Ethan
Patera

Louisville commit, currently ranked No. 5 in the Illinois 2022 class, No. 100 in the country. Strong-bodied, 6-foot-4, 230-pound frame, wide shoulders with a thick lower-half. Started on the mound against Leyden and dominated over his four innings of work; picking up 10 strikeouts to three walks and allowing just one hit. The right-hander’s arm plays short out of the glove and moves into a ¾ release, playing quick throughout. Down the mound, Patera coils slightly into his leg-lift and leads with a strong front hip down the mound, dropping into his back knee at balance point before exploding downhill, remaining in-line with the plate and landing with a closed foot, some effort in the delivery. His fastball played with late horizontal action at times into the zone, sitting mostly 90-93 mph early on, settling in at 90-91 mph towards the end of his outing, also showing improved control over the zone since our last in-game look. His slider played with late 10/4 shape, some depth and thrown with consistent feel down and to his glove-side, playing off a similar fastball plane. He also showcased a newly added splitter during his outing, playing with late/heavy diving action to the arm-side at times and showed to have some feel for the zone, 85-87 mph. High-level 2022 arm that could see some meaningful innings early on at the next level.

Louisville commit, ranked No. 6 in the Illinois 2022 class. Strong 6-foot-4 230-pound frame with broad shoulders and a developed lower-half. One of the premier right-handed arms in the state. Clean ¾ arm action. Polished delivery; loads well into his back leg and uses his lower-half well, creating a lot of power going down the mound, drop and drive type delivery, advanced hip-shoulder separation, strides in-line with the plate. Patera started on the mound and went six innings while only allowing two hits, walking five and striking out nine. Showcase a late-jumping fastball with arm-side life that sat 92-94 mph early on, touching 95 mph once; settled in at 90-94 mph later in the game. He went to a plus slider that was in the 79-82 mph range, with late 10/4 action and thrown with conviction. Changeup was thrown sparingly and in the 83-84 mph range with arm-side action and thrown with the same arm-speed as his fastball. High-level 2022 Prospect.

Louisville commit, ranked No. 6 in the Illinois 2022 class. One of the top 2022 arms in the Midwest. Continues to ascend with his performances this spring. 6-foot-4 230-pound frame, physical build with well-proportioned strength throughout; overall, workhorse type build. Clean ¾ arm slot, athletic delivery, loads into his back-leg well when driving down the mound, aggressive lower-half, drop and drive type delivery, strides in-line with the plate, will pull off on his finish at times. Went five innings of shutout ball with 11 strikeouts. Featured an exploding fastball with arm-side life which sat mostly 92-94 mph early on, touching 96 mph once; settled in at 90-93, touching an occasional 4 later in the game. Slider was his go-to secondary offering this game, thrown in the 78-82 mph range with sharp 10/4 shape. Featured a changeup at 85-87 mph with arm-side movement and feel for the bottom of the zone. Overall, control and stuff continues to improve. High-level 2022 Prospect.

Positional Profile: RHP; One of the best fastballs in the class, continues to impress as a top arm in the state.
Body: 6-4, 220-pounds. Strong build.
Delivery: Smooth tempo, drop and drive, utilizes lower-half well, creates power coming down the mound, creates hip-shoulder separation, strides in-line with the plate.
Arm Action: RH. Short, high 3/4 arm slot.
FB: T94, 92-94 mph. Explodes out of the hand, arm-side action and feel for the zone. T2215, 2099 average rpm.
SL: 83-85 mph. Thrown with intent, sharp 10/4 action. T2048, 2026 average rpm.
CH: 87-88 mph. Thrown with conviction, downward action and feel for the bottom of the zone. T1946, 1852 average rpm.

Positional Profile: RHP/1B Continues to solidify himself as one of the top power arms in the state.
Body: 6-foot-4, 220-pounds. Long-levered, athletic, high-waisted frame.
Delivery: Slow and controlled delivery, rides back hip down the mound, tilt in shoulders, lands square.
Arm Action: RH. Long, loose, quick arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T92, 88-91 mph. Jumps out of the hand, late arm-side-action at times, late hop through the zone.
SL: 77-80 mph. Thrown with intent, tight spin, late bite, swing and miss potential.
CH: 84-87 mph. Aggressive, power action, lives down in the zone.

Verbally committed to the University of Louisville

6-foot-4, 200-pound right-handed pitcher, athletic upside frame, advanced for age, young look. Side steps into sturdy balance point, leg lifted, toe strikes even and in-line, spins off to third after release, smooth rhythm. Arm plays long with wrap, loose and aggressive out front, speeds through a high ¾ slot, some effort. Fastball, slight run, came out easy, sat 80-82 mph, topped 83 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, gradual break, flashed tight spin at times, 68-71 mph. Changeup maintained arm speed, faded, 73-77 mph.

8.5.18 (Junior Future Games) - 6-foot-4, 190-pound, lanky, long levers, high waist, highly projectable frame, two-way prospect. On the mound, long, loose arm action, ¾ slot. Tall and fall delivery, remains tall throughout, strong front-side, drives front shoulder, momentum carries down the mound toward home. Pitches with conviction, command of entire arsenal. Fastball, late life, sat 81-83, touched 84. Curveball, 11/5 shape, depth and sharp action at-times, 69. Changeup, mostly straight, some fade, 77. High follow 2022 pitching prospect. 

3.4.18 - 6-foot-2, 180-pound, right-handed hitting two-way player, high-waisted, athletic frame. On the mound, high-follow 2022 with advanced arm strength for age. Tall and fall style, coiled at balance point, works in line, lands square with athleticism in finish. Loose, whippy arm, long arm on back side, quickness out front, high ¾ slot, easy effort throughout. Threw strikes with all pitches. Fastball showed run, 82-84 mph. Slider, 11/5 shape, feel with arm speed, 67-69 mph. Curveball, 12/6 shape, similar to slider, 68-71 mph. Offensively, open setup, leg kick trigger. Level bat path, gap to gap approach, showed hard contact with plus bat speed, exit velocity topped 93 mph from a tee. Defensively, athletic actions, comfortable around the bag, soft hands, long, high ¾ slot, 74 mph across. 7.76 runner in the 60.