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Unsigned Senior Showcase: Pitcher Analysis

February 17, 2016

By Drew Locascio
Illinois Scouting Director

We began rolling out our analysis of the final Unsigned Senior Showcase for 2016 graduates last week. The event which featured over 75 unsigned seniors and over 40 college coaches in attendance was held at The MAX on January 24th. Today we take a look at the top pitchers who participated in the event.

Wisconsin was well represented in the Top 10, proving there are quality arms in the Badger State that are still looking for place to play at the next level. 6-foot-2, 195-pound RHP Anthony Laughlin (Gibraltar HS, WI) was in the middle of high school basketball, not in mid-season form but impressed none-the-less. His fastball sat 84-85 with life, showed feel for four pitches and spun two different breaking balls with conviction.

Top Pitching Prospects

1. Anthony Laughlin, RHP, Gibraltar HS (WI), 2016
6-foot-2, 195-pound right-handed pitcher with a solid frame. Works from a high ¾ to over the top arm angle with a short, loose arm action. Tall and fall, online delivery with a square landing. Utilizes a slide step from the stretch. Tall at balance point with a slight body turn. Hides the ball well. Works down armside with his fastball that sat 84-85 mph. Curveball showed 12-6 shape with tight rotation and sharp action at 72-73 mph. Slider showed 11-5 shape with tight rotation at 72-74 mph. Showed some feel for his changeup thrown aggressively at 75-78 mph. 

2. Noah Dressler, RHP/INF, Mascoutah HS, 2016
Long and lean, plenty of room for physical development 6-foot-3, 170-pound right-handed hitting infielder and pitcher. Projects best on the mound. Good overall feel for a four-pitch repertoire. Loose, quick, long arm action out of a high ¾ window. Smooth rhythm, in-line direction and not a lot of effort in his delivery. Fastball, slight arm-side-run, easy life and clocked at 83-85 mph. Feel for curveball, worked 11/5, 68-71 mph. Slider, tighter spin than the curveball, worked more 10/4 and sat 75-76 mph. Changeup flashed hard arm-side-run at times, arm-speed and ranged between 76-78 mph. Offensively, smooth rhythm, decent feel for hitting and a line-drive approach. Balanced setup, smooth pre-pitch load, long stride and above-average balance. Registered an exit velocity of 93 mph. Defensively, on the infield, reliable hands and a clean exchange. Shorter arm action than on the mound, high ¾ slot, accurate and clocked at 79 mph. Ran a 7.26 laser-timed 60. One of the top pitchers at the event. 

3. Jon-Anthony Caban, RHP, St. Thomas More HS (WI), 2016
6-foot-3, 215-pound right-handed pitcher with a solid frame and strong lower half. On the mound works from an over the top arm angle with a short loose arm action. Slow paced tall and fall, online delivery with some effort. Back tilt at balance point with good balance. Slow to the plate from the stretch. Worked downhill with his fastball with slight running action at 84-85 mph. Curveball showed 11-5 shape with short break at 74-75 mph. Maintained armspeed on changeup with sinking action at 72-74 mph.

4. Alexander Prickett, RHP/SS/OF, Cedarburg HS (WI), 2016
Wiry, projectable frame 6-foot-1, 150-pound plenty of room for physical development right-handed position player and pitcher. Big upside on the mound. Athletic arm action, working loose and quick out of a high ¾ window. Smooth rhythm, in-line direction, square landing and athletic finish. Fastball, arm-side-run, life and heaviness at times, sat 81-83 mph. Curveball underneath at times, slurvy action worked 11/5 and 10/4 at times, ranged between 67-70 mph. Changeup thrown for strikes and clocked at 72-75 mph. Offensively, started from a balanced setup, leg-kick timing trigger and level bat path with average balance through contact. Registered an 80 mph exit velocity off of a tee. Defensively, worked out in the outfield and infield. Fluid footwork, clean exchange and flashed body control. Short, loose arm action, high ¾ slot, plus accuracy, carry on throws clocked at 82 from the outfield and 77 mph across the infield. Also, ran a 7.67 laser-timed 60.

5. Joseph Preusser, OF/LHP, Brother Rice HS, 2016
6-foot-1, 170-pound athletically built, left-handed hitting outfielder and pitcher. Projects best as a left-handed pitcher. On the mound featured feel for a three-pitch mix. Quick, short arm from a high ¾ slot and regular effort in delivery. Fastball some arm-side-run, thrown for strikes and sat 81-82 mph, touching 83. Curveball worked between 12/6 and 1/7, gradual action, ranged between 68-72 mph. Changeup decent feel, down in the zone, 74-78 mph. As a position player, ran a 6.93 laser-timed 60. Offensively, registered an exit velocity of 90 mph. Short, handsy swing with a contact, line-drive approach. Balanced setup, short stride, and average balance. Defensively, quick feet in the outfield. Long arm action, high ¾ slot, throws flashed carry and clocked at 80 mph.

6. Zach Redis, RHP, Proviso Math and Science HS, 2016
6-foot-3, 205-pound right-handed pitcher with a strong build. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a short, loose arm action. Tall and fall online delivery with a square landing and good balance throughout delivery. Smooth rhythm with an athletic finish. Threw three pitches for strikes. Fastball sat 80-82 mph. Curveball showed 11-5 shape with short breaking action at 73-74 mph. Changeup sat 75-76 mph.

7. Ranko Stevanovic, RHP/INF, Notre Dame HS, 2016
Large, strong build, wide shouldered, 6-foot-2, 200-pound right-handed two-way player. On the mound showed good feel for the zone with all three pitches. Fastball has slight running action, down in the zone with slight tilt clocked at 81-83 mph. Curveball has 12/6 shape, dropped for strikes, thrown near fastball arm speed. Changeup is straight, near fastball arm speed, good feel for the zone, 69-72 mph. Offensively hits from the right side, slightly open stance, loads hands back, keeps bat tall, short stride. Big swinger, bat strength with power, slight uphill path, elevates the baseball regularly. 96 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensive projects at a corner infield position, 7.66 runner, arm plays at 80 mph across the diamond, longer over the top arm action.

8. Neftali Reyes, RHP/INF/OF, Roberto Clemente HS, 2016
Long limbed, plenty of room to add strength 6-foot, 160-pound right-handed hitting position player and pitcher. Projects best as a right-handed pitcher. On the mound, some rhythm, in-line direction and regular effort in delivery. Short, quick arm from an over-the-top slot. Fastball flashed easy life, late arm-side-run and sat 81-83 mph. Splitter was his best secondary offering. Flashed plus sink and fade at times, thrown for strikes and ranged between 70-72 mph. Curveball worked 11/5, gradual action and ranged between 65-70 mph. Offensively, flashed loose hands and a line-drive approach. Balanced setup, slight pre-pitch load and leg-lift timing trigger. Long, uphill bat path and average balance. Registered an exit velocity of 83 mph. Defensively, worked out in the outfield and infield. Steady hands and quick exchange. Short, loose arm action, high ¾ slot and clocked at 83 mph from the outfield and 80 mph across the infield. Also, ran a 7.63 laser-timed 60.

9. Jackson Fischer, RHP, Westmont HS, 2016
6-foot-2, 160-pound right-handed pitcher with a thin, lanky frame. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a long, loose arm action. Tall and fall online delivery with some effort. Some rhythm with a square landing. Gets out front with release point, working gloveside consistently. Fastball sat 82-84 mph. Curveball and slider blended together with same shape and action. Curveball sat 70-71 mph and slider sat 71-73 mph. Maintained armspeed on changeup that sat 76-78 mph.  

10. Travis Styer, SS/RHP, Brookfield East HS (WI), 2016
5-foot-10, 160-pound right-handed hitting SS/RHP. Defensively has a short, loose arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. Throws showed carry at 83 mph across the infield. Plays thru the ball with good body control. Offensively hits from a tall, balanced setup with a toe tap stride and slight collapse on the backside. Line drive hitter with a long level swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 84 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.11. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a long, quick arm action. Slow paced to balance point with a square landing and some rhythm. Fastball sat 81-82 topping out at 83 mph. Curveball showed 11-5 shape with short breaking action at 69-73 mph. Changeup showed armside run at 69-71 mph. Threw knuckleball for strikes with some downer action at 64-65 mph.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically) 

Frank Basic, RHP, Hinsdale South HS, 2016
6-foot-1, 170-pound right-handed pitcher. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a short arm action. Uptempo, tall and fall delivery in line with home plate. Works with a two seam fastball with slight running action at 76-77 mph. Showed feel for his offspeed pitches throwing his slider and splitter for strikes. Slider showed 10-4 shape at 68-72 mph. Splitter showed good downer action at 70-72 mph.

Zach Benaitis, RHP, Naperville North HS, 2016
6-foot-3, 160-pound right-handed pitcher with a long, thin frame. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a long, stiff arm action. Slow paced tall and fall, online delivery with a square landing. Fastball sat 73-75 mph. Curveball showed 11-5 shape at 62-65 mph for strikes. Changeup flashed fading action at 67-71 mph.  

Chase Imberger, SS/RHP, Wisconsin Lutheran HS (WI), 2016
5-foot-8, 150-pound right-handed hitting SS/RHP. Offensively hits from a balanced setup with a big leg kick stride and arm bar load. Pull hitter with a long, level swing path. 81 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.31. Defensively has a short arm action from an over the top arm slot with slower actions. Threw 73 mph across the infield. On the mound works form a high ¾ arm angle with a short arm action. Some rhythm in his delivery with a square landing and good balance. Fastball flashed cutting action at 71-74 mph. Threw both a curveball and slider. Slider showed short sweeping action at 66-67 mph. Curveball sat 64-66 mph. Changeup blended with fastball showing running action at 71-72 mph.

Jack Lauer, RHP, Notre Dame HS, 2016
6-foot-4, 220-pound right-handed pitcher. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a short, stiff arm action. Delivery works in line with homeplate and a square landing. Fastball sat 73-74 mph. Curveball showed 12-6 break with gradual action at 61-64 mph. Changeup sat 66-68 mph. 

Bryan Martinez, RHP, St. Joseph HS, 2016
6-foot, 185-pound right-handed pitcher. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a short arm action. Slow paced tall and fall, online delivery with a square landing. Fastball sat 79-80 mph. Curveball showed 11-5 shape with gradual action at 67-68 mph. Changeup sat at 72 mph.

Trevon Mattox, OF/LHP, Roberto Clemente HS, 2016
Average build 5-foot-9, 165-pound right-handed hitting outfielder and left-handed pitcher. On the mound the left hander is mechanically sound with plus balance and easy effort. Showed some feel for three pitches. Long arm action from an over-the-top slot. In-line direction and square landing. Fastball flashed occasional arm-side-run and was clocked at 76-77 mph, touching 78. Curveball worked 12/6, fastball arm speed and ranged between 64-68 mph. Changeup clocked at 67-68 mph. Offensively, the right-handed hitter starts from a balanced setup and a short toe-tap stride. Registered an exit velocity of 81 mph. Ran a 6.99 laser-timed 60. Defensively, fluid footwork and a clean exchange in the outfield. Long arm action, high ¾ slot, accurate throws clocked at 82 mph.

Nolan Moeller, LHP/OF, Rock Falls HS, 2016
Athletic build, plenty of room to add strength 6-foot, 165-pound left-handed hitting outfielder and pitcher. Offensively, registered an exit velocity of 86 mph. Balanced, wide setup, pre-pitch load and leg-lift timing trigger. Long, uphill bat path and average balance through contact. Defensively, throws from a high ¾ slot, long arm action and clocked at 70 mph from the outfield. Ran an 8.23 laser-timed 60. On the mound some rhythm, regular effort, in-line direction and square landing. Long arm action out of a high ¾ window. Fastball, slight arm-side-run and ranged between 71-73 mph. Curveball worked 1/7, fastball arm speed, 57-59 mph. Changeup had a tendency to miss up in the zone and clocked at 61-64 mph.

Aaren Morgan, RHP/C, Mount Vernon HS, 2016
6-foot, 185-pound two-way player. Drop and drive style delivery on the mound, regular effort. Arm action is short, stays hidden, low elbow at times, over the top slot. Fastball had slight run, occasionally heavy, 81-83 mph. Curveball showed feel, 66-70 mph, 12/6 shape. Changeup has some sink and fade, 70-73 mph. Defensively arm plays short, high ¾ slot, 77 mph out of the crouch. Pop times range 2.01-2.04. Offensively hits from the right side, wide setup, minimal loading action, short stride, average balance. Strong hands, flashed bat speed, gap to gap approach, 80 mph exit velocity from the tee.

Joshua Mosley, C/OF/RHP, Morgan Park HS, 2016
Strong physically advanced build, 6-foot, 210-pound two way player. 7.27 runner in the 60. Offensively hits from the right side, open stance, short stride, average balance. Raw strength, pull side approach, 82 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm plays short and over the top, showed accuracy and occasional carry. 85 mph from the outfield, 75 mph out of the crouch. Pop times ranged, 2.01-2.04, short footwork out of the crouch. On the mound fastball sat 80-81 mph. Curveball has gradual action, 68-70 mph. Changeup is mostly straight, occasional sink, 72-74 mph.

Jake Nipperus, INF/RHP, Hinsdale South HS, 2016
Long lanky frame, slender build, 6-foot-4, 185-pound two-way player. Offensively hits from a tall and slightly open stance, stride back to even. Path works, stays level through the baseball, pull side approach. 95 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm played at 71 mph across the diamond, loose high ¾ slot. Hands showed playability, may be best suited for first base. On the mound fastball has slight run and sink, 76-77, topped at 78 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape, gradual action, 65-68 mph. Changeup sat 66-68 mph, slight sinking action.

Jarren Norman, RHP, Morgan Park HS, 2016
6-foot, 200-pound right-handed pitcher. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a short, loose arm action. Full over head delivery with smooth rhythm. Tall and fall online delivery with good balance throughout. Fastball sat 80-81 mph, mostly up in the zone for strikes. Curveball showed 11-5 shape with late action at 68-70 mph. Showed feel for his splitter with downer action at 68-70 mph down in the zone for strikes. Changeup sat 72-76 mph.

Adrian Perez, RHP/OF, West Leyden HS, 2016
Thicker build 6-foot, 195-pound right-handed hitting outfielder and pitcher. On the mound some rhythm, in-line direction, square landing, regular effort in his delivery out of a high ¾ window. Fastball, slight arm-side-run and clocked at 75-77 mph. Curveball, some depth, worked 11/5 and ranged between 59-62 mph. Changeup featured inconsistent action and ranged between 69-73 mph. Offensively, showed the ability to backspin a baseball at times. Balanced, open setup, long stride and average balance. Flashed occasional pull power, gap-to-gap approach and long bat path. Registered an exit velocity of 84 mph. Defensively, big crow hop and reliable hands in the outfield. Long arm action, ¾ slot, some accuracy and clocked at 80 mph. Also, ran a 7.94 laser-timed 60.

Jovan Perez, RHP, Oswego HS, 2016
5-foot-8, 190-pound right-handed pitcher. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a short arm action. Fastball sat 78-79 mph. Curveball showed 11-5 shape, throw with conviction for strikes at 72-74 mph. Changeup blended with fastball and showed some armside run at 76-78 mph.

Sam Perlin, RHP, Vernon Hills HS, 2016
6-foot, 175-pound right-handed pitcher. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a long arm action and stab on the backside. Drop and drive delivery with an open toed landing. Threw fastball for strikes at 78-80 mph. Curveball showed tight rotation at 67-70 mph. Slider showed sweeping action with depth at 72-75 mph. Maintained armspeed on changeup with fading action at 69-72 mph.

Brandon Porter, RHP, Lincoln-Way Central HS, 2016
5-foot-11, 195-pound right-handed pitcher. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a long arm action. Slow paced, tall and fall, online delivery with a square landing. Fastball sat 74-75 mph for strikes. Curveball showed 11-5 shape at 65-66 mph. Showed some feel for his changeup with sinking action at 70-71 mph.

Kyle Sailliez, RHP/INF/OF, Frankfort HS, 2016
Strong build 5-foot-11, 195-pound right-handed hitting position player and pitcher. Projects best on the mound. Threw from multiple angles during his bullpen. Slow and deliberate over-the head windup, in-line direction and effort in delivery. Fastball from over-the-top ranged between 80-84 mph. Curveball worked 12/6 and clocked at 69-72 mph. Changeup sat 73-76 mph. Side-arm/submarine delivery was interesting. Fastball flashed some arm-side-run and sat 79-80 mph. Curveball, decent feel, sweeping action and clocked at 69 mph. Offensively, strength in swing, gap-to-gap approach and bat speed. Balanced setup, short stride, average balance and long bat path. Registered an exit velocity of 86 mph. Defensively, worked out in the outfield and infield. Between the two he looked better suited for the outfield. Long arm action, over-the-top slot, flashed carry on throws, clocked at 88 mph from the outfield and 80 mph across the infield. Also, ran a 7.11 laser-timed 60.

Russell Shaffer, 2B/RHP, Urbana HS, 2016
6-foot, 189-pound right-handed hitting 2B/RHP. Offensively hits from a tall setup with a short stride and average balance. Raises up thru contact with a level swing path. 77 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.63. Defensively has a short arm action from a ¾ arm slot. Slower actions with good body control. Threw 67 mph across the infield. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a short arm action. Slow paced delivery in line with homeplate and a square landing. Threw fastball for strikes at 67-68 topping out at 70 mph. Curveball showed 11-5 shape at 60-62 mph. Changeup for strikesat 60-62 mph.

Justin Woolbright, 3B/OF/RHP, Rockford Lutheran HS, 2016
Muscle bound, physical 6-foot, 210-pound right-handed hitting pitcher and position player. On the mound featured a four-pitch repertoire. Quick, short arm from an over-the-top slot and effort in his delivery. Fastball, straight and clocked at 79-81, touching 82 mph. Slider looked to be second best pitch, worked 11/5 and sat 71-72 mph. Curveball, 12/6 shape, gradual action and ranged between 66-68 mph. Changeup sat 73-77 mph. Offensively, strength in his swing evidenced by a 89 mph exit velocity. Simple, aggressive swing with bat speed. Gap-to-gap approach, good balance and the ball jumped off his bat. Defensively, worked out in the infield and the outfield. Short arm action, over-the-top slot and clocked at 84 across the infield and 82 mph from the outfield. Also, ran a 7.78 laser-timed 60.

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