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Last Chance Preview Showcase: Pitching Analysis From Oct. 18. Latham NY

October 20, 2014


Dan Cevette
Director, New York

The Prep Baseball Report staff has finished their pitching reports from Oct. 18th in Latham NY. Here is an in-depth look at the pitchers that attended our Last Chance Showcase.  

Dylan Jones, RHP, Averill Park HS, NY (2016)
Jones stands 5-foot-10, 165-pounds with a strong body build. On the mound he uses a very high leg lift, high hands, crouched over his belt before he drives home. Drops and drives off back leg, arm action is long and back towards 2B, throws from a mid-3/4 slot with a fastball sitting 82-84 mph arm side run. Changeup has hand speed at 70-74 with downward action late. At times his arm and wrist drop, he needs to focus on continued arm strength and keeping on top of the baseball. Interesting prospect to keep an eye on.

Matt McMullen, LHP, LaSalle Institute, NY (2015)
McMullen stands 6-foot-1, 220-pounds and built like a tank. On the mound he stays over the rubber well showing body control and balance. Drives off back leg towards home, good shoulder alignment towards target; arm action is long and back, shoulder tilt on release from a high-3/4 slot. Fastball sat 77-78 mph with down action and run arm side. Curveball shows signs of next level spin, late action, 12/6 shape at 67-70. He finishes strong over his front side using long extension. There is definitely more in the velocity tank than we saw 10/18, look for more this spring once he hones his mechanics in.

Michael Morrissey, RHP, Shenendehowa HS, NY (2015)
Morrissey stand 6-foot-2, 175-pounds with a lean build and projectable frame. On the mound he uses a high leg kick, high hand separation, drives hard off back side, front hip and leg swing open too soon losing torque, long arm action, throws from a high-3/4 slot, fastball sat 76-78 mph with arm side movement. Shows the ability to spin a baseball well, 11/5 late shape at 64-66 mph, very accurate. Changeup sat 61-63 with fastball hand speed some depth. This winter is huge for him, increasing his velocity will make him a no doubter at the next level. Best curveball at event and one of the best we have seen all summer.

James Rubino, LHP, LaSalle Institute, NY (2017)
Rubino stands 6-foot-0, 155-pounds and has a long lean projectable frame. On the mound he uses a quick tempo for his delivery, drives off back side over the rubber, long front side, long arm action with some shoulder tilt, throws from a high-3/4 slot. Fastball sits 76-78 mph, curveball sits 64 mph, early hump, needs to get his hand out in front more on release with more hand speed. Changeup has plus fastball hand speed at 68 mph. Smooth and clean there is velocity projection in his arm.

Justin Decker, RHP, CBA HS, NY (2015)
Decker stands 5-foot-11, 185-pounds with a solidly built frame. On the mound he uses a hard drop on his back side pushing towards home, hand stays on top of ball from a high-3/4 slot, fastball 78-82 mph located well at bottom half of zone. Curveball shows some sharp late action at 67 mph. Finish is sound, using long extension over front side.

Trevor Kniffin, LHP, Bethlehem HS, NY (2016)
Kniffin stands 5-foot-11, 298-pounds. On the mound he uses a belt knee lift, high hand separation; clean, smooth arm action, throws from a high-3/4 slot with a fastball sitting 73-76 mph arm side run. Changeup shows upside with fastball hand speed at 67 mph, late downward action. Curveball shows a late hump at 65-68 mph, 1/7 shape above average spin and control. He needs to get more extension out in front if his body, over his stride knee. An emphasis on increased arm speed will take his game to another level.

Stephen Acquario, LHP, Shaker HS, NY (2017)
Acquario stands 5-foot-7, 130-pounds with a slender build and room to grow. On the mound he uses high knee lift, high hands over the rubber. Drives off his back leg towards home with good shoulder alignment, long arm action, throws from a high-3/4 slot. Fastball sat consistently at 70-73 mph with natural arm side tail. Curveball sat 63-64 mph with gradual 1/7 shape, signs of spin just needs more hand speed. Changeup had gradual fade at 61 mph arm side. He finishes his pitches well over his front side. He needs to continue to work hard this off-season on increasing his hand speed on all pitches. Mechanics are sound and should allow for development and growth.

William Thomas, RHP, Bethlehem HS, NY (2016)
Thomas stands 5-foot-10, 200-pounds with a solid build. On the mound he uses a fast delivery, almost too fast and needs to slow down so his arm can catch up with his body. Long arm action, tilted wrist on release, throws from a mid-3/4 slot with a fastball sitting 73-76 mph with arm side run. Curveball shows side spin at 64 mph, some side action, early hump. Needs to get his hand more out in front on release. This off-season needs to be dedicated to slowing down his mechanics and arm strength.

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