Ben
McElwee

6/4/14 - Ranked No. 141 in Illinois’ 2015 class.  6-foot-3, 180-pound southpaw with skinny, projectable frame.  High level competitor works extremely fast, coming straight at hitters.  Works slightly across his body from the third base side.  Lifts lead leg to waist, while lead foot stays tucked in load, then goes out and around to stride out.  Threw 90% fastballs in this outing, operating at 81-83 early, 79-81 in the sixth.  Fastball showed good downward angle from high ¾ to over the top arm slot.  Not afraid to throw in, and fastball to glove side in on right-handers showed occasional cut.  Late life on heater with occasional arm side run away.  Flashed change up at 73-75, but not used in game. Threw two curveballs, one in the 67-68 mph range with more slider tilt, another a slow eephus type curveball that he flipped in for some called strike three’s at 59-6 0 mph with 12/6 action.  Both were only used a handful of times. Based on arm action and fastball action, could develop a slider down the road. 

4/23/14 Currently ranked No. 141 in Illinois’ 2015 class. Has the potential and upside to be significant riser in class, especially after the start of his junior season. Improved to 5-0 after throwing four-hit shutout against rival Glenwood. Has not allowed an earned run all season. Lanky 6-foot-3, 180-pound frame, plenty of room to physically develop. Features long limbs and big hands. Arm is athletic, highly competitive demeanor on mound. Longer arm action, high-3/4 slot, throws his fastball aggressively, shows arm-side life with good downward plane; works predominately in lower-half of strike zone. Pitched at 81-83 for most of the game, touching 84 on occasion. Changeup displayed sink in 73-75 range. Also throws two curveballs: one in the 63-66 range with more 12/6 action. Also drops arm slot a tick and throws slurve/slider in low-70s. Strike-thrower and is around the plate with everything. For the game, he struck out six, walked one and allowed four hits. High-follow in 2015 class.

2/16/14 6-foot-3, 180-pound left handed pitcher, lanky frame. Delivery works slightly across his body, easy effort. Arm works free and easy, long arm action, high ¾ slot. Fastball has run, late action when down in the zone, showed control, 80-81 mph touched 82 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape, 63-65 mph showed feel . Changeup flashed sink action, 72-73 mph.

7.17.13 - Athletically built 6-foot-3, 180-pound right-handed pitcher with projection. Long, loose arm action, high-3/4 slot, fastball has sinking action down in zone, 79-82 mph range. Athletic delivery, should continue to add velocity in coming years. Secondary stuff work in progress. Curveball had inconsistent action, 11/5 shape, in 61-65 range; changeup in 66-68 range.

2/18/13 - Lanky frame with projectability, 6-foot-2, 177-pound left handed two way player. High upside on the mound. Delivery shows rhythm, arm works from a high ¾ arm slot. Fastball shows sinking action, sneaky quick, 77-79 mph fastball, works downhill. Curveball at 62-64 mph has some feel. Changeup is 67-68 mph, shows control, thrown with comparable arm speed. Shows solid footwork around first base, some athleticism. Displays soft hands, exchange is quick and clean, long arm action. At the plate hits from a slightly open stance, bat wrap load, short stride. 78 mph exit velocity from the tee.