Florida ProCase: Pitcher Analysis

May 26, 2016

By Sean Duncan
Executive Director

The inaugural Florida ProCase at IMG Academy in Bradenton featured an impressive assortment of high-end pitchers from across the state on May 21. In fact, six of the nine pitchers were 88-plus on the mound, headlined by RHP Bryce Hutchinson’s event-best 92 mph fastball. Facing some of the top offensive players in the state, the pitchers on a whole showed extremely well.

A look at the pitchers, listed alphabetically:

Oakley Albinson, RHP, Indian Rocks Christian HS, 2017
Uncommitted. 6-foot-6, 220-pound frame, projectable build with plenty of room for continued physical development. Working from over-the-top slot, fastball topped at 86 mph, sitting 84-85, mostly straight. Curveball is effective pitch, throws it firmly in 78-79 range, tight spin, showed occasional 12/6 bite; threw curveball consistently for strikes.

Graham Hoffman, SS/RHP, Calvary Christian HS, 2017
South Florida recruit, currently ranked No. 32 in Florida’s 2017 class, No. 97 overall. 6-foot-3, 210-pound frame, athletic build with proportional strength. Showed legitimate two-way abilities, though he is primary position player. Has all the requisite tools to stick on the left side of the infield, likely at third base at the next level. Wherever he plays, his bat plays. Hits from a slightly crouched, spread setup; mechanically quiet, short stride, rhythm in load, consistently repeats swing. Flat path, loose, athletic hands, above-average bat speed, stays strong through the ball, aggressive lower half; ball jumps with backspin carry. Registered 95 mph exit velocity with wood. Defensively, shows soft, reliable hands, fields the ball with rhythm, above-average range. Athletic arm from high-¾ slot, ability to throw accurately from multiple angles, solid carry across the infield at 84 mph. Runs well for size, 6.85 laser-timed 60. ... Athleticism carries over on the mound. Quick, loose arm, high-3/4 slot, short on the backside. Drop-and-drive delivery, stays on-line, minimal effort, consistent strike-thrower. Fastball sat 88-89 mph, mostly straight with occasional run. Also flashed 72-75 mph curveball.

Bryce Hutchinson, RHP/1B, Spruce Creek HS, 2017
Kentucky recruit. Currently ranked No. 19 in Florida’s 2017 class, No. 49 overall. Hulking 6-foot-6, 245-pound frame, wide shoulders, powerful lower half, extremely strong for age. Legitimate two-way prospect, reminiscent of a right-handed version of A.J. Reed, a former University of Kentucky standout who earned National Player of the Year honors and was drafted in the second round by the Astros. Like Reed, Hutchinson possesses big power both on the mound and at the plate. On the mound, Hutchinson features a heavy fastball, which sat 89-91 and topped at 92. Two-seamer flashed arm-side sink down in the zone. Showed both a curveball and a slider. Curveball ranged between 75-77, registering a pair of strikeouts with the pitch. Slider had erratic shape, but ranged between 80-84; shows promise of being a swing-and-miss offering with improved feel. Also flashed an 84-85 mph changeup with arm-side sink. Offensively, hits from a balanced, relaxed setup, controlled leg-lift trigger; extremely strong through the ball, natural lift in swing, overall big pull-side power. Registered an event-best 101 mph exit velocity with wood. In game, delivered a pair of hits, including pulling his hands in on an 89 fastball for a single down the third-base line. Also inside-outed a single on another 89-mph fastball. Defensively at first base has excellent hands and nimble footwork around the bag.

Levi Kelly, RHP, IMG Academy HS, 2018
Louisiana State recruit, currently ranked No. 5 in Florida’s 2018 class, No. 8 overall. Physically mature 6-foot-3, 207-pound frame, muscular build, defined lower half, advanced for age. One of the top power arms in the 2018 class. Works from high-3/4 slot, compact delivery, lands slightly open. Was up to 93 in the spring, though his fastball sat at 88 mph at ProCase. Fastball action mostly straight; two-seamer flashed occasional run and sink when synched up. Inconsistent action on curveball, tendency to cast out, early break in the 73-75 range.

Drew Martin, RHP, Tampa Jesuit HS, 2017
Uncommitted, currently ranked No. 53 in Florida’s 2017 class, No. 189 overall. 6-foot-7, 228-pound frame, athletic build with plenty of room for continued physical development. Works from high-3/4 slot, extremely short on the backside, low elbow slot, inconsistent release point, tendency to get underneath the baseball. Fastball ranged between 80-83 mph, a stark difference from 87-89 that we saw in the spring. Curveball ranged between 69-74 mph.

Shane Roberts, RHP, Dwyer HS, 2017
South Carolina recruit, currently ranked No. 22 in Florida’s 2017 class, No. 59 overall. 6-foot-1, 175-pound frame, wiry-athletic build. Loose, quick, athletic arm, high-3/4 slot, works free and easily. Balanced, athletic delivery, stays in-line, maintains rhythm and tempo throughout; repeats well, consistent strike-thrower. Knows how to manipulate the baseball. Fastball sat 89-90 from windup and stretch. Two-seamer flashed late arm-side sink. Throws curveball with confidence, in 71-72 range, advanced feel for pitch; sharp, late break at times. Also occasionally flashed low-80s changeup. Excellent overall pitchability and mound presence.

Cooper Swanson, SS/RHP, Canterbury HS, 2017
Vanderbilt recruit, currently ranked No. 30 in Florida’s 2017 class, No. 95 overall. 6-foot-1, 200-pound frame, athletic build, proportional strength. Primary position player but shows upside on the mound as well. Offensively, was one of the top hitters at the ProCase, showing an overall advanced plate approach. Hits from a balanced setup, advanced rhythm and timing in stride/load, aggressive yet maintains balance throughout. Relaxed, athletic hands, generates bat speed and barrel whip through the zone, strength in swing, flat path with extension after contact. Registered 93 mph exit velocity with wood. In game, smoked a line-drive single up the middle on an 88-mph fastball. Athletically, ran a 6.74 laser-timed 60. Defensively, shows soft, reliable hands, fields the ball in rhythm; athletic arm with plenty of carry across the infield at 86 mph. Also was clocked at 87 mph from the outfield. … Athleticism and arm strength translate on the mound. Works from a full wind-up, quick, highly athletic arm from a high-3/4 slot. Fastball sat 88-89, mostly straight, inconsistent release point. Also flashed 75-mph slurve.

Freddy Tarnok, RHP/SS, Riverview HS, 2017
South Florida recruit, currently ranked No. 49 in Florida’s 2017 class, No. 170 overall. 6-foot-3, 185-pound frame, wiry build with sneaky strength, long limbs, plenty of room for continued physical development. Raw athlete, high-ceiling two-way prospect. On the mound, delivered arguably the most dominant pitching performance at the ProCase. Works exclusively out of the stretch, over-the-top slot, long on the backside, deceptively fast arm. Generated lots of swings and misses with 90-91 mph fastball that had natural late hard cut on four-seamer, and occasional sharp sink on two-seamer. Both fastballs were similar velocities. Also flashed occasional 75-76 mph curveball with sharp 12/6 bite. In game, he struck out the first three batters he faced. Positionally, moves well for size, evidenced by his 6.99 laser-timed 60. At shortstop, shows reliable hands, fields the ball deep, solid carry across the infield at 85 mph. Offensively raw, took inconsistent rounds of BP but showed pull-side pop. Fast hands, rotational approach, arm-bar load, length in swing.

Alex Wiederhold, RHP, Faith Christian Academy HS, 2017
South Florida recruit, currently ranked No. 61 in Florida’s 2017 class, No. 204 overall. 6-foot-2, 180-pound right-handed pitcher. Works from high-3/4 slot, clean uninterrupted arm, minimal effort. Fastball sat 85-86 mph - has been up to 90 in the past - mostly straight with occasional run. Curveball ranged between 70-72 mph.