Josh
Katz

Pennsylvania commit. Katz had an all-around impressive performance for Lane Tech last week throwing 8 â…“ innings, earning two wins, striking out 12, walking none, allowing one hit and no runs. He also went 6-for-9 (.667) at the plate with a double, two RBIs, two runs scored and two stolen bases. In their Regional Championship against Glenbrook South, Katz threw a complete-game shutout with nine strikeouts and one hit allowed on 77 pitches. 

Pennsylvania commit. Katz started on the mound in their 11-0 win over Ogden International and threw a complete game shutout with seven strikeouts, one walk and two hits. In their 17-5 win over Highland Park he went 4-for-5 with two doubles, five RBIs and four runs scored.

Week 3: He threw five innings against Taft and struck out 10 and allowed no earned runs, earning a mention within our Week 3 Diamond Notes.

Week 5: Katz was mentioned within our Week 5 Diamond Notes after throwing a complete game shutout with seven strikeouts and two hits allowed against Mundelein.

This Season:
Katz has thrown two shutouts this year and has boasted a 1.98 ERA in 28.1 innings pitched.

Pennsylvania commit. Katz threw on the mound in two games last week. He threw a complete game shutout (5 IN) with seven strikeouts, two hits allowed, no walks and no runs against No. 20 Mundelein. On the week he threw six innings with eight strikeouts. At the plate he went 6-for-11 (.545) with a triple, RBI, three runs scored and a stolen base.

Pennsylvania commit. In their game against Taft, Katz started on the mound and threw five innings, tallying 10 strikeouts and allowing no earned runs. At the plate he was an impressive 7-for-13 with a triple, a double, two RBIs, and seven runs scored on the week. In their game against York he led the bottom of the ninth inning off with a triple, eventually scoring the winning run on a wild pitch.

Strong 5-foot-11, 180-pound frame. Took the mound for Top Tier Americans on Friday and showed his usual loud, low-effort stuff. Fastball peaked at 90 mph, sitting at 87-89 mph with late run and sink at times. Started to pitch backwards more the second time through the order with a low-70s curveball that he comfortably landed for strikes at a 2,600+ RPM average. 

Katz, a 5-foot-11, 180-pound lean right-hander, ran his fastball up to 89 mph, sitting 87-88 mph with life through the zone, spinning at an average of 2,173 RPM. His spin really started to stand out on his breaking balls, with his slider averaging 2,546 RPM (72-75 mph) and his curveball averaging 2,633 RPM (70-73 mph). He also showed feel for a fading changeup that he was able to land for strikes, 78-80 mph.

Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-11, 175-pounds. Athletic build.
Delivery: Compact tall-and-fall delivery with smooth rhythm, shoulder stay level, lands closed with an athletic finish.
Arm Action: R. Long arm action, 3/4 slot.
FB: T87.3, 86.17-87.29 mph. Clean, four seam type, fills the strikes zone. T2493, 2391 average rpm.
CB: 73.41-77.04 mph. Minimal 12/6 break, down in the zone command. T2693, 2562 average rpm.
CH: 79.23-81.11 mph. Arm-side run with some sink. T1715, 1605 average rpm.

Hit: R. Balance, open setup, smooth pre-pitch load, short stride. Flashes bat speed, compact swing, stays inside the baseball, ability to drive the ball to all fields.
Power: 86.81 max exit velocity, averaged 82.87 mph. 267’ max distance.
Arm: R. INF - 89 mph. Short, loose arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Gets around the baseball, steady hands, fluid footwork, clean transfer.
Run: 6.97 runner in the 60.