Top Prospect - Chicago: Pitching Analysis

By Illinois Scouting Staff

Rounding out the positional analysis for the Top Prospect - Chicago we conclude with the pitching prospects. Uncommitted LHP Antoine Kelly took the top spot as the 6-foot-5, 175-pound southpaw showed a deceptive fastball/slider combination and we’ve also seen Kelly up to 91 mph on previous occasions. Here’s a look at the top pitching prospects in attendance.

Top Prospects

1. Antoine Kelly, LHP, Maine East, 2018
Lanky, projectable left-handed pitcher at 6-foot-5, 174-pounds. Works from a ¾ arm angle with a loose arm action and stab on the backside. Drop and drive delivery with easy effort and slight hesitation at balance point. Works in line with home plate with a heel toe landing. Fastball sat 85-87 mph for strikes. Slider has 2-8 shape with tight rotation at 74-76 mph. Changeup was straight at 78-81 mph. One of the most projectable arms in the Illinois 2018 Class.

2. Nate Gomez, RHP, South Elgin, 2018
6-foot, 165-pound right-handed pitcher with a strong frame. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a long, quick arm action. Drop and drive delivery working in line with home plate. Square landing with an athletic finish. Fastball was straight with occasional running action at 84-86 mph. Curveball has 11-5 shape at 70-73 mph. Changeup has fading action at 74-77 mph.

3. Andrew Hoffman, RHP, Plainfield East, 2018
6-foot-4, 170-pound right-handed pitcher with a lanky frame. Works from a high ¾ arm angle with a long, loose arm action. Tall at balance point with a drop and drive delivery and some effort. Square landing working in line with home plate. Fastball sat 85-86 topping out at 87 mph. Throws a curveball and a slider, slider projects better. Slider has sweeping action at 73-75 mph. Curveball has 11-5 shape at 70-73 mph. Changeup has sinking action at 75-79 mph.

4. Jacob Newman, RHP, Glenbrook South, 2018
6-foot-3, 193-pound right-handed pitcher. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a short, quick arm action. Works exclusively out of the stretch. Square landing with smooth rhythm. Fastball Sat 86-87 mph. Curveball has 11-5 shape, flashing occasional depth at 68-70 mph. Changeup showed running action at 74-78 mph for strikes.

5. Gavin Doyle, RHP/SS, Plainfield North, 2018
6-foot-2, 170-pound right-handed hitting RHP/SS with a lanky frame. On the mound works from an over the top arm angle with a long, loose arm action. Tall and fall delivery with smooth rhythm. Works in line with home plate with a square landing and easy effort. Fastball was straight at 83-85 mph. Curveball has 11-5 shape and flashes occasional depth at 69-72 mph. Showed feel for his changeup at 76-77 mph with occasional late sinking action. At the plate hits from a tall, open setup with a short stride and good balance. Pull hitter with an uphill swing path. 82 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.09. Defensively has a long arm action from a high ¾ slot. Long exchange with fluid footwork.

6. Ryan Howe, SS/RHP, Prospect, 2018
Purdue commit. 6-foot-1, 165-pound right-handed hitting SS/RHP with an athletic frame. Shows an advanced tool set. 6.65 runner in the 60 yard dash. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a short stride and good balance. Gap to gap hitter with a level swing path and fluid rhythm. Showed strength thru contact with 94 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively has a long, loose arm action, can throw from multiple arm slots. Plays low, thru the ball with athletic actions and fluid footwork. Throws showed carry across the infield at 87 mph. On the mound works form a ¾ arm angle with a quick, loose arm action. Tall and fall delivery with an upright finish. Fastball has running action at 83-84 topping out at 86 mph. Curveball has 10-4 shape at 72-75 mph. Showed feel for his changeup maintaining fastball arm speed at 78-80 mph. Committed to Purdue shortly following the event.

7. Keegan Garcelon, RHP, Huntley, 2018
6-foot-4, 185-pound right-handed pitcher. Works from an over the top arm angle with a long, quick arm action. Drop and drive delivery with a high front side and regular effort. Square landing with an athletic finish. Three pitch feel for strikes. Fastball sat 83-84 topping out at 85 mph for strikes with running action. Curveball has 12-6 shape at 67-69 mph. Changeup has fading action at 71-73 mph.

8. Isaac Dirker, RHP, Howards Grove (WI), 2018
6-foot-6, 195-pound right-handed pitcher with a lanky frame. Works from a high ¾ arm angle with a long arm action. Tall and fall delivery working in line with home plate. Square landing with an athletic finish. Fastball was straight at 83-84 topping out at 85 mph. Curveball lacks feel with 12-6 shape at 67-71 mph. Changeup flashed fading action at 66-71 mph.

9. Steven Hamer, OF/LHP, St. Charles North, 2018
Committed to Miami (OH). 5-foot-10, 160-pound left-handed hitting OF/LHP with a small, athletic frame. At the plate hits from a tall, open setup with a low handset. Smooth load with a short stride and good balance. Line drive hitter with a level swing path. 84 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 6.84. Defensively has a long arm action from an over the top slot. Plays thru the ball with fluid footwork. Threw 83 mph from the outfield. Three pitch feel on the mound. Works from a ¾ arm angle with a long, quick arm action. Tall and fall delivery working in line with home plate. Athletic finish with good balance and smooth rhythm. Fastball sat 83-84 mph for strikes. Curveball has 12-6 shape with short breaking action at 73-77 mph. Maintains arm speed on changeup with running action at 74-77 mph for strikes.

10. Keegan Bates, LHP, Plainfield North, 2018
6-foot, 165-pound left-handed pitcher. Works from a high ¾ arm angle with loose arm action. Tall and fall delivery working in line with home plate. Fastball sat 82-83 mph. Curveball has 1-7 shape at 70-73 mph. Showed feel for his changeup at 74-76 mph with advanced fading action.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Joe Bullard, LHP, New Trier, 2018
6-foot-1, 145-pound left-handed pitcher. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a short arm circle on the backside. Drop and drive delivery with an open landing and smooth rhythm. Fastball sat 80 topping out at 81 mph. Curveball has 12-6 shape with gradual action at 61-63 mph. Changeup sat 71-72 mph.

Ryan Culley, LHP, Belleville East, 2018
6-foot-1, 170-pound left-handed pitcher. Works from an over the top arm angle with a short, quick arm action. Tall and fall delivery with some effort. Square landing working in line with home plate. Fastball was straight at 81-83 topping out at 84 mph. Showed feel for his curveball with 12-6 shape and flashed sharp breaking action at 71-74 mph. Maintained arm speed on changeup at 73-75 mph.

Chris Cuppini, RHP, Normal University, 2018
6-foot-1, 220-pound right-handed pitcher. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a short, stiff arm action. Tall and fall delivery working in line with home plate. Fastball was straight at 79-80 topping out at 81 mph. Slider has short breaking action at 70-75 mph. Curveball Sat 65-68 mph.

Andrew Churchman, RHP, Neuqua Valley, 2018
6-foot-1, 165-pound right-handed pitcher. Works from an over the top arm angle with a short arm action. Tall and fall delivery with easy effort. Closed toe landing with an upright finish. Fastball was straight at 77-80 mph. Curveball has 11-5 shape at 64-65 mph. Changeup flashed sinking action at 73-74 mph.

Ari Gordon, RHP, Stevenson, 2018
6-foot-3, 207-pound right-handed pitcher. On the mound works  from a high ¾ arm angle with a short, quick arm action. Drop and drive delivery with maximum effort. Struggles to command pitches. Fastball sat 83-86 topping out at 87 mph. Curveball has gradual action at 69-70 mph. Changeup sat 77-80 mph.

Blake Harseim, RHP, Coal City, 2018
6-foot-1, 180-pound right-handed pitcher. Works from both a high ¾ and low ¾ arm angle with a short, quick arm action. Tall and fall delivery with a closed landing. Fastball has running action at 82-84 mph. Curveball has 11-5 shape at 71-74 mph, showed ability to throw it for strikes. Changeup has running action at 70-73 mph.

Ryan Harty, LHP, Plainfield South, 2018
6-foot-2, 160-pound left-handed pitcher. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a short, quick arm action. Tall and fall delivery, falls to third base side on release. Fastball was straight at 80-82 topping out at 84 mph. Curveball has changeup action at 74-76 mph. Also threw a knuckleball at 71-74 mph.

Matthew Helwig, RHP, Lincoln-Way Central, 2018
5-foot-10, 170-pound right-handed pitcher. Works from a high ¾ arm angle with a long draw on the backside. Tall and fall delivery with a closed landing. Fastball sat 82-84 mph. Curveball has 10-4 shape at 70-73 mph. Changeup thrown with fastball armside, showed slight running action at 76-79 mph. Also threw a knuckleball at 71-73 mph.

Tyler Horvath, LHP, Romeoville, 2018
6-foot, 200-pound left-handed pitcher. On the mound works from an over the top arm angle with a long, quick arm action. Tall and fall delivery with regular effort. Open landing working in line with home plate. Fastball sat 81-83 topping out at 84 mph. Curveball has 12-6 shape with gradual action at 63-65 mph. Changeup has sinking action at 69-71 mph.

Pierce Jones, RHP, East Richland, 2018
6-foot-4, 153-pound right-handed pitcher with a lanky frame. Comes from an over the top arm angle with a long arm action and stab on the backside. Drop and drive delivery with a high front side. Fastball sat 75-79 topping out at 80 mph. Curveball has 12-6 shape with gradual action at 61-64 mph. Slider has 10-4 shape at 67-70 mph.

Nicholas Laxner, RHP, Huntley, 2018
6-foot-1, 160-pound right-handed pitcher with a lanky frame. On the mound works from a ¾ to low ¾ arm angle with a long arm action. Tall and fall delivery with a square landing. Easy effort with smooth rhythm. Fastball has running action at 82-84 mph. Curveball has 11-5 shape with gradual action at 69-70 mph. Changeup has sinking action at 72-73 mph.

William McManaman, LHP, St. Ignatius, 2018
6-foot-4, 200-pound left-handed pitcher. Works from a ¾ arm angle with a long arm action. Tall and fall delivery working in line with home plate. Good balance and tempo throughout. Threw three pitches for strikes. Fastball sat 79-81 mph. Curveball has 1-7 shape with short breaking action at 66-68 mph. Changeup has running action at 72-74 mph.

Ryan Patel, SS/RHP, Mundelein, 2018
6-foot-2, 160-pound right-handed hitting SS/RHP with a lanky, thin frame. At the plate hits from a balanced, slightly open setup. Smooth load with a short stride and a long, level swing path. Loose hands with fluid rhythm. 84 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.13. Defensively ha a loose arm action, can throw form multiple arm angles. Plays thru the ball with athletic actions and fluid footwork. Threw 81 mph across the infield. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a loose, quick arm action. Tall and fall delivery with good tempo. Square landing with an athletic finish. Fastball sat 81-83 mph. Curveball has 10-4 shape at 66-68 mph. Showed feel for his changeup at 74-76 mph with swing and miss potential.

Billy Pierce, RHP, Plainfield East, 2018
6-foot-3, 198-pound right-handed pitcher. Works from a high ¾ arm angle with a long arm action. High front side with an open toed landing. Fastball worked up in the zone at 80-82 topping out at 84 mph. Curveball has 11-5 shape at 67-69 mph. Changeup sat 69-71 mph.

Evan Rice, RHP, Brillion (WI), 2018
5-foot-11, 186-pound right-handed pitcher. Works from a high ¾ arm angle with a long arm action. Tall and fall delivery with a high front side, slow paced. Works in line with home plate. Fastball was straight at 81-84 mph for strikes. Slider has 10-4 shape with occasional sharpness. At 70-72mph. Curveball has 111-5 shape at 65-70 mph. Changeup sat 75-78 mph.

Stephen Sewruk, LHP, Yorkville, 2018
6-foot-2, 165-pound left-handed pitcher with a lanky, high waisted frame. On the mound works from a ¾ arm angle with a long arm action and stab out of the glove. Tall and fall, deceptive delivery with a square landing. Fastball sat 81-82 mph. Curveball has 1-7 shape with depth at 66-67 mph. Slider sat 70-71 mph. Changeup is thrown with fastball arm speed with fading action at 72-74 mph. Filled up the zone.

Jordan Strick, RHP, West De Pere, 2018
6-foot-3, 205-pound right-handed pitcher. Works from a high ¾ arm angle with a short arm action. Tall and fall delivery working in line with home plate. Fastball was straight at 81-82 topping out at 83 mph. Curveball has 12-6 shape with gradual action at 63-66 mph. Changeup sat 72-75 mph.

Wes Sommers, RHP/SS, Appleton North, 2018
6-foot-1, 185-pound right-handed hitting RHP/SS. On the mound works from an over the top arm angle with a short arm action. Tall and fall delivery with a closed landing. Fastball sat 82-84 topping out at 85 mph. Curveball has 12-6 shape at 67-60 mph. Changeup was straight at 78-80 mph. At the plate hits from an open setup with a wrap load and average balance. Pull hitter with a short, level swing path. 83 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.38. Defensively has a loose arm action from multiple angles. Threw 84 mph across the infield.

Zach Wenz, RHP, Neuqua Valley, 2018
6-foot, 165-pound right-handed pitcher with a lanky frame. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a long arm action and wrap on the backside. Tall and fall delivery working in line with home plate. Threw three pitches for strikes. Fastball sat 79-80 topping out at 81 mph. Curveball has 11-5 shape at 65-67 mph. Changeup sat 69-70 mph.

Jacob Young, RHP, Benet, 2018
5-foot-9, 170-pound right-handed pitcher. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a long arm action. Works exclusively from the stretch. Fastball sat 76-79 topping out at 80 mph. Slider has 11-5 shape with gradual action at 65-68 mph. Changeup sat 73-76 mph.

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