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Top-10 Profiles of 2023: No. 2 Jack Bauer

December 28, 2023
By: Diego Solares
Area Scout, Illinois & Missouri

Our ‘Most Viewed Profiles’ countdown is coming to a close, with LHP Jack Bauer (Lincoln-Way East, 2025; Virginia commit) occupying the second spot on our list. 

Bauer, the top prospect in the Illinois’ 2025 class and a top-15 prospect on a national scale, used a productive year to vault himself into elite-tier status. It started at the Preseason All-State in late February, where Bauer stood out amongst a loaded crop of prospects in attendance.

From 2/25/23: “...emerged as the top prospect in the state last summer, eventually earning an invitation to the PBR Future Games as one of the younger prospects in attendance, ultimately leading to a commitment to Virginia. Bauer clearly put in work this offseason, continuing to see his fastball velocity climb, now up to 92.6 mph. That velocity, however, was not the most impressive part of this smooth operating, easy left-handers bullpen as he showed off a much-improved, high-spinning, mid-70’s slider with all kinds of horizontal action, playing with an average of 16.6 inches of horizontal movement and an average of 2743 rpm. The pitch is thrown with much more arm speed and intent than we have seen in the past and has a chance to be a wipe-out offering if he can harness it moving forward. The changeup was also an above-average offering, landing in the zone 50% of the time with an average of 16.5 inches of horizontal movement, heading the opposite direction as the slider. Highly-impressive early season look at one of the top 2025 left-handed arms in the country.”

(2/25/23)

With the summer coming to a close, Bauer stood out on a national scale at the Area Code Games, emerging the event with plenty of positive buzz behind him. The 6-foot-3, 175-pound southpaw pumped his fastball with ease in the low-90s and plenty of improvement in his slider - a pitch that reached upwards of 2900 RPM and started to show more swing-and-miss traits. 

From 8/16/2023: “...Bauer is easy to dream on at a square-shouldered, 6-foot-3, 175-pounds, dripping with athleticism while holding significant room to add strength. A simple delivery and boring arm action produced some eye-opening stuff including a fastball that ranged from 90-93 with high likelihood of seeing significant upticks in future looks. Less apt to use a quality changeup (83 mph with fade in this look), the pitch holds above average characteristics, but it is the advancement of the slider which is likely to carry Bauer to the upper echelon in the class with regards to prospect status. Less effective a year ago, the pitch now rips off at 76-77 with sweeping action north of 2900 rpm. Given his physical profile and the spin characteristics, it is hard not to compare Bauer to recent White Sox 1st rounder, LHP Noah Schultz, and similarly to Schultz, Bauer might see remarkable strides forward in as little as a year as he grows into his frame and becomes more comfortable with movement patterns. He struck out three in two innings of work.”

(8/3/23)

Our latest look at Bauer came in late September at the inaugural PBR All-American Game. It was arguably his best showing to date, with Bauer ramping his heater up to 95 while pitching at 92-94 mph. In under eight weeks, Bauer’s slider jumped into the low-80s with even more refinement and harder sweep, and he showed even more comfort with his changeup to add even more upside to an arsenal that’s plenty full of it. 

From 10/16/23: “...pure electricity from the left side. Standing 6-foot-3, 177-pounds with high-level projection remaining, Bauer uses a slower, methodical delivery with a loose arm action out of a three-quarters slot. Fastball will explode out of the hand at 92-94, touching 95 with heavy arm-side run. Shows aptitude to paint both sides of the plate and ability to create swing-and-miss with the pitch. Innate feel to spin (Avg. 2633) a low-80s slider that will get some sweep and can create whiffs. Changeup could be trending towards an above-average pitch at 82-84 with present plus command and arm-side fade while maintaining arm speed. The Virginia commit will miss bats with all three pitches, and shows a ceiling that can remain one of the best pitchers in the class.”

 (9/21/23)

Bauer looks every bit the part of the next upper-echelon arm to emerge from Illinois, following in the footsteps of several high level prospects that came before him. With another off-season of physical development underway, Bauer could continue to climb his way up the national rankings with a push for the top spot not out of the realm of possibility.

View Full Profile

Jack Bauer

Class of 2025 / LHP

Rankings  StateRank: 1 / POS: 1 OverallRank: 11 / POS: 1

Player Information

  • Graduating Class: 2025
  • Primary Position: LHP
    Secondary Position: 1B
  • High School: Lincoln-Way East
    State: IL
  • Summer Team: Top Tier
  • Height: 6-3
    Weight: 177.5lbs
  • Bat/Throw: L/L

Statistics

Pitching
93
Max FB
(02/25/23)
90 - 93
FB
(08/03/23)
68 - 69
CB
(06/08/22)
83 - 85
CH
(02/25/23)
80 - 81
SL
(09/15/23)
Pitching
Max FB
93
FB
91 - 93
SL
77 - 78
View Event
Pitching
Max FB
92
FB
90 - 91
SL
80 - 81
View Event
Pitching
Max FB
93
FB
90 - 93
CH
83 - 83
SL
76 - 77
View Event
Pitching
Max FB
93
FB
90 - 92
CH
83 - 85
SL
76 - 77
View Event
Pitching
Max FB
91
FB
85 - 89
CB
66 - 67
CH
73 - 77
View Event
Pitching
Max FB
89
FB
87 - 89
CB
68 - 69
CH
76 - 78
View Event
Pitching
Max FB
86
FB
85 - 86
CB
67 - 68
View Event
Pitching
Max FB
79
FB
76 - 78
CB
62 - 65
View Event
Position
7.60
60-yard
(08/09/22)
Position
60-yard
7.6
View Event
Trackman - Fastball
95.0
Velocity (max)
(09/21/23)
92.7 - 94.4
Velo Range
(09/21/23)
92.1
Eff Velocity (avg)
(09/21/23)
2440
Spin Rate (max)
(06/08/22)
2291
Spin Rate (avg)
(06/08/22)
IVB (max)
(06/08/22)
IVB (avg)
(06/08/22)
HM (max)
(09/21/23)
HM (avg)
(09/21/23)
Extension (avg)
(07/07/21)
Release Ht (avg)
(07/07/21)
Spin Score (max)
(06/08/22)
Zone %
(02/25/23)
Spin Efficiency % (avg)
(02/25/23)
Trackman - Fastball
Velocity (max)
95
Velo Range
92.7 - 94.4
Eff Velocity (avg)
92.1
Spin Rate (max)
2164
Spin Rate (avg)
2069
IVB (max)
IVB (avg)
HM (max)
HM (avg)
Extension (avg)
Release Ht (avg)
Spin Score (max)
Zone %
View Event
Trackman - Fastball
Velocity (max)
92.6
Velo Range
89.5 - 92.2
Eff Velocity (avg)
88.2
Spin Rate (max)
2346
Spin Rate (avg)
2266
IVB (max)
IVB (avg)
HM (max)
HM (avg)
Extension (avg)
Release Ht (avg)
Spin Score (max)
Zone %
Spin Efficiency % (avg)
View Event
Trackman - Fastball
Velocity (max)
91.4
Velo Range
85.1 - 89.2
Eff Velocity (avg)
84.9
Spin Rate (max)
2272
Spin Rate (avg)
2160
IVB (max)
IVB (avg)
HM (max)
HM (avg)
Extension (avg)
Release Ht (avg)
Spin Score (max)
Zone %
View Event
Trackman - Fastball
Velocity (max)
90.4
Velo Range
86.8 - 89.8
Eff Velocity (avg)
86
Spin Rate (max)
2194
Spin Rate (avg)
1922
Spin Score (max)
View Event
Trackman - Fastball
Velocity (max)
88.6
Velo Range
86.9 - 88.5
Eff Velocity (avg)
84.6
Spin Rate (max)
2440
Spin Rate (avg)
2291
IVB (max)
IVB (avg)
HM (max)
HM (avg)
Extension (avg)
Release Ht (avg)
Spin Score (max)
Zone %
View Event
Trackman - Fastball
Velocity (max)
78.7
Velo Range
75.9 - 78
Eff Velocity (avg)
76.2
Spin Rate (max)
2178
Spin Rate (avg)
2096
IVB (max)
IVB (avg)
HM (max)
HM (avg)
Extension (avg)
Release Ht (avg)
Spin Score (max)
Zone %
View Event
Trackman - Curveball
69.3
Velocity (max)
(06/08/22)
68.6 - 69.2
Velo Range
(06/08/22)
65.9
Eff Velocity (avg)
(06/08/22)
2477
Spin Rate (max)
(08/09/22)
2429
Spin Rate (avg)
(08/09/22)
IVB (max)
(08/09/22)
IVB (avg)
(08/09/22)
HM (max)
(06/08/22)
HM (avg)
(08/09/22)
Extension (avg)
(07/07/21)
Release Ht (avg)
(07/07/21)
Spin Score (max)
(08/09/22)
Zone %
(08/09/22)
Trackman - Curveball
Velocity (max)
67.1
Velo Range
65.8 - 67
Eff Velocity (avg)
63.7
Spin Rate (max)
2477
Spin Rate (avg)
2429
IVB (max)
IVB (avg)
HM (max)
HM (avg)
Extension (avg)
Release Ht (avg)
Spin Score (max)
Zone %
View Event
Trackman - Curveball
Velocity (max)
66.4
Eff Velocity (avg)
63.4
Spin Rate (max)
2113
Spin Rate (avg)
2113
Spin Score (max)
View Event
Trackman - Curveball
Velocity (max)
69.3
Velo Range
68.6 - 69.2
Eff Velocity (avg)
65.9
Spin Rate (max)
2464
Spin Rate (avg)
2420
IVB (max)
IVB (avg)
HM (max)
HM (avg)
Extension (avg)
Release Ht (avg)
Spin Score (max)
Zone %
View Event
Trackman - Curveball
Velocity (max)
66.5
Velo Range
62.8 - 65.4
Eff Velocity (avg)
62.2
Spin Rate (max)
2281
Spin Rate (avg)
2091
IVB (max)
IVB (avg)
HM (max)
HM (avg)
Extension (avg)
Release Ht (avg)
Spin Score (max)
Zone %
View Event
Trackman - Slider
81.6
Velocity (max)
(09/21/23)
79.6 - 81.3
Velo Range
(09/21/23)
79.1
Eff Velocity (avg)
(09/21/23)
2817
Spin Rate (max)
(02/25/23)
2743
Spin Rate (avg)
(02/25/23)
IVB (max)
(09/21/23)
IVB (avg)
(09/21/23)
HM (max)
(02/25/23)
HM (avg)
(02/25/23)
Extension (avg)
(09/21/23)
Release Ht (avg)
(09/21/23)
Spin Score (max)
(02/25/23)
Zone %
(02/25/23)
Spin Efficiency % (avg)
(02/25/23)
Trackman - Slider
Velocity (max)
81.6
Velo Range
79.6 - 81.3
Eff Velocity (avg)
79.1
Spin Rate (max)
2735
Spin Rate (avg)
2633
IVB (max)
IVB (avg)
HM (max)
HM (avg)
Extension (avg)
Release Ht (avg)
Spin Score (max)
View Event
Trackman - Slider
Velocity (max)
77.3
Velo Range
75.7 - 77.2
Eff Velocity (avg)
74
Spin Rate (max)
2817
Spin Rate (avg)
2743
IVB (max)
IVB (avg)
HM (max)
HM (avg)
Extension (avg)
Release Ht (avg)
Spin Score (max)
Zone %
Spin Efficiency % (avg)
View Event
Trackman - ChangeUp
86.1
Velocity (max)
(02/25/23)
82.7 - 85.2
Velo Range
(02/25/23)
83.7
Eff Velocity (avg)
(02/25/23)
2199
Spin Rate (max)
(02/25/23)
2117
Spin Rate (avg)
(02/25/23)
IVB (max)
(02/25/23)
IVB (avg)
(02/25/23)
HM (max)
(09/21/23)
HM (avg)
(09/21/23)
Extension (avg)
(09/21/23)
Release Ht (avg)
(09/21/23)
Spin Score (max)
(06/08/22)
Zone %
(09/21/23)
Spin Efficiency % (avg)
(02/25/23)
Trackman - ChangeUp
Velocity (max)
83.3
Velo Range
82.2 - 83.3
Eff Velocity (avg)
82.2
Spin Rate (max)
2011
Spin Rate (avg)
1787
IVB (max)
IVB (avg)
HM (max)
HM (avg)
Extension (avg)
Release Ht (avg)
Spin Score (max)
Zone %
View Event
Trackman - ChangeUp
Velocity (max)
86.1
Velo Range
82.7 - 85.2
Eff Velocity (avg)
83.7
Spin Rate (max)
2199
Spin Rate (avg)
2117
IVB (max)
IVB (avg)
HM (max)
HM (avg)
Extension (avg)
Release Ht (avg)
Spin Score (max)
Zone %
Spin Efficiency % (avg)
View Event
Trackman - ChangeUp
Velocity (max)
77
Velo Range
72.9 - 76.7
Eff Velocity (avg)
72.8
Spin Rate (max)
2054
Spin Rate (avg)
1884
IVB (max)
IVB (avg)
HM (max)
HM (avg)
Extension (avg)
Release Ht (avg)
Spin Score (max)
Zone %
View Event
Trackman - ChangeUp
Velocity (max)
74.4
Velo Range
71 - 74.4
Eff Velocity (avg)
70.5
Spin Rate (max)
1651
Spin Rate (avg)
1559
Spin Score (max)
View Event
Trackman - ChangeUp
Velocity (max)
78.7
Velo Range
76.1 - 78.1
Eff Velocity (avg)
72.9
Spin Rate (max)
2036
Spin Rate (avg)
1998
IVB (max)
IVB (avg)
HM (max)
HM (avg)
Extension (avg)
Release Ht (avg)
Spin Score (max)
View Event
Blast - Hitting
23.4
Hand Speed (max)
(08/09/22)
22.6
Hand Speed (avg)
(08/09/22)
74.9
Bat Speed (max)
(08/09/22)
72.9
Bat Speed (avg)
(08/09/22)
Rot. Acc (max)
(08/09/22)
Rot. Acc (avg)
(08/09/22)
On Plane Eff (avg)
(08/09/22)
MaxOnPlaneEfficiency
(08/09/22)
Blast - Hitting
Hand Speed (max)
23.4
Hand Speed (avg)
22.6
Bat Speed (max)
74.9
Bat Speed (avg)
72.9
Rot. Acc (max)
Rot. Acc (avg)
On Plane Eff (avg)
MaxOnPlaneEfficiency
View Event

Vizual_Edge

Visual Skills
58.34
Edge Score
(07/07/21)
Visual Skills
Edge Score
57.67
View Event
Visual Skills
Edge Score
58.34
View Event

Pitch_Scores

Pitch Scores - Fastball
Hop+
(08/09/22)
Rise+
(08/09/22)
Sink+
(07/07/21)
Pitch Scores - Fastball
Hop+
Rise+
Sink+
View Event
Pitch Scores - Fastball
Hop+
Rise+
Sink+
View Event
Pitch Scores - Curveball
Hammer+
(07/07/21)
Sweep+
(07/07/21)
Pitch Scores - Curveball
Hammer+
Sweep+
View Event

ProPlayAI

ProPlayAI - Foot Plant
Elbow Flexion (avg)
(07/27/22)
Shoulder Abduction (avg)
(07/27/22)
Hip Shoulder Seperation (avg)
(07/27/22)
ProPlayAI - Foot Plant
Elbow Flexion (avg)
Shoulder Abduction (avg)
Hip Shoulder Seperation (avg)
View Event
ProPlayAI - Foot Plant
Elbow Flexion (avg)
Shoulder Abduction (avg)
Hip Shoulder Seperation (avg)
View Event
ProPlayAI - Foot Plant
Elbow Flexion (avg)
Shoulder Abduction (avg)
Hip Shoulder Seperation (avg)
View Event
ProPlayAI - MER
External Rotation (avg)
(07/27/22)
Stride Length (avg)
(08/09/22)
Horizontal Abduction (avg)
(07/07/21)
ProPlayAI - MER
External Rotation (avg)
Stride Length (avg)
Horizontal Abduction (avg)
View Event
ProPlayAI - MER
External Rotation (avg)
Stride Length (avg)
Horizontal Abduction (avg)
View Event
ProPlayAI - MER
External Rotation (avg)
Stride Length (avg)
Horizontal Abduction (avg)
View Event
ProPlayAI - Release
Arm Speed (max)
(07/27/22)
Arm Speed (avg)
(07/27/22)
Knee Extension Velocity (max)
(08/09/22)
Knee Extension Velocity (avg)
(08/09/22)
Knee Flexion (avg)
(07/27/22)
Arm Slot (avg)
(07/27/22)
Lateral Trunk Tilt (avg)
(07/27/22)
Arm Path (avg)
(07/27/22)
Deception (avg)
(08/09/22)
Torque (avg)
(07/27/22)
Efficiency (avg)
(07/27/22)
Sequencing (avg)
(07/07/21)
ProPlayAI - Release
Arm Speed (max)
Arm Speed (avg)
Knee Extension Velocity (max)
Knee Extension Velocity (avg)
Knee Flexion (avg)
Arm Slot (avg)
Lateral Trunk Tilt (avg)
Arm Path (avg)
Deception (avg)
Torque (avg)
Efficiency (avg)
Sequencing (avg)
View Event
ProPlayAI - Release
Arm Speed (max)
Arm Speed (avg)
Knee Extension Velocity (max)
Knee Extension Velocity (avg)
Knee Flexion (avg)
Arm Slot (avg)
Lateral Trunk Tilt (avg)
Arm Path (avg)
Deception (avg)
Torque (avg)
Efficiency (avg)
Sequencing (avg)
View Event
ProPlayAI - Release
Arm Speed (max)
Arm Speed (avg)
Knee Extension Velocity (max)
Knee Extension Velocity (avg)
Knee Flexion (avg)
Lateral Trunk Tilt (avg)
Arm Path (avg)
Deception (avg)
Torque (avg)
Efficiency (avg)
Sequencing (avg)
View Event

Swift

Swift
1.69
10-yd
(07/27/22)
4.01
30-yd
(07/27/22)
7.34
60-yd
(07/27/22)
18.5
Run speed (max)
(07/27/22)
7.9
Run Speed (avg)
(08/09/22)
2.68
RSi (max)
(09/21/23)
2.12
RSi (avg)
(07/27/22)
1930
Jump Power (max)
(02/25/23)
35.2
Jump Height (max)
(02/25/23)
35.1
Jump Height (avg)
(02/25/23)
Swift
RSi (max)
2.68
Jump Height (max)
18.2
Jump Height (avg)
14.3
View Event
Swift
RSi (max)
2.04
RSi (avg)
2.04
Jump Power (max)
1930
Jump Height (max)
35.2
Jump Height (avg)
35.1
View Event
Swift
10-yd
1.81
30-yd
4.19
60-yd
7.6
Run speed (max)
18
Run Speed (avg)
7.9
RSi (max)
1.76
RSi (avg)
1.76
Jump Power (max)
1445
Jump Height (max)
25.7
Jump Height (avg)
25.6
View Event
Swift
10-yd
1.69
30-yd
4.01
60-yd
7.34
Run speed (max)
18.5
RSi (max)
1.7
RSi (avg)
2.12
Jump Power (max)
1523
Jump Height (max)
27.2
Jump Height (avg)
26.2
View Event

Physical

Physical - Athlete
76.2
Ht
(09/21/23)
177.5
Wt
(09/21/23)
Grip Strgth (RH)
(09/21/23)
Grip Strgth (LH)
(09/21/23)
Physical - Athlete
Ht
76.2
Wt
177.5
Grip Strgth (RH)
Grip Strgth (LH)
View Event

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