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Class of 2015 Showcase: Pitching Analysis

November 4, 2013

By Steve Nielsen
Scouting Director – Illinois/Wisconsin

Today we wrap up the Class of 2015 showcase analysis with the pitchers. RHP Shane Ritter (Plainfield South) was the overwhelming favorite for the top spot. At 6-foot-3, 175-pounds Ritter flashed the best velocity we’ve seen out of the righty touching 89 mph. There’s a ton of upside with Ritter and shows excellent feel for three pitches. At number two LHP Alex Weigand (Bradley Bourbonnais) showed quite possibly the best pitch of the showcase. Weigand’s curveball had advanced action on a 12/6 plane, it’s late sharp biting action has plenty of depth and swing and miss abilities.

Here’s a look at our top pitching prospects from the Class of 2015 Showcase.

Top Pitching Prospects

1. Shane Ritter, RHP, Plainfield South, 2015
Highly projectably body, long frame, slender build, 6-foot-3, 175-pound right handed pitcher. Ritter is currently the best available prospect in the Class of 2015 and shows the tools and upside to be a high level prospect at the next level. Delivery works with little effort, clean and easy arm action, works directionally towards his target. Arm works extremely well, loose, free and easy, high ¾ slot, quick athletic arm. Fastball topped out at 89 mph which is the best we’ve seen from Ritter, showed occasional run to his arm side, showed command at 87-88 mph, held velocity from the stretch. Curveball has 11/5 action, sharp bite, tight rotation, aggressive arm action, high confidence, 72-74 mph. Straight changeup, showed control and feel, slightly decelerated arm action, 75-77 mph. Ritter has proven to be a high follow prospect who still has plenty of projection to reach.

2. Alex Weigand, LHP, Bradley Bourbonnais, 2015
6-foot-1, 150-pound left handed pitcher, long limbs, slender build, highly projectable. He has a tall and fall delivery, fluid rhythm, minimal effort. Arm action is long, high ¾ slot, well above average arm speed. Showed feel for his fastball with slight cut action, sitting 82-83 mph. Highly advanced curveball, 12/6 shape, late , sharp, biting action, excellent depth, 71-73 mph. Changeup has sink at 78-81 mph, showed feel, fastball arm action, needs more separation from fastball velocity. Weigand is a highly projectable prospect and his curveball action is ready for the next level, with added feel for his changeup Weigand could be one of the top prospects in the state.

3. Austin Fancher, RHP/OF, Moline, 2015
5-foot-11, 175-pound strong body two way player. On the mound he has a smooth delivery with clean direction and regular effort. Arm is long and quick from a high ¾ slot. Showed feel for four pitches with advanced feel for the slider and changeup. Fastball was an easy 82-83 mph with flashes of slight run. His slider has sweeping break with wipeout potential, sitting 76-77 mph. Throws a deceptive changeup with fastball arm speed, sitting 71-73 mph with arm side run. The curveball was 67-69 mph. From the outfield he showed solid actions and the same long arm action at 69 mph with accuracy and some carry. Ran a 7.36 60. Offensively he hits with a wide, balanced stance and heel lift load launch technique. Exit velocity off a tee was 84 mph.

4. Jack Rettig, LHP/1B, Mahomet-Seymour, 2015
Lanky athletic frame, 6-foot-2, 185-pound left handed throwing two-way player. Shows projection on the mound, delivery is tall and balanced, regular effort. Arm action is long, operates from a high ¾ slot. Fastball has consistent running action to his arm side, sat at 80-82 mph. Curveball sat 67-69 mph, decelerated arm action. Changeup flashed sinking action, 72-74 mph. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, short stride. Advanced approach, slightly uphill path, 86 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively played with a long am action across the diamond at 74 mph. Showed agile feet around the bag, 7.04 runner in the 60.

5. Ryan Fish, OF/RHP, Oak Park-River Forest, 2015
6-foot, 175-pound strong, athletic, switch hitting, two way player with tons of upside. Ran a 6.97 60 that translated into athletically aggressive routes to the baseball in the outfield with clean feet. Throws with a quick arm at 86 mph with excellent carry. At the plate has very similar swings from both sides of the plate. Quality setup with a short stride and excellent balance. Has an advanced approach with gap to gap plate coverage. Laces line drives with backspin to all fields. On the mound he is just as impressive. Has a tilt and topple delivery that shows repeatability. Delivery is high effort but maintains clean lines and direction. Has feel for his fastball, throwing it 83-84 mph in the bottom half of the zone. Throws a solid changeup with feel, creating arm side run and quality sink at 70-72 mph. The curveball was 61-63 mph.

6. Matt Ryan, LHP, St. Rita, 2015
5-foot-11, 160-pound left handed pitcher with a clean arm action and solid potential. Delivery is smooth, strong and in line repeatedly.  Arm works from a high ¾ slot, short and quick with acceleration, suggesting there is plenty more left in the tank. Fastball sat 79-81 with running action. Showed solid feel for a changeup, throwing it 73-75 mph with fastball arm speed and quality sinking action. Breaking ball was 68-71 mph.

7. John Riordan, 3B/RHP, St. Laurence, 2015
5-foot-11, 175-pound two way player. On the mound he has a drop and drive delivery with good direction, rhythm and some effort. Arm is short and quick from a ¾ slot. Had feel for his fastball, sitting 81-82 mph and touching 83 mph. Throws a 12/6 curve with late, sharp bite at 67-69 mph. Changeup was thrown with deceptive arm action at 76-77 mph with quality sinking action. Defensively he showed natural feel for 3B, playing with quick clean actions, quality footwork, and smooth exchanges. Arm works at 76 mph across the diamond with accuracy and carry. Ran a 7.47 60. Offensively he hits with a balanced stance, smooth load, and short stride. Uses the lower half well, and has a solid swing plane. Opposite field approach with solid extension. Exit velocity was 79 mph off a tee.

8. Daniel Budziak, LHP, St. Rita, 2015
5-foot-10, 160-pound left handed pitcher. Has a tall and fall delivery with rhythm, clean lines, and regular effort. Arm works long, clean, and quick from a high ¾ slot. Showed command of his straight fastball, sitting 79-81 mph. Curveball has an 11/5 shape, with crisp sweeping action for strikes, at 67-70 mph. Throws a deceptive changeup with fastball arm speed that sinks and fades its way out of the zone at 71-73 mph.

9. Keegan Tyrell, OF/RHP, Joliet Catholic Academy, 2015
5-foot-10, 180-pound strong body two way player. From the outfield he showed quick twitch actions with fluid feet. Throws from over the top with a short arm at 85 mph with solid carry and accuracy. Ran a 7.02 60. At the plate he has a balanced setup, smooth load and short stride. Has a short, quick, line drive swing that gets to quality extension and really drives the ball on a line. Exit velocity was 86 mph off a tee. On the mound his quick arm action translates well. Fastball sits at 83 mph and flashes 85 mph for strikes. Throws his changeup with fastball arm speed, getting quality sink and deception at 71-74 mph. Breaking pitch has 10/4 shape with sweeping break at 69-71 mph for strikes.

10. Dominic Pilas, SS/RHP, St. Laurence, 2015
5-foot-9, 165-pound two way player with arm strength. On the mound he has a drop and drive delivery with some effort and repeats it. Throws from a high ¾ slot with a short, loose, quick arm. Had feel for his fastball, which was straight and sitting 83-85 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape and sharp slider action to it, sitting 75-76 mph. Changeup was 73-75 mph with flashes of quality sinking action. At the plate he has an open, slightly crouched stance with a leg kick trigger. Swing is short with sound extension. Exit velocity was 84 mph off a tee. On the infield he throws with the same arm action as on the mound. Throws 76 mph with accuracy. Ran a 7.43 60.

11. Michael Schalasky, C/RHP, Brother Rice, 2015
6-foot, 175-pound athletic, two way player with solid catch and release skills. Pop times were 2.07-2.17 with clean exchanges. Has a quality setup with athletic feet. Throws were accurate, with carry, at 77 mph. From the outfield he throws with a long arm from over the top at 84 mph with quality carry. On the mound he works with a long arm from an over the top slot. Fastball sat an easy 81-83 mph, with run and sink. Throws a curveball with 11/5 shape at 72-74 mph. Changeup is straight, for strikes, sitting 75-76 mph. At the plate has an athletic swing. Creates solid bat speed and extension. Exit velocity was 82 mph off a tee. Ran a 7.68 60.

12. Kai Leisher, RHP, New Trier, 2015
5-foot-9, 150-pound lanky pitcher with arm strength. Delivery is smooth and repeatable with easy effort, clean lines, and athletic finish. Throws from a high ¾ slot with a long, loose arm. Has feel for the fastball, sitting 82-84 mph with run and sink in the bottom half of the zone. Breaking ball has a 11/5 tilt with slurve action at 63-65 mph. Throws a changeup at 66-68 mph that has some sink and fades out on hitters.

13. Trevor Dallio, LHP, Lincoln-Way West, 2015
5-foot-10, 155-pound left handed pitcher. Uses a tall and fall delivery and works from the stretch only. Has a loose arm and throws from a high ¾ slot. The fastball sat 77-79 mph with slight run. Showed solid feel for his changeup, throwing it 68-69 mph with fastball arm speed and above average fading action. Curveball was 63 mph with an 11/5 shape.

14. Carter Hayden, RHP/OF, Marquette Catholic, 2015
5-foot-10, 155-pound two way player. At the plate he hits with a balanced stance and a leg kick trigger with a long stride. Swing has quick, choppy rhythm. Exit velocity was 78 mph off a tee. From the outfield he showed clean actions and worked downhill. Throws with a long arm from over the top, with accuracy and carry at 82 mph. Ran a 7.95 60. On the mound he throws with the same loose arm from a high ¾ slot. The delivery has some effort to it and smooth rhythm. The fastball sat 80-81 mph, touching 82 mph for strikes. The curveball has 11/5 shape with quality break sitting 68-69 mph. Changeup had sink, for strikes, at 64-66 mph.

15. Nick Verta, MIF/RHP, St. Laurence, 2015
5-foot-11, 170-pound athletic two way player. On the infield he showed high quality actions with finesse. Arm works free and easy at 79 mph with accuracy and carry. Ran a 7.26 60. At the plate he has a balanced setup with smooth load and launch with a short stride. Does well using the lower half to generate solid pop. Generates line drives to the gaps with ease. Exit velocity was 78 mph off a tee. On the mound he has a tall and fall delivery with some rhythm and an athletic finish. Arm is long and loose with quick acceleration. Showed three pitch feel. Fastball sat 80-81 mph, flashing 82 mph, with some run. His curveball had 11/5 shape with sharp bite at 71-73 mph. Changeup showed swing and miss potential, throwing it with fastball arm speed at 73-75 mph with high grade sinking action.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Mario Aguinaga, MIF/RHP, Lemont, 2015
5-foot-8, 125-pound two way player. On the infield he showed quick feet with solid hands. Throws from a high ¾ slot with a long arm and accuracy at 69 mph. At the plate hits with a balanced stance and short stride. Solid line drive swing with good extension. Off a tee had an exit velocity of 72 mph. Ran a 7.44 60. On the mound uses a tall and fall delivery with easy effort and rhythm. Throws from a ¾ slot with a long arm. Fastball was 72-73 mph, touching 74 mph with sink. Curveball has an 11/5 tilt at 63-66 mph for strikes. Showed feel for a changeup throwing it with fading action at 65-66 mph.

Brendan Beck, RHP, Schaumburg, 2015
5-foot-11, 215-pound pitcher. Uses a drop and drive delivery with slow rhythm. Short arm action, from a high ¾ slot. Throws a fastball with slight running action at 79-80 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape with rolling break at 62-65 mph. Changeup flashed some run at 68-71 mph.

Griffin Boehm, C/RHP, Loyola, 2015
Advanced physical presence, 6-foot-4, 205-pound two-way player with a strong, athletic body. From behind the dish has a clean setup. Throws from a high ¾ slot with a short arm. Showed accuracy at 73 mph, occasional carry. Showed clean catch and release skills with pop times in the 2.15-2.25 range. At the plate has a tall stance and long stride. Has an uphill path with pull side approach. Showed solid pop and bat speed. Exit velocity was 84 mph off a tee. Ran a 7.7 60. On the mound used a long arm action from a high ¾ slot, showing some effort. Fastball is mostly straight, 77-78 mph. Curveball has 11/5 tilt, 59-60 mph. Forkball showed lateral action to his glove side, 60-63 mph.

Billy Cremin, RHP, New Trier, 2015
5-foot-10, 180-pound pitcher. Has a tall and fall delivery with clean lines and regular effort. Throws from a high ¾ slot with a short, stiff arm action. Throws a straight fastball for strikes at 75-76 mph. Throws a breaking ball with gradual breaking action at 64-65 mph for strikes. Split finger was 67-69 mph.

Justin Dennison, 3B/RHP, St. Laurence, 2015
6-foot-1, 170-pound two way player. Defensively he moves athletically, with solid hands and quick feet. Ran a 7.22 60. Throws from a high ¾ with short arm action at 70 mph with accuracy. At the plate he hits with a balanced setup and short stride. Exit velocity was 70 mph off a tee. On the mound he has a tall and fall delivery with good direction. Throws with a long arm from a ¾ slot. Fastball was 73-76 mph with flashes of slight running action. Breaking pitch was 65-69 mph with rolling break. Changeup was 69-71 with cut.

Andrew Earvolino, RHP, New Trier, 2015
5-foot-9, 140-pound side arm pitcher. He uses a drop and drive delivery with choppy rhythm. From the side arm slot he throws his fastball with sink and run action at 69-71 mph. Throws a sweeping breaking ball with gradual break at 62-64 mph for strikes. His changeup was 63-65 mph.

Jonathan Eng, RHP/3B, Whitney Young, 2015
6-foot-3, 170-pound two-way player, athletic frame. Defensively uses a long high ¾ arm action across the diamond, accurate arm (78 mph). 7.58 runner. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, bat wrap load. Creates whip, long path, pull side approach, 84 mph exit velocity from the tee. On the mound pitches out of a tall delivery, long arm action from an over the top slot. Fastball is mostly straight, showed control, 78-80 mph. Curveball has gradual action on an 11/5 plane, 63-66 mph. Changeup flashed sink, 68-70 mph. Also showed a splitter at 65-68 mph.

Alex Ewell, RHP/MIF, Oak Park-River Forest, 2015
6-foot, 165-pound two way player. On the mound his delivery is easy effort. Arm works loose and easy from a ¾ slot. Fastball was 74-76 mph with arm side run. Throws a changeup at 64-68 mph with fading action. Breaking ball has 10/4 shape with little action at 61-64 mph. On the infield he showed standard actions with the same arm action at 69 mph across the infield. Ran a 7.57 60. Offensively, he has a balanced setup with a short stride. Bat path is slightly uphill. Exit velocity was 79 mph off a tee.

Richard Ficek, RHP/OF, Warren, 2015
5-foot-11, 140-pound two way player. Defensively he showed clean footwork getting to the ball. Arm is stiff and from a high ¾ slot with accuracy at 72 mph. Ran a 7.4 60. At the plate hits from an open stance with a long stride. Showed pull side approach with the swing. Exit velocity was 74 mph off a tee. On the mound has the same arm action. Delivery is easy effort with good direction. Fastball sat 64-65 mph, flashing 68 mph. Breaking ball has 11/5 shape and gradual break at 54-58 mph. Changeup was 57-59 mph.

Quinton Hughes, LHP/OF, Lyons Township, 2015
6-foot, 165-pound right hand hitting, left hand throwing two way player with foot speed. Ran a 6.97 60. Defensively showed sound hands and a smooth transfer. Throws with a stiff arm, from high ¾, at 79 mph. At the plate he has an open setup with a short stride. Makes consistent contact. Exit velocity was 80 mph off a tee. On the mound he showcased his feel for his fastball, throwing it with arm side run and sink at 76-78 mph. Curveball had 11/5 shape with light action at 65-67 mph. Throws a slider with flat action at 70 mph.

Sean Jaycox, RHP, St. Rita, 2015
5-foot-8, 140-pound pitcher. His delivery has rhythm and solid direction with an athletic finish. Throws from a high ¾ slot and short arm action. Showed feel for the fastball, throwing it 74-77 mph with run. Throws a sweeping breaking ball for strikes at 65-67 mph with tight break.  Changeup was 72-73 mph with flashes of cutting action.

LJ Kurek, 3B/RHP, Bishop McNamara, 2015
5-foot-10, 165-pound two-way player. Defensively displayed a short high ¾ arm action across the diamond, 71 mph. Showed reliable hands, above average footwork, showed some athleticism. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, short stride, no load. Opposite field tendencies, front foot hitter. 84 mph exit velocity from the tee. Also ran a 7.51 60.

David Llorens, LHP, Grayslake Central, 2015
6-foot-3, 175-pound left handed pitcher, athletic build, excellent frame. Delivery has tall and fall tendencies, little effort. Arm action is loose, high ¾ arm slot. Fastball touched 81 mph, pitched at 76-80 mph. Curveball has 11/5 action, slurve feel, 57-64 mph. Changeup sat 63-65 mph.

Michael Lorenzi, LHP, Mount Carmel, 2015
6-foot, 225-pound southpaw with three pitch feel. Has a drop and drive delivery with some rhythm and regular effort. Arm works out of a high ¾ slot with a short arm action. Fastball was 77-79 mph with quality sink. Throws a changeup with fading action at 66-69 mph. Curveball is 60-62 mph with soft action.

Enrique Manzano, MIF/RHP, Solorio, 2015
5-foot-10, 165-pound left handed hitting, two way player. On the infield he showed some actions, playing through the ball with solid hands and feet. Arm is long, high ¾, and has carry at 74 mph. Ran a 7.36 60. At the plate he has a balanced stance, smooth load, short stride and strong lower half. Swing generates solid bat speed and pop to the pull side in fluid rhythm. Exit velocity was 81 mph off a tee. On the mound he throws with the same long arm. Fastball was straight, sitting 75-76 mph. Curveball has 12/6 shape with rolling break at 61-62 mph. Throws a split with some fade at 67-69 mph.

Thomas Przekwas, RHP, Brother Rice, 2015
Lanky frame, long legs, 6-foot-3, 150-pound right handed pitcher. Slight drop and drive style delivery, operates from a high ¾ arm slot. Fastball sits at 72-73 mph. Curveball works on 11/5 plane, slurve action, 61-64 mph, decelerated arm action. Changeup had occasional sink, 65-68 mph.

Michael Quiram, OF/RHP, Joliet Catholic Academy, 2015
5-foot-11, 165-pound right-handed two way player. Moves well in the outfield, fluid footwork, showed natural outfield actions. Arm action is long from a high ¾ slot, showed some carry, 81 mph from the outfield. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, slightly closed, short stride, minimal load. Stays inside the baseball, inside out path, line drive type hitter. On the mound worked from a low ¾ arm slot, long arm action. Fastball had sinking action, 75-77 mph. Curveball sat at 61-63 mph. Slider has minimal action, 67-68 mph. Splitter has sink, 67-69 mph.

John Santee, RHP, Prospect, 2015
6-foot-3, 190-pound right handed pitcher. Works from a high ¾ arm slot. Fastball is mostly straight, 74-75 mph. Curveball worked on 11/5 plane, 62-65 mph. Slider is 67-70 mph. Straight changeup, has some sink, 67-70 mph.

Hank Schau, OF/RHP, Maine South, 2015
6-foot-2, 165-pound wiry two way player. Defensively he moves with athletic feet in a projectable frame. Ran a 7.33 60. Throws 82 mph with some carry and accuracy. At the plate he hits with balance and a short stride. Swing is repeated easily and makes hard contact consistently. Exit velocity was 82 mph off a tee. On the mound he has a tall and fall delivery. Throws with a long, loose arm from a high ¾ slot. Fastball was thrown for strikes with sink, sitting 80-81 mph. His curveball has 12/6 shape with gradual break at 70-73 mph. Changeup was 68-72 mph flashing some fade.

Cody Smith, LHP, Lyons Township, 2015
5-foot-8, 140-pound southpaw. Uses a drop and drive delivery with regular effort and an opened landing. Throws from a high ¾ slot with a long arm action. Fastball was straight, sitting 75-76 mph and in the zone all day. Throws a curveball with 11/5 tilt and gradual break sitting at 65-68 mph for strikes. Throws a changeup with sinking action with similar arm speed to the fastball at 68-71 mph.

Matthew Wilson, OF/RHP, Nazareth, 2015
5-foot-11, 160-pound two way player. From the outfield he solid actions and movements. Arm works short, from a high ¾ with some carry at 82 mph. Ran a 7.22 60. At the plate he has a narrow, balanced setup with a short stride. Stays balanced in the swing and gets to quality extension and a flat path. Exit velocity was 78 mph. On the mound has the same short arm action and a tall and fall delivery. Fastball was in the zone with slight sink at 76-77 mph. The curveball had 11/5 tilt and was 65-69 mph. Changeup had quality sink at 67-71 mph.

Joseph Woltke, SS/RHP, Lane Tech
5-foot-10, 140-pound left hand hitting two way player. On the infield he shows athletic actions. Throws from a high ¾ slot with accuracy at 58 mph. Ran a 7.7 60.  At the plate he has an open stance with a short stride. Bat path is long with an opposite field approach. Exit velocity off a tee was 72 mph. On the mound he throws from a high ¾ slot with a short stiff arm. Fastball was 69-71 mph and straight. Curveball has an 11/5 shape with gradual break at 55-57 mph. Throws a slider at 62-63 mph.

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