By Drew Locascio
Illinois Scouting Director

Pitching prospects were led by junior Austin Marozas (Plainfield South) who solidified himself as one the top unsigned arms in the 2017 class. Lower arm slot, sat a heavy 88-89 mph for most of his bullpen session with plus run and sink.

Two unsigned seniors also showed well at the Chicagoland Open. 2016 left-handed pitcher Drake Berman (Wauconda) and  2016 right-handed pitcher Tyler Laux (Lincoln-Way North) took home the second and third spot respectively.

Top Pitching Prospects

1. Austin Marozas, RHP, Plainfield South, 2017
One of the top arms in Illinois’ 2017 class. Extra-large, sturdy pitchers frame, workhorse type build, solid lower half, 6-foot-6, 205-pound right-handed pitcher. Delivery works with tempo, side saddle rocker step, slight leak can load more at top, stays behind the baseball, slightly across body, heel to open toe landing. Plus arm strength for age, loose arm, full clean arm action, ¾ slot. Fastball has plus action for age, hard arm side life, showed the ability to pound the zone with it, sat 87-89 mph, touched 90 mph once, high level fastball. Showed improved slider since last seeing him, showed feel, 11/5 plane, power type pitch, hard action with fastball aggressiveness, 76-78 mph. Showed feel for changeup, hard late arm side action, ability to control the zone, swing and miss potential, 81-82 mph. Projects as a high level right-handed pitcher, high follow 2017.

2. Drake Berman, LHP, Wauconda, 2016
6-foot-1, 164-pound left-handed pitcher, athletic frame. Tall and fall delivery, direction works slightly to glove side, some effort. Arm action is loose, has quickness, high ¾ slot. Fastball showed run to arm side, sat 82-83 mph, feel for the zone. Curveball has 1/7 action, flashed sharp break, thrown aggressively with hand speed, 72-74 mph, acts slider, potential swing and miss pitch. Changeup played with cut action, 72-74 mph, inconsistent command.

3. Tyler Laux, RHP, Lincoln-Way North, 2016
Large typical pitchers frame, 6-foot-5, 195-pound right-handed pitcher, solid lower half. Delivery works slightly open to glove side, some effort, can repeat and control the zone. Arm action is quick and loose, high ¾ slot. At times fastball showed good command of the bottom of the zone, hard late finish when down, sat 83-85 mph. Curveball flashed sharp action, thrown hard with fastball arm speed, 72-75 mph. Straight changeup has some feel, fastball arm speed, 79-80 mph.

4. Jaylen Patterson, RHP/OF, Gwendolyn Brooks, 2018
6-foot, 170-pound RHP/OF with a lanky frame. On the mound works from an over the top arm angle with a short, quick arm action. Tall and fall online delivery with a square landing and athletic finish. Smooth rhythm with level shoulders throughout. Threw fastball for strikes at 80-81 mph. Curveball showed 12-6 shape with tight rotation and depth for strikes at 64-67 mph. Maintained armspeed on changeup with sinking action at 76-77 mph. Slider showed tighter action at 68-70 mph. Defensively has a long arm action from an over the top arm slot. Athletic fielder with quick, fluid footwork. Threw 82 mph from the outfield. At the plate hits from a tall open stance with a smooth load and short stride. Pull hitter with a long, uphill swing path. 68 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.25.

5. Colin Walton, RHP, Bremen, 2017
6-foot-1, 170-pound right-handed pitcher, average athletic frame. Tall and fall delivery, open direction works to glove side, finishes first base side. Long arm action, high ¾ slot. Fastball is mostly straight, sat 80-82 mph, four seam type fastball flashed occasional tilt. Curveball played on 11/5 plane, early action with feel for the zone, 67-68 mph. Knuckleball showed little rotation, flashed true knuckle action, 68-70 mph, inconsistent command.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Nathan Ebersole, SS/RHP, Whitefish Bay, 2019
5-foot-4, 122-pound small framed right-handed hitting shortstop and pitcher. Offensively, simple, compact swing that resulted in a number of line drives. Worked the middle of the field. Starts from a balanced stance, short stride and good balance through contact. Short, level path to the baseball. Exit velocity, 71 mph. Defensively, flashed steady, soft hands and athletic fielding position. Quick, fluid feet and clean transfer. Easy arm, short-arm action, ¾ slot and accurate. Clocked at 69 mph across the infield. Also, showcased as a right-handed pitcher. Ability to consistently repeat delivery, balanced throughout delivery, and clean-arm action. Commands three pitches for in the zone. High ¾ slot, short arm action, and easy effort. Smooth rhythm, on-line, square and athletic finish. Fastball thrown for strikes, featured slight arm-side-run, and sat 68-70 mph. Curveball worked 11/5 shape, sweeping action improved the more he threw it, ranged between 61-63 mph. Also, flashed a change-up with fade, arm-side-run and good feel, 64-67 mph.

Jack Garibaldi, 1B/RHP, Glenbrook North, 2018
Bigger body 5-foot-10, 175-pound right-handed hitting first-baseman and pitcher. Offensively, starts from a balanced setup, short stride and average balance through contact. Long, uphill bat path through the zone. Registered an exit velocity of 71 mph. Defensively, at first base, steady hands and short arm action from an over-the-top slot. Clocked at 65 mph across the infield. On the mound, on-line direction, square landing and athletic finish. Slow paced delivery with some rhythm. High ¾ window, long-arm action and regular effort in delivery. Featured two pitches, a fastball and a curveball. Fastball, slight run ranging between 69-71 mph. Curveball, 12/6 shape, thrown for strikes, sat 56-60 mph.

Tyler Guertin, RHP/3B, Bradley-Bourbonnais, 2017
Solid lower half 5-foot-11, 190-pound right-handed hitting infielder and pitcher. On the mound, smooth rhythm, threw three pitches for a strike and flashed a change-up with depth. Change-up, had feel, sink, thrown for strikes and with fastball arm speed, sat 70-71 mph. Curveball, 12/6 action, had some feel, 67-69 mph. Fastball ranged between 78-79 mph. On-line direction, square landing and athletic finish. Over-the-top window and long-arm action. Offensively, starts from a balanced setup, short, slight leg-lift trigger. Long bat path through the zone and some strength in swing. Exit velocity registered 79 mph. Defensively, projects as a third-baseman. Long arm action, over-the-top slot, some accuracy, clocked at 75 mph across the infield.

Kyle Hetherington, OF/LHP, Crystal Lake South, 2019
5-foot-7, 135-pound left-handed hitting OF/LHP with a small frame. Defensively has a long, loose arm action from a ¾ arm slot with solid actions. Athletic fielder with quick, fluid footwork and a clean exchange. Threw 82 mph from the outfield. Offensively hits from a balanced setup with a high back elbow and toe tap stride. Uphill swing path. 70 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 8.03. On the mound works from a low ¾- ¾ arm angle with a quick, loose arm action. Tall and fall online delivery with smooth rhythm and an athletic finish. Fastball showed slight running action at 73-75 topping out at 76 mph. Curveball showed sweeping action at 61-63 mph. Slider blended with curveball at 62-65 mph. Will continue to improve with maturity.

Christian Hickey, RHP, Benet, 2017
5-foot-10, 150-pound right-handed pitcher. Delivery works across body, starts from first base side of the rubber, tall and fall easy delivery. Arm action is loose, high ¾ slot, Fastball had action to arm side, found the zone regularly, 75-77 mph. Curveball has early 11/5 action, tends to get around, 64-65 mph. Changeup thrown with fastball arm speed, some deception out of hand, slight sink with feel for the pitch, 70-71 mph.

Jake Jones, RHP, Oak Forest, 2017
Long lanky, projectable build, 6-foot-4, 190-pound right-handed pitcher. Tall and fall delivery, delivery stays tall, upright finish, can get more out of lower half. Short quick arm action, over the top slot. Fastball flashed good run and sink, 79-80 mph, worked down. Curveball has 12/6 action, gradual break, 62-64 mph. Straight changeup, near fastball arm speed, 67-68 mph.

Brady Kauppila, RHP/OF, Yorkville, 2016
5-foot-11, 155-pound RHP/OF with a long, lean build. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a short, quick arm action. Uptempo, tall and fall, online delivery with a level shoulders throughout. Threw fastball for strikes at 77-78 topping out at 79 mph. Curveball showed 11-5 shape with gradual action at 65-68 mph. Showed feel for a changeup with fading action for strikes at 71-72 mph. Defensively has a long arm action from an over the top arm slot. Accurate throws that flashed carry with average hands. Plays thru the ball with a quick footwork and a clean exchange. Threw 82 mph from the outfield. Offensively hits from a balanced, closed stance with a short stride and average balance. Long, uphill swing path. 74 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.45.

Matt Manous, RHP, Munster, 2018
5-foot-10, 145-pound right-handed pitcher. Delivery has some effort, works slightly open. Long firm arm action, over the top slot. Fastball is mostly straight, showed control of the zone, occasionally flashed cut action, ranged 73-77 mph. 12/6 curveball showed action and depth, some feel for the zone, 61-64 mph. Straight change thrown near fastball arm speed, mostly down, 68-69 mph.

Will McManaman, LHP, St. Ignatius, 2018
6-foot-2, 170-pound left-handed pitcher, projectable frame. Slow repeatable delivery, squared athletic finish, little effort. Long arm action, high ¾ slot. Straight fastball, flashed finish through the zone, 73-74 mph, touched 76 mph. Curveball played with steeper action, occasionally 12/6, 57-59 mph. Fading changeup thrown near fastball arm speed, 63-64 mph.

Donovan Nanfeldt, 1B/LHP, Andrew, 2018
Big-bodied 6-foot, 200-pound right-handed hitting first-baseman. Offensively, hands get into a good position pre-pitch. Some leverage in swing and looseness at times. Exit velocity registered, 83 mph. Starts from an open, tall setup, short stride and some balance through contact. Long, uphill bat path through the zone, and flashed pull power on occasion. Defensively, reliable hands, short arm action, over-the-top slot, accurate throws, clocked at 65 mph across the infield. On the mound, the left-handed pitcher had some rhythm in his delivery. Landed on-line, square and an athletic finish at times. Fastball from an over-the-top slot, sat 66-67 mph, touching 68. Curveball, 12/6 shape, 54-56 mph. Also, threw a change-up ranging between 61-64 mph and had occasional cut.

Will Oppenheim, LHP, Jones College Prep, 2017
6-foot-2, 165-pound left-handed pitcher, lanky frame. Delivery works to glove side, finishes to third base side. Long arm action, high ¾ slot, average arm speed. Fastball is mostly straight four seam, 75-76 mph, touched 77 mph. Curveball played 12/6, gradual action, showed arm speed, flashed occasional depth, 64-65 mph. Showed feel of a changeup, slight arm side run, thrown with arm speed, 68-71 mph.

Braeden Reed, SS/RHP, West Central, 2017
Average build 5-foot-10, 170-pound right-handed hitting infielder and pitcher. Offensively, starts from a balanced stance, slight pre-pitch load and short stride. Looked to pull the ball during batting practice. Long, uphill swing path through the zone. Registered an exit velocity of 77 mph. Also, ran a 7.56 60 yard dash. Defensively, short arm action from a ¾ slot, clocked at 69 mph. On the mound, on-line direction and square landing. Slow-paced delivery with some rhythm throughout. Showed feel for all three pitches. Change-up appeared to be the best offering. Feel for the change-up, run and sink at the bottom of the zone, 67-70 mph. Curveball had true 12/6 shape at times, some depth and feel sitting 60-61 mph. Fastball was thrown for strike, slight run, at 73-74 mph and touching 77 once.

Dylan Spector, RHP, Jones College Prep, 2018
6-foot, 165-pound right-handed pitcher, average lean frame. Tall and fall delivery, stays balanced through finish, uses slide step out of stretch. Bow and arrow arm action, hesitation on the back, high ¾ slot. Fastball is mostly straight, four seam action, showed control, 74-75 mph, touched 77 mph. Curveball showed depth and feel, 12/6 action, near fastball arm speed, 61-63 mph. Changeup has occasional sink, showed feel, 64-66 mph.

William Townsend, 1B/LHP, St. Ignatius, 2018
6-foot, 225-pound left-handed two-way player, hulking build with strength. On the mound works in line down the hill, upright with recoil finish. Full firm arm action, slight stab, high 3/4 slot. Fastball is straight, 67-70 mph. Curveball played at 50-51 mph, gradual action, 1/7 plane. Straight changeup played at 63-65 mph. Offensively hits from the left side, balanced stance, short stride. Pull side lifting approach, showed occasional pop, 85 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm played at 64 mph across the diamond, arm works similar to that on the mound. Ran an 8.66 in the 60, laser timed.

Barry White, LHP/OF, Lincoln-Way Eat, 2019
5-foot-4, 115-pound, left-handed hitting LHP/OF. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a long arm action. Tall and fall, online delivery with regular effort, and smooth rhythm. Fastball sat 71-72 mph. Curveball showed 1-7 shape with early action. Showed feel for his changeup that flashed sinking action for strikes at 63-65 mph. Defensively has a short arm action from an over the top arm slot. Plays thru the ball with a quick, clean exchange and average hands. Threw 74 mph from the outfield. Offensively hits from a balanced, tall setup with a short stride. Spray hitter with a short, level swing path. 70 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.64. Will continue to improve with maturity.  

Tavares Williams, INF/RHP, Marian Catholic, 2018
Athletic build 5-foot-10, 167-pound right-handed hitting infielder and pitcher. Offensively, starts from a balanced, closed setup, no load and short stride. Some balance through contact, long and uphill path through the zone. Registered an exit velocity of 74 mph. Defensively, clean exchange and reliable hands. Short-arm action, high ¾ slot and clocked at 68 mph across the infield. Also, showcased on the mound. Right-handed pitcher lands square and on-line. Short arm action, over-the-top slot and regular effort in the delivery. Fastball ranged between 64-67 mph, touching 68. Showed feel for a changeup, throwing it for strikes and some arm-side-run, 58-61 mph. Curveball 11/5 action was 57-59 mph. 

Tony Witczak, RHP, Lincoln-Way East, 2016
6-foot-3, 190-pound right-handed pitcher, long limbed frame. Delivery works on line, regular effort. ¾ arm slot, loose arm action. Fastball has running action with sink, 76-77 mph, touched 78 mph. Slider flashed good action, 2/8 plane, some feel, 67-69 mph. Changeup showed arm side action, 68-71 mph.

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