By Steve Nielsen
Scouting Director - Wisconsin

While snow still covers most of the state on March 25^th, everyone is itching to get out and play some baseball. Well there’s one place in Wisconsin that got to see some resemblance of live action this weekend. The Hitters’ Spring League opened up this weekend and although there was no way games were going to be played outdoors, Hitters Baseball Academy opened its doors to over 120 high school baseball players to get live work done in the below freezing temperatures.

With two simulated games going on at the same time pitchers got a lot of work in as hitters saw live pitching and got plenty of at bats.

As expected this early in the spring, coupled with the indoor hitting conditions, the offense was overmatched most of the day. For the majority of the position players this was probably their first live at bats in nearly five months. Multiply that by the fact that hitting indoors is never the most conducive visual conditions and you have the perfect recipe for a pitching dominated weekend.

Nathan Veloz (LHP, Oak Creek HS, 2015) looked sharp as his fastball had hard life and heavy feel sitting at 80-81 mph. His arm action was clean and effortless as the baseball seems to jump out of his hand with heavy action through the hitting zone. His command of the baseball was also sharp, his curveball showed excellent action, keeping hitters off balance.

Jesse Sustachek (RHP, Oak Creek HS, 2014) looked in midseason form as he showed excellent control of his fastball and curveball. His fastball has above average arm side run displaying hard action that gets underneath right handed hitters hands. At 80-82 mph he dominated hitters for most of his stint. Sustachek compliments his fastball with an 11/5 breaking ball at 66 mph that saw hitters swinging right over the top of it.

Hayden Krimmer (RHP, Oak Creek HS, 2013), a Winona State recruit, showed excellent arm strength for this time of the year, sitting at 86-88 mph while touching 90 mph once. Although lacking control, Krimmer’s lively fastball and quick arm action overmatched most hitters.

Another senior who looked good was St. Cloud State recruit, Ty Gentz (LHP, Franklin HS, 2013). The southpaw showed a clean arm action with above average control flashing command of the zone. Operating from a high ¾ arm action his delivery was effortless at 80-81 mph. He showed advanced feel and pitchability that kept hitters off balance.

Another sophomore who keeps showing improvements every time out is Bryant Jordan (RHP, Home School, 2015). This weekend the right hander was up to 88 mph. His quick arm and athleticism on the mound continues to show improvements. At this point there’s no telling where Jordan’s ceiling could end up.

One of the lone bright spots offensively was junior catcher Taylor Grimm (C, Cedarburg HS, 2014). Grimm made hard contact nearly every time up showing advanced bat speed and barrel awareness. Grimm swings with a purpose and showed a knack for finding the barrel.

As the official scouting partner to the Hitters Spring League we will continue to give you updates and scouting reports throughout the spring. Hopefully we will be bringing you outdoor analysis in the near future.

More Wisconsin News

• WI Stock Report: 2015 OF/RHP JJ Johnson3.22.13
  Athletic two way player with advanced arm strength from the outfield... >>
• WI Stock Report: 2014 RHP Ryan Wesely3.21.13
  Holmen HS RHP looks to lead the Vikings again in 2013... >>
• WI Class of 2016 Rankings Released3.20.13
  Projectable prospects litter the top ten... >>