Prep Baseball Report

Underclass Invitational: LHP Analysis



By Drew Locascio
Illinois Scouting Director

The winter Underclass Invitational is one of our favorite events because it always brings the most unseen talent to the forefront. This year was no different as several prospects put their names on our big board. Today we continue our roll-out from the event looking at the top left-handed pitchers in attendance.

Here are the Top left-handed pitchers from the event.

TOP PROSPECTS

1. Nathan Lavender, LHP/1B, El Paso Gridley, 2018
6-foot-1, 175-pound, left-handed hitting LHP/1B. Emerged as one of the premier arms in the 2018 class at the event. On the mound works from a high ¾ to over the top arm angle with a long arm action. Lightning quick arm. Tall and fall, online delivery with a square landing. Up-tempo delivery with some effort. Fastball flashed some running action at 85-86 mph. Curveball showed sharp action with 1-7 shape and tight rotation for strikes at 69-70 mph. Maintained armspeed on changeup at 74-78 mph. Projects for more velocity with present armspeed. Defensively has a long, loose arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. Some accuracy with carry on throws. Fluid footwork with athletic actions and soft hands. Showed good feel around the bag. Threw 78 mph across the infield. Offensively hits from a tall balanced setup with a short heel lift stride. Gap to gap hitter with a long, uphill swing path. Showed big time strength thru contact with 93 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.71. Lavender is one of the top players to follow in the 2018 class.

2. Brodie Lenon, LHP/1B, Goreville, 2018
6-foot-3, 190-pound, left-handed hitting LHP/1B with a lanky, athletic frame. On the mound works from a low ¾ arm angle with a long, loose arm action. Tall and fall delivery with a closed landing. Fastball showed late running action at 78-82 mph. Threw curveball for strikes with sweeping action at 67-70 mph. Slider showed sharp action at 67-70 mph. Offensively hits from a balanced setup with a short toe tap stride. Long uphill swing path with fluid rhythm. Showed looseness in the hands. 82 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.89. Defensively has a long arm action from a ¾ arm slot. Threw 72 mph across the infield.

3. Ben Cornelius, LHP, Lake Zurich, 2018
Solid build 6-foot, 185-pound left-handed pitcher. Smooth rhythm, repeatable delivery and current pitchability. Loose arm action out of a high ¾ window. Regular effort, in-line direction and square landing. Fastball, thrown for strikes down in the zone, some arm-side-run and sat 79-82 mph. Plus feel for his curveball. Worked 1/7 with depth, thrown near fastball arm speed and ranged between 64-67 mph. Changeup also thrown for strikes down in the zone and clocked at 74-76 mph. One of the more polished left-handers in the 2018 class.

4. Sean Sinisko, LHP, Aurora Central Catholic, 2018
Big-bodied, extra-large frame 6-foot-4, 210-pound left-handed pitcher. Worked out of a high ¾ window, long and loose arm action. Good overall feel for his three-pitch repertoire. Delivery showed rhythm, in-line direction and square landing. Fastball, thrown for strikes, flashed arm-side-run and ranged between 79-81 mph, touching 82. Curveball, showed feel and worked with 1/7 shape and clocked at 65-69 mph. Changeup was also thrown for strikes, clocked at 70-73 mph.

5. Keegan Bates, LHP, Plainfield North, 2018
Well-proportioned 6-foot, 155-pound left-handed pitcher. Clean and repeatable delivery with feel for three pitches. Long and loose arm action out of a ¾ window. Easy effort, on-line direction, square landing, and athletic finish. Flashed a plus changeup with arm speed, feel and sink clocked at 69-71 mph. Fastball, thrown for strikes, some arm-side-run, sat 79-81 mph. Curveball worked 1/7 shape with some depth. First two curveballs were thrown at 71-72 mph but settled in more at 63-64 mph the rest of the bullpen. Should be a close follow in the 2018 class.

6. Kyle Salley, OF/LHP, Homewood-Flossmoor, 2018
5-foot-8, 143-pound, left-handed hitting OF/LHP with a small, athletic frame. Defensively has a long, loose arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. Accurate throws with carry. Threw 84 mph from the outfield. Plays thru the ball with fluid footwork and a clean exchange. Offensively hits from an open stance with a leg kick stride. Long, uphill swing path. 76 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.30. On the mound has a loose, quick arm action from a high ¾ arm angle. Tall and fall delivery, in line with home plate. Athletic finish with smooth rhythm. Threw fastball for strikes at 80-82 mph. Threw curveball for strikes that showed 12-6 shape at 62-64 mph. Maintained armspeed on changeup at 72-73 mph.

7. Steve Hamer, OF/LHP, St. Charles North, 2018
5-foot-8, 155-pound, left-handed hitting OF/LHP. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a long arm action. Tall and fall online delivery with easy effort. Short leg lift to balance point with smooth rhythm and an athletic finish. Showed feel for three pitches throwing them down in the zone for strikes. Fastball showed slight running action at 78-80 topping out at 81 mph. Curveball showed 2-8 shape with tight rotation and sharp action at 69-71 mph. Maintained armspeed on changeup at 70-72 mph. Offensively hits from a tall, open stance. Short stride back to even with good balance. Short, level swing path with fluid rhythm. 81 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.10. Defensively has a short arm action from an over the top arm slot. Throws showed carry at 79 mph. Plays thru the ball with a slower exchange.

8. Giuseppe Mattera, LHP/OF, Pleasant Plains, 2018
5-foot-11, 155-pound, left-handed hitting OF/LHP. Defensively has a long arm action from a ¾ arm slot. Accurate throws with carry. Threw 79 mph from the outfield. Plays thru the ball with quick, fluid footwork. Offensively hits from a tall, balanced setup with a high hand set and short stride. Gap to gap hitter with a short swing path. 73 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.34. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a short, quick arm action. Tall and fall delivery with a closed foot landing. Some rhythm with an athletic finish. Threw fastball for strikes at 78-81 mph. Curveball showed 1-7 shape at 63-65 mph. Maintained armspeed on changeup for strikes at 68-71 mph.

9. Isaac Kaufmann, LHP/OF, Marian Central Catholic, 2018
6-foot-1, 165-pound, left-handed hitting LHP/OF with an athletic frame. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a long, loose arm action. Full over-the-head delivery with good tempo and easy effort. Delivery works in line with home plate, square landing with an athletic finish. Commanded fastball well at 78-80 mph. Curveball showed 1-7 shape with sharp breaking action for strikes at 65-68 mph. Maintained armspeed on changeup for strikes at 65-69 mph. Should be a strong follow in the 2018 class. Defensively has a long, loose arm action. Throws showed carry at 78 mph from the outfield. Took drills at first base and showed slower actions with fluid footwork. Offensively hits from a wide base with a smooth load and short stride. Good balance throughout swing with a slight collapse on the backside. Gap to gap hitter with fluid rhythm and a long, uphill swing path. 74 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.92.

10. Tyler Horvath, OF/LHP, Romeoville, 2018
6-foot, 180-pound right-handed hitting OF/LHP. Offensively hits from a balanced open setup with a leg kick stride. Gap to gap hitter with an uphill swing path and a fast bat. Showed strength thru contact with 87 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.60. Defensively has a long arm action from a ¾ arm slot with some accuracy with carry on throws. Threw 79 mph from the outfield. Plays thru the ball with slower actions. On the mound works from a ¾ arm angle with a loose, quick arm action. Tall and fall delivery with a square landing. Some rhythm with good balance throughout. Fastball sat 80-81 topping out at 82 mph. Curveball showed 1-7 shape at 65-69 mph. Maintained armspeed on changeup at 69-70 mph.

 

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Paul Bergstrom, LHP, Notre Dame, 2018
Average build 5-foot-11, 165-pound left-handed pitcher.  Plus command of all three pitches. Worked with a short arm action out of a high ¾ slot. Showed the ability to repeatedly drop his curveball in for strikes.  Curveball had depth, mixed between 12/6 and 1/7 shape, sat 61-62 mph. Spotted his fastball which featured slight run, clocked at 77-79 mph. Also flashed a changeup for strikes, with arm speed and sat 70-71 mph. Currently a high pitch-ability lefty to keep an eye moving forward.

Matt Brenneisen, LHP/OF, Sacred Heart-Griffin, 2019
Advanced frame and strength for a freshman, 6-foot-1, 195-pound left-handed hitting outfielder and pitcher. Offensively, showed strength in swing. Although still a bit raw, he found the barrel often during his round of batting practice. Balanced setup, loads pre-pitch and short stride. Looked to lift with an uphill path through the zone. Registered an exit velocity of 81 mph. Defensively, in the outfield worked through the baseball at times. Throws from a high ¾ slot and clocked at 70 mph. Also, ran a 7.63 laser-timed 60. On the mound, tall and fall delivery, long arm action out of a high ¾ window. Slow paced, repeatable delivery. Fastball was clocked at 72-74 mph, touching 75. Curveball, worked 12/6, depth at times and ranged between at 57-61 mph.  Changeup was clocked at 67-69 mph.

Nathan Diamond, LHP/1B, Oak Park-River Forest, 2019
6-foot-2, 185-pound left-handed hitting LHP/1B with a lanky, projectable frame. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a short arm action. Tall at balance point with a drop and drive, slow paced delivery and easy effort. Square landing with athletic finish. Struggled with fastball command at 75-77 topping out at 78 mph. Slider showed 1-7 shape at 66-69 mph. Called changeup splitter that sat 66-68 mph. Offensively hits from a balanced, slightly open stance with a low hand set. Long stride back to even with a long level swing path. 82 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 8.00. Defensively has a short, loose arm action with average hands. Threw 76 mph across the infield. Will continue to improve with maturity.

Andrew Golde, OF/LHP, Lake Forest, 2018
5-foot-10, 150-pound, right-handed hitting outfielder. Defensively has a long, loose arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. Smooth, athletic actions while playing thru the ball. Soft hands with a clean exchange. Throws showed carry at 77 mph. Offensively hits from a balanced, slightly open stance with a smooth load and short stride. Gap to gap hitter with an uphill swing path. 78 mph exit velocity from tee. Ran the 60 at 7.50. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a short arm action. Tall and fall delivery with a slightly closed landing. Smooth rhythm with a soft landing. Fastball sat 77-78 topping out at 79 mph. Curveball showed 1-7 shape with gradual action at 65-68 mph. Changeup sat 67-68 mph.

Erik Hedmark, LHP, Dundee Crown, 2018
Solidly built 6-foot, 173-pound left-handed pitcher. Worked from the stretch only with a slow-paced delivery and smooth rhythm throughout. Lower ¾ slot with a long and loose arm action. Tall and fall delivery with regular effort. Fastball, arm-side-run and thrown for strikes sat 76-77 mph, touching 81. Occasionaly slowed arm on his two off-speed pitches. Curveball worked 1/7, 2/8 and was clocked at 62-63 mph. Changeup, arm-side-run and sat 66-68 mph.

Joseph Tello, OF/LHP, East Peoria, 2018
5-foot-11, 201-pound left-handed hitting OF/LHP. Offensively hits from a tall, balanced setup with a short leg kick stride. Collpase on the backside, showed strength thru contact in batting practice. Pull hitter with an uphill swing path. 74 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 8.06. Defensively has a long arm action from a ¾ arm slot. Slower actions. Threw 76 mph from the outfield. On the mound works from a ¾ arm angle with a long arm action. Tilt and topple delivery with a square landing and some rhythm. Fastball sat 75 topping out at 76 mph. Curveball showed 2-8 shape at 63-66 mph. Changeup sat 68-69 mph.

Andrew Wilhite, INF/SHP, Stillman Valley, 2018
6-foot, 170-pound two-way player, lean build, unique switch-handed pitching abilities. Left-handed hitter, balanced setup, short stride, lower half works with good balance. Loose hands, excellent bat control, showed barrel awareness. Made hard spray contact to all fields, gap to gap type hitter, looked confident in the box. 93 mph exit velocity from the tee, projects as a high-level bat. 7.41 runner in the 60. Defensively arm played with a longer draw on the infield, clean exchange, 80 mph across the diamond. Deliberate actions, average hands, showed ability to play through the baseball, methodical footwork. On the mound showed the ability to pitch from both sides, similar delivery and arm action from both sides, high ¾ slot. More arm strength from the right side. Fastball sat 79-81 mph topped at 82 mph right-handed, 73-74 mph left-handed. Right-handed curveball had 12/6 action, 68-70 mph with some depth. Left-handed slider sat 66-68 mph with the ability to land for strikes. Changeup has slight run from both sides. 75-78 mph right-handed, 67-70 mph left-handed.

Riggs Wilkinson, OF/LHP, Morton, 2019
5-foot-10, 150-pound right-handed hitting OF/LHP. Defensively has a long arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. Fluid footwork with slower actions. Threw 74 mph from the outfield. Offensively hits from a narrow setup with a short stride and arm bar load. Line driver hitter with fluid rhythm and a level swing path. 82 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.72. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a long arm action. Tall and fall delivery with an open landing and slight recoil. Struggled with command in bullpen session. Fastball sat 69-71 mph. Curveball showed slurve action at 62-65 mph. Changeup blended with fastball at 67-68 mph.

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