IA Preseason All-State: Right-Handed Pitching Evaluations

April 18, 2016

By Rob Allison
Prep Baseball Report Iowa

Prep Baseball Report's IA Preseason All-State event took place on Sunday, March 13, 2016. The event was held at the SportsPlex West Facility in Waukee, IA. The event featured prospects from the 2017 and 2018 classes from Iowa, Minnesota and Nebraska who showcased their talents in front of our scouting staff. Thank you to the players, parents, my staff and SportsPlex West and the Iowa Sticks for such a great event.

There were a number of great individual performances this year at the IA Preseason All-State. Also of note is the fact that official high school practices don't start in Minnesota for another week; and Iowa players aren't near their peak performance with their season beginning in May. Look for many of these player's numbers to continue to improve as they get closer to actually playing.

Interested In Attending A PBR Iowa Event? Click Here

Interested In Subscribing to Prep Baseball Report? Click Here

CLICK HERE to view Complete Statistics in PDF Format.

Below we have highlighted the top prospects at their respective positions with evaluations.

top pitching Prospects

1. John Swanda, SS/RHP, Des Moines Roosevelt, 2017
6-foot-2, 185-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. 7.34 runner. Projectable build. Good weight transfer through swing. Loses posture at contact sporadically causing inverted plane. Short to contact with above avg. pop. Uses whole field and flashes above avg. hitting ability. 89 mph exit velocity. Shows well above avg. actions in field. Hands are soft with quick clean exchanges. Above avg. body control and shows ability to throw from multiple angles. Clean arm action with strength and carry. Good accuracy to target. 86 mph arm strength across diamond. Clean athletic mechanics on mound. Loose arm action and explodes to plate with extension. Hard breaking ball with tight spin. Changeup stays downhill and shows good fade. Strike thrower- filled up zone with 3 pitches for quality strikes.

2. Daniel Powers, RHP, Davenport Assumption, 2018
6-foot-2, 170-pound right-handed pitcher. Lean athletic build. Controlled rocker step. Builds momentum and rhythm throughout delivery. Front shoulder tilt hiding ball and creating deception. Very quick arm producing 84-85 mph fastballs on a downhill plane with life and run. 12/6 curveball and slider both are thrown for strikes with tight rotation. Changeup has above avg. fade in zone. 3-4 pitch strike thrower with feel for zone.

3. Evan Reifert, RHP, Wilton, 2017
6-foot-2, 180-pound right-handed pitcher. Projectable build with long legs and present wiry strength. Controlled mechanics with good body control. Good extension out front on release. Some wrap on back side in arm path. Quick arm producing heavy run on 86-88 mph fastball. Repeats arm slot well with all secondary offerings. CB and SL both have tight rotation and depth. Has above avg. fade and arm speed on changeup. Good arm strength and has steadily improved over last 12-18 months.

4. Anthony Alepra, RHP/OF, Cedar Rapids Kennedy, 2017
6-foot-3, 175-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. Lean wiry body. Mid ¾ arm slot producing quality life and sink on fastball. Lands slightly across body in delivery. Fastball was consistently 85-86 mph in zone. Round-house 11/5 breaking ball/slurve with solid feel for zone. Shows good deception on changeup with sink and fade. 7.00 runner at this event. Hitting mechanics have greatly improved since August 2015. Better rhythm and balance in swing. Consistent hard contact with mid/pull approach. 90 mph exit velocity. ¾ arm action with accurate arm at 90 mph. Shows athleticism in routes and fielding. Intriguing 2-way prospect in 2017 class.

5. Jackson Bennett, RHP/3B, Beckman Catholic, 2018
6-foot-3, 207-pound right-handed pitcher/infielder. 7.66 runner. Projectable body. Some hitch and deception in delivery. Lands slightly across body with avg./ok extension to plate. Fastball is straight with life at 83-85 mph. 11/5 above avg. breaking ball with tight spin and depth. Throws changeup with knuckle curve grip with tumbling action. Projects well for 2018 class. Deep load with longer stride. Rolls hands over early at contact with short finish. Strength in bat with hard pull contact. 86 mph exit velocity off tee. Heavier feet in field. Sure hands. Makes routine plays. Avg. range and quickness. Long ¾ release at 78 mph arm strength across.

6. Jarred Wood, RHP/1B, Cedar Rapids Jefferson, 2017
6-foot-3, 187-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. 7.66 runner. Good balance and body control with ¼ back turn delivery. Clean pie arm action with heavy fastball. Has made strides in secondary offerings with advancement of slider and curveball. Also throwing a changeup to go with splitter. Repeats relatively well out of same slot with all pitches. Deeper load with good pop in bat. Uses lower half in swing. Stays down and through with lift in swing plane. Front hip opens early occasionally losing outer half of plate. 86 mph exit velocity. Glove is sure. Tends to field on heels and deep. Good footwork around bag. Well above avg. arm strength for position at 86 mph.

pitching follow Prospects

Trever Brown, RHP/3B, Don Bosco, 2018
6-foot-1, 175-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. 7.37 runner. Strong projectable build. Slower tempo to balance point. Decent explosion to plate. Lands slightly across body in delivery. Long clean arm action producing 82-84 mph fastball with run and life. Tight spin with minimal break on slider. Changeup has good deception and sink for strikes. Open stance and strides to square. Has good extension through contact and uses his hands well in swing. Flashes of hard contact with 86 mph exit velocity off tee. Avg./ok glove. Tends to field deep in stance. Low arm slot effects accuracy across. Looks athletic enough to be able to make improvements and develop at position. 80 mph arm strength across.

Trevor Burkhart, SS/RHP, Davenport West, 2018
5-foot-10, 165-pound right-handed hitting shortstop. 6.72 runner at this event. Shows better swing from RH side of plate. Better body rhythm and weight shift through contact. Pre-set hands with slight should er load. Linear swing with flat path. Gap to gap approach with aggressive swings. Shows soft glove. Hands are quick and sure with baseball. Clean arm action with solid accuracy to bag. 82 mph arm strength across. Arm comes out clean from high ¾ slot on mound. Ball jumps out of hands with downward tilt at 80-82 mph. Loose spin on breaking ball with chance to become above avg. pitch. Changeup has split action and is thrown for strikes. Overall solid/above avg. stuff on mound.

Tony Comellas, RHP/1B, Iowa City West, 2018
6-foot-2, 185-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. 8.13 runner. Good balance and rhythm in delivery. Loose arm action with some quickness. Fastball was straight at 78-80 mph. 12/6 breaking ball had tight spin and depth. Showed solid feel for changeup in zone. Athletic set-up in box with good use of lower half in swing. Good extension through baseball at contact. Follow bat in 2018 class. 85 mph exit velocity. Good hands and solid feet in field. Shows athleticism at position. Hands are sure with solid range. Long arm action with 77 mph arm strength.

Connor Crabill, RHP/3B, Dubuque Hempstead, 2018
5-foot-8, 180-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. Slight tuck and turn delivery. Lands closed occasionally. Elevated fastball at 79-81 mph thrown with some effort. Breaking ball had slider action and changeup showed solid fade in/around zone. Loose hands with rhythm at plate. At times tries to do too much. Hard contact with all pull approach. Best swings are when he stays through at contact without trying to lift. 82 mph exit velocity. Shows sure hands in field. Tends to field on heels. Needs to be more active, field with rhythm, and play through baseball. Throws are accurate to bag with above avg. carry. 77 mph arm strength at this event.

Zach Hendrickson, RHP, Mason City, 2017
6-foot-4, 185-pound right-handed pitcher. Projectable frame. Short on back side in arm path. Short arm action and ball comes out clean in front. Good direction to plate and is explosive. Fastball is straight with solid life at 81-84 mph. Curveball shows solid break and depth in zone. Slider is flat with avg. depth. With mechanical adjustments and work on arm patch; projects well in 2017 class.

Tyrel Johnson, SS/RHP, Cedar Rapids Prairie, 2017
5-foot-6, 125-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. 7.21 runner. Open stance. Gets to square with short stride. Line drive swing plane. Ball comes off barrel well. Shows ability to use whole field. 78 mph exit velocity. Shows avg/solid hands in field. Accelerates well after fielding creating direction and momentum towards target. Shows good arm with quick release across infield with accuracy to bag. 81 mph arm strength. Good balance and rhythm in delivery. Solid explosion to plate and arm works well out front. Fastball was 75-78 mph with some effort. Early break on curveball with 12/6 shape. Solid deception and showed ability to command changeup.

Jayden Kies, OF/RHP, Iowa City West, 2018
6-foot, 145-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. 6.68 runner. Lean athletic build. One of better BP’s at event. Has bat whip through zone. Stays through at contact with ability to use whole field. Consistent solid contact and has good hands at the plate. 84 mph exit velocity off tee. Light on his feet with good quickness in outfield with athletic routes to the baseball. Above avg. accuracy with solid carry on throws at 82 mph. Controlled delivery on mound with good explosion to plate. Long loose arm action from high slot. Fastball is straight, with solid life, and throws downhill to plate at 75-76 mph. 12/6 breaking ball has good shape and depth at 63-65 mph. Changeup is consistent with good deception for strikes.

Tyler Lewis, RHP/3B, WDM Valley, 2018
6-foot-3, 220-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. 7.62 runner. Short balance point on mound. Controlled delivery. Short on backside and balls comes out clean in front at 82-84 mph; touching 87 once. Firm breaking ball with tight spin and small break. Changeup is heavy with split action and thrown consistently for quality strikes. Velo could take off with better use of lower half in delivery. Open stance. Rolls in to hit. Tends to hook baseball at contact with good strength. Limited use of lower half in swing. Some stiffness in swing plane and finish with 2-hands on bat. 86 mph exit velocity. Shows avg./ok feet. Late glove presentation occasionally. Needs to increase tempo and rhythm. Loose arm action with fast hand. Accurate to bag with 79 mph arm strength.

Noah McCreary, 2B/RHP, Davenport West, 2018
5-foot-11, 160-pound left-handed hitting 2-way player. 7.38 runner. Open stance with leg kick trigger. Strides across body locking lower half occasionally. Clean path to contact; some length. Shows some strength in bat and should improve with minor mechanical adjustments. 89 mph exit velocity. Active feet to field. Glove is solid/avg. Accurate throws to bag. 81 mph arm strength. Shows athleticism and body control in delivery. Clean arm action from ¾ slot with extension to plate. Fastball was straight at 80-82 mph. Side spin on breaking ball; small short break. Good consistency with changeup thrown for strikes.

Trent McMullen, 1B/RHP, Omaha Montessori (NE), 2017
6-foot-2, 215-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. 7.5 runner. Physical build with strength. Has rhythm in swing. Uses lower half. Good separation after contact. Consistent solid contact with above avg. pop in bat. Uses field to hit. 92 mph exit velocity. Above avg. actions and athleticism for first base. Works down to up with good footwork. Solid glove. Loose arm action with 82 mph throws across infield. Controlled mechanics on mound. Low effort mechanics and shows ability to repeat. Clean arm action and ball jumps out of hand at 82-83 mph. Shows above avg. feel and spin on breaking ball. Shows feel for changeup in zone at 70-72 mph. Strong follow in Nebraska 2017 class.

Izaya Ono-Fullard, 3B/RHP, Iowa City West, 2017
5-foot-10, 200-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. 7.12 runner. Quiet actions in box. Has well above avg. bat speed. Consistently squares baseball with authority. Mid/pull approach with loose hands and clean bat path to contact. 96 mph exit velocity. Good actions in field. Light on his feet- stays active- with soft hands. Above avg. body control at third base. Clean arm action with above avg. carry to bag and 82 mph arm strength. Controlled delivery on mound. Stays closed with slight drop and drive mechanics. Strike thrower with 3 pitches. Fastball was 81-83 mph; touching 85 mph. High spin rate on breaking ball, tight rotation, with sharp break. Changeup has arm side run.

Luke Patzner, RHP, Urbandale, 2018
6-foot-3, 190-pound right-handed pitcher. Projectable build with long legs. Overall good stuff for 2018 prospect. Shows quick arm from slight cross-fire delivery. Stays closed with good direction to plate. Fastball get downhill with life at 84-86 mph; touching 88 mph. Will need to increase arm speed on breaking ball; but pitch has good shape and he has feel for zone. Avg. changeup that should improve as he gains consistency in bottom of zone. High Follow in 2018 class.

Will Rodruck, C/3B/RHP, WDM Valley, 2017
6-foot, 190-pound right-handed hitting utility player. 7.24 60 time. Arm bar to start. Minimal rhythm. Slightly open stance- strides to square. Inverted swing plane. Middle/away contact. Flashes of pop in bat. Consistent solid contact. 87 mph exit velocity. New to catching. Solid skill set and should be good option for him with polish and reps. Quick feet and clean exchanges. Receiving will improve with experience. Avg./ok footwork- tends to throw uphill. 2.16 pop time with 75 mph arm strength. Shows avg. feet with sure hands at third base. Throws have good carry with accuracy to bag at 84 mph. Shows tempo in delivery. Slightly uncontrolled front leg with upright finish. Arm works relatively easy producing 81-84 mph fastballs. 12/6 breaking ball has tight rotation to plate. Good fade and solid feel for changeup in zone.

Tommy Springer, OF/RHP, Eastview (MN), 2018
5-foot-11, 195-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. 7.6 runner. Projectable build with strong lower half. Present strength in bat with raw hitting mechanics. Has rhythm in load. Drop drive mechanics to contact. Flashes above avg. pop with mid/pull approach. 86 mph exit velocity. Proto build and actions for right field. Needs to improve running speed. Good angles and actions to field. Plus arm strength from outfield with good accuracy and well above avg. carry to target at 92 mph. Power-type pitcher on mound with upside. Above avg. arm strength for class. 84-86 mph fastball from ¾ slot. Breaking ball has 12/6 shape at 71-75 mph. Changeup has solid fade at 77-80 mph.

Sam Stelken, RHP/OF, Beckman Catholic, 2017
6-foot-3, 185-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. 7.15 runner. Physical build. Short arm action on backside; clean and quick out front. Occasionally falls down and off mound over stiff front leg. Fastball was 81-83 mph with run and life. Above avg. breaking ball with very tight spin and great depth. Tends to slow arm on changeup causing flat action. Spread stance with short leg lift trigger. Some stiffness in lower half with short finish after contact. Solid contact from mid/pull approach. 83 mph exit velocity off tee. Decent athlete in outfield. Light on his feet. Sure hands and appropriate routes to ball. ¾ arm slot with solid accuracy and sinking action to throws at 85 mph.

Tyler Steward, RHP, Norwalk, 2017
6-foot-3, 200-pound right-handed pitcher. Good solid frame. Some hesitation and hitch at balance point creating deception. Drop and drive stride with good explosion to plate. Arm works well from high ¾ slot producing 82-84 mph fastballs. Good arm speed with tight rotation on breaking ball that should continue to improve once he gets hand on top of baseball. Firm changeup with solid action at 78-79 mph.

Andrew Zimmerman, RHP/1B, Johnston, 2017
5-foot-11, 170-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. 7.56 runner. Max effort delivery with jerky front side. Ball comes out of hand well. Stays tall in delivery. Commands zone well. Fastball was 80-81 mph for quality strikes. 11/7 breaking ball with tight spin and sharp break in zone. Changeup was firm with good action in bottom of zone. Leg lift trigger effects timing occasionally. Front shoulder tilt creates uphill plane with lift through contact with gap to gap approach. Flashes strength in bat with solid pop. 82 mph exit velocity off tee. Active feet with solid athleticism for position. Shows good glove; tends to field deep at times. Shows ability to make tougher plays at first base. Good footwork around bag. 82 mph arm strength with accuracy to target.

pitching Prospects

Jarrett Blunt, RHP/OF, Ottumwa, 2018
6-foot, 150-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. 7.41 runner. Athletic actions in delivery. Loose arm action from OT slot. Downhill plane to fastball at 77-80 mph. Rolling break on curveball with 11/5 shape. Changeup is flat and slightly firm. Deeper load at plate. Underneath at contact. Oppo approach. 76 mph exit velocity off tee. Avg. actions in outfield. Timid routes to field. Longer arm action with decent carry to target. 78 mph arm strength.

Gabe Eckstaine, SS/RHP, Lemars, 2018
6-foot-1, 170-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. 7.16 runner. Solid set-up. Leg kick trigger. Hands drop in swing. Length to contact. Lift in swing plane. Spray contact across field. 79 mph exit velocity. Works down to up in field. Late glove position occasionally. Feet are avg. Shows clean exchange with accurate throws. 76 mph arm strength. ¾ arm slot and ball comes out clean with solid extension on release. Front foot outside knee in balance point. Some hitch and deception in stride. Fastball shows solid life with run and sink at 76-78 mph. Tight spin on 12/6 breaking ball. Changeup has deception with good run to plate.

Garrett Greiner, OF/RHP, Pekin, 2017
5-foot-11, 165-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. 7.28 runner. Crouched stance with longer stride into contact. Uphill path to contact with collapse in lower half. Avg. solid contact with mid/pull approach. 80 mph exit velocity. Avg. routes and athleticism in outfield. Elevated throws from ¾ arm slot with minimal extension or momentum. 78 mph arm strength. Shows balance and direction in delivery. Arm starts long with short cut-off release. Fastball has run and sink at 73-75 mph. Early break on 12/6 curveball. Changeup is avg/ok. Needs to get out and over chest with better extension to plate on release.

Harrison Griess, RHP/3B, Ankeny, 2017
6-foot-4, 240-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. 8.29 runner. Large build. Short balance point with one-piece arm action. Needs to improve lower half drive and be more explosive to plate. Fastball was straight at 77-78 mph; touching 80 mph. Loose spin on 12/6 breaking ball. Tends to slow arm action down on changeup. Longer swing to contact. Limited use of lower half in swing. Some stiffness with strength. Showed ability to stay on and go other way with pitch. 86 mph exit velocity. Heavier feet in field. Tends to field on heels with late glove presentation. Accurate throws across diamond with 72 mph arm strength.

Nathan Groom, 2B/RHP, Des Moines East, 2017
5-foot-5, 165-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. 7.77 runner. High hand position. Drops hands in swing. Pull approach. Out and around at contact. 77 mph exit velocity. Stiff actions in field. Avg. glove. Needs improvements with footwork. Short arm action. 69 mph arm strength. Simple mechanics on mound. Slight hitch in stride. Fastball was 63-69 mph. Curveball was 53-55 mph. Changeup was 55-57 mph.

Brannan Hogan, 3B/RHP, Decorah, 2018
6-foot-1, 180-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. 7.87 runner. Deep load with aggressive flat swing plane. Spray contact to all parts of field. Needs to improve balance and direction in box. 81 mph exit velocity. Plays with energy. Raw fielding mechanics with flashes of athleticism. Late glove presentation- stabs down occasionally. Very accurate to target at 74 mph. High leg kick delivery with avg. body control. Lands and falls away from arm losing connection. Fastball shows avg. run and sink at 74-78 mph. Upright finish on elevated curveball at 56-60 mph. Changeup was 56-58 mph.

Kyle Oberbroeckling, RHP/3B, Davenport West, 2018
6-foot, 215-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. 8.00 runner. Short arm action on mound from ¾ slot. Front hip open early in delivery. Some stiffness to delivery. Fastball was 78-82 mph. Solid run on changeup around zone. Curveball was 61-64 mph. High back elbow set-up. Drops hands in swing. Uphill bat path through zone. Spray contact. 82 mph exit velocity. Quiet actions in field. Sure hands. Tends to funnel baseballs. Stiff throwing mechanics with good accuracy to target. 77 mph arm strength across infield.

Chandler Poell, RHP/3B, Cedar Rapids Kennedy, 2017
6-foot-3, 190-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. 7.25 runner. Long body that should develop with added strength. Uptempo delivery. Hard stab down in arm path. Arm is quick and clean up and over the top. Fastball shows occasional run at 79-82 mph. Early break on 12/6 curveball; tends to change arm slot occasionally. Inconsistent changeup command. Spread stance with front heel turn trigger. Works on top of baseball. Stays down and through at contact. Some stiffness in swing. Flashes hard pull contact. 77 mph exit velocity. Active feet and plays with energy in field. Still growing into body. Shows accuracy to bag with 80 mph arm strength.

AJ Shaw, SS/RHP, Waukee, 2017
6-foot, 155-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. 7.38 runner. Good bat speed. Choppy rhythm in load but consistently squares baseball up with gap to gap approach. Short to contact with above avg. pop in bat. 80 mph exit velocity. Wiry athletic frame. Works through the baseball when fielding with solid/avg. actions. Shows glove early with sure hands. Clean quick arm action. 83 mph arm strength. High balance point with front foot outside front knee. Inconsistent front leg and landing spot. Long sideways arm path on backside. Quick an clean out front. Commands fastball well at 81-82 mph with ASR. Decent run and arm speed on changeup. Inconsistent release point/slot on breaking ball.

Colton Shipman, RHP/1B, Forest City, 2017
6-foot-2, 210-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. 8.47 runner. Strong build. Controlled delivery with some crouch in posture. Short arm action from high ¾ slot. Fastball was straight at 73-75 mph; touching 77 mph. Shortens arm action and wraps early on breaking ball. Some deception on changeup with solid arm speed and flat action. Raw offensively but has chance to improve. Spray contact with occasionally hard pull pop in bat. Loses body posture at contact. 82 mph exit velocity. Avg. feet with sure hands on ground balls. Fields routine and is solid as a first baseman. Accurate throws to target with 72 mph arm strength.

Austin Shotts, 3B/RHP, Ottumwa, 2017
6-foot-1, 185-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. 7.28 runner. Shorty slashy swing plane. Active feet in box and needs to improve balance. Out front with spray contact across field. 88 mph exit velocity. Some stiffness in actions but has good hands with good short release on throws with above avg. carry and accuracy to target. 75 mph arm strength. Repeats well on mound with simple delivery and rhythm. Short arm action producing good sink on 78-81 mph fastball. On side of breaking ball occasionally effecting shape and break. Changeup is straight thrown near fastball arm speed.

Benjamin Sterler, 2B/RHP, Burlington, 2017
5-foot-7, 140-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. 7.53 runner. Low hand slot. Flat swing plane. Lands open occasionally in stride. Mid/pull approach with solid contact. 74 mph exit velocity. Shows solid/avg feet and hands in field. Will benefit from playing through and following throws to target. Avg. /ok actions overall. 75 mph arm strength. Good body control and direction on mound. Pause on back side of arm path. Balls comes out clean in front. Fastball was 74-78; touching 79 mph with occasional run. Loose spin on 12/6 breaking ball. Flat action on 67-70 mph changeup.

Luke Wilder, RHP/OF, North Scott, 2018
6-foot-1, 180-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. 7.34 runner. Controlled delivery. Needs improvement in stride leg and lower half mechanics. Shows quick arm from OT slot. Produces fastball with ok like at 79-82 mph. Stays online with good arm action on changeup. Will need to work on breaking ball feel and consistency. Open stance. Strides to square. Deep load and tends to drop hands in swing; creating uphill path through zone with short finish. Avg./ok pop in bat with mid/away approach. 82 mph exit velocity. Shows good feet and glove in outfield with aggressive routes to ball. Short arm action with solid accuracy and avg. footwork on throws. Would benefit from following throws to target. 81 mph arm strength.

Ryan Wohlers, 2B/RHP, Davenport Assumption, 2018
6-foot-2, 175-pound right-handed hitting 2-way player. 7.41 runner. Leg kick trigger effected timing. Late to launch position. When on time showed solid pop in bat to gaps. 81 mph exit velocity. Shows avg./ok hands in field. Works through baseball. Heavier feet. ¾ arm slot with 75 mph arm strength. Some athleticism to delivery. Short arm action and ball comes out clean in front. Good extension to plate; requires better finish down and through release. Fastball was 78-80 mph. Showed good feel for changeup with solid action. Curveball had inconsistent spin and shape; flashed ok when released out front. Overall solid command of strike zone.

IA Preseason All-State: Right-Handed Pitching Evaluations

Recent News