By Steve Nielsen
Illinois Scouting Director

The Unsigned Senior Showcase on October 14 saw so many quality pitchers we’ve decided to break them down into two groups: right-handers and left-handers. Today we will feature the righties, which showcased solid arm strength and projectable frames. This group is also highlighted by some polished guys with feel for multiple pitches.

A look at the right-handers at the Unsigned Senior Showcase:

1. Brian Jestice, Fremd HS, RHP, Class of 2013
Jestice is a wide shouldered 6-foot-2, 215-pound right handed pitcher who has seen consistent improvement over the last month.  Jestice has now seen his fastball top out at 91 mph, hitting it multiple times at the Unsigned Senior Showcase. Jestice operates from a high ¾ arm slot, using a long arm action. His balance has proven to be solid throughout his delivery, showing smooth rhythm and a directional tall and fall approach. His delivery is one that is repeatable and looks to be able to hold up over multiple innings. His fastball ranged at 87-91 mph, featuring some heavy sink. His curveball is a solid secondary pitch that works on an 11/5 plane at 66-69 mph while keeping it down in the zone. His change-up showed sink and controlled the pitch well at 73-75 mph. On top of his strong arm and prowess on the mound, Jestice also scored a 31 on his ACT.

2. Ryan Dunne, Peoria Richwoods HS, RHP, Class of 2013
Dunne is a strong, wide shouldered 6-foot-3, 210-pound right handed pitcher. He looks to be one of the premier unsigned arms in the state, as he throws out of a high ¾ arm slot with easy effort. His fastball shows a heavy feel and was thrown for strikes at 86-89 mph. His curveball is a power pitch that he showed the ability to throw for strikes, consistently at 77-78 mph with sharp 11/5 action. Dunne also featured a polished changeup, thrown with command at 78-80 mph with fastball arm action and arm side run. Dunne commanded everything he threw, all down in the zone, with heavy action.

3. Jeremiah Figueroa, Clemente HS, OF, Class of 2013
Figueroa’s arm is a pro tool. At 5-foot-10, 170-pounds Figueroa put on a display from the outfield that is rarely seen. Figueroa exhibited plus arm strength as he was clocked at 94-96 mph displaying throws that stayed on line and through his target with great life. As impressive as his arm was his defensive prowess was not far behind, showing fluid footwork and soft playable hands his defensive actions were that of a true outfielder. Offensively, he showed solid rhythm at the plate working a line drive, gap to gap approach. He hit out of a balanced setup using a slight leg kick to get into his hitting position. Figueroa also ran a 7.03 and projects as a solid corner outfielder at the next level. Figueroa also showcased himself on the mound. Figueroa featured lightning quick arm speed producing an 87-89 mph fastball with hard, late life. His change up was thrown with solid arm speed featuring arm side run and thrown for strikes. Figueroa also featured a breaking ball that worked on an 11/5 plane at 69-70 mph also throwing it for strikes.

4. Nick Ledinsky, Jacobs HS, RHP/OF, Class of 2013
Ledinsky is a very projectable, lanky right-handed pitcher standing 6-foot-5, 185-pounds. A prototypical pitcher’s body, Ledinsky pitches out of a full windup, operating from a high ¾ arm slot featuring a quick and loose arm. Ledinsky showed feel for three pitches with the ability to command the strike zone. His fastball sat at 83-85 mph, topping at 86. His fastball showed run and sink with a heavy feel and the ability to command the bottom of the zone. His curveball worked on an 11/5 plane, featuring sharp action and thrown for strikes. His changeup showed arm side run and also thrown for strikes at 73-74 mph. Ledinsky’s easy arm action and effortless delivery projects him well at the next level. He has pitchability and an athletic delivery out of a 6-foot-5 frame which should make him a desirable asset.

5. Ben Dobosenski, Montini Catholic HS, RHP, Class of 2013
Dobosenski is an athletically built 6-foot-3, 180-pound right-hander who has considerable upside. He has long arms and legs, and uses them to his advantage. His arm works with little effort from a high-3/4 slot. He showed excellent athleticism throughout his delivery as he fired 83-85 mph fastballs with late life. He showed feel for everything he threw, including a 73-75 mph changeup with late sink, and a 68 mph curveball. Dobosenski hides the ball well and showed good acceleration. With his athleticism, size and arm quickness, Dobosenski should continue to see a velocity spike in the near future.

6. Troy Dykhuis, St. Charles East HS, RHP, Class of 2013
Dykhuis is a strong 6-foot-2, 215-pound right handed pitcher. Dykhuis operates from a ¾ arm action with easy effort. Dykhuis showed solid feel for three pitches commanding the zone with a fastball, curveball and changeup. His fastball features some heavy feel sitting at 84-86 mph while flashing 88 mph. Dykhuis threw a curveball that worked on a 10/4 plane showing sharp action and feel for the pitch at 69-71 mph. His changeup showed run and sink to his arm side while being clocked at 76-77 mph.

7. Jon Escobar, Fremd HS, OF/RHP, Class of 2013
Escobar is a solid two-way talent.  At 6-foot, 185-pounds, Escobar is a strong, athletic specimen. His arm showed above average carry at 92 mph, using a long, high ¾ arm action. Offensively, Escobar hits from a wide, crouched setup. He uses a smooth load and short stride exhibiting solid balance throughout his swing. He displayed solid bat speed using a level bat path. On the mound, Escobar operated out of a high ¾ arm slot, producing an effortless 86-88 mph fastball, touching 90 mph. Escobar also featured a breaking ball at 71-72 mph and a change up at 75-76 mph.

8. Connor Riley, Marmion Academy HS, RHP, Class of 2013
The 6-foot-1, 170-pound Riley had an impressive showing, as the right-hander demonstrated advanced pitchability. Riley pounded the lower-half of the strike zone with three pitches, including a tight 73-74 mph slider that had sharp two-plane break. Riley’s slider looks to be a go-to pitch, which compliments his 82-84 mph fastball that exhibited arm-side life. He also throws a firm 79 mph changeup with some sink. Riley is mechanically sound and works with rhythm and tempo, and showed the ability to repeat.  

9. Ethan Gasbarro, Glenbard South HS, INF/OF/RHP, Class of 2013
Gasbarro is a highly talented athlete who can play multiple positions on the field. The 6-foot, 155-pound Gasbarro showcased a live arm, throwing it 86 across the infield and 92 mph from the outfield. Gasbarro’s arm is long and produces carry; he showed athletic actions in every facet of his game, also running a 6.97 60. On the mound he throws from a ¾ arm slot that produced sink in the zone. He controlled that sink well at 85-86 mph. His breaking ball showed some sweeping actions at 70-71 mph. He showed the ability to throw his breaking ball for strikes with good arm speed. His change up exhibited sink and again threw it for strikes at 73-75 mph.

10. Ryne Blanton, Richmond-Burton HS, 3B/RHP, Class of 2013
Blanton is a strong bodied two-way player who stands 6-foot-1, 190 pounds. Defensively, Blanton uses a long loose arm action showing good carry across the diamond at 82 mph. His exchange is clean and showed good hands at third base. Offensively, Blanton hits from an open stance using a good lower half and working mainly to his pull side. On the mound, Blanton showcased a fastball at 83-85 mph. Blanton’s fastball demonstrated some sink with a heavy feel to it as he consistently pounded the zone. His curveball showed 11/5 action late and in the strike zone, at 69-71 mph; he threw his breaking ball with good arm speed as well. Blanton’s changeup is a quality pitch showing sink and consistently keeping it down in the zone, he also showed deception throwing the pitch at good arm speed. Overall, Blanton showed good feel for three pitches.

Best of the rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Raymond Bailey, Alton HS, RHP, Class of 2013
Bailey is a physical 6-foot-2, 220-pound right-hander who works from a high-3/4 slot and has a short arm action on the backside. His fastball topped at 82 mph, sitting in the 80-81 range. Bailey also threw a 72-74 mph curveball with some downer action, and a 73-75 mph changeup.

Dylan Balogh, Barrington HS, RHP, Class of 2013
The 6-foot-3, 185-pound Balogh has an athletic, projectable frame. Balogh’s arm works clean and easily, coming from a high-3/4 slot, short on the backside. His fastball, in the 79-80 mph range, showed some arm-side run, while his 68 mph curveball showed 11/5 shape. Balogh also threw a 66-67 mph changeup with similar arm action.

Zachary Carlson, Lyons Township HS, RHP/MIF, Class of 2013
Carlson is a lanky 6-foot-2, 170-pound two-way player who showed well on the mound. Showcasing an 83-85 mph fastball, Carlson throws from a high ¾ arm slot with a loose arm action. His fastball showed run with slight sink and a heavy feel, while commanding the pitch well. Carlson’s curveball showed 10/4 shape at 70-72 mph, while his changeup was 72-73 mph. Offensively, he hits from the left side using a short stride and good balance producing 80 mph exit speeds from the tee. Carlson also ran a 7.00 60.

James Frainey, Providence Catholic HS, RHP, Class of 2013
Frainey is a 6-foot-1, 185-pound right-hander whose fastball sat in the 80-82 mph range. Frainey, who works from a 3/4 arm slot, threw his 69 mph curveball with confidence, demonstrating late break down in the zone.

Alex Galik, Downers Grove South HS, OF/RHP, Class of 2013
Galik brings an athletic build to the table, standing 6-foot-1, 170-pounds. As a two-way player, Galik showed a well-rounded game both on the mound and at the plate. Offensively, he hits from tall balanced stance using a slight leg kick to get into his hitting position. His bat path showed extension and displayed the ability to get the barrel to the baseball quickly with gap to gap tendencies. On the mound the right-hander showed an 83-84 mph fastball with sink. Galik gets on top of the baseball well, working on a downhill plane showing the ability to throw strikes. His curveball showed some 12/6 tendencies at 62 mph, while his slider sat 70-72 mph with the ability to throw it for strikes.

Eric Gile, Fremd HS, RHP, Class of 2013
The 6-foot, 175-pound Gile showed the ability to command three pitches, including a fastball that sat in the 82-83 mph range. Operating from a 3/4 arm slot, Gile’s changeup looks to be an effective pitch, as it ranged between 72-73 mph and demonstrated some sink with similar arm action to his fastball. He also threw a 67 mph curveball with 11/5 shape.

Thomas Goodyear, Romeoville HS, RHP, Class of 2013
Goodyear is a lanky 5-foot-11, 150-pound right-handed pitcher. Coming from a high-3/4 slot, Goodyear’s 82-83 mph fastball demonstrated some arm-side life. Goodyear threw his curveball with more confidence, as it had 11/5 shape in the 72-73 mph range.

Steven Hammar, Lincoln-Way North HS, RHP, Class of 2013
The 6-foot-2, 16-pound Hammar showcased an 80-82 mph fastball with some sink down in the zone. The right-hander also flashed a sharp 72 mph curveball with 11/5 shape, in addition to a 72-73 mph changeup, also with some sinking action.

Paxton Harmon, Warsaw HS, RHP/OF, Class of 2013
Harmon is a big strong bodied 6-foot-4, 205-pound two-way player. In the outfield Harmon threw with a long arm action showing carry and accuracy to his target. His arm strength was clocked at 83 mph from the outfield. Defensively, he showed solid hands using fluid footwork to play through the baseball and get it to his target on time. At the plate, Harmon hits from a balanced setup with a pull side approach. His exit speeds were measured at 79 mph. On the mound, Harmon is a physical pitcher with a 78-81 mph fastball. His breaking ball registered at 66-69 mph while his change came in at 68-69 mph.

Emmitt Harrington, 1B/RHP, Loyola Academy HS, Class of 2013
Harrington features a sturdy 6-foot-2, 210-pound frame. On the mound, the right-hander operates from a high-3/4 slot with a fastball that topped at 76 mph. He also threw a 68-69 mph curveball and a 71 mph changeup.  Defensively, Harrington showed solid footwork around first base and glove control.

William Herkel, Romeoville HS, RHP, Class of 2013
Herkel is a lanky 6-foot-3, 165-pound right-hander whose fastball ranged between 74-76 mph. Herkel threw his 67-68 mph curveball for strikes, and he also flashed a 70 mph changeup.

Luke Horton, 3B/RHP, Batavia HS, Class of 2013
The 6-foot-4, 190-pound Horton is a two-way player who features a projectable, athletic frame. Offensively, he showcased barrel whip through the zone and the ability to drive the ball with some backspin carry. Defensively, Horton moves well laterally and plays through the ball. He was clocked at 69 mph across the infield. On the mound, his fastball topped at 72 mph.

Dario Lopez, Brother Rice HS, RHP/INF, Class of 2013
Lopez is a 5-foot-11, 155-pound two-way player that showed well on the mound. Lopez throws out of a ¾ arm slot using a slight drop and drive style delivery. His rhythm was good showing repeatable actions and a loose arm. Lopez featured an 82-85 mph fastball flashing an 86, he showed good command of his fastball showing some sink and run. Lopez also showed a slider that he commanded at 75-77 mph working on a 10/4 plane. His change up was also thrown for strikes at 73-76 mph. At the plate Lopez hits out of a wide stance and produced exit speeds up to 81 mph from the tee. Lopez also ran a 7.19 60.

Colten Meador, 1B/RHP, Mt. Vernon HS, Class of 2013
Meador is an athletically built 6-foot-2, 210-pound two-player who showed well in all facets. Tools-wise, he ran a 7.28 60 and was clocked at 81 mph from the infield. Offensively, he showcased fast hands and had an aggressive plate approach. The ball jumped off his bat with pull side power potential. On the mound, the right-hander’s fastball sat at 80-81 mph. He also showed feel with his changeup and curveball.

Austin Mendell, Herscher HS, RHP, Class of 2013
Mendell is a 6-foot-2, 160-pound right-hander whose fastball topped at 81 mph. He works from a high-3/4 arm slot, coming across his body, and uses a short backside arm action. He showed some tempo and rhythm in his delivery as he also showed a 65-66 mph curveball and a 74-76 mph changeup.

Ryan Nikolich, RHP/3B, Niles Notre Dame HS, Class of 2013
The 6-foot-2, 205-pound Nikolich comes from an over-the-top arm slot and demonstrated some rhythm and tempo on the mound. His fastball topped at 81 mph while his curveball checked in at 64-65. He also commanded his 73-76 mph changeup down in the zone for strikes.

Ayhan Ozgen, Minooka HS, OF/RHP, Class of 2013
Ozgen is a lanky 6-foot-2, 180-pound two-way player. On the mound Ozgen showed a 76-78 mph fastball that he was able to throw for strikes down in the zone. His fastball showed some run coming out of a ¾ arm slot with a long loose action. His breaking ball showed sweeping action in the zone at 66-68 mph, while his change up was also a strike pitch at 70-73 mph. In the outfield Ozgen showed the ability to move well in his routes using fluid footwork.

Daniel Patterson, RHP/3B, Whitney Young HS, Class of 2013
The 6-foot-2, 190-pound Patterson topped at 84 mph, sitting in the 81-83 range, coming from a high-3/4 arm slot. Patterson has a short arm action and comes across his body. He also showcased a 69-72 mph curveball and a 75-77 mph changeup. Also, Patterson ran a 7.20 60 and was clocked at 78 mph from his position.

Teddy Romas, Homewood-Flossmoor HS, RHP, Class of 2013
Romas is a 6-foot, 145-pound right-handed pitcher who operates from a high-3/4 arm slot. His fastball sat at 79-80 mph, while his curveball checked in at 71 mph. Romas showed the ability to throw his curveball consistently for strikes. He also threw a 75 mph changeup.

Zach Schumacher, Walther Lutheran HS, RHP/OF, Class of 2013
Schumacher is a lanky 6-foot-4, 175-pound two-way player with some projection. Schumacher showed to have some athleticism in his long frame, and ran a 7.32 60. Defensively, he moved well for his size using fluid footwork to get to the baseball. He used a long arm action showing some accuracy to his target, registering 75 mph from the outfield. On the mound, Schumacher threw from an over the top arm slot producing a 75-80 mph fastball. His curveball was clocked at 72-73 mph, while his change up is 70-72 mph.

Nicholas Seketa, Lakes Community HS, RHP, Class of 2013
Seketa is a 5-foot-10, 155-pound right-handed pitcher. Sekata’s fastball topped at 78 mph, sitting in the 75-76 range. He showed the ability to throw his 65-66 mph curveball for strikes; he also showcased a slider with similar 10/4 shape.

Austin Shanahan, Batavia HS, RHP, Class of 2013
Shanahan is a 6-foot-2, 190-pound right-hander with an athletic build. Shanahan operates from a high-3/4 slot and showed command of his fastball, which topped at 80 mph. He also threw a 65-68 mph curveball and a 65-68 mph changeup.

Logan Spangler, Midwest Central HS, RHP/3B, Class of 2013
Spangler is a lanky 6-foot-2, 170-pound two-way player. On the mound Spangler throws from a ¾ arm slot with easy effort. His fastball showed slight sink at 76-77 mph and threw it consistently down in the zone. His breaking ball showed some sweeping action at 68-67 mph, while his change up was 71-72 mph also down in the zone. Spangler showed a 78 mph arm across the infield while running a 7.13 60. At the plate Spangler showed a balanced set up while displaying the ability to find the barrel using a level path to the baseball.

Mike Stellmack, Naperville Central HS, RHP/MIF, Class of 2013
Stellmack is a 6-foot, 160-pound two-way player that ran well posting a 6.91 60 time. On the mound Stellmack pitches exclusively out of the stretch throwing from a ¾ arm slot with a short arm action. Stellmack showed good direction and finish throughout his drop and drive style delivery. His fastball featured some run in the strike zone at 77-80 mph. Stellmack’s change up proved to be one of his better pitches showcasing sink at 72-74 mph while consistently throwing it for strikes. He also showed a curveball at 69 mph with some sweeping action. Offensively, Stellmack hits from an open stance while producing 80 mph exit speeds from the tee.

Chans Sugden, RHP/1B, Galesburg HS, Class of 2013
Sugden has an athletic 6-foot-2, 187-pound frame, one that should continue develop in the coming years. On the mound, Sugden's athleticism is apparent. His arm is quick and loose, coming from an over-the-top slot. The ball is easy out of his hand, with a fastball that sat at 82-83 mph. His 75 mph slider showed as his best pitch, as it has sharp two-plane break. He also threw a firm changeup and a splitter, in the 74-75 range. Offensively, he hits from an open setup and showcased some bat speed. He also ran a 7.27 60 and was clocked at 78 mph from first base.

Jordan Tharp, RHP/3B, Tri-Point HS, Class of 2013
Tharp is an athletically built 6-foot-4, 190-pound two-way player who ran a 7.19 60. On the mound, the right-hander’s fastball topped at 82 mph, coming from an over-the-top arm slot with some sink. He also threw a 63-64 mph curveball and a 73-75 mph changeup; the change also demonstrated some sinking action.

Kyle Weller, Oswego East HS, RHP/OF, Class of 2013
Weller is an athletic 6-foot-1, 170-pound left-handed hitting two-way player. On the mound, Weller sat at an easy 83-85 mph. His mechanics are clean and athletic, using a tall and fall type approach, Weller displayed an effortless delivery with rhythm and repeatable actions. His off speed pitches showed some potential with a curveball at 65-68 mph working on an 11/5 tilt, and a change up that stayed down at 70-71 mph. In the outfield he showed the same easy arm at 84 mph working through the ball well and delivering strikes to his target. Offensively, Weller hits with a short stride and shows good balance throughout his swing. Weller showed the ability to hit line drives to his pull side with regularity. Weller also ran a 6.95 60.