LAS VEGAS, NV – Commanding innings on the Diamondbacks spring staff maybe tough for some of the youngsters showing well on scout day. With four 2019 pitchers signing Division 1 scholarships mound time will be at a premium.  Nevertheless, the future is bright for Desert Oasis and we were able to see a lot of promise in arms on the rise for the program.  Below we take a peek at some of those arms that might impact Desert Oasis.

2020

Colby Smith, RHP, Athletic, 5-foot-11, 165, Smith is high-waisted with square shoulders.  He has area control of a 3 pitch mix. His fastball ranged 77-81, while the breaking ball and changeup were, 65-67 and 68-69, respectively.  The curveball had good spin and consistent depth.  He had solid feel for the change up and maintained his arm speed on both off speed pitches.  He stays upright with a short stride from a high ¾ to overhand slot. Although he repeats his mechanics, there is more to be had from his front side and lower half.  Velocity development is on the horizon in this youthfully statured right-hander.

Nathaniel Slaman, RHP, Long-levered, 6-foot-1, 165, Slaman has some present physicality.  Keep in mind, he worked out throwing from the outfield as well as the infield prior to pitching. He has a loose ¾ arm action which brings natural life to a developing fastball up to 77. He has the makings of a future slider, 67 and feel for his changeup 69.  He possesses delivery and arm action deception for the ball jumps out of his hand.  Slaman maybe a long projection type pitcher but will get outs straight away due to deception.

2021

Jacob Kieffer, RHP, Lanky, 6-foot, 150, Kieffer is a projectable right-hander who delivers from an over hand slot, relying on a plane over life fastball up to 80.  He throws a 12/6 curveball up to 68 and a changeup topping out at 74. The velocity of the changeup is not quite the differential one is looking for but I suspect the fastball is firmer on most days.  He carries his hands in his glove prior to hand break, lending to occasional late separation and misses up in zone or backing up the breaking ball. His delivery is upright and he clears his upper body out at the height of his leg lift to clear a path for his arm.

Jacob Walsh, LHP, Large Frame, 6-foot-3, Walsh is physical, long levered with present strength. He pitches from an overhand slot with consistent tilt.  His fastball has fade sink and ranged 77-81.  The overhand curveball had consistent depth with occasional bite, 70-72.  He maintains a feel for his changeup, 70-71, which had some straight fade. Walsh maintains an evenly paced delivery with easy arm action and body control.  He displays pitchability and maturity as well as strength increases will likely provide velocity improvement.  Walsh is a legitimate two way Division 1 prospect.

Reed Schaefer, LHP, Projectable, 6-foot-2, 165, Schaefer has room to add weight and strength.  He repeats a well-paced delivery from a high ¾ release.  He is an upright, short strider providing an opportunity to gain more form his lower half in spite of some current effort to his overall delivery.  He maintains arm speed on all pitches with a straight fastball that ranged 77-80.  He displayed solid feel for an overhand breaking ball, coming in 63-64 and a fading changeup, 67-68.  Schaeffer demonstrated good zone feel with a 3 pitch mix.

2022

Jayden Corns, RHP, Compact, 5-foot-8, 165, Corns is stocky with present strength.  In spite of running away from his arm, he manages a solid feel for the strike zone with a 3 pitch mix.  His fastball was up to 73, breaking ball 59, and changeup 61.  Delivery improvements will undoubtedly impact velocity as well as pitch definition.  This youthful right-hander has a lot of room for growth.