By Drew Locascio
Illinois Scouting Director

The Preseason I.D. - Illiana took place on January 28th at the Southland Center in Chicago Heights, Illinois. The event was open to all high school classes and featured players from Illinois and Indiana. We started the analysis of the event a couple of weeks ago with the Quick Hits and Stat Story.

Today we continue the analysis with a look at the pitchers in attendance. The event was littered with quality young arms from both Illinois and Indiana. Below we ranked the pitchers by state.

TOP ILLINOIS PITCHING PROSPECTS

1. Tyler Schlaffer, RHP, Homewood-Flossmoor, 2019
5-foot-11, 145-pound, loose, live-bodied right-handed pitcher. Put himself on the map as a high-follow 2019 arm. Schlaffer has above-average arm strength for his age and the makings of a legitimate three-pitch mix. Smooth, repeatable delivery, stays on-line, lands square, finishes athletically with easy effort throughout. Arm works long, loose, uninterrupted and quick, out of a high ¾ slot. Fastball, thrown for strikes, late life, arm-side action at times and sat 84-85 mph, touching 86. Curveball currently works 11/5, feel, tight spin and sits 68-71 mph. Given his arm slot, quick arm, and feel for spin he may be well-suited for a hard slider down the road. Changeup looks to currently be his best secondary offering. Maintains arm speed, good feel, late sink and sat 70-72 mph. Highly projectable 2019 right-handed pitcher.

2. Kyle Wisch, RHP/INF, Hinsdale Central, 2019
6-foot-4, 195-pound, physically advanced, strong, well-proportioned two-way prospect. Right-handed pitcher, advanced arm speed and arm strength on the mound. Arm is short, loose and quick out of a high ¾ window. Delivery works with rhythm, slight hip coil at balance point and lands slightly closed. Fastball, life, sat 86-88 mph. Threw a curveball and slider. Curveball, works 11/5, good depth and spin at times, 68-70 mph. Slider, tighter, more lateral action than curveball, 10/4 shape, 71-74 mph. Changeup, slows arm action at times, thrown for strikes, straight action, 74-77 mph. Offensively, balanced, open setup, short stride and maintains balance through contact. Creates easy bat speed, occasional hard contact and gap-to-gap approach. Registered an 84 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, profiles as a third baseman. Soft hands, plays through the baseball tall, short, loose arm clocked at 81 mph across the infield. 7.96 runner in the 60.

3. Eben Heine, RHP/OF, Plainfield North, 2020
6-foot-1, 165-pound, athletically built, two-way prospect. Flashed advanced tools for his age. On the mound, right-handed pitcher with a high ceiling. Loose, quick arm action from a high ¾ slot. Drop and drive delivery and regular effort throughout. Fastball, thrown for strikes, arm-side action and sat 81-83 mph. Curveball flashed depth at times, 12/6 action, 70-72 mph. Changeup maintains arm speed, straight action, sat 72-74 mph. Defensively, advanced arm strength from the outfield for his age; clocked at 91 mph with carry. Arm is clean, quick and loose. Aggressive approach to the baseball, plays through, clean exchange and reliable hands. Offensively, right-handed hitter with bat speed and some violence in swing. Balanced setup, deep pre-pitch load, toe-tap timing trigger, and long, uphill path through the zone. Consistently found the barrel and the ball jumps off his bat; 83 mph exit velocity from a tee. High ceiling two-way prospect.

4. Collin Wilma, RHP, Tinley Park, 2019
6-foot-3, 175-pound, athletically built, wide shouldered, right-handed pitcher with a young look. Live arm and high ceiling 2019 arm. Smooth, drop and drive delivery, stays online and regular effort throughout. Arm works long and quick out of a high ¾ slot. Fastball late life and finish through the zone, thrown for strikes, 82-83 mph. Curveball 11/5 shape, 59 mph. Slider, has cutter action to it; short break, firm action and sat 73-74 mph. Changeup maintains fastball arm speed, flashed arm-side-run, sat 74-75 mph.

5. Patrick Straub, RHP/C, Metea Valley, 2020
5-foot-11, 150-pound, lean, wiry frame two-way prospect with plenty of room for continued physical development. On the mound, projectable right-handed pitcher. Simple, repeatable delivery with rhythm, stays on-line, lands square and finishes athletically. Arm work short, loose and quick out of a high ¾ slot with regular effort. Fastball, works mostly straight, 78-80 mph. Changeup looks to currently be second best offering; occasional fade action, 72-73 mph.   Curveball, 11/5 shape, sat 63-66 mph. Offensively, right-handed hitter, balanced, slightly closed setup and short stride. Flashed bat speed and path has length through the zone. 77 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, behind the plate, tall setup, feet do not square up to target at times but flashed above-average arm strength for his age and consistently around the bag; 73 mph from the crouch. Pop times ranged between 2.16-2.25. 8.56 runner in the 60.

TOP INDIANA PITCHING PROSPECTS

1. Ryan Fender, RHP, Crown Point HS (IN), 2019
6-foot-3, 182 pound, lean, athletic, projectable build.  Easy effort with smooth rhythm in the delivery.  Good direction, athletic finish.  Clean, easy arm action from a high ¾ slot, quick arm speed. Good downward plane.  Fastball shows slight run at 83-85. Breaking ball shows an 11/5 shape with gradual movement and kept in the strike zone at 67-68.  Changeup is thrown with fastball arm speed and for a strike at 72-73; straight. High follow 2019 RHP.

2. Garrett Wiggs, RHP, Lowell HS (IN), 2018
6-foot-5, 195 pound, tall, projectable pitcher's frame.  Simple delivery with easy effort.  Short, ¾ arm action with quick arm speed.  Fastball sat 86-88 and thrown for a strike.  Breaking ball was 74-75, gradual movement.  Changeup sat 80-81, straight and thrown for a strike.

3. Stephen Gilbertsen, LHP, Chestern HS (IN), 2018
6-foot, 155-pound, left-handed pitcher.  Drop and drive delivery with choppy rhythm and effort.  Shoulders work uphill.  Creates deception in the delivery. Quick, loose, high ¾ arm action.  Fastball was heavy with occasional cut and thrown for a strike at 80-81, topped at 82.  Breaking ball has downer type shape with gradual movement, kept in the zone at 67-69. Showcased a 73-75 changeup with sink and a true cutter at 72-73, both have swing and miss capabilities.  

4. Chris Torres, RHP, Chesterton HS (IN), 2018
6-foot-4, 190 pound, long, projectable frame.  Repeats the delivery with smooth rhythm, uphill shoulders.  High leg kick, front hip lead, hides the ball well creating deception.  Short, high ¾ arm action with above average arm speed.  Fastball was straight at 81-83.  Breaking ball has gradual movement at 68-71.  Changeup is thrown with fastball arm speed, arm side run, thrown for a strike at 72-73.  70-72 splitter has good sink action; inconsistent in the zone.

5. Josh Lindeman, SS/RHP, Crown Point HS (IN), 2019
6-foot, 175 pound two-way player.  Slow deliberate delivery with a slightly pause at the top.  Choppy rhythm.  Short, quick, high ¾ arm action with some stiffness.  Fastball is kept down in the zone at 80-82, shows occasional cut action.  Flashed sharp breaking balls with an 11/5 shape at 69-70, erratic in the zone. Changeup is thrown with fastball arm speed with slight sink action at 72-75.  

5. Marek Bauner, SS/RHP, Crown Point HS (IN), 2019
6-foot-1, 160 pound, lanky, lean frame.  Works at a quick pace with some rhythm, uphill shoulders.  Works across his body.  Short, high ¾ arm action with above average arm speed.  Fastball is thrown for a strike at 81-82.  Sweeping breaking ball at 64-66; shortens arm action when throwing it.  Tendency to slow his arm down while throwing the changeup.  Changeup has some sink and kept in the zone at 68-71.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Michael Bohlen, RHP/INF, Marian Catholic, 2019
6-foot-5, 205-pound, wide-shoulder, strong, athletic, two-way prospect. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, tall and fall delivery, works with some rhythm, toe lands closed. Long arm action from a from an over the top angle. Fastball, works mostly straight, sat 79-80 mph. Changeup, thrown for strikes and kept down in the zone, occasional fade action, 67-70 mph. Curveball, 12/6 shape, gradual action, tendency to slow arm, 60-62 mph. Offensively, right-handed hitter, strong contact, above average bat speed. Recorded an 82 mph exit velocity from a tee. Balanced setup, deep pre-pitch load with a long stride. Defensively, arm works short from a high ¾ slot, throws flashed accuracy and clocked at 77 mph across the infield. Ran a 7.46 in the laser-timed 60.

Trevor Davis, C/RHP, Danville, 2020
5-foot-11, 175-pound, strong, well-proportioned, two-way prospect. Worked out on the mound and behind the plate. Defensively, advanced catch and throw prospect for his age. Flexible lower half, presents target well, quiet receiver, soft hands with ability to stick pitches in the zone. Comes out of the crouch athletic and quick. Quick arm from an over-the-top slot, throws are true with carry and clocked at 77 mph from the crouch. Pop times ranged between 2.10-2.20. Offensively, left-handed hitter, bat speed, uphill path, pull approach with power potential. Balanced, closed setup, early load, short stride and active lower half throughout. Registered a 79 mph exit velocity from a tee. 7.91 runner in the 60. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, throws strikes with a three-pitch mix. Slow tempo in delivery, repeats, high-front side, lands closed and some effort throughout. Quick arm out of an over-the-top slot. Fastball, thrown for strikes, straight action, 79-80 mph, topped at 81 mph. Curveball, 12/6 action, 64-65 mph. Changeup flashed sinking action, 73-76 mph.

Dylan Elazegui, OF/LHP, Hinsdale Central, 2020
5-foot-6, 120-pound, two-way player. Offensively, balanced setup with a leg kick. Some looseness in swing, path works uphill through the zone. Exit velocity registered at 68 mph from a tee. Defensively, reliable hands, plays through the baseball. 7.44 runner in the laser-timed 60. Short arm action from a high ¾ slot, throws clocked at 76 mph from a tee. On the mound, left-handed pitcher, some rhythm, stays in line, lands slightly closed. Fastball, works mostly straight, sat 70-71 mph. Curveball, 1/7 shape, gradual action, maintains arm speed, 61-62 mph. Changeup, slight fade action, 64-67 mph.

Josh Fleming, RHP/INF, Plainfield North, 2019
5-foot-11, 155-pound, strong frame, two-way player. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, stays in line, lands closed. Long arm action from an over the top angle. Fastball, thrown for strikes, tilt, works mostly straight, sat 79-80 mph. Curveball, 12/6 shape, gradual action, 67-68 mph. Changeup, sink action, kept down in the zone, 71-72 mph. Offensively, right-handed hitter, balanced setup, hands drop pre-pitch, path stays flat through the zone. Registered an 81 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, reliable hands, long arm action from a high ¾ to ¾ slot. Throws clocked at 74 mph across the infield. 7.81 runner in the laser-timed 60.

Raymond Hansen, INF/RHP, Crete-Monee, 2018
5-foot-9, 140-pound, two-way player. Ran a 7.22  laser-timed 60. Offensively, right-handed hitter, balanced setup, early, short stride. Bat stays level through the zone. Registered a 66 mph exit velocity from a tee.  Defensively, throws from a ¾ to low ¾ slot; clocked at 69 mph across the infield. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, stays in line, lands square. Long arm action from an over-the-top angle. Fastball, works mostly straight, sat 67-71 mph. Curveball, gradual action, 58-61 mph. Cutter, 62-65 mph.

Dylan Hauck, INF/RHP, Crete-Monee, 2018
6-foot-2, 175-pound, athletically built, two-way prospect. On the mound, right-handed pitcher with feel for a three-pitch mix. Repeats delivery, stays on-line, lands square and some effort throughout. Arm works long and out of a high ¾ slot. Fastball, arm-side-run, sinking action, located down in the zone, 80-81 mph. Curveball, maintains arm speed, slurvy action, 11/5 shape, 66-68 mph. Changeup, feel, located at the bottom of the zone, fade action, sat 71-72 mph. Offensively, right-handed hitter, relaxed, open, balanced setup, leg-kick trigger, long path through the zone and average balance throughout. Registered an 88 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, on the infield, fields athletically, plays through the baseball with soft hands and maintains body control. Short arm action from a ¾ slot, throws were accurate clocked at 80 mph across the diamond. 7.14 runner in the laser-timed 60.  

Kyle Heavey, RHP, Downers Grove South, 2019
6-foot, 165-pound, athletically built right-handed pitcher. Features a four-pitch mix. Sets up on the far first base side of the rubber, delivery works slightly across his body, lands closed with some rhythm throughout. Long arm action from an over-the-top slot. Fastball works straight, sat at 77 mph, touching 80 mph once. Featured two breaking balls. Slider thrown with fastball arm speed, flashed sharp, tight, short 10/4 break, 72-73 mph. Curveball works 12/6, flashed depth and feel at 65-66 mph. Changeup, fade action and 67-70 mph.

Nicholas Heiden, RHP, St. Laurence, 2018
5-foot-11, 165-pound, well-proportioned, right-handed pitcher. Strike thrower with feel for a four-pitch mix. Repeats delivery, lands square and regular effort throughout. Arm works short and out of a high ¾ window. Fastball, thrown for strikes, flashed late arm-side action, 79-81 mph, topped at 82. Slider has tighter, more lateral action than curveball, feel and sat 68-70 mph. Curveball thrown for strikes, works mostly 12/6, some depth and sat 63-64 mph. Changeup, thrown near fastball arm speed, arm-side-run, sink, feel, 71-73 mph.

Jonathan Keller, RHP, Hoffman Estates, 2018
6-foot-1, 160-pound, lean, right-handed pitcher. Controlled, repeatable delivery, coiled at balance point, stays closed, lands square and finishes slightly upright. Short arm action from a high ¾ slot and regular effort. Fastball, straight action, sat 81-82 mph, topped at 83. Curveball, occasional late action, good spin and 11/5 shape, 66-67 mph. Changeup, thrown near fastball arm speed, firm, straight action, 76-78 mph.

Alex Marquardt, RHP/OF, Monticello, 2018
6-foot-1, 165-pound, two-way player. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, tall and fall delivery, smooth rhythm, lands closed. Short arm action from an over the top angle. Fastball, thrown for strikes, downhill angle, works mostly straight, sat 77-78 mph. Curveball, some feel, 12/6 shape, 69-71 mph. Slider, 70-73 mph. Offensively, right-handed hitter, balanced setup, smooth load, short stride. Simple swing, level path through the zone. Exit velocity registered at 81 mph from a tee. Defensively, fluid footwork, clean exchange, plays through the baseball. Short arm action from an over the top slot, throws flashed accuracy and carry, clocked at 81 mph. 7.56 runner in the laser timed 60.

Eric Mickenbecker, RHP/OF, Plainfield North, 2019
5-foot-11, 145-pound, lanky, athletic two-way player. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, falls off to the first base side. Short arm action from a high ¾ angle. Fastball, natural cut action, sat 74-75 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, thrown for strikes, early action, 62-64 mph. Changeup, drops arm angle, maintains near fastball arm speed, works mostly straight, 65-67 mph. Offensively, right-handed hitter, balanced setup, hands load back, leg kick, maintains balance through contact. Solid contact, path works slightly uphill. Exit velocity registered at 78 mph from a tee. Defensively, Long arm action from a high ¾ slot. Throws clocked at 78 mph across the diamond. 7.25 runner in the laser-timed 60.

Zach Pawlak, INF/RHP, Plainfield South, 2020
6-foot, 150-pound, lanky, two-way player. Offensively, left-handed hitter, balanced setup, toe tap trigger, path works uphill. Registered a 73 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, short arm action from a high ¾ slot, accurate throws clocked at 72 mph across the diamond. 8.32 runner in the laser timed 60. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, slow rhythm, stays in line. Short arm action from a high ¾ angle. Fastball, slight run action, sat 74-75 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, 64-66 mph. Knuckleball, 67-69 mph.

Alex Pittman, INF/RHP, Morgan Park, 2019
6-foot, 185-pound, two-way prospect with a defined, strong lower half. Offensively, right-handed hitter with fluid rhythm, bat speed, a lot of hard contact and the ball jumps off his bat. Tall, balanced setup, long stride, good balance and hits off his front side. Registered an 82 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, on the infield, profiles as a third baseman. Hands work soft, arm works short, quick, from a high ¾ slot and throws carry across the diamond, clocked at 83 mph. Ran a 7.89 laser-timed 60. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, delivery works with rhythm, stays on-line and lands square. Short, quick arm action out of a high ¾ window. Fastball, straight, 80-82 mph. Curveball maintains arm speed, 12/6 shape and ranged between 65-68 mph. Knuckleball, firm, 70-73 mph.

Carson Ramirez, RHP, Munster HS (IN), 2018
6-foot-1, 160 pound, lean, wiry frame.  Drop and drive delivery with some rhythm, choppy at times.  Shows some effort in the delivery.  Long, high ¾ arm action with above average arm speed; deep plunge on the backside.  Fastball sat 78-79, topped at 80 with occasional run.  Breaking ball has 11/5 shape with gradual movement at 63-66; erratic in the zone.  Changeup sat 73-74.  

Tyrone Simpson, INF/RHP, Homewood-Flossmoor, 2019
6-foot, 160-pound, two-way prospect. Worked out on the infield and on the mound. Right-handed hitter, balanced setup, deep pre-pitch load and short stride. Bat speed and long path through the zone. Registered an 82 mph exit velocity from a tee. At first base, steady hands, feel around the bag, quick transfer. Short arm action, high ¾ slot, accurate throws clocked at 75 mph across the diamond. 7.56 runner in the 60, laser-timed. Right-handed pitcher, slow, deliberate delivery, stays on-line, lands square and finishes athletically. Arm is short from a high ¾ slot. Fastball works straight, 75-77 mph, topped at 78. Curveball clocked at 62-65 mph. Changeup, thrown for strikes, firm, 74-77 mph.

Tommy Windt, INF/RHP, Sandburg, 2019
6-foot-2, 180-pound, athletically built, two-way prospect. Worked out on the infield and on the mound. Right-handed pitcher, full leg-lift at balance point, lands square, stays on-line, finishes athletically with some effort throughout. Long arm action out of a high ¾ to over-the-top slot. Fastball sat 81-82 mph. Curveball, flashed feel, 11/5 shape, maintains arm speed, 67-69 mph. Changeup, works mainly straight, 71-74 mph. Offensively, right-handed hitter, flashed bat speed, looseness and strength through contact; 84 mph exit velocity from a tee. Balanced slightly closed setup, long toe-tap stride and average balance through contact. Defensively, soft hands, fields out in front of body and long transfer. Long arm action, ¾ slot and throws clocked at 78 mph across the diamond. 7.86 runner in the 60.

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