Preseason All-State Games: Pitching Analysis

Colten Keith 3B / RHP / Verrado, AZ / 2020

The 6-foot-2, 180-pounder has an athletic frame with wiry strength throughout, and looks like he will pack on much more muscle in the future. He began the day by running an impressive, 6.71 60-yard dash to show off his speed, and later threw 89 mph across the infield and produced an exit velocity of 94 mph. However, it was his work in the game that stood out to me. At the plate, Keith features a large leg kick with his hands held high and work down and back throughout a load before working quickly uphill to the ball with advanced strength for his age. Especially at his young age, it can be difficult to time up a leg kick that big, but Keith is athletic enough to make it work. Even when falling behind in the count, he was able to get his foot down on time against some quality pitching. Because of this, I think he will be able to make the necessary adjustments, in the future, as he continues to face higher level arms. His strong arm will give him a chance to stick on the infield, likely at a corner spot where he will be sure-handed. With his speed, Keith may also have a chance to shift to an outfield spot. Either way, his bat should play, and there is likely even more power coming soon. Making himself an even more valuable recruit, Keith sat 86-88 with a fastball that rode through the zone. He exhibits a quicker, strong arm, and shows the ability to throw strikes. Though still very early in the season, Keith also featured a slurve-type breaking ball at 72-73 that had tight rotation and took more 10/4 shape. The pitch has a chance to be a swing and miss offering in the future as he continues to refine it. Additionally, he showcases a knuckleball (68-69) and changeup (79-81). Overall, the prospect of getting two players (pitcher/position) in one should make Keith a highly coveted recruit moving forward.  

Augie Walters RHP / OF / Brophy College Prep, AZ / 2021

Walters, just a freshman, is very much still maturing into his long-limbed, 6-foot-3, 165-pound frame, but exhibits the athleticism necessary to continue making advancements moving forward. The right-handed pitcher ran a 7.09 60-yard dash at the PBR Arizona Preseason All-State event, and touched 83 mph high atop the bump. He is still raw with regards to his mechanics, but the quick hand speed that he possesses out front should allow him to make major jumps in velocity in the future as he gets stronger and fills out. Releasing out of a high ¾ slot, Walters is still learning how to utilize his lower-half, but currently has the athleticism to make up for it in throwing strikes with his fastball with some arm side life. His breaking ball is more of a developing pitch at 67-68, and he shows better feel for a changeup at 74-79. He has a long, loose arm swing is continuously moving which should allow him to repeat easier. Overall, Walters is far from polished, but with his raw athletic and quick hand speed, he could make a big jump in the near future as he matures and gets stronger.

Daniel Davila SS / RHP / Flowing Wells, AZ / 2020

Davila’s clean actions on the infield with smooth, confident hands should allow him to continue a consistent progression as his frame continues to mature. Standing 5-foot-10, 160-pounds with more to come, Davila showcased fluid actions at shortstop combined with a loose arm with the ability to throw from all angles. At the plate, the right-hander’s hands work fluently down and back with a knee-knock leg hang that allows him to build some momentum going forward. He has a flat path through the zone with a loose finish, and was relaxed at the plate throughout. Davila will be greatly aided by more strength in the future which should provide even more bat speed. On the mound, he worked 83-85 with a medium-sized arm swing, and quick hand speed out front. Delivering out of a ¾ slot, Davila pounds the zone with his fastball, and demonstrates advanced feel for an 11/5 curveball at 67-69 along with a changeup at 74-75. Because of his overall athleticism, Davila has a chance to make a big jump as he continues to grow, and coaches will want to be locked in to see how he progresses in the spring/summer.

Cal Lambert LHP / 1B / Sandra Day O'Connor, AZ / 2019

Lambert’s 6-foot-2, 185-pound frame, loose arm, and clean delivery should make him one of the more sought after, uncommitted recruits in the 2019 class. Easily repeating an athletic delivery, Lambert drives strong off his back side while working down the mound before getting extension out front. His quick arm allowed his fastball to sit 84-86 for most of his outing and featured some arm side life. At times, he appeared to cut his fastball, but it worked for him as he was able to get in on right-handed hitters effectively. Releasing out of a high ¾ slot, Lambert was able to spin a tight 1/7 curveball at 72-74. Because it was so early in the preseason, the velocity may tick up a few counts higher in the spring. When spun at its best, the pitch appeared to have a high spin rate, and was sharp with two-tier break. Although he did not entirely command it on the day, the makings of an above average and possibly swing and miss pitch in the future were clearly present. The smooth southpaw immediately stands out with his polished mechanics, and I would expect multiple schools across the country to be following him closely throughout the spring as he could develop into a starter at the next level. 

Jacob Henderson RHP / OF / Mesquite, AZ / 2019

Henderson’s ability to pound the zone with a sinking fastball from a tough, lower 3/4 slot, especially so early in the preseason, should make him a highly coveted recruit throughout the spring. He was up to 85 mph on the day, and that number should tick up more later on the spring, and showed the ability to work the ball to the bottom of the zone on both sides of the plate. Combine that with a sweeping slider at 72-73 that could become a swing and miss weapon soon, and Henderson will have a chance to get key outs at the next level. I was a fan of the athleticism that he showed throughout his delivery, and even more so of how quick he was to the plate with runners on. I also think that he will be able to drop down even lower in the future if needed. At 6-foot-1, 180-pounds with a short, whippy arm from that slot, Henderson may end up being a key piece to some school’s recruiting class in the future.

Eli Ankeney LHP / OF / Desert Vista, AZ / 2019

Ankeney showcased impressive arm strength at the Preseason All-State where he hopped on the mound and sat 85-88 with his fastball out of a high ¾ slot. The 6-foot, 195-pound left-hander has a durable frame with strength present in the lower-half. He works linear down the mound with a medium-sized arm swing before quick hand speed through the ball with a stiffer deceleration while finishing square to the plate. His fastball featured some arm side life to it. His slider worked 73.-74, and was more of an average offering, but I was intrigued more so by his changeup, which he showed feel for at 75-77 and produced some late-fading action. Ankeney looks like he may still have more velocity in the tank moving forward, so recruiters will want to pay close attention to him throughout the spring/summer to see how he competes in games. With many 2019 players already committed across the country, Ankeney looks to be the type of arm that could help bolster a recruiting class.

Tyler Magin RHP / OF / Desert Vista, AZ / 2019

While he did not show the 88-89 velocity that he was up to in the fall, Magin will certainly get there (and probably surpass) later in spring. Standing 6-foot-1, 170-pounds with wider shoulders, and long, wiry limbs, Magin features a solid three-pitch mix that he shows confidence in each. Working long down the mound, Magin’s whippier arm syncs up well and his fastball, which was more 82-85 in this very early season outing, jumps out of the hand some. What stood out to me was his advanced ability to change speeds and locate his changeup. He threw it very slow at times (65-69), but it stood out as a weapon when he turned it over at 74 mph. The pitch comes out of his hand like a fastball his high ¾ slot, and shows some late diving action in the zone. Because he is able to mix the speeds of the changeup, he should be able to produce weak contact as well as swings and misses in the future. Though his breaking ball (65-67) was not as strong as the changeup on this occasion, it was adequate, and his control for it in the strike zone will allow him to mix it in, and could develop more in the future

Tyler Davis RHP / OF / Sunrise Mountain, AZ / 2020

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Arizona commit. Looks bigger than listed 6-foot, 175-pound frame with some broadness in his shoulders. With a slower tempo delivery and late hand break, arm strength is Davis’ calling card as he worked 84-88 with his fastball, touching the higher numbers early in his outing before settling in on the lower end of that range. Davis’ fastball jumps out of his hands and shows impressive riding life. Despite somewhat erratic command on this day, it’s easy to see why hes an early high-D1 commit with the potential to be a late inning reliever at the next level. Davis flashed a big 12-6 curveball at 70-71 mph the showed tight rotation on occasion. The 68-71 mph changeup comes out of his hand naturally from his very high overhand arm slot. Continuing to improve his control and refining his secondary offerings will be the key to maintaining his elite prospect status. 

Andrew Calloway LHP / 1B / Sabino, AZ / 2020

6-foot-4, 190-pound frame. Long limbs. Body has matured some since the fall with much more to come. Shows rare ability for a young pitcher of his size to pound the strike zone. Clean ¾ arm action. Repeats delivery well. Lack of strength in lower half doesn’t allow him to get out over his front side and causes some recoiling action. Worked 80-82, T83 with his fastball that showed some arm side run. Arm speed has increased since we last saw him in the fall. 66-67 mph curveball and 73-74 mph changeup are developing with neither a true out pitch yet. Did show ability to keep hitters off balance by throwing them around the zone. Pitched off his fastball. Has a chance to become high-end prospect with continued physical development and refinement of secondary offerings. 

Adam Parra RHP / 1B / Perry, AZ / 2019

6-foot-2, 210-pound frame with thick lower half. Can be a college contributor on either side of the ball, but highest ceiling is on the mound where he worked 82-84 mph, touching 85. Uses a short arm action, getting on top of the baseball quickly and driving it downhill to home plate with some heaviness. Showed ability to sink his changeup at 70-72 mph and also mixed in a 68-69 mph curveball with varying shape. Legitimate feel for three pitches. Shows strength in swing with slight uphill path. Tends to get started late and allow the ball to get deep in the zone. Posted 86 mph exit velocity and showed legitimate power that will play at the college level. Worked out at 3B where he looks comfortable and his arm plays (81 mph infield velo), also showing some softness in his hands, but feet likely project best to 1B. Posted 7.68 60-yard dash. 

Kyle Ponzo RHP / 1B / Hamilton, AZ / 2020

6-foot-5, 195-pound frame with long limbs. Velo was down from previous PBR event as he was in the middle of basketball season and visibly not in throwing shape. Showed same clean arm action and projects to throw hard. Creates downhill plane with shoulder tilt. Glove side was lower than previous look. Worked 81=84 with his fastball on this day. Pitches exclusively from the stretch. Best secondary offering was short 71-75 mph slider with 10-4 shape and tight rotation. Has feel for 74-75 mph changeup, which he tended to bury. Softer mid-60’s curveball is more of a show me pitch. Excited to see more from this young arm this spring/summer.

Ben Meyerson LHP / 1B / Scottsdale Christian Academy, AZ / 2020

Thin 6-foot-1, 160-pound frame. Some broadness in shoulders with room too add strength/bulk. Looks comfortably on the mound and shows feel for three-pitch mix. Arm slot appears to have dropped some since last look, causing him to lead with the elbow and work underneath the baseball at times. This also made his fastball flatter. Worked 77-79, T80 with his fastball that still showed some arm side run but lacked the sink we have seen previously. Changeup continues to be best pitch at 69-72 mph with fading action. Showed ability to throw sweeping 65-69 mph curveball in zone with proper rotation. Strong follow as he matures physically and works to get on top of the baseball again.

Ethan Brown LHP / 1B / Seton Catholic Preparatory, AZ / 2019

6-foot-1, 175-pound frame. Filled up the zone with sinking 81-84, T85 mph fastball that turned in to a bunch of ground ball outs. Lots of moving parts in delivery, tilting his shoulders and closing off his upper half to hide the baseball. Some head violence through release. Not a comfortable at-bat for hitters. Proven ability to get outs. Both secondary offerings were inconsistent on this day. 71-74 mph slider was his preferred pitch after the fastball and showed loose rotation. 70-74 mph changeup was seldom used. Development of secondary offerings will dictate what level prospect he becomes. Has made recent velo jump and has consistently shown ability to get outs with his sinker.

Cayden Collins RHP / SS / Mountain Ridge , AZ / 2021

6-foot-1, 165-pound frame with lots of physical projection remaining. Profiles best on the mound where he worked 77-79, T80 with his fastball. Manages to get plane on his FB from a low ¾ arm slot while working slightly across his body. Very low effort delivery with short stride. 65-69 mph curveball shows downward break and will improve as he tightens the rotation and creates later break. Arm action/slot may fit a slider or slurve with more lateral break better. Also mixed in 69-72 mph changeup. 

Kaden Schiefelbein 3B / RHP / Liberty, AZ / 2021

Thin, immature 5-foot-11, 130-pound frame. Has the type of body that might develop into an ideal pitcher's frame down the road. He shows a workable arm action, getting on top of the ball quickly on the back side and the ability to fill up the strike zone. Ran his fastball up to 79 at 130 pounds and projects for lots more velo in the future. Shows advanced feel for 73-74 mph sinking changeup with good hand speed. Shows some feel to hit with a wide solid base and line drive swing plane ; 77 mph exit velocity. 3B profile on defense. Posted 7.25 60-yard dash, showing solid athleticism which adds to his projectability.