Prep Baseball Report

Quad Cities Open: Pitcher Analysis


By Drew Locascio
Illinois Scouting Director

The Quad Cities Open took place on Sunday, September 24 at Black Hawk College in Moline, IL. Prospects from all classes participated in a pro-style workout in front on the PBR Scouting Staff. Yesterday we rolled out the position players from the event. Today, we conclude the event analysis with a look at the pitchers from the event.

Top Pitching Prospects

1. Spencer Hasselroth, RHP, Rock Island, 2019
6-foot-2, 180-pound, highly-athletic build, high-waisted, long limbed right-handed pitcher. Projectable right-handed pitcher has seen his velocity climb five mph since June. Tall and fall delivery, smooth rhythm, high front side, works on-line, lands square. Long, quick arm action from an over-the-top slot. Fastball, works straight, gets tilt at times, sat 83-84 mph, touched 87 once. Changeup, maintains fastball arm speed, thrown for strikes, down in the zone, 75-78 mph. Curveball, 12/6 shape, depth, 65-69 mph. 2019 right-handed pitcher on the rise.


Spencer Hasselroth (9.24.17)

2. Nicholas Hemken, C/RHP, Edwardsville, 2020
6-foot-1, 175-pound, physically advanced, athletically built, two-way prospect. Worked out as a catcher, advanced arm strength from the crouch, 78 mph. Arm works short and quick from an over-the-top slot. Accurate throws, stay true and carry. Quick, clean exchange, maintains body control. Pop times ranged between 2.00-2.12. Offensively, tall setup, pre-pitch load and maintains balance through contact. Quick twitch in swing, present bat speed, long bat path, occasional late trigger. 82 mph exit velocity from a tee. 7.27 runner in the 60, laser-timed. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, tall and fall delivery, stays on-line. Whippy, fast arm action from an over-the-top slot. Fastball flashed occasional cut, 78-81 mph. Slider has 10/4 shape, more 12/6 out of the stretch, thrown with fastball arm speed, conviction, 61-64 mph. Changeup, sat 67-68 mph.

3. Kyle Stoddard, RHP, Pleasant Valley (IA), 2018
6-foot-3, 190-pound, imposing, strong, wide-shouldered right-handed pitcher. Tall and fall delivery, stays on-line and some effort throughout. Long arm action, deep on the backside and comes out of an over-the-top slot. Featured a fastball/curveball combination. Fastball works straight, finishes through the hitting zone, 78-81 mph, Curveball flashed swing-and-miss action, sharp, tight spin, power type breaking ball, thrown for strikes and true 12/6 downer shape, ranged between 67-72 mph.

4. Josh Hammer, RHP, Erie, 2019
6-foot-1, 165-pound, athletically built, right-handed pitcher. Tall and fall repeatable delivery, works with rhythm, stays on-line, lands square and finishes athletically. Short quick arm action from a high ¾ slot. Fastball works straight, 78-80 mph. Curveball, advanced feel, 12/6 shape, sharp spin, depth, 65-69 mph. Changeup flashed sink and fade at times, 72-73 mph.

5. Curtis Lilienthal, INF/RHP, Durant (IA), 2018
6-foot-2, 175-pound, two-way prospect with a strong, athletic build. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, drop and drive delivery, lands closed. Short, quick arm action. Fastball, around the zone, 80-81 mph. Mixed in a curveball and slider. Curveball works 11/5, short break, 71-72 mph. Slider flashed, late, sharp break, 10/4 shape, 70-73 mph. Changeup, fade action, 77-78 mph. Offensively, right-handed hitter, open setup, leg-kick timing trigger. Pull approach and registered an 83 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, short arm action from a high ¾ slot. Accurate throws clocked at 79 mph across the diamond. 7.72 runner in the 60.

5. Ryan Rice, LHP, Rock Island, 2018
5-foot-11, 165-pound, left-handed pitcher. Slow paced, tall and fall delivery, works on-line with home plate, lands square. Clean arm action and comes out of an over-the-top window. Fastball works straight, sat 79-80 mph. Slider, firm, tight spin, late action, 2/8 shape, 73-75 mph. Changeup sat 74-77 mph.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Charlie Anderson, LHP, Notre Dame, 2018
5-foot-11, 185-pound, well-proportioned, left-handed pitcher. Drop and drive delivery, smooth rhythm, repeats delivery, stays on-line, squared landing and athletic finish. Short arm action from an over-the-top slot. Fastball sat 74-75 mph, touched 78. Curveball 1/7 shape, sharp spin, late action, fastball arm speed, 62-64 mph. Also mixed in a slider, 2/8 shape, 63-65 mph.

Travis Coleman, RHP, Erie, 2019
5-foot-10, 205-pound, right-handed pitcher with a solid lower half. Works fast and throws a high-volume of strikes. Stays on-line and works out of a high ¾ slot. Fastball works mostly straight and sat 74 mph, touching 76 once. Curveball, feel, 12/6 shape, 64-67 mph. Changeup ranged between 64-68 mph.

Tanner Hampsey, INF/RHP, Rock Island, 2019
6-foot, 150-pound, athletically built, two-way prospect. Projectable right-handed pitcher with an above-average three-pitch mix. Tall and fall, repeatable delivery, smooth rhythm, stays on-line, lands slightly closed and finishes upright. Short, clean arm action out of a high ¾ window. Fastball flashed arm-side-run and sink at times, 74-77 mph. Curveball, tight spin, depth, 12/6 shape, feel, 64-67 mph. Changeup, maintains arm speed, fade action, feel, down in the zone, 70-73 mph. Offensively, right-handed hitter, balanced, narrow setup, smooth load and toe-tap stride. Stays on top of the baseball at times and 80 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, receptive, steady hands and quick, clean transfer on the infield. Loose arm action from a ¾ slot, accurate throws clocked at 75 mph across the diamond. 7.80 runner in the 60, laser-timed.

Avery Leffler, RHP/OF/INF, United, 2020
6-foot-3, 175-pound, long, lean, projectable frame, multi-positional prospect. Offensively, slightly crouched setup, smooth load and toe-tap timing trigger. Long bat path through the hitting zone and registered an 81 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, worked out on the infield and in the outfield. Long arm action from a low ¾ slot. Throws topped out at 75 mph from the outfield and 74 mph across the infield. 7.68 runner in the 60. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, full wind up, tall and fall delivery with rhythm and regular effort throughout. Works from a low ¾ slot. Fastball thrown for strikes, 75-77 mph. Mixed in a slider that ranged between 63-68 mph. Changeup, thrown near fastball arm speed, slight fade, 66-70 mph.

Allan Meinsma, RHP, Morrison, 2018
6-foot, 148-pound, wiry, right-handed pitcher. Tall and fall delivery, open toe landing and upright finish. Utilized the slide step from the stretch. Short arm action from a high ¾ slot. Fastball, flashed sink at times, 72-75 mph, topped at 76. Curveball 11/5 shape, ranged between 65-69 mph. Changeup, arm-side-run, 70-72 mph.

Jacob Ryan, RHP, Erie, 2019
6-foot, 162-pound, right-handed pitcher with well-proportioned strength. Drop and drive delivery, works on-line and lands square. Short arm action from an over-the-top slot. Fastball works straight, up in the zone at times, 74-77 mph. Curveball, 12/6 shape, 64-68 mph. Changeup sat 66-68 mph.

Brandt Samuelson, RHP, Rock Island, 2018
6-foot-2, 165-pound, wiry, long-limbed right-handed pitcher. Drop and drive delivery, tall at balance point. Short arm action, from an over-the-top slot. Fastball works straight, throws strikes, 65-67 mph. Curveball 12/6 shape, gradual action, 52-54 mph. Changeup sat 60-61 mph.

Michael Seibert, 1B/LHP, Elmwood, 2022
5-foot-9, 125-pound, lean, left/left, two-way prospect. At the plate, balanced setup, slight pre-pitch rhythm and short stride. Long bat path through the zone and 67 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, worked out at first base. Throws from a high ¾ slot, throws clocked at 61 mph across the diamond. 7.86 runner in the 60. On the mound, left-handed pitcher, short arm action, high ¾ slot, comes out by his ear. Fastball sat 61-64 mph. Also, threw a changeup, 57-60 mph.  

Justin Sheldon, RHP, United Township, 2018
5-foot-11, 133-pound, lean, right-handed pitcher. Drop and drive delivery, stays on-line and lands square. Long arm action from a ¾ slot. Four-pitch repertoire. Fastball sat 66-68 mph. Curveball worked 12/6, backed up at times, 56-57 mph. Changeup sat 63-64 mph, flashed fade. Also threw a splitter, occasional tumble, 61-64 mph.

Collin Snyder, RHP, Alleman, 2020
5-foot-4, 130-pound, right-handed pitcher. Short, quick arm action from an over-the-top slot; more velocity likely to come as he gains strength. Tall and fall delivery, works on-line and lands squared. Fastball thrown for strikes, finishes through the hitting zone, 77-78 mph. Curveball, thrown for strikes, depth at times, 62-63 mph. Changeup, feel, fade action, 68-70 mph.

Kale Ven Huizen, INF/RHP, Port Byron Riverdale, 2019
6-foot, 135-pound, two-way prospect. Long, lean build with wide shoulders and plenty of room for continued physical development. Offensively, right-handed hitter, balanced setup, smooth load, toe-tap stride and maintains balance. Fluid rhythm, long, loose swing, consistently found the barrel and gap-to-gap approach; 74 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, steady defender, quick, clean release, ability to throw from multiple arm angles. Short arm action and throws clocked at 73 mph across the diamond. 8.34 runner in the 60. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, tall and fall repeatable delivery, stays on-line with rhythm. Long, loose arm action from a high ¾ slot. Fastball sat 74-76, touching 77 mph. Curveball varied between 12/6 and 11/5, sat 64-67 mph. Changeup, flashed feel, maintains arm speed, 68-71 mph.

Cole Walker, RHP, United, 2018
6-foot-2, 155-pound, long, lean, right-handed pitcher with plenty of room for continued physical development. Slow paced, tall and fall delivery, works with rhythm, easy effort throughout. Deep plunge on the backside and comes out of a high ¾ slot. Fastball works straight, sat 72-75 mph. Curveball, 12/6 shape, 57-60 mph. Changeup, fade action, 65-67 mph.

Blake Wheeler, INF/RHP, Cedar Rapids Prairie (IA), 2018
5-foot-6, 126-pound, lean, two-way prospect. On the infield, soft, confident hands, plays through the baseball, can play on the move, clean and quick transfer. Short, loose arm action comes out of a ¾ to low ¾ slot and clocked at 73 mph across the diamond. At the plate, right-handed hitter, balanced, slightly open setup, leg-kick timing trigger. Handsy swing at times, line-drive approach and looks to use the whole field. 72 mph exit velocity from a tee. 7.66 runner in the 60, laser-timed. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, works fast and throws a high-volume of strikes. Tall and fall delivery, works on-line with some rhythm. Short arm action from a high ¾ slot. Fastball sat 73-74 mph. Curveball, 10/4 shape, short break, feel, 64-68 mph. Changeup, thrown with fastball arm speed, straight, thrown for strikes, sat 68-70 mph. Knuckleball ranged between 62-65 mph.

Khyri White, RHP/OF, Rock Island, 2018
5-foot-9, 145-pound, well-proportioned, athletically built, two-way prospect. Defensively, worked out in the outfield. Attacks the baseball, steady hands, clean transfer. Short, over-the-top arm action, throws clocked at 76 mph. Right-handed hitter, balanced setup, pre-pitch load, short stride and hits off his backside. Loose hands at times, path works uphill; 73 mph exit velocity from a tee. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, tall and fall delivery, short stride and finishes upright. Arm works short and over-the-top. Fastball sat 72-74 mph. Changeup looks to be best secondary; maintains arm speed, feel, 65-67 mph. Curveball 12/6 shape, gradual action, 61-64 mph.

Hunter Zieser, INF/RHP, West Delaware (IA), 2018
6-foot-1, 210-pound, thick lower half, two-way prospect. Offensively, left-handed hitter, tall setup, toe-tap stride and stays short to the baseball. 83 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, at first base, steady hands, clean transfer and loose arm from a ¾ slot. Throws clocked at 70 mph across the infield. 7.90 runner in the 60. On the mound, left-handed pitcher, drop and drive delivery, lands open and regular effort throughout. Short arm action from a ¾ slot. Fastball sat 69-70 mph, touched 72. Changeup, thrown with fastball arm action, straight action, 64-70 mph. Curveball, 1/7 shape, 53-56 mph.

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