Southern Wisconsin Open: Pitching Analysis

November 12, 2015

By Matt Huck
Area Scout

6-foot-4, 230-pound Rich Byhre (Catholic Memorial, 2019) has yet to throw a pitch at the high school level, but already possess a fastball that has topped out at 85 mph. Many other 2017 and 2018 prospects make the list with projectable arms. Let’s take a look at the pitching prospects from the Southern Wisconsin Open.

Top Prospects

1. Rich Byhre, RHP/1B, Catholic Memorial, 2019
Extra-large frame, 6-foot-4, 230-pound two-way player, projects best on the mound. Tall and fall delivery, balanced and repeatable, stays online, uses slide step in stretch. Arm action is loose, over the top slot, quick strong arm, projects well. Fastball topped out at 85 mph, sat 81-83 mph, throws a heavy ball, good tilt. Curveball lacked shape, 66-68 mph, tendency to get on the side. Changeup is mostly straight, occasional fading action 71-73 mph. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, short stride with average balance. Stride fluctuates, late timing, well above average strength with the bat for his age. 85 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively showed adequate actions around the bag, plenty of arm strength across the diamond, 78 mph. Byhre looks to have one of the biggest arms in Wisconsin’s 2019 class, off-speed stuff is yet to be refined but possesses a plus fastball for age that looks to get even better with maturity.

2. Nick Cramer, RHP/OF, Janesville Craig, 2017
Currently ranked No .41 in the Wisconsin Class of 2017. 6-foot, 160-pound, right-handed hitting RHP/OF with a lean, athletic frame. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a short, quick arm action. Drop and drive delivery with a toe closed landing. Momentum falls to first base side on release. Regular effort with some rhythm. Fastball sat 79-80, topping out at 82 mph on his final pitch. Curveball showed 11-5 shape with late breaking action at 65-67 mph. Maintained arm speed on changeup with cutting action at 70-72 mph. Offensively hits from a balanced, slightly open setup. Short stride over to even with good balance. Line drive hitter with a long swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 83 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.48. Defensively has a short, loose arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. Accurate throws with carry. Plays thru the ball with fluid footwork and athletic actions. Threw 83 mph form the outfield.

3. Justin Reinkall, RHP/SS, Superior, 2017
Projectable athletic frame, 6-foot-2, 175-pound two-way player. Uptempo tall and fall delivery, works online, squared landing. Loose fast arm, long arm swing, high ¾ slot, projects. Fastball showed hard running action, good control, 80-82 mph, projects for more. Curveball has 12/6 shape, near fastball arm speed, showed feel, 66-70 mph. Changeup has slight fade to arm side, aggressive arm speed, 70-72 mph. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, wider setup, leg kick trigger, good balance. Loose whippy swing, fast bat, level path with occasional extension. 82 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively showed arm strength across the diamond, loose high ¾ slot, 75 mph across. Showed body control and athletic actions.

4. Nathan Hefle, RHP, Germantown, 2017
Currently ranked No. 44 in the Wisconsin Class of 2017. 6-foot, 195-pound, right-handed pitcher. Works from an over the top arm angle with a long, quick arm action. Tall and fall delivery with good direction towards the plate. Smooth rhythm with level shoulders and a square landing. Fastball flashed both running and sinking action at 81-82 mph. Curveball showed 12-6 shape with sharp action and depth. Curveball sat 69-71 mph. Changeup showed hard arm side run at 75-78 mph.

5. Alec Esenther, RHP, Oconomowoc, 2017
5-foot-8, 140-pound, right-handed pitcher. Works from an over the top arm angle with long arm action. Full over the head old school delivery with a high leg kick. Front toe lands open. Fastball flashed running action at 80-81 mph. Curveball showed 12-6 shape at 62-63 mph. Slider showed 11-5 shape with sharp action at 67-69mph. Slowed arm on changeup at 67-69 mph for strikes.

6. Tony Becker, OF/RHP, Oconomowoc, 2018
6-foot-4, 175-pound, right-handed hitting OF/RHP with a lanky frame. Defensively has a long arm action from a high ¾ arm action. Showed off raw arm strength throwing 84 mph from the outfield. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a deep load to the backside. Long, uphill swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 86 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.48. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a long, quick arm action. Tall and fall delivery with an upright finish. Fastball sat 80-82 topping out at 83 mph. Slider showed short breaking action at 74-76 mph. Changeup sat 71-74 mph.

7. Nathan Strelka, LHP, Kettle Moraine, 2018
5-foot-11, 160-pound, left-handed pitcher with a lanky, projectable frame. On the mound works from a ¾ arm angle with a long, loose, easy arm action. Slow paced tall and fall delivery with a square landing and athletic finish. Fastball sat 75-77 topping out at 79 mph. Curveball showed sweeping shape with gradual action at 63-68 mph. Maintained armspeed on changeup at 73-75 mph. Will continue to improve with added strength.

8. Evan Rice, RHP/SS, Brillion, 2018
5-foot-11, 172-pound two-way player, solid average build, thick lower half with strength. Tall and fall delivery, regular effort. Long arm action, high ¾ slot. Fastball is straight, four seam type, showed control of the zone, 78-79 mph, touched 80 mph. Curveball has 12/6 action, 67 mph, showed depth. Slider worked at 66-69 mph, occasionally backed up. Curveball was the better of two breaking balls. Changeup has occasional cut action, mostly sinks, 69-72 mph. Right-handed hitter, open stance, leg kick stride, solid balance. Showed ability to make hard contact on the barrel, level loose path, fluid hitter, 79 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively showed fluid actions and footwork. Longer arm action, high ¾ slot, 73 mph across the diamond. Profiles as third base type prospect. 7.85 runner in the 60.

9. Brandon Komar, RHP/INF, Elkhorn, 2017
6-foot, 190-pound two-way prospect, solid strong build, large body type. Delivery is simple and repeats well, stays on line, tall and fall, athletic finish with little effort. Arm action is loose, high ¾ slot, showed arm speed. Fastball played up, sat 78-79 mph, touched 80 mph, consistent run and sink to arm side, showed command. Showed ability to spin two breaking balls, tight rotation, curveball is occasionally 12/6, 65-66 mph. Slider had good feel, 69-72 mph. Good feel for changeup, sinking action, thrown with arm speed, 70-73 mph. Pounded the zone and showed feel for three pitches. Showed potential with the bat as well, slight open stance, short lifting stride, lower half worked and maintained balance throughout. Excellent bat path, short to the baseball and got extension through contact, consistently hard contact in BP, loose hands and repeats. Bat speed present, occasional pop, gap to gap type, 82 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively played with a loose arm across the diamond, short over the top, flashed carry at 78 mph. Third base type prospect, hands played well, fluid feet, showed body control. 7.8 runner in the 60.

10. Brennan Dolwick, LHP, Lake Mills, 2018
6-foot-1, 185-pound, left-handed pitcher with a lanky frame. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a short, stiff arm action. Tall and fall delivery with a square landing, momentum carries body towards third base after release. Fastball sat 76-79 topping out at 80 mph. Curveball showed mostly slider action, flashed one with 12-6 shape at 61-62 mph. Changeup was straight at 73-74 mph. Will continue to improve with maturity.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Cameron Anfang, RHP/MIF, Jefferson, 2017
5-foot-10, 150-pound two-way player, thin build. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride, average balance. Made deep contact on level path, 77 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively plays with a loose over the top arm action, 75 mph across the diamond. Showed ability to play through the baseball with some actions. On the mound delivery is clean, squared landing. Fastball is mostly straight 76-78 mph, topped at 79 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape, 58-60 mph. Changeup is 63-64 mph.

Jacob Anhalt, LHP, Lake Mills, 2017
5-foot-10, 160-pound, right-handed pitcher. On the mound works from a ¾ arm angle with a long arm action. Drop and drive delivery with a closed landing and upright finish. Gets to front side early. Fastball sat 73-75 topping out at 77 mph. Curveball showed 1-7 shape with short breaking action at 58-61 mph. Changeup sat 64-67 mph.

Alex Behr, LHP/1B, Oak Creek, 2017
6-foot-2, 190-pound left-handed two-way player, above average frame, carries some strength. Balanced stance, tall setup, slight arm bar load, short stride. 77 mph exit velocity from the tee, lengthy path, slight uphill scooping action, lift pull hitter. Defensively showed solid actions around the bag. Arm is long and loose, high ¾ slot, 77 mph across the diamond. Tall and fall delivery, closed landing, works over firm front side. Long arm action, high ¾ slot. Fastball touched 77 mph, sat 74-76 mph. Slider played vertically, back up type action, ranged 65-70. Changeup sinks slightly, 68-69 mph.

Teig Chase, MIF/RHP, Kettle Moraine, 2018
5-foot-10, 170-pound two-way player, frame carries lean strength. Defensively showed body control for his age, average hands, works out in front. Arm action is short high ¾ slot, 65 mph across the diamond. Right-handed hitter, open stance, short stride back to even. Showed ability to repeat swing, level path with average bat speed. On the mound worked with little effort from a tall and fall delivery, loose arm action, high ¾ slot. Fastball featured heavy sink, good feel for the zone, 76-77 mph. Curveball rolls on 11/5 plane, 61-63 mph. Changeup is thrown near fastball arm speed with sink in the strike zone at 69-70 mph.

Colton DiLiberto, RHP, Arrowhead, 2017
6-foot-3, 180-pound, lanky, right-handed pitcher. On the mound works from a ¾ arm angle with a long arm action. Drop and drive, slow paced delivery with an open toed landing and athletic finish. Fastball showed heavy running action at 74-76 topping out at 77 mph. Slider showed Frisbee action for strikes at 63-66 mph. Changeup sat 73-74 mph.

Collin Dorow, OF/RHP, Mukwonago, 2018
5-foot-8, 155-pound, right-handed hitting OF/RHP. At the plate hits from a wide base with a long toe tap stride. Lower half stays linear thru load and stride. Level swing path with some rhythm. 75 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 8.01. Defensively has a short arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. Hesitant fielder, with a quick exchange. Infield actions in the outfield. Threw 75 mph from the outfield. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a short, loose arm action. Drop and drive, online delivery with a toe closed landing. Uses a slide step from the stretch. Fastball flashed sink at 72-74 mph. Curveball showed 12-6 shape at 61-64 mph for strikes. Changeup showed fading action at 64-67 mph.

Trey Hunt, MIF/RHP, Fennimore, 2018
5-foot-8, 165-pound middle infielder, strong athletic build. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, loads hands back with slight arm bar. Strong bat makes hard contact, occasionally casts barrel but showed bat speed to make up for it. 86 mph exit velocity from the tee. On the infield arm played at 77 mph across, high ¾ slot. Athletic defender, feet worked, showed some body control. 7.34 runner in the 60. Tall and fall delivery, works on line, athletic finish. Fastball is mostly straight, 76-78 mph, touched 79 mph. Curveball ranged 65-70 mph, 11/5 shape. Changeup flashed arm side run, fastball arm speed, 67-68 mph.

Dylan Karvala, RHP/OF, New Berlin Eisenhower, 2017
6-foot-2, 175-pound, right-handed hitting RHP/OF with a lanky, athletic frame. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a short, stiff arm action. Tall and fall delivery with a square landing and athletic finish. Some explosiveness in the core and hips. Fastball sat 78-81 topping out at 82 mph. Slider showed late sweeping action at 67-70 mph. Changeup was straight at 74-77 mph. Defensively has a short arm action from a ¾ arm slot. Hesitant actions. Threw 83 mph from the outfield. At the plate hits from a slightly open stance with a long stride and linear lower half. Long, level swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 87 mph exit velocity from a tee.

Luke Kundinger, MIF/ RHP, Waukesha West, 2017
5-foot-10, 150-pound two-way player, lean athletic frame. Right-handed hitter, slightly open stance, short stride. Level path, mechanically sound, average bat speed, 75 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm plays from a high ¾ slot, short action, 74 mph across the diamond. Showed actions, ability to play through the baseball, clean exchange. 7.87 runner in the 60. On the mound works over the top with a long arm action. Fastball sat 77-78 mph, tendency to stay up. Showed good feel for curveball, ability to drop for strikes, 64-67 mph. Changeup is thrown with arm speed, 71-73 mph.

Zachary Lutz, LHP/1B, Hartford Union, 2018
5-foot-11, 150-pound left-handed two-way prospect. Projects best on the mound, uses a tall and fall type delivery, smooth rhythm, works online, balanced finish. Full arm swing, slight stab, high ¾ slot. Fastball has occasional running action to arm side, 69-71 mph. Curveball plays on 12/6 plane, 59-61 mph. Straight changeup at 65-66 mph, showed good feel for the pitch. Left-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride bails. Pull side contact, average bat speed, 79 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm worked similar to that on the mound, 66 mph across the diamond. 7.22 runner in the 60.

Dylan Maxwell, RHP, Cudahy, 2017
5-foot-11, 225-pound, right-handed pitcher. On the mound works from an over the top arm angle with a short arm action. Hides the ball well. Tall and fall online delivery with a square landing. Fastball was mostly straight but flashed run at 73-74 topping out at 75 mph. Curveball showed 12-6 shape at 64-65 mph. Knuckleball showed sinking action at 63-66 mph.

Micah Overley, MIF/RHP, Janesville Craig, 2019
5-foot-10, 135-pound two-way player, slender build. Left-handed hitter, tall open setup, narrow stance, loads hands back, slight arm bar load, longer stride. Long level sweeping path, line drive contact, 74 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm played out of ¾ slot, 56 mph across the diamond. On the mound used repeatable mechanics, delivery lacks separation, stays on line. Long firm arm action, high ¾ slot. Fastball has slight sink at 65-67 mph. Curveball gradually bends on 12/6, 53-55 mph. Changeup was down, 61-63 mph.

Sam Smith, MIF/RHP, Madison Memorial, 2018
5-foot-4, 120-pound two-way player, small athletic frame. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, long strided leg kick trigger, lower half collapses, average balance. Aggressive swinger, attacks the baseball, hits off front foot, works up through the baseball, lifting path. 76 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.6 runner in the 60. Defensively showed above average hands at his age, exchange is clean, good pre pitch approach, showed some body control. Arm action is firm and short, high ¾ release, 69 mph across the diamond. On the mound delivery is compact and repeatable. Similar arm action to that in the field, over the top slot. Fastball pitched at 72-73 mph, touched 74 mph. Curveball showed early 11/5 action, 56-58 mph. Slight sink on changeup, 58-61 mph.

Jordan Van Dyke, RHP/3B, Elkhorn Area, 2017
Extra-large 6-foot-3, 205-pound two-way player. Easy delivery, stays online with little effort, good balance. Arm action is loose, ¾ slot. Fastball has slight running action, showed feel, 77-78 mph, topped at 81 mph. Showed two breaking balls, curveball sat 61-62 mph while slider was slightly harder at 64 mph, similar action on both. Changeup was around the zone, occasional fade, 67-68 mph. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride, partial lower half involved. Shorter path, drops hands on it, upper half dominated swing. 79 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively uses a short arm action, over the top slot, 68 mph across the diamond. Ran an 8.13 in the 60.

Davis Wilson, MIF/RHP, St. Mary Central, 2018
5-foot-8, 135-pound two way player. Defensively played with soft hands for his age, showed some ability to cushion the baseball, plays tall on the infield. 8.16 runner in the 60. Arm action is loose, high ¾ slot, 70 mph across the diamond. Right-handed hitter, open stance, smooth loading action, short stride, good balance. Smooth easy swing, longer path, 75 mph exit velocity from the tee. Tall and fall, smooth delivery. High ¾ arm slot. Fastball is mostly straight, 66-68 mph. Curveball is on 10/4 plane, 59-62 mph. Changeup flashed sink at 63-64 mph.

Southern Wisconsin Open: Pitching Analysis

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