IA Top Prospect Games- Pitching Evaluations

September 7, 2016

By Rob Allison
Prep Baseball Report Iowa

Prep Baseball Report's IA Top Prospect Games event took place on Sunday, August 7, 2016. The event was held at Duane Banks Field; on the campus of the University of Iowa. The event featured many of the top 2017 prospects from Iowa who showcased their talents in front of our scouting staff. Thank you to the players, parents, my staff and the University of Iowa coaching staff.

There were a number of great individual performances this year at the IA Top Prospect Games.

CLICK HERE to view Complete Statistics in PDF Format.

Below we have highlighted the prospects at their respective positions with evaluations; listed alphabetically.

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pitching Prospects

Anthony Alepra, RHP/OF, Cedar Rapids Kennedy, 2017
6-foot-3, 177-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. Lean fast twitch body. Slight crossfire delivery from ¾ slot. Has solid extension to plate. Strike thrower. Fastball was 84-86 mph with solid life and running action. 11/5 curveball showed quality shape and depth. Slider at 74-76 mph had sideways spin with flat break in zone. Northwestern University commit. 88 mph exit velocity. Low hand slot with leg kick trigger, off-time at event, flashes pop in bat to oppo gap when extended.

Ben Beutel, LHP/OF, Davenport North, 2017
6-foot, 165-pound left-handed hitting 2-way player. 84 mph exit velocity. Up tempo delivery, high leg kick, with slight hitch as he works down mound. Clean loose arm that produces late arm-side life at 83-86 mph. Above avg. breaking ball, 1/7 shape, with sharp sweeping break. One of better uncommitted LHP’s in state. Crouched stance, open start, strides to square, works top half of baseball, stiff path to contact occasionally, line drive and ground ball contact, mid/pull approach. Clean glove action, works through ball, front side stays on target, ¾ arm slot, solid carry and accuracy on throws, 89 mph arm strength from outfield.

Christian Cabney, RHP, Sioux City East, 2017
5-foot-11, 170-pound right-handed pitcher. Controlled balance, slightly open front leg, drop and drive mechanics, good direction and extension to plate. Heavy wrap in arm action on backside; clean out front from ¾ slot. Fastball was 76-79 mph, touching 80 mph, with varying run and cut action. Tight spin on curveball, 69-72 mph, with short break for strikes. Firm heavy changeup, 72-75 mph, with split action at plate.

Cameron Cowan, RHP, Ankeny Centennial, 2017
6-foot-4, 240-pound right-handed pitcher. Extra large durable build. Physically imposing on mound. Slight back arch at balance point, solid direction to plate, swings front leg down mound, relatively clean arm action, high ¾ slot, throws with strength. Fastball shows avg./ok life, on slight downhill plane, at 84-88 mph. Varying shape on curveball, solid arm speed, at 72-74 mph with flashes of sharp break. Shows solid feel for breaking ball in/around zone.

Kyle Cunningham, RHP, Clinton, 2017
6-foot-2, 165-pound right-handed pitcher. Uptempo delivery through balance point, good body control, and is aggressive down mound. Long clean arm action. Slight run on fastball at 77-80 mph. Inconsistent release point on breaking ball, early loose break, at 62-65 mph. Changeup was 65-66 mph.

Cooper Davis, LHP/OF, Lemars Gehlen, 2017
6-foot-1, 160-pound left-handed hitting 2-way player. Controlled balance point, short stride and lands open, front shoulder tilt, up and over with stiff shoulder delivery. Fastball was 71-74, slight downhill plane, and was straight. Slows arm on breaking ball, early break with loose spin, at 62-65 mph. Changeup had flat action in zone for strikes. Pre-set load, some hand rhythm, front foot contact, simple swing, singles power, works middle of field with slashy line drive swing, 74 mph exit velocity. Average glove and feet, long release on throws from OT slot, elevated to plate, avg. accuracy, 76 mph arm strength.

Timothy Diewold, RHP/SS, Mediapolis, 2017
5-foot-11, 175-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. Short balance point, OT slot, effort in release, moderate head whack. Fastball was downhill with solid command at 78-79 mph. 65-69 mph curveball with 12/6 shape had avg. shape and depth. Above avg. changeup, thrown at fastball arm speed, with late fade. Open stance, strides open to swing, flat bat path through zone, stiff swing with choppy rhythm, mi/pull approach with fly ball contact, 78 mph exit velocity. Decent glove action, late presentation, fields across body, long clean arm action, has carry and accuracy to bag, 80 mph arm strength.

Brady Donohue, RHP, Marion, 2017
6-foot-3, 170-pound right-handed pitcher. Lean athletic build. Recently committed to Mount Mercy College. Short turn into balance point with uptempo delivery. Lands open in stride creating inverted tilt on fastball. Short arm action and hides ball from hitter. Fastball was 82-84 mph with varying run and cut. Slider shows promise with late sharp break for strikes. Changeup was 75-76 mph with heavy action.

DJ Duve, RHP/2B, WDM Valley, 2017
5-foot-11, 180-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. Controlled delivery, solid body control, one-piece pie arm action from ¾ slot. Fastball had straight action at 74-77 mph. Early break, inconsistent release point, on curveball at 61-63 mph. Square stance, body load, lays bat flat early with minimal rhythm, pushes barrel through zone, occasional pop to pull side of field, 80 mph exit velocity. Short strides in field, avg. range, soft glove, plays high at times, low ¾ arm slot, accurate arm, 71 mph arm strength.

Keaton Floss, RHP, WDM Valley, 2017
6-foot-2, 170-pound right-handed pitcher. Lean athletic build. Controlled delivery with good direction to plate, long clean arm action, ball jumps out of hand. Fastball had varying run and cut action at 77-80 mph. Breaking ball had inconsistent shape and break at 62-66 mph. Slider is better secondary at 72-73 with tighter rotation and thrown for strikes.

Bryce Frantz, LHP, Iowa City, 2017
5-foot-11, 195-pound left-handed pitcher. Strong compact build. Early hand break, some shoulder tilt, hides baseball, with above avg. late movement on fastball. Fastball was 78-82 mph in this outing; thrown for strikes to both sides of plate. Flashes tight spin on 1/7 curveball with late break; has ability to freeze hitter with depth. Nothing overly flashy, competitive on mound, throws strikes, and consistently misses barrels.

Jake Gilbert, 1B/RHP, Ankeny Centennial, 2017
6-foot-3, 215-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. Large strong build. Square stance, high back elbow load, collapses into hitting position, inverted swing plane with lift, flashes above avg. power to pull side of field, 84 mph exit velocity. Solid glove at first, adequate range, moves well for size, receives ball well at bag, 81 mph arm from first base. On mound; good rhythm and sequence in delivery, lands closed to target, tough low ¾ arm slot to RHH, long clean arm action. Fastball has late run and sink at 81-85 mph. Flashes sharp sweeping breaking ball; when released out front at 68-72 mph. Intriguing prospect on mound with size, should increase velocity, low ¾ slot, and clean arm action.

Noah Gyldenvand, 2B/RHP, Dowling Catholic, 2017
5-foot-9, 150-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. Athletic stance with good rhythm, controlled leg kick trigger, strides square, flashes pop to pull side of field, shows good hands in swing, and stays inside baseball, 86 mph exit velocity. 87 mph arm strength across diamond. Active feet and solid range, shows quality infield actions, fields deep into body occasionally, defends in middle infield well. Strike thrower on mound, controlled delivery, repeats well, upright finish, feel for 3 pitches in zone. Fastball was 82-84 mph, curveball was 71-72 mph, and changeup was 71-73 mph.

Ross Hingst, LHP/OF, Waukee, 2017
5-foot-8, 172-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. Short turn into controlled balance point, compact delivery, repeats well, consistent strike thrower with clean arm action. Fastball had cut action at 77-79 mph. Good shape on 1/7 breaking ball, solid depth, at 70-72 mph. Avg. fade on changeup at 71-72 mph. Open stance, strides to square, compact swing, easy path to baseball, mid/pull approach, solid line drive and fly ball contact, 85 mph exit velocity. Solid actions in OF, sits back on baseball occasionally, clean arm action with quick release, accurate arm and throws through target well, 83 mph arm strength from outfield.

Peter Johnson, LHP, Council Bluffs Lewis Central, 2017
6-foot-3, 160-pound left-handed pitcher. Whippy arm action, some funk and deception, shows run and sink on fastball with above avg. command to arm-side of plate. 1/7 shape on breaking ball with avg. depth. Solid fade on changeup, slows arm slightly, with command. Fastball was 77-81 mph, curveball was 65-68, and changeup was 63-64 mph.

Kade Kolarik, LHP/OF, Indianola, 2017
5-foot-10, 180-pound left-handed hitting 2-way player. Pre-set hands, double tap trigger to swing, short path through zone, stiff path to contact, uses whole field, 83 mph exit velocity. Solid direction on throws, fields cleanly, plays through ball well, longer arm action, solid carry and accuracy to target, 84 mph from the outfield. On mound; swings front leg into balance point, compact clean arm action, occasional extension and finish on pitches. Fastball was 74-77 mph, curveball was 66-68 mph, and changeup was 71-72 mph.

Michael Krist, 3B/RHP, WDM Valley, 2017
6-foot-1, 200-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. Simple setup, early body load, knee to knee trigger, linear swing mechanics, flashes pop in bat to pull side of field, consistent hard contact, 92 mph exit velocity. Works up and through ball well, creates direction with feet on throws, heavier feet to field, 80 mph arm strength. On mound; controlled delivery, heavy wiggle and wrap on backside of arm action, stiff release out front. Fastball was 77-81, touching 82mph, with varying action. 11/5 breaking ball had avg. shape and depth of break at 66-68 mph.

Colin Lacey, LHP/OF, Dowling Catholic, 2017
5-foot-9, 160-pound left-handed hitting 2-way player. Small frame with athleticism. Controlled delivery, good balance, long clean arm action with extension and finish to plate. Fastball was 81-83 mph, tilted plane, with solid command to both sides of plate. Big break on 1/7 curveball thrown for strikes. Has hand speed on changeup; inducing hitters to chase, with solid fade. Above avg. ability to add/subtract fastball and being able to pitch. Body load, short to to contact, leans over plate occasionally, slashy swing plane, solid contact, mid/pull approach, 85 mph exit velocity. Plays fast in field with above avg. athletic actions, above avg. momentum through baseball, long clean arm action, quick release with accuracy, 88 mph arm strength.

Connor McDermott, RHP/3B, Dyersville Beckman, 2018
6-foot-2, 180-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. Easy tuck and turn, crouch at balance point, strides hard across body creating cross-fire delivery from ¾ slot. Has extension to plate and fastball comes out of hand clean. Fastball has solid run at 80-81 mph. Curveball was thrown for strikes at 70-71 mph. Tall stance, front heel turn trigger, high back elbow load with low hand slot, occasional stiff swing plane, flashes line drive contact, gap to gap approach, 80 mph exit velocity. Shows soft glove, plays through ball, quick release, stops after throw, need to improve footwork and use momentum/follow throws, accurate to bag, 71 mph arm strength across.

Jake Olejniczak, LHP/1B, Cedar Rapids Kennedy, 2017
6-foot-1, 165-pound switch-hitting 2-way player. Early hand break, one piece arm action, ¾ slot, with short stride down mound. Fastball had slight run action at 70-74 mph. Early break on curveball with 1/7 shape at 58-60 mph. Changeup was 63-64 mph. Preset hands, lower hand slot, flat swing plane, pull approach, limited use of lower half, stiff swing mechanics, 73 mph exit velocity. Fields tall at posltion, stiff hands, long clean arm action, long release, 75 mph arm strength.

Kade Overton, C/RHP, ADM, 2017
6-foot, 205-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. Crouched stance, body load, stands up to swing, extra head movement, below avg. contact, 83 mph exit velocity. Steps into batters box, flies open with front side, quick release, inconsistent accuracy to bag, 77 mph arm strength with 2.03-2.12 pop times. Narrow feet in setup, rigid glove, avg. lateral mobility. On mound; up tempo delivery, good direction to plate, long arm action, upright on release. Hides fastball well in delivery, at 81-84 mph, with varying action. Cut action on changeup, firm, at 77-79 mph with flat action.

Reed Pegram, C/RHP, Ankeny Centennial, 2017
6-foot-1, 160-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. Lean athletic build with good flexibility. Open stance, strides across body, fights high back elbow occasionally, loose easy actions in box with rhythm, works middle of field, 82 mph exit velocity. Good feet and direction, clean exchange, short repeatable arm action, quick release, 77 mph arm strength with 2.06-2.16 pop times. Soft hands behind plate, needs to improve strength to stick pitches, occasional high glove setup, shows good lateral movement and mobility. On mound; controlled delivery with body control, short clean arm action, works downhill with extension to plate. Fastball was 82-83 mph, downhill, with solid command of both sides of plate. Has feel for 11/5 breaking ball with avg. spin and solid shape.

Chase Rath, RHP/1B, Highland, 2017
6-foot-3, 170-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. Lean athletic build with long legs. Simple turn into delivery, short balance point, short arm action on backside, clean and works downhill in front. Fastball was straight, on downhill plane, at 83-85 mph. Tight spin on breaking ball, inconsistent shape, at 72-73 mph with short break. Changeup was usable at 71-73 mph. Square stance, short stride, stiff swing mechanics, mid/away approach, line drive and ground ball contact, 76 mph exit velocity. Sits back on ground balls, fields deep in stance, avg. glove, fields routine, above avg. arm strength for position, 83 mph arm strength.

Evan Reifert, RHP/3B, Wilton, 2017
6-foot-3, 180-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. Lean athletic build with wiry strength. Productive 2-way player in high school- strength will be on mound in college. Committed soon after event to NIACC. Controlled up to down delivery, long clean arm action, swings front leg down mound, solid extension to plate, live arm. Heavy cut action on fastball at 87-90 mph. Both curveball and slider have tight rotation and late sharp break. Consistently threw strikes with 3 pitches. Leans over plate, good bat speed, some length to contact, works middle of field, line drive contact, 93 mph exit velocity. Avg. actions in field, late glove presentation, has soft glove, makes up for avg. footwork and direction with above avg. arm and accuracy to bag, 85 mph arm strength.

Parker Ridge, SS/RHP, Marion, 2017
6-foot-1, 140-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. Taller thin build. Square stance, body load with back shoulder turn, clean swing path, long to contact, creates bat speed, line drive contact with mid/away approach, 88 mph exit velocity. Shows above avg. feet and hands, solid actions in field, loose arm action, accurate to bag, 80 mph arm strength. On mound; athletic delivery with body control, slight wrap on backside, long arm action. Fastball was 78-80 mph with solid life showing varying cut and running sink. Curveball was 61-63 mph. Changeup has flat heavy action at 68-71 mph.

Will Rodruck, RHP/OF, WDM Valley, 2017
6-foot, 180-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. On mound; controlled delivery, front shoulder tilt, with short stride down mound, tall at release. Fastball was downhill, straight, at 80-84 mph. 12-6 breaking ball has sharp break and depth. Changeup has heavy feel with wobbly action for strikes. Tall open stance, strides to square with double tap, easy load with clean bath path through zone, good bat speed, stays on and through contact, works middle of field well, 86 mph exit velocity. Good angles, works through baseball, fields on side at times, above avg. carry and accuracy on throws, 85 mph arm strength.

Connor Schatzberg, RHP, WDM Valley, 2017
5-foot-10, 145-pound right-handed pitcher. Undersized competitive bullpen type arm. Pie arm action with deep draw, has extension out front, and consistently pounds bottom of zone with 3 pitches. Fastball was 76-79 mph with heavy run and sink. 11/5 curveball has tight rotation and short break in zone. Solid fade on changeup; working bottom of zone.

Kobey Schlotman, LHP, Clear Creek-Amana, 2017
5-foot-8, 170-pound left-handed pitcher. Undersized body, short on backside, arm is clean and athletic out front. Slight cross-fire delivery, fastball has good tilt into RHH. Fastball was 75-78 mph. Curveball at 63-67 mph; had solid 2/7 shape with depth. Solid 2 pitch command and pitched well in game action.

Connor Schultz, RHP/C, Cedar Falls, 2017
6-foot-4, 185-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. Projectable pitchers build. Wider shoulders with long legs; should continue to add strength and velocity. Crouched balance point with tuck and turn delivery. Quick hand out front. Running action on fastball, downhill plane, at 84-88 mph. 11/5 curveball shows solid shape and depth. 10/4 slider has early sweeping break. Both pitches thrown with above avg. hand speed. Changeup shows solid fade at 77-79 mph. Tall stance, pre-set load, knee to knee trigger, high back elbow setup, falls over plate at contact, flashes pop in bat when he gets extended, 86 mph exit velocity. Solid flexibility behind plate, clean exchanges, slides around plate with feet, long arm action and release, above avg. arm strength, 80 mph arm strength with 1.99-2.13 pop times. Solid receiver to glove side, extra movement as pitching is coming, lacks secondary position with runners on base.

Ben Steidler, RHP/1B, North Scott, 2017
6-foot-3, 175-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. Controlled delivery, slight back turn at balance point, short stride down mound. Forced shoulder, hand is clean out front. Fastball has above avg. sink at 80-81 mph; touching 83 mph. Tends to leave breaking ball arm-side. Flat running action on changeup. Square stance, no stride, low hand slot, stands up through swing, inconsistent contact, 81 mph exit velocity. Fields out front, ok hands, tends to field flat-footed, 79 mph arm strength.

Benjamin Sterler, RHP/SS, Burlington, 2017
5-foot-10, 150-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. Controlled delivery, low hand break, deep stab on backside, lands hard across body, clean arm action out front, avg. extension and finish. Fastball was 75-77 mph, curveball was 67-68 mph, and changeup was 68-69 mph. Open stance, strides to square, length to contact, underneath baseball occasionally, ground ball and line drive contact, 79 mph exit velocity. Shows ability to work through baseball with good footwork, clean glove actions, loose arm action with quick release, 79 mph arm strength.

Eric Steyer, 1B/RHP, Ames, 2017
6-foot-4, 175-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. Wide square stance, short stride, aggressive swinger, short path through zone, limited extension, gap to gap approach, line drive contact, 85 mph exit velocity. Solid footwork with good hands, fields on heels, long arm action, accurate throws, 75 mph arm strength. On mound; avg. tempo to delivery, slight collapse at balance point, has direction to plate with short stride, short arm action, tall release with avg. finish. Fastball was 79-81 mph with flat action to plate. Shows solid shape on 11/5 breaking ball with avg. depth. Flashes late run on changeup at 70-72 mph.

Ross Swinton, LHP, Lone Tree, 2017
6-foot, 162-pound left-handed pitcher. Simple delivery, keeps front side on, with quicker arm from ¾ slot. Running action on fastball at 78-81 mph. Breaking ball lacked velocity, inconsistent release point, 57-61 mph curveball. Shows feel for 61-64 mph changeup with above avg. run and fade. Left on left bullpen type arm that could develop in college with instruction.

Jared Thompson, 1B/LHP, Vinton-Shellsburg, 2017
6-foot-4, 175-pound left-handed hitting 2-way player. Lean projectable build. High hands with square setup, off-time during BP, high back elbow effects swing plane, flashes solid line drive contact to middle of field, 86 mph exit velocity. Athletic fielder, works from ground up, soft hands, fields out front, with well above avg. arm for position, 87 mph arm strength across infield. Good enough runner and athleticism could translate to outfield. Easy loose actions on mound, good body control, and has direction to plate. Long clean arm action producing 81-83 mph fastballs. Curveball was 70-71 mph with occasional early break. Changeup was 75-76 mph. Projects on mound and should continue to add velocity.

Michael Van Riessen, RHP/3B, Urbandale, 2017
6-foot, 170-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. Repeats delivery well, solid extension to plate, with clean arm action out front with good hand speed. Loose arm action with moderate effort producing 82-84 mph fastball. 11/5 breaking ball has tight rotation with short break. Above avg. fade and feel for changeup. Overall pounded zone with 3 pitches and was very effective in one inning of work. Open stance, hitchy hand load, short to contact, quick hands to contact, uses whole field, 84 mph exit velocity. Good mobility and range, soft glove, shows instincts and reactions in game, overall solid infielder, quick release with clean arm action, 83 mph arm strength.

Mitchell Wiese, 1B/RHP, Marion, 2017
6-foot-7, 220-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. Square stance, easy load and stride, out front with inconsistent contact during event, flashes above avg. pop with leverage to gaps, 89 mph exit strength. Shows good glove and active feet at first, receives around bag well, accurate arm, 77 mph arm strength. Physically imposing on mound, good body control to balance point, swings front leg down mound, throws mostly upper body, avg. extension and finish. Varying action on fastball at 80-83 mph. Falls off mound creating flat action on breaking ball at 68-70 mph. Changeup was 73-75 mph with solid/avg. feel for zone.

Casey Zarr, 3B/RHP, Bondurant-Farrar, 2017
6-foot-2, 210-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. Spread stance with heel lift trigger, short to contact, pull approach, very good strength, pull approach with above avg. power, 96 mph exit velocity. Fields tall, avg. glove, fields out front, avg. actions, stiff arm action, 77 mph arm strength. On mound; simple delivery, hitch and collapse at balance point, with OT slot, minimal finish and extension to plate. Fastball was 79-82 mph with slight run. Inconsistent shape on breaking ball at 65-69 mph. Heavy split action on changeup at 68-69 mph.

IA Top Prospect Games- Pitching Evaluations

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