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Romeoville I.D. - Pitcher Analysis

March 22, 2016

By Drew Locascio
Illinois Scouting Director

The Romeoville Preseason ID showcase took place on Monday February 15th at the Romeoville Athletic Center in Romeoville, IL. Last week we began the analysis of the event with the catchers.

Today we take a look at the top pitchers from the event. 2018 LHP Ryan Louck stood out on the mound. Sat in the low 80's and spun a tight curveball with plus potential.

TOP PITCHERS

1. Ryan Louck, LHP, Plainfield East HS, 2018
6-foot, 155-pound, athletically built, left-handed pitcher. On the mound flashed an advanced three pitch mix with feel for all. Smooth rhythm, quick arm action out of a ¾ to high ¾ window and regular effort in his delivery. In-line direction, square landing, athletic finish, with a tall and fall delivery. Fastball worked mainly straight, down in the zone and clocked at 82-83 mph. Curveball, feel, fastball arm speed, sharp action, tight spin, plus potential, 2/8 shape and ranged between 72-75 mph. Changeup, slightly behind his curveball at the moment but still a solid offering. Thrown with aggressiveness, strikes, mostly straight and sat 76-77 mph.

2. Joe Prestamer, RHP, Lincoln-Way North HS, 2017
6-foot, 165-pound, well-proportioned, right-handed pitcher. On the mound, flashed some rhythm, a long arm action, out of a high ¾ window, regular effort, tall and fall delivery. Fastball, slight arm-side-run, worked up in the zone at times and clocked at 84-85 mph, touching 86. Slider worked between 11/5 and 10/4 occasionally getting around the baseball and sat 68-69 mph. Changeup flashed fade and ranged between 77-80 mph.

3. Gavin Doyle, RHP, Plainfield North HS, 2018
6-foot-2, 170-pound projectable, well-proportioned right-handed pitcher. On the mound features an advanced three pitch feel for his age. Works quick, smooth rhythm, stays in-line, square landing and regular effort in his delivery. Long, quick arm action out of an over-the-top slot. Fastball flashed some tilt when down in the zone, works mostly straight, thrown for strikes and sat 80-81 mph. Changeup thrown for strikes, aggressive arm speed, sink and fade action, clocked at 73-74 mph. Curveball, works mainly 12/6, good depth, spin and feel, 64-67 mph.

4. Westin Muir, RHP, St. Charles North, 2017
6-foot-2, 165-pound, lanky, projectable frame, right-handed pitcher. On the mound, quick, loose arm action and comes out of a high ¾ window. Repeatable delivery, in-line direction, square landing and regular effort. Fastball flashed slight run and ranged between 81-83 mph. Curveball, good feel, sharp action, worked 12/6 with depth and sat 67-68 mph. Splitter thrown with near fastball arm speed, sink, feel and ranged between 70-73 mph.

5. Billy Pierce, RHP, Plainfield East HS, 2018
6-foot-3, 190-pound projectable, athletically built, right-handed pitcher. On the mound features an above-average three-pitch mix for his age. Works out of a high ¾ slot, short arm action and regular effort in his delivery. Strong position at balance point, slightly high front side, stays in-line, square landing and athletic finish. Fastball flashed run and clocked at 81-82 mph. Curveball showed good shape and depth at times, works 11/5 and sat 66-67 mph. Changeup, near fastball arm speed, arm-side-run, sink at times and ranged between 71-73 mph.

6. Connor Kelly, RHP/1B, Morton HS, 2018
6-foot-5, 210-pound, strong, imposing build, two-way prospect. Projects best as a right-handed pitcher. On the mound, features an above-average arm for his age; up to 82 mph with his fastball. Long arm action, high ¾ slot and effort in his delivery. Fastball works mainly straight, some good down angle when located at the bottom of the zone, sat 81-82 mph. Curveball, 11/5 action, 65-67 mph. Changeup, thrown with near fastball arm speed and ranged between 71-74 mph. Offensively, flashed bat speed and a gap-to-gap/line-drive approach; 84 mph exit velocity off of a tee. Balanced, tall setup, long stride and collapses on his backside. Defensively, long arm action, over-the-top slot, some accuracy on his throws, clocked at 76 mph across the diamond. Also, ran a 7.80 laser-timed 60.

7. Ben Swords, 3B/RHP, Freeport, 2017
6-foot, 185-pound right-handed hitting 3B/RHP. Offensively hits from a balanced, narrow stance with a toe tap stride and average balance. Gap to gap hitter with a long, uphill path and fluid rhythm. Showed a fast bat. Showed strength thru contact with 86 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.38. Defensively has a long arm action from a high ¾ slot. Athletic actions with fluid footwork and a quick exchange. Threw 77 mph across the infield. On the mound works form a high ¾ arm angle with a short, quick arm action. Tall and fall delivery with a closed toe landing and some rhythm. Repeats well. Feel for three pitches. Fastball sat 79-81 topping out at 82 mph for strikes. Curveball showed 11-5 shape at 65-66 mph. Changeup was firm with slight fading action at 73-75 mph.

8. Dominic Listi, LHP/OF, Prairie Ridge, 2019
5-foot-10, 155-pound two way player, lean young build, projectable prospect both ways. On the mound, works with regular effort, squared landing, stays in line, level shoulders. Full arm action, longer draw, over the top slot with some quickness. Fastball has arm side run, showed good feel for his age, 76-78 mph. Curveball plays 12/6 ranged 58-60 mph. Showed a splitter at 63-66 mph, near fastball arm speed, showed some downer action. Good projection on the mound. Left-handed hitter, tall open stance, short leg lift stride back to square, average balance. Showed upside with the bat, level path, gap to gap type approach. Shows good bat speed for his age, 84 mph off the tee. Ran a 7.99 laser timed, with effort. Defensively arm played at 80 mph from the outfield, good crowhop with direction, over the top slot, showed carry and accuracy. Played through the baseball fluidly, showed actions, hands worked. Best tool looks to be his left-handed arm, 2019 follow.

9. TJ Heafey, LHP/1B, Providence Catholic, 2019
6-foot-3, 230-pound right-handed hitting LHP/1B. On the mound works from an over the top arm angle with a short, quick arm action and stab on the backside. Tall and fall delivery with a slightly closed landing. Fastball showed sinking action at 76-77 topping out at 78 mph. Curveball showed 12-6 shape at 62-64 mph. Changeup was mostly straight with occasional fading action at 67-69 mph. Cutter sat 73-74 mph. Offensively hits from a balanced setup wit a short leg lift stride. Gap to gap hitter with a level path. Showed strength thru contact with 83 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 8.37. Defensively has a short arm action from a high ¾ slot. Threw 70 mph across the infield.

10. Adam Hillis, RHP, Jacksonville HS, 2017
6-foot-4, 230-pound extra-large frame, right-handed pitcher. On the mound works fast and flashed solid overall feel for his three-pitch repertoire. Short arm action, high ¾ slot, some rhythm and regular effort in his delivery. In-line direction, slightly open landing and athletic finish. Fastball thrown for strikes, arm-side-run at times and clocked at 79-81 mph, touching 82. Curveball worked 12/6 plus feel and good depth out of the windup; out of the stretch worked more 11/5, 10/4 shape and ranged between 70-72 mph. Changeup, near fastball arm speed, worked mostly straight and clocked at 66-70 mph.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Jake Berger, RHP, Lockport HS, 2018
6-foot-2, 170-pound athletically built right-handed pitcher. On the mound works from a high ¾ slot, shorter arm action and regular effort in delivery. Stays in-line, square landing and athletic finish.  Downhill tilt to fastball at times, working the bottom of the zone, mainly straight and sat 76-79 mph. Curveball flashed sharp bite on occasion, tendency to get around it, 12/6 and 11/5 shape, ranged between 63-66 mph. Changeup, slight sink and run to it, near fastball arm speed and clocked at 70-72 mph.

Will Carey, 1B/RHP, Plainfield South HS, 2018
6-foot, 160-pound long and lean two-way prospect. Offensively hits from the right side with an uphill bat path. Wide balanced setup, pre-pitch load, short stride and average bat speed. 78 mph exit velocity. Defensively, steady hands and showed some feel around the first base bag. Long arm action, high ¾ slot, some accuracy on throws; 67 mph across the infield. 7.37 runner in the 60, laser-timed. On the mound worked strictly out of a side-arm to submarine slot; easy effort, stays in-line and slightly closed finish. Fastball flashed sink and arm-side-run when located down in the zone, clocked at 65-68 mph. Curveball clocked at 63-65 mph. Changeup sat 58-59 mph. Also featured a splitter that was clocked at 65-66 mph.

Tony DeLuna, 1B/RHP, Morton, 2017
6-foot-3, 210-pound right-handed hitting 1B/RHP. Offensively hits from a balanced setup with a leg lift stride. Line drive hitter with a long, level path. 79 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 8.33. Defensively has a short arm action from a low ¾ slot. Threw 66 mph from the outfield. On the mound works from a low ¾ arm angle with a long arm action. Tall and fall online delivery with a square landing. Fastball sat 70-72 topping out at 74 mph. Curveball showed sweeping action at 57-60 mph that he can drop in for strikes. Changeup Showed slight fading action at 61-63 mph for strikes.

Kyle Heavey, OF/RHP, Downers Grove South, 2019
5-foot-11, 165-pound two-way player, showed strength for age, rigid strong build. Best upside may be on the mound, showed some arm strength for his age from high ¾ slot. Fastball flashed slight run, topped at 79 mph, ranged 75-78 mph. Curveball has 12/6 action, showed feel, backs up some, 68-69 mph, ability to land for strikes. Straight changeup flashed sink, 69-70 mph. Right-handed hitter, open stance, short stride back to square, balance can improve. Path has some length to contact, looked to pull in BP. 80 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm plays long and over the top, 77 mph arm strength from the outfield. Clean exchange, ran a 7.4 in the 60, laser timed.

Elijah Herrera, RHP, Plainfield East HS, 2018
Smaller build 5-foot-8, 140-pound well-proportioned right-handed pitcher. Solid overall feel with an up-tempo delivery and some effort. Loose arm out of a high ¾ window. Fastball worked mostly straight, slight arm-side-run at times, and clocked at 76-78 mph. Curveball worked 11/5 and ranged between 61-63 mph. Changeup, had feel, thrown for strikes, flashed arm-side-run, fade and sat 68-70 mph.

Daniel Hrvojevic, 3B/RHP, Loyola Academy, 2018
5-foot-11, 220-pound right-handed hitting 3B/RHP. Offensively hits from a balanced setup with a short heel lift stride. Long, uphill path with average bat speed. 76 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 8.60. Defensively has a short arm action from a ¾ slot. Threw 70 mph across the infield. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a short arm action. Tall and fall delivery with a square landing, working in line with home plate. Threw fastball for strikes down in the zone at 71-72 mph. Curveball sat 58-63 mph. Changeup showed slider action at 61-65 mph.

Brandon Kaihara, 3B/RHP, Niles West, 2018
5-foot-10, 190-pound right-handed hitting 3B/RHP. Defensively has a long arm action from a high ¾ slot. Average hands with a slower exchange. Threw 74 mph across the infield. Offensively hits from a balanced setup with a short stride. Long swing path, 74 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 8.46. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a long arm action. Tall and fall delivery working in line with home plate. Fastball sat 70-71 topping out at 72 mph. Curveball showed 12-6 shape at 57-61 mph. Changeup showed sinking action at 58-61 mph.

Haegan Kelly, RHP/OF, Morton, 2018
6-foot-4, 185-pound two-way player, lean projectable frame, good upside. On the mound, tall and fall delivery, regular effort, finishes first base side. Arm action has a long draw, over the top slot. Fastball is mostly straight, flashed slight run, 75-78 mph, showed some feel. Curveball has 12/6 shape, 61-64 mph. Changeup has feel, near fastball arm speed, good control, 69-72 mph. Right-handed hitter, slightly crouched, shorter stride. Bat strength guy, showed bat speed, uphill path, pull side contact. 80 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively played with a long over the top arm action, 78 mph from the outfield. 7.59 runner in the 60.

Dominic Lentini, OF/LHP, Plainfield South, 2018
5-foot-11, 177-pound left-handed two-way player, solid build, strong lower half. Left-handed hitter, open stance, short stride, loads hands back, average balance. Showed bat strength, flashed pull side pop, path can get long at times. 84 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is short and loose, over the top slot, showed accuracy, average strength, 82 mph, played up, good outfield arm. 7.46 runner. Projects in a corner outfield spot, actions played through the baseball. Tall and fall delivery, easy effort, lands square, plays online. Arm action is short over the top slot. Fastball played with sink, 75-76 mph, touched 77 mph. Curveball has 12/6 shape, gradual action, 65-66 mph. Changeup flashed arm side run, 68-70 mph.

James Marcinkowski, OF/1B/LHP, Sycamore, 2017
Long lanky frame, projectable 6-foot-4, 180-pound R/L two-way player. Offensively hits from the right side, wide base, minimal stride, lift and replace, average balance. Flashed bat speed, simple and showed an ability to repeat swing. 83 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively showed actions at first base and in the outfield, lanky athleticism, 7.28 runner, feet work well at both positions. Arm action is long high ¾ slot, played at 77 mph from the outfield, 71 mph across the infield. Tall and fall delivery on the mound, stays compact for his size. Arm action has slight stab out of the glove, dart thrower release, showed some arm speed, can stay behind it more. Fastball showed running action to arm side, ranged 72-76 mph. Curveball has 12/6 action, 60-64 mph. Changeup worked at 64-66 mph. Flashed cutters at 66-68 mph, slider type action.

Seth Masters, 1B/LHP, Sandburg HS, 2018
6-foot, 150-pound, plenty of room for continued physical development left-handed hitting two-way prospect. Offensively, gets his lower half involved in his swing; long bat path and gap-to-gap approach at the plate. Balanced tall setup, hands load pre-pitch, tendency to bar the front arm, short stride and average balance through contact. 79 mph exit velocity off of a tee. Defensively, steady hands, quick exchange and moved well around the bag at first base. Short arm action, over-the-top slot and clocked at 68 mph across the diamond. Also, ran a 7.96 60. On the mound features a three-pitch mix with some rhythm in his delivery; Stays on line, square landing and falls off towards third base at times. Long arm action from an over-the-top slot. Fastball thrown for strikes, flashed some arm-side-run and sat 74-75 mph, touching 76. Curveball worked 12/6 and clocked at 61-63 mph. Changeup, thrown down in the zone, near fastball arm speed, arm-side-run action and ranged between 67-69 mph.

Jacob Overbeck, SS/RHP, Morris HS, 2019
6-foot, 150-pound, lanky build, right-handed hitting two-way prospect. Offensively, long bat path with an opposite field approach. Balanced setup, short stride and collapses on his backside. 66 mph exit velocity off of a tee. Defensively, reliable hands on the infield; some accuracy on throws from a high ¾ slot and clocked at 69 mph. 7.68 runner in the 60, laser-timed. On the mound, features a three-pitch mix and regular effort in his delivery; long arm action, high ¾ slot. Fastball flashed slight arm-side-run at times, clocked at 73-74 mph. Curveball worked 11/5 and ranged between 58-62 mph. Changeup, decent feel, thrown with fastball arm speed, some sinking action and sat 68-70 mph.

Billy Pindozzo, 1B/LHP, De La Salle HS, 2019
5-foot-10, 123-pound, long legged, right-handed hitting, left-handed throwing two-way player. Offensively, balanced, closed setup position, smooth pre-pitch load and reverse leg-lift timing trigger; Long, uphill bat path through the hitting zone; 65 mph exit velocity. Defensively, steady hands and fields the ball athletically in the middle of his body at first base. Short arm action, high ¾ slot and clocked at 54 mph across the diamond. Also, ran an 8.32 laser-timed 60. On the mound smooth rhythm, stays in-line and uses regular effort in his delivery; Short arm action out of a high ¾ window. Fastball flashed some run and sink, clocked at 52-55 mph, touching 56. Curveball worked 12/6 and ranged between 43-48 mph. Changeup showed some sink and sat 51-53 mph.

Chris Ralph, SS/RHP, Waubonsie Valley HS, 2017
6-foot-1, 151-pound, long-legged, right-handed hitting two-way prospect. Offensively, starts from a narrow, tall setup; no load, long stride and average balance. 76 mph exit velocity. Defensively, reliable hands on the infield. Arm worked long and out of a high ¾ slot; accurate throws clocked at 76 mph. 7.62 runner in the 60, laser-timed. On the mound features a four-pitch mix. Up-tempo delivery with some rhythm, stays in-line, closed landing at times and regular effort. Fastball flashed arm-side-run and sink at times, clocked at 74-77 mph, touching 78. Threw a curveball and a slider. Curveball worked mainly 12/6, ranged between 65-67 mph. Slider, tendency to back up, clocked at 60-63 mph. Changeup thrown with fastball arm speed, sinking action, 72-74 mph.

Nathan Ricken, RHP/OF/INF, Oswego, 2018
6-foot, 158-pound two-way player, average lean frame, sloped shoulders. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short toe tap stride. Rotational hitter, level path minimal extension, pull side contact in BP. 73 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively played both infield and outfield, arm plays similar at both positions, 76 mph across the infield, 78 mph in the outfield, long high ¾ arm action. Defensively plays deep, firm actions. 7.39 runner in the 60. On the mound delivery is tall and fall, heel toe landing. Bow and arrow draw from the glove, over the top slot. Fastball is mostly straight, 73-75 mph. Curveball has gradual 12/6 action, 62-64 mph. Straight changeup showed occasional sink, some feel for the zone, 68-69 mph.

Austin Robinson, RHP, Mendota HS, 2019
Lean build 5-foot-7, 135-pound smaller frame right-handed pitcher. On the mound featured smooth rhythm, square landing with a tendency to fall off toward first base. Short arm action, out of an over-the-top window and regular effort in his delivery. Fastball thrown for strikes, mostly straight action and ranged between 67-72 mph, touching 73. Slider got underneath at times, worked 12/6 and clocked at 58-63 mph. Changeup thrown with near fastball arm speed, flashed sink and cut at times, sat 60-63 mph.

Michael Sanfratello, RHP, De La Salle HS, 2017
6-foot-1, 185-pound solidly built right-handed pitcher. On the mound flashed feel for three pitches. High ¾ slot, long arm swing on the backside, ball comes out by his ear, regular effort, in-line direction and upright finish. Fastball clocked at 71-72 mph, touching 73. Curveball worked 11/5, thrown for strikes and sat at 64 mph. Changeup, mostly straight and clocked at 69-70 mph.

Andrew Schimmoler, 3B/RHP, Oswego HS, 2018
6-foot-5, 175-pound, projectable frame, plenty of room for continued physical development, two-way prospect. Offensively, right-center field approach, long uphill bat path; balanced setup, no load and short stride. 69 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, long arm action from a ¾ slot on the infield. Throws clocked at 71 mph. 7.82 runner in the 60, laser-timed. On the mound, works slightly across his body, short stride, and regular effort in his delivery. Long arm action from a high ¾ window and some rhythm throughout. Fastball flashed some run and ranged between 74-77 mph. Slider, looked more like a slurve at times, sweeping action, and clocked at 64-69 mph. Changeup worked 69-71 mph.

David Stocking, MIF/RHP, Joliet Catholic, 2017
5-foot-8, 150-pound, wiry, right-handed hitting two-way prospect. Offensively, uphill bat path with a gap-to-gap approach. Balanced setup, pre-pitch load, long leg-kick timing trigger and average balance through contact. 66 mph exit velocity off of a tee. Defensively, short arm action from a high ¾ slot. Throws clocked at 73 mph across the diamond. 7.70 runner in the 60, laser-timed. On the mound uses a slow, segmented delivery. Short arm action, over-the-top slot and regular effort. Fastball, straight action, ranged between 65-67 mph, touching 68. Curveball 11/5 shape and clocked at 57-63 mph. Changeup flashed some sink and sat 61-64 mph.

Nicholas Talarico, INF/RHP, Marmion Academy, 2019
5-foot-9, 145-pound right-handed hitting two-way prospect. Offensively, flashed feel for the barrel, aggressive swings and a long, level bat path at times; 81 mph exit velocity off of a tee. Balanced setup, hands load pre-pitch, short stride and average balance through contact. Defensively fluid footwork, fields the ball athletically and out front on the infield. Flashed soft hands, quick exchange, high ¾ slot, throws were accurate and clocked at 73 mph across the diamond. Ran an 8.30 laser-timed 60. On the mound throws strikes and showed feel for his three-pitch mix. Smooth rhythm, stays in-line, square landing and regular effort in his delivery.  Flashed a four-seam and two-seam fastball; Both worked mostly straight, thrown for strikes and ranged between 73-75 mph, touching 77. Curveball, feel, worked between 12/6 and 11/5 and clocked at 56-60 mph. Changeup, thrown with fastball arm speed, feel, arm-side-run and sat 68-71 mph.

Alex Verta, 3B/RHP, St. Laurence HS, 2017
6-foot, 180-pound, squared shouldered, two-way prospect. Offensively, long bat path and gap-to-gap approach. Balanced, open setup, smooth pre-pitch load and leg-kick timing trigger. 82 mph exit velocity off of a tee. Defensively, flashed some softness in his hands on the infield. Athletic fielding position, made a nice play to his backhand; short arm action, high ¾ slot, accurate throws, clocked at 77 mph. Also, ran a 7.50 laser-timed 60. On the mound, short arm action, over-the-top slot and regular effort in his delivery. Stays in-line, square landing and short stride. Fastball works mostly straight and clocked at 77-79 mph. Curveball worked 12/6, some depth, left up in the zone at timed, 64-66 mph. Changeup, thrown with fastball arm speed, showed feel, flashed sink at times and ranged between 70-73 mph.

Zach Verta, OF/RHP, St. Laurence, 2018
Large frame with strength, 6-foot-2, 200-pound two-way player. Full windup delivery on the mound, arm action is short out of an over the top slot. Fastball is mostly straight, ranged 74-78 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape, gradual rolling action, 57-60 mph. Changeup is mostly straight with occasional sink, 68-70 mph, firm with fastball arm speed. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, leg kick stride, average balance. Bat strength hitter, longer path with some power. 93 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively uses a short arm action from the outfield, 80 mph. Played through the baseball some, 7.49 runner.

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