer legs, avg. contact, spray contact off bat to both sides of field, 84 mph exit velocity. Solid receiver, avg. blocker, quick and exchange and release on throws, 76 mph arm strength with 1.95-2.04 pop times. On mound; rocker step into higher balance point, front foot outside knee, longer one piece arm action, out and over front foot on release running down mound. Fastball was 80-81 mph with varying action to plate. Early break with loose spin on 11/5 curveball. Flashes of late sink on changeup with solid feel for zone.
Nate Lane, 1B/RHP, Norwalk, 2020
5-foot-10, 160-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. 7.26 runner. Wide base, flat swing plane, aggressive swinger, solid spray contact, uses mid/pull side of field, 77 mph exit velocity. Solid defender, fields routine, playable arm across infield, 73 mph arm strength across infield. On mound; simple rocker step into medium balance point, long stab back in arm action, lands inline to catcher with open front foot, some hand quickness out front. Fastball was 74-77 mph with slight varying action. Early loopy break on 11/5 curveball. Shows good action on changeup with late arm side run and sink.
Griffin Leibold, LHP/1B, 2020
5-foot-11, 160-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. On mound; side step into higher balance point, longer clean arm action, ¾ slot, shows good extension and finish to plate. Fastball was 76-78 mph with flashes of running action to plate. Tight spin on 1/7 breaking ball with solid depth. 7.59 runner. Tall stance, strides into contact, stiffer legs, simple line drive swing, avg. pop in bat, 74 mph exit velocity. Upright fielding position, adequate glove, playable arm across, 68 mph arm strength across infield.
Jalen Martinez, OF/LHP, Waukee, 2020
6-foot-1, 170-pound Right-handed hitting 2-way player. #9 ranked player in IA 2020 class. 7.08 runner. Open stance, back elbow load, some larger loading movement effect timing, solid hand/eye coordination, mostly pull with ability to drive baseball, 87 mph exit velocity. Light on his feet with quick twitch actions, well above avg. defender in outfield, fields with quick release, throws are online with true accuracy and carry to target, 90 mph arm strength from outfield. On mound; solid tempo, longer arm action, slight effort on release. Fastball was 83-84 mph, consistent strikes, with running action to plate. 1/7 curveball was steady in zone with later sharp break for strikes.
Alex McAleer, RHP, Central Dewitt, 2020
6-foot-6, 180-pound right-handed pitcher. Tall projectable frame on mound. Short rocker step into controlled athletic balance point, short draw out of glove, lower half is inconsistent at times, lands upright to plate. Fastball was 80-81 mph with flashes of running action to plate. Shows feel for breaking ball with late 10/4 break for strikes. Changeup is above avg., hides ball from hitter, thrown at fastball arm speed for strikes in bottom of zone.
Nate McCombs, LHP/1B, Treynor, 2020
6-foot-4, 212-pound left-handed hitting 2-way player. On mound; controlled rocker step into paused medium balance point, long clean arm action, slight recoil on release. Fastball was 77-79 mph, straight, delivered on downhill plane to plate. Early slower break on 2/8 curveball. Slight arm side run and sink on changeup. 7.71 runner. Square stance, tips barrel to load, straight legs in swing, looks to lift, fly ball contact, occasional pop in bat to pull side, 84 mph exit velocity. Sure hands, solid defender at position, one piece arm action, 78 mph arm strength across infield.
Jacob Norris, OF/RHP, Iowa City Liberty, 2020
6-foot-2, 165-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. #45 ranked player in IA 2020 class. 7.25 runner. Lean athletic frame, body load, some length to contact, looks to elevate baseball, flashes of hard pull side contact, 89 mph exit velocity. Long strides and moves well in field, works through ball, above avg. arm with carry and accuracy to target, 89 mph arm strength from outfield. On mound; rocker step into higher stuck and turn, short draw out of glove, arm is clean and quick out front. Fastball was 83-86 mph with slight arm-side running action. 11/5 shape with inconsistent break on curveball.
Matt Paulsen, RHP/1B, West Branch, 2020
6-foot-2, 195-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. On mound; short rocker step, medium balance point, long arm swing, OT slot. Fastball was 78-80 mph with cutting action to plate. Inconsistent break on 11/5 curveball for strikes. 7.02 runner. Square stance, body load, stiff legs in swing, uphill scoop to contact, spray contact off bat, 79 mph exit velocity. Solid defender, fields routine, works around bag, playable arm for position, 73 mph arm strength across infield.
Anthony Potthoff, RHP/SS, Van Meter, 2020
6-foot-3, 190-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. On mound; short rocker step into higher tuck and turn balance point, leads with shoulders, arm is late at times to release. Fastball was 82-85 mph, solid arm strength, with slight cutting action at times. 12/6 shape with tighter spin on curveball. Good sink with deception on changeup; thrown near fastball arm speed. 6.81 runner. Slight open stance, strides to square, body load, flat swing plane, some stiffness through finish, line drive and ground ball contact, 88 mph exit velocity. Works around and through, avg. footwork, stiffer arm action, solid athletic ability with raw mechanics, should develop well in college with instruction, 83 mph arm strength across infield.
Luke Ricker, RHP, Mahtomedi (MN), 2020
6-foot-5, 170-pound right-handed pitcher. #113 ranked player in MN 2020 class. Long projectable frame. Short turn into higher balance point, lands open to plate, head whack on release. Fastball was 80-82 mph with solid command of strike zone. Breaking ball lacks velocity, breaks early, with loose spin and inconsistent shape. Occasional arm side run and sink on changeup.
Nick Scanlon, RHP, Johnston, 2020
6-foot-1, 180-pound right-handed pitcher. #28 ranked player in IA 2020 class. Durable build, clean arm action, swings down mound, lands inline with catcher, good arm speed out front. Fastball was 86-88 mph, touching 89 mph, with flashes of arm side running action. Slider is sharp with late 10/4 break. Flat changeup, slows body and arm speed, elevated in zone.
Logan Schmitt, SS/RHP, Independence, 2020
5-foot-11, 190-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. #33 ranked player in IA 2020 class. 6.88 runner. Open stance, controlled leg kick trigger, clean path with solid bat speed, consistently on time and squares baseball, projectable pop in bat, 91 mph exit velocity. Higher fielding position, sure hands, easier actions, shows overall sound fielding ability, accurate to bag with carry on throws, 82 mph arm strength across infield. On mound; tempo to delivery, compact arm action, clean out front with extension to plate. Fastball from ¾ slot was 84-86 mph with larger movement and late cutting action for strikes. Sharp late break on 10/4 slider. Late diving action on changeup in bottom of zone.
Brennan Sefrit, LHP/OF, Bedford, 2020
5-foot-10, 165-pound left-handed hitting 2-way player. #65 ranked player in IA 2020 class. 7.68 runner. Pre-set load, uses lower half in swing, mid/pull approach, consistent solid contact, line drive approach with lift through contact, 86 mph exit velocity. Confident glove, works through ball, solid actions, shows carry and accuracy when online and out front with release, 81 mph arm strength from outfield. On mound; simple delivery with sequence and rhythm, compact arm, works well and is clean out front, shows extension to plate. Fastball was 75-77 mph with running action to arm side of plate. 2/7 shape on curveball with flashes of sharp break. Hard diving action on changeup in bottom of zone for strikes.
Brad Tornow, LHP/OF, Mid Prairie, 2020
5-foot-6, 155-pound left-handed hitting 2-way player. #86 ranked player in IA 2020 class. Controlled side step into quicker balance point, gains momentum through delivery, lands inline to catcher, short arm action with slight recoil on release. Fastball was 79-81 mph with solid late run and sink. Shows tighter spin with solid shape on 1/7 breaking ball. Late cutting action on changeup for strikes. 7.20 runner. Square stance, long load, large movements effect timing, pull approach, line drive swing plane with lift through contact, 87 mph exit velocity. Solid actions in field, works through ball, confident fielder, solid accuracy and carry on throws, 81 mph arm strength from outfield.
Ryan Ungs, OF/RHP, Boone, 2020
5-foot-9, 165-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. 7.28 runner. Square stance, choppy leg kick, low hand slot, requires improvement in rhythm, spray contact, uses both sides of field, 82 mph exit velocity. Avg. actions, works through ball, elevated throws to plate, solid accuracy, 77 mph arm strength from outfield. On mound; swings up into balance point, lands on stiff front leg, short arm action. Fastball was 72-73 mph with good command of strike zone. 12/6 shape on curveball with early break. Solid depth and sink on changeup.
Noah Van Veldhuizen, RHP/3B, Oskaloosa, 2020
6-foot-2, 208-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. #40 ranked player in IA 2020 class. On mound; rocker step into controlled tuck and turn, compact arm action, some stiffness on front side, with flashes of arm strength. Fastball was 85-88 mph, downhill, with late cutting action for strikes. 11/5 spin with early break on curveball. Split has solid velocity with late downward diving action inducing weak contact. 7.40 runner. Square stance, choppy rhythm, flat swing plane, present strength with flashes of pop in bat, spray contact, mid/pull approach, 89 mph exit velocity. Heavier feet, sure hands, avg. glove and footwork, strong arm with accuracy to bag, 84 mph arm strength across infield.
Lucas Walker, LHP, Solon, 2020
5-foot-11, 165-pound left-handed pitcher. #78 ranked player in IA 2020 class. Lean build, strike thrower, shorter arm action, shows ability to miss barrels consistently. Fastball was 77-80 mph with late run and sink for strikes. Consistent strikes with 1/7 curveball; pitched backwards with ability to double up.
Zeb Wede, OF/RHP, Harrisburg (SD), 2020
6-foot, 185-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. #26 ranked player in IA 2020 class. 7.30 runner. Square stance, tips barrel to load, flat swing plane, occasional hard contact to pull side of field, 82 mph exit velocity. Shows versatility in infield, hands are sure, arm plays across, shows adequate range covering ground to both directions, 81 mph arm strength across infield. Shows actions, confident fielder, quick arm, online throws with above avg. carry and accuracy, 85 mph arm strength from outfield. On mound; medium tuck and turn, long arm action, shows extension out front. Fastball was 82-83 mph with varying action to plate. Breaking ball has 11/5 shape and is thrown with above avg. hand speed. Changeup has solid fade and sink around the plate.
Zachary Wemhoff, RHP, Davenport Assumption, 2020
6-foot, 175-pound right-handed pitcher. Rocker step into medium balance point, short arm action, ¾ slot, lands upright on stiff leg. Fastball was 78-79 mph with solid command and slight running action. Slight arm side running action on changeup. 11/5 shape on curveball with early break and loose spin.