Rock Valley JC Scout Day: Takeaways
October 15, 2024
On Tuesday, September 24th, the Prep Baseball staff made their way over to Rockford for the Rock Valley Scout Day.
Coming off a 45-win season in 2024, the Golden Eagles are primed for yet another strong year, with a number of players showing well for themselves in the workout.
You can find scouting reports and videos on some of the top players from the day, below.
POSITION PLAYERS
+ So. MIF Konner Giddley (Turner, 2023)
Uncommitted. Giddley has been a consistent performer in front of our staff throughout his JUCO career. A top of the order bat that has seen most of his action at shortstop, hitting .384/.465/.610 as a freshman in 159 at-bats. At the plate, from the right-side Giddley takes a direct path to the baseball finding the barrel often and driving the ball in the air. Defensively, from the left-side of the infield Giddley is a sound and reliable defender with a strong arm up to 88 mph across the diamond.
+ Fr. INF/OF Jameson Johnson (Pecatonica, 2024)
Uncommitted. Strong 6-foot-1, 195-pound with more room for added strength and fill to his frame. Johnson lifted the ball consistently during his round of BP showing feel to drive the baseball in the air. At the plate, the right-hander starts wide, with a high leg kick that allows him to get into his legs before delivering a strong barrel to impact the baseball. Defensively Johnson plays with some bounce in the infield, with a pair of steady hands with some arm strength up to 84 mph across the diamond.
+ So. C Nick Mardis (Bloomington Central, 2023)
Uncommitted. Is a physical right-hander hitting catcher standing at 6-foot-1, 215-pounds with strength throughout the frame. At the plate, Mardis is strong at the point of contact with strong wrists and forearms that deliver a powerful barrel to the baseball, averaging 94.3 mph off the bat with a max of 104.3 mph. Mardis showed feel to consistently elevate the baseball, driving the ball on a line and in the air to the pull side often. Defensively behind the plate, Mardis is a reliable defender with some arm strength up to 77 mph from the crouch.
+ Fr. C Gavin Obremski (Mosinee, 2024)
Uncommitted. Is a strong and physical 6-foot-2, 220-pound switch-hitting catcher. At the plate, Obremski has clear bat speed with strength at the point of contact from both sides, along with feel to elevate the baseball to his pull side. Defensively behind the dish, Obremski is still developing and has athletic actions behind the dish.
+ Fr. OF Matthew Thompsen (Parrish, 2024)
Uncommitted. Is a wiry athlete standing at 6-foot-3, 170-pounds with room for added strength and physicality to his frame. At the plate, from the right-side Thompsen showed feel for the barrel throughout his round with feel for leverage due to his long limbs. Strong with bat speed averaging 89.5 mph throughout his round while swinging the bat at 71.5 mph on average. Defensively Thompsen is an athlete that takes efficient routes to the baseball, a fluid mover easily gliding to the baseball with a loose arm that was up to 82 mph which will continue to tick up as he develops physically.
+ So. OF River Lindsey (New Berlin Eisenhower, 2023)
Uncommitted, a physical 6-foot-1, 200-pounds with speed running a 6.44 which was the fastest timed 60 of the event. At the plate, from the left-side Lindsey takes a simple and directional swing driving the baseball on a line through the middle of the field. Defensively, Lindsey’s speed plays in the outfield, quick twitch and aggressive routes to the baseball with arm strength up to 91 mph.
PITCHERS
+ So. RHP Derek Huber (Huntley, 2023)
Uncommitted. Stands at 5-foot-9, 185-pounds, evenly proportioned frame with some strength. Quick worker with an up-tempo delivery, high leg-lift into balance point, drop/drive lower-half, works in-line, level/downhill shoulders as he works down the mound, closed landing foot. Quick, explosive arm with looseness throughout, long out of the glove into a low ¾ release. Fastball sat around 86-87 mph with mostly straight actions; also went to a sinker to pair off the fastball at 84-85 mph, playing with arm-side run and some tumble. Sells the slider with arm-speed, spinning it over 2,400 rpm at times with sharp 10/4 action and depth, 75-76 mph. Changeup flashed depth and diving actions at times, kept around the zone at 76-80 mph.
+ So. RHP Mason Lei (Freeport, 2023)
Uncommitted. 6-foot-4, 215-pounds, long-limbed and durable frame. Controlled tempo, high leg-lift into balance point, slight drop/drive actions down the mound, stays in-line. Medium arm circle out of the glove, high ¾ release. Fastball jumps out of the hand at times with life through the zone, cruising at 90-92 mph in his ‘pen while showing the ability to work it to both sides and the upper-quadrant of the zone. Slider has developing spin with 10/4 action, 75-79 mph. Changeup has quality action with fade to his arm-side, showed the ability to land it for some strikes, 76-78 mph.
+ So. RHP Christian McGrath (St. Rita, 2024)
Uncommitted. 6-foot-1, 195-pound frame, strength throughout with a developed lower-half. Flexible movement patterns, high leg-lift into balance point, works down the mound with a tall/fall operation, high front side, loose and athletic finish. Long arm path that works down out of the glove, high ¾ slot. Fastball plays with some carry through the zone at 83-86 mph, routinely keeping it to his glove-side throughout his ‘pen. The slider plays with 11/5 shape and depth, landing it for strikes consistently at 70-72 mph. Changeup is a quality third offering, showing fading action to his arm-side while also keeping it around the zone, 73-75 mph.
+ So. RHP Conner Williar (Sycamore, 2023)
Uncommitted. Lean and projectable 6-foot-1, 180-pound frame, high-waisted. Explosive delivery that works with some pace, high/quick leg-lift into balance point, drop/drive lower-half that stays in-line. Quick arm that works down out of the glove before coming through from a high ¾ release, acceleration out front. The fastball flashed carry traits at times, sitting around 88-89 mph, topping at 90 mph with over 2,400 rpm. Showed a knack to spin the slider at over 2,500 rpm with over 17” of horizontal break, 74-75 mph. Changeup has out-pitch potential, really sells the offering with arm-speed and intent, plays with hard/late dive under the zone and to his arm-side, 81-82 mph.
+ So. RHP Jackson Wohlers (Davenport Assumption, 2023)
Uncommitted. Listed at 5-foot-11, 180-pounds with round shoulders and strength throughout, Wohlers boasts a compact and simple delivery that pairs with a loose, quick arm and low ¾ release. His fastball comes from a tough angle, playing straight through the zone in the 87-89 mph range, topping out at 90 mph. Struggled to control the slider, but it looks to have potential out-pitch characteristics with over 2,500 rpm and nearly 17” of horizontal sweeping action. Changeup plays with straight actions through the zone, similar profile to the fastball, 79-82 mph.
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