By Steve Nielsen

Today’s Player Spotlight is on unsigned senior Jimmy Ward. Ward is a two-way player that hails from Hoffman Estates HS. Ward is coming off a solid junior year as he was an All-Area Special Mention for the Hawks.

Ward is a very athletic two-way guy whose future is certainly on the mound.  Ward is a very projectable right-handed pitcher that possesses a lively fastball at 85-87 mph. At 6-foot-3, 170-pounds, his fastball shows good run to his arm side throwing from a high ¾ arm slot. Ward’s delivery is very athletic; he has the ability to sustain a repeatable delivery with good balance. Command of his running fastball will improve the longer he can stay behind the baseball. Ward’s slider is a plus pitch which he throws with good arm speed and demonstrates late two-plane break and depth. His changeup, in the 73-75 range, also showed some arm-side sink with good control.

Defensively, Ward’s arm strength shows well in the outfield, as he has been clocked at 86 mph. Offensively, he has a balanced setup, producing a smooth short stroke. He is mechanically sound at the plate.

Look for Ward to turn some heads in 2013 with his lively mid to upper 80’s fastball.