By Chris Fuller
Kentucky Scouting Director

On July 22-23, a total of 100 players from the Classes of 2016, 2017, and 2018 convened at Bryan Station High School and the University of Kentucky for the 2nd Annual Kentucky Underclass Games Event.  The following is a look at the pitchers from Team Black.  This is pitching analysis only.  Those players who also played a position at the event will have their position player analysis featured in a subsequent article.

South Warren 2016 RHP Michael Hicks showed the most velocity of the Team Black pitchers with a fastball that topped at 85 mph.

Players are listed in alphabetical order by last name.

Drew Borman, OF/RHP, Conner HS, 2016
5-foot-10, 165-pound prospect uses short arm action through a ¾ arm slot to produce a 76-78 mph fastball that shows occasional slight arm-side run and sink, struggled some early with command but got better as outing progressed, did not see any secondary pitches in his outing.

Jacob Cochrum, RHP/2B, Jeffersonville HS (IN), 2017
6-foot, 170-pound prospect uses long arm action through a high ¾ arm slot, good tempo in delivery with regular effort, arm is loose and works well, fastball showed occasional cutting action and sat 72-74 mph, showed good command of his 60-63 mph curveball with 11/5 action, also throws a 67 mph slider with sharper break and a 63 mph changeup that is straight.

Tristan Downing, RHP, Greenup County HS, 2017
Downing is a 6-foot-2, 165-pound prospect with a lanky frame with good projectability.  He uses short arm action through an over the top arm slot that produced a fastball that sat 77-79 mph touching 80 with some arm side run, throws fastball consistently at the bottom of the strike zone, gets under curveball at times but it shows sharper 11/5 action at 61-66 mph when he stays on top, established himself as a pitcher to keep an eye on in the 2017 class.

Seth Hagan, 1B/RHP, North Oldham HS, 2016
6-foot-4, 185-pound prospect uses short and stiff arm action through a high ¾ arm slot, works from the stretch only, fastball showed occasional slight arm-side run at 70-73 mph, curveball shows short 11/5 action at 61-65 mph, consistently throws strikes, allowed no hits and struck out one in two innings of work.

Samuel Hamilton, 2B/RHP, Pikeville HS, 2017
5-foot-8, 165-pound prospect uses long arm action through a high ¾ to over the top arm slot, fastball showed occasional slight arm-side run and sat 70-73 mph touching 74, throws a 62-63 mph curveball that showed gradual 11/5 action, showed the ability to throw strikes with both pitches.

Michael Hicks, RHP, South Warren HS, 2016
6-foot-5, 185-pound prospect with lanky and projectable frame, arm is quick, long arm action through a high ¾ arm slot, fastball sat 82-84 mph touching 85, showed good command of his 64-66 mph curveball with 12/6 action and some depth, also showed a 78 mph changeup thrown with good arm action.  Hicks has established himself as a high follow in the 2016 class with the potential to be a high-level prospect

Thomas Larson, 3B/RHP, Joliet Central HS (IL), 2017
6-foot, 175-pound prospect uses long arm action through a high ¾ arm slot, fastball is straight and sat 74-76 mph, showed good command of his 59-63 mph curveball with gradual 11/5 action, also throws a sharper 64-66 mph slider and a 70 mph changeup, command dropped off some in second inning of work but he worked through it, struck out two in his two innings of work.

Jaren Lovely, OF/LHP, Magoffin County HS, 2017
5-foot-10, 155-pound prospect with lanky build, uses long arm action through a high ¾ arm slot, repeats delivery well with good tempo, easy effort, fastball sat 73-75 mph touching 76, showed good command of a 60-63 mph curveball that varied between 12/6 and 1/7 action,struck out two in two innings of work, pounds the strike zone, good athleticism on the mound.

Tanner Maple, RHP/1B, Greenwood HS, 2016
5-foot-11, 175-pound prospect uses long arm action through a ¾ arm slot, regular effort in delivery, fastball sat 71-74 mph touching 75 and is straight, throws a 66-67 mph curveball that shows lateral action, did not see other secondary pitches in his outing..

William Sams, OF/LHP, Eastern HS, 2017
Sams is a 6-foot-1, 150-pound prospect with a lanky frame.  He uses short arm action through a high ¾ arm slot to produce a straight fastball that sat 61-64 mph and a 52-54 mph curveball that shows gradual 1/7 action.  Sams should see his velocity improve with better lower half direction and a concentration on keeping his front side closed longer .