Metro East Open: Pitcher Analysis

August 10, 2016

By Drew Locascio
Illinois Scouting Director

The annual Metro East Open took place on June 28th at Blazier Field in O'Fallon, IL. About 100 uncommitted prospects from the St. Louis area convened for the open showcase. Earlier this week we took a look at the top infielders. Today we rank the top pitchers that were in attendance.

Here’s a look at the pitchers at the Metro East Open.

TOP PITCHERS

1. Justin Bauersachs, RHP, Trico, 2017
6-foot-4, 190 pound, right-handed pitcher with a well-proportioned, projectable frame. Put himself on the map as one of the harder throwing 2017’s in Illinois. Tall and fall delivery with some rhythm, stays in line, lands slightly closed. Quick, live arm from a high ¾ slot. Fastball, flashed run, sat 88-89 mph. Changeup, maintains arm speed, flashed arm side run and sinking action, 79-82 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, short, tight break, power type, 73-77 mph. High follow 2017 arm.

2. Brady McAfee, LHP, Alton Marquette Catholic, 2017
6-foot-2, 180 pound, lanky, projectable, left handed pitcher. Delivery works with rhythm, maintains arm speed on all pitches, stays in line, lands square, finishes athletically. Long, loose, quick arm from a high ¾ arm slot. Fastball, flashed arm-side-run, occasional life and sat 82-83 mph. Curveball, 1/7 shape, sharp, late action when good, sat 67-69 mph. Feel for changeup, arm side run action, 76-78 mph.

3. Lane Belleville, INF/RHP, Teutopolis, 2017
6-foot-4, 210-pound right handed hitting two-way player. Offensively, balanced set up, leg kick stride, fluid rhythm, bat speed, pull-side approach. Recorded an exit velocity of 89 mph. Defensively, long loose arm action, low ¾ arm slot, flashed accuracy, clocked at 78 mph across the diamond. 7.51 runner in the 60. On the mound, ¾ arm slot, quick arm speed, long action, regular effort. Some rhythm, in-line, square landing, athletic finish. Fastball sat 83-84 mph, topping 85 with run and late action. Slider, 11/5 action with sweeping shape, sat 68-72. Changeup ranged between 73-78 mph.

4. Clifton Slagel, INF/RHP, Prairie Central, 2017
6-foot-1, 175-pound right handed hitting two-way player. On the mound, fastball, thrown for strikes, sat 81-83 mph topping 84. Curveball, maintains arm speed, true 12/6 shape at times, downer action, tight spin and depth, 61-65 mph. Also featured a changeup with sink, 74-75 mph. Offensively, balanced wide set up, smooth load, short stride, balance with follow through. Bat speed, level bat path with extension, gap-to-gap approach. Recorded an exit velocity of 85. Defensively, quick exchange, short arm action, high ¾ slot, flashed accuracy. Clocked at 73 mph across the infield. 7.37 runner in the 60.

5. Luke Watson, RHP, Columbia, 2018
6-foot, 165 pound, right-handed pitcher, with project-ability. Tall and fall delivery, regular effort, pitches with rhythm, stays in line, lands square, finishes athletically. Long, quick arm, from a high ¾ arm slot. Fastball, works mostly straight, tilt and late arm-side action at times, thrown for strikes, sat 81-83 mph. Feel for changeup, maintains arm speed, flashed fade, thrown for strikes, 73-75 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, 63-67 mph.

5. Evan Gray, OF/RHP, Belleville East, 2019
6-foot-3, 175-pound lanky, athletic two-way prospect. On the mound, tall and fall delivery, flashed tempo, stays in line with the catcher, lands square, back leg swings, finishes glove side. High ¾ slot, long arm action, regular effort. Fastball, slight run, sat 81-83. Curveball, at its best, 11/5 shape, some depth, erratic at times, registered between 67-71 mph. Changeup, similar fastball arm speed, fade, clocked between 70-74 mph. 2019 follow on the mound. Offensively, right-handed hitter, upright, narrow, slightly open stance, large leg kick. Bat speed, uphill path, gap-to-gap approach; 83 mph exit velocity. Defensively, athletic fielding position, works through the baseball. Arm is long and loose, high ¾ slot; recorded throws at 83 mph from the outfield. Also, ran a 7.53 laser timed 60.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Matthew Albritton, 3B/RHP, O’Fallon, 2019
6-foot-3, 190 pound, two-way prospect. Offensively, right-handed hitter, with bat speed; 85 mph exit velocity. Open setup, leg kick, with a pull side approach. Defensively, accurate arm from a high ¾ arm slot; 71 mph across the infield. On the mound, right-handed pitcher. Stays in line and lands square. Long arm action, high ¾ arm slot. Fastball works mainly straight, clocked at 73-75 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, clocked at 62-64 mph. Changeup clocked at 67-68 mph.

Ryan Best, 2B/RHP, Staunton, 2019
5-foot-7, 145 pound, two-way prospect. Offensively, right-handed hitter, closed setup. Fluid rhythm with a line drive approach; exit velocity clocked at 73 mph. Defensively, fluid footwork, clean exchange. Over the top to a high ¾ arm slot; clocked at 69 mph across the diamond. 7.21 runner in the 60. On the mound, right-handed pitcher with rhythm. Tall and fall delivery, stays in line, lands square, finishes athletically. Short arm action, over the top to a high ¾ arm slot. Fastball flashed cut; clocked at 72-74 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape; sat 64-66 mph. Changeup, good feel, 68-70 mph.

Logan Boente, INF/RHP, O’Fallon, 2018
6-foot, 165-pound right handed hitting two-way player. Offensively, balanced set up, short stride, balance on follow through. Recorded an exit velocity of 81 mph. Fluid rhythm, short level bat path, and flashed bat speed. Defensively, flashed soft hands, clean exchange. Loose arm action, ¾ arm slot. Was clocked at 79 across the infield. 7.51 runner in the 60. On the mound, showed feel for all three pitches. High ¾ arm slot, long arm action, regular effort. Also, smooth rhythm, closed landing. Fastball sat 78-80 mph. Curveball had 11/5 shape with tight movement sitting 68-72. Also featured a changeup with sink sitting 73-76 mph.

Nicholas Braddock, RHP/OF, O’Fallon, 2019
6-foot-0, 165 pound, two-way prospect. On the mound, right handed pitcher, feel for three pitches. Easy effort delivery, smooth rhythm, stays in line, lands slightly closed, finishes upright. Short, loose arm action from a ¾ arm slot. Fastball, flashed run, thrown for strikes, sat 72-73 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, thrown for strikes, 57-59 mph. Changeup, maintains arm speed, flashed arm side run, thrown for strikes, 65-67 mph. Offensively, right handed hitter with a pull approach. Balanced setup, short stride, solid contact; exit velocity clocked at 77 mph. Defensively, quick exchange, long arm action from a high ¾ arm slot; clocked at 72 mph in the outfield.

Austin Collinson, INF/RHP, Normal West, 2019
5-foot-10, 170-pound, two-way prospect. Offensively, right-handed hitter, strength through contact; 85 mph exit velocity. Hard contact, ability to backspin and flashed a level path. Balanced setup, short stride, and a gap-to-gap approach. Defensively, steady hands and clean exchange on the field. Loose arm, high ¾ to ¾ slot, accurate throws across the diamond; clocked at 78mph. 7.66 runner in the 60. On the mound, right-handed pitcher with three pitch feel. Tall and fall delivery, stays in line, lands square, finishes athletically, and regular effort throughout. Long arm action out of a high ¾ slot. Fastball works mainly straight, clocked at 77-78 mph. Curveball, flashed feel, 11/5 shape, and sat 60-61 mph. Changeup, good feel, sinking action, 70-72 mph.

Jordan Dowling, INF/LHP, O’Fallon, 2019
5-foot-6, 134 pound two-way prospect. Offensively, right handed hitter, pull approach, fluid rhythm. Balanced setup, smooth load, leg kick; exit velocity clocked at 75 mph. Defensively, clean exchange, athletic, plays through the baseball. Long, loose arm action from an over the top to high ¾ arm slot; 73 mph across the diamond. On the mound, left-handed pitcher, tall and fall delivery, easy effort, smooth rhythm, stays in line, lands square, finishes athletically. Long arm action from a high ¾ to ¾ arm slot. Fastball, mainly straight, 67-69 mph. Curveball, sweeping action, 55-58 mph. Changeup, 60-62 mph.

Justin Dye, RHP, O’Fallon, 2017
6-foot, 172 pound, right handed pitcher, athletic build. Flashed rhythm, some effort, stays in line, lands square, finishes upright. Short, quick arm, over the top to high ¾ arm slot. Fastball, works mainly straight, thrown for strikes, sat 81-82 mph. Changeup, maintains arm speed, good feel, thrown for strikes, flashed sink, 73-75 mph. Curveball, 12/6 shape, 66-68 mph.

Luke Gasser, RHP/1B, O’Fallon, 2019
6-foot-1, 160-pound, lanky, two-way prospect. Offensively, right-handed hitter, with a level path. Balanced setup, short stride and a line drive approach; exit velocity clocked at 63 mph. Defensively, steady hands, fields deep at times. High ¾ arm slot and throws clocked at 72 mph. On the mound, right-handed pitcher. Tall and fall delivery, stays in line, lands square, and finishes athletically. Easy effort, short arm action out of a ¾ to low ¾ arm slot. Fastball features run; clocked at 73-75mph. Curveball clocked at 62-64 mph. Changeup, arm speed near fastball, sat 67-68 mph.

Colin Hall, RHP, Civic Memorial, 2017
6-foot-2, 160 pound, athletic, right handed pitcher. Tall and fall delivery, regular effort, flashed rhythm, stays in line, lands square, finishes athletically. Short arm action, flashed a quick arm, over the top to high ¾ arm slot. Fastball, cut action, sat 78-80 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, 65-66 mph. Changeup, maintains arm speed, mainly straight, 71-73 mph.

Taylor Heil, OF/RHP, Carterville, 2017
6-foot-6, 175-pound lanky, two-way prospect. Ran a 7.22 laser timed 60. Offensively, right handed hitter, balanced setup, minimal stride. Uphill bat path, pull side approach; 79 mph exit velocity. Defensively, long and loose arm action, high ¾ slot, clean exchanges; throws to the plate registered at 76 mph. On the mound, tall and fall delivery, stays in line with target, lands square. High ¾ slot, short arm action. Fastball, registered between 73-75 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, similar fastball arm speed, ranged from 59-62 mph. Changeup, 61-64 mph. Slider, 68-69 mph.

Garrett Herring, RHP, O’Fallon, 2018
6-foot-3, 185 pound, right-handed pitcher. Up-tempo delivery, high front side, slight cross fire action and finishes towards first base. Long arm action out of a high ¾ slot. Fastball, flashed cut, sat 76-78 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, flashed depth, 63-65 mph. Changeup, good feel, maintains arm speed, mostly straight, thrown for strikes, 65-67 mph.

Cole Juelfs, INF/RHP, Valmeyer, 2018
6-foot, 160-pound right handed hitting two-way player. Offensively, tall, balanced set up, smooth load, toe-tap stride, balance on follow through. Level bat path, line drive type approach, fluid rhythm. Recorded an exit velocity of 81 mph. Defensively, athleticism at position. Long arm action, high ¾ arm slot. Clocked at 78 mph across the infield. 7.67 runner in the 60. On the mound, over the top arm angle, short action, smooth rhythm, square landing. Fastball had run, thrown for strikes, sat 75-78. Curveball, 11/5 action, thrown for strikes, sat 63-66. Also featured a change up with sink sitting 63-66.

Nathan Kellerman, OF/RHP, O’Fallon, 2018
5-foot-10, 185-pound two-way prospect. Offensively, right handed hitter, balanced, narrow stance, leg kick timing mechanism. Line drive approach; registered a 74 mph exit velocity. Defensively, clean exchanges on throws from the outfield. Arm worked from a ¾ slot, long arm action registering throws at 77 mph. Also, ran a 7.76 60. On the mound, stayed in line with the plate, landed square, flashed rhythm, tall and fall delivery style. Comes from a high ¾ slot, short arm action, easy effort. Fastball ranged from 73-76 mph. Curveball, 12/6 shape, flashed feel, sat 62-63 mph. Changeup, near fastball arm speed, fade and sink, controlled in the zone, clocked at 68-69 mph.

Trevor Kohrmann, LHP, Central Community, 2017
5-foot-11, 145 pound, lanky, projectable, left handed pitcher. Tall and fall delivery with rhythm, regular effort, lands slightly closed. Long, loose, quick arm, from a ¾ to low ¾ slot. Fastball, arm side run, sat 80-82 mph. Curveball, 2/8 shape, firm action, maintains arm speed, 67-70 mph. Changeup, arm side run, sat 72-75 mph.

Mack Langdon, RHP/INF, Triad, 2018
6-foot-0, 190 pound, two-way prospect. On the mound, right-handed pitcher. Tall and fall delivery, in line, square landing, finishes athletically. Long arm action, over the top to high ¾ arm slot. Fastball, flashed run, slight action, sat 79-80 mph. Curveball, good feel, 12/6 shape, 68-69 mph. Changeup, arm speed similar to fastball, 73-74mph. Offensively, right-handed pull hitter with bat speed. Balance setup, toe tap; exit velocity clocked at 90 mph. Defensively, quick exchange, plays through the baseball. Accurate arm, high ¾ arm slot; clocked at 78 mph across the diamond. 7.22 runner in the 60.

Jake Levin, SS/RHP, O’Fallon, 2019
5-foot-10, 145 pound, two-way prospect. Offensively, right-handed pull hitter. Open setup, leg kick, good balance; exit velocity clocked at 76 mph. Defensively, quick footwork , clean exchange. Long arm action, high ¾ arm slot; clocked at 71 mph across the diamond. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, tall and fall delivery, works slightly across his body. Short arm action, high ¾ arm slot. Fastball flashes run; sat 69-71 mph. Curveball, throws for strike 11/5 shape, 58-60 mph. Changeup, 67-60 mph.

Jack Lucey, RHP, Quincy, 2017
6-foot-1, 180 pound right handed pitcher. Tall and fall delivery, easy effort, stays in line, lands square, and finishes athletically. Short arm action from a high ¾ slot. Fastball, features run, flashed action, 74-77 mph. Curveball, 12/6 shape, 65-68 mph. Changeup, flashed cut, 67-71 mph.

Cullen McBride, C/RHP, Staunton, 2019
5-foot-9, 142-pound right-handed hitting catcher. Offensively, balanced setup, leg kick timing mechanism. Level bat path, line drive approach; exit velocity clocked at 66 mph. Defensively, high 3/4. Slot, quick release, recorded pop times between 2.20-2.43. Clocked at 69 mph behind the dish. Also, ran a 7.86 laser timed 60. On the mound, high ¾ slot, short arm action, easy effort. Flashed rhythm in a tall and fall delivery, lands open. Fastball, slight run, pounded the zone, sat 73-76. Slider, 11/5 shape, sweeping action, sat 50-52. Changeup, near fastball arm action, fade, showed feel, clocked between 62-66 mph.

Luke Meixner, INF/RHP, Duchesne (MO), 2017
6-foot, 195-pound right handed hitting two-way player. Offensively, open set up, bat speed, uphill path, pull-side type hitter. Flashed power. Recorded an exit velocity of 89 mph. Defensively, quick footwork with a clean exchange. Short arm action, ¾ slot, flashed carry. Clocked at 79 mph across the diamond. 7.39 runner in the 60. On the mound, high ¾ arm slot, quick arm speed, short action, in-line direction, closed landing. Fastball sat 81 mph topping at 82 mph. Slider, 10/4 action sitting 72-73. Also featured a changeup with arm side run sitting 74-76.

Jaysn Miller, RHP, O’Fallon, 2018
5-foot-9, 150 pound, right-handed pitcher with pitch-ability. Feel for four pitches, ability to throw all for strikes. Delivery works with some rhythm, repeatable, slight crossfire action, lands closed, and regular effort throughout. Flashed a quick arm from a high ¾ slot. Fastball, slight arm side run, late action at times, sat 75-76 mph. Curveball and slider flashed two different shapes. Curveball, 11/5 shape, maintains arm speed, depth and feel, strikes, 64-65 mph. Slider, tighter spin, 10/4 , sweeping action, thrown for strikes, sat 67-68 mph. Changeup, flashed sink and fade, thrown for strikes, 71-73 mph.

Simon Nguyen, OF/LHP, Alton, 2018
5-foot-11, 160- pound left-handed hitting two-way prospect. Ran a 7.14 laser timed 60. Offensively, balanced setup, leg kick timing mechanism, back side load, balance throughout contact. Uphill bat path, gap to gap approach; exit velocity recorded at 74 mph. Defensively, had clean exchanges coming from a high ¾ arm slot; 71 mph from the outfield. On the mound, short arm action from an over the top slot. Tall and fall delivery, stays in line with target, lands square. Fastball, slight run, ranged from 66-68 mph. Curveball, 12/6 shape, near fastball arm speed, sat 52-55 mph. Straight changeup, similar fastball arm speed, sat 58-60 mph.

Jared Niemeyer, OF/RHP, Meter Dei Catholic, 2017
6-foot-3, 165-pound lanky, two-way prospect. Defensively, fluid footwork, clean exchanges on throws, plays through the baseball. Over the top arm slot, long, loose arm action, accurate throws to the plate clocked at 79 mph. Offensively, right handed hitter, balanced setup, long stride. Uphill bat path, fluid rhythm, line drive approach; exit velocity clocked at 78 mph. Also, ran a 7.57 laser timed 60. On the mound, flashed rhythm, tall and fall delivery, lands square, athletic finish. Over the top arm slot, short arm action. Fastball, ranged between 73-75 mph. Curveball, 12/6 shape, near fastball arm speed, clocked between 62-67 mph. Changeup, similar fastball arm speed, slight fade, clocked in at 70-71 mph.

Ryan Rice, OF/LHP, United Township, 2018
5-foot-11, 165-pound two-way prospect. Defensively, athletic fielding position, plays through the baseball, clean exchange on throws to the plate. Arm works from a high ¾ slot, short, loose arm action; clocked at 82 mph from the outfield. Offensively, right handed hitter, balanced setup, short stride, maintained balance throughout contact; exit velocity registered 71 mph off of a tee. Also, ran a 7.53 60. On the mound, the south paw threw from an over the top arm slot. Long arm action with minimal effort. Tall and fall delivery, stayed in line with the plate, landed square, finished in an athletic position. Fastball, ranged 77-79, topped 80. Slider, 2/8 shape, sat 70-71. Changeup, clocked between 67-70 mph. Curveball, sat 65-69 mph.

Nolan Robben, RHP, Mater Dei, 2017
6-foot-3, 170 pound, lanky, athletic, right handed pitcher with feel for three pitches. Tall and fall delivery, stays in line, lands square, finishes upright. Long arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. Fastball, flashed arm side run, thrown for strikes, sat at 76 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, thrown for strikes, 67-69 mph. Changeup, maintains arm speed, flashed sink, thrown for strikes, 66-70 mph.

Marc Rodriguez, RHP, O’Fallon, 2018
6-foot-1, 175 pound, right handed pitcher. Regular effort delivery, stays in line, lands square. Long arm action from an over the top to high ¾ arm slot. Fastball, mainly straight, 73-75 mph. Curveball, thrown for strikes, 63-64 mph. Changeup, maintains arm speed, 69-71 mph.

Christian Stawar, RHP, Civic Memorial, 2018
6-foot-1, 140 pound, lanky, right handed pitcher. Regular effort delivery, stays in line, lands square. Short arm action from an over the top angle. Fastball, mainly straight, thrown for strikes, 74-77 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, 61-64 mph.

Kaleb Vaughn, OF/RHP, Carterville, 2017
6-foot-3, 185-pound, two-way prospect. Defensively, played through the baseball. Arm works from a high ¾ slot, long action, throws flashed carry; 82 mph from the outfield. Offensively, balanced stance, short, minimal stride. Uphill bat path, pull side approach; exit velocity registered at 82 mph. Also, ran a 7.55 laser timed 60. On the mound, showed the same high ¾ slot seen in the field, long arm action. Tall and fall delivery style, smooth rhythm, stays in line, lands square. Fastball, late run, pounded the zone, sat 79-80, topped 81 mph. Curveball, 12/6 break, fastball arm speed, some depth, registered between 61-65 mph. Split, sink, tumble, 67-71 mph.

Geoff Withers, INF/RHP, Civic Memorial, 2018
6-foot-5, 211-pound right handed hitting two-way player. Offensively, balanced set up, back load, longer bat path, line drive type approach. Recorded an exit velocity of 88 mph. Defensively, high ¾ arm slot, flashed accuracy and arm strength. Clocked at 70 mph across the infield. On the mound, projectable right handed pitcher. High ¾ arm slot, quick arm speed, loose action, regular effort. Smooth rhythm, in-line direction, square landing. Fastball sat 77-79 mph hitting 81 mph with run. Curveball, 10/4 action, sitting 63-67 with fastball arm speed. Featured a changeup sitting 70-73 with sink, fastball arm speed.

Tommy Woods, INF/RHP, McClure North, 2018
6-foot-3, 185 pounds, lanky, two-way prospect. Offensively, right-handed hitter, loose hands, bat speed; exit velocity clocked at 87 mph. Level bat path with a gap to gap approach, fluid rhythm. Balanced setup, smooth load, short stride. Defensively, fields athletically, quick footwork and exchange. Long, loose arm action from a high ¾ slot; 78 mph across the infield. On the mound, right handed pitcher. Regular effort, in line, square landing. Long arm action, high ¾ arm slot. Fastball, thrown for strikes, flashes run, 76-79 mph. Curveball, 63-66 mph. Changeup, mostly straight, 68-71.

Heath Zuber, RHP, O’Fallon, 2017
6-foot-1, 150 pound, lanky, right handed pitcher, pounds the strike zone. Tall and fall delivery, rhythm, stays in line, lands square, finishes athletically. Long arm action from a high ¾ to ¾ arm slot. Fastball, arm side run and sink, thrown for strikes, 77-79 mph. Curveball, 10/4 shape, late action, sat 68- 70 mph. Changeup, maintains arm speed, arm side run, thrown for strikes, 73-74 mph. Slider, 70-71 mph.