Peoria Preseason ID: Pitcher Analysis

On Feb. 20, the PBR Illinois team made its way down to Peoria to host the area’s annual preseason event where over 60 prospects came out to showcase the improvements they made over the offseason. The Peoria Preseason I.D. has allowed us to get a closer look at the best players in Central Illinois. This year, the talent was once again on display.

If you missed our rapid analysis inside our Quick Hits post or the data gathered in our Statistical Analysis, click the previous hyperlinks to learn more. We began publishing our position-by-position breakdown on Monday, with this event’s catchers and then moved to outfielders and infielders. Today we dive into the 28 pitchers in attendance.

RHP Braden Childress (Robinson, 2020) showcased his two-way ability and did so in impressive fashion headlining two positional groups, here and the infielder analysis. He has an upside frame at 6-foot-3, 205-pounds with loose and athletic actions and a promising four-pitch mix that give him a real chance at being a two-way threat moving forward.

A pair of Galesburg right-handers round out the top three in Mitchell Sampson and Noah Matheny and the junior duo is already making positive impacts on their varsity squads. Sampson sports a loose and super quick arm action that suggests he will see continuous rise in his fastball velocity, while Matheny is a pitcher’s pitcher sporting a clean and loose arm action with a complete, usable repertoire.

A 2020 prospect to keep an eye on is RHP Caleb Gross (Normal University). Standing at 6-foot, 140-pounds, Gross has a low effort delivery with an athletic arm action that should progress quite nicely as he continues to fill out physically. Normal U-High is known for the production of highly athletic arms so Gross is seemingly in the right place to hone in on his skillset.

Continue on below to find reports on all 28 pitchers who took to the mound in Peoria. Stay tuned as we wrap up the events post-analysis with the Top Overall prospects rolling out tomorrow.

TOP PITCHING PROSPECTS

1. Brayden Childress, INF/RHP, Robinson, 2020
6-foot-3, 205-pound, physically-advanced, strong build, two-way prospect. 7.05 runner in the 60, laser-timed. At the plate, right-handed hitter, open setup, pre-pitch rhythm, smooth load, toe-tap stride and maintains balance throughout. Present bat speed, short bat path, gap-to-gap approach and fluid rhythm; 90 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, natural at first base, steady hands, clean release. Short, loose arm action, high ¾ slot and throws topped at 80 mph. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, smooth delivery, works on-line and lands square. Short, quick, loose arm action, high ¾ slot. Fastball, plays up, straight action, sat 82-84 mph, touched 85. Throws two different breaking balls. Curveball, 11/5 shape, 67-68 mph. Slider, tight spin, 10/4 shape, 69-70 mph. Changeup, fade action, 74-75 mph.

2. Mitchell Sampson, RHP, Galesburg, 2020
6-foot-2, 195-pound, right-handed pitcher, athletic, chiseled frame with strength. Repeats tempo, sturdy balance with sit on back side, works across body to home, toe lands open, with spin to first after release. Long arm action, full swing, loose out front with present quick arm speed, high ¾ slot, effort involved. Fastball, late run at the bottom of the zone, easy life out of the hand, 85-87 mph, topped 88 mph. Slider, 11/5 shape, flashed late break, mostly gradual, 62-65 mph. Changeup, early fade off the side of the hand, 68-71 mph.

3. Noah Matheny, RHP/INF, Galesburg, 2020
6-foot-2, 200-pound, strong-bodied, wide-shouldered, two-way prospect. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, smooth tall and fall delivery, works slightly across his body and lands front-toe open. Clean, quick, loose arm action from a high ¾ window. Fastball, comes out of the hand easy, finish through the zone, arm-side-run, sat 82-85 mph. Curveball, feel for the zone, 11/5 shape, depth at times, 73 mph. Changeup, maintains arm speed, arm-side-run and sink, thrown for strikes, 74-76 mph. Offensively, left-handed hitter, balanced wide setup, short stride, loose hands, level path, hard contact, line-drive approach and fluid rhythm throughout; 92 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, works through the baseball, steady hands, long live arm action, throws carried and topped at 85 mph across the infield. 7.70 runner in the 60, laser-timed.

4. Blake Donnan, RHP, Taylorville, 2020
6-foot-5, 215-pound, right-handed pitcher, strength in frame. Quick feet and tempo, crunched at balance, slight sit on back side with extension down mound, in-line directionally, foot strikes square and heel first, head stays on-line, easy and athletic finish. Short arm action, looseness out front, present arm speed, ¾ slot, regular effort. Fastball, mostly straight with occasional run to his arm side, some life through zone, 82-84 mph, topped 85 mph. Changeup flashed swing and miss, faded and sank hard off his fastball with arm speed, 67-71 mph. Slider, tight spinner, 10/4 plane, pulled it out, 75-78 mph.

5. Caleb Gross, RHP, Normal University, 2020
6-foot, 140-pound, right-handed pitcher, long and lanky frame, high-waisted with upside. Tempoed delivery, athletic feet, tall at balance point with lower half coil, strides down mound in-line, toe strikes slightly closed, athletic finish with slight pop up, smooth rhythm. Full arm action, some length on back side, loose throughout, speeds through a clean high ¾ slot, effort is rather easy. Fastball, same plane run, occasional sink and tilt, in the zone, easy, 80-83 mph. Changeup, fading action with fastball arm speed, feel for it, 69-72 mph. Slider, 10/4 shape, gradual break, underneath it, 66-70 mph.

5. Sam Paden, INF/RHP, Libertyville, 2020
5-foot-11, 167-pound, well-proportioned, athletically-built, two-way prospect. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, smooth delivery, works on-line and lands front-toe open. Loose arm action, from a high ¾ slot. Fastball, slight arm-sider-run, thrown for strikes, 80-82 mph, touching 83. Changeup, is an above-average offering, maintains arm speed, sink and fade action, 69-72 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, 62-65 mph. At the plate, right-handed hitter, open setup, smooth load, short stride and maintains balance throughout. Loose hands, quick bat, short level bat path and fluid rhythm throughout. 87 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, fluid footwork, plays through the baseball, reliable hands, loose arm action, throws carry and topped at 82 mph. 7.42 runner in the 60, laser-timed.  

BEST OF THE REST (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY)

Joey Action, RHP, St. Joseph-Ogden, 2020
5-foot-10, 142-pound, right-handed pitcher, lanky build. Tall at balance with pop up, tall and fall style, strides short and in-line, lands square, some rhythm, athletic finish. Short arm action, clean high ¾ slot, effort is easy. In or around the zone with all offerings. Fastball, mostly straight with slight run, 72-74 mph. Curveball, 10/4 gradual break, 64-66 mph. Changeup, faded with fastball arm speed, best secondary, 63-65 mph.

Cayden Ahart, RHP, Peoria Heights, 2022
6-foot-3, 155-pound, right-handed pitcher, lanky frame with athletic actions. Stretch only, tall at balance point with tilt over back side, strides short and in-line, toe strikes closed, some rhythm. Arm action is long and loose, whippy out front, speeds through an over the top slot, inconsistent arm speed,  effort is rather easy. Fastball, came out of the hand easy with run in the zone, 74-77 mph, topped 78 mph. Curveball, gradual 12/6 shape, occasional depth, sat 56 mph. Changeup, mostly straight, 64-68 mph.

Bailey Antonio, LHP, Pekin, 2019
6-foot-1, 180-pound, left-handed pitcher, thicker build. Tall and fall style, long gather step, works in-line, lands square, falls towards third after release, some rhythm. Long arm action, full swing, ¾ slot, regular effort. Fastball, slight run with occasional cut, 73-75 mph, topped 78 mph. Curveball, 2/8 shape, early break, 62-65 mph. Changeup, near fastball arm speed, played straight, 61-64 mph.

Bret Baldus, RHP, Mahomet-Seymour, 2021
6-foot-4, 180-pound, right-handed pitcher, lanky, long-limbed frame. Tilt and topple style, tall and coiled balance, high front side, closed shouldered, strides slightly closed, some athleticism in finish. Early draw out of glove, short, two-part arm action, over the top slot with some looseness out front, regular effort. Fastball played straight with run at times, some tilt, 75-78 mph, topped 79 mph. Curveball, gradual 12/6 break, slows arm,  61-63 mph. Slider, same shape and action as curve, flashed depth, 59-61 mph. Changeup, near fastball arm speed, some vertical depth, 66-68 mph.

Colin Bauer, RHP, Peoria Notre Dame, 2020
5-foot-10, 160-pound, right-handed pitcher, athletic build and actions. Tilt and topple style, tall at balance, hip gears up and extends down mound, high front side pull down, strides in-line, foot strikes heel first and open, athletic controlled finish with rhythm. Arm plays super short and compact, short draw out of glove, over the top slot, some effort. Fastball, mostly straight with same plane run at times, 80-81 mph, topped 82 mph. Curveball, 12/6 shape, late break with tumbling action, flashed power, 67-69 mph. Changeup, maintains arm speed, faded hard in the stretch, 71-73 mph. Cutter, flashed tight spin, same plane slider like, 71-73 mph.

Riley Bradshaw, INF/RHP, Pekin, 2020
6-foot, 195-pound, two-way prospect; well-proportioned strength. At the plate, left-handed hitter, tall setup, smooth load, leg-kick timing trigger, short bat path and opposite field approach; 84 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, fields out in front, deliberate transfer, short arm action, high ¾ slot and throws topped at 72 mph. 7.54 runner in the 60, laser-timed. On the mound, tilt and topple delivery, on-line direction and lands square. Long arm action, over-the-top slot. Fastball, straight action, 75-78 mph. Curveball, 12/6 shape, occasional depth, 63-65 mph. Changeup, near fastball arm action, straight action, occasional arm-side-run, 67-72 mph.

Alex Burden, OF/LHP, Chatham-Glenwood, 2021
5-foot-6, 160-pound two-way prospect. Right-handed hitter, tall/balanced setup, subtle load back, slight leg lift stride, works in rhythm, simple and repeatable. Short and uphill path, above-average bat speed, feel for the barrel, worked the gaps on contact; topped 81 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, works uphill, long and over-the-top arm action, topped 75 mph to home. An 8.41 runner in the 60. On the mound, methodical delivery, works in some rhythm, tall-and-fall type. Clean, long arm action with some quickness out front, works on line and lands toe closed. Fastball, mostly straight, slight run, strikes, 75-76 mph. Slider, tendency to slow arm down, some sweep, 2/8 plane, 58-60 mph. Curveball, 12/6 shape with some depth, 50-52 mph.

Noah Chase, INF/RHP, Illinois Valley Central, 2022
5-foot-10, 170-pound, physical, wide-shouldered, two-way prospect. At the plate, right-handed hitter, balanced quiet setup, short stride, strong hands, gap-to-gap approach and 80 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, steady hands, long arm action, high ¾ slot and throws topped at 72 mph across the infield. 7.78 runner in the 60. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, methodical delivery, stays on-line and lands front-toe closed at times. Long draw out of the glove, high ¾ slot. Fastball, works mostly straight, occasional run, 74-76 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, depth, 55-60 mph. Changeup, thrown for strikes, arm-side-run, 63-65 mph.

Brayden Closs, INF/LHP, Warrensburg-Latham, 2021
6-foot-1, 180-pound, strong-bodied, two-way prospect. At the plate, left-handed hitter, balanced open setup, short stride, level bat path, opposite field approach and 85 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, clean release, long arm action, ¾ slot and throws topped at 73 mph across the infield. On the mound, left-handed pitcher, on-line delivery and lands square. Long arm action, ¾ slot and easy effort. Fastball, arm-side-run, sat 76 mph, touched 77. Curveball, 1/7 shape, occasional depth, 62-66 mph. Changeup, fade action, 69-70 mph.  

Jack Davis, RHP, Sacred-Heart Griffin, 2022
6-foot, 162-pound, right-handed pitcher, well-proportioned and athletic frame. Methodical tempo into a sturdy balance point, level shouldered, strides in-line to home, toe strikes square, some rhythm through release, athletic finish. Arm plays long and two-part on back side, loose and clean through an over the top slot, gradually speeds, easy effort. Fastball had run in the strike zone, both sides of the plate, flashed tilt down, 75-76 mph, topped 78 mph. Changeup, near fastball arm speed, slight fade, 64-66 mph. Curveball, 12/6 shape with gradual depth at times, slows arm, 62-63 mph.

Mitch Dye, INF/RHP, Sacred Heart-Griffin, 2022
6-foot, 140-pound, athletically-built, two-way prospect. At the plate, left-handed hitter, athletic open setup, short stride, uphill bat path and 71 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, works through the baseball, short arm action, high ¾ slot and throws topped at 72 mph across the infield. 8.37 runner in the 60. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, methodical slight drop and drive delivery, lands slightly open. Short arm action, over-the-top slot. Fastball, straight action, sat 74-75 mph, touched 76. Curveball, 12/6 shape, 60-65 mph. Changeup, ranged between 62-66 mph.

Quinn Hoftender, INF/LHP, Orion, 2022
5-foot-11, 175-pound, strong, physically-advanced, left/left, two-way prospect. 7.40 runner in the 60, laser-timed. At the plate, closed setup, leg-kick timing trigger, long uphill bat path and 85 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, reliable hands, long firm arm action and throws from a high ¾ slot. Throws topped at 74 mph across the infield. On the mound, left-handed pitcher, coiled at balance point, lands slightly closed and upright at times. Long arm action works from an over-the-top slot. Fastball, straight action, 72-73 mph, touched 74. Curveball, 12/6 shape, thrown for strikes, 66-68 mph. Changeup, maintains arm speed, strikes, 70-73 mph.

Tommy Kelly, INF/RHP, Peoria Notre Dame, 2020
6-foot-1, 185-pound, two-way prospect; highly-athletic build, room for continued physical development. Ran the top 60 of the day, 6.69 laser-timed. At the plate, balanced tall setup, short stride, long level bat path, line-drive approach and fluid rhythm throughout; 88 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, quick footwork, reliable hands, long arm action, high ¾ to ¾ slot and throws topped at 81 mph across the infield. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, tilt and topple delivery, smooth rhythm, works on-line and lands square. Long, quick arm action from a high ¾ slot. Fastball, slight arm-side-run, sat 80-83 mph. Sinker, has tilt, sink at times, 78-82 mph. Changeup, maintains arm speed, sink, fade, down in the zone, 72-74 mph. Breaking ball, depth, 11/5 to 12/6 shape, 68-69 mph.

Lucas Kresin, INF/RHP, Tuscola, 2020
5-foot-8, 145-pound, wiry, two-way prospect. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, drop and drive delivery, closed-toe landing with some effort throughout. Short, loose arm action, high ¾ slot. Fastball, slight cutting action at times, sat 78-80 mph. Curveball, thrown aggressively, 11/5 shape, sharp action, 68-69 mph. Changeup, fastball arm speed, cut, 67-70 mph. Offensively, right-handed hitter, balanced setup, pre-pitch load and short stride. Short level bat path, controls the barrel, uses the middle of the field and 84 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, quick first step, short arm action, over-the-top slot and throws topped at 76 mph. 7.57 runner in the 60.   

Keegan McCarty, LHP, St. Joseph-Ogen, 2020
5-foot-10, 160-pound, left-handed pitcher, athleticism in actions. Repeated uptempo delivery, sturdy balance, strides slightly across body, toe lands square and heel first, athletic finish with rhythm involved. Full arm action and swing, gets high on back side, loose out front, arm speeds through ¾ slot, effort is rather easy. Flashed feel for four pitches. Fastball came out easy with run at the bottom of the zone, 76-79 mph. Curveball, 1/7 shape, gradual break with arm speed, some depth, 65-68 mph. Slider, tighter spin, 2/8 shape, slight break, 72-74 mph. Changeup faded nicely off the fastball, bottom of the zone, 68-70 mph.

Colin McDonald, RHP, Dunlap, 2020
6-foot-2, 190-pound, right-handed pitcher, strong and athletic frame, thick lower half. Tall and fall style, tall balance heel-lifted, strides short and slightly closed, toe twists open, some rhythm. Short draw out of the glove, high arm on back side, short over the top window, gradual speeds, some effort. Fastball, mostly straight with downward tilt, flashed run, 81-82 mph, topped 83 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, gradual break, 68-69 mph. Slider, slight break on a 10/4 plane, pulled it, 71-73 mph. Changeup, fastball arm speed, flashed vertical depth, 70-73 mph.

Will Morris, OF/RHP, Plainfield South, 2021
6-foot-4, 175-pound two-way prospect with lanky, high-waisted frame with plus projection; strong lower half. Right-handed hitter, balanced/athletic setup, simple approach. Loose and easy levers create whippy barrel, above-average bat speed, long and uphill bat path; topped 92 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, arm action is long, ¾ slot; throws topped 83 mph to home. Ran a 7.65 in the 60. On the mound, full windup, some rhythm, high knee, lands very closed. Utilizes a slot in between ¾ and low ¾. Fastball, consistent run, some hard, 75-78 mph. Curveball, some sweeping action, 10/4 shape, 62-65 mph; still finding feel. Changeup, thrown at arm speed, firm with similar run, 72-74 mph.

Jacob Mozingo, OF/RHP, Blue Ridge, 2019
6-foot, 170-pound two-way, right/right player. Offensively, tall/open setup, smooth back load into toe-tap stride back even. Long and level bath path, strong hands, feel for the barrel. Made gap-to-gap contact; 79 mph exit velocity off the tee. On defense, long arm action, high ¾ arm action; 78 mph throws home. A 7.61 runner in the 60. On the mound, rocks into high knee and hip turn, over-the-top arm slot. Loose arm action, quick out front, works in line and in rhythm, lands closed toe in an athletic position. Fastball, straight, some downhill tilt, strikes, 78-79 mph, touched 80 mph. Curveball, occasional late hard break, 12/6 plane, 67-70 mph.

Kaden Murphy, INF/RHP, Champaign Centennial, 2021
6-foot, 155-pound, wiry, two-way prospect. 7.40 runner in the 60, laser-timed. Right-handed hitter, quiet balanced open setup, minimal load, short stride, short bat path and line-drive approach; 69 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, steady hands, throws from a high ¾ slot and throws topped at 74 mph. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, repeatable drop and drive delivery, stays online and lands front-toe closed. Short arm action, high ¾ slot. Fastball, straight action, 70-72 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, sat 61-63 mph. Changeup, maintains arm speed, arm-side-run and sink at times, 68-71 mph.

Joshua Ryan, INF/RHP, Glenwood, 2021
6-foot, 160-pound, athletically-built, two-way prospect. At the plate, right-handed hitter, wide setup, pre-pitch load, toe-tap stride, long uphill bat path and gap-to-gap approach; 78 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, steady hands, long arm action, high ¾ slot and throws topped at 75 mph across the infield. 7.86 runner in the 60. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, stretch-only delivery, works slightly across his body and lands square. Long arm action from a ¾ slot. Fastball, slight arm-side-run, 71-74 mph. Curveball, 55-57 mph. Changeup, ranged between 60-62 mph.

Toby Turnquist, LHP, United Monmouth, 2021
6-foot-2, 185-pound, left-handed pitcher, well-proportioned build, projectable. Short side step in to a low hanging knee balance, tall and fall style, short stride slightly closed, toe lands square and twists open, some rhythm. Arm plays long and loose throughout, over the top slot, regular effort. Fastball, mostly straight with occasional run, same plane, 75-76 mph. Curveball, 1/7 shape, flashed depth, early break, 59-61 mph. Changeup, slight fade, slows arm, 67-69 mph.

Brandon Ward, OF/RHP, Illinois Valley Central, 2021
6-foot-4, 185-pound right/right two-way prospect with strength in frame, especially lower half. In the batter’s box, balanced setup, hands set high, brief load, short stride, toe lands open. Level bat path, flashed loose barrels; topped 87 mph exit velo off the tee. Defensively, aggressive to the ball, long, over-the-top arm action; throws topped 77 mph to home. A 7.38 runner in the 60. On the mound, tall-and-fall type, high knee with slight hip turn at balance point. Arm action is long from high ¾ slot, some crossfire, toe open landing. Fastball, natural cut, 69-72 mph. Curveball, breaks early, some depth, 11/5 shape, 56-62 mph. Changeup, firm, slight cut, 64-68 mph.

Maddox Yates, RHP/OF, Herrin, 2021
6-foot, 165-pound right/right two-way prospect with some projection. On the mound, rocks into high knee, coil at balance point, drop-and-drive type. Closed landing with toe out, some crossfire in delivery. Fastball, mostly straight, some slight run, 78-81 mph. Slider, sweeps, above-average action, 62-64 mph. Changeup, thrown near fastball arm speed, fading action, feel down in zone, 68-70 mph. At the plate, balanced setup, short stride. Bat path is short and uphill, inconsistent rhythm; topped 78 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, short and loose arm action from high ¾ slot; throws topped 78 mph to home. A 7.27 runner in the 60.