By Sean Duncan
Executive Director

JUPITER, FL - Big-boy velocity typically draws the most attention and the biggest crowds from the pro scouts and college coaches, which in turn requires more words in columns like this.

Not here. Or at least not now.

On Day 3 of the World Wood Bat Championship, there was plenty of velocity being thrown around Saturday. But there were also several senior pitchers who stood out because of their ability to pitch, and their future potential, whether it’s in the next eight months or next three-plus years after college.

A pair of New Jersey arms bookended the day, starting with 2017 LHP Drew Wilden (West Deptford HS, NJ) during the 8 a.m. game for the Royals Scout Team. The 6-foot-1, 195-pound Maryland recruit worked with precision in his crisp three-inning stint in which he yielded no hits, no runs with three strikeouts and two walks against Team Evoshield. Wilden worked predominately off his 87-88 mph fastball that had significant arm-side run and peaked at 90. His low-80s changeup had fading action, and also showed the ability to throw his 78-80 mph slider for strikes. The arm works free and easily from a high-3/4 slot with a simple, repeatable delivery. Wilden pounded the lower-half of the strike zone while hitters pounded the ball into the ground, rolling five groundball outs with no flyouts. Wilden matched LSU-bound 2018 Landon Marceaux pitch-for-pitch through three innings, throwing 29 of his 43 pitches for strikes.

Finishing the late game was 2017 senior RHP Brad Dobzanski (Delsea HS, NJ), who impressed during the Tri-State Arsenal Prime’s 6-2 win over the Houston Banditos. The 6-foot-3, 195-pound Kentucky recruit features a fluid, easy arm stroke from a high-3/4 slot and consistently repeats his delivery, which enabled him to throw strikes at the bottom half of the strike zone. His fastball has sneaky late life, which kept hitters out of rhythm, sitting 87-89, topping at 91 mph. Dobzanski lived off his fastball, though his 80-81 mph curveball is a plus offering, as it has tight, late bite. Dobzanski struck out seven with no walks in 5.2 innings work.

Other highlights include …