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Top 15 Stories Of 2015: No. 11 Preseason All-State Pitching Analysis

December 20, 2015

Dan Cevette
Director, New York

Over the next few weeks, in addition to highlighting the Top 15 Player Profiles of 2015, we will also highlight the Top 15 Stories in New York during the 2015 calendar year.

Today, we’ll take a look at No. 11: Every year, at the end of February, we will put on the state's largest preseason event - The Preseason All-State Invite Only showcase, scheduled for Feb. 28 this year. This event was designed to give the who's who in New York a springboard as they enter the HS season. It comes as no surprise that last years article on the pitchers received thousands of views. Let's take a look at the No. 11 most viewed article of 2015.  

Preseason All-State Complete Pitchers Analysis 


The inaugural Preseason All-State event saw its fair share of obstacles to contend with over the past week and a half. Nine-days prior a sudden force-to-change venue crisis, and winter-storm 'Neptune' tried to spoil our baseball fun the night before, pounding New York with 6-7 inches of snow and blizzard like conditions. Did that stop us? No, in fact only seven of 87 players decided to not show, making this New York's top indoor underclass showcase by far. As far as pitching goes, the overall talent was mind-blowing. Mind you, it's Feb. 15th - it's minus 5 degrees out - and the live bullpens started at 9:00 am. 18 pitchers showed arm strength over 80 mph, including a freshman from Olean, NY that was sitting 85 mph. Here's a complete look at the scouting reports for all the pitchers that competed Sunday morning.

Danny Madden LHP, Corning HS, NY (2016)
Madden stands an impressive 6-foot-2, 180-pounds with a pitchers build. The southpaw uses sound mechanics that work with his body, shoulders rotate, knee cross over the rubber. Throws from a high-3/4 slot with a fastball sitting 85-86 mph, free and easy with late life. Madden needs to prove he can fill up the strike zone this spring, but right now his stock just soared through the roof. His off-speed is above average showing hand speed on his changeup, good late bit on a slurve. Keep your eye on Madden.

Danny Hobbs, RHP, Saratoga Springs HS, NY (2016)
Hobbs stands 6-foot-3, 190-pounds with great size on the mound. He shows a relaxed approach, hands start high. He uses a fast in rhythm delivery, high leg lift, separates a little late but shows very quick hand speed that catches up. He stays tall on his back side as he powers towards home, arm action is clean, free and easy. Shoulders work downhill some, long stride that lands even. He throws from an over-the-top slot, fastball sitting 85-86 mph, late life, more velocity to come. Curveball shows signs of next-level sitting 75 with 11/5 shape. Changeup has hand speed sitting 75 mph. Very good RHP prospect.

Cody Kaestle, RHP, Baldwinsville HS, NY (2016)
Kaestle stands 5-foot-11, 175-pounds with a lean athletic frame to build on. Kaestle uses a relaxed setup with a sidestep. Smooth tempo, stays over rubber, hips stay closed, shoulders on target. Arm action is quick and clean, back towards SS. Throws from a low-3/4 slot with a fastball sitting 84-85 mph (reports up to 87) with late-life and sink. Curveball shows next-level 10/4 shape at 70 mph. He spins off his front side after a long finish, highly projectable.

William Frank, RHP, St. Joseph's Collegiate Inst., NY (2016)
Frank stands 5-foot-11 185-pounds with stocky, strong lower half. He starts with his hands high before delivery starts. Shows a middle level knee lift, separates a touch late. Hand speed is above average evidenced by his 85 mph sinking fastball. Arm action is short, back towards SS, throws from a deceptive mid-3/4 slot. Curveball sat 75 with plus sweeping action, changeup was 76 with good hand-speed, late action. Very good next-level prospect on the mound.

Dylan Vincent, OF, Olean HS, NY (2018)
Vincent stands 5-foot-10 180-pounds and is put together very well. He shows a relaxed setup, hands start by his waist. Delivery is smooth with good rhythm, knee lift by his belt. Drops hard on back side towards home, long loose arm action, throws from a mid-3/4 slot, fastball topping 85 mph down action. Curveball sat 71 with 10/4 shape. Extremely impressed with this freshman, look for him to do some really big things.

Garrett Boldt, RHP, Olean HS, NY (2017)
Boldt stands an athletic 5-foot-10, 150-pounds. From the mound shows incredible upside. He starts with his hands high, uses a faster tempo in his delivery, stays strong on his back side, hips stay closed. Loose arm action from an over-the-top slot. Fastball topped 85 mph with late life. Curveball was 68-71 with 11/5 shape. Changeup was 73 with down action. Very fun prospect.

Chris Sullivan, RHP, Oswego HS, NY (2015)
Sullivan stands 6-foot-1, 205-pounds with a well put together frame. On the mound he has shown major improvements in a short window of time since we last saw him. His fastball in Sept. was 78-81, we just saw him spotting up 84 mph with a long arm action, with swing and miss potential. Curveball shows 11/5 shape with some above average spin, down action. Delivery is sound, still unsigned but could help a program right now.

Dylan Jones, RHP, Averill Park HS, NY (2016)
Jones stands 5-foot-10, 175-pounds with a next-level frame. From the mound he uses a quick tempo creating positive momentum, shoulder separation. Arm action is low and back, hand speed is above average. Fastball sat 83 mph with arm side angle, reports up to 86-87. Curveball is a plus pitch with late hard spin, 10/4 shape. Jones will be followed closely this spring by our scouting staff, expect big things.

Reid VanScoter, LHP, Livonia HS, NY (2017)
VanScoter stands 5-foot-11, 160-pounds with a lean, athletic frame. From the mound there's plenty to like from the young LHP. He uses a sidestep into his delivery, hands start high. His rhythm is quick, belt high knee lift, separates at his peak. Hips stay closed as he drives hard towards home, arm action is back, clean and loose. Fastball sat 79-81 mph with arm run, signs of more in the tank. He throws from an over-the-top slot, curveball sat 61-63 signs of spin. He finishes over his front side, spins off after finish. Very good young LHP to keep an eye on.

Dan Yankowski, RHP, Ichabod Crane HS, NY (2016)
Yankowski stands 5-foot-10, 170-pounds with an average build. From the mound he starts with his hands set high.  His tempo through his delivery is fast with a high knee lift. Stays tall on his back side driving towards home, arm action is down and back, shoulders stay even to target, throws from a high-3/4 slot. FB shows sink sitting 78-79 mph. Curveball has late 12/6 bite at 63, changeup has some downward action at 69. His landing is slightly closed, gets over his front side nicely, signs of more to come.

Ryan Marketell, RHP, Webster Thomas HS, NY (2016)
Marketell stands a lanky 6-foot-5, 165-pounds, with tremendous size on the mound. He uses a sidestep, hands are high when he starts. He uses a high knee lift, clean arm from a low-3/4 slot. Fastball sits 82 mph with little effort, curveball 63 with an early hump, changeup was 71 with good hand speed. Marketell has all the makings of a special talent on the mound. His velocity is close, I wouldn't be surprised to see him mid-80's this summer.

Alec Teska, RHP, Cato-Meridian HS, NY (2017)
Teska stands 5-foot-11, 160-pounds with an athletic frame. From the mound he uses a side step, hands start sightly above his belt. Shows signs of late separation as he drives towards home but arm is quick enough to catch up with his body. Uses shoulder separation to create more torque, throws form a low-3/4 slot. Fastball has arm side run, sits 80 mph with more in the tank. Curveball was 67 with some late action. Finishes out in front over his knee. I expect to see his velocity continue to climb over the next couple years.

Tanner Cooper, RHP, Canandaigua Academy, NY (2017)
Cooper stands 6-foot-1, 185-pounds with an athletic build. He shows a relaxed setup on the mound, hands start middle. Smooth delivery, knee lift to his belt. He drops on his back leg as he powers towards home, hip stays closed. Arm action is down and back but clean, throws from a mid-3/4 slot. Fastball sits 80-81 mph with late life. Curveball sat 71. Finish is more upright and needs to work on getting out over his front side. Projectable arm to keep an eye on.

Nathan Kruger, 3B, East Aurora HS, NY (2016)
Krugar stands 5-foot-9, 165-pounds with a solidly built frame. From the mound his setup is relaxed, hands start near his belt. His tempo is quick but balanced, hand separation at his leg lift peak. He drops hard on his back leg, uses a clean easy arm action, throws from a mid-3/4 arm slot with some shoulder separation. Hand is quick, finishes over his front side but recoils upright some. Fastball was consistent at 79 mph, curveball sat 70, changeup 75.

Brad Smith, RHP, Oppenheim Ephratah HS, NY (2016)
Smith stands an athletic 5-foot-10, 140-pounds. On his approach he uses a sidestep, hands start relaxed. He uses a quick tempo, high leg lift, separates at his peak. Smith drives hard off his back side towards home, hips stay closed. Arm action is back and down, long, shoulders are even. He shows a longer stride that lands closed. Throws from an over-the-top slot, fastball sits 79 with run, signs of some hand speed. Curveball sat 69 mph with 11/5 shape. He recoils on his finish, spins off after release.

Stephen Centorani, RHP, Windsor HS, NY (2016)
Centorani stands 6-foot-5, 175-pounds with an ideal pitchers frame. From the mound his setup is relaxed, hands start near his waist. He uses a fast tempo with rhythm, stays tall on his back side, hips closed, uses shoulder separation. Throws from a low-3/4 slot, fastball sitting 82 mph with sink and late life. Signs of more velocity projected. Curveball sat 67 mph with some down action. Very interesting prospect to watch.

Evan Plante, LHP, Christian Brothers Academy, NY (2015)
Plante stands 6-foot-2, 175-pounds with a stronger build. He uses a sidestep, hands start high. He uses good rhythm, faster delivery. Stays strong on his back side, shoulders stay even towards home. Arm action is longer, but free and easy. Throws from high-3/4 slot, fastball sat 80 mph with arm side run. Curveball was 70 mph with 1/7 shape late. Changeup was 72 mph with good hand speed, down action. Still unsigned Plante could help the right program next year, this spring season will be big for him.

Wyatt Conklin, LHP, Bloomfield HS, NY (2016)
Conklin stands 6-foot-2 175-pounds with an ideal pitchers body. On the mound Conklin uses a sidestep, hands are high. He uses a fast rhythm, clean delivery. Drops on his back side, arm action is long but clean, throws from an over-the-top slot. Fastball sat 76-78 free and taking it easy. Saw him up to 79 this past summer. His finish is upright, needs to get his back side through the ball more. Great body, LHP, needs to get his velocity up some and skys the limit. Fun prospect to watch grow.

Robert Gruber, LHP, Frontier HS, NY (2017)
Gruber stands 5-foot-10, 175-pounds with a solidly built frame. From the mound he uses a sidestep, into a relaxed delivery, high knee lift. Arm action is long, throws from a low-3/4 slot with some hand speed. Fastball sits 77-78 mph, curveball/slurve 64 mph with sweeping shape. Gruber is only a sophomore with a lot of time to grow, he's a WNY LHP to keep an eye on.

Scott Neu, RHP, Churchville-Chili, NY (2016)
Neu stands 6-foot-0, 160-pounds with a lean build. From the mound he uses a relaxed setup, hands start high. Smooth clean tempo, belt high knee lift. Drops hard on his back side as he powers towards home. Arm action is back and loose, shoulders stay even. Throws from a mid-3/4 slot, fastball topping 77 mph with sink. Curveball was 64 with late 11/5 shape, changeup 65 mph. He finishes his pitches out in front over his front side.

Mike Zimmerman, RHP, Canandaigua Academy HS, NY (2016)
Zimmerman stands 6-foot-0, 165-pounds with good size on the mound, athletic. His setup is relaxed, hands start by his belt. He uses a clean, smooth tempo, belt high knee lift. He drops on his back side, hips stay closed as he drives towards home. Arm action is clean and long. Shoulders stays even, lands closed. Throws from a high-3/4 slot, fastball sitting 80 mph with run and deceptive late life. Curveball 67 appears to have some knuckle to it, changeup 71 with fade. Most polished pitcher we saw with control and action on pitches. Fun player to watch.

Maddux Minton, RHP, Livonia HS, NY (2016)
Minton stands an athletic 6-foot-0, 165-pounds with a very athletic build. He uses a sidestep at start of his delivery, hands near mid section. Smooth, clean actions through his delivery, hips stay closed as he drives towards home. Arm action is down and back, but clean, works free. Throws from a high 3/4 slot, fastball sitting 82 mph with sink. Curveball sat 67, changeup 66 with hand speed. Finishes his pitches out in front over his front side.

Jason Downs, RHP, Albion HS, NY (2016)
Downs stands 5-foot-8, 145-pounds with a slender build. From the mound he starts with a relaxed setup. Smooth clean tempo, high left lift, drops on his back side towards home, shoulders have some uphill tilt. Arm action is free and loose, throws from a mid-3/4 slot, fastball sitting 82 mph with sink. Curveball has an early hump out of the hand sitting 69 mph. He lands out over his front knee, slightly closed.

Irvin Cespedes, SS, Lajara Baseball Academic (DR)
Cespedes stands 5-foot-10, 150-pounds with an athletic frame. From the mound he uses a sidestep, hands start low. Hips stay closed as he powers towards home, arm action is free and easy. Throws from high-3/4 slot, fastball 81 mph with arm run. Curveball sat 77 showing fastball hand speed. He finishes over his front side, upright recoil.

Steven Rossi, RHP, Corning HS, NY (2018)
Rossi stands 5-foot-11, 170-pounds with an athletic build. The freshman stands relaxed during his approach, hands near his middle area. He uses a fast tempo in his delivery, rushing some at times. Hands speed is above average for his age, fastball sitting 77-79 mph with arm side run. He throws from a high-3/4 slot, curveball sits 67-69 with 10/4 shape. Expect big things from Rossi as he continues to develop.

Kenneth Howe, RHP, Mount Morris HS, NY (2016)
Howe stands an impressive 6-foot-4, 185 pounds from the mound, oozes pitcher projection. He uses a relaxed setup, hands start high. Smooth clean delivery, belt high knee lift, separates a touch late. Arm action is back, long, works easy. Throws from a high-3/4 slot, fastball sat 79 mph with arm-side run and sink. Changeup was 65 mph with good hand speed. Look forward to watching him this spring.

Kobie Punchard, RHP, Thomas Edison HS, NY (2016)
Punchard stands 6-foot-6, 180-pounds with next-level size. On the mound he uses a sidestep, hands start low. He uses a high knee lift, separates slightly early before he drives towards home. He stays tall on his back side, arm action is long. Throws from a high-3/4 slot, fastball sat 77 mph with arm run. Curveball was 66 mph with 10/4 shape. With his size, some added velocity with shoot Punchard up the latter quickly.

Kyle Bailey, LHP, Saratoga HS, NY (2016)
Bailey has great size on the mound standing 6-foot-3, 160-pounds with plenty of room for size. He uses a sidestep, hands start need his mid section. He has a very smooth, clean delivery. Stays tall on his back side, powers hard towards home using a long stride, lands closed. Throws from an over-the-top slot, loose action, fastball sitting 77 mph with arm side run. Curveball was 69 mph with an early hump. Changeup 68 with some downward action. Great size on the mound, fun to see where he's at this summer.

Kurt Forsell, OF, Shenendehowa HS, NY (2017)
Forsell stands 6-foot-0 160-pounds with an athletic build. He starts relaxed with his hands high. Works with a smooth, clean tempo, high leg kick, hips stay closed as he powers towards home. Arm action is clean and quick, fastball sits 79 mph, curveball has an early hump, 11/5 shape at 68 mph. Changeup sits 73 mph.

Hayden Demers-St. Hilaire, LHP, St. Lawrence HS, NY (2016)
St. Hilaire stands 5-foot-11 165-pounds with an athletic frame to build on. He uses a sidestep, belt high knee lift. His tempo is smooth and clean, separates at his peak. Arm action is back and down, long, shoulders stay even. He uses a long stride, lands slightly open. Throws from a high-3/4 slot, fastball sat 76 mph. Curveball shows early break at 67 mph.

Chris Ewing, LHP, Niagara Falls HS, NY (2016)
Ewing stands 5-foot-8, 160-pounds with a stocky build. He uses a sidestep, hands start high. His delivery is quick, hips slightly open up as he drives towards home. Arm action is back and down, long, shoulders are even, throws from a low-3/4 slot, fastball sat 75 mph with run. Curveball/Slider had 2/8 shape sitting 67 mph. Finishes out in front, spins off after release.

Michael Diehr, MIF/RHP, Elmira HS, NY (2016)
Diehr stands 5-foot-9, 170-pounds with a smaller, but strong build. On the mound he uses a relaxed setup, hands start near belt. He shows a smooth tempo, drops hard on his back leg as he powers home. Arm action is back and down, uses a short stride, shoulders stay even. Throws from a mid-3/4 slot, fastball sat 74 mph, curveball has an early hump out of the hand, sat 63 mph. Changeup was 68 with down action.

Whats New In New York
+ Updated/Expanded 2016 Rankings
+ Long Island Preseason Preview (Feb 18)
+ Top 15 Exit Velocities In 2015
+ Initial New York 2018 Rankings Released
+ Updated 2017 Rankings Released



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