By Phil Kerber
Associate Scout

The Central Illinois Open took place on Wednesday, August 9th, at the Corn Crib in Normal, IL. The event featured over 50 prospects from all high school classes.  

Earlier, we started the event analysis with a stats story. Today, we continue the analysis with the pitchers. Cameron Edmonson came away as the top prospect, having made a jump in velocity from the last time we had seen him. He also showed feel for his entire four-pitch arsenal. 6-foot-5, 185-pound McCade Brown also made an impression with his highly-projectable frame and fastball that touched 87; the senior remains one of the top unsigned arms in the state.

Top Pitching Prospects

1. Cameron Edmonson, LHP. Rochester, 2019
5-foot-8, 155-pound, left-handed pitcher. Made a big jump in velocity since the winter. On the mound, long, loose arm action, high ¾ arm slot, works on-line, strong front side, lands square. Showed feel for a four pitch mix. Fastball, mostly straight, jumps out of his hand, 84-85 mph, touching 86. Curveball, 12/6 shape, sharp break, fastball arm speed, 68-71 mph. Changeup, fastball arm speed, flashed sink, 75-77. Cutter, tight action, occasional slider shape, 76-77 mph. High-follow 2019 left-handed pitcher.

2. McCade Brown, RHP, Normal West, 2018
6-foot-5, 185-pound, lanky, right-handed pitcher, highly-projectable frame. On the mound, long, loose, athletic arm action, generates arm speed, high ¾ slot, easy effort. Tall and fall delivery, smooth rhythm, lands toe-open. Fastball, mostly straight, flashed run, commanded, 85-87 mph. Slider, 10/4 shape, 71-72. Changeup, sink action, down in the zone, 76-77. One of the top unsigned senior arms in Illinois.

3. Ryan Rhoda, RHP, Prairie Central, 2019
6-foot-4, 180-pound, lanky, projectable, athletically built, right-handed pitcher. On the mound, three pitch feel, long, loose arm action, high ¾ arm slot, easy effort. Tall and fall delivery, smooth rhythm, works on-line, recoil finish. Fastball, mostly straight, commanded in the zone, 81-83 mph, touching 84. Curveball, shape varied between 12/6 and 11/5, near fastball arm speed, flashed depth, 72-75. Changeup, near fastball arm speed, fade action, down in the zone for strikes, 74-76. Projectable 2019 arm.

4. Vincent Massaglia, OF/RHP, Morton, 2018
Recent Illinois Central JC commit. 5-foot-11, 180-pound, right-handed hitting two-way prospect. Offensively, tall, open setup, leg-kick timing trigger, maintains good balance, loose hands. Gap-to-gap approach, long barrel path through the zone, fluid rhythm, easy effort, 92 mph exit velocity. Ran a 7.40 60. Defensively, short, loose arm action, quick arm speed, high ¾ slot, accurate throws with carry, 87 mph from the outfield. Plays through the ball, soft hands, fluid footwork, clean on exchanges. On the mound, short, quick arm action, over-the-top slot, stays tall in his delivery. Smooth, uptempo rhythm, works on-line, lands closed. Fastball, mostly straight, commanded, 84-85 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, 71-72. Changeup, fastball arm speed, arm side run, down in the zone, 76-78.  

5. Gavin Wahlbrink, RHP, Chatham-Glenwood, 2019
5-foot-10, 155-pound, athletic, right-handed pitcher. Showed feel for three pitches, kept down in the zone. On the mound, long, quick arm action, ¾ arm slot, smooth rhythm, works on-line, lands square. Fastball, run and sink action, 81 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, sharp action, 67-70. Changeup, near fastball arm speed, fade action, commanded, 74-76. Follow 2020 arm.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Brock Ashens, INF/OF/RHP, Belvidere North, 2019
6-foot, 155-pound, athletic, right-handed hitting two-way prospect. Defensively, long, loose arm action, generates arm speed, over-the-top slot, accurate with carry, 83 mph from the outfield, 81 across the infield. Fields position athletically, soft hands, fluid footwork, clean exchanges, maintains body control. Offensively, tall, open setup, short toe-tap stride. Line drive approach, long barrel path through the zone, fluid rhythm, 74 mph exit velocity. Ran a 7.29 60. On the mound, short, loose arm action, high ¾ arm slot, easy effort. Tall and fall delivery, smooth rhythm, lands closed. Fastball, late run action, 79-81 mph. Curveball, 12/6 shape, 67-69. Changeup, down in the zone, 72-75.

Jackson Bland, C/INF/RHP, Pawnee, 2019
6-foot, 190-pound, right-handed hitting two-way prospect. Offensively, balanced setup, leg kick timing trigger, maintains balance, flashed loose hands, 75 mph exit velocity. Ran an 8.37 60. Defensively, behind the plate, loose arm action, high ¾ slot, clean on exchanges, 70 mph from the crouch, pop times between 2.26-2.37. On the infield, long arm action, high ¾ arm slot, 75 mph across the infield. On the mound, short arm action, over-the-top slot, regular effort. Tall and fall delivery, smooth, uptempo rhythm, works on-line, lands square. Fastball, flashed run action, commanded, 78-80 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, commanded, 63-64. Slider, 10/4 shape, 65-67. Changeup, mostly straight, 70-73.

Dalton Corcoran, RHP, Normal West, 2019
6-foot-2, 180-pound, lanky, right-handed pitcher. On the mound, long, firm arm action, high ¾ arm slot, some rhythm, lands toe open. Fastball, flashed run and cut, 79-81 mph, touching 82. Slider, 10/4 shape, 67-69. Changeup, mostly straight, 73-75.

Kyler Edelman, OF/LHP, El Paso, 2018
5-foot-10, 185-pound, left-handed hitting two-way prospect. Defensively, short, athletic arm action, over-the-top slot, accurate with carry, 83 mph from the outfield. Fields position athletically, fluid footwork, clean exchanges. Offensively, open setup, short stride, maintains balance, uphill barrel path, 80 mph exit velocity. Ran a 7.12 60. On the mound, short arm action, over-the-top slot, smooth rhythm, works on-line, lands closed. Fastball, mostly straight, up in the zone, 78-80 mph, touching 81. Curveball, 12/6 shape, gradual break, 67-70. Changeup, near fastball arm speed, flashed fade, 74-76.

Dawson Finch, RHP, Mahomet Seymour, 2019
5-foot-11, 160-pound, athletic right-handed pitcher. On the mound, short, firm arm action, over-the-top slot, some rhythm, works on-line, lands closed. Fastball, run action, commanded, 80-81 mph. Curveball, 12/6 shape, depth, near fastball arm speed, some feel, 61-64. Changeup, near fastball arm speed, sink action, 70-71.

John Fink, LHP, Jerseyville, 2018
6-foot, 180-pound, left-handed pitcher. On the mound, short, firm arm action, high ¾ arm slot, tall and fall delivery. Fastball, flashed run, 71-74 mph. Curveball, 1/7 shape, 63-65. Changeup, mostly straight, 68-69.

Jeffrey Garrett, OF/LHP, Mercer, 2019
5-foot-11, 135-pound, lanky, right-handed hitting two-way prospect. Defensively, left-handed, long, loose arm action, over-the-top slot, plays through the ball, fluid footwork, 76 mph from the outfield. Offensively, balanced, open setup, short, toe-tap stride, level barrel path through the zone, 71 mph exit velocity. Ran a 7.52 60. On the mound, long, loose arm action, high ¾ slot, lands toe open, works across body. Fastball, mostly straight, flashed cut, 73-75 mph. Curveball, 1/7 shape, 65-67. Changeup, cut and sink action, 70-71.

Benjamin Gonzales, INF/RHP, Normal West, 2021
5-foot-6, 155-pound, two-way prospect. Defensively, short arm action, high ¾ slot, fluid footwork, clean on exchanges, 71 mph across the infield. Offensively, balanced setup, drop load, level barrel path, line drive approach, 75 mph exit velocity. Ran a 7.74 60. On the mound, short arm action, high ¾ slot, tall and fall delivery. Fastball sat 68-69 mph. Cut fastball came in at 58-61. Changeup, fastball arm speed, 64-66.

Cameron Hall, INF/RHP, Carterville, 2020
6-foot, 140-pound, two-way prospect. Offensively, wide setup, no stride, simple, line drive approach, fluid rhythm, 69 mph exit velocity. Ran a 7.63 60. Defensively, long arm action, slot varied between high ¾ and ¾, soft hands, clean on exchanges, 76 mph across the infield. On the mound, full wind up, long arm action, ¾ slot. Tall and fall delivery, smooth rhythm, works on-line, lands square, finishes athletically. Fastball, run action, 74-76 mph. Slider, early action, 57-59 mph. Changeup, sink action, 68-70.

Turner Mann, RHP, Metamora, 2019
6-foot-2, 155-pound, lanky, athletic, right-handed pitcher. On the mound, short ,loose arm action, generates arm speed, over-the-top slot, easy effort. Drop and drive delivery, quick, smooth rhythm. Fastball, mostly straight, flashed late sink, commanded, 80-82 mph. Curveball, 10/4 shape, flashed late break, 70-73. Changeup, near fastball arm speed, sink action, 74-76.  

Zach Ori, LHP, Limestone, 2019
6-foot, 170-pound, left-handed pitcher. On the mound, short arm action, over-the-top slot, tall and fall delivery, lands toe open. Fastball, mostly straight, 74-75 mph, touching 76. Curveball, 1/7 shape, 62-64. Changeup, down in the zone, 64-65.

Daniel Ortega, 1B/RHP, El Paso, 2021
5-foot-9, 180-pound, right-handed hitting two-way prospect. Defensively, short arm action, high ¾ slot, 67 mph across the infield. Offensively, balanced setup, back and drop load, long, uphill barrel path, 80 mph exit velocity. Ran an 8.08 60. On the mound, short arm action, high ¾ slot, tall and fall delivery. Fastball, mostly straight, 66-69 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, 55-57. Changeup, flashed cut, 62-65.

TJ Painter, LHP, Pleasant Plains, 2018
6-foot-2, 165-pound, left-handed pitcher. On the mound, quick, loose arm action, some effort,. Tall and fall delivery, smooth rhythm, works on-line, lands square. Fastball, mostly straight, 79-80 mph. Curveball, 1/7 shape, 67-69. Slider, 2/8 shape, tight action, feel, 71-73. Changeup, near fastball arm speed, fade action, kept around the zone, 68-70.

Justin Rohde, INF/RHP, Marian Central, 2020
5-foot-8, 140-pound, right-handed hitting two-way prospect. Offensively, closed setup, short, leg lift stride, line drive approach, level barrel path, fluid rhythm, 76 mph exit velocity. Ran an 8.42 60. Defensively, short, firm arm action, low ¾ slot, 71 mph across the infield. On the mound, long arm action, high ¾ slot, works on-line, lands closed. Fastball, flashed run, 73-74 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, 59-62. Changeup, fade action, 68-71.

Brandon Roth, OF/RHP, Normal West, 2019
6-foot-2, 185-pound, strong, athletic, two-way prospect. Defensively, long, loose arm action, high ¾ slot, plays through the ball, 87 mph from the outfield. Offensively, balanced setup, smooth load, stride hangs, maintains balanced, uphill barrel path, opposite field approach, 91 mph exit velocity. Ran a 7.52 60. On the mound, long arm action, high ¾ slot, tall and fall delivery. Fastball, sink action, 79-81 mph, touched 82. Curveball, 11/5 shape, 63-65 mph. Changeup, flashed fade, 69-71.

Cade Sharp, 3B/RHP, Mercer, 2020
6-foot, 210-pound, right-handed hitting two-way prospect. Defensively, long arm action, ¾ arm slot, fluid footwork, maintains body control, 73 mph across the infield. Offensively, balanced setup, smooth load, leg kick timing trigger, long barrel path, 85 mph exit velocity. Ran an 8.37 60. On the mound, long arm action, over-the-top slot, tall and fall delivery, works on-line. Fastball, mostly straight, 74-76, topped out at 77. Curveball, 12/6 shape, 60-62. Changeup, fade action, 67-70. Knuckleball, 61-62.

Sean Shook, INF/RHP, Normal West, 2020
5-foot-9, 180-pound, strong two-way prospect with a thick lower half. Offensively, balanced setup, smooth, wrap load, short stride, some looseness, present bat speed, uphill barrel path, 88 mph exit velocity. Ran a 7.73 60. Defensively, short arm action, high ¾ slot, accurate on some throws, 79 mph across the infield. Fields position athletically, soft hands, quick, clean exchanges. On the mound, loose, stabbing arm action, high ¾ arm slot, open landing, works across body. Fastball, flashed cut, commanded, 75-78 mph, touched 79. Curveball, 11/5 shape, 64-67. Changeup, near fastball arm speed, fade action, has feel, 73-74.

Zachary Stephens, RHP, Auburn, 2020
6-foot, 145-pound, right-handed pitcher. On the mound, long, firm arm action, ¾ arm slot, some rhythm, works on-line, lands toe open. Fastball, slight run action, 71-73, touching 74 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, 63-65. Changeup, sink action, 66-68.

Samuel Wabel, RHP, Morton, 2019
6-foot, 165-pound, wiry, right-handed pitcher. On the mound, loose arm action, high ¾ slot. Coiled delivery, works towards first base, lands open. Fastball, sink action, 76-77. Curveball, slurve action, 63-65. Changeup, mostly straight, 59-61.

Tyler Wessels, C/RHP, Elmwood, 2020
5-foot-11, 165-pound, left-handed hitting two-way prospect. Offensively, open setup, leg lift stride, loose hands, present bat speed, short, level barrel path, 86 mph exit velocity. Ran a 7.51 60. Defensively, short arm action, high ¾ slot, 71 mph from the crouch, pop times between 2.15-2.26. On the mound, short, quick arm action, over-the-top slot. Tall and fall delivery, works towards first base, lands open. Fastball, mostly straight, 78-80 mph, touching 81. Curveball, 11/5 shape, 65-67. Changeup, sink action, 68-70.

related content