Prep Baseball Report

2021 Left Handed Pitchers On the Rise


Colton Provey
Tennessee Scouting Director

We wrap up our positional riser coverage of the 2021 TN class with the most rare finds, left handed pitchers.  There are twelve lefty arms already committed to division one in the class lead by Vanderbilt commit Ryan Ginther (Station Camp), who had a dominate 2019 season (0.38 ERA) and clocked up to 91.  At the moment, the lefty arm market is pretty wide open for who will emerge as the next commit for the TN class. Former Future Gamer Trey Willis (Loudon) currently finds himself at the top, but expect a lot of shuffling as the summer unfolds as there isn’t much separation between the highest ranked uncommitted southpaws. 

2021 On the Rise:

Catchers | First Base | Mid. Infielders | Third Base | Outfielders | Righty Pitchers | Lefty Pitchers

 

Left Handed Pitchers


Trey Willis | LHP | Loudon | Rank: 53
The wiry 6-foot-4, 170-pound southpaw helped Loudon get back to the state tournament in 2019 while helping toss a combined 12-inning no hitter, tossing 4 innings and punching out 9.  Strikeout specialist showcased a low to mid 80s fastball (1800-2040 rpm) and sharp 12/6 curveball at 66-69, which generates a lot of swing and miss at the Future Games last summer.  Strong in relief vs Kentucky, tossing two innings and striking out four. Developing feel for changeup with some fade and potential.  Tall, very projectable frame, high ceiling prospect.  


Logan Rushing | LHP/OF | Brighton | Rank: 73
The 5-foot-10, 175-pound southpaw two-way has well-proportioned strength with some physical projection. Rushing, brother of Louisville slugger Dalton Rushing, has quick arm showcasing a 83-86 fastball in the summer of 2018.  Upside on both sides of the ball.  Hits right with straight on, slightly crouched stance w/ short hand rhythm intro stride and proper load.  Above average bat speed through the zone in simple, repeatable swing.  Projects to hit for average with projectable pull power as corner outfielder.   

Garrett Sims | LHP | Summit | Rank: 86
The 6-foot-1, 175-pound Sims has had some inconsistencies the past year, but looked poised to put together a nice 2020 campaign after seeing him in early scrimmage action.  The command struggled over the summer, but the arm upside is there and he showed improvement in limited action this year.  Sims was an easy 82-86 (Up to 87 in 19’) with good life on fastball.  Mixed a 12/6 curveball at 72-74 as well as 77-79 changeup with good arm speed.  Very projectable arm who looks to put it all together this summer and secure a commitment.


Matthew Wrinkle | LHP | Halls | Rank: 87
The 5-foot-10, 168-pound Wrinkle had a strong TBCA showcase this past summer.  The lefty showcased a low-to-mid 80s fastball, topping at 85.  Primarily used 68-71 mph curveball with proper shape and good bite. Occasionally mixed changeup at 75-78 with some arm side action.  Consistently around the zone with all three pitches and worked two scoreless frames.  
 
 

Ethan Harden | LHP/OF | BGA | Rank: 88
The 6-foot, 175 pounds two-way prospect has shown some promise on the bump from the left side and a quick swing from right side.  On the bump, low to mid 80s fastball with some run and sink when located down in the zone.  Good feel for 1/7 CB at 71-74 with nice late break.  Lean, projectable frame with lower half strength who really strides it out in the outfield.  Level swing with an aggressive, yet controlled, approach. Stood out at the plate all weekend with a patient approach. Strong arm from outfield, picking up several OF assists this summer at Lakepoint from deep in RF.  


 
Brycen Denton | LHP | Hardin Valley Academy | Rank: 100
The 5-foot-11 180-pounds Denton has a future on the mound, although a steady position player as well.  On the mound, FB was 81-83 this fall with plenty left in the tank.  Really liked the mound presence and competitiveness with the FB. Quick arm that works to 3/4 slot, who is consistently around the zone and shown ability to spin it.  At the plate he has short, simple swing with good stride. He gets out of the box and runs well as OF.  

 

Miller Riggins | LHP | Houston | Rank: 144
6-3, 200-pound lefty has tall, projectable frame with intriguing three-pitch mix.  Has been 77-81 this past year, but has shown big jumps leading up to summer 2020.  After cleaning up some lower half issues, Riggins fastball has jumped up to mid 80s, topping at 87 with good life out of high 3/4 slot.  Simple, repeatable delivery w/ quick arm. Medium downer CB flashed proper shape, late bite, depth.  CH w/ arm-speed, fade and sink.  Around the zone w/ 3-pitch mix.  Would have been a breakout performance in 2020 season, but heads into the summer as red hot rising lefty option. 

 

Top 25

RANK   NAME  STATE  SCHOOL  CLASS  POS  COMMITMENT 
1 Ryan Ginther TN Station Camp 2021 LHP Vanderbilt
2 Nick Kurtz TN The Baylor School 2021 LHP Wake Forest
3 Tayler Montiel TN Brentwood Academy 2021 LHP Mississippi State
4 James McCracken TN Middle Tennessee Christian 2021 LHP Tennessee
5 Luke Ellis TN St Benedict at Auburndale 2021 LHP Mississippi
6 Derek McCarley TN Seymour  2021 LHP East Tennessee State
7 Hunter Merrick TN Farragut 2021 LHP East Tennessee State
8 Trey Willis TN Loudon 2021 LHP  
9 Austin Wooten TN Stewarts Creek 2021 LHP Army
10 Logan Rushing TN Brighton 2021 LHP  
11 Garrett Sims TN Summit 2021 LHP  
12 Matthew Wrinkle TN Halls 2021 LHP  
13 Kaleb Meredith TN University School - Johnson City 2021 LHP Tennessee
14 Brycen Denton TN Hardin Valley Academy 2021 LHP  
15 Cory Francis TN Summertown 2021 LHP Tennessee-Martin
16 Hayden Frank TN McMinn County  2021 LHP Lipscomb
17 Adam Quincy TN Seymour 2021 LHP  
18 Will Tobin TN Independence 2021 LHP Pennsylvania
19 Coltin Reynolds TN Powell 2021 LHP  
20 Miller Riggins TN Houston 2021 LHP  
21 Griffin Orr TN Trinity Christian Academy 2021 LHP  
22 Patrick Green TN Tipton Rosemark Academy 2021 LHP  
23 Travis Whitson TN Happy Valley 2021 LHP  
24 Gage Hensley TN Dobyns-Bennett 2021 LHP  
25 Cole Headrick TN Chattanooga Christian  2021 LHP

 

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