Prep Baseball Report

St. Louis Open: Pitcher Analysis


By Illinois Scouting Staff

On Wednesday, June 16, the PBR Illinois & Missouri travelled to GCS BallPark in Sauget, IL to host the St. Louis Open. The event was open for players in high school grad classes 2022 through 2025 and will serve as an identifier to select, invite events throughout the summer and winter.

For a closer look at the showcase details and the technologies we'll have on-site to assist our in-person evaluation for all in attendance, click here. For a complete look at those registered to attend this event, view the most up-to-date version of the roster by clicking here.

Today we conclude the positional breakdown with a look at the list of arms from the event. At the top of the list was RHP Drew Pestka (Carterville, 2022), who committed to John A. Logan JC after the showcase. Pestka ran his fastball up to 92 mph with an above-average splitter and currently sits at No. 39 in the state.

Below we listed the top five arms. One pitcher who just missed out on the top-five was RHP Jeffrey Fearnley (Francis Howell Central, 2022 (MO)). Fearnley is a big-bodied, 6-foot-3, 220-pound, right-handed arm who is now committed to Missouri-St. Louis. Fearnley gets downhill with his low-80’s fastball and showed a three-pitch mix. Another arm to show well was LHP Parker Price (Eldorado, 2023). Price has a quick arm, ran his fastball up to 80 mph with a developing breaking ball.

Read on below for reports on each and every pitcher from the day.

TOP PITCHING PROSPECTS

1. Drew Pestka, Carterville (IL), 2022: John A. Logan JC commit.
 Positional Profile: RHP/OF
Body: 6-foot-4, 210-pounds. Large frame, sturdy build.
Delivery: Tall-and-fall delivery, high knee balance, long extension, lands squared, finishes athletically.
Arm Action: R. Long arm action, over-the-top slot.
FB: T92, 88-91 mph. Hard downward movement, fills the strike zone. T1918, 1832 average rpm.
CB: 73-77 mph. Gradual 10/4 movement. T1878, 1734 average rpm.
SPLT: 75-77 mph. Maintains arm speed, sinking action.

2. Sam Cardwell, Desmet (MO), 2023
Positional Profile: RHP/2B
Body: 6-foot-2, 157-pounds.
Delivery: Tall-and-fall delivery with some effort, shoulders close off, lands squared.
Arm Action: R. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T85, 83-85 mph. Throws both a four-seam and two-seam for strikes. T2056, 1973 average rpm.
CB: 68-70 mph. Sharp acting 11/5 shape, down in the zone command. T2168, 2092 average rpm.
CH: 80-81 mph. Slight fading action, glove side command.  

3. Daniel Darin, Gibault Catholic (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: OF/LHP
Body: 5-foot-8, 175-pounds.
Delivery: Sidesaddle drop-and-drive delivery with some effort, level shoulders, lands in line with home, falls off.
Arm Action: L. Long, wing arm action, 3/4 slot.
FB: T84, 82-84 mph. Plays straight, clean out of the hands, thrown for strikes. T1821, 1704 average rpm.
CB: 66-67 mph. 1/7 break, down in the zone command. T1812, 1743 average rpm.
SL: 66-69 mph. 8/2 movement with tight action, thrown for strikes. T1817, 1715 average rpm.
CH: 70-72 mph. Arm-side run with sink, arm-side command. 

4. Dylan Bates, Fort Zumwalt West (MO), 2022: Missouri S&T commit.
Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 5-foot-11, 190-pounds.
Delivery: Deliberate tall-and-fall delivery with effort, shoulders close off, quick high knee action, lands square with an upright finish.
Arm Action: R. Long, loose arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T85, 82-85 mph. Straight action, around the zone command. T2301, 2194 average rpm.
CB: 68-70 mph. 11/5 action, flashes sharp 12/6 break at times. T2412, 2314 average rpm.
SL: 72-74 mph. Sweeping 10/4 movement, glove side command. T2333, 2293 average rpm.
CH: 77-79 mph. Arm-side run with some sink, maintains arm speed. 

5. Kaleb Julian, Glendale (MO), 2024
Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 6-foot-2, 150-pounds. Long limb, lean build.
Delivery: Slow tall-and-fall delivery with easy effort, shoulders get on an uphill plane, lands squared with an athletic finish.
Arm Action: R. Long, loose arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T80, 78-79 mph. Plays straight, flashes arm-side run, around the zone command. T1872, 1750 average rpm.
CB: 67-70 mph. Gradual 11/5 action. T2160, 2063 average rpm.
CH: 72-74 mph. Plays straight with slight fading action, thrown for strikes. 

5. Evan Davis, Waterloo (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-foot-11, 186-pounds. Athletic frame, strong lower half
Delivery: Uptempo tall-and-fall delivery with some effort, shoulders stay pointed at the plate, lands squared to home, balance finish.
Arm Action: R. Long, loose arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T85, 84-85 mph. Plays straight, up in the zone command. T2189, 2109 average rpm.
CB: 69-70 mph. Gradual 11/5 break, lower half of the zone command. T2445, 2404 average rpm.
CH: 77-78 mph. Arm-side run, arm-side command. 

BEST OF THE REST (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY)

Tim Burke, Seckman (MO), 2022
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-foot-9, 160-pounds.
Delivery: Uptempo tall-and-fall, shoulders stay open, lands open, finishes in an upright position.
Arm Action: R. Long, loose arm action, 3/4 slot.
FB: T78, 75-77 mph. Plays straight with slight arm-side run. T1912, 1784 average rpm.
SL: 66-70 mph. Gradual 10/4 movement. T1860, 1763 average rpm.
CH: 68-69 mph. Plays straight. 

Caden Carroll, St Francis Borgia (MO), 2024
Positional Profile: RHP/OF
Body: 6-foot-1, 155-pounds. Lean, long legs.
Delivery: Tilt-and-topple with some effort, high knee drive, lands opens and spins off.
Arm Action: R. Long arm action, 3/4 slot.
FB: T78, 75-78 mph. Plays straight, thrown for strikes. T1926, 1782 average rpm.
CB: 67-68 mph. Late breaking, 11/5 shape, down in the zone command. T1824, 1526 average rpm.
SL: 66-70 mph. 10/4 movement. T1595, 1481 average rpm.
CH: 74-76 mph.  

Clayton Chandler, North County (MO), 2022
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 6-foot, 215-pounds. Thick, defined lower half.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery, smooth tempo, lands square, works efficiently in line with target, balanced finish.
Arm Action: R. Long arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
FB: T82, 80-82 mph. Flashes arm side run, feel for zone. T1937, 1887 average rpm.
SL: 69-71 mph. Small 10/4 shape, short action. T1515, 1466 average rpm.
CH: 69-70 mph. Downward action, arm speed similar to fastball. 

Jeffrey Fearnley, Francis Howell Central (MO), 2022: Missouri-St. Louis commit.
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 6-foot-3, 220-pounds. Strong build.
Delivery: Deliberate drop-and-drive delivery with some effort, shoulders get uphill, lands squared.
Arm Action: R. Long, stabbing arm action, over-the-top slot.
FB: T83, 81-83 mph. Late arm-side run, thrown for strikes. T2043, 1989 average rpm.
CB: 68-70 mph. Sharp breaking 12/6, strikes thrown at the knees. T1700, 1634 average rpm.
CH: 69-72 mph. Arm-side run action. 

Porter Fike, Columbia (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 5-foot-11, 175-pounds.
Delivery: Uptempo tall-and-fall delivery, shoulders close off, lands squared to home, balance finish.
Arm Action: R. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T71, 69-70 mph. Plays straight, around the zone command. T1800, 1634 average rpm.
CB: 61-62 mph. Gradual 12/6 shape, down in the zone command. T1907, 1879 average rpm.
SL: 64-65 mph. 10/4 movement with tight spin. T1819, 1795 average rpm.
CH: 64-68 mph. Slight arm-side run action, thrown for strikes. 

Andrew Flaherty, St. Louis Priory (MO), 2024
Positional Profile: 1B/RHP
Body: 6-foot-4, 233-pounds.
Delivery: Stretch only, shoulders get on an uphill plane, lands in line with home, falls off.
Arm Action: R. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T70, 67-70 mph. Four-seam type. T1915, 1812 average rpm.
CB: 55-58 mph. Gradual 11/5 break. T1890, 1681 average rpm.
CH: 60-65 mph. Plays straight, flashes arm-side run. 

Hayden Gilmore, Windsor (MO), 2025
Positional Profile: LHP/OF
Body: 6-foot, 170-pounds. Athletic, proportional size.
Delivery: Segmented tall-and-fall delivery with some effort, leveled shoulders, lands squared, falls off.
Arm Action: L. Short arm action, over-the-top slot.
FB: T76, 75-76 mph. Arm-side run, easy out of the hands, arm-side command. T1822, 1740 average rpm.
CB: 62-64 mph. Gradual 1/7 action. T1738, 1625 average rpm.
CH: 67-68 mph. Late arm-side action, around the zone command. 

John Hilpert, Belleville West (IL), 2025
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 5-foot-7, 138-pounds.
Delivery: Uptempo tall-and-fall delivery with effort, shoulders get uphill, lands in line with home, falls off.
Arm Action: R. Long, loose arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T79, 77-78 mph. Plays straight, flashes arm-side run. T1989, 1964 average rpm.
CB: 58-60 mph. 12/6 shape with early break. T2228, 2160 average rpm.
SL: 57-60 mph. 10/4 movement, glove side command. T2163, 2065 average rpm.

Carter Hollingsworth, Fort Zumwalt East (MO), 2025
Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 6-foot-1, 155-pounds. Long lower half, athletic build.
Delivery: Uptempo tall-and-fall delivery with effort, drives the knee high, shoulder close off, lands closed with an upright finish.
Arm Action: R. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T75, 71-74 mph. Late arm-side run, arm-side command. T1838, 1764 average rpm.
CB: 62-65 mph. 11/5 with slurve action. T1761, 1720 average rpm.
CH: 65-67 mph. Arm-side run with sink, arm-side command. 

Landon Martin, Lafayette (MO), 2025
Positional Profile: LHP/OF
Body: 6-foot, 145-pounds. Wide Shoulder.
Delivery: Deliberate tall-and-fall with effort, level shoulders, lands in line with home, finishes towards third.
Arm Action: L. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T73, 70-72 mph. Late arm-side run, lower half of the zone command. T1837, 1653 average rpm.
CB: 62-63 mph. Gradual 1/7 break. T1836, 1806 average rpm.
CH: 69-70 mph. Plays straight. 

Riley Mohr, Pinckneyville (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-foot-11, 152-pounds.
Delivery: Rocking tall-and-fall delivery with some effort, shoulders remain level, lands square with an upright finish.
Arm Action: R. Long, loose arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T74, 72-74 mph. Plays straight, around the zone command. T1817, 1693 average rpm.
CB: 58-60 mph. 11/5 break, flashes 12/6 at times. T1288, 1208 average rpm.
SL: 59-61 mph. Sweeping 10/4 movement with early break. T1797, 1654 average rpm.
CH: 62-65 mph. Arm-side run with sinking action. 

Tyler Orr, Castle (IN), 2022
Positional Profile: RHP/OF
Body: 6-foot-2, 180-pounds. Large, long limb frame.
Delivery: Tall-and-fall delivery with smooth tempo, knee action and level shoulders, lands square to the plate, upright fielding finish.
Arm Action: R. Long, wing arm action, 3/4 slot.
FB: T78, 76-78 mph. Slight running action, thrown for strikes. T2087, 2023 average rpm.
SL: 65-67 mph. Late breaking 10/4 movement, throw down in the zone for strikes. T2427, 2325 average rpm.
CH: 72-74 mph. Arm-side run action. 

Parker Price, Eldorado (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: LHP/OF
Body: 6-foot, 175-pounds.
Delivery: Deliberate tall-and-fall with effort, slow point of balance, level shoulders, lands in line with home, finishes upright.
Arm Action: L. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T80, 77-80 mph. Clean out of the hand, plays straight. T2141, 1947 average rpm.
CB: 60-61 mph. Early break, 1/7 shape. T2076, 2013 average rpm.
CH: 68-70 mph. Plays straight, around the zone command. 

Colby Redman, Richland County (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 6-foot-1, 180-pounds. Strong build, broad shoulders.
Delivery: Up-tempo drop-and-drive, level shoulders, lands in line with home.
Arm Action: R. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T78, 75-77 mph. Straight action, flashes arm-side run at times. T1982, 1882 average rpm.
CB: 63-64 mph. 11/5 breaking, flashes depth at times. T1931, 1785 average rpm.
SL: 65-67 mph. Feel pitch, 10/4 movement, around the zone command. T1909, 1817 average rpm.
CH: 69-70 mph. Sinking action, maintains arm speed, thrown for strikes. 

Adam Sheehy, Eureka (MO), 2023
Positional Profile: RHP/OF
Body: 6-foot, 155-pounds. Long legs, athletic build.
Delivery: Tall-and-fall delivery, shoulders stay level, lands square to the plate, finishes in an upright position.
Arm Action: R.
FB: T75, 73-74 mph. Thrown for strikes with a late cut action. T2138, 1982 average rpm.
CB: 66-68 mph. Thrown at the knees, late 10/4 movement. T1871, 1771 average rpm.
SL: 67-67 mph. 10/4 break. T1715, 1715 average rpm.
CH: 71-73 mph. Near fastball arm speed, plays straight. 

Jack Stockmann, Lindbergh (MO), 2024
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-foot-9, 135-pounds.
Delivery: Up-tempo, tall-and-fall with effort, shoulders work uphill, lands open, finishes in an upright position.
Arm Action: R. Long arm action, over-the-top slot.
FB: T71, 68-70 mph. Plays straight. T1793, 1666 average rpm.
CB: 59-61 mph. Early breaking 12/6 shape. T1963, 1836 average rpm.
CH: 62-65 mph. Plays straight, flashes cutting action. 

RELATED CONTENT