Preseason All-State: Right-Handed Pitching Analysis

March 16, 2016

By Steve Nielsen
Scouting Supervisor - Illinois/Wisconsin

Rounding out our positional analysis, we finish off with the right-handed pitchers. Several of the top arms in the state were on hand and showed extremely well for mid-February. You will likely hear many of these names in draft discussions next year, so here's an early look at some of the top arms in Illinois' 2017 class.

Top Right-Handed Pitching Prospects

1. Glenn Albanese, RHP, Batavia, 2017
Louisville commit. Strong, extra-large frame, sturdy build with projectability, 6-foot-5, 215-pound right-handed pitcher. Tall and fall delivery, works online towards target, smooth delivery, athletic finish, little effort, works slide step from the stretch. Easy arm action, good balance, loose arm action, high ¾ slot, advanced arm speed. Fastball has arm side run, looked even sharper from the stretch with better command, sat 85-88 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape, sharp hard action with aggressive fastball arm speed, thrown for strikes, 73-75 mph. Changeup has sink, fastball arm speed, showed deception, advanced arm action on the pitch, good feel with ability to throw for strikes, 81-82 mph. 2017 draft follow.

2. Mark DiLuia, RHP, Marian Catholic, 2017
Maryland commit. 6-foot-3, 185-pound right-handed pitcher, lanky frame, slender build, broad shouldered, highly projectable frame. Profiles as a high end starting pitcher, feel for four pitches and plus mound presence for his age. Delivery is clean, athletic and repeatable, works online and level, good balance. Arm action is clean and loose, easy arm, high ¾ slot. Fastball has arm side action, sat 85-87 mph, has an ability to command. Throws two breaking balls, both with true identity. Curveball has 11/5 shape, has control, 69-71 mph. Slider is 74-75 mph, 10/4 action, slight sweep action. Changeup showed plus action for his age, arm side run and sink, 77-78 mph, fastball arm action and excellent feel.

3. Austin Marozas, RHP, Plainfield South, 2017
Mississippi State commit. Extra-large frame, 6-foot-7, 230-pound right-handed pitcher, prototypical pitchers body. Regular effort, delivery has rhythm, occasionally rotational, open toe landing, strong and sturdy. Arm action is long and loose, ¾ slot, occasionally low ¾ , quick strong arm. Fastball has hard arm side run and sink, heavy feel, occasionally underneath, 86-89 mph. Slider has 10/4 sweeping action, thrown aggressively, 76-78 mph. Changeup showed fade to arm side, 78-80 mph, some feel. 2017 draft follow.

4. Marius Balandis, RHP, Vilniaus Ozo Gimnazija, Lithuania, 2017
6-foot-1, 190-pound right-handed pitcher, average frame. Well above average balance and feel in his delivery, tall and fall type, athletic with good direction, squared landing. Arm action is quick, high ¾ slot, loose arm with projection. Fastball showed feel for the zone, sat 87-88 touching 89 mph twice. Curveball has good action, sharp at times with feel, ability to drop for strikes, 66-69 mph. Deceptive changeup, thrown with fastball arm speed, excellent arm action, plays with sink, and feel for the zone, 78-80 mph. Cutter is more lateral, gets occasional depth, ranged 69-75 mph. Currently resides in Chicagoland area, taking online courses to finish Lithuanian high school diploma.

5. Bobby Miller, 1B/RHP, McHenry West, 2017
Louisville commit. 6-foot-5, 190-pound two-way prospect, long projectable build. Left-handed hitter, open setup, short stride, lower half works. Aggressive swing, shows pop to pull side, pull side lift approach, uphill path, loose hands. 91 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively shows a big arm across the diamond, 88 mph across, moves well around the bag, 7.58 runner. On the mound delivery works with some effort, drop and drive style delivery. Arm action is long and loose, ¾ slot, long path to release point. Fastball has run, showed some feel, sat 86-69 mph. Showed two breaking balls, both with similar action and velocity. Curveball worked 70-73 mph, sweeping action. Slider is slightly flatter, 72-73 mph. Changeup had sink, fades to arm side, had feel for the zone, 78-80 mph.

6. Mike Fuentes, RHP, Bremen, 2017
Northern Illinois commit. 6-foot-3, 185-pound right-handed pitcher, strong build. Showing continued improvement in his game, started type projection. Full windup delivery, level shoulders, repeats with little effort. Arm action is clean, high ¾ slot, firm arm strength. Fastball has easy late life, works with tilt 86-88 mph, arm side run. Curveball has 11/5 action, showed depth and feel, 69-74 mph. Changeup has sink, controls the zone, 79-81 mph, advanced feel.

7. Jake Pomykalski, RHP/1B, Lincoln-Way East, 2017
Illinois-Chicago commit. Extra-large frame, 6-foot-5, 215-pound two-way player, strong build. On the mound delivery works with some effort, showed balance throughout, works on line with squared landing. Loose arm, whippy action, slight decal on secondary offerings, high ¾ slot, quick arm. Fastball has arm side action, slightly heavy appearance, showed feel for the zone, 85-87 mph. Changeup showed some feel, slower arm action, creates fade, ranged 75-79 mph. Splitter showed slight tumble, 71-72 mph. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride. Aggressive swing, strong bat, created backspin, two piece approach, fast bat with pull side pop. 89 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively showed good footwork around the bag, natural actions. Above average runner, 7.07 laser timed 60.

8. Konnor Ash, RHP, Plainfield South, 2017
6-foot, 185-pound right-handed pitcher, average frame, solid lower half. Aggressive pitcher with four quality pitches and feel, lively in the hitting zone. Pitches with some effort, squared landing, athletic finish, on time and athletic. Arm action is clean and loose, quick arm, high ¾ slot. Fastball flashes slight arm side action, ability to control the zone, 86-88 mph, good finish and life. Curveball has 11/5 shape, gradual action, 71-72 mph. Slider has sharper action, 10/4 plane, 73-75 mph. Changeup has good run and life, fastball arm action, 76-79 mph.

9. Jordan Mikel, RHP, Plainfield South, 2017
6-foot-4, 175-pound right-handed pitcher, long lanky frame, thin build, highly projectable loose athlete. Delivery has some effort, slow tempo to balance point with quick release. Arm action is quick and loose, high ¾ slot, highly projectable arm. Fastball has slight arm side run, topped at 88 mph, sat 84-87 mph. Showed a slider and curveball, both with good arm speed. Curveball worked at 67-72 mph. Slider played at 72-78 mph with better action, flashed sharp 10/4 break. Splitter sinks to arm side, ranged 71-74 mph, solid feel.

10. Ken Brokop, RHP, Bradley Bourbonnais, 2017
6-foot-3, 190-pound right-handed pitcher, solid build and athletic. Tall and fall delivery with some effort, squared landing. Arm action gets slightly long behind head, high ¾ slot, loose, occasionally late to release. Fastball showed effort, ranged 83-86 mph, misses were up in the zone, flashed life and finish to arm side. 11/5 curveball, 71-74 mph. Straight change sat 72-74 mph, decelerated arm action, showed best feel of his two secondary pitches.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Jack Arnstein, RHP, Highland Park, 2017
6-foot, 175-pound right-handed pitcher, average body. Drop and drive style delivery, works with some effort across his body, occasionally gets underneath. High ¾ arm slot, loose arm action with slight plunge on the back. Fastball is mostly straight, 81-84 mph. Curveball has flat action, almost looks slider at times, 70-72 mph, showed tight rotation. Straight changeup with occasional fade, 77-79 mph, thrown with fastball arm speed.

Todd Brown, RHP/OF, East Aurora, 2017
5-foot-10, 150-pound two-way player, average frame, lean build, projects best on the mound. Delivery works on line, high front side, occasionally rotational. Arm action is long, high ¾ slot, regular effort. Fastball showed slight arm side run, has control, 84-85 mph, touched 86 mph. Curveball has some depth, 11/5 shape, has feel, 69-71 mph. Straight change, has feel, kept down, 71-74 mph. Good feel for three pitches. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride. Path has length, average bat speed on uphill path. Defensively arm plays long, high ¾ slot, flashed carry, 83 mph. Shuffles through the baseball, deliberate actions, 7.03 runner in the 60.

Johnny Buckner, RHP, Mundelein, 2017
6-foot-3, 180-pound right-handed pitcher, proportional lean body. Tall and fall delivery, full windup, works online, balanced finish. High ¾ arm slot, short quicker arm action. Fastball sat 83-85 mph, mostly straight. Curveball is 68 mph, worked uphill, occasionally underneath. Changeup played at 70-73 mph.

Adam Christianson, RHP, Morton, 2017
6-foot, 185-pound right-handed pitcher, average frame. Tall and fall delivery, regular effort, tall balance point. Arm plays from a high ¾ slot. Fastball flashed slight run, 79-82 mph. Curveball works on 11/5 plane, 65-67 mph, throws with fastball similar arm speed, aggressive with pitch. Cutter acts like slider, 72-74 mph. Changeup showed good feel, ability to throw strikes, 68-70 mph.

Ben Collazo, 3B/RHP, Lake View, 2017
6-foot-3, 170-pound two-way player, long lanky frame. Defensively showed advanced actions, plays through the baseball with soft hands. Arm is loose and easy, high ¾ slot, carries across the diamond, 84 mph. 7.14 runner in the 60. Right-handed hitter balanced stance, athletic setup, short stride, average balance. Mid-opposite field contact, short path, line drive type hitter, tends to stay on top of the baseball. 86 mph exit velocity from the tee. On the mound delivery works online, squared landing. Arm plays short and quick, high ¾ slot. Fastball has slight arm side run, showed feel, 82-83 mph. Curveball plays more 12/6, 69-70 mph. Slider is similar, 70-72 mph. Changeup sinks, showed feel, 73-75 mph, has feel for the zone, able to throw for strikes.

Garrett Goetz, RHP/INF, Oswego East, 2017
6-foot-2, 190-pound two-way player, firm build, shows some strength, projects best on the mound. Tall and fall delivery, high leg lift, squared landing. Arm action is long, separates hands early, high ¾ slot, more arm strength than arm speed. Fastball is mostly straight, 85-86 mph. Pre-sets curveball, cups and turns over, 11/5 plane, showed ability to throw for strikes, 68-71 mph. Changeup showed some feel, 75-78 mph. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, heel lift trigger, average balance. Shows some bat strength, slight uphill path, 87 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.20 runner in the 60. Defensively skill set plays best at a corner, deliberate defender, average hands. Arm action is long, 81 mph across the diamond.

Drake Green, RHP, Quincy, 2017
Large frame, thick build, durable setup, 6-foot-2, 210-ponud right-handed pitcher. Works with tempo and directional, squared landing, works straight down the hill. Arm action is short and over the top, showed arm speed. Fastball worked down, showed tilt, ranged 80-85 mph, worked better out of the stretch sitting 84-85 mph. Curveball has 12/6 shape, 65-69 mph with depth. Slider flashed sharp action, 10/4 plane, 73-75 mph. Showed feel for a changeup, 70-72 mph, with arm speed. Solid feel for four pitches, possible starter type projection.

Jaxon Herchenbach, RHP, Hinsdale South, 2017
6-foot-2, 170-pound right-handed pitcher, long lean frame. Tall and fall delivery, works with some effort, finishes first base side. Arm action is long, wrist wrap on back side, high ¾ slot, has arm speed. Fastball has run and sink, 85-87 mph, showed feel for the zone, occasional tilt. Curveball has 12/6 shape, gradual action, 65-68 mph. Changeup is firm and confident, thrown with conviction, fastball arm speed, sinks to arm side and shows feel of the strike zone, 78-79 mph.

Hunter Keim, RHP/SS, Rock Island, 2017
6-foot-2, 160-pound two-way player, lean loose frame, looks to project best on the mound. Delivery shows some effort, slight head movement, glove pat separation, occasionally separates late. Arm action is loose with length, quick arm, over the top slot. Fastball sat 83-85 mph, slight run, mostly up. Curveball showed action and depth, 12/6 plane, 72-73 mph. Slider didn’t have as much action as curveball, short lateral bend, worked better from the stretch, 73-77 mph. Changeup has feel, slight sink, near fastball arm action, 76-79 mph. Defensively arm action is loose, similar to that on the mound, slight carry, 84 mph across the diamond. Fields tall at times, showed soft hands, fluid footwork. 7.88 runner. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, leg kick stride, spray type hitter, average bat speed. 80 mph exit velocity from the tee.

Karter Lowery, 3B/RHP, Ottawa, 2017
6-foot-1, 210-pound two-way player, solid build with strength. Defensively arm plays long, average strength, over the top slot, 84 mph arm strength across the diamond. Exchange is clean, average body control. Right-handed hitter, slightly open stance, average balance. Opposite field contact, 82 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.45 runner in the 60. On the mound delivery is has some effort, works in line, squared landing. Arm action is long, high ¾ slot, occasionally underneath. Fastball has slight run, mostly up, worked 82-83 mph, touched 85 mph. Curveball flashed 11/5 shape, gradual action. 70-72 mph. Changeup has sink, worked down, 77-79 mph.

Barek McCann, 3B/RHP, Gwendolyn Brooks, 2017
6-foot-2, 215-pound two-way player. Flashes pop in his right-handed bat, tall setup, open stance, hanging leg kick stride, average balance. Pull side power type guy, longer path, uphill, looks to lift. 94 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.79 runner in the 60. Arm plays at 80 mph across the diamond, long over the top slot, shows arm to stick at third base. On the mound delivery has some effort, over the top slot, occasionally gets on heels. Fastball is mostly straight, four seam, some tilt, ranged 80-85 mph. Curveball has 12/6 shape, 66-71 mph, shows depth. Changeup is straight, 67-70 mph.

Alex Schram, 1B/RHP, Waubonsie Valley, 2017
6-foot-3, 190-pound two-way player. On the mound takes a deep rocker step, regular effort, firm arm action, high ¾ arm slot. Fastball sat 80-82 mph, topped at 83 mph. Curveball has 12/6 action, has depth and action, works at 68-70 mph. Changeup showed feel, slight sink, 72-74 mph. Cutter worked, 73-75 mph. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, minimal load and lower half. Path has length on uphill plane, rigid swing, 81 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm played at 81 mph across the diamond, long over the top arm action. 7.55 runner in the 60.

Korey Soetaert, RHP/OF, Wauconda, 2017
6-foot-1, 170-pound two-way player, carries lean strength. Projects best on the mound, delivery has some effort, tall and fall, works on line. High ¾ arm slot, short arm action. Fastball had heavy feel, slight run, 83-86 mph. Curveball had some lateral shape, 10/4 plane, 73-74 mph. Slider is 73-77 mph, lateral action. Changeup had feel, slight arm side run, 77-78. Right-handed hitter, open stance, short stride. Shows bat speed, slight uphill path. 80 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively plays upright, 7.53 runner, shows ability to play through. Arm action is long, 81 mph from the outfield.

Jimmy Staab, RHP, Sangamon Valley, 2017
6-foot, 195-pound right-handed pitcher, solid thick build, wide shouldered. Tall and fall delivery, less effort, squared landing, occasional recoil finish. Arm action is shorter, lacks extension, over the top slot. Fastball has slight run, showed some feel, 84-85 mph. Curveball has sweeping action, slurve type, lower slot, 72-75 mph. Changeup sinks, 76-77 mph, occasional fade, showed good feel.

Brett Taucher, RHP, Elk Grove, 2017
6-foot-4, 205-pound right-handed pitcher, solid build with some strength. Delivery is smooth, lower balance point, works on line with tempo. Arm action has length, come out of short window, high ¾ slot, average arm speed. Fastball is mostly straight, four seam, occasional arm side run, 82-83 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape, showed some feel, occasionally got more sweep action, 65-67 mph. Changeup is thrown with comparable arm speed, flashed arm side run with feel, 76-78 mph.

Bryan Truitt, RHP, Rockford Christian, 2017
6-foot-2, 180-pound right-handed pitcher, long and athletic, projectable body. Tall and fall delivery, regular effort, some rhythm, timing can improve. Arm action is long, high ¾ slot, some arm strength. Fastball flashed heavy feel when down, 83-84 mph, touched 85 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape, 68-70 mph, flashed feel, tight rotation, occasional slurve feel. Changeup has control, 76-77 mph, firm pitch, thrown with arm speed.

Colin Walton, RHP, Bremen, 2017
6-foot, 180-pound right-handed pitcher, solid build. Delivery worked with regular effort, short stride, uses slide step from the stretch. Arm action has length, rigid arm action, high ¾ slot. Fastball is straight, gets occasional tilt, showed control, 80-81 mph, touched 82 mph. Curveball sits 67-69 mph, 11/5 plane, showed depth. Knuckleball played at 66-69 mph.

Braden Willoughby, MIF/RHP, Maroa-Forsyth, 2017
6-foot, 178-pound middle infielder, solid build, shows some strength. Defensively arm action is long, accurate across the diamond, 83 mph arm strength across the diamond. 7.52 runner in the 60. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, long stride, average balance. Level path, occasionally dives over it. 84 mph exit velocity from the tee. On the mound, delivery showed regular effort, longer arm action, high ¾ slot. Fastball is straight, 79-80 mph, touched 81 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape, gradual action, near fastball arm action, 67-70 mph. Changeup has occasional cut 66-68 mph, near fastball arm speed.