Jake
Swartz

Illinois commit, currently slotted at No. 15 in the Illinois 2022 class. Well-proportioned, 6-foot-1, 175-pound frame, athletic look. Came out of the ‘pen and impressed with a dynamic two-pitch mix. The right-hander’s arm plays clean throughout his arm circle into a ¾ release. His delivery has some effort behind it, dropping into his back-knee at balance point before firing down the mound, striding slightly across body with a closed landing foot. His fastball played mostly straight at 90-91 mph, topping out at 92 mph with his best bullet. Breaking ball was his go-to secondary offering, thrown with intent at 81 mph, playing off an 11/5 plane with sharp action and depth, also pairing off his fastballs that were thrown in the upper-quadrant of the zone. 

vs Brother Rice: Full over the head delivery. Clean arm action with full path. Average arm speed. Three-quarter release point. FB up to 91, mostly 88. Below average life at 2050-2300 rpm. Threw strikes to the middle of the plate, more control than command. Breaking ball backed up early, then found some quality ones midway through the second inning. Better ones spun with slurve shape around 2500 rpm at 81-82 mph. Went to his 81-82 CH in the 3rd inning. Solid feel, just needs to throw more often and let develop. Overall, didn't have his best stuff, but competed and kept his team in the game after giving up 4 runs in the second inning.

Swartz, a University of Illinois commit, got the ball for Chicago Elite at our PBR at The Rock 17u Championships. Swartz earned the win going 4 â��  innings allowing one run on two hits, four walks and struck out three. The right-handed pitcher works from a short, quick arm action from a high ¾ slot. Swartz throws a four seam type fastball with life sitting 87-90 mph and a true 12/6 curveball at 77-80 mph. 

Pitched five strong against a quality lineup, featuring some of the day’s most electric stuff. Swartz lived in the 88-89 mph range, reaching 90-91 at times, with premium arm speed he also applied to his breaking ball, 77-79 mph, a slider-like offering with short, late action that earned some ugly swings and misses under the zone – though he also landed a handful in the zone to catch batters looking as well. 

Positional Profile: RHP/SS
Body: 6-1, 165-pounds. Lanky, athletic build.
Delivery: Smooth, repeatable delivery, high intensity, drop and drive, strides in-line with the plate, lands square.
Arm Action: RH. Short, quick over-the-top arm action.
FB: T90, 89-90 mph. Mostly straight but has life, plays at the top of the zone. T2276, 2226 average rpm.
CB: 78-80 mph. Maintains fastball arm-speed, sharp 12/6 action, feel for the zone. T2388, 2324 average rpm.
CH: 80-83 mph. Thrown with fastball arm-speed, mostly straight but creates a tough angle on hitters. T2114, 2019 average rpm.
CUT: 82-85 mph. Thrown with conviction, 10/4 shape.

Another committed arm worth noting was Illinois commit RHP Jake Swartz (Normal University). Swartz has continued to see his frame lengthen out, now standing 6-foot-1, 165 pounds, while attacking the zone with a quick arm and fastball that sat 89-90 mph throughout his ‘pen. Swartz's best secondary on the day looked to be a sharp curveball thrown with aggression at 78-80 mph and at an average spin rate of 2,324 rpm.

Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 5-foot-11, 150-pounds. Lean athletic frame.
Delivery: Slight drop and drive type, lands in line, closed toe, works with uptempo pace, some effort.
Arm Action: RH. Long and loose out of over the top slot, live arm with above average arm speed.
FB: T85, 82-84 mph. Mostly straight, flashed arm side run and occasional late life.
CB: 71-74 mph. 11/5 shape, occasional 12/6, sharp action with feel for strikezone.
CH: 74-76 mph. Sinking action.

Right-handed pitcher who started on the mound for BNBA Gold HawkPax and showcased one of the livelier arms of the day. Swartz, a 5-foot-10, 145-pound, quick-armed right-hander sat 83-85 mph early in his outing. Swartz paired his live fastball with a hard-biting curveball, 71-72 mph.

5-foot-10, 145-pound right-handed pitcher, thin frame with athleticism and room for added strength, young look. Pitches with tempo, high knee balance, high front side pulldown, works in-line to home and foot strikes slightly closed, rhythm throughout. Arm plays long on back side, live and loose out front, super quick for classification, over the top slot, some effort. Showed three pitch potential. Fastball, mostly straight, flashed slight run, easy out of the hand, sat 81-84 mph. Curveball has wipeout potential, sharp 12/6 bite with arm speed and conviction, 69-73 mph. Changeup faded hard at times with arm speed, 75-78 mph.