Prep Baseball Report

Senior Games: Pitcher Analysis


By Drew Locascio
Illinois Scouting Director

On Aug. 6, the PBR Illinois staff hosted its annual Senior Games showcase at Triton College in River Grove, Ill., where over 55 of the top uncommitted players in Illinois’ 2020 class gathered to participate in a workout and live game action. Immediately following this event, we broke down the day’s bright spots in our Quick Hits post and our Statistical Analysis.

We began our position-by-position analysis earlier this week with the day’s catchersoutfielders and infielders. Today we take a look at the 26 total arms that were at the event. Recent Valparaiso commit, RHP Alex Rodriguez (Bradley-Bourbonnais), the top arm at the event, has a strong frame, easy loose arm and a starter profile.  

Continue on below for reports on each of the pitchers who made it out to the showcase.

Top Pitching Prospects

1. Alex Rodriguez, Bradley-Bourbonnais, 2020 (Valparaiso commit)
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 6-foot-3, 190-pounds. Athletic, wide-shouldered, strong frame.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery, easy effort, smooth rhythm, works in line, lands closed, athletic at finish.
Arm Action: RH. Loose, clean arm action, works from a high 3/4 slot, quick out front.
FB: T86, 82-86 mph. Thrown for strikes, plays with late cutting action. Looks to have more in the tank.
CB: 76-77 mph. Fastball arm speed, 11/5 shape, feel, sharp, late action, potential swing-and-miss pitch.
CH: 77-81 mph. Sink and fade action.

2. Nolan Vlcek, Lockport, 2020
Positional Profile: RHP. Did not allow a hit in his one inning of work.
Body: 6-foot-2, 195-pounds. Strong, wide-shouldered frame.
Delivery: Slow-paced, tall and fall delivery works with rhythm. Works on-line, lands square and easy effort.
Arm Action: RH. Clean, uninterrupted arm action with quick arm speed. Works from a high 3/4 window.
FB: T87, 81-85 mph. Plays straight, thrown for strikes, occasional downhill tilt.
SL: 70 mph.
CH: 73-74 mph.

3. Drew Detmers, Chatham-Glenwood, 2020
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 6-foot-2, 190-pounds.
Delivery: Smooth rhythm, works in line, square landing, finish is athletic with effort.
Arm Action: RH. Long, loose, quick arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T85, 82-85 mph. Thrown for strikes, late life and works mostly straight.
CB: 68-69 mph. Feel, tight spin, sharp action and 11/5 shape.

4. Collin Salter, Edwardsville, 2020
Positional Profile: RHP. Struck out three in his one inning of work.
Body: 5-foot-11, 165-pounds. Well-proportioned, athletic frame.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery, works slightly across his body, lands front-toe closed and works with rhythm.
Arm Action: RH. Short, quick arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T83, 81-82 mph. Plays straight.
CB: 69-70 mph. 11/5 shape, feel, sharp action and thrown with conviction.
SL: 69-73 mph. 10/4 shape, tight spin, depth.
CH: 72-74 mph.Swing and miss pitch, feel at the bottom of the zone, late arm-side-run. 

5. Thomas Giese, Huntley, 2020 (Wisconsin-Oshkosh commit)
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 6-foot-4, 190-pounds. Long-limbed, high-waisted, projectable frame.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery, works in line, lands closed with regular effort.
Arm Action: RH. Short, clean arm swing, high ¾ slot and quick out front.
FB: T85, 81-84 mph. Control over command, plays straight.
CB: 70-71 mph. 11/5 shape, flashed sharp action.
CH: 77-78 mph. Sink and fade action, maintains arm speed, down in the zone.

6. Michael Ellingsen, Loyola Academy, 2020
Positional Profile: RHP. Struck out two in his one inning of work.
Body: 6-foot-1, 220-pounds. Strong, wide-shouldered, big-bodied frame.
Delivery: Stretch-only, tall and fall delivery, works slightly across his body and lands front-toe closed.
Arm Action: RH. Short arm action, works from a high 3/4 window.
FB: T85, 84-85 mph. Works primarily to the arm side, late-running action.
CB: 72-74 mph. 12/6 shape with depth at times.
SL: 73-78 mph. 11/5 shape, gained feel as the inning went on.

7. Cade Turner, Lincoln-Way East, 2020 (Illinois-Springfield)
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 6-foot, 160-pounds.
Delivery: Stretch-only, tall and fall, works on-line and lands front-toe closed, regular effort throughout.
Arm Action: RH. Long arm action, works from an over-the-top slot.
FB: T85, 80-84 mph. Plays with late arm side run, thrown for strikes.
CB: 69-74 mph. 11/5 shape with occasional bite. Maintains arm speed at times.

8. Trent Spoon, Bradley-Bourbonnais, 2020 (Maryville commit)
Positional Profile: LHP
Body: 6-foot, 175-pounds. Strong, well-proportioned frame.
Delivery: Delivery has some deception, hides the baseball, works slightly across his body. Smooth rhythm, lands square, athletic finish.
Arm Action: LH. Short, clean, quick arm action, works from a 3/4 slot.
FB: T82, 78-81 mph. Plays straight, fastball velocity plays up, thrown for strikes.
CB: 67-68 mph. 1/7 shape, maintains fastball arm speed.
SL: 71 mph. 2/8 shape thrown at near FB arm speed, tighter, shorter action than curveball.

9. Connor Best, Coal City, 2020
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 6-foot-1, 220-pounds. Strong build with a defined lower half.
Delivery: Directional delivery, works on-line and lands front-toe slightly closed.
Arm Action: RH. Short window, quick out front, over-the-top slot.
FB: T86, 79-84 mph. Plays straight, thrown for strikes.
SL: 71-74 mph. 11/5 shape, tight spin.
CH: 76-79 mph. Maintains fastball arm speed, plays straight. 

10. William Range, Edwardsville, 2020
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 6-foot-3, 175-pounds. Long-limbed, high-waisted, athletic frame.
Delivery: Slow-paced, deliberate, drop-and-drive delivery, works on-line and lands slightly closed.
Arm Action: RH. Long arm action, gets deep on the backside, comes out of an over-the-top slot with quickness out front.
FB: T85, 81-84 mph. Plays mostly straight with occasional cutting action.
CB: 66-69 mph. 11/5 shape.
CH: 72 mph. Plays straight.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Adam Bendoraitis, Batavia, 2020
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 5-foot-11, 165-pounds.
Delivery: Delivery works on-line, lands square, regular effort.
Arm Action: RH. Short arm action from an over the top arm window.
FB: T83, 81-82 mph. Plays straight.
CB: 71 mph. 12/6 shape, sharp downer action, potential swing and miss pitch.
CH: 74 mph. Maintains fastball arm speed. Plays straight.

Parker Bradford, East Peoria, 2020
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 6-foot-3, 210-pounds. Strong, mature frame.
Delivery: Coiled at balance point, works in line, lands square, finishes upright.
Arm Action: RH. Short arm action, works from a high 3/4 slot.
FB: T84, 80-84 mph. Plays straight.
SL: 71-72 mph. 11/5 shape, sweeping action at times.
CH: 72 mph. 

Tyler Chron, Glenbrook North, 2020
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 6-foot-3, 170-pounds. Lean, athletic frame.
Delivery: Full wind up, works on-line, lands square and regular effort.
Arm Action: RH. Long arm action out of a ¾ slot.
FB: T82, 80-82 mph. Plays straight.
CB: 65-67 mph. 11/5 shape, near fastball arm speed.
SL: 70-72 mph. Feel and sweeping action.

Joshua DeLeon, Taft, 2020
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 5-foot-10, 150-pounds. Athletic build on top of a lanky frame. Has room for continued physical development.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery, easy effort. Fluid rhythm, stays on-line and finishes upright.
Arm Action: RH. Short, quick arm action, high 3/4 window.
FB: T85, 81-83 mph. Plays with tilt and occasional late run and sink.
CB: 69-72 mph. Maintains fastball arm speed. 11/5 shape. 

Dylan Elazegui, Hinsdale Central, 2020
Positional Profile: LHP
Body: 5-foot-8, 150-pounds.
Delivery: Drop and drive delivery. Easy effort and works in line.
Arm Action: LH. Short arm action, works from a high 3/4 slot.
FB: T71, 67-71 mph. Plays straight, thrown for strikes. 
SL: 59-64 mph. 1/7 shape, feel.
CH: 64-66 mph. 

Mason Graham, Neuqua Valley, 2020
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 6-foot-1, 160-pounds. Long-limbed, athletic frame.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery, works on-line and lands closed.
Arm Action: RH. Long, quick arm action, high ¾ slot.
FB: T84, 79-83 mph. Fastball plays straight, located for strikes.
CB: 72-73 mph. 11/5 shape, sharp action at times.
CH: 76 mph.    

Will Jaynes, Waubonsie Valley, 2020
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 6-foot-2, 180-pounds. Athletic, long-limbed frame. Room for continued physical development.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery, works with rhythm and stays on-line.
Arm Action: RH. Short, quick arm action, ¾ slot.
FB: T84, 80-83 mph. Plays straight, located for strikes.
CB: 64-65 mph. 11/5 shape.
SL: 73 mph. 10/4 sweeping shape, thrown aggressively, potential swing and miss pitch.
CH: 72 mph. Played straight.

Lukas Kim, Conant, 2020
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 5-foot-11, 155-pounds. Lean, athletic frame.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery, lands closed with effort at times.
Arm Action: RH. Long arm action, high 3/4 window.
FB: T85, 80-84 mph. Plays with late arm side run.
SL: 62-69 mph. 10/4 shape.
CH: 71 mph.   

William Le Pretre, De La Salle, 2020
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 5-foot-10, 147-pounds. Lanky frame with room for continued physical maturity.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery, high-front side, works in-line and lands front-toe slightly closed.
Arm Action: RH. Short arm action, works from an over the top arm angle.
FB: T83, 81-82 mph. Fastball plays straight, thrown for strikes.
CB: 71 mph. 11/5 shape, tight spin and depth.
CH: 73-76 mph. Maintains fastball arm speed. Plays straight, showed feel.

Sean Malpeli, Lincoln-Way West, 2020
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 6-foot-1, 195-pounds.  Thick frame.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery, works across his body, lands closed.
Arm Action: RH. Long arm action, works from an over the top angle.
FB: T83, 78-82 mph. Plays straight, gets downhill tilt and thrown for strikes.
CB: 67-70 mph. 12/6 shape and occasional depth.

Ken Middleton, Providence Catholic, 2020
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 6-foot-3, 190-pounds. Athletic, lanky frame. Has room for physical maturity.
Delivery: Drop-and-drive delivery, works with rhythm, stays on-line and lands square.
Arm Action: RH. Short and clean arm swing, works from an over the top slot.
FB: T80, 77-79 mph. Plays with cutting action, located for strikes.
CB: 66-70 mph. Maintains fastball arm speed, 12/6 shape, feel and swing-and-miss action at times.
CH: 70 mph

Ryan Murtaugh, Crystal Lake South, 2020
Positional Profile: LHP
Body: 6-foot-4, 185-pounds.
Delivery: Stretch-only delivery, works on-line, lands square, regular effort throughout.
Arm Action: LH. Long arm action, works from an over the top slot.
FB: T73, 72-73 mph. Plays straight, thrown for strikes.
CB: 61-62 mph. 1/7 shape with gradual action and depth.
CH: 64 mph. Plays straight. 

Caleb Pyrz, Champaign Central, 2020
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 6-foot, 170-pounds. Athletic frame.
Delivery: Regular effort delivery with smooth rhythm. Direction is in line and lands square.
Arm Action: RH. Short, quick arm action, over-the-top slot.
FB: T81, 78-81 mph. Plays straight, located for strikes.
CB: 67-70 mph. 12/6 shape, flashed sharp action. Maintains fastball arm speed.
CH: 75 mph. 

Patrick Rafferty, Sandburg, 2020
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 5-foot-8, 160-pounds. Durable lower half.
Delivery: Stretch-only delivery, works on-line, lands front-toe closed. 
Arm Action: RH. Short and clean arm action. Works from a high 3/4 slot.
FB: T84, 79-83 mph. Plays straight, thrown for strikes.
CB: 69-73 mph. Feel, 11/5 shape.
CH: 78 mph. 

Max Rundberg III, Chicago Bulls College Prep, 2020
Positional Profile: LHP
Body: 5-foot-10, 150-pounds. Athletic frame with room for continued physical maturity.
Delivery: Athletic, uptempo, drop and drive delivery works with rhythm.
Arm Action: LH. Short, clean, quick arm action from a low-¾ slot.
FB: T84, 78-81 mph. Plays mostly straight with occasional arm side run.
SL: 62-65 mph. 2/8 shape with gradual sweeping action. 

Jacob Sullivan, Brother Rice, 2020
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 6-foot-2, 165-pounds. Athletic frame.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery. Smooth rhythm, works in line. Lands closed, finishes in athletic position.
Arm Action: RH. Short and loose arm action with quick arm speed. Throws from a high 3/4 slot.
FB: T81, 78-80 mph. Plays mostly straight with occasional cutting action.
CB: 68-72 mph. Maintains fastball arm speed, 11/5 shape.
CH: 74-75 mph. Plays straight, maintains fastball arm speed at times.  

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