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Top Prospect Showcase: LHP Analysis

July 25, 2015

By Steve Nielsen
Scouting Supervisor – Illinois/Wisconsin

Left-handed pitching is always a hot commodity and this year’s top southpaw, Matt Walker (Morris) recently made his college commitment to Illinois State, shortly after the event. We had to pick a top five for this list but there is no doubt that every arm in this bunch can pitch at the next level.

Top Left-Handed Pitching Prospects

1. Matt Walker, LHP, Morris, 2016
Recently committed to Illinois State. Lanky, athletic left handed pitcher, 6-foot-3, 175-pounds. Delivery works across body, slightly rotational, fluid actions, shoulder stay closed. Arm is easy, long and loose, has quickness, high ¾ slot. Creates tough angle on his fastball, has arm side run and the ability to fill the zone, 84-85 mph. Curveball has sweeping action, slurve type breaking ball, good feel with ability to throw strikes, 69-73 mph. Changeup showed advanced action, arm side run with good feel, 76-79 mph. Highly projectable arm.

2. Justin Stollberg, LHP, Brookfield Central, 2016
6-foot-1, 180-pound left-handed pitcher, average frame. Smooth delivery with tempo, toe up into balance position, can create more separation. High ¾ arm slot, long arm action. Fastball showed run, 83-85 mph, ability to throw strikes. Curveball has 2/8 shape, slight sweep type action, 71-75 mph. Changeup thrown with fastball arm action, 80-82 mph, could get more velo separation from fastball. Easy arm, tough angle, good matchup on lefties.

3. Michael Sebby, LHP, Glenbard East, 2016
6-foot, 170-pound left-handed pitcher, lanky frame. Tall-and-fall delivery, long, loose arm action, high ¾ slot, lands on line. Fastball sat 82-84 mph. Curveball shows 1/7 shape, at 73-75 mph. Changeup shows some sink, 77-79 mph.

4. Alex Jackson, LHP, Mahomet-Seymour, 2016
6-foot-2, 180-pound left-handed pitcher, lean athletic shape, broad shouldered. Delivery works slightly across his body, heel to open toe landing. Arm action is has some length, high ¾ slot. Fastball sat 84-85 mph, tendency to work arm side. Curveball played at 68-71 mph. Slider showed better action, late 2/8 break, potential to be a wipe out pitch. 74-75 mph. Changeup sat 70-71 mph.

5. Neil Udelhofen, LHP, Loyola Academy, 2016
5-foot-10, 175-pound, small frame. On the mound showed short arm action, over-the-top delivery, landing on line. Straight fastball, sat 83-84 mph, touched 85 mph. Curveball showed 11/5 shape, thrown for strikes, 72-73 mph. Changeup showed some cut, 77-78 mph.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Josh Gonzales, LHP/1B, Appleton North, 2016
Large, big bodied left-handed pitcher, 6-foot-2, 205-pounds. Worked out as a two-way player, projects best on the mound. Tall and fall delivery with rhythm, heel strike landing, slightly open toe, front side stays closed, slight coil at balance point. Arm works from a high ¾ slot, slight stab on back side. Fastball showed sinking action, heavier feel, showed control of the zone, pitched at 80-83 mph. Curveball has 1/7 shape, gradual action, 66-68 mph. Showed feel for a sinking changeup, 71-73 mph. At first base showed general feel and awareness around the bag. Arm played well above average at first (80 mph). Hits from the left-side, balanced stance, stride is short, quick and late. Path works uphill, lift type hitter with occasional pop. 89 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.57 runner.

Jacob Greenburg, LHP/OF, Wauwatosa West, 2016
5-foot-10, 160-pound, lanky build, two-way player. Hits from the left-side, balanced setup, loads hands back, short stride. Slightly above-average bat speed, long bat path, line drive approach, 87 mph exit velocity. Defensively showed average hands, fields ball deep, long arm action, high ¾ slot, 84 mph from the OF. Ran a 6.93 60-time. On the mound showed tall-and-fall delivery, long arm action, high ¾ slot, lands closed, working slightly across his body. Fastball sat 79-81 mph, touched 84 mph. Curveball showed 1/7 shape, late action, 70-73 mph. Changeup sat 68-71 mph.

Tyler Hankins, LHP, South Elgin, 2016
Extra-long frame, 6-foot-9, 215-pound left-handed pitcher, long limbed, gangly, slender build. Delivery has some effort, works with direction. Loose arm action, ¾ slot. Fastball flashed run and sink, 82-84 mph. Sweeping curveball at 59-64 mph, tends to get around it. Changeup sinks, 68-72 mph.

Jordan Krueger, LHP, Mukwonago, 2016
6-foot-2, 215-pound left-handed pitcher, thick build, wider shoulders. Pitches with rhythm, slightly rotational, works on a slightly open line. Arm action is long and loose, easy arm, ¾ slot. Fastball runs to arm side, flashing sink when on top, showed some control of the zone, sat 81-82 mph, little effort, repeatable. Curveball shows sweeping action from ¾ slot, acts like slurve, 2/8 plane, near fastball arm speed, occasionally gets around it, ranged 65-71 mph. Changeup works to arm side, fastball similar actions, 73-76 mph.

Mitchell Merges, LHP, Geneva, 2016
6-foot-3, 195-pound right-handed pitcher, athletic shape. Delivery works across his body, against front side, closed landing. Arm action is long, firm, high ¾ slot. Fastball has run to arm side, showed control, 82-84 mph. Curveball has 1/7 tilt, gradual action, showed feel, 65-67 mph. Straight change, showed slight sink, 74-79 mph, feel for the pitch.

Cole Miller, LHP, York, 2016
6-foot-4, 195-pound left-handed pitcher. Fluid delivery, tall and fall, lands squared, works against front side some. High ¾ arm slot, loose arm. Fastball showed cutting natural cutting action, 80-82 mph, showed feel for the zone. Curveball works on 1/7 plane, fastball arm speed, 70-72 mph. Changeup offers sinking action, ranged 73-76 mph.

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