FL Insider: 2017 Arms on the Rise

July 23, 2015

Justin Burgess
Florida Area Scout

Today’s Florida Insider will examine and break down a few 2017 pitchers who have been on the rise lately. These arms have really shown well in recent events and will likely be in the crosshairs of recruiters if they are not already.

Blake Baker 2017, RHP East Ridge HS

Uncommitted incoming junior. 6-foot-3 185 pounds with a lean, athletic, and projectable body. Somewhat compact high ¾ arm slot with a loose, quick arm. Could use his lower half more and get better extension. His arm goes straight back and he lands in line. Occasionally he will fly open or throw across his body. 83-85 mph FB. 71 mph slurve that breaks well across the plate and has some depth with a late break. A few DI schools have shown up to recent games to watch him throw.

Luke Drummond 2017, RHP Tampa Jesuit

Uncommitted incoming junior. 6-foot-3 185 pounds with a tall, lean, projectable, and loose body. Somewhat short and compact high ¾ arm action. Mechanics are somewhat raw but he stays in line for the most part. Good lower half drive and momentum. He could get better extension. More velocity should come with strength and maturity. 83-87 mph FB. 69-71 sharp CB with good depth that breaks two planes. Drummond appears to be somewhat under the radar right now but has begun to attract a couple of schools in some recent outings. Repetitions and exposure should make him a familiar face for recruiters in the near future.

Michael Cullen 2017, RHP/IF/OF Crawford Mosley HS

Uncommitted incoming junior. 6-foot-1 175 pounds with a lean, athletic, and strong frame. At the plate he is quiet, relaxed, and gets a separation for his load. Nice swing plane and good bat speed. Some effort on the mound but everything stays in line. High ¾ arm slot. Could stay over the rubber a little longer and get better extension. 83-86 mph FB. 68-70 mph CB that has a ¾ break. Cullen is a legit two-way player but seems to be drawing the most attention when he is on the rubber. At least a few big DI schools are already very familiar with him.

Harrison Francis 2017, Chiles HS

6-foot-1 180 pounds with a lean, athletic, and projectable body. Simple and repeatable delivery. Good lower half and could maybe get a little more extension. Everything stays in line. Fairly loose arm with a high ¾ slot. Some effort in his delivery but it is still loose. 84-87 mph FB. 74-75 mph CHG that he throws for strikes with the same arm speed and has late dive. Francis is appears to be drawing attention from DI schools all over Florida and out of state. We should not be surprised if Francis commits in the near future.

Beau Nichols 2017, RHP Newsome HS

Uncommitted incoming junior. 5-foot-11 170 pounds with a lean and athletic frame. Simple, repeatable, and easy delivery. Loose, over the top arm action. Everything stays in line. Arm speed and motion stay the same for off speed. 82-85 mph FB. 71-73 mph 12/6 CB that has decent depth. Good 74 mph CHG. Throws all three pitches for strikes. Nichols has excellent feel for his pitches and is beginning to draw attention from schools because of a few recent solid outings.

FL Insider: 2017 Arms on the Rise

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