On Tuesday, July 20, the PBR Illinois staff hosted the Underclass Games at Triton College in River Grove. The invite-only event featured some of the top players from Illinois and Wisconsin in the Class of 2024. A number of high-level follows emerged at the event and many will be names to become familiar with as they enter their sophomore year of high school.

Our staff published several pieces shortly after the event’s conclusion and you can find those by clicking HERE.

Earlier last week we started rolling our position-by-position scouting reports from this event, starting with the catchers, then outfielders and finishing up with a strong infield group. We’ll wrap up our analysis today by jumping over to the mound and rolling out our pitcher reports from the day. 

Before we do that, however, here are a few names that popped: 

+ RHP Luke Teschke (Monticello, IL) is an athletically-built, 5-foot-11, 160-pounds and had one of the best in-game performances of the day. Teschke is highly-projectable with a quick/clean arm and low effort delivery, producing easy velocity. Teschke’s fastball sat 83-85 mph touching 86 mph with life through the zone, as well as the ability to locate to both sides of the plate. He also showcased two breaking balls, the first being a sharp slider at 71-72 mph; showing promise to continue to develop and be a wipeout pitch in the near future. His second breaking ball was an 11/5 bender in the 68-69 mph range with gradual shape. Teschke, who also worked out on the infield, led the event topping at 90 mph across the diamond.

RHP Luke Teschke (Monticello, 2024) with an impressive one inning stint at the #UCGames.

Polished, easy delivery, high-volume of strikes, 4-pitch mix and FB sat 83-84, T86. pic.twitter.com/VAcF5ZTQxm

— PBR Illinois (@PBRIllinois) July 20, 2021

+ 6-foot-1, 180-pound RHP Malachi Paplanus (Huntley, IL) had another strong PBR event showing. The right-hander continues to show that he is one of the most polished 2024 arms in the state with a clean delivery and plus two-pitch mix to work with. Paplanus featured a fastball in the 82-83 mph range that flashed occasional arm-side run. The right-hander’s go-to pitch is his breaking ball; which he spins around 2400-2500 RPM while showing sharp 11/5 action and the ability to throw it for strikes in any count.

+ Both RHP’s Mike Schoon (University School of Milwaukee, WI) and Ryan Kotara (Lincoln-Way Central, IL)  both impressed with easy/athletic deliveries and loose arms. The two right-handers both sat 80-81 mph touching 83 mph with feel for 11/5 breaking balls. 

+ 6-foot-2 190-pound, LHP Ethan Eberle (Normal Community, IL) has seen his velocity climb since the winter. The left-hander uses his long-limbed frame and clean/quick arm to produce an easy 78-81 mph, T82 fastball with arm-side life and action. Eberle showcased a sharp 1/7 breaking ball in the 63-64 mph range that he throws with fastball intent. Also flashed a changeup that showed sinking action and the ability to locate down in the zone.

+ One of the stronger two-way performances on the day belonged to SS/RHP Cooper Kamlay (Franklin, WI). He showed a loose, repeatable delivery and adequately translated his above-average arm strength on the infield to the mound. Kamlay used a sinking fastball in the 83-84 mph range to pound the zone and produce weak contact. His best secondary offering this game was his changeup; the pitch was 71-72 mph with sinking action which he used in any count as well as right-on-right to pick up a strikeout. Breaking ball was 71-73 mph with sharp 11/5 shape, also with the ability to throw for strikes. High-follow two-way prospect in Wisconsin.

+ Another arm worth noting, who landed just outside the top-five was LHP Jackson Ugo (Andrew). Ugo has a 6-foot, 150-pound, upside frame to go along with a clean, easy arm action that projects for much more velocity to come in the future.

Read on below for reports on all of the arms from the event.

TOP PITCHING PROSPECTS

1. Luke Teschke, Monticello (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-11, 160-pounds.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery down the mound, drops into his back leg as he reaches his balance point, leads with front hip down the mound.
Arm Action: RH. Loose/quick high 3/4 slot.
FB: T85.6, 83.4-85.2 mph. Mostly straight, plays at the top of the zone.  T2164, 1983 average rpm.
CB: 68.2-70.3 mph. Sharp bite at times, 11/5 shape, kept down in the zone, showed the ability to land for strikes and bury as a put-out pitch.  T2027, 2013 average rpm.
SL: 71-72 mph. Sharp 10/4 action, thrown with fastball intent, showed some feel for the zone and the ability to locate low and away to RHH. T2111, 2111 average rpm.

2. Malachi Paplanus, Huntley (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: RHP/2B
Body: 6-1, 180-pounds.
Delivery: Polished delivery, showed the ability to repeat, drop and drive lower-half, explosive down the mound, throws with intent, athletic finish.
Arm Action: RH. Long out of the glove with a loose high 3/4 slot, quick arm.
FB: T83.9, 82.3-83.6 mph. T2256 rpm, jumps out of the hand with ride through the zone, some arm-side life at times.  T2256, 2197 average rpm.
CB: 69.4-70.5 mph. Tight spin, 10/4 shape, advanced feel for age, showed the ability to locate for strikes, T2482 rpm with a 2425 rpm average.  T2482, 2425 average rpm.
CH:  72-73 mph. Thrown with intent, showed some arm-side fade, able to command for strikes.  T1848, 1848 average rpm.

3. Mike Schoon, University School of Milwaukee (WI), 2024
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 6-0, 165-pounds. Athletic build with a developed lower-half.
Delivery: Polished delivery, low-effort, drop and drive lower-half, gains ground easily down the mound, athletic through release.
Arm Action: RH. Loose high 3/4 slot, fluid arm circle out of the glove.
FB: T82.9, 81.3-82.6 mph. T2200 rpm, showed arm-side life with the ability to locate on both sides of the plate.  T2200, 2100 average rpm.
CB: 69.8-70.0 mph. Sharp 11/5 shape, downer action with feel for the zone.  T2275, 2218 average rpm.

4. Ethan Eberle, Normal Community (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: LHP/1B
Body: 6-2, 190-pounds.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery down the mound, moves well downhill with a gliding lower-half, shoulders mostly level at release.
Arm Action: LH. Loose 3/4 slot, fluid out of the glove to release.
FB: T81.5, 77.9-80.7 mph. Heavy arm-side life, thrown for strikes.  T2141, 1994 average rpm.
CB: 62.8-64.7 mph. Gradual 1/7 shape, thrown for strikes.  T1993, 1854 average rpm.
CH: 72.6-73.1 mph. Maintains fastball arm-speed, showed arm-side diving action down in the. zone.  T1758, 1723 average rpm.

T5. Ryan Kotara, Lincoln-Way Central  (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 6-0, 175-pounds. Athletic build with plenty of room to fill out.
Delivery: Polished/repeatable delivery, drop and drive lower-half, moves well from balance point with a strong lead hip, athletic finish.
Arm Action: RH. Short/clean over-the-top slot.
FB: T83.2, 75.6-80.5 mph. Jumps out of the hand with some arm-side life, plays at the top of the zone.  T1953, 1772 average rpm.
CB: 66-67 mph. Hard biting action with downer 11/5 shape, kept primarily down in the zone.  T2492, 2492 average rpm.
CH: 71-72 mph. Thrown with fastball intent and fading action to his arm-side.  T1624, 1624 average rpm.

T5. Cooper Kamlay, Franklin (WI), 2024
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-10, 155-pounds.
Delivery: Repeatable/athletic delivery, drop and drive lower-half, stays upright at release with level shoulders, moves with aggression after footstrike.
Arm Action: RH. Short/quick arm out of the glove, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T84.1, 82.5-84.0 mph. T84 mph, ball jumps out of the hand with arm-side life.  T2210, 2122 average rpm.
CB: 68.2-72.4 mph. Sharp 11/5 shape, landed both for strikes and to put hitters away.  T2183, 2102 average rpm.

BEST OF THE REST (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY)

Donatello Badalamenti, Pulaski (WI), 2024
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 6-0, 195-pounds.
Delivery: Compact/repeatable delivery, slight drop-and-drive lower-half with an athletic finish.
Arm Action: RH. Loose/clean arm circle with a high 3/4 slot.
FB: T78.3, 76.6-77.9 mph. Generally straight with the ability to fill up the zone.  T1991, 1878 average rpm.
CB: 68.6-69.4 mph. Short 11/5 action, thrown with fastball intent and for strikes.  T2123, 1975 average rpm.

Cal Casper, Pulaski (WI), 2024
Positional Profile: C/SS
Body: 5-8, 170-pounds. Athletic build.
Delivery: Pitched exclusively from the stretch, starts in a tall/balanced position, moves down the mound quickly from balance point, utilizes his lower-half into his stride, moves with intent throughout the delivery.
Arm Action: RH. Long/loose over-the-top slot, quick arm.
FB: T78.9, 76.0-78.6 mph. Generally straight, occasionally missed up in the zone.  T1894, 1768 average rpm.
CB: 63.4-65.7 mph. Sharp 11/5 action, thrown with fastball intent.  T2067, 1983 average rpm.

Emin Hartigan, Huntley (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: LHP/OF
Body: 6-2, 165-pounds.
Delivery: Slight drop and drive lower-half, moves quickly down the mound with an aggressive upper-half through release.
Arm Action: LH. High 3/4 arm slot, fluid out of the glove to release.
FB: T79.5, 74.8-78.7 mph. Jumps out of the hand, arrives at the plate on a tough downward angle, can play both at the bottom and the top of the zone.  T1873, 1695 average rpm.
CB: 64.2-66.3 mph. Sharp 2/8 action, thrown with intent and for strikes.  T1761, 1666 average rpm.
CH: 67.2-71.1 mph. Straight change, thrown with fastball intent, kills spin. T1804, 1700 average rpm.

Anthony Holloway, St. Patrick (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 5-8, 155-pounds.
Delivery: Polished/repeatable delivery, drop and drive lower-half, leads with front hip down the mound, lands in a strong throwing position with shoulders mostly level.
Arm Action: RH. Short out of the glove with a high 3/4 arm slot.
FB: T77.2, 75.1-76.6 mph. Some arm-side life, able to locate for strikes, plays at the bottom of the zone.  T2099, 1980 average rpm.
SL: 70.1-70.9 mph. Short 10/4 action, kept mostly down and away to RHH. T2074, 2074 average rpm.

Seth Impson, Springfield (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: C
Body: 5-10, 155-pounds.
Delivery: Fluid/up-tempo delivery, drop and drive lower-half, showed the ability to lead with his front hip down the mound and gain momentum.
Arm Action: RH. Loose/quick high 3/4 slot.
FB: T79.2, 74.8-78.8 mph. Generally straight but able to land for strikes, kept mostly on the corners.  T2036, 1889 average rpm.
CH: 70.0-71.7 mph. Thrown with fastball arm-speed, generally kept down in the zone.  T1883, 1665 average rpm.

Sawyer Kowalkowski, Ozaukee (WI), 2024
Positional Profile: RHP/OF
Body: 6-0, 135-pounds.
Delivery: Drop and drive delivery down the mound, stays tall at release, short stride with a quick/explosive upper-half.
Arm Action: RH. Loose/quick over-the-top slot, long out of the glove.
FB: T78.8, 73.9-77.3 mph. Generally straight, comes out on a tough downward angle.  T2308, 2163 average rpm.
CB: 67.8-70.4 mph. Sharp 12/6 shape with the ability to land for strikes, occasionally 10/4 shape when on the side of the ball.  T2663, 2322 average rpm.
CH: 68.8-72.8 mph. Thrown with fastball intent. T2078, 1955 average rpm.

Cooper Marrs, Riverside-Brookfield (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 6-3, 175-pounds.
Delivery: Pitched exclusively from the stretch, starts tall with a slight bend in the back knee, repeatable delivery, smooth/gliding lower-half down the mound with a quick upper-half.
Arm Action: RH. Clean, high 3/4 arm action.
FB: T78.8, 76.6-78.2 mph. Generally straight with some arm-side life, fills up the zone.  T1785, 1660 average rpm.
CB: 60.5-65.8 mph. Gradual 11/5 shape, showed the ability to land for strikes.  T2060, 1785 average rpm.
CH: 64.2-66.0 mph. Thrown with fastball arm-speed, slight fading action, kept down in the zone.  T1588, 1410 average rpm.

Zachary Pyles, Warren (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: 1B/3B
Body: 6-0, 215-pounds.
Delivery: Pitched exclusively from the stretch, tall and fall delivery, remains tall at release with level shoulders.
Arm Action: RH. Clean high 3/4 arm slot.
FB: T77, 74.0-76.6 mph. Generally straight, thrown for strikes.  T1793, 1671 average rpm.
CB: 59-60 mph. Gradual 11/5 shape, occasionally 12/6, developing spin.  T1232, 1232 average rpm.

Jackson Ugo, Andrew (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: LHP/OF
Body: 6-0, 150-pounds.
Delivery: Polished/repeatable delivery, low-effort, drop and drive lower-half, rotational upper-half throughout the delivery, athletic finish.
Arm Action: LH. Clean/loose high 3/4 slot, easy arm speed.
FB: T80.8, 79.1-80.3 mph. Easy out of the hand with arm-side life, thrown for strikes, plays at the top of the zone. T2150, 2049 average rpm.
CB: 65.1-66.6 mph. Gradual 2/8 shape, short action, T2181 rpm.  T2181, 2089 average rpm.
CH: 71.9-72.1 mph. Thrown with fastball arm-speed, showed arm-side fading action, kept low in the zone, kills spin. T1701, 1699 average rpm.

Joshua Wicker, Fenwick (IL), 2024
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-8, 170-pounds.
Delivery: Up-tempo delivery, large stride to the side of the mound before moving into a high/athletic leg-lift, drop and drive lower-half down the mound with a long stride that stays in-line.
Arm Action: RH. Loose high 3/4 slot.
FB: T78.4, 76.7-77.9 mph. Occasional arm-side life, mostly strikes.  T2115, 2039 average rpm.
SL: 68.0-69.6 mph. Sweeping 10/4 action, occasionally got on the top of the ball and produced 11/5 action, showed some feel for the pitch. T2200, 2140 average rpm.

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