Charez
Butcher

4/9/2019 Spring Scout Blog: Indiana's top uncommitted 2020 arm went 4IP with 11K, 0H and 4BB in a conference showdown vs. Lafayette Jeff.  Butcher came out on fire sitting 94-95 in the first, striking out the side.  He flashed one breaking ball in the first at 79 that missed up in the zone. In the second, he lost some command early, walking the lead off hitter, but was able to gather himself striking out the next three. In the second he held velocity well sitting 91-93 with multiple 94's and a 95. In the third, Butcher walked the first two hitters, then was able to get three consecutive outs; strikeout, line out to first and another strikeout. In his final inning he struck out the first two, then walked the third hitter of the inning before getting his 11th strikeout of the game. In the fourth the fastball sat 88-90, topping out at 91. Butcher leaned heavily on his fastball throughout his outing, throwing the breaking ball less than a handful of times. The breaking ball, which was anywhere from 74-79, is continuing to develop, but beginning to show tighter spin with more depth and shape than we've seen previously. The Kokomo Junior has tons of projection with his athletic 6-foot-5, 205 pound frame and electric arm speed. The delivery still needs refined as he tends to be inconsistent with his lower half, especially at foot strike. If he can continue to refine the delivery and find more consistency, Butcher has the makings of becoming one of the top draft prospects in the 2020 class.

8/3/2017 FUTURE GAMES: Indiana right-hander Charez Butcher is the quintessential picture of projection. In the final game of the day, the extremely athletic 6-foot-3, 195-pound Butcher put his electric arm on display. Butcher came out the gates sitting 90-93. The delivery is athletic but unrefined, which led to inconsistencies around the zone. His breaking ball got better as he began to throw it harder; it started out at 73-74, but he finished by throwing it at 75-77 that flashed more slider shape. With more refinement, Butcher has the potential to become one of the top draft prospects in the country in the coming years.

6/13/2017:  6-foot-3, 195 pound right-hander sat 87-90, touching 91 and 92 in his 5 batters of work.  Electric arm speed from a smooth, easy effort down the mound.  Long legs, thin frame that should fill in as he matures.  Creates down angle on the fastball.  Delivery has slightly uphill shoulders with a glove tap in his load.  Lands squared, gets firm on front side.  Breaking ball will need continued development as he matures.  Currently sits 64-67 with 11/5 shape.  Mechanically sound, will need to gain confidence and experience to develop off-speed to pair with his dominant fastball. Ranked as the No. 1 prospect in Indiana's 2020 class. 

4/14/17 Game Notes: The freshman pitched the last two innings of Kokomo’s 14-0 victory over Frankfort. The right-hander faced eight hitters allowing no hits on 3Ks, 1BB and 1HBP.  He boasts a lean, athletic build at 6-foot-3, 195 pounds with long limbs.  After beaning the first hitter he faced pitching from the windup, hit pitched the rest of the game out of the stretch.  He shows very little effort in the delivery with a clean, loose, arm action throwing from a ¾ slot.  His lower half works well and stays in line.  The fastball possesses late life with occasional arm side run.  He sat 89-91 in his first inning, registering a 92 and a 93.  In his second inning he sat 88-90, again touching a 91 and a 92.  Butcher mixed in an 84-87 mph 2-seamer with occasional movement for a strike.  In the bullpen prior to coming in the game he threw a few breaking balls with gradual action, 11/5 shape; still a pitch he is developing.  Very high follow 2020 arm.