With winter upon us and most of Northern Nevada waiting patiently to begin their re-entry throwing programs, the hurlers taking part in the Northern Nevada Pre Season ID were intriguing.  With the exception of one previously committed arm, the remaining participants lend future promise.  All have something to offer at various ceilings, here are some thoughts on the group.

Brian Baker, 2019, RHP (Galena), Large Frame, 6-foot-3, 210, Baker is a physical body.  He has recently revisited pitching and dedicated himself to a possible future on the mound.  He displays a deliberate, slightly cross body delivery.  He relies heavily on his strength over arm speed with a compact arm swing and loose finish out front. His fastball was up to 84, consistently 82-83.  He maintains some natural cut to his fastball to his glove side. His curveball ranged 72-74 with mostly cut action and occasional depth.  He threw a firm changeup 76-77. Baker’s physicality accompanied by his velocity improvement since October reveals a higher ceiling.   Expect him to be a solid mid 80s, three pitch mix type, topping out upper 80s this spring.

Aidan Elliott, 2019, RHP (Galena), Athletically built, 6-foot, 165, Fresh our of football, Elliot is an athlete who throws strikes.  He has a rhythmic, slightly cross body delivery with an easy arm and the ability to keep the ball down in the zone.  His fastball ranged 78-81.  He had solid feel for spin, 68-70, with consistent depth.  His changeup came in at 72-73 and occasional sink.  He has the athleticism to offer some depth on the mound with work could likely be developed to be an innings eater type pitcher for a small college or two-year institution. 

James Skiver, 2019, LHP (Damonte Ranch), Large, 6-foot-1, 210, Skiver is a big developing body. His youthful appearance reveals plenty of maturation to take place.  Fresh off a rehabilitation stint, his re-entry throwing program is presently underway. With a slight cross and light stab to his delivery, his arm worked well, long with solid finish. His fastball ranged 75-78 with big arm side life.  He had tight spin and significant bite when he landed his curveball 64-68. He had limited change feel at 72-78. Skiver is an intriguing follow for it is easy to see a higher ceiling. Just returning, his feel was understandably questionable, but there is a lot to work with for someone willing to play the long game on this left-hander.

Tyler Hopper, 2019, RHP (Damonte Ranch), Wide, 5-foot-11, 215, Hopper has broad shouldered with a thick body.  He has a simple, repeatable delivery that allows him to fill up the zone with three pitches.  His fastball has consistent cut action at 77-80. He could likely offer short stint relief with the natural cutter alone. His curveball maintained solid shape and definition, ranging 70-71 while his changeup, 73-77, was a touch firm with occasional sink.  He might have some two-way value for a small college. With consistent work and physical development along with his natural cutter, Hopper could benefit from some time to refine his repertoire.

Connor Culp, 2019, RHP (Spanish Springs) Lean, 6-foot-1, 170, UNLV commit, Culp has room to add weight and strength. He pitches with a significant cross in his delivery and a quick, whippy arm.  His fastball ranged 84-87, with consistent run and occasional sink. The breaking ball is slurvy at 72-74, while the change up is 78-80.  Culp is projectable with present zone feel for three pitches.  He plays with confidence as well as presence on the mound. Physical development and delivery adjustments make it easy to see him throwing harder in the near future.