2019 Top Prospect Games: Pitching Analysis
August 30, 2018
The Invite-Only 2019 Top Prospect Games took place on Wednesday, June 27th at the Kansas City Royals Complex in Surprise. The event featured many of the state's top rising seniors and gave players an opportunity to perform in front of a strong group of colleges coaches and pro scouts as we gave out all 25 roster packets that were printed. Today, we continue the event coverage with our Pitching Analysis. Nick Wallerstedt grabs the top spot after absolutely stealing he show at the event, running his fastball up to 94 mph while continuing to ooze the elite athleticism we've always seen from him. German Fajardo is #2 after showing the best stuff we've seen from him by a significant margin, touching 90 mph with his fastball and a wipeout slider at 78-80 mph. The final two spots on the list were very tightly contested, with projectable lefty Tanner Isaacs and tall, clean-armed righty Dallan Curthoys narrowly edging a group of mid-80's arms that included Brandon Childers, Holden Breeze, Jacob Alexander, Ethan Brown, Justin Flebbe, Ismael Garcia Jr., Caleb Thomason and Jonathan Weiss who are all in the same range as pitching prospects. It is also important to note that this list is compiled based only on their performance at this event, not necessarily their overall body of work and prospect evaluation. Also noteworthy is the fact that five of the top ten players on this list have committed since the event (one was already committed) and four of those commitments were made to schools that attended this event.
Complete video, data, pictures and scouting reports have been posted to players' individual profiles. As always contact [email protected] or direct message @PBRArizona on Twitter with any questions and/or information. The next opportunity for players from the 2019 class to be evaluated by PBR in front of college coaches will be at our Fall Unsigned Senior Showcase on 10/10 at Sunnyslope HS.
TOP PITCHING PROSPECTS:
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NICK WALLERSTEDT RHP / OF / MOUNTAIN POINTE, AZ / 20196-foot-2, 185-pound frame. Wallerstedt has always intrigues with his frame, athleticism and arm strength, but he took his game to a completely different level on the mound. He sat in the low 90's during his inning of work, touching 93 and 94 when he reached back for a little extra. The combination of athleticism, lightning arm speed and protection in the body make him a premium prospect that will vault way up in the state and national rankings when updated. He also featured a 76-78 mph true slider with tilt and depth that looks like a future plus pitch and showed feel for an 80-82 mph change in warmups. While there is still some rawness to his game, having just recently started to focus more on baseball, the sky is the limit and we could be looking at a future high-end draft pick who I could easily see as a 95-97 mph guy at some point. Wallerstedt also remains a true two-way prospect, turning in a 6.73 60-yard dash, 91 mph outfield velo and 94 mph exit velo despite some crudeness in the swing. He could also develop into a high-end defender in center or right field as he's continually shown impressive bat reads and the ability to cover significant ground out there.
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GERMAN FAJARDO RHP / 2B / NOGALES, AZ / 2019Rankings StateRank: 13 / POS: 6
6-foot, 165-pound frame. Arizona commit. Fajardo may have set a record for quickest commitment after a PBR event, giving his verbal to Arizona less than an hour after leaving the mound. Fajardo is generously listed at 6-foot, 165-pounds, but pounded the zone with 89-90 mph fastballs from a 3/4 arm slot with some effort and real intent. The real standout pitch was a true slider at 78-80 mph with late two-plane break. Also showed a change up at 83 mph with fading action. Fajardo has always been intriguing as an undersized RHP who sat in the mid-80's, but the recent uptick in velocity makes him a no brainer and a likely early contributor out of the bullpen for the Wildcats.
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TYLER MAGIN RHP / DESERT VISTA, AZ / 2019Rankings StateRank: 25 / POS: 8
6-foot, 160-pound frame. Projection remaining with plenty of room to add strength and mass. Magin has an explosive lower half, big time back leg drive coupled with a very efficient lead leg block. Very compact arm action, arm is in elbow flexion during the pick up phase, Corey Kluber-esque. High ¾ release. Fastball ranged from 85-88 mph with arm side life. Curveball featured tight spin and sharp downer break at 67-69 mph. Change up featured considerable diving action at 69-70 mph. With increased consistency in game action could become a high-level prospect as potential low-90’s arm with two swing/miss secondary offerings.
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ADAM PARRA RHP / 1B / PERRY, AZ / 2019Rankings StateRank: 26 / POS: 9
6-foot-2, 210 pound frame. Body has cleaned up some. Parra has been on the PBR radar since last fall and is one the better available arms in the state. Clean delivery, gets arm up quickly, high ¾ release, dynamic lower half, present arm speed, repeats well. Gets into impressive positions especially given the size. Fastball ranged from 86-88 mph with heaviness. Curveball was thrown at 68-72 mph in varying movement, could develop more depth. Also used a 74-77 mph change up that featured fading action. Feel for all of his pitches. Very interesting follow.
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JACOB HENDERSON RHP / OF / MESQUITE, AZ / 2019Rankings StateRank: 18 / POS: 7
Iowa commit. 6-foot-1, 180-pound frame. Henderson possesses many qualities that immediately stand out: the athleticism, low ¾ release, substantial sink on the fastball, and his lightning quick, whippy arm speed, are a few of them. His fastball ranged from 83-85 mph on this day and we have seen him up to 87 mph in the past. Should induce a very high rate of ground balls for the foreseeable future. His sweeping slider was thrown at 72-74 mph and continues to show promise of developing into a swing-and-miss type pitch. The continued development of his arsenal should give right-handed hitters nightmares at the next level.
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WILL ARMBRUESTER RHP / 1B / EASTSIDE CATHOLIC, WA / 20196-foot-5, 225-pounds. Imposing, physical presence. Armbruester goes to high school in Washington, but played his summer ball in Arizona. He sat 85-86 on this day and with a slight uptick in arm speed could become and even higher level prospect on the bump. Impressive athleticism and movement patterns, especially considering the size. Dynamic lower half, separates well, clean arm action, high ¾ release. Really uses his body to get down the mound and create extension. Change up was thrown at 74 mph with solid sinking action. Curveball flashed proper spin and shape at 71-74 mph, could develop more depth. Very interesting follow, especially if he is able to generate increased arm speed.
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MATTHEW BOHNERT LHP / OF / CACTUS SHADOWS, AZ / 2019Rankings StateRank: 43 / POS: 7
5-foot-9, 150 pound frame. Bohnert isn't the most physical pitcher in the class, but he comfortably sat 84-87, touching 88 and showed the ability to fill up the strike zone with three pitches. Bohnert has previously looked more like a D2 or juco guy, but the huge velo jump may change that in a hurry. Does a great job creating and transferring energy up his body to ball release. Breaking ball was thrown at 70-71 mph mph with fastball arm speed and is used more as a get me over type pitch. Showed feel for his change up at 74-77 mph and featured it heavily in live game action, flashing real sink. Bohnert also worked out as a position player where he displayed a solid swing from the left side. Narrow, open stance, leg kick trigger, slight uphill swing path; 81 mph exit velocity. Defensively best profiles as a corner outfielder. Posted a 7.58 60-yard dash and an 84 mph outfield velocity. Bohnert’s future on the mound as an undersized, left handed, mid-to-upper 80’s strike thrower should be his ticket to the next level.
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DANNY MARSHALL LHP / OF / QUEEN CREEK, AZ / 2019Rankings StateRank: 50 / POS: 8
5-foot-10, 155-pound frame. Athletic with significant room to add strength and mass. Marshall showed the ability to get outs all spring at Queen Creek, working mostly in the high-70's and low-80's with a breaking ball in the zone. Marshall is a very solid athlete (6.95 60-yard dash) and really defends 1B and RF; 84 mph infield velocity, 88 mph outfield velocity. Offensively he shows some ability as well with a very simple swing that he repeats well and some whippy bat speed; 87 mph exit velocity. However, Marshall is starting to look more like a college pitcher as he touched 85 mph on this day and could be a nightmare for LHH out of the bullpen in college. Long arm action, present arm speed, low ¾ release. Rides momentum down the mound before aggressively firing back leg into internal rotation. Fastball ranged from 83-85 mph featuring life to his arm side. Breaking was thrown at 72-74 mph with varying shape depending on the arm angle. With the lower ¾ release the pitch featured two-plane break. At other times the arm slot would climb and feature more ⅙shape. Natural arm slot is probably more conducive for a true slider.
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TANNER ISAACS LHP / DESERT RIDGE, AZ / 2019Rankings StateRank: 59 / POS: 11
6-foot-2, 155-pound frame. Very thin, projectable body. Controlled tempo, tall and fall style of mechanics. Could engage lower half more. Ran his fastball up to 84 mph from a ¾ arm slot. Curveball was thrown with fastball arm speed at 70-73 mph with ⅙shape. Change up was firm at 75 mph and flashed sinking action. Isaacs' arm works well and will be an intriguing follow as his body continues to mature and add strength/mass. Very interesting developmental prospect.
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DALLAN CURTHOYS SS / RHP / WILLOW CANYON, AZ / 2019Rankings StateRank: 87 / POS: 15
6-foot-3, 165 pounds. Very lean, projectable build. Curthoys showed some intriguing tools in our first live look. Worked out as a two-way player. Appears to have a higher ceiling on the mound as he's not a great runner at present (7.51 60-yard dash), but also took a solid BP (87 mph exit velocity) and moved comfortably on the infield (83 mph infield velocity). On the mound Curthoys showed arm speed, clean mechanics, and repeatable delivery. His fastball ranged from 82-85 mph with some life to his arm side. Curveball flashed sharp downer break at 64-68 mph. Also showed a change up at 70 mph. The combination of the projectable frame and delivery, as well as the present arm speed, gives Curthoys an intriguing ceiling on the mound.
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