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Top-10 Stories of 2023: No. 6 Blake Wolters Shines In Senior Year

December 21, 2023
By: Diego Solares
Area Scout, Illinois & Missouri

Over the past two seasons, including a lengthy list of players before that and the high school classes that have yet to graduate, Illinois has solidified itself as a hotbed for top-of-the-scale prep prospects. 

Two high school players, RHP Owen Murphy (Riverside-Brookfield; Atlanta Braves) and LHP Noah Schultz (Oswego East; Chicago White Sox), were drafted and signed in the first round of the 2022 MLB Draft. Each of them are off to dashing starts in their professional careers and look like potential impact types for their respective clubs. 

This past draft had no shortage of Illinois’ standouts, either. OF Dillon Head (Homewood-Flossmoor; San Diego Padres) and RHP Zander Mueth (Belleville East; Pittsburgh Pirates) were each selected fairly highly in the draft process, and each signed for more than one million dollars. 

With that said, 2023 will be remembered as the year of Blake Wolters. 

A native of Mahomet, Illinois, Wolters was a second-round draft pick, No. 44 overall, by the Kansas City Royals in this most recent draft, signing for $2.8 million - roughly a million dollars over slot. 

His path to that spot, a selection within the top-50 picks and a multi-million dollar bonus from a professional club, started all the way back in February. We had heard internal reports that the 6-foot-4, 215-pound then senior had started to climb into the mid-90s with his heater, and that there was possibly even more in the tank. These reports, alongside our previous knowledge of Wolters’ talents, culminated in an invitation to the PBR Super 60 showcase. 

Though he entered the event as a popular ‘pick to click’ and with buzz behind him, Wolters left McCook on that day as unquestionably the biggest standout and a must follow name-to-know prospect in the region. He broke the Super 60 fastball record, touching 97.7 mph on his loudest bullet, and didn’t throw a single heater below 95.5 mph in his ‘pen. His slider, an aggressive offering in the low-80s, flashed out-pitch potential to the eye with some intriguing pitch metrics (T2742 RPM, 13” HM) behind it. 

(2/5/23)

Wolters vaulted himself up prep lists in scouting circles for all the clubs in attendance and was as popular of a commodity that we’ve seen each time he took the rubber. The number of scouts grew each time he threw for the Bulldogs, often times firing his mid-to-upper-90s heater in front of 20+ radar guns, and elevated in status too - whether it be Area Scouts, Cross Checkers, Scouting Directors, and even General Managers.

(3/27/23)

As one may expect, Wolters absolutely dominated in his final high school campaign, capturing the PBR Illinois Player of the Year award while earning First Team All-State honors as well. Over 48 ⅔ innings of work, Wolters punched out 106 batters, walking just 14 and allowing 13 hits in total, to the tune of a 0.43 ERA. On top of that, Wolters also batted .440, launched nine home runs, and he swiped 24 bags, too. 

(4/8/23)

The dedication, hard work, and success that Wolters had this past year all proved itself on draft day with Kansas City’s selection. Though he didn’t appear in game action right away, Wolters did make a few appearances towards the tail end of the season on the complex, showing his usual high octane stuff that we’ve become plenty accustomed to. He’ll certainly be one to follow as his professional career unfolds, and he definitely could be next in a long line of Illinois’ arms to make an impact for their big league club.

View Full Profile

Blake Wolters

Class of 2023 / RHP

Rankings  StateRank: 2 / POS: 1 OverallRank: 17 / POS: 4

Player Information

  • Graduating Class: 2023
  • Primary Position: RHP
    Secondary Position: OF
  • High School: Mahomet Seymour
    State: IL
  • Summer Team: GBA St. Louis / Yard Goats 2023
  • Height: 6-4
    Weight: 215lbs
  • Bat/Throw: R/R

Statistics

Pitching
99
Max FB
(03/13/23)
96 - 97
FB
(02/05/23)
72 - 74
CB
(06/23/22)
78 - 81
CH
(06/23/22)
82 - 85
SL
(03/13/23)
Pitching
Max FB
99
FB
93 - 97
SL
82 - 85
View Event
Pitching
Max FB
98
FB
96 - 97
CH
77 - 80
SL
82 - 84
View Event
Pitching
Max FB
93
FB
91 - 93
CB
72 - 74
CH
78 - 81
SL
79 - 81
View Event
Pitching
Max FB
94
FB
90 - 92
CB
71 - 72
SL
80 - 83
View Event
Pitching
Max FB
84
FB
82 - 83
CB
64 - 66
View Event
Trackman - Fastball
97.7
Velocity (max)
(02/05/23)
95.5 - 97.3
Velo Range
(02/05/23)
94.5
Eff Velocity (avg)
(02/05/23)
2466
Spin Rate (max)
(02/05/23)
2350
Spin Rate (avg)
(02/05/23)
IVB (max)
(02/05/23)
IVB (avg)
(02/05/23)
HM (max)
(02/05/23)
HM (avg)
(02/05/23)
Extension (avg)
(02/05/23)
Release Ht (avg)
(06/21/22)
Spin Score (max)
(06/21/22)
Zone %
(02/05/23)
Spin Efficiency % (avg)
(02/05/23)
Trackman - Fastball
Velocity (max)
97.7
Velo Range
95.5 - 97.3
Eff Velocity (avg)
94.5
Spin Rate (max)
2466
Spin Rate (avg)
2350
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)
93.6
Velo Range
90 - 92.4
Eff Velocity (avg)
89.6
Spin Rate (max)
2372
Spin Rate (avg)
2275
IVB (max)
IVB (avg)
HM (max)
HM (avg)
Extension (avg)
Release Ht (avg)
Spin Score (max)
Zone %
View Event
Trackman - Curveball
71.9
Velocity (max)
(06/21/22)
70.5 - 71.9
Velo Range
(06/21/22)
68.2
Eff Velocity (avg)
(06/21/22)
2316
Spin Rate (max)
(06/21/22)
2156
Spin Rate (avg)
(06/21/22)
IVB (max)
(06/21/22)
IVB (avg)
(06/21/22)
HM (max)
(06/21/22)
HM (avg)
(06/21/22)
Extension (avg)
(06/21/22)
Release Ht (avg)
(06/21/22)
Spin Score (max)
(06/21/22)
Trackman - Curveball
Velocity (max)
71.9
Velo Range
70.5 - 71.9
Eff Velocity (avg)
68.2
Spin Rate (max)
2316
Spin Rate (avg)
2156
IVB (max)
IVB (avg)
HM (max)
HM (avg)
Extension (avg)
Release Ht (avg)
Spin Score (max)
View Event
Trackman - Slider
83.7
Velocity (max)
(02/05/23)
81.9 - 83.5
Velo Range
(02/05/23)
80.2
Eff Velocity (avg)
(02/05/23)
2742
Spin Rate (max)
(02/05/23)
2535
Spin Rate (avg)
(06/21/22)
IVB (max)
(02/05/23)
IVB (avg)
(02/05/23)
HM (max)
(02/05/23)
HM (avg)
(02/05/23)
Extension (avg)
(02/05/23)
Release Ht (avg)
(06/21/22)
Spin Score (max)
(02/05/23)
Zone %
(06/21/22)
Spin Efficiency % (avg)
(02/05/23)
Trackman - Slider
Velocity (max)
83.7
Velo Range
81.9 - 83.5
Eff Velocity (avg)
80.2
Spin Rate (max)
2742
Spin Rate (avg)
2473
IVB (max)
IVB (avg)
HM (max)
HM (avg)
Extension (avg)
Release Ht (avg)
Spin Score (max)
Zone %
Spin Efficiency % (avg)
View Event
Trackman - Slider
Velocity (max)
82.6
Velo Range
80.3 - 82.5
Eff Velocity (avg)
78.2
Spin Rate (max)
2611
Spin Rate (avg)
2535
IVB (max)
IVB (avg)
HM (max)
HM (avg)
Extension (avg)
Release Ht (avg)
Spin Score (max)
Zone %
View Event
Trackman - ChangeUp
80.4
Velocity (max)
(02/05/23)
77.3 - 80.3
Velo Range
(02/05/23)
1990
Spin Rate (max)
(02/05/23)
1787
Spin Rate (avg)
(02/05/23)
Extension (avg)
(02/05/23)
Release Ht (avg)
(02/05/23)
Spin Score (max)
(02/05/23)
Spin Efficiency % (avg)
(02/05/23)
Trackman - ChangeUp
Velocity (max)
80.4
Velo Range
77.3 - 80.3
Spin Rate (max)
1990
Spin Rate (avg)
1787
Extension (avg)
Release Ht (avg)
Spin Score (max)
Spin Efficiency % (avg)
View Event

Pitch_Scores

Pitch Scores - Fastball
Hop+
(06/21/22)
Rise+
(06/21/22)
Sink+
(06/21/22)
Pitch Scores - Fastball
Hop+
Rise+
Sink+
View Event
Pitch Scores - Slider
Hammer+
(06/21/22)
Sweep+
(06/21/22)
Pitch Scores - Slider
Hammer+
Sweep+
View Event

ProPlayAI

ProPlayAI - Foot Plant
Elbow Flexion (avg)
(06/21/22)
Shoulder Abduction (avg)
(06/21/22)
Hip Shoulder Seperation (avg)
(02/05/23)
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)
(06/21/22)
Stride Length (avg)
(06/21/22)
Horizontal Abduction (avg)
(06/21/22)
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)
(02/05/23)
Arm Speed (avg)
(02/05/23)
Knee Extension Velocity (max)
(06/21/22)
Knee Extension Velocity (avg)
(06/21/22)
Knee Flexion (avg)
(02/05/23)
Arm Slot (avg)
(02/05/23)
Lateral Trunk Tilt (avg)
(02/05/23)
Arm Path (avg)
(02/05/23)
Deception (avg)
(06/21/22)
Torque (avg)
(02/05/23)
Efficiency (avg)
(02/05/23)
Sequencing (avg)
(06/21/22)
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

Swift

Swift
1.66
10-yd
(06/21/22)
3.84
30-yd
(06/21/22)
6.92
60-yd
(06/21/22)
19.9
Run speed (max)
(06/21/22)
8.7
Run Speed (avg)
(06/21/22)
1.86
RSi (max)
(02/05/23)
1.85
RSi (avg)
(02/05/23)
1996
Jump Power (max)
(02/05/23)
30.3
Jump Height (max)
(02/05/23)
30.3
Jump Height (avg)
(02/05/23)
Swift
RSi (max)
1.86
RSi (avg)
1.85
Jump Power (max)
1996
Jump Height (max)
30.3
Jump Height (avg)
30.3
View Event
Swift
10-yd
1.66
30-yd
3.84
60-yd
6.92
Run speed (max)
19.9
Run Speed (avg)
8.7
RSi (max)
1.3
RSi (avg)
1.3
Jump Power (max)
1863
Jump Height (max)
27.8
Jump Height (avg)
27.1
View Event

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