Prep Baseball Report

Class of 2020 Showcase: Pitcher Analysis


By Illinois Scouting Staff

To cap off our position-by-position look at the Class of 2020 Showcase at Wheaton College, we’re analyzing the pitchers who toed the rubber on July 18. We previously published our Statistical Analysis from the event, as well as detailed looks at the day’s catchers, outfielders, and infielders.

Sitting atop the pitchers rankings of the event is exactly who we suspected it would be coming into the showcase: RHP Jake Kuntzendorf (Aurora Christian; uncommitted). The 6-foot-2 righty was a PBR Future Games attendee earlier this month where he inflated his stock greatly. His performance at the Class of 2020 Showcase was just another example of Kuntzendorf reaffirming the premium stuff he showed us during the spring, when he helped carry his program to a 1A state championship. He’s built strong and athletic at 6-foot-2 which helps him run his fastball up to the upper 80s, and topped 87 mph in Carol Stream. He’s quickly become one of the top uncommitted follows in the state.

Joining Kuntzendorf as the top pitching prospects among this group is the two-way talent Joel Sarver (Champaign Central; uncommitted). We covered Sarver yesterday in the infielders post, as he made a strong impression in front of our staff defensively and in the batter’s box, but he may even have more upside on the mound. He located his fastball with run in the 82-84 mph range, and he backed it up with a curveball-splitter combo that could give him a three-pitch mix down the road as he develops.

For full reports on Kuntzendorf and Sarver, as well as all of the pitchers who took the mound at Wheaton College last month, continue reading on below. Tomorrow, we’ll finalize the top overall prospects of the Class of 2020 Showcase in our final breakdown of last month’s event.

TOP PROSPECTS

1. Jake Kuntzendorf, RHP, Aurora Christian, 2020
6-foot-2, 190-pound athletically-built with a strong frame, right-handed pitcher, projectable. Operates with a short, loose arm action, clean on the back-side, accelerates quickly to release point with regular effort. Tall and fall delivery, leads with hip, long stride down mound, works on-line, lands toe-closed, finishes athletically. Fastball, mostly straight, cut at-times, commanded, sat 85-86, touched 87. Changeup, maintains arm speed, heavy fade, located for strikes, 76-80.  Curveball, 12/6 shape, can be sharp, 67-71. Slider, similar to curveball, located armside, 69-71. High follow 2020.

2. Joel Sarver, RHP/3B, Champaign Central, 2020
6-foot-1, 175-pound, right-handed hitting two-way player, athleticism in frame translate in-game actions. Right-handed pitcher, deliberate pace, under control, high knee balance point, hip leads down the mound, lands cross bodied, athletic finish out front. Full arm swing, loose action,quick arm speed, conviction down, high ¾ slot. Fastball, located with run, sat 82-84 mph. Curveball, 11/5 break, 69-73 mph. Splitter, tumble at the bottom of the zone, 71-74 mph. At the plate, open, tall setup, smooth load, leg lift stride, maintains control. Loose hands/wrists, short, level path with extension, line drive ability to the middle of the field, controls barrel. Fast bat speed, exit velocity topped 93 mph from a tee. Defensively, feet work in rhythm, soft hands, funnels baseball, clean/long exchange, pats glove, plays through. Short, loose arm action with arm speed, high ¾ slot, throws carried 83 mph across the diamond. 7.37 runner in the 60.

3. Connor Morrison, LHP/OF, Lake Forest, 2020
5-foot-11, 170-pound athletic left-handed two-way prospect. On the mound, long, loose arm action out of a ¾ slot, gets out front quickly with easy effort. Tall and fall delivery, smooth rhythm, works on-line, lands square, finishing in an athletic position. Fastball, mostly straight, comes in hard, creates angles, commanded, sat 83-84. Curveball, 11/5 shape, 65-71. Changeup, fastball arm speed out of slightly higher slot, sinking action, 78-80. Offensively, balanced setup, smooth load, leg kick timing trigger, maintains balance. Gap-to-gap approach, short barrel path, 89 mph exit velocity. Defensively, long arm action, ¾ slot, kept throws around target, 81 mph. Ran a 7.21 laser-timed 60.   

4. Andrew Etter, OF/RHP, Mount Carmel, 2020
6-foot-2, 170-pound, lean, athletic two-way prospect. Defensively, short, loose arm action, high ¾ slot, throws carried at 88 mph. Plays through the ball, soft hands, fluid footwork, clean on exchanges. Ran a 7.46 laser-timed 60. Offensively, balanced setup, short stride, maintains balance. Pull approach, easy effort, uphill barrel path, gains extension, fluid rhythm, 81 mph exit velocity off a tee. On the mound, loose arm action, high ¾ slot, easy effort. Athletic tall and fall delivery, balanced throughout, smooth rhythm, works directionally towards home, lands square, finishes athletically. Fastball, two-seam run action, commanded, sat 83-84, touched 85. Slider, 11/5 shape, 69-77. Changeup, maintains near fastball arm speed, sink action, 72-75.

5. Jackson Powell, RHP/OF, Normal University, 2020
6-foot-4, 185-pound lanky, athletically-built right-handed two-way prospect. On the mound, long loose arm action, slow draw on the back-side, quick to get out front, tall at balance point, lower half coil, easy effort. Tall and fall delivery, lands square, finishes crossing over towards first. Fastball, running action, located armside, sat 83-84. Curveball, 11/5 shape, gradual break, 66-69. Changeup, maintains arm speed, running action, feel for, 78-80. Defensively, long, loose arm action, ¾ slot, kept throws on target with carry, 86 mph from the outfield. Plays through the ball athletically, soft hands, fluid footwork, clean on exchanges. Offensively, closed setup, hands load back and drop, short stride, maintains balance. Pull hitter, long, uphill barrel path, fluid rhythm, 87 mph exit velocity off a tee. Ran a 7.54 laser-timed 60.

6. Christopher Seropian, OF/LHP, St. Laurence, 2020
6-foot, 165-pound, lanky, athletic left-handed two-way prospect. On the mound, long, loose arm action, slot varies between high ¾ and over-the-top, regular effort throughout. Tall and fall delivery, smooth rhythm, lands toe-closed, finishes crossing over towards third. Fastball, mostly straight, sat 81-82. Curveball, 1/7 shape, gradual break, feel for, commanded, 64-68. Changeup, mostly straight, 74-75. Cutter, slider-like, later and sharper break than curveball, downward action, 63-67. Defensively, long arm action, over-the-top slot, kept throws on target. Athletic defender, plays through the ball with soft hands, fluid footwork, clean on exchanges, 81 mph from the outfield. Offensively, left-handed, balanced setup, long leg lift stride, maintains good balance. Line drive approach, long barrel path through zone, fluid rhythm, 84 mph exit velocity. Ran a 7.26 laser-timed 60.

7. Rohan B Shah, RHP/3B, Lyons Township, 2020
6-foot-2, 165-pound, right-handed hitting two-way player, lanky frame with athleticism in build. At the plate, balanced setup, smooth load, leg kick trigger, maintains control. Loose hands, easy, long, level bat path, some uphill through zone, flashed line drive ability with pull side tendencies, repeats. Present bat speed, exit velocity topped 88 mph from a tee. Defensively, feet work in rhythm and underneath, steady hands, clean exchanges, long to release, pats glove. Arm is loose, short arms it with arm speed, high ¾ slot, effort there, throws topped 79 mph across the diamond. 7.09 runner in the 60. RIght-handed pitcher, stretch only, high knee balance, slight coil, works cross bodied, athletic finish. Full arm swing, long draw on back side, quick out front,¾ slot. Fastball, had run late, 81-83 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, 64-65 mph. Changeup, faded, ranged 63-69 mph.

8. Michael Ellingsen, RHP, Loyola, 2020
6-foot-1, 205-pound, right-handed pitcher, thick frame, strength throughout. Short arm action from a high ¾ slot, shows on back-side, quick out front, maintains good balance. Drop and drive delivery, hip-lead, smooth rhythm, works on-line, lands toe-closed, finishes athletically. Fastball, slight running action, located down in the zone for strikes, sat 81-83. Curveball, 10/4 shape, gradual break, kept down, 66-70. Changeup, some run, 63-72.

9. Cooper Willman, SS/RHP, Sterling, 2020
6-foot, 180-pound, right-handed hitting two-way player, athletic build, strength in frame. Defensively fleet footed, works through the baseball, packs at exchange. Long, whippy arm action, winds up, high ¾ slot, come out, throws topped 81 mph across the diamond. 7.02 runner in the 60. At the plate, open setup, back load, long leg kick trigger, hips open early. Long, level bat path, flashed line drive ability to the middle of the field, exit velocity topped 85 mph from a tee. Right handed pitcher, works in tempo to a sturdy balance point, works in line, slightly closed toe landing, some pop-up/recoil at finish. Quick arm action, arm is short and loose, scap load, over the top slot. Fastball worked straight, topped 84 mph, sat 80-83 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, 62-66 mph. Changeup flashed sink, 70-72 mph. Slider, 10/4 gradual break, 62-66 mph.

10. Joseph Shapiro, LHP, Glenbrook South, 2020
6-foot, 175-pound, lanky, athletic left-handed pitcher. Uses a short arm action, slight wrap on back-side, some looseness, slot varies between high ¾ and over-the-top, regular effort. Drop and drive delivery, smooth rhythm, works on-line, lands heel-toe square to the plate, finishes athletically. Fastball, mostly straight, sat 79-81. Curveball, 1/7 shape, sharp action, maintains arm speed, commanded, 72-74. Changeup, fastball arm speed, firm, 74-77.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Caleb Berry, OF/LHP, Lane Tech, 2020
6-foot, 168-pound, left-handed two-way prospect. Defensively, short arm action, high ¾ slot, kept throws around target with some carry, 84 mph from the outfield. Plays through ball, fluid footwork, quick exchanges. Offensively, open setup, short stride, maintains balance through contact. Pull approach, long, uphill barrel path through zone, 73 mph exit velocity off a tee. Ran a 7.30 laser-timed 60. On the mound, short arm action, over-the-top slot, regular effort. Tall and fall delivery, closed shoulders, lands towards first, finishes athletically. Fastball, creates some angles, sat 74-76, touched 77. Curveball, 1/7 shape, 60-62. Changeup, some fade, 63-67.

Tony Campise, 3B/RHP, Metea Valley, 2020
5-foot-11, 165-pound, right-handed hitting two-way player, athleticism in frame. At the plate, balanced, open setup, back bar load, long leg kick trigger. Strong hands, bats gets through quick, path is long and level, pull tendencies, exit velocity topped 83 mph from a tee. Defensively, quick feet, long exchange, pats glove. Long arm action, ¾ slot, throws topped 70 mph across the diamond. 7.76 runner in the 60. On the mound, active feet, high knee balance, works in line to home, closed toe landing, slight sit on back side. Long arm action, full swing, ¾ slot, some rhythm involved. Fastball, slight run, topped 77 mph, sat 73-76 mph. Curveball, gradual 12/6 break, 61-62 mph. Changeup played 61-62 mph.

Nick DiBenedetto, OF/RHP, Crystal Lake South, 2020
5-foot-10, 145-pound, athletically-built two-way prospect. Defensively, short, loose arm action, ¾ slot, kept throws on target, with carry, 81 mph from the outfield. Plays through the ball with fluid, easy actions, soft hands, fluid footwork, clean on exchanges. Ran a 7.39 laser-timed 60. Offensively, right-handed hitter, balanced, open setup, short tap stride, maintains balance. Line drive approach, level barrel path, gains extension at-times, fluid rhythm, 84 mph exit velocity off a tee. On the mound, short arm action, ¾ slot, easy effort. Tall and fall delivery, lands toe-open, finishes crossing over towards first. Fastball, run action, located armside, sat 74-78, touched 79. Curveball, slurve-like, 66-68. Changeup, armside-run, 69-71.

Eddie Dlatt, LHP/OF, Lake Zurich, 2020
5-foot-10, 165-pound, left-handed two-way prospect. Defensively, long arm action, high ¾ slot, throws on target, 78 mph from the outfield. Attacks the ball, playing through with fluid footwork, clean exchanges. Ran a 7.31 laser-timed 60. Offensively, balanced setup, short toe-tap stride. Line drive, middle approach, short, level barrel path through zone, 85 mph exit velocity off a tee. On the mound, stretch-only, firm arm action, high ¾ slot, regular effort, lands toe-closed, finishes in an athletic position. Fastball, mostly straight, sat 73-74, touched 75. Curveball, 1/7 shape, feel for, 61-63. Changeup, sinking action, 63-65.

Evan Echlin, OF/RHP, Dundee-Crown, 2020
6-foot-1, 155-pound, lanky, athletic, right-handed two-way prospect. Offensively, balanced, open setup, hands load back, leg lift stride, maintains balance. Loose hands, line drive approach, long, level barrel path, 82 mph exit velocity. Defensively, long arm action, high ¾ slot. Plays through the ball, fluid footwork with long strides, clean on exchanges, 80 mph from the outfield. Ran a 7.64 laser-timed 60. On the mound, long arm action, high ¾ slot, regular effort. Tall and fall delivery, works on-line, lands toe-closed, falling off towards first. Fastball, running action, sat 75, touched 76 once. Curveball, 11/5 shape, 59-67. Changeup, near fastball arm speed, sink and fade action, 70-72.   

Logan Hanson, RHP/2B, Lakes Community, 2020
6-foot, 180-pound, left-handed hitting two-way player, high-waisted frame. Right handed pitcher, heel lift balance, works in line, lands with toe open, low at finish, some athleticism involved. Long arm action, slight stab back, definite arm strength, picks up speed until release, ¾ arm slot, deceptive. Fastball worked straight, early run at times, sat 80-83 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, 69-72 mph. Changeup, ran arm side, 73-76 mph. At the plate, slightly open setup, minimal load, short leg kick trigger. Long bat path, barrel gets in and out quick, favored pull side, exit velocity topped 83 mph from a tee. Defensively, squares up the baseball, quick transfer, long draw out of glove, low ¾ slot, throws topped 73 mph across the diamond. 7.57 runner in the 60.

Eric Hix, LHP, Yorkville, 2020
6-foot-5, 175-pound, long, lanky left-handed pitcher. Short arm action, high ¾ slot, above average arm speed with regular effort. Tall and fall delivery, works on-line, lands square, finishes athletically. Fastball, mostly straight, sat 75-77. Changeup, maintains near fastball arm speed, fade action, feel for, 72.  Slider, 1/7 shape, sat 67-69.

Bryce Howser, C/RHP, Metea Valley, 2020
5-foot-11, 155-pound, right-handed hitting two-way prospect. Defensively, short arm action, high ¾ slot, 68 mph out of the crouch. Capable hands receiving, fluid footwork, pop times ranged 2.29-2.39. Offensively, tall, open setup, barrel wrap, long stride, maintains balance. Pull-hitter, long, uphill barrel path, 70 mph exit velocity off a tee. Ran a 7.42 laser-timed 60. On the mound, firm arm action, over-the-top slot, regular effort. Tall and fall delivery, slide-step out of stretch, lands toe-closed, heel square. Fastball, mostly straight, sat 77-78, touched 79. Curveball, 11/5 shape, 62-65. Changeup, near fastball arm speed, sinking action, 71-73.

Ricky Kanak, C/RHP, Barrington, 2020
6-foot-1, 200-pound, right-handed hitting two-way prospect. Offensively, balanced, wide setup, short stride, maintains balance through contact. Power approach, long, uphill barrel path 85 mph exit velocity off a tee. Ran a 7.47 laser-timed 60. Defensively, short arm action, ¾ slot, clean on exchanges, 70 mph out of the crouch, pop times ranged 2.43-2.54. On the mound, long arm action, high ¾ slot, regular effort. Tall and fall delivery, pitches with some rhythm, lands square. Fastball, run action, sat 75. Curveball, 11/5 shape, 59-63. Changeup, near fastball arm speed, fade and sink action, 67-68.

Lukas Kim, RHP, Conant, 2020
5-foot-10, 145-pound, right-handed pitcher, long, athletic frame. Long arm action, quick arm speed, high ¾ slot, regular effort. Tall and fall delivery, smooth rhythm, works on-line, lands closed, finishes crossing over towards first. Fastball, hard run, sat 83-84. Changeup, maintains fastball arm speed, sink and armside run, commanded, 75-79. Slider, 10/4 shape, gradual sweeping action, feel for, 58-62.

Andrew Knowlton, OF/RHP, Burlington Central, 2020
5-foot-9, 150-pound, lean, athletic two-way prospect. Offensively, balanced setup, no load, presets hands back, short toe-tap stride, maintains good balance. Pull approach, uphill barrel path, 85 mph exit velocity. Ran a 7.03 laser-timed 60. Defensively, short arm action, high ¾ slot, kept throws around target. Plays through the ball at times, clean on exchanges, 77 mph from the outfield. On the mound, short arm action, over-the-top slot, maintains good balance on leg lift. Tall and fall delivery, some rhythm. Fastball, mostly straight, sat 71-73, touched 75. Curveball, 11/5 shape, located armside, 52-56. Changeup, sinking action, 59-62.

Matthew McAleer, RHP/SS, Prospect, 2020
6-foot-2, 155-pound, right-handed hitting two-way player, lanky, athletic frame. At the plate, balanced setup, minimal load, toe tap trigger. Long, uphill bat path, flashed line drives to the pull side, exit velocity topped 83 mph from a tee. Defensively, quick feet, steady hands, gets low to field, exchanges are quick and clean. Short arm, quick to release, high ¾ slot, throws topped 75 mph across the diamond. 7.47 runner in the 60. Right-handed pitcher, stretch-only to home, tall, toe lift balance, hips open early, works in line and lands straight. Long draw down out of glove, short arm action, over the top slot. Fastball worked straight, ranged 75-79 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, 62-63 mph. Changeup flashed sink, 65-67 mph.Knuckleball ranged 64-68 mph.

Colin McDonald, RHP, Dunlap, 2020
6-foot-2, 175-pound, right-handed pitcher, strong frame. On the mound, long, slow draw on back-side, loose getting out front, over-the-top slot, regular effort. Drop and drive delivery, some rhythm, works on-line, lands square, finishes walking down mound. Fastball, creates angles with, running action, thrown for strikes, sat 78-80. Curveball, 12/6 shape, short break, located in zone, 69-72. Changeup, near fastball arm speed, fade action, 72-74.

Luke Meister, 1B/OF, Oak Park-River Forest, 2020
6-foot-1, 155-pound, right-handed hitting two-way player, thin, long-limbed frame. At the plate, wide setup, minimal load, toe tap trigger. Long, level bat path, exit velocity topped 82 mph from a tee. Defensively, long strides, plays through the ball, long exchanges. Arm plays long and loose, high ¾ to over the the top slot, throws topped 71 mph across the diamond. 7.38 runner in the 60. Right-handed pitcher, high-knee balance point, up/down/and/out to the plate, open toe landing, athletic through finish. Long arm action with arm speed out front, slight stab on back side, high ¾ slot. Fastball, worked straight, some cut, sat 66-68 mph. Curveball, gradual 11/5 break, 57-58 mph. Changeup played 61-64 mph.

Luc Melnick, RHP/OF, Joliet Catholic, 2020
6-foot-2, 180-pound, right-handed two-way prospect. Offensively, open setup, hands load back, even stride, maintains balance. Pull approach, line drive contact, long barrel path through zone, 82 mph exit velocity off a tee. Ran a 7.23 laser-timed 60. Defensively, short arm action, high ¾ slot, kept throws around target, 78 mph from the outfield. Plays through the ball, fluid footwork, quick and clean on exchanges. On the mound, short arm action, over-the-top slot, regular effort. Tall and fall delivery, cross-body action, strides towards third base, lands foot square, finishes upright. Fastball, mostly straight, cut at-times, sat 79-81. Curveball, 11/5 shape, slurve-like, 62-65. Changeup, armside-run, 71-73.

Clark Morgan, LHP, Wauconda, 2020
6-foot-7, 185-pound, lanky, high-waist, left-handed pitcher. On the mound, short arm action, high ¾ slot, high leg kick, remains balanced, easy effort. Tall and fall delivery, smooth rhythm, works on-line, lands square, finishes athletically. Fastball, cut at-times, 73-74, touched 76. Curveball, 1/7 shape, gradual break, 62-65. Splitter, near fastball arm speed, tumble and cut action, 67-70.

Giacomo O’Neill, LHP, Wheaton North, 2020
5-foot-8, 146-pound, left-handed pitcher. On the mound, short arm action, ¾ slot, shows on back-side. Drop and drive delivery, smooth rhythm, works on-line, lands square, finishes athletically. Fastball, arm-side run, sat 74-76. Curveball, 2/8 shape, sweeping action, maintained arm speed, located, 67-69. Changeup, near fastball arm speed, fade action, feel for, 72-73.

Joshua Ragusa, LHP, Joliet Catholic, 2020
5-foot-6, 140-pound, athletic left-handed pitcher. On the mound, stretch-only, short, loose arm action, gets out front quick, regular effort. Tall and fall delivery, smooth rhythm, works on-line, lands toe-closed, square to home, finishes athletically Fastball, mostly straight, some sink, commanded, sat 79-80, touched 81. Curveball, 1/7 shape, near fastball arm speed, feel for, 64. Changeup, sink and fade action, 66-68.

Justin Rohde, SS/RHP, Marian Central, 2020
5-foot-9, 155-pound, right-handed hitting infielder, athleticism in frame. At the plate, balanced stance, hands load away from the body, high knee leg kick trigger. Short, uphill bat path, looks to pull the baseball, effort involved, exit velocity topped 80 mph from a tee. Defensively squares up the ball, hands work, packs at exchange, arm plays long, high ¾ slot, some accuracy in throws, topped 79 mph across the diamond. 7.85 runner in the 60.Right-handed pitcher, works with tempo, heel lift, sturdy balance, closed toe landing, athleticism in finish with slight head jerk. Full arm swing with arm speed, over the top slot, effort there. Fastball worked straight, topped 82 mph, sat 80-81 mph. Curveball, 12/6 break, occasionally sharp, 65-66 mph. Changeup, sank with arm speed, 74-76 mph.

Julian Skosey-LaLonde, 2B/RHP, Chicago Laboratory, 2020
5-foot-6, 106-pound, right-handed hitting two-way player. At the plate, narrow, tall setup, short leg lift stride. Long, level bat path, middle of the field approach, exit velocity topped 61 mph from a tee. Defensively, exchanges clean, long to release, short, whippy arm action, low ¾ slot, throws topped 65 mph across the diamond. 9.23 runner in the 60. On the mound, sturdy, toe lift balance, works in line, spins to first, uphill finish. Short arm swing, ¾ arm slot, early release. Fastball, slight sink, topped 65 mph, ranged 61-64 mph. Curveball, 10/4 shape, 53-58 mph. Changeup played 66-68 mph.

Jay Terrell, 2B/RHP, Simeon, 2020
5-foot-9, 155-pound, right-handed hitting two-way player, lanky, athletic frame. Active feet defensively, fields in rhythm, hands work out front, exchanges are quick and clean, plays through. Short, loose arm action, high ¾ slot, easy effort, throws topped 72 mph across the diamond. At the plate, balanced setup, smooth load, short stride. Loose hands, easy uphill bat path, favored pull side, fluid rhythm involved, exit velocity topped 80 mph from a tee. 7.35  runner in the 60. On the mound, works in rhythm, lower coils at balance, works in line and lands square. Long draw out of glove, full arm swing, loose, high ¾ slot, easy effort. Fastball worked straight, topped 73 mph, sat 71-72 mph. Slider, 11/5 tumble, 65-67 mph. Changeup, slight sink, 64-66 mph.

Charlie Towns, 1B/OF/LHP, Fremd, 2020
6-foot-2, 175-pound, lanky left-handed two-way prospect. Defensively, in the outfield, long arm action, high ¾ slot, throws on target, 79 mph. On the infield, short, loose arm action, high ¾ slot, kept throws on bag, 75 mph across. Plays through the ball, soft hands, fluid footwork, clean on exchanges. Offensively, open setup, loads back, short stride, maintains balance. Line drive approach, pull tendency, long, level barrel path, 84 mph exit velocity off a tee. On the mound, short arm action, high ¾ slot, regular effort. Drop and drive delivery, hops on push, works on-line, lands toe-closed, finishes walking down mound. Fastball, armside run at-times, sat 75-77, touched 80. Curveball, 1/7 shape, gradual break, 57-62. Changeup, sinking action, 62-67.  

Justin Tumpowsky, SS/RHP, Stevenson, 2020
6-foot-1, 170-pound, right-handed hitting two-way player, lanky, athletic frame. Defensively, natural actions, moves in rhythm and fields well on the move, deadens ball, exchanges are quick and clean. Definite arm speed, short, loose arm action, multi-angle slot, gets rid of it, throws topped 81 mph across the diamond. At the plate, wide stance, bar load, short stride. Long, level bat path with rhythm involved, flashed line drives to the middle of the field, exit velocity topped 83 mph from a tee. 7.62 runner in the 60. Right-handed pitcher, quick tempo, sturdy balance point, works in-line, lands slightly across body, athletic finish. Long, loose, whippy arm action, ¾ to high ¾ slot, easy effort. Fastball sank, ranged 76-79 mph. Slider, 10/4 slurve shape, 59-62 mph. Changeup flashed sink, 63-68 mph.

Chip Valentine, OF/RHP, St. Ignatius, 2020
6-foot-1, 155-pound, lanky, athletic two-way prospect. Offensively, right-handed, balanced setup, hands load back, reverse toe-tap stride, maintains good balance. Short barrel path, uphill at-times, line drive contact, fluid rhythm, 75 mph exit velocity off a tee. Defensively, short arm action, over-the-top slot, plays through the ball, 72 mph from the outfield. Ran a 7.83 laser-timed 60. On the mound, long, firm arm action, over-the-top slot. Tall and fall delivery, works on-line, lands square. Fastball, mostly straight, sat 70-71, touched 72. Curveball, 12/6 shape, feel for, some depth at-times, 59 mph. Changeup, mostly straight, near fastball arm speed, 63-65.

Michael Vallone, LHP, Lake Forest, 2020
6-foot, 160-pound, lanky left-handed pitcher. Long, loose arm action, ¾ slot, regular effort. Tall and fall delivery, smooth rhythm, works on-line, lands square, finishes walking down mound. Fastball, running action, sat 77-78, touched 79, Curveball, 1/7 shape, depth at-times, some feel for, 65-66. Changeup, near fastball arm speed, sinking action, 71-74.

John Washkowiak, RHP, La Salle-Peru, 2020
5-foot-11, 155-pound, right-handed pitcher. Short arm action, over-the-top slot, regular effort. Tall and fall delivery, works on-line, lands toe open, finishes athletically. Fastball, slight run, sat 72-74, touched 75. Curveball, 12/6 shape, gradual, near fastball arm speed, 66-68. Changeup, maintains arm speed, fade action, 68-69.

Kyle Winston, RHP/1B, Andrew, 2020
6-foot-3, 240-pound, right-handed hitting two-way player, thick build. At the plate, even setup, wrap load, toe lift stride. Long, uphill bat path, pull side tendencies, mostly utilizes upper half, exit velocity topped 76 mph from a tee. At first base, hands work, clean transfers, gets rid of it quick. Short arm action, high ¾ slot, throws topped 67 mph across the diamond. 8.64 runner in the 60. Right-handed pitcher, deliberate pace to tall balance point, works across body, foot lands closed, upright finish. Long, full, loose arm swing, high ¾ slot, easy effort. Fastball worked straight, topped 74 mph, ranged 69-72 mph. Curveball, gradual 12/6 break, 61-64 mph. Changeup maintained arm speed, some fade, 65-69 mph.

Michael Yager, 1B/LHP, Maine South, 2020
5-foot-8, 190-pound, left-handed hitting/throwing two-way player, thick build. At the plate, balanced setup, back load, short leg lift stride. Short bat path, flashed pop to the pull side, high two-handed finish, exit velocity topped 72 mph from a tee. At first base, hands work, clean exchanges, short, loose arm action, ¾ to high ¾ slot, throws topped 69 mph across the diamond. 8.81 runner in the 60. On the mound, comes to balance low with a slight coil, works in line, lands square, easy, athletic finish out front, repeats. Short arm action, slight stab, high ¾ slot. Fastball, some downward run, topped 74 mph, sat 72-74. Curveball, 1/7 gradual break, 58-62 mph. Changeup, sank with arm speed, 67-70 mph.

RELATED CONTENT