By Drew Locascio
Illinois Scouting Director

The Class of 2018 Showcase took place at the Max in McCook, IL on Sunday, October 16, 2016. The open event featured close to 100 uncommitted junior’s.

Following the event the PBR scouting staff compiled all of the notes from the workout and over the next week we will break down the event position by position. Monday we began the analysis with the catchers in attendance. Today we take a look at the pitchers from the event.

Ryan Vice emerged as one of the top uncommitted 2018 arms in Illinois and should be a high-follow prospect moving forward. The 6-foot-4, right-hander sat in the upper 80's and touched 90 mph once.

Here’s a look at the rest of the top pitching prospects.

Top Pitching Prospects

1. Ryan Vice, RHP, Lincoln-Way Central, 2018
Biggest winner from the event. Physically built at 6-foot-4, 200-pound right-handed pitcher. Works from a high ¾ arm angle with a short, clean arm action. Works exclusively from the stretch. Tall and fall delivery with easy effort. Works in line with home plate with some rhythm and an athletic finish. Fastball was straight at 87-90 mph. Slider was erratic at 72-75 mph. Lengthens arm action on changeup at 78-80 mph.

2. Jeffery Massey, RHP, Gwendolyn Brooks, 2018
Highly projectable 6-foot-2, 155-pound right-handed pitcher with a thin, lanky frame. Works from a high ¾ arm angle with a loose, quick arm action. Tall and fall, online delivery with some effort. Athletic finish with good balance throughout delivery. Fastball flashed arm side running at 82-83 mph for strikes. Curveball has 11-5 shape with sharp breaking action at 66-69 mph. Maintains fastball arm speed on changeup. Changeup has arm side running with good feel at 71-73 mph for strikes.

3. Max Klein, LHP, Christian Life, 2018
6-foot, 185-pound left-handed pitcher. On the mound works from an over the top arm angle with a short, quick arm action. Drop and drive delivery with a square landing and good balance throughout delivery. Fastball showed slight running action at 80-83 mph. Curveball has 1-7 shape with short, late breaking action at 69-72 mph. Splitter showed occasional downer action at 70-72 mph.

4. Nick Skurka, LHP/1B, St. Charles North, 2018
6-foot-1, 190-pound left-handed throwing two-way player. Upside is on the mound. Delivery is smooth, occasionally works to open side, easy effort, ¾ arm slot. Fastball runs to arm side, showed control of the zone, good finish through the hitting zone, 81-83 mph, touched 84 mph. Curveball has 2/8 shape, flashed sharp sweeping action, feel for the pitch at 67-69 mph. Changeup sinks, occasionally cuts to glove side. 68-71 mph. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride, limited lower half. Path has length average bat speed, 84 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.35 runner in the 60. Defensively arm worked well across the diamond, 81 mph.

5. Matt Piento, LHP/OF, Lyons Township, 2018
6-foot, 160-pound, lean, athletically built, two-way prospect. Left-handed pitcher, delivery works with rhythm, slightly across body, hides ball, creating deception and easy effort throughout. Arm works short and from a ¾ slot. Fastball sat 79-81 mph, touching 82. Curveball, flashed sharp, late action, 1/7 shape and ranged between 70-73 mph. Changeup maintains arm speed, flashed sinking action and feel, 75-77 mph. Offensively, balanced setup, short stride and average balance; exit velocity clocked at 72 mph. Defensively, quick feet in the outfield. Short arm from and over-the-top to high ¾ slot and throws clocked at 80 mph. Also, ran a 7.22 laser-timed 60.

6. Jacob Newman, RHP/1B, Glenbrook South, 2018
6-foot-3, 193-pound two-way player, solid frame, sturdy build. Projects best on the mound. Stretch only on the mound, showed feel for repertoire. Arm action is short and over the top. Fastball has arm side run, showed control of the zone, 82-83 mph, touched 84 mph. Curveball has 12/6 shape, 65-68 mph. Has feel for changeup at 75-77 mph, arm side action thrown with arm speed. Defensively showed softer hands, arm played well across the diamond, short over the top slot. 81 mph across. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance. Uphill path with length, 85 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.65 runner in the 60.

7. Colin Fields, RHP, Libertyville, 2018
6-foot-1, 175-pound right-handed pitcher with an athletic frame. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a long, quick arm action. Drop and drive delivery with some effort and a closed toe landing. Smooth rhythm with a slight recoil at finish. Fastball sat 83-84 topping out at 85 mph, works gloveside. Curveball has 11-5 shape at 64-65 mph. Slider is thrown with more arm speed at 70-72 mph. Slows on changeup at 72-74 mph.

8. Ryan Patel, SS/RHP, Mundelein, 2018
Long projectable frame, slender build, 6-foot-1, 150-pounds. Defensively showed rangy advanced actions, plays through the baseball with soft hands, cushions to release, good body control. Arm action is short and loose, over the top slot, carried across the diamond at 83 mph, athletic arm action that can play on the move. Right-handed hitter, open stance, smooth load and good balance. Long levers, path worked, short to the baseball at times, good approach, line drive type hitter, lacked overall strength. 85 mph exit velocity from the tee. On the mound arm action is short and quick, stays on line. Fastball topped at 81 mph, sat 79-80 mph with slight arm side run. Curveball has 11/5 shape, late tight action, 63-65 mph. Changeup is straight, thrown with fastball arm speed. 70-72 mph.

9. Cameron Robinson, OF/RHP, Champaign Central, 2018
6-foot-4, 180-pound, long, lean and projectable two-way prospect. First time we have seen him on the mound. Right-handed pitcher with a loose, quick arm out of a high ¾ slot. Smooth delivery, stays on-line, lands closed, finishes athletically with regular effort throughout. Fastball works straight and clocked at 80-82 mph. Curveball, maintains arm speed, 1/7 shape and sat 65-67 mph. Changeup looks to be his best out pitch, fastball arm speed and sinking action, 71-72 mph. Offensively, right-handed hitter, loose, whippy hands, fluid rhythm and bat speed; 87 mph exit velocity from a tee. Balanced, open setup, leg-lift timing trigger and good balance throughout. Defensively, plays through the baseball, fluid footwork, tall transfer and throws flashed carry; clocked at 84 mph. Ran a 7.30 laser-timed 60.

10. Steven Hamer, LHP/OF, St. Charles North, 2018
5-foot-10, 155-pound, athletic, two-way prospect. On the mound, left handed pitcher, drop and drive delivery, smooth rhythm, stays in line, lands square. Quick arm from a high ¾ slot. Fastball, arm side run, sat 82-83 mph. Curveball, feel, 1/7 shape, sharp action, 72-75 mph. Changeup,thrown for strikes, maintains arm speed, 75-76 mph. Offensively, left-handed hitter, line drive approach, short path through the zone; exit velocity registered at 82 mph. Tall, open setup, reverse toe tap, maintains balance through contact. Defensively, reliable hands, plays through the baseball. Long arm action from a high ¾ slot; throws clocked at 85 mph. 6.98 runner in the laser timed 60.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Joseph Atkins, LHP/OF, Fenwick, 2018
5-foot-9, 145-pound, two-way prospect. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, left-handed pitcher, lands closed. Long arm action from a ¾ slot. Fastball, works mostly straight, sat 74-76 mph. Curveball, slurve action, 63-65 mph. Changeup, 65-68 mph. Offensively, left-handed hitter, uphill path through the zone; exit velocity registered at 78 mph. Balanced setup, reverse toe tap trigger. Defensively, short arm action from a high ¾ to ¾ slot; throws clocked at 74 mph. 7.82 runner in the laser timed 60.

Colin Caminitti, MIF/RHP, Streamwood, 2018
5-foot-7, 140-pound two-way player. Right-handed hitter, hands drop slight at load, collapses lower half. Bat path is level on longer path, 76 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is short and over the top, average arm strength at 77 mph across the diamond. 8.05 runner in the 60. Arm works similarly on the mound. Fastball is straight, sat 74-76 mph, touched 77 mph. Curveball has 12/6 shape, 67-70 mph. Changeup sinks, 70-72 mph.

Mitchell Carr, 3B/RHP, Monticello, 2018
6-foot-1, 190-pound, strong, two-way prospect. Offensively, right-handed hitter, uphill path through the zone; 83 mph exit velocity. Balanced setup, back load, short stride. Defensively, long arm action from a high ¾ slot; throws clocked at 79 mph across the diamond. 7.83 runner in the laser timed 60. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, tall and fall delivery, stays in line, lands square, finishes athletically. Short arm action from an over the top angle. Fastball, work mostly straight, sat 77-80 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, 64-67 mph. Changeup, tendency to slow arm, 70-73 mph. Slider, short break, 74-75 mph.

Hunter De La Rosa, RHP/INF/OF, Moline, 2018
5-foot-8, 150-pound, two-way player. On the mound, right handed pitcher, throws strikes. Tall and fall delivery, smooth rhythm, toe lands closed. Long arm action from a high ¾ slot. Fastball, thrown for strikes, mostly straight, sat 74-76 mph. Slider, 10/4 shape, 69-70 mph. Changeup, slight sink action, 68-69 mph. Offensively, long, uphill path through the zone; exit velocity clocked at 81 mph. Balanced setup, short stride, maintains balance through contact. Defensively, worked out on the infield and outfield. Fluid footwork, clean exchange, plays through the baseball. Long arm action from a high ¾ slot; throws clocked at 79 mph and 77 mph on the infield. 7.35 runner in the laser timed 60.

Ryan Flowers, RHP/3B, St. Joseph, 2018
6-foot, 160-pound two-way player, average frame. Right-handed hitter, slightly open stance, toe tap stride. Loose swing, average bat speed on uphill path, late trigger with opposite field contact. 79 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is loose from a high ¾ slot, 77 mph across. Tends to field deep with average hands. 7.84 runner in the 60. On the mound uses multiple slots with a long arm action. Fastball ranged 75-78 mph, touched 79 mph, running action used both a ¾ and side arm slot. Curveball played from a high ¾ slot, 58-63 mph. Also showed a knuckleball from a low ¾ slot, 64-66 mph.

Evan Friedman, RHP/OF, Maine South, 2018
6-foot-3, 198-pound, two-way player. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, short arm action from an over the top angle. Fastball, works mostly straight, sat 74-76 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, 65-67 mph. Changeup, thrown for strikes, 67-71 mph. Offensively, right-handed hitter, long path through the zone; exit velocity registered at 84 mph. Balanced setup with a short stride. Defensively, reliable hands, plays through the baseball. Short arm action from an over the top slot; throws clocked at 79 mph from the outfield. 7.65 runner in the laser timed 60.

Jake Garvey, RHP/OF, Neuqua Valley, 2018
5-foot-10, 145-pound, two-way player. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, stays in line, falls off to the first base side. Long arm action from a high ¾ slot. Fastball, mostly straight, sat 67-68 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, 56-58 mph. Changeup, mostly straight, 61-63 mph. Offensively, balanced setup with a short stride. Long path through the zone; exit velocity registered at 76 mph from the tee. Defensively, long arm action from an over the top slot; throws clocked at 73 mph. 7.59 runner in the laser timed 60.

Garrett Gillund, OF/INF/RHP, McHenry West, 2018
6-foot-1, 175-pound, athletic, two-way player. Offensively, right-handed hitter, average bat speed, uphill path through the zone; 84 mph exit velocity. Wide, open setup, short stride. Defensively, worked out in the infield and outfield. Similar actions at both positions. Short arm action from a ¾ slot; throws clocked at 83 mph from the outfield and 79 mph across the diamond. 7.73 runner in the laser timed 60. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, works across body, toe lands open. Long, loose arm action from a ¾ angle. Featured a four-seam and two-seam fastball. Two-seam looks to be more effective; thrown for strikes, arm-side-run and sat 79-80 mph. Four-seam works mostly straight, sat 77-79 mph. Curveball, thrown for strikes, 10/4 shape, 70-72 mph. Changeup, 73-75 mph.

AJ Golembiewski, RHP/OF, Marian Central Catholic, 2018
6-foot-4, 175-pound, lanky, two-way prospect. On the mound, right-handed pitcher with projectability, stays in line, lands square. Long, loose arm action from a high ¾ angle. Fastball, thrown for strikes, slight arm side run, sat 79-82 mph. Slider, 11/5 shape, 66-68 mph. Changeup, feel, maintains arm speed, sink action, 71-73 mph. Offensively, short, uphill path through the zone, average bat speed; 81 mph exit velocity. Balanced setup with a reverse toe tap trigger. Defensively, clean exchange, reliable hands in the outfield. Short, accurate arm from an over the top slot; throws clocked at 83 mph from the outfield. 7.49 runner in the laser timed 60.

Jacob Gray, RHP/OF, West Aurora, 2018
5-foot-11, 145-pound, lanky, two-way player. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, stays in line, lands open. Long arm action from a high ¾ slot. Fastball, thrown for strikes, works mostly straight, sat 74-75 mph. Curveball, 11/5  shape, 64-65 mph. Changeup, 65-68 mph. Defensively, clean exchange, plays through the baseball, reliable hands. Long arm action from a high ¾ slot; throws clocked at 78 mph from the outfield. Offensively, balanced setup, heel lift, long path through the zone; exit velocity registered at 74 mph from a tee. 7.87 runner in the laser timed 60.

Antonio Handley, MIF/RHP, Morgan Park, 2018
5-foot-8, 145-pound two-way player. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, leg kick stride, good balance. Simple approach, singles hitter, middle of the field contact. Short path with average bat speed, 74 mph. Defensively showed above average glove work for his age, showed ability to play through the baseball. Some actions and body control. Arm action is short from a high ¾ slot, 82 mph across the diamond. On the mound fastball sat 75-76 mph, mostly straight. Curveball played at 67-70 mph. Changeup was best secondary pitch, fastball arm action 71-72 mph.

Henry Haracz, OF/RHP, Loyola Academy, 2018
6-foot-1,165-pound, lanky, two-way prospect. Offensively, right-handed hitter, gap-to-gap approach, short path through the zone; exit velocity registered at 86 mph. Slightly closed setup, short stride, maintains balance through contact. Defensively, reliable hands, plays through the ball. Short arm action from an over the top slot; throws clocked at 83 mph from the outfield. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, drop and drive delivery, works with rhythm, finishes athletically. Short arm action from a high ¾ angle. Fastball, works mostly straight, sat 81-82 mph. Curveball, 67-69 mph. Changeup, feel, maintains arm speed, sink action, 69-72 mph.

Jeremy Heer, RHP/OF, Riverside-Brookfield, 2018
5-foot-9, 175-pound, two-way player. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, drop and drive delivery, works with rhythm. Short arm action from a high ¾ slot. Fastball, works mostly straight, sat 70-72 mph. Curveball, 62-65 mph. Changeup, 63-67 mph. Offensively, right-handed hitter, balanced setup, long, uphill path through the zone; exit velocity registered at 73 mph. Defensively, long arm action from a high ¾ slot; throws clocked at 75 mph. 7.67 runner in the laser timed 60.

Matthew Helwig, 3B/RHP, Lincoln-Way Central, 2018
5-foot-10, 170-pound two-way player. Right-handed hitter, tall setup, short stride, stays balanced. Handsy swing, short path, lacked extension, 82 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is loose, high ¾ slot and accurate across the diamond, 79 mph. 7.28 runner in the 60. On the mound works from a tall and fall delivery, regular effort, slower tempo. Arm action is long, high ¾ slot. Fastball has slight run, 78-81 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape, 68-70 mph. Changeup has arm side action, better out of the stretch, near fastball arm action, 70-72 mph. Knuckleball has some floating action, 68-70 mph.

Trey Korbel, RHP, Lincoln-Way Central, 2018
6-foot-1, 182-pound right-handed pitcher. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a short arm action. Drop and drive, cross fire delivery with smooth rhythm. Fastball sat 82-83 mph. Slowed on curveball that showed 11-5 shape at 63-65 mph. Changeup was straight at 72-74 mph for strikes.

Vincent Massaglia, INF/OF/RHP, Morton, 2018
5-foot-11, 170-pound, right-handed hitting multi-positional prospect. Offensively, bat speed, fluid rhythm, uses the middle of the field and some looseness throughout; 88 mph exit velocity from a tee. Balanced setup, quick leg-kick timing trigger and path works uphill at times. Defensively, worked out in the outfield and infield. Ability to play both positions. Hands work soft, fluid footwork with body control and flashes actions. Short, over-the-top arm action clocked at 82 mph across the infield and 84 mph from the outfield. Ran a 7.39 laser-timed 60. Also, a right-handed pitcher. Tall and fall delivery works with rhythm, stays on-line, lands closed and finishes athletically. Short, quick, loose arm from a high ¾ slot and regular effort throughout. Fastball, tilt, straight and sat 80-82 mph. Curveball, feel, sharp, late action action, 12/6 shape with depth and clocked at 69-70 mph. Changeup, maintains arm speed, fade action and sat 73-75 mph.

Seth Masters, LHP/1B, Sandburg, 2018
6-foot-1, 155-pound left-handed two way player. On the mound showed feel for three pitches, kept the baseball down with his secondary stuff. Arm action is short and over the top. Fastball is straight, 75-76 mph, topped at 77 mph. Curveball has 12/6 shape, showed feel, kept down, flashed depth and spin, 66-68 mph. Changeup is straight, slight sink down in the zone, 72-73 mph. Left-handed hitter, balanced stance, soft front side, slight collapse. Path is long and uphill, swings with effort, pull side contact. 81 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively showed his feet can play around the bag, arm worked short and over the top across the infield, 76 mph. 7.64 runner in the 60.

Peter Mercurio, 3B/RHP, Hinsdale Central, 2018
6-foot-2, 170-pound, lanky, two-way player. Offensively, right-handed hitter, average bat speed, long, uphill path through the zone; exit velocity registered at 84 mph. Balanced setup with a long stride. Defensively, quick, clean exchange. Short arm action from an over the top to high ¾ slot; throws clocked at 75 mph across the diamond. 7.28 runner in the laser timed 60. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, tall and fall delivery, works with some rhythm, lands closed. Long arm action from a high ¾ angle. Fastball, works mostly straight, 75-77 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, 65-66 mph. Changeup, sink and fade action, 71-72 mph.

JT Oie, C/3B/RHP, St. Charles North, 2018
5-foot-11, 175-pound right-handed hitting utility player. At the plate hits from a balanced, slightly open stance. Short, heel lift stride with an uphill swing path. 79 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 8.11. Defensively took drills behind the plate and in the infield. Short arm action from an over the top slot. Slower actions with average hands. Threw 76 mph across the infield. Behind the plate popped 2.22-2.37 and threw 70 mph from the crouch. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a short arm action. Tall and fall delivery with a closed landing and easy effort. Fastball sat 72-73 topping out at 74 mph. Curveball has 10-4 shape at 64-67 mph. Changeup was straight at 68-70 mph.

Charlie Pakenas, RHP, York, 2018
6-foot-1, 170-pound right-handed pitcher. Works from a high ¾ arm angle with a short arm action. Tall and fall, slow paced delivery with a square landing. Soft front knee on landing with good balance throughout delivery. Fastball sat 78-79 mph. Curveball has 10-4 shape at 65-66 mph. Slows arm on changeup that showed running action at 73-75 mph.

Joey Pakula, RHP/3B, Lincoln-Way West, 2018
6-foot-1, 170-pound two-way player. On the mound uses a tall and fall type delivery, balanced finish. Arm works out of a high ¾ slot. Fastball topped at 76 mph, ranged 73-75 mph. Curveball thrown with fastball arm speed, 64-68 mph, 11/5 shape. Changeup is 70-71 mph. Right-handed hitter, short stride. Hits off back side, uphill path. 77 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is over the top, 72 mph across the diamond. Sits back on the baseball, actions played better when on the move. 7.65 runner in the 60.

Jay Patel, RHP, Grant, 2018
5-foot-10, 170-pound right-handed pitcher. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a long arm action. Tall and fall delivery with easy effort. Works in line with home plate with smooth rhythm and an athletic finish. Fastball flashed cutting action at 75 mph topping out at 76 mph for strikes. Curveball has 11-5 shape at 66-68 mph. Changeup showed sinking action at 71-72 mph.

Justin Ruehl, RHP, Notre Dame, 2018
5-foot-10, 180-pound right-handed pitcher. On the mound works from a ¾ arm angle with a long, quick arm action. Tall and fall delivery with a square landing and slight recoil on finish. Some effort in delivery. Fastball sat 81-82 topping out at 83 mph. Curveball has 10-4 shape at 67-60 mph. Changeup sat 74 mph.

TJ Skelnik, 1B/ LHP, Palatine, 2018
5-foot-10, 200-pound, two-way player. Offensively, left-handed hitter, pull-side approach, uphill path through the zone; exit velocity registered at 81 mph. Tall, open setup with a leg kick trigger. Defensively, long arm action from a high ¾ slot; throws clocked at 73 mph across the diamond. 8.19 runner in the laser timed 60. On the mound, left-handed pitcher, tall and fall delivery, stays in line. Long arm action from a high ¾ angle. Fastball, works mostly straight, sat 73-76 mph. Curveball, 2/8 shape, 62-66 mph. Changeup, maintains arm speed, 67-70 mph.

Henry Stein-Krause, RHP, Latin, 2018
6-foot-3, 185-pound right-handed pitcher. Works from an over the top arm angle with a short arm angle. Tall and fall, online delivery with choppy rhythm. Fastball was straight at 76-78 topping out at 80 mph. Curveball has 11-5 shape at 67-69 mph. Changeup sat 72-74 mph.

Scott Tucker, LHP, York, 2018
6-foot-3, 145-pound left-handed pitcher. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a long arm action. Tall and fall delivery with a closed landing and uptempo delivery. Fastball was straight at 78-80 topping out at 81 mph with erratic command. Curveball had slurve action at 63-66 mph with loose rotation. Maintained fastball arm speed on changeup at 68-71 mph.

Evan Walz, RHP/2B, Warren, 2018
5-foot-11, 200-pound, two-way player. Offensively, right-handed hitter, balanced setup, short. Long path through the zone; exit velocity registered at 77 mph. Defensively, reliable hands on the infield. Short arm action from a ¾ slot; throws clocked at 68 mph across the diamond. 8.04 runner in the laser timed 60. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, tall and fall delivery. Long arm action from a low ¾ angle. Fastball, sink action, 67-69 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, 56-58 mph. Changeup, 64-66 mph.

Kyle Winkle, RHP/INF, Joliet Catholic, 2018
5-foot-10, 165-pound two-way player. On the mound delivery is mechanical, tall and fall. Short over the top slot. Fastball has run 74-77 mph. Curveball has 12/6 shape, 64-67 mph. Changeup is straight, 71-74 mph. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride. Average bat speed, slight uphill path with pull side approach. 81 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm flashed carry at 79 mph across the diamond. 8.04 runner in the 60.

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