By Matt Huck
Area Scout

Over the last couple weeks we have counted down the 2016 calendar year with a look at the top ten viewed profiles of 2016. After drilling down into our google analytics we have compiled a list of the ten most visited profiles by you the reader in 2016.

No. 6 Brenden Heiss

RHP Brenden Heiss (Jacobs) comes in as the sixth most viewed profile of 2016. Heiss had an eye opening performance at the 2016 Super60 setting an event record by touching 96 mph with his fastball. He showed his dominating stuff this spring and was eventually drafted in the 31st round by the Chicago Cubs, but instead honored his commitment to Arkansas. His profile had its most views the day following the Super60 and again the day he was drafted.

Scouting Report on Heiss

4.13.16 - Arkansas recruit. Currently ranked No. 6 in Illinois, No. 48 overall. In six innings work, Heiss (2-0) didn’t allow a hit, struck out 12, walked three and the lone Hampshire run was unearned. Eight of the first nine outs recorded were via strikeout, six of which were looking on 91-93 mph fastballs on the corners. Heiss pounded the lower-quadrant of the strike zone with his fastball and power slurve, occasionally showing off a heavy sinking changeup to the dozen or so pro scouts in attendance for good measure. Despite pitching in chilly mid-40s temps, Heiss held his velocity as well as any prep pitcher in recent memory. In the first inning he sat 92-93 mph with his fastball, and then worked 90-93 through five innings and 89-92 in the sixth. Heiss, who broke the Super 60 record in February when he popped a 96, also showed a vastly improved slurve that ranged between 77-78. In the sixth, when his fastball command began to wane a bit, he turned to the slurve to get a pair of strikeouts after Hampshire scored its lone run.

Mechanically, Heiss isn’t picturesque by any stretch. He works across his body with varying degrees of a closed landing. The times when he was off the plate was mainly when he landed way across his body and pulled the ball down to the gloveside. And despite a big wrap on the backside, his supreme athleticism and arm speed enable him to get extension out front with consistency. At times you can’t help but wonder how he is able to consistently find the same release point, but he manages it. Jacobs coach Jamie Murray said Heiss had a similar dominating performance in his first outing of the season, too.

Top Ten Most Viewed Profiles