Jack
Darden

7.14.15 Darden has a strong, athletic frame and throws from a high three-quarters arm slot with a drop and drive delivery. He has a somewhat stiff arm action but a quick arm stroke that generates velocity with normal effort. His shoulders are uphill and he strides out on line to a square landing before coming to an athletic finish. Darden’s fastball touched 83, but was mostly 79-82 with heavy sinking action. He threw a late-breaking 11/5 curveball with decent armspeed that ran 69-71. He also threw a sinking changeup that ran 69-77.  Offensively, hits from a stacked stance with back knee bowed in and posture leaning back.  No load back since he is stacked on his backside.  Slight arm bar.  Short, controlled stride that stays on line.  Lower half is violent.  Balance maintained throughout swing.  Explosive hands, bat exit velocity of 98 MPH.  Good approach to the round.  Swing path is level with good extension.  At times can work uphill.  Gap to gap swing with pull power.  Rhythm gets stiff at times.  In the field, threw from a long, high ¾ arm slot that was slightly stiff. Throws had some accuracy.  Positional velocity of 80 MPH.  Footwork was clean, but heavy at times. Played through the ball.

2/15/15:  Hit from a tall stance with knees inside of feet, flexed.  Loaded back with a slight arm bar and a slight wrap.  Took a short stride, stayed on line, with balance.  Had an explosive lower half and explosive hands.  Good approach during the round.  Had an uphill swing with pull power potential.  Had an Elite Exit Velocity of 92 mph.  In the field, threw from a ¾ arm slot with long, somewhat stiff arm action that was accurate.  Actions were a bit stiff.  Worked through the ball and had long exchanges.  Had average hands and methodical footwork.  Could quicken up.  Had a Positional Velocity of 76 mph.