Prep Baseball Report

Houston Preseason I.D.: Pitching Analysis


Toby Bicknell
Texas Scouting Director

TOMBALL, TX - On Saturday, January 6th, Prep Baseball Report hosted the Houston Preseason I.D. at Premier Baseball in Tomball, TX. The event was open to all 2018-2021 classes. Players were run through a full pro-style workout, including 60-yard dash, batting practice and defensive skill workout. Here is the pitching analysis from that event.

Top Performers

Benjamin Griffin, RHP, Langham Creek HS, 2018
Griffin has a long-limbed, projectable pitcher’s frame at 6-foot-3, 180-pounds. The right-hander pumped strikes from a high slot with a short arm stroke with his fastball sitting 83-85 mph with downward tilt, touching 87 mph ounce. His best pitch is a plus changeup that he threw at 77-78 mph with fastball arm speed and outstanding arm side fade and depth. His curveball has good 12/6 shape and depth at 71-74 mph.

Hunter Kloesel, RHP/SS, Shiner HS, 2019
Kloesel has an athletic, lean-muscular frame at 6-foot-3, 170-pounds. The right-hander works from a high slot with a long arm swing. In line delivery with smooth rhythm and athletic finish. Good tilt on his fastball at 82-83 mph. Throws a 12/6 curveball that has tight spin and good downward action. His changeup is a still-developing pitch at 75 mph. With his frame, quick hand out front, and good feel for FB/CB, Kloesel is an arm to follow in the 2019 class.

Ryan Rusinovich, RHP, Cypress Woods HS, 2018
At 6-foot-1, 160-pounds, Rusinovich has a lean-wiry frame and plenty of room to add strength as he continues to develop. The right-hander works from a high slot with short arm circle and quick hand out front. His fastball sat 80-81 mph, with some downward tilt. Throws a 12-6 curveball that flashes deep break at 68-69 mph with. His changeup has arm side fade and depth at 73 mph.

Steven Chapa, 3B/RHP, Waller HS, 2020
Chapa has an athletic 5-foot-11, 150-pound frame. The right-hander works from a high slot with a clean arm swing, athletic lower half, and quick hand out front. His fastball comes out clean at 82-84 mph. Curveball has 12/6 shape and flashes depth at 72-74 mph. Mixed in a slider at 72 mph with more lateral shape.

Shane Martin, 3B/RHP, Oak Ridge HS, 2021
Martin has a strong, long-limbed, projectable frame at 6-foot-2, 180-pounds, Shane Martin has a lot of upside on the mound, and at the plate. On the mound, the right-hander works from a high-¾ slot with a short arm stroke and a simple delivery with a high leg kick. His fastball sat 81-82 mph with some heavy action on his fastball. Shows feel for a curveball with 10/4 shape at 69-73 mph.

William Lee, RHP/OF, Klein HS, 2020
Lee has a projectable pitcher’s frame at 6-foot-1, 175-pounds. The right-hander works from a high-¾ slot with a long, quick arm stroke and up tempo delivery with aggression down the mound. Throws a heavy fastball that he turns over as his hand gets inside the ball at 78-80 mph. His curveball has short late break, 11/5 shape, and shows signs of becoming a plus pitch at 70-74 mph. Throws his changeup with fastball arm speed and arm side fade at 73-75 mph.

Christian Huerta, RHP/SS, Klein Oak HS, 2019
6-foot, 165-pounds. The right-hander works from a high-¾ slot with a long arm swing. Slow tempo into a high leg lift, then speeds up with more effort down the mound after he separates his hands. His fastball sat 80-83, topping out at 84 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape at 70-71 mph. Slider has tighter spin at 72-75 mph. Gets inside of his changeup, creating arm side run at 71 mph.

Kenton Weiland, LHP, The Woodlands HS, 2020
6-foot-2, 165-pound, long-limbed frame. The left-hander works from a high-¾ slot with a long arm stroke. Pitching predominantly from the stretch, Weiland has a simple, max effort delivery with a quick leg lift and hip coil as he starts down the mound. His fastball sat 80-81 mph. Best off speed pitch was his slider that ranged from 73-75 mph and has more cutter-like, lateral movement. His curveball has 1/7 shape at 70-72 mph. Changeup has good arm side fade at 72-73 mph.

Mitchell Reddy, SS/RHP, Memorial HS, 2020  
Reddy has an athletic, still developing frame at 5-foot-7, 130-pounds. The right-hander works from a high-¾ slot with a quick, loose, whip-like arm stroke. Athletic delivery down the mound, good hip mobility with a long stride. His fastball comes out clean at 78-80 mph. Slider shows signs of becoming a plus pitch, flashing tight spin and 11/5 shape at 68-70 mph. Also mixes in a split-finger fastball that flashes depth as it dances up to the plate at 68-72 mph.

Zach Wall, SS/RHP, Magnolia West HS, 2019
Wall is listed at 6-foot-1, 177-pounds with a strong lower half. The right-hander works from a high-¾ slot with a short, quick arm stroke, and an athletic, max effort delivery. Fastball sat 80-82 mph. His slider has short, late break with 11/5 shape at 70-72 mph. Changeup came in at 67-70 mph. Worth noting that Wall is a primary infielder, but did throw 87 from the outfield.

William Brown, SS/RHP, Klein Oak HS, 2020
Brown has a long-limbed, twitchy, projectable frame at 6-foot-1, 150-pounds. The right-hander pumped strikes from a high-¾ slot with a clean arm swing and quick hand out front at release. Repeatable, athletic, up-tempo delivery down the mound with some moxy and presence about him. Commanded his fastball to both sides of the plate at 74-78 mph. Shows good feel for a 12/6 curveball at 67-69 mph. Flashed a couple of sliders that had 10/4 shape at 70-71 mph with more cutter-like action. Changeup has real depth at 73 mph. With his athleticism, feel for the baseball, and ability to pump strikes, Brown is an arm we are looking forward to following over the next couple of years.

Will Hauser, SS/RHP, Rosehill Christian HS, 2020 
6-foot, 170-pound frame. The right-hander works from a ¾ slot with a quick arm stroke. Up tempo delivery from the windup with some effort, athletic finish and quick hand out front. His fastball sat 78-80 mph and comes out of his hand clean. Does a nice job of getting on top of a 12/6 curveball that has some depth at 70-71 mph. Flashed a couple of sliders that had loose spin and missed high arm side at 70 mph. Throws his changeup with same arm speed at 67-68 mph.

Caden Norman, 1B/RHP, Smithson Valley HS, 2020
Norman, just a sophomore, has an advanced, long limbed, broad shouldered frame at 6-foot-4, 180-pounds. The right-hander works from a high-¾ slot with a medium arm swing and short stride down the mound. Showed good command of his fastball at 77-79 mph. His curveball has 11/5 shape and depth at 62-68 mph. Flashed one slider at 72 mph that had sharper cutter-like, lateral movement. His changeup came in at 67-72 mph with slight arm side depth.


BEST OF THE REST (Alphabetical)

Hayden Archer, LHP/1B, Liberty HS, 2019
6-foot, 180-pound frame with broad shoulders.The left-hander works from a high slot with a short arm stroke. Up tempo delivery and good energy as he gets down the mound and has an athletic finish. Fastball ranged from 74-75 mph with some downward angle. His curveball has 12/6 shape and good depth at 63-65 mph. Slider has more lateral action and 2/8 shape at 61-63 mph. Turns his changeup over at release, creating arm side fade at 66-68 mph.

Owen Archer, RHP/OF, Liberty HS, 2021 .
6-foot, 165-pound frame. The right-hander works from a high slot with a short, clean arm stroke. Good rhythm in his delivery as he gets down the mound and has an athletic finish. His fastball ranged from 74-76 mph. Curveball flashes depth and 12/6 shape at 61 mph. Straight changeup comes in at 62-64 mph.

Joseph Carbone, 1B/LHP, Cypress Christian HS, 2019
6-foot-1, 170-pounds. The left-hander works from an over the top slot with a long arm swing. Smooth tempo in his delivery, long stride, lands square. Fastball has slight tilt at 75-78 mph, topping out at 79 mph once. Curveball has 12/6 shape at 60 mph. Changeup has arm side fade and depth at 68-72.

Gabe Dunn, RHP/1B, Magnolia HS, 2022  
Just an eighth grader, Dunn has a projectable, long-limbed, high-waisted frame at 6-foot-3, 165-pounds. The right hander works from a high-¾ slot with a short, clean arm stroke. Athletic delivery that should continue to progress as he matures, but he already has good hip turn down the mound with an athletic finish. Fastball sat 72-74 mph with some life and arm side depth. Curveball had loose spin at 63-68, but still flashes depth and 12/6 shape. Changeup has a chance to become a plus pitch at 67 mph.

Andrew Garza, RHP/OF, Cypress Ridge HS, 2019  
6-foot-3, 185-pound, long-limbed frame. The right-hander works from a high-¾ slot with a long arm stroke, slight crossfire delivery with regular effort. Repeats his delivery and all three pitches come from the same window. His fastball sat 82-83 mph. His curveball had short break and 11/5 shape at 71-73. His changeup came in at 73-74 mph.

Levy Hammack, OF/RHP, Magnolia HS, 2020
5-foot-10, 145-pounds. The right-hander works from a high slot with a medium arm stroke. Tilt and topple delivery, lands square, exaggerated finish with an athletic lower half. His fastball sat 80-82 mph. Curveball has 12/6 shape and flashes deep break at 65-67 mph. His changeup has arm side depth at 68-69 mph.

Bryan Hulme, RHP/1B, Cinco Ranch HS, 2020
6-foot-1, 170-pound frame. The right-hander works from a high-¾ slot with a long arm swing and drop-and-drive delivery. His fastball topped out once at 82 mph, working mostly 79-81 mph. Curveball has good depth and 11/5 shape at 66-68 mph. His changeup has nice arm side fade, with fastball arm speed at 70-71 mph. Mixes in a knuckleball for good measure that dances up to the plate at 60 mph.

Braylon Hurd, OF/RHP, Cypress Ranch HS, 2019
Hurd has an athletic frame at 6-foot-1, 175-pounds. The right-hander works from a high-¾ slot with a long arm swing. Short stride down the mound, in-line delivery. His fastball ranged from 72-73 mph. Spins his curveball for a strike with 12/6 shape at 60-63. Maintains arm speed on his changeup at 64-67 mph.

Harry Main, RHP/OF, Sealy HS, 2020
5-foot-8, 120-pound, still developing frame. The right-hander works from a high-¾ slot with a clean arm stroke. Balanced delivery down the mound with an athletic lower half. His fastball ranged from 69-71 mph. Curveball has 12/6 shape and depth at 60-61 mph, while his changeup came in with arm side fade at 64-66 mph.

Preston Marcus, 2B/RHP, Kempner HS, 2020
5-foot-9, 165-pounds. The right-hander works from a high-¾ slot with a long arm stroke and directional delivery. His fastball ranged from 71-74 mph. His curveball has loose spin with still developing shape at 61-64 mph. Shows feel for a changeup that flashes depth at 62 mph.

Max Matheson, RHP/OF, Cypress Woods, 2021
Matheson has a projectable frame at 6-foot-1, 168-pounds. The right-hander works from a high-¾ slot with a long arm stroke. Simple delivery with a strong lower half. His fastball ranged from 64-70 mph. His curveball was 54-58 mph with developing 12/6 shape.

Chase Richter, OF/LHP, Cypress Woods HS, 2020
6-foot, 180-pound, athletic frame. The left-hander works from a high-¾ slot with a short, quickish arm stroke. Smooth rhythm with an in-line delivery, lands square with a short stride and regular effort. Fastball has arm side depth at 75-78 mph. Curveball had more 12/6 shape with downward bite at 65-67 mph. Gets inside of his changeup with arm side fade at 71 mph.

Hunter Roland, RHP/1B, Magnolia West HS, 2021
Roland has a strong, projectable pitcher’s frame at 6-foot-4, 213-pounds. The right-hander works from a high slot with a short arm stroke from the ear. Showed solid fastball command at 74-77. His curveball has still developing 11/5 shape at 65-68 mph. Throws his changeup with arm side depth at 62-63 mph.

Luke Thompson, LHP/OF, Cypress Christian HS, 2020
Thompson has a high-waisted, long-limbed, projectable frame for a sophomore at 6-foot, 165-pounds. The left-hander works from ¾ slot with a long arm stroke. Delivery has good energy, some deception and regular effort. Fastball has some movement at 78-80 mph. Spins his curveball from 64-66 mph. His changeup flashes arm side depth at 71-72 mph.

Ethan Sipes, LHP, Bridgeland HS, 2020
6-foot, 150-pound, lean frame. The left-hander works from a high slot with a medium arm swing and quick hand out front. Slow tempo delivery, lands square, athletic lower half finish. His fastball sat 78-80 mph. Curveball varies in shape between 1/7 and 12/6 at 60-63 mph with downward action. Maintains arm speed on changeup at 68 mph.

 

Texas News