By the Illinois Scouting Staff

Today we continue our roll-out of the analysis from the Underclass Trials by taking a look at the pitchers in attendance. There was a large number of quality 2019 and 2020 arms so we decided to split them up by class. Below is the top 2019 pitching prospects at the event, led by 6-foot-4, 210-pound, Nathan Diamond.

TOP 2019 PITCHING PROSPECTS

1. Nathan Diamond, LHP/1B, Oak Park-River Forest, 2019
6-foot-4, 210-pound left-handed two-way player. Projects best on the mound, full windup delivery, slight tilt and topple, lands square. Arm action draws short out of the glove, quick loose arm, high ¾ slot. Fastball runs to arm side, showed ability to command. Slider flashed sharp action, near fastball arm speed, feel for the zone, 70-73 mph. Splitter flashed biting sink, 68-71 mph, thrown deceptively with fastball arm action. Left-handed hitter, open stance, short stride. Level path with some bat speed, front foot hitter at times. 88 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm played at 79 mph across the diamond. 7.67 runner in the 60.

2. Collin Witzke, RHP, Oswego East, 2019
6-foot-2, 160-pound right-handed pitcher with a thin, lanky frame. Works from a high ¾ arm angle with a long, quick arm action. Stab and wrap on the backside. Drop and drive delivery with a closed landing. Fastball was straight at 84-86 topping out at 87 mph. Curveball has 11-5 shape at 64-67 mph. Slider projects better than curveball, sharper breaking action at 69-71 mph. Changeup was straight, thrown aggressively at 75-78 mph.

3. Spencer Hasselroth, RHP, Rock Island, 2019
6-foot-2, 175-pound right-handed pitcher with an athletic frame. Works from an over the top arm angle with a short, quick arm action. Tall and fall delivery with a high front side. Deceptive, hides the ball well. Fastball has tilt working down in the zone at 80-82 mph. Curveball has 11-5 shape with sharp, late breaking action at 63-65 mph. Showed feel for changeup at 72-74 mph.

4. Griffin Holderfield, RHP/1B, Oak Park-River Forest, 2019
6-foot-3, 215-pound two-way player, large build and frame with strength. Left-handed hitter, open stance, toe tap trigger. Raw power, flat through the zone at times, pull side power approach, shows bat speed. 94 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm played long from a high ¾ slot, carried at 86 mph across. Feel around the bag, solid athlete at first. 7.91 runner in the 60. Right-handed pitcher, stretch only, high ¾ slot, quick loose arm. Fastball flashed arm side run, feel for the zone, 82-84 mph. Slider was best secondary, sweeping action, 71-72 mph, more consistent with it. Curveball played 11/5, ranged 69-73 mph.

5. Aaron Mishoulam, RHP, Oak Park-River Forest, 2019
6-foot-5, 185-pound right-handed pitcher with a thin, lanky frame. Works from a high ¾ arm angle with a quick arm action. Tall and fall delivery with an open toed landing. Fastball sat 81-82 topping out at 83 mph. Curveball has gradual action at 62-65 mph. Throws changeup with fastball arm speed at 77-79 mph. Projects well, will continue to improve when he repeats his mechanics.

6. Joseph Kaminski, RHP/3B, McHenry West, 2019
6-foot-1, 170-pound two-way player, slender athletic shape. Projects best on the mound, delivery is simple, tall and fall type with regular effort, squared landing and finishes to glove side. Clean arm action, high ¾ slot. Fastball showed natural cut action, feel for the zone, 81-83 mph. Slider played with some depth, 10/4 plane, thrown with fastball similar arm action, ranged 64-71 mph. Changeup sinks slightly, 71-75 mph. Right-handed hitter, tall narrow setup, leg kick trigger, average balance. Path works uphill with pull side contact, 88 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm played at 80 mph across the diamond, short high ¾ slot, occasional carry. Steady hands and actions, routine, played through the baseball. 7.24 runner in the 60.

7. Luke Olson, RHP, Newman Central Catholic, 2019
6-foot-1, 105-pound right-handed pitcher with a strong frame. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a long, quick arm action. Tall and fall delivery with regular effort. Works in line with home plate with smooth rhythm. Fastball has slight sinking action at 80-82 topping out at 83 mph. Slows on curveball that has 10-4 shape at 65-67 mph. Changeup sat 63-65 mph. Also features a cutter at 72-76 mph.

8. Payton Lawrence, RHP, Dixon, 2019
6-foot-2, 160-pound right-handed pitcher with a lanky frame. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a short, quick arm action. Tall and fall delivery with some effort. Works in line with home plate with an uptempo delivery. Fastball sat 81-82 mph down in the zone for strikes. Curveball has 11-5 shape with depth at 67-68 mph. Changuep sat 75-77 mph.

9. Johnny Beck, LHP, Rochelle, 2019
6-foot-7, 195-pound left-handed pitcher. Works from an over the top arm angle with a short arm circle on the backside. Drop and drive delivery working in line with home plate. Fastball has slight running action at 78-81 mph. Slows arm on curveball at 63-65 mph. Shortens arm action on changeup at 70-71 mph.

10. Andrew Pogue, RHP/OF, Dunlap, 2019
6-foot-3, 175-pound right-handed hitting RHP/OF with a lanky frame. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a quick, loose arm action. Drop and drive, slow paced delivery with a closed toe landing. Fastball was straight at 80-82 topping out at 83 mph for strikes. Curveball has 12-6 shape with early breaking action at 68-70 mph. Slider has 10-4 shape at 74-75 mph. Interesting arm to follow, will continue to improve as he learns to repeat his delivery. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a leg lift stride and long swing path. 84 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.34. Defensively has a long, loose arm action from an over the top slot. Plays thru the ball with a clean exchange. Threw 85 mph from the outfield.

11. Eric Lundell, RHP, Marmion, 2019
6-foot, 170-pound right-handed pitcher with an athletic frame. Works from a high ¾ arm angle with a quick arm action. Drop and drive delivery with an open toed landing. Fastball has slight cutting action at 79-81 mph for strikes. Curveball has 11-5 shape at 67-69 mph. Shoed feel for his changeup at 74-76 mph for strikes.

12. Nathan Hardman, 3B/RHP, Normal University, 2019
6-foot-1, 180-pound two-way player, lanky athletic frame, has lean strength. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride, solid balance, hands set low and away from the body. Quiet simple load and attacks the baseball, flashed quick twitch hands generating bat speed, 84 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is long, over the top slot, 79 mph across the diamond. Defensively plays through the baseball, some effort. 7.46 runner in the 60. On the mound arm played long and loose, over the top. High front side. Fastball showed tilt and fell for the zone, 79-81 mph 82 mph. Curveball plays 12/6, sharp action at times, 70-73 mph. Changeup thrown with some arm speed, 74-76 mph.

13. Nate Righi, RHP/3B, Pekin, 2019
6-foot, 195-pound two-way player, solid build with some strength. Offensively showed bat strength, 92 mph exit velocity from the tee. Right-handed hitter, balanced setup, leg kick trigger, lower half engaged, average balance. Occasional jumped off bat at contact, strong swing, attacked the baseball, long path to it. Defensively arm action has length, high ¾ slot, loose arm, carried at 83 mph across. Action play through the baseball, long release at times, profiles best at third base. 7.33 runner in the 60. On the mound arm played loose and clean, high ¾ slot, regular effort. Fastball had slight run, 79-80 mph, touched 83 mph. Curveball has 11/5 plane, 69-72 mph. Changeup is best off speed offering, near fastball arm action, sinking action, 70-74 mph.

14. Sam Mattecheck, OF/RHP, Alleman Catholic, 2019
6-foot, 165-pound right-handed hitting OF/RHP with an athletic frame. Offensively hits from a tall setup with a leg kick stride and fair balance. Line drive hitter with a short swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 86 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.06. Defensively has a short arm action from a high ¾ slot. Plays thru the ball with a quick exchange. Threw 81 mph from the outfield. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, uptempo delivery with regular effort throughout. Short arm action out of a high ¾ slot. Fastball flashed occasional arm-side-run, 78-79 mph. Slider, thrown hard, tight spin, 10/4 action, 70-72 mph. Changeup, fade action, 70-72 mph.

15. Logan Nespor, RHP/3B, Hampshire, 2019
6-foot-1, 180-pound two-way player, lanky athletic build. Right-handed hitter, balanced setup, short stride, simple approach. Sprayed contact to all fields, average bat speed, 81 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action played with length, ¾ slot, 76 mph across the diamond. 7.53 runner in the 60. Arm played long and loose on the mound, high ¾ slot with little effort, Fastball showed arm side run and sink, good action through the zone, 76-79 mph. Throws curveball and slider, both have similar action and velocity, curveball 66-67 mph, slider 67-69 mph.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Jonathan Berry, RHP/OF, Rock Island Alleman, 2019
5-foot-5, 165-pound right-handed hitting RHP/OF. On the mound works from a ¾ arm angle with a long, quick arm action. Tall and fall delivery with some effort. Smooth, uptempo delivery with good balance. Fastball has sinking action at 79-80 mph. Slider has 10-4 shape with sharp breaking action at 68-70 mph for strikes. Showed feel for changeup with sinking action at 74-77 mph. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a leg lift stride. Pull hitter with a short swing path. 83 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 8.01. Defensively has a long arm action from a high ¾ slot. Plays thru the ball with slower actions. Threw 82 mph from the outfield.

Luke Buoy, LHP, St. Charles North, 2019
5-foot-10, 140-pound left-handed pitcher. Works from an over the top arm angle with a long arm action and wrap on the backside. Tall and fall delivery with regular effort. Fastball sat 66-67 topping out at 68 mph. Curveball sat 53-58 mph. Changeup sat 60-61 mph.

Tristan Cazel, RHP, St. Charles North, 2019
5-foot-11, 180-pound right-handed pitcher with an athletic, wide shouldered frame. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a short, quick arm action. Drop and drive delivery with a closed landing and long stride. Falls off on release. Fastball was straight at 79-81 topping out at 82 mph for strikes. Curveball has 10-4 shape at 66-70 mph. Changeup sat 68-70mph. Splitter sat 65-66 mph.

Brennen Farrahi, RHP, Providence Catholic, 2019
6-foot-1, 155-pound right-handed pitcher. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a long arm action. Drop and drive delivery with a square landing. Fastball sat 75-76 topping out at 77 mph. Curveball sat 68-72 mph. Changeup works 65-69 mph.

Jeremy Frankel, 3B/RHP, Highland Park, 2019
Thin lanky frame, 6-foot, 150-pound two-way player. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, wide setup, minimal stride and load. Static approach, loose hands, path has some length. 79 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is long, ¾ slot, 72 mph across the diamond. 7.20 runner in the 60. On the mound works from a low ¾ slot, loose arm, regular effort. Toe lift to balance point, lands square. Fastball sat 74-75 mph, topped at 77 mph. Slider is 61-62 mph. Straight changeup has slight sink, 63-65 mph.

Zach Gooding, LHP, Hinsdale Central, 2019
6-foot, 170-pound left-handed pitcher. Works from a ¾ to side arm angle with a short arm action. Drop and drive delivery working in line with home plate. Fastball sat 74-75 topping out at 77 mph. Slows arm on curveball at 60-63 mph. Changeup sat 70-73 mph.

Ethan Kallish, RHP, Stevenson, 2019
6-foot, 185-pound right-handed pitcher. Works from a high ¾ arm angle with a short, stiff arm action. Tall and fall delivery working in line with home plate. Fastball sat 72-73 mph. Curveball has gradual action at 63-65 mph. Changuep sat 63-66 mph.

Simon Lane, RHP/OF, Hinsdale Central, 2019
5-foot-11, 185-pound right-handed hitting RHP/OF. On the mound works from an over the top arm angle with a short, quick arm action. Tall and fall delivery with regular effort. Works in line with home plate. Square landing with smooth rhythm. Fastball has running action at 76-78 topping out at 79 mph. Slider has 10-4 shape at 64-69 mph for strikes. Changeup has sinking action at 68-72 mph for strikes. Offensively hits from a tall, open setup. Leg lift stride with a drop load and uphill swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 90 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.45. Defensively has a short arm action from a high ¾ slot. Threw 80 mph from the outfield.

Ethan Laria, LHP/OF, Burlington Central, 2019
5-foot-10, 145-pound left-handed hitting LHP/OF with a lanky frame. On the mound works from an over the top arm angle with a short arm action. Tall and fall delivery with regular effort. Open landing with smooth rhythm. Fastball was straight at 72-73 mph. Curveball has 1-7 shape with gradual action at 57-60 mph. Changeup has fading action at 65-67 mph. At the plate hits from a narrow, open setup with a short stride. Short, uphill swing path. Opposite field hitter. 77 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.20. Short arm action from a high ¾ slot. Threw 76 mph from the outfield.

Frank Luce, LHP, Lincoln-Way Central, 2019
6-foot, 170-pound left-handed pitcher. Works from an over the top arm angle with a long, stiff arm action. Tall and fall delivery with a high front side. Slow paced delivery. Fastball sat 71-73 mph. Curveball has gradual action at 60-61 mph. Changeup sat 57-60 mph.

Carlos Martinez, SS/RHP, Grant, 2019
5-foot-6, 136-pound right-handed two-way player. Defensively stood out with soft hands and loose quick actions. Plays through the baseball, showed athleticism on the move. Arm action is long and loose, high ¾ slot, flashed carry, 81 mph across the diamond. 7.53 runner in the 60. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride, good balance. Path works well, short and flat through contact, occasional hard contact. 83 mph exit velocity from the tee. On the mound arm played similar, long and loose, regular effort, clean arm. Fastball showed arm side run, 77-79 mph. Curveball has slurve type action, 66-67 mph. Changeup fades with some sink, 68-69 mph.

Quinn Ryan, 1B/RHP, Hampshire, 2019
6-foot-2, 180-pound two-way player. Right-handed hitter, slightly open stance, leg lift stride. Path has length, works uphill, pull side tendency. 82 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm played long, high ¾ slot, 72 mph across the diamond. 8.26 runner in the 60. On the mound arm played similar, full windup, uses slide step in stretch. Fastball 70-72 mph, touched 73 mph, occasional sink. Curveball 11/5 plane, 62-63 mph. Changeup slightly fades, 66-68 mph.

Nicholas Sladek, LHP/1B, Hampshire, 2019
6-foot, 175-pound left-handed two-way player. On the mound delivery works with regular effort, in rhythm. High ¾ slot, loose arm action. Fastball showed gradual cut at 71-73 mph. Curveball played on 12/6 plane, gradual action, 54-58 mph. Left-handed hitter, open stance, toe tap stride. Simple middle of the field approach, flashed bat strength, uphill path. 76 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm played at 74 mph across the diamond, long high 3.4 action. Played clean through the baseball. 7.44 runner in the 60.  

Jack Van Ert, RHP, Evanston, 2019
5-foot-11, 145-pound right-handed pitcher with an athletic frame. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a short, quick arm action. Tall and fall, slow paced delivery with some effort. Works in line with home plate with a square landing. Fastball was straight at 76-78 mph. Curveball has 11-5 shape at 68-69 mph. Slider sat 69-70 mph.

Rob Zagorski, RHP/OF, South Elgin, 2019
6-foot-2, 165-pound right-handed hitting RHP/OF with a lanky frame. On the mound works from a ¾ arm angle with a long arm action. Tall and fall delivery with regular effort. Fastball has running action at 80-81 mph. Curveball has 11-5 shape at 57-60 mph. Changeup sat 64-67 mph. At the plate hits from a tall setup with an arm bar load and toe tap stride. Pull hitter with an uphill swing path. 83 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.68. Defensively has a long arm action with slow actions. Threw 74 mph from the outfield.

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