Nathan
Lavender

4.11.18 - Illinois commit, currently ranked No. 5 in the Illinois’ 2018 class. 6-foot-2, 195-pound, left-handed pitcher with a thick lower half. Started on the mound for El-Paso Gridley. In six innings of work, gave up one hit, one unearned run, struck out 13 and walked five. Side-step delivery, works across his body, inconsistent timing. Clean, unobstructed arm action; works loose and extremely quick out front from a high-3/4 slot. Fastball jumps out of his hand, lacked command, worked mostly straight with occasional cutting action; sat anywhere from 86-90 mph throughout, majority being 88-89, touched 92 one time. Curveball, slows arm action at times, 1/7 shape, depth and occasional bite, 71-73 mph. Did not see a changeup in game. Talented left-handed pitcher with a high-upside.

2.4.18 (Super 60) - Illinois recruit. 6-foot-2, 195-pound left-handed pitcher, sturdy frame with strong lower half. Elevated his national stock with a strong bullpen session. Flashed the best fastball velocity from a left-handed pitcher at the Super 60, touching 92 once, sitting 90-91 from the windup, 88-89 from the stretch. Possesses lightning quick arm coming out of a high-¾ slot, darting plunge on the backside, has the arm speed to get it up and out front consistently. Quiet side-step delivery gives way to effort at foot strike, works with aggressiveness, open-toe landing, recoil finish. Hides the ball well. Occasional timing issues led to inconsistency around the zone. Fastball showed occasional hard, late arm-side finish through the zone. Secondary pitches lacked consistency. Curveball sat predominately at 73 mph, slows down arm, inconsistent action, flashed 1/7 shape with some depth. Changeup ranged between 79-82 mph, tentative with it, tendency to pull it gloveside. With more polish with his offspeed pitches, Lavender has the premium arm speed and left-handedness to become a high-interest draft prospect in the coming years.

5.9.17 - Illinois commit. Currently ranked No. 10 in the Illinois’ 2018 class and No. 184 overall. 6-foot-2, 185-pound, left-handed pitcher. Strong, sturdy, athletic frame with wide shoulders and a strong lower half.  Balanced, on-line delivery from the third base side of the rubber with a fast arm and good tempo. Throws from a ¾ slot with a long arm action, stab and effort to his delivery. Tends to pull himself off to the third base side at times with his finish.  Very mature and confident presence on the mound.  Aggressive, attacks hitters and is in control out on the mound.  Fastball was 86-88 mph touching 89mph at times in the early innings and was 83-86mph from the 5th inning on.  Has more in the tank with the fastball in the future.  Is able to throw the fastball to both sides of the plate and will elevate it when ahead in the count.  Gets heavy, downward tilt to it at times and able to create a tough angle against left-handed hitters. Curveball, late break, 1/7 shape with depth and can back foot it to right-handed hitters. Used a two pitch mix throughout and threw both pitches for strikes.  Has deception to him and hides the ball well in his delivery, ball gets on the hitter quickly. Threw  a complete game shutout allowing two hits, struck out 16 and walked two.

2.19.17 - Illinois commit. 6-foot-2, 185-pound left-handed pitcher with a strong frame. Works from a high ¾ arm angle with a loose, quick arm action. Tall and fall slow paced delivery. Works in line with home plate with an open toed landing. Fastball has late action in the zone at 87-89 topping out at 90 mph thrown with conviction. Curveball has 1-7 shape with depth at 69-70 mph for strikes. Changeup is mostly straight with occasional fading action at 77-78 mph, thrown with fastball arm speed. One of the top left-handers in the state.

11.1.16 - Verbally committed to Illinois.

1.17.16 - 6-foot-1, 175-pound, left-handed hitting LHP/1B. Emerged as one of the premier arms in the 2018 class at the event. On the mound works from a high ¾ to over the top arm angle with a long arm action. Lightning quick arm. Tall and fall, online delivery with a square landing. Up-tempo delivery with some effort. Fastball flashed some running action at 85-86 mph. Curveball showed sharp action with 1-7 shape and tight rotation for strikes at 69-70 mph. Maintained armspeed on changeup at 74-78 mph. Projects for more velocity with present armspeed. Defensively has a long, loose arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. Some accuracy with carry on throws. Fluid footwork with athletic actions and soft hands. Showed good feel around the bag. Threw 78 mph across the infield. Offensively hits from a tall balanced setup with a short heel lift stride. Gap to gap hitter with a long, uphill swing path. Showed big time strength thru contact with 93 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.71. Lavender is one of the top players to follow in the 2018 class.