Much of the attention in the Pacific Northwest this year has gone to Oregon State’s strong squad, namely SS/2B Nick Madrigal, who ranks as one of the top college hitters in the 2018 class despite missing a chunk of time due to a hairline fracture in his hand. Between Washington and Oregon, a high school prospect hasn’t been picked in the top five rounds since C Reese McGuire (Kentwood HS, WA) went 14th overall to the Pirates in 2013. RHP Jayson Schroeder (Juanita HS, WA) is looking to change that. Shooter Hunt ventured up to the Seattle area to see Schroeder Friday and wasn’t disappointed.

A Washington recruit, Schroeder is physically advanced at 6-foot-2, 194 pounds with noticeable strength throughout and athletic frame, especially in his lower half. He features excellent body control with a smooth delivery that moves methodically before his strong arm takes over with quick hand speed through the ball out of a high-3/4 slot. The arm swing is loose before getting extended to the plate with a stiff, recoil-like deceleration. His fastball had riding life through the zone at 90-93 mph, dipping to 89-90 late in his 105-pitch outing, though he still touched 92 when he needed it. Shroeder demonstrated the ability to bury his fastball in on right-handed hitters with some late arm-side life and showed better overall command of the pitch to his glove side. The fastball is his best pitch, as it explodes through the zone and he shows control down.

Exhibiting a plan on the mound, he went to his 11/5, multi-tiered breaking ball early in counts and in the game to keep hitters from cheating on his fastball. The pitch worked 72-75, getting better later in the game with tighter spin. It was used as an early-count strike and he was not as successful with it when trying to put hitters away. His slider has a greater chance to become an out pitch in the future, as it is firmer at 79-82 and showed some tilt when thrown at its best. He didn’t go to it as much, but when he did, he had success in putting hitters away. The changeup is a distant fourth pitch that will require significant work moving forward.

As for the outing, Schroeder was dominant throughout. He went 6.2 innings, allowing one earned run on two hits and a walk while striking out 12. It was a rivalry game, so emotions were running very high, but he had the look of a fierce competitor. He did not give up a hard hit ball until his final pitch, which was a single up the middle. The next batter hit a home run, charging him that lone run.

Here are some notes on other high school draft prospects from around the country…