MN Future Games Trials- Pitching Evaluations

August 26, 2016

By Rob Allison
Prep Baseball Report Minnesota

Prep Baseball Report's MN Future Games Trials event took place July 6, 2016. The event was held at Vet's Field at Minnetonka HS in Minnetonka, MN. The event featured prospects from the 2018 class from Minnesota who showcased their talents in front of our scouting staff. Thank you to the players, parents, my staff; and Coach Paul Twenge and Minnetonka HS for such a great event.

There were a number of great individual performances this year at the MN Future Games Trials; as we drill down into the statistics:

+ 16 players ran sub-7.25 60's.
+ 20 players recorded 80+ mph exit velocities
+ 12 players recorded 76+ mph infield throws
+ 9 players recorded 76+ mph outfield throws
+ 12 catchers recorded 70+ mph throws to second base
+ 6 catchers recorded sub-2.1 pop times
+ 18 pitchers were 78+ mph on the mound

CLICK HERE to view Complete Statistics in PDF Format.

Below is our breakdown of the player's in attendance with our evaluations on the pitchers. Players are listed below in alphabetical order.

pitching evaluations

Andrew Andresen, SS/OF/RHP, Minnetonka, 2018
5-foot-9, 142-pound right-handed hitting player. 7.25 runner. Slight load, leans back at contact, solid bat path, gap to gap hitter with avg. pop in bat. 78 mph exit velocity. At shortstop shows good actions, feet are avg. presently, but has quickness and range. Able to throw from multiple angles, has solid exchanges, and quick release. 77 mph arm strength with accuracy across diamond. Aggressive routes with good direction and footwork in outfield. Quick release on throws with above avg. carry and accuracy to target. 85 mph arm strength from outfield. Has rhythm and tempo to delivery, drop and drive, lands slightly across body, long clean arm action from ¾ slot. Fastball was consistently down in zone for strikes at 77-79 mph. Sweeping break on 10/4 curveball at 66-68 mph. Has command of changeup with flat action at 68-71 mph.

Collin Denk, RHP/SS, Lakeville North, 2018
6-foot-2, 166-pound left-handed hitting 2-way player. 7.25 runner. Short balance point, arm is clean from short arm stroke, upright finish, lands across body. Fastball has running action at 80-83 mph. Sweeping break with 10/4 shape on breaking ball at 67-69 mph. Changeup was 72-73 mph with run and sink; works bottom of zone well. Athletic frame with solid pop in bat. Square stance, balanced stride, loses posture through contact, line drive swing plane, mid/pull approach with rhythm in swing. 83 mph exit velocity. Shows decent glove and athleticism in field. Raw mechanically and tends to sit on baseball vs. working through it. 76 mph arm strength across diamond.

Jonathan Draheim, C/RHP, Jordan, 2018
6-foot-4, 160-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. 8.37 runner. Quiet rhythm in load. Solid balance in box. Flat line drive swing plane. Mid/pull approach with solid contact. 75 mph exit velocity. Strong set-up behind plate. Shows ability to receive. Works underneath and up through baseball well. Clean exchanges on throws. Some hitch and length on release. Long stride to target; loses lower half strength. 75 mph arm strength with 2.15-2.31 pop times. Athletic actions on mound, solid tempo and body control, short arm action, works downhill. Flat action on fastball, topping out at 81 mph, with occasional run. Small break on curveball with loose spin for strikes. Solid action on changeup, thrown at 70-72 mph, kept in bottom of zone.

Will Eckland, RHP, Edina, 2018
6-foot-1, 150-pound right-handed pitcher. Lean athletic frame. Slight tuck and turn delivery, Good sequence and rhythm. Loose actions on mound. Fast hand on release with extension out front. Shows command to both sides of plate. Primarily fastball/changeup pitcher presently. Breaking ball inconsistent but should continue to improve. Fastball was 83-85 mph, with run, and above avg. command in bottom of zone. Changeup was 72-74 mph, thrown with fastball arm speed, with solid fade and late sink. Lower spin rate on breaking ball causing loose spin and inconsistent break. One of top RHP in MN 2018 class.

Alex Ewald, LHP, Minnetonka, 2018
5-foot-9, 168-pound left-handed pitcher. Throws from ¾ slot, loses body control with front foot outside knee, funky arm action, with average extension out front. Fastball was 73-75 mph with run and sink. Lands 12/6 breaking ball in zone at 58-61 mph. Inconsistent command of changeup at 64-65 mph.

Drew Grunklee, C/RHP, Eagan, 2018
5-foot-9, 185-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. 7.81 runner. Square stance with short leg kick trigger. Slight arm bar in load with choppy rhythm. Shows good approach at plate staying gap to gap and consistent solid contact with flashes of pop in bat. 72 mph exit velocity. Solid initial set-up behind plate, strong hands, fluid movements, and deadens blocks well. Feet are quick behind plate with good direction on throws. Exchanges are short and clean. Lower arm slot on release with avg. arm action.70 mph arm strength with 2.09-2.22 pop times. Controlled delivery, solid explosion down mound, good direction, solid extension and finish. Wrapping action on back-side- relatively clean out front. Fastball is flat, flashes occasional run, at 74-76 mph. Best pitch was curveball, thrown with fastball arm speed, with 11/5 shape and late break. Arm-side run on changeup, thrown at fastball arm speed, at 70-72 mph.

AJ Hinz, RHP, Annandale, 2018
6-foot-5, 200-pound right-handed pitcher. Large frame, uncontrolled delivery, above avg. arm, fast out front, lands across body. Flat action on fastball at 80-83 mph. Inconsistent shape on breaking ball at 65-69 mph; best action and command with 12/6 shape. Above avg. changeup with feel in bottom of zone at 71-72 mph. Follow in MN 2018 class. Has good arm; need development mechanically; could be riser in class with work.

Richie Holetz, RHP/1B, Edina, 2018
6-foot-2, 180-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. 8.16 runner. Slight up tempo delivery, swings front leg, lands with direction to plate, avg. extension on release, stabs down on back-side- arm is clean out front, with slight shoulder tilt. Fastball had varying action at 77-79 mph. 11/5 curveball had early break at 65-66 mph. Slider had 1-plane break with side-ways spin at 67-70 mph. Changeup was best secondary pitch with cut action at 66-69 mph. Double tap trigger, loses posture and balance in swing, makes solid contact, sprays ball across field, 73 mph exit velocity. Solid defender at first base, makes routine plays, longer arm action, accurate to bag, 71 mph arm strength across diamond.

Jack Jahnke, RHP, Waconia, 2018
6-foot-1, 160-pound right-handed pitcher. Overhead delivery, pause over rubber, front foot lands open, tends to spin off glove side. Short draw on back-side; ball comes out clean in front. Fastball had flat action topping out at 83 mph. Flashes solid slider with depth and tight spin at 71-73 mph. Solid fade and run on changeup at 69-71 mph.

Austin Jerylo, RHP/3B, Mahtomedi, 2018
5-foot-9, 205-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. 8.43 runner. Controlled delivery, collapse at balance point, lands on stiff front leg, falls off to glove side. Short clean arm action, some extension out front. Spots fastball well with cut action at 74-76 mph. Sweeping break on curveball with loose spin at 65-68 mph. Changeup, thrown with fastball arm speed, was 67-70 mph. Open stance, strides to square with front heel turn trigger, stays inside baseball well at contact, mid/pull approach, with avg. pop in bat, 83 mph exit velocity. Above avg. hands at position, lacks range, clean exchanges with accurate throws across. 73 mph arm strength.

Cole Kraemer, RHP/OF, Rosemount, 2018
6-foot-1, 180-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. 7.09 runner. Good tempo to delivery, athletic actions, hard head whack on release with effort. Fastball was heavy with late arm-side run at 80-82 mph. Breaking ball was above average with tight spin and 11/5 shape for strikes. Solid fade and sink on changeup at 74-75 mph. Simple stance, short to contact, consistent hard contact, flashes pop in bat, mid/pull approach, stiffer lower half and finish in swing. 80 mph exit velocity. Solid defender and athlete in field. Decent actions, long release on throws, elevated to target, solid accuracy. 82 mph arm strength from outfield.

Colten Kraling, LHP/OF, Fillmore Central, 2018
6-foot, 165-pound left-handed hitting 2-way player. 7.53 runner. Has rhythm and tempo to delivery, solid body control, longer clean arm action, comes out well, cuts off extension and spins off mound. Fastball showed run, worked both sides of plate well, at 73-76 mph. Landed 12/6 breaking in zone, with occasional loose spin, at 64-65 mph. Changeup has solid fade in bottom of zone at 65-67 mph. Easy load, out and around at contact, mid/pull approach, loses posture and leverage in swing. 74 mph exit velocity. Average routes and direction on throws. Decent glove. Sinking action on throws and avg. carry with 75 mph arm strength from outfield.

Ryan Kuntz, RHP, St. Paul Academy, 2018
6-foot-3, 170-pound right-handed pitcher. Lean projectable build. Controlled delivery, high leg kick, swings front leg open, solid extension out front. Turns fastball over early on release, producing 85-88 mph, with erratic command. Slider had 1-plane break, 10/4 shape, at 76-78 mph. Changeup was above avg. with late run at 75-77 mph. Has things to clean up mechanically; if he can harness command; projects very with above avg. arm.

Nick Lommen, LHP, Minnetonka, 2018
6-foot-3, 180-pound left-handed pitcher. Lean athletic arm. OT slot. Pounds fastball downhill. Solid command of zone. Moderate effort with head whack on release. Shows hand speed on release. 84-85 mph fastball, topping 88 mph, with late arm-side run. High spin rate on breaking ball, 12/6 shape, with depth for strikes. Changeup is firm, solid command, and flashes solid action when thrown appropriate speed. One of better LHP in MN 2018 class. Performance at event earned Lommen an invitation to PBR Future Games at end of summer.

Noah Matousek, 3B/RHP, Eden Prairie, 2018
5-foot-11, 195-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. 8.05 runner. Solid set-up in box, leg kick trigger, minimal weight shift through contact, pull approach, out and around at contact, avg. pop in bat, 73 mph exit velocity. Accurate arm across infield from long release, avg. feet and hands, tends to field flat and underneath, 72 mph arm strength across diamond. Medium tempo, swings into balance point, lands across body, short arm action action on back-side, solid extension out front. Cut action on fastball, spots well, at 75-76 mph. Changeup was best pitch; showing arm-side run and command of bottom of zone at 62-64 mph. Breaking ball was 58-62 mph with 11/5 shape.

Grant Mergen, LHP, Maple Lake, 2018
6-foot-2, 165-pound left-handed pitcher. Short balance point, lands hard across body, stiff arm action, upright finish on release. Fastball shows arm-side run at 77-81 mph. Tight spin on breaking ball, 65-68 mph, and is currently his best pitch. Changeup has run and sink at 70-71 mph. Raw mechanically, has attributes to work with, follow in MN 2018 class with continued development.

Mason Nadolney, SS/RHP, Minnetonka, 2018
6-foot-3, 200-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. 7.42 runner. Physical build. Has made improvements offensively since March. Back shoulder turn load, easy actions, clean path, swings with shoulder occasionally, flashes of solid extension through contact, mid/pull approach with above avg. pop in bat, 84 mph exit velocity. Solid glove and range, heavier feet, long release on throws with accuracy to bag. Profiles as third baseman in college. 83 mph arm strength across diamond. High leg kick delivery. Stiffer actions on mound. Throws from ¾ slot. Fastball was heavy with running action at 79-82 mph. Curveball showed inconsistent shape and spin at 67-68 mph. Flat action on changeup at 70-71 mph.

Tyler Peterson, RHP/3B, Minneapolis South, 2018
5-foot-11, 185-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. 7.63 runner. Controlled delivery, lands slightly across body, short arm action, cuts off release with minimal extension. Fastball was flat at 74-76 mph. Inconsistent breaking ball at 59-63 mph. Keeps changeup in bottom of zone, flat action, at 69-72 mph. No load/no stride mechanics, solid contact, uses whole field, ground ball and line drive contact, 71 mph exit velocity. Aggressive fielder, good angles, solid footwork, avg. glove, quick release on throws, accuracy to bag with 73 mph arm strength.

Anthony Pikula, C/RHP, Champlin Park, 2018
5-foot-10, 140-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. 7.5 runner. Crouched stance with easy balanced stride. Solid bat speed with ability to use whole field. Solid contact; tends to lift up/stand at contact. 70 mph exit velocity. Flexible with wide base. Good direction with feet and arm is above average with accuracy and carry. Average receiver behind plate- tends to be rigid with glove. 2.00-2.07 pop times with 76 mph arm strength. Controlled delivery on mound, good direction, lands closed, short arm action with solid extension to plate. Fastball was heavy at 77-78 mph. Curveball was 63-66 mph with 10-4 shape and tight spin. Changeup was 62-66 mph.

Kyle Robinson, RHP/3B, East Ridge, 2018
6-foot-3, 183-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. 7.84 runner. Stronger athletic build. Uncontrolled balance point, leaks early to plate, lands across body. Front shoulder tilt, pitches up and over, and hides baseball. Fastball showed flashes of above avg. cut and run at 80-82 mph. Slows arm on breaking ball; solid shape and spin; should improve with greater velocity. Elevated changeup with flat action at 69-71 mph. Open stance, strides to square, uncontrolled load, mid/pull approach, consistent hard contact, 76 mph exit velocity. Shows solid hands and feet at position. Misses target arm-side; should improve with following throws across with better direction. Good arm strength with carry. 83 mph arm strength.

David Roderick, RHP, Minnetonka, 2018
6-foot-3, 160-pound right-handed pitcher. Lean athletic body. Athletic delivery into balance point, leaks down mound early, short draw on back-side, mid ¾ slot, limited finish on release. Above avg. run on fastball, sneaky quick, at 80-83 mph. Slurvy breaking ball, thrown for strikes at 68-69 mph. Changeup is firm, with flat action, at 78-79 mph and needs continued development.

Cole Schnichels, LHP, Rosemount, 2018
5-foot-11, 160-pound left-handed pitcher. Simple turn to balance point, uncontrolled front leg, rushes to plate, solid direction to target, front foot lands open on release, solid extension and finish. Clean arm action from OT slot. Fastball was flat at 74-76 mph. 2/8 shape with early break on curveball at 63-65 mph. Stiff wrist on changeup, causing flat elevated action, at 67-69 mph.

David Solfelt, 3B/RHP, Southwest Christian, 2018
6-foot-3, 165-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. 7.81 runner. Crouched stance, stands up to swing losing leverage, clean slight uphill path, good hand-eye coordination, consistent solid contact, mid/pull approach with avg. pop in bat, 71 mph exit velocity. Clean arm action, sits back on balls, shows solid glove, long release on throws with avg. accuracy to bag. 72 mph arm strength across. Has body control to balance point, collapses down mound, short on back-side, clean out front, with upright finish not using lower half. Fastball was flat and elevated at 74-75 mph. Spots breaking ball well, 11/5 shape, thrown at 62-65 mph. Changeup had flat action at 70-71 mph.

Avery Stevens, RHP, Sleepy Eye, 2018
6-foot-3, 180-pound right-handed pitcher. Bigger projectable build. Good body control, has direction to plate, and lands closed to target with front foot. Some effort on release; drives baseball downhill well. Fastball was 82-84 mph with slight running action. Curveball was 63-66 mph with small shape and short break in zone. Tends to slow arm on changeup; flat action at 66-68 mph. Strong follow in MN 2018 class. Should continue to make improvements and gain velocity with physical maturity.

Paxton Thompson, SS/RHP, St. Michael-Albertville, 2018
6-foot-1, 155-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. 7.28 runner. Simple set-up, shifts weight well through swing, solid extension through contact, consistent hard mid/pull contact, 82 mph exit velocity. Good footwork, creates angles, soft glove, athletic actions, long release. Throws show solid carry and accuracy to bag. 78 mph arm strength. Controlled delivery, commands zone well, long extended arm action, some effort on release with heavy head whack. Late run and cut on fastball to both sides of plate at 81-83 mph. 11/5 breaking shows potential with tight spin and is thrown for strikes. Works changeup well in bottom of zone. Strong Follow in MN 2018 class.

Zach Thor, RHP/1B, New Life Academy, 2018
6-foot-6, 195-pound right-handed pitcher/ first baseman. 7.94 runner. Longer arm action on back-side, shortens to ¾ slot, swings front leg down mound, spins off on release, with upright finish. Fastball showed flat action at 76-78 mph. Sweeping break on curveball at 64-66 mph. Average changeup, flat action, at 65-67 mph. Simple swing mechanics, some uphill path and length, tends to swing with shoulders with limited extension through contact, 80 mph exit velocity. Sits back on groundballs, narrow base, glove works enough. Makes routine plays, arm is accurate, 72 mph arm strength.

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MN Future Games Trials- Pitching Evaluations

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