Prep Baseball Report

Underclass Trials: 2020 Pitcher Analysis



By 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 were a large number of quality 2019 and 2020 arms on hand so we decided to split them up by class. Below is the top 2020 pitching prospects, broken down by right-handed pitchers and left-handed pitchers.

TOP 2020 RHP'S

1. Alex Rohrer, RHP, Andrew, 2020
6-foot-3, 170-pound right-handed pitcher with a lanky, projectable frame. High-upside arm with easy effort in his delivery. Tall and fall delivery with a closed landing. Works from a high ¾ arm angle with a quick, loose arm action. Slight wrap on the backside. Fastball sat 79-80 topping out at 82 mph. Showed feel for his changeup at 71-73 mph thrown with fastball arm speed. Cutter sat 66-70 mph.

2. Nolan Fasel, RHP, Andrew, 2020
6-foot-4, 155-pound right-handed pitcher with a lanky frame. Works from an over the top arm angle with a long arm action. Tall and fall delivery working in line with home plate. Good balance throughout, repeats delivery well for size. Fastball sat 76-77 topping out at 78 mph. Curveball has 10-4 shape at 68-69 mph. Changeup sat 68-69 mph.

3. Vince Borrelli, RHP/OF, Andrew, 2020
5-foot-11, 155-pound right-handed hitting RHP/OF with a strong frame. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a long, quick arm action. Works exclusively out of the stretch. Closed landing with some rhythm. Fastball was straight at 79-81 topping out at 82 mph. Curveball has 11-5 shape at 63-64 mph. Showed feel for his changeup at 71-73 mph. At the plate hits from a closed setup with a short stride and good balance. Pull hitter with a short swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 85 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.29. Defensively has  along arm action from a high ¾ slot. Plays thru the ball with quick footwork. Throws showed carry from the outfield at 84 mph.

4. Nathan Gehrke, RHP/INF, Joliet Catholic, 2020
5-foot-10, 170-pound two-way player. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride, smooth loading action, lower half works. Athletic setup, aggressive swing, hard contact in BP, attacks the baseball. Path is level with some length, occasionally out in front, 85 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively showed proper footwork and actions. Arm played at 73 mph across the diamond. 7.58 runner in the 60, laser-timed. On the mound works from an over the top slot, long and loose, little effort. Fastball sinks, 75-77 mph. Curveball flashed biting action, 62-64 mph, 11/5 plane. Changeup is straight, 66-70 mph, fastball similar approach.

5. Tommy Kelly, RHP/INF, Peoria Notre Dame, 2020
6-foot-1, 175-pound two-way player, lanky frame with upside. Projects best on the mound, delivery has deception, knees and elbows. High ¾ slot, long loose arm action, regular effort. Fastball projects some, showed late finish at 76-78 mph. Breaking ball woks on 11/5 plane, 59-61 mph. Changeup flashes sink, 65-68 mph. Offensively hits from the right side, open setup, leg kick trigger. Displayed bat strength, uphill path, out of sync at times, pull side contact. 85 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm played long to release, high ¾ slot, 76 mph across the diamond. 7.11 runner in the 60.  

TOP 2020 LHP'S

1. Ben Gerl, LHP/1B/OF, Lincoln-Way West, 2020
5-foot-11, 158-pound left-handed hitting utility player. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a quick arm action. Tall and fall hybrid delivery with a closed landing. Fastball sat 77-78 mph. Curveball has 1-7 shape with occasional depth at 60-62 mph. Changeup has sinking action at 67-71 mph for strikes. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a short stride and good balance. Pull, power approach with an uphill swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 85 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 7.77. Took drills in both the infield and outfield. Loose arm action, throws show carry. Plays thru the ball with fluid footwork. Threw 75 mph across the infield and 77 mph from the outfield.

2. Isaiah Coupet, LHP/OF, Homewood-Flossmoor, 2020
5-foot-9, 155-pound left-handed hitting OF/LHP. Offensively hits from a balanced setup with a toe tap stride and good balance. Line drive hitter with fluid rhythm and an uphill swing path. 83 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.41. Defensively has fluid, athletic actions with a clean exchange. Moves well in the outfield. Short arm action from an over the top slot. Throws showed carry from the outfield at 85 mph. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a short, quick arm action. Drop and drive delivery with good tempo. Fastball flashed slight running action at 76-77 mph. Curveball has 1-7 shape with occasional depth at 63-64 mph for strikes. Changeup has sinking action at 66-67 mph.

3. Emmett Olson, LHP/1B, Maine West, 2020
6-foot-2, 210-pound left-handed two-way player. On the mound works from a high ¾ slot, shorter loose arm action. High front side, feel for delivery, finishes third base side. Fastball is mostly straight, 77-79 mph. Curveball acts 1/7, up at times, 58-59 mph. Knuckleball sat 57-60 mph. Offensively hits from a tall open stance, short stride with average balance. Occasional easy pop to pull side, path has length, mostly level, 84 mph exit velocity from the tee. 8.87 runner in the 60. Showed feel around the bag, average hands, 70 mph across the diamond.

2021 PITCHING PROSPECT

Keep an eye out for LHP Ryan Kraft, the lone 2021 in attendance. Kraft repeats extremely well for his age, has feel for three pitches and has a long, loose arm action.

Ryan Kraft, LHP/OF, Lincoln-Way Central, 2021
6-foot-2, 165-pound left-handed hitting LHP/OF. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a long, loose arm action. Tall and fall delivery with easy effort. Smooth delivery working in line with home plate. Repeats well with good balance. Fastball has slight running action at 77-78 mph for strikes. Curveball has 11-5 shape with sharp breaking action at 64-67 mph for strikes. Changeup has sinking action at 71-73 mph. High level arm to follow moving forward. At the plate this from a balanced setup with a short stride and good balance. Short, uphill swing path with fluid rhythm. 83 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 8.11. Defensively has a long arm action from a high ¾ slot. Plays thru the ball with fluid footwork and soft hands. Accurate throws from the outfield at 73 mph.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Steven Arrambide, INF/RHP, St. Charles East, 2020
5-foot-6, 140-pound two-way player, stocky build. Right-handed hitter, slightly open stance, short stride back to even, solid balance. Compact swing, simple and repeats, loose with feel for the barrel. 74 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is short and over the top, 67 mph across the diamond. Average actions, second base profile. 7.77 runner in the 60. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, smooth, tall and fall delivery, stays on-line with regular effort throughout. Short arm action from an over-the-top slot. Fastball, thrown for strikes, straight action, sat 69-70 mph. Curveball, 12/6 shape, 55-57 mph. Changeup, flashed sink, feel, 60-63 mph.

Jalen Bickett, LHP/1B, Rock Falls, 2020
5-foot-11, 160-pound two-way player. On the mound arm plays from a ¾ slot, long draw, regular effort. Slight drop and drive, squared landing, balanced finish. Fastball is straight, occasional run, 71-73 mph, showed feel. Curveball played 1/7 54-60 mph. Straight changeup played at 60-63 mph. Right-handed hitter, open stance, smooth loading action, short reverse lifted stride. Showed ability to repeat swing, line drive contact, 70 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm played at 70 mph across the diamond. Average actions around the bag for his age. 7.96 runner in the 60.

Ernie Day, 3B/RHP, Taft, 2020
5-foot-11, 177-pound two-way player. On the mound arm worked clean, short and loose form a high ¾ slot. Regular effort with direction, lands square, upright at times. Fastball showed arm side action with control of the zone, 75-76 mph, touched 77 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape, 61-62 mph. Changeup thrown with fastball similar arm action, runs to arm side, 65-68 mph. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride, average balance. Level path with some ability to spray the baseball, line drive contact with some rhythm. 83 mph exit velocity from the tee. 8.24 runner in the 60. Transfers clean, hands work, arm plays similar to the mound, 71 mph across the diamond.

Vincent Esposito, 1B/LHP, Rock Island, 2020
6-foot-3, 225-pound left-handed two-way player, strong build. Hits from the left side from a balanced stance, smooth loading action, short stride, good balance. Loose hands created easy bat speed for his age, displayed hard contact in BP, pull side power type approach with ability to go gap to gap. 86 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm plays long and over the top with some effort, 74 mph across. Average hands, natural abilities around the bag, 8.12 runner in the 60. On the mound, left-handed pitcher, tall and fall delivery with regular effort throughout. Arm works long and out of an over-the-top slot. Fastball flashed cut action, sat 72-73 mph, touching 74. Curveball works 12/6, 63-65 mph. Changeup, fade, ranged between 63-66 mph.

Christian Grems, INF/RHP, Orion, 2020
5-foot-11, 168-pound two-way player. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, leg kick trigger. Path has length, line drive contact, raw pull side approach. 77 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively profiles at a corner, arm played at 64 mph across, short high ¾ action. Fastball flashes sink, 70-72 mph. Curveball is 11/5 58-61 mph. Knuckle ball sat 62-64 mph.

Trevor King, 3B/RHP, Glenbard West, 2020
6-foot-1, 205-pound two-way player. Right-handed hitter, open stance, hanging leg lift, solid balance. Loose hands creates whip in swing, above average bat speed, long path, slightly uphill. 93 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is short, ¾ slot, 72 mph across the infield. On the mound fastball is mostly straight, 74-76 mph, touched 77 mph. Slider is best of two breaking balls, 10/4 shape, 68-70 mph. Curveball is more 12/6 gradual action 58-61 mph.

Aaron Lopez, 1B/LHP, Mount Carmel, 2020
5-foot-7, 185-pound left-handed throwing two-way player. Switch hitter, open stance, leg kick stride. Swings plays better from the right side, long path, slightly uphill, 72 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively showed average actions around the bag, 62 mph arm across the diamond, long high ¾ slot. 9.37 runner in the 60. On the mound arm played similar, fastball showed sink, 65-66 mph. Curveball has 1/7 shape, gradual action, 59-62 mph. Changeup plays similar to fastball, 61-64 mph.

Nick Miketinac, RHP/INF, Mount Carmel, 2020
5-foot-11, 165-pound two-way player. On the mound works directionally down the hill, gets out front, easy effort. Arm plays over the top, long action. Fastball is straight, 71-72 mph. Curveball works 12/6, 52-56 mph. Changeup showed sinking action, 60-63 mph. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance with short stride. Path played level through the zone, occasional line drive contact, 79 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm played at 73 mph across, long high ¾. Deliberate actions to the baseball, occasionally sits down on the ball, longer exchange. 7.94 runner in the 60.

Andrew Osing, LHP, Morton, 2020
5-foot-8, 145-pound left-handed pitcher. Works from a ¾ arm angle with a long arm action. Tall and fall delivery with an open landing. Fastball worked up in the zone at 69-72 topping out at 73 mph. Curveball has 1-7 shape at 60-63 mph. Changeup blends with fastball at 67-69 mph.

Rylee Porter, RHP/OF, Charleston, 2020
5-foot-10, 150-pound right-handed hitting RHP/OF. On the mound works from a ¾ arm angle with a short arm action. Tall and fall delivery with regular effort. Fastball has running action at 68-69 topping out at 70 mph. Curveball sat 56-59 mph. Slows arm on changeup, eephus type action at 56-57 mph. At the plate hits from a tall setup with a leg kick stride. 70 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.87.  Defensively has a long arm action from a high ¾ slot. Threw 69 mph from the outfield.

James Sibert, RHP/3B, Huntley, 2020
6-foot-2, 180-pound two-way player, strong build. Right-handed hitter, crouched setup, reverse tap stride. Path works uphill, generated with shoulder rotation, flashed occasional raw bat strength. 83 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively plays the ball deep working through to a short arm action, high ¾ slot, 71 mph across the diamond. 7.71 runner in the 60. On the mound works with regular effort, short arm action from over the top slot, lands squared into balanced finish. Fastball is straight, 74-76 mph. Curveball played 12/6, 59-63 mph. Splitter showed downer action, above average for age, 65-67 mph.

Grant Wasson, LHP, Rock Falls, 2020
5-foot-11, 140-pound left-handed pitcher. Works from a ¾ arm angle with a long arm action. Drop and drive delivery with choppy rhythm. Fastball flashed running action at 71-72 topping out at 73 mph. Curveball sat 60-64 mph. Changeup sat 58-62 mph.

Zakary Zaghloul, RHP, Andrew, 2020
5-foot-10, 140-pound right-handed pitcher. Works from a high ¾ arm angle with a short arm action. Tall and fall delivery working in line with home plate. Good balance with a forced finish. Fastball sat 72-74 mph for strikes. Curveball has 11-5 shape at 58 mph. Changeup sat 64-65 mph.

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