Capital City Games: Pitching Analysis

October 15, 2015

By Matt Huck
Area Scout

Closing out our coverage of the Capital City Games today we highlight pitching. Austin Chapman took the top pitching spot running his fastball up to 88 mph, settling in at 83-85 with heavy sinking action. Giuseppe Mattera and TJ Painter both 2018 LHP from Pleasant Plains impressed with loose projectable arms. Lets take a look at the top pitching prospects from the event.

Top Prospects

1. Austin Chapman, RHP, Sacred Heart-Griffin, 2017
6-foot-2, 245-pound, right-handed pitcher. Currently ranked No. 63 in the Illinois Class of 2017. Works from a high ¾ arm angle with a short, quick arm action. Tall and fall online delivery with a short stride and smooth rhythm. Level shoulders throughout delivery with a square landing. Utilizes a Ryan Dempster glove waggle from the windup. Only featured a fastball at the event. From the windup fastball sat 85-87 topping out at 88 mph. From the stretch fastball showed heavy running action at 83-85 mph.

2. Giuseppe Mattera, LHP/OF, Pleasant Plains, 2018
5-foot-10, 148-pound left-handed two-way player, lanky projectable frame with upside. Currently projects best on the mound. Tall and fall delivery, works on line with good direction, maintains balance through delivery. High ¾ arm slot, flashed arm speed. Fastball sits 78-80 mph, touched 81, pitched with arm side action and showed the ability to control the bottom of the zone. Curveball flashed 12/6 action, more 1/7, 65-68 mph. Struck out two swinging in one inning pitched. Showed arm strength in the outfield that should project to the mound, arm played at 85 mph from the crowhop. Standard outfield actions, played through the baseball athletically, ability to properly read baseballs in flight, 4.43 runner down the line. Left-handed hitter, balanced stance, tall setup, smooth loading action, short stride. Good barrel control, flashed quick twitch, 78 mph exit velocity from the tee.

3. TJ Painter, LHP/OF, Pleasant Plains, 2018
5-foot-11, 145-pound left handed two-way player, lean loose build with some projection. Delivery is athletic and repeatable, good tempo and rhythm. Long loose arm action, clean arm projects, flashes arm speed. Fastball sat 76-77 mph, showed feel for the pitch, slight arm side action. Slider played at 66-68 mph, slight lateral action. Also flashed changeup at 63-64 mph. Good projection on the mound, solid follow in the 2018 class. Offensively hits from the left side, slight open stance, longer stride. Level path, cuts through the zone, line drive type approach. 81 mph exit velocity from the tee. In the outfield showed similar arm action to that on the mound, topped at 76 mph from the crowhop. Played through the baseball, good exchange/transfer of the baseball. 4.57 runner down the line.

4. Graham Bender, SS/RHP, Chatham-Glenwood, 2018
6-foot, 165-pound athletically built right-handed hitting two-way player. On the mound, throws three pitches for a strike, change-up potentially being a swing and miss out pitch. Feel for the change-up, fastball arm speed, flashed deception and sinking action, ranged between 68-70 mph. Fastball thrown for strikes, slight arm-side-run and sat 76-79 mph. Curveball worked 11/5 with some depth, 63-65 mph. Short and quick arm action, high ¾ slot and some rhythm in delivery. In his one inning stint during game play Bender retired the side in order, striking out one. Should be watched closely moving forward on the mound. Offensively, the right-handed hitter showcased a simple swing with not a lot of moving parts. Starts from a slightly open, balanced stance and short stride. Registered an exit velocity of 80 mph. Defensively, on the infield flashed soft, reliable hands, clean exchange. Short arm action, ¾ arm slot and accuracy, clocked at 71 mph across the infield. Also, ran a 5.08 home-to-first.

5. Talon File, SS/RHP, Williamsville, 2017
Physical 5-foot-11, 180-pound well-proportioned right-handed hitting shortstop and pitcher. Offensively, registered an above average exit velocity for his age, 87 mph. Flashed bat speed, pull pop and made consistent, hard contact during his round of batting practice. Starts from an open setup, leg-kick trigger, and uphill bat path through the hitting zone. Ran a 4.67 home-to-first. Defensively, looks the part at shortstop. Athletic fielding position, soft hands, fluid footwork and a quick, clean exchange. Short arm action, over-the-top slot, carry on his throws, clocked at 83 mph across the infield. On the mound the right hander operated with a balanced, tall and fall delivery. Short arm action, out of a high ¾ window and some rhythm throughout. Featured a three-pitch repertoire. Fastball, thrown for strikes, sat 78-80 mph. Curveball had depth, 11/5 shape, 62-64 mph. Change-up flashed some cut ranging between 63-65 mph.

5. Davie Pound, RHP/OF, Rolla (MO), 2018
5-foot-11, 195-pound two-way player, solid build, wide shouldered, carries some strength. Projects best on the mound. Tall and fall delivery, closed landing. Long arm action, ¾ slot. Fastball played with sinking action, 74-76 mph, touched 77 mph. Occasional sweeping action on slider, 66-69 mph. Produced swing and miss in game play, struck out the side scattering one baserunner on a groundball error. Offensively, hits from the right side, crouched wider stance, leg kick trigger, lower half collapse. Strong bat, hits off back side, long uphill bat path, showed gap to gap contact. 80 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively uses similar arm action in the outfield as on the mound, 77 mph from the outfield. 5.47 runner down the line. Went 1-for-3 in game play with a single.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Matt Brenneisen, LHP/OF, Sacred Heart Griffin, 2019
6-foot, 185 pound projectable left-handed two way player. On the mound worked exclusively from the stretch, tall and fall delivery, stays balanced, slower tempo, worked on line. High ¾ arm action, full arm swing. Fastball flashed slight running action, 70-74 mph, topped at 75 mph. Curveball played on 12/6 plane, 61 mph. Defensively arm played uphill, high ¾ slot, clean through the baseball 70 mph from the outfield. Left-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride, can get more out of lower half. Path has length, displayed bat speed, 87 mph exit velocity from the tee. Went 1-for-2 in game play with a single.

Cameron Conway, RHP, Joliet West, 2018
6-foot-2, 150-pound, right-handed pitcher with a lanky frame. Works from a ¾ arm angle with a long arm action and some stiffness in the wrist on release. Tall and fall delivery with a square landing and athletic finish. Threw fastball for strikes that showed occasional running action at 73-75 mph. Curveball showed 11-5 shape at 65-67 mph. Changeup sat 67 mph.

Logan Corsaw, OF/RHP, Cuba, 2016
6-foot-1, 170-pound two-way player, lean frame, can carry additional strength. Looks to profile best in the outfield. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, drops hands at load, leg kick stride, lower half collapse. Looks to lift the baseball on uphill plane, flashed bat speed, 83 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm played long, high ¾ slot, 71 mph. Long transfer, exchange, feet showed the ability to play through the baseball. On the mound delivery has regular effort, tall balance point, closed landing. Full arm swing, high ¾ slot. Fastball sat 70-71 mph, mostly straight, four seam. Flashed changeup at 66-68 mph.

Dawson Council, RHP, Glenwood, 2016
6-foot-4, 170-pound, right-handed pitcher with a long, lanky frame. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a long, loose arm action. Works from the first base side of the rubber with a tall and fall delivery with a closed landing. Slight recoil upon release. Fastball sat 76-77 topping out at 79 mph. Curveball showed 10-4 shape at 66 mph. Changeup sat 71 mph.

Connor Engelman, MIF/RHP, Nokomis, 2018
Smaller build 5-foot-5, 125-pound right-handed hitting middle infielder and pitcher. Offensively, sprayed the ball to all fields. Balanced, athletic setup and short stride. Long, uphill bat path through the zone. Went 1-for-3 during game play with a stolen base. Registered a 73 mph exit velocity. Also, ran a 4.94 home-to-first. Defensively, flashed soft hands and good body control. Athletic fielding position, quick exchange and fluid footwork. Long arm action, over-the-top slot, accurate, clocked at 73 mph across the diamond. On the mound, worked an extremely efficient inning, retiring the side in order and recording all three outs, via ground outs. Regular effort, up-tempo delivery, in-line direction and athletic finish. Fastball sat 74-75 mph, touching 76. Featured a curveball that varied in shape, working 12/6 and 11/5 at times, ranging between 65-67 mph.

Drew Gibson, 1B/LHP, St. Anthony, 2017
Long limbed 6-foot-2, 165-pound left-handed two-way player. Defensively, solid overall feel and actions at first-base. Flashed fluid footwork and feel around the first-base bag. Athletic fielding position and clean exchange. High ¾ arm slot and long arm action, throws clocked at 69 mph across the diamond. Offensively, looseness and some rhythm through contact. Tall, narrow setup, short stride and uphill path through the zone. Looked to pull during batting practice and registered a 73 mph exit velocity. Also, ran a 5.2 home-to-first. On the mound, the left hander showed the ability to get downhill angle with his fastball. Tall and fall delivery, in-line direction and square landing. Featured a fastball and curveball from a high ¾ window. Fastball ranged between 72-75 mph. Curveball worked with 12/6 shape and sat 65-67 mph. Didn’t allow a hit and struck out two in his one inning of work.

Ryan Kavanagh, RHP, Glenwood, 2016
6-foot-1, 170-pound, right-handed pitcher. Works from a high ¾ arm angle with a short arm action. Tall and fall delivery with a short stride, creating downhill plane on pitches. Online delivery with some rhythm. Fastball was mostly straight with occasional cutting action at 74-77 topping out at 78 mph. Called offspeed a changeup but pitch showed curveball action with 11-5 shape at 69-70 mph.

Ryan McAvoy, 3B/RHP, Chatham-Glenwood, 2016
5-foot-10, 140-pound right-handed hitting third baseman and pitcher. Offensively, wide base and balanced setup. Pre-pitch load, good balance through contact and opposite field approach during batting practice. Uphill path through the hitting zone. 80 mph exit velocity. Also, ran a 4.69 home-to-first. Defensively, made a number of plays at third base during game play. Short arm action, low ¾ arm slot, with some accuracy across the diamond, clocked at 74 mph. On the mound, operates with a tall and fall delivery, some rhythm and square landing. Short arm action and high ¾ arm slot. Features two pitches. Fastball sat between 76-77 mph. Curveball showed 11/5 shape and ranged between 61-63 mph. Faced four batters in game play, retired all four and no ball left the infield.

Tyler Nolin, 3B/RHP, Normal Community, 2018
5-foot-7, 155-pound two-way player, average build for age. Offensively, hits from the left side. Compact, two-piece swing, short and level swing through the hitting zone. Found the barrel often during batting practice. Wide, closed setup, toe-tap stride and flashed a quick bat. Registered a 75 mph exit velocity. Defensively, on the infield had a clean exchange. Clocked at 70 mph across the infield. On the mound operated with an up-tempo delivery. Short arm action from a high ¾ slot. Featured a fastball and a change-up. Fastball ranged between 70-72 mph and touched 75. Change-up sat 66-69 mph. Also, clocked at 5.05 from home-to-first.

Brady Parish, 3B, RHP, Chatham-Glenwood, 2018
Strong, big bodied 6-foot, 200-pound right-handed hitting two-way player. Offensively, flashed some pop and barreled a lot of balls in batting practice. Short uphill path through the hitting zone. Tall, open setup, long stride and average balance. Registered an exit velocity of 71 mph. Defensively, on the infield, short arm action, ¾ arm slot and some accuracy. Clocked at 66 mph across the infield. On the mound the right-handed pitcher operates with regular effort, up-tempo and a tall and fall delivery. Showcased a fastball and a curveball in his outing. Fastball sat between 73-75 mph. Curveball had 12/6 action and ranged between 62-65 mph. In his one inning stint during game play he worked a one, two, three inning.

Blake Struble, LHP, Carrollton, 2018
6-foot-2, 185-pound, left-handed pitcher. Works from a ¾ arm angle with a short arm action. Tall and fall online delivery with a short stride. Tends to open his shoulders early and falls towards third on release. Fastball sat 71-73 mph. Calls breaking ball a slider but shows curveball action with 12-6 shape at 60-63 mph.

Capital City Games: Pitching Analysis

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