Today PBR Nevada will begin to take a look at those players ranked in the Top 50 of Nevada’s 2019 class that remain uncommitted to a 4-year institution.  These players retain the skill sets to play at the next level and in spite of previous offerings are looking to carry their talent into the spring in hope of finding just the right fit. Here are The Next Five:

(#5) Dutch Landis, RHP (Liberty), Sturdy, 6-foot-2, 185, Landis has room to add weight and strength.  He pitched from an overhand slot with a straight fastball ranging 86-91.  The 12/6 curveball came in 70-74. His changeup landed at 75-78.  His delivery is ever evolving and presently clears out at the height of leg lift to provide a slot for his overhand delivery. The evolution has been mostly in his arm slot as he used to pitch more east and west from a high ¾ arm angle and now primarily north/south from over the top.  The breaking ball previously seen was more of a slurvy, future slider type, to the present downer breaking ball with less velocity.  The upper body lean and clearing out lends to him pulling the ball to his arm side with misses up or to the first base side of the plate.  Landis possesses arm strength and some feel for 3 pitches that is hard to walk away from for programs looking for a talented arm this late in the early recruiting period.

(#20) Garrett Nelson, IF, (Green Valley) Developing, 5-foot-10, 165, Nelson has room to add weight and strength.  He has played a lot of shortstop but actions and arm strength lend better to second or third base. His athleticism would play at a corner outfield position as well.  He showed a serviceable arm from the outfield as well as the infield, making the plays with relative ease. Listed as a switch hitter, he didn’t take any at bats right-handed.  Left-handed, he sets up with hands at his shoulder and loads to a launch position a touch below chest height. His stride is a simple up and down, and at times is just heal up, heal down without his front foot leaving the ground.  It is an easy swing with an emphasis on working inside the ball. He has a feel for the barrel and looks to adjust with two strikes.

(#21) John Kane, OF (Reno), Strong, 6-foot-0, 185. Kane has an athletic, frame with present strength. With developed forearms and core, he shows a good combination of strength and speed. He runs well for his size and better underway.  Defensively, Kane profiles as a corner outfielder.  Pure arm strength lends more to left field; however, footwork and exchange efficiency allow his arm strength to play up.  He is a true and accurate thrower who utilizes a long hop when the situation dictates.  At the plate, Kane has a balanced setup with a subtle, rhythmic load.  His relatively short levers promote a short swing with just the right amount of lift.  His middle of the field approach creates consistent hard contact. He has an aggressive swing with bat speed. He profiles as a corner outfielder with projectable power even though his orientation is to hit for average. 

(#27) John Barry, LHP (Reno) Lanky, 5-11, 135, Barry is a projectable left-handed pitcher with tons of room to add weight and strength.  He pitched exclusively from the stretch and a set point out away from his body.  He has a deliberate leg lift also out away from his body with an inconsistency in its height, providing timing deception. A loose, whippy 3/4 arm action with slight wrap provides arm and hand speed for all his pitches. He possesses natural arm side run with occasional sink on his fastball. Barry showed good feel for his fastball to both sides of the plate, pitching to his glove side well. He featured a slurvy breaking ball with the makings of a future slider. He showed good feel for a changeup with life down in the zone.  The addition of a windup and delivery consistencies at balance point make Barry a medium risk, high reward pitcher. 

(#29) Isaac Schuck, C (Reno), Sturdy, 6-0, 170, Schuck has present strength and durability for the position. A position change to catcher in the past year has left developing footwork and receiving skills.  He has good arm strength and his inexperience lends to him throwing better from his knees.  With improved throwing footwork efficiency, Schuck will manage his throws as well on his feet as he does from his knees.  Receiving is solid and can improve with better glove position on receipt. He sits in his crouch comfortably and receives with a firm but soft hand.  Instincts to block will come with experience but first step quickness allows him to block when instincts fail. He is presently a serviceable defender with a chance to be special. In the box, he stands tall with minimal flex in his legs.  Schuck strides from open to close, walking away from his hands, achieving separation.  He maintains strength over bat speed throughout his down to level swing with loose finish. He has a middle of the field approach and gap power.