Prep Baseball Report

Underclass Games: Pitching Analysis


Toby Bicknell
Texas Scouting Director

PLANO, TX - Players from the 2020 and 2021 classes met at Prestonwood Christian Academy on Saturday, October 21 in Prep Baseball Report Texas’ Fall Underclass Games. The event was loaded with talented sophomores and freshman from around the state. Here is the pitching analysis from that event.


top performers

+ Hunter Marshall, RHP/3B, Keller HS, 2020
Marshall, who committed to Oklahoma recently, has an athletic, lean-muscular frame at 5-foot-11, 180-pounds. The sophomore opened eyes when he jumped on the mound and pumped 87-89 mph with heavy arm side life on his fastball. He works predominantly from the stretch with a high-¾ slot and quick arm stroke from back to front. Showed excellent command of both his fastball and slider, mowing through hitters in one inning of work. Fastball dropped to 85-86 only a couple of times, but sat mostly 87-88 for the duration of his outing. His slider is a swing and miss pitch with tight rotation, late break and 11/5 shape at 74-77. Marshall can throw the pitch for a strike early in the count, as well as put hitters away by expanding the zone. With the movement Marshall has on both his fastball and slider, he will be a fun arm to follow for years to come. 

+ Luke Savage, RHP, Prestonwood Christian Academy, 2020
Savage has a projectable, athletic frame at 6-foot, 175-pounds. The right-hander works from a high-¾ slot with a loose arm swing and a smooth, repeatable delivery with more velocity likely to come in the future. Savage throws a sinking fastball that sat mostly 86-87, topping out once at 88, and dropping only a couple times down to 85. His slider is sharp with tight spin at 75-77 mph, and short 11/5 downer shape. Also shows good feel for his changeup that he threw occasionally at 75 mph with fastball arm speed. With his loose arm swing and ability to pound the strike zone with good movement and feel for three pitches, look for Savage to have a big sophomore year at Prestonwood.

+ Storm Hierholzer, 3B/RHP, Lake Travis HS, 2020
Hierholzer has a high ceiling and a ton of upside with his projectable, long-limbed, sturdy frame at 6-foot-1, 175-pounds. The right-hander works from an over the top slot with a long, clean arm swing and good hip turn down the mound with an athletic finish. Fastball jumped out of his hand at 86-88 mph with good angle, dropping a couple of times to 85 mph. Has good feel for three pitches, with a plus changeup that he throws with fastball arm speed and depth at 75-78 mph. Also shows the ability to spin a 12/6 curveball with good rotation and depth at 70-74 mph. 

+ Caden Dolan, RHP/SS, Reedy HS, 2020
Dolan is an athletic two-way player at 6-foot, 155-pounds. The right-hander works from a high-¾ slot with a loose, easy arm stroke and a directional, drop-and-drive delivery. Shows good pitchability with command of his fastball that sat 83-85 mph with some arm side run. Mixes in a slider that he throws with good hand speed that varies in shape between 10/4 and 11/5 at 74-75 mph. Works quickly between pitches and recorded several punchouts during his outing. With Dolan’s athleticism, loose arm, and feel for two pitches, college recruiters will want to see him sooner than later. 

+ Mason Brandenberger, LHP, Clifton HS, 2020
Brandenberger has been impressive all fall with his ability to make quick work of hitters with command of his fastball/curveball mix. His performance at the Underclass Games was just as stellar, except this time he showed off a 75-77 mph changeup that he throws with fastball arm speed and arm side depth. Standing 5-foot-10, 155-pounds, the left-hander works from a ¾ slot with a clean arm stroke. He shows plus pitchability with all three pitches coming from the same window with identical arm speed.  He has pinpoint control of his fastball at 81-83 mph, and spins his curveball with 2/8 shape and depth at 70-71 mph. Brandenberger works quick between pitches and has an “ice in his veins” demeanor as he can throw any pitch in any count. Look for his stock to continue to rise this spring during the high school season.

+ Kevin Garcia, OF/RHP, Richland HS, 2020
Garcia is an all-around athletic player with a strong, quick twitch frame at 5-foot-10, 175-pounds. The two-way player has real presence on the field, and was one of the best overall players at the event. The right-hander works from high slot with a high leg lift and a tall-and-fall delivery with an athletic finish. He gets inside of his fastball turning it over at release with arm side fade, ranging from 80-83 mph. Recorded four punchouts, all off a sharp breaking 12/6 curveball with good depth at 68-70 mph. Flashed one changeup at 73 mph, with good arm speed and arm side fade. 

+ Jaxon Weber, LHP, Hebron HS, 2021
Weber has a high-waisted, still developing frame at 5-foot-9, 150-pounds. The left-hander works from a high-¾ slot with a loose arm stroke and good tempo and athleticism as he gets down the mound. His arm works well from back to front with his fastball sitting 80-81 mph, topping out at 82 mph. The movement on his fastball varies from cut-like action to his glove side, to arm side run. He also has a solid changeup that he throws with fastball arm speed at 72-73 mph, and mixes in a curveball at 70 mph with developing 1/7 shape and depth. Showed good poise and presence during his outing.

+ Levi Wells, 3B/RHP, LaPorte HS, 2020
Wells has a confident demeanor and is a projectable two-way player with a strong, athletic frame at 6-foot, 185-pound frame. The right-hander works from a high-¾ slot with a short, quick arm stroke and athletic delivery with good hip turn as he gets down the mound with a drop-and-drive, up-tempo delivery. His fastball sat 84-86 mph, dropping only a couple of times to 83 mph. His curveball comes in at 67-70 mph with 11/5 shape and depth. He throws his changeup with fastball arm speed and arm side fade at 76 mph. 

+ David Jeon, RHP/C, Coppell HS, 2021  
Jeon has a ton of upside with his strong, sturdy frame and broad shoulders at 5-foot-11, 200-pounds. The right-hander works from an effortless high-¾ slot with a long, clean, smooth arm stroke and drop-and-drive delivery with an athletic finish. His fastball has late giddy-up and comes out clean at 82-84 mph. He throws a sharp 12/6 curveball with good downward bite at 71-73 mph. Also mixes in a 71-74 mph dancing knuckleball that drops off the table with dancing life.

+ Cade Merka, SS/RHP, Argyle HS, 2020  
Merka is an athletic two-way player with a quick twitch, lean-muscular, high-waisted frame at 6-foot, 160-pounds. The right-hander has a quick arm from a high-¾ slot, drop-and-drive delivery, short stride. Shows good command of his fastball at 80-83 mph, topping out at 84. Throws his changeup with fastball arm speed and arm side fade at 72 mph, also mixes is an 11/5 curveball with depth at 64-66 mph. 

+ Harrison Hess, 1B/RHP, Midlothian Heritage HS, 2020
Hess has a projectable, high-waisted, long-limbed frame at 6-foot-3, 190-pounds. The right-hander works from a high-¾ slot with a long arm swing and tall-and-fall delivery. His fastball ranged from 80-83 mph, topping out once at 85 mph. His curveball has 11/5 shape at 70 mph, and he throws a split-finger fastball with depth at 75 mph. 

+ Kyler Heyne, RHP/2B, Reedy HS, 2020  
Heyne has an athletic, high-waisted, long-limbed, projectable frame at 6-foot-1, 175-pounds. The right-hander works from high slot with a quick, loose arm stroke, drop-and-drive delivery and an athletic finish. His fastball ranges from 80-82 mph with late, arm side life. He shows feel for a slider with lateral 10/4 shape at 72-75 mph. His curveball has 11/5 shape with downward bite at 67-68 mph. Throws his changeup with fastball arm speed and arm side fade at 70 mph. 

+ Jack Quinn, RHP/SS, Midlothian HS, 2020    
Quinn has a lean-muscular, quick-twitch frame at 5-foot-11, 155-pounds. The right-hander works from a high-¾ slot with a long, quick arm stroke and good hip turn down the mound with an athletic lower half. His fastball flashes arm side run at 80-82 mph, topping out at 84 mph. He also throws a curveball with 11/5 shape and gradual downward bite at 65-67 mph. 

+ Tyler Talbert, SS/RHP, Flower Mound HS, 2020
Talbert stands 6-foot, 160-pounds with a lean-strong frame. The right-hander works from a ¾ slot with a quick, clean arm stroke and drop-and-drive delivery and an athletic finish with good hip turn down the mound. He misses barrels with his fastball that comes out clean at 80-81 mph, flashing arm side run. His curveball shows signs of becoming a solid pitch with 11/5 shape at 66-67 mph. Also flashes a 74 mph with arm side run and fade.


Best of the rest (Alphabetical)


+ Chandler Benson, LHP, Liberty HS, 2021   
Benson has a high waisted frame and projectable 5-foot-10, 150-pound frame. The left-hander works from a ¾ slot with a long, loose arm stroke, drop-and-drive delivery with an athletic lower half and good hip turn down the mound. Arm works well from back to front with his fastball sitting 70-73 mph. His curveball has good 1/7 shape at 64 mph, while his changeup shows arm side fade at 67 mph.

+ Trace Blue, 1B/RHP, Midland Christian HS, 2020    
Blue has projectable, long-limbed, sturdy frame at 6-foot-1, 200-pounds. The right-hander works from a high-¾ slot with a long arm swing and an athletic lower half, drop-and-drive delivery. He pounded the zone with his fastball at 80-82 mph, flashing cut-like action to his glove side. He throws a sharp 11/5 curveball at 68-69 mph. 

+ Kadence Gauge Elliott, RHP/OF, Commerce HS, 2021   
5-foot-8, 137-pound, still developing frame. The right-hander works from an over the top slot with a repeatable, tall-and-fall delivery. His fastball sat 73-75 mph, flashing some life. His curveball ranged from 61-65 mph with 11/5 shape and gradual downward action. 

+ Ryan Feddersen, 1B/LHP, Wakeland HS, 2020   
Feddersen has a strong, 6-foot, 170-pound frame with broad shoulders. The left-hander works from a high-¾ slot with a short arm stroke, and tall-and-fall delivery. Coils up at balance then works down the mound with a long stride. Fastball ranged from 71-73 mph, topping out at 74 mph. His curveball flashes depth at 60 mph with 2/8 shape. 

+ Connor Gill, 3B/RHP, Byron Nelson HS, 2020   FB 68-70, CB 61, CH 63-66
6-foot, 150-pound frame. The right-hander works from a high-¾ arm slot with a medium arm stroke and tall-and-fall delivery. His fastball ranged from 68-70 mph with some arm side life. He spun his curveball at 61 mph, while his changeup came in at 63-66 mph with fastball arm speed.

+ Madison Lay, RHP/OF, Prosper HS, 2020    FB 72-76, 62-63
6-foot-1, 225-pound frame. The right-hander works from a high-¾ slot with a straight drawback reach out of the glove and a tall-and-fall delivery. His fastball ranged from 72-76 mph, while his curveball had 11/5 shape at 62-63 mph.

+ Dylan Pettit, RHP/3B, Round Rock HS, 2020   
Pettit has a strong frame at 5-foot-9, 150-pounds. The right-hander works from a high-¾ slot with a long arm stroke from a drop-and-drive delivery. Arm works well from back to front with his fastball ranging between 76-79 mph. Mixes in a 66-67 mph curveball with 11/5 shape. Also throws his changeup with fastball arm speed at 69 mph, flashing arm side fade.

+ Sam Pierce, RHP/SS, Grapevine HS, 2021
5-foot-10, 190-pound frame. The right-hander works from a high-¾ slot with a clean, short arm stroke and drop-and-drive delivery. His fastball ranged from 75-77 mph, while his curveball showed 11/5 shape and depth at 67-68 mph.

+ Hunter Reid, 3B/RHP, Plano Senior HS, 2020     
Reid has a projectable pitcher’s frame at 6-foot-2, 218-pounds. The right-hander works from a ¾ slot with a long arm stroke. His fastball has arm side run at 78-80 mph. He spins his curveball with 10/4 shape and good depth at 65-67 mph. Also throws a 70 mph changeup with arm side fade.

+ Easton Robbins, 2B/RHP, Prosper HS, 2020  
6-foot-2, 170-pound frame. The right-hander works from a high-¾ slot with a medium arm stroke and drop-and-drive delivery. His fastball ranged from 78-80 mph, topping out at 81 mph. He also throws a 69-70 mph curveball with 11/5 shape. Flashed a changeup at 70 mph with arm side fade and depth.

+ Jordan Tindell, RHP, Midway HS, 2020    
6-foot, 175-pound, strong, sturdy frame. The right-hander works from a high-¾ slot with a tall-and-fall delivery and good hip turn down the mound as he lands open at foot strike. His fastball ranged from 77-79 mph, topping out at 80 mph. His curveball has 11/5 shape and depth at 66-67 mph.

+ Trent Warstler, OF/RHP, Wakeland HS, 2020
5-foot-11, 175-pound, athletic-muscular frame. The right-hander works from a high-¾ arm slot with a clean arm stroke and an athletic, drop-and-drive delivery. His fastball ranged from 77-80 mph with slight arm side run, while his slider showed good 10/4 shape and late bite at 65 mph.

 

 

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