Owen
Birkman

2.18.19

A physical 6-foot-0, 200 pounds. Ran a 7.86 60 yard dash. Offensively- Stands in the box with a tall stance with a slight bend in the knees. Simple load with a short stride to the pitcher before attacking the hitting zone. Flat barrel through the point of contact. Displayed some pull side pop. A lot more in the tank at the plate. Exit velocity was 83 MPH. Defensively- presents a good low target. Explodes out of the catching position with a quick transfer and release to 2B. Displayed a strong arm with at 81 MPH. Pop time range was 1.99-2.04. Pitching- Displays an easy live arm. Uses a high leg kick to get into a strong balanced position and keeps front side closed. Slight turns back to the plate. FB peaked at 86 MPH with a CB 67-68 MPH and feel for a CH 76-79 MPH. The 2020 is a must follow with a strong arm behind the plate and on the mound.

CNY ASG (September 30, 2018)

Wiry frame with some projection left at 5-foot-11, 175-pounds. Offensively – Tall, balanced stance with some knee bend. Continued to show consistent, level swing that we’ve seen in the past. Produces mostly line-drive contact but should develop more power with added strength. Stays balanced through swing and allows hands to work quickly thru the zone. Defensively – Projectable catch and throw skills behind the plate. Body stays quiet while receiving. Lower half helps produce consistent carry on throws. Quick exchange with smooth arm action. Pitching – Balanced delivery with fluid throwing motion. Repeats actions well and shows consistent body control. Pitched with a quick tempo and attacked hitters with 3 pitch mix. Kept all offerings around the zone. Maintains elbow bend in arm swing and throws with compact arm action. ¾ release point. Finishes delivery with quality extension and firm landing leg.

WNY ASG (September 23, 2018)

Lean frame at 5-foot-11, 175-pounds. Ran a 7.81 60 yard dash. Offensively - Narrow, upright stance with feet slightly open to pitcher. Controlled forward stride to get into wider, more athletic base. Barrel gets into the zone early. Hands stay inside of the baseball. Consistently produced line-drive contact during BP. 2-handed finish with full hip rotation. Exit velocity was 81 MPH. Defensively - Low, athletic set-up when receiving. Feet align with target quickly on throws to 2B. Exchanges ball high. Quick, compact arm action. 3/4 release point. Gets backside thru all throws. Arm strength was 78 MPH. Pop times were 2.12-2.27. Pitching - Mechanically sound, repeatable delivery with steady tempo. Breaks hands down center of body. Weight stays back while getting into forward stride. Tight glove side at landing. Clean arm action. Low 3/4 release point. Gets full rotation around front hip on his finish. FB sat 77-80 MPH and topped at 81 MPH. Also showed a 11/5 CB at 65-67 MPH. Attacked hitters with reliable 2-pitch mix.

Niagara (July 3, 2018)

Offensively- Slightly open stance in the box, bat rests on his back shoulder, hands stay low and direct to the ball, compact with mostly level barrel plane. Signs of power in the swing and more to come as he matures. Defensively- wide base behind the plate, soft hands, quick footwork and clean transfer. 2.18 pop-time and a 74 MPH arm. Pitching - Works quick, up-tempo, fast arm swing, 3/4 slot with a fastball peaking 80 MPH with arm side run. CH fades to the arm-side.

Canisius (July 5, 2017)

Birkman stands in at 5-foot-9, 155-pounds with a lean frame. Ran a 5.08 home to first. Offensively- Righty sets up square to the pitcher with his feet just outside his shoulders. Shows a slight knee bend with an upright torso holding the bat above his back shoulder using little pre-pitch bat movement. On pitch, his trigger is a toe tap to stride forward while his hands move back into his hitting position. Hands are long through the zone with a level barrel path throughout into a high two-handed finish. A more direct path to the ball will help with bat speed and more rotation on the lower half to create more engagement of the lower body in the swing. Recorded an exit velocity of 79 MPH. Defensively- Frames pitches well. Good footwork and quick mechanics on throws to second. Could throw more downhill to intended target. Showed good mechanics blocking and can get up back to his feet quickly. Recorded a positional catcher arm velocity of 70 MPH and showed a pop time range of 2.19-2.38. Pitching- Righty sets up square on the rubber with a simple side step into a high leg kick above hip crease. Breaks down well into a good separation getting into a good throwing position when foot strike occurs. Shows a low ¾ release point. Could be more aggressive with the follow through to finish better and get in better fielding position. Fastball showed good arm side run and sat 75-77 and peaked at 77 MPH. Change up showed good arm side sink and was 64-67 MPH. Good prospect to keep an eye on in the 2020 graduation class.