Preseason All-State: Pitchers Analysis

March 25, 2015

By Phil Wade
Indiana Executive Director

Follow @PBRIndiana

The 5th Annual Preseason All-State Showcase took place on Saturday, February 21st, at Lawrence North High School in Indianapolis, IN with a total of 81 players in Indiana's 2016 class in attendance. Below we analyze the 42 pitchers that attended the event.

Top 10

1. Jake Cantleberry, LHP, Center Grove HS, 2016: The 6-foot-1, 180 pound southpaw impressed with a fastball sitting consistently at 86-87, touching 88. He pitches from a high 3/4 slot with very quick arm speed. Quick, rushed delivery that appears violent at times. Showcased plus secondary stuff; 82-83 slider with sharp break and an 81-83 changeup with arm-side run and occasional sink.

2. Austin Dickey, RHP, New Albany HS, 2016: A projectable 6-foot-4, 187 pound righty, Dickey showcased a fastball up to 90 mph, sitting 86-88. Arm speed is quick. He pitches from a high 3/4 slot with a short arm action. Smooth rhythm throughout the delivery. Needs to improve his off-speed pitches. Committed to Louisville.

3. Nick Prather, RHP, Zionsville HS, 2016: A 6-foot-1, 205 pound righty pitches from a high 3/4 slot with quick arm speed. Arm is loose with overall smooth rhythm, does get long on his backside. Fastball showed run at 86-89, topping out at 90. Breaking ball was more of a spinner at 66-68, but erratic in the zone. Best off-speed pitch was his 76-78 changeup that showed good sink and consistently kept in the zone.

4. Jack Pilcher, RHP, Zionsville HS, 2016: 6-foot-3, 180 pound right-hander pitches from a ¾ slot with a long, loose arm action. Possesses good rhythm in the delivery with a good line to the plate. Lands square. Fastball shows good run with late action at 84-85, touching 87. Breaking ball shows late action at 76-78 from a 10/4 shape. Good changeup at 73-76 with late fade.

5. Blake Walker, RHP, Chatard HS, 2016: 6-foot-4, 215 pound righty, projectable pitchers frame. Long arm action, ¾ slot with above average arm speed. Fastball was consistently in the zone at 85-86, up to 87. Breaking ball shows a 10/4 shape with late action at 78-80. Changeup was 77-79. Keeps improving each time we see him with the off-speed continuing to improve.

6. Luke Jaksich, LHP, Andrean HS, 2016: 6-foot-1, 160 pound southpaw possesses good pitchability. Pitches from a ¾ slot with quick arm speed. Long arm action. Slight pause in the delivery, good rhythm. Fastball shows cut at 81-83. Slider kept down in the zone with late action at 69-71 mph. Changeup is a plus pitch at 74-76 with sink. Very good off-speed stuff.

7. Jake Clawson, RHP, Yorktown HS, 2016: 6-foot-4, 200 pounds, strong, athletic build. Pitches from a high ¾ slot with a long, quick, loose arm action. Good line to the plate, landing square. Fastball sat 85-86, up to 87 with heavy action and occasional sink. Breaking ball was 68-72 from 10/4 shape with gradual break. Changeup shows some fade and kept in the zone at 76-79.

8. Kaleb Huxford, RHP, Rockville HS, 2016: 6-foot-2, 160 pounds, athletic, lanky frame. Pitches from a ¾ slot. Short, loose arm action. Smooth rhythm in the delivery with a good line to the plate. Fastball shows arm side run at 83-85, up to 86. 11/5 breaking ball with gradual break at 76-79 and kept in the zone. Changeup was thrown with near fastball arm speed at 74-78 with some cut, thrown for a strike.

9. Max McCool, RHP, Westfield HS, 2016: 6-foot, 170 pound righty showcased a quick arm from a ¾ slot. Long, loose arm action. Good rhythm in the delivery, lands square with a good line to the plate. Fastball was 84-85, up to 86 with run and occasional sink. 10/4 breaking ball with sharp break at 73-74 and thrown for a strike. Changeup was thrown with near fastball arm speed with sink at 74-76. Ability to throw three pitches for a strike.

10. Ben Pinegar, RHP, Zionsville HS, 2016: 6-foot, 190 pounds showcased a quick, long, loose arm action pitching from a high ¾ slot with a long, quick arm action. Smooth rhythm , good line to the plate, lands square. Fastball shows late run at 84-86 consistently in the zone. Sweeping 10/4 breaking ball thrown for a strike at 69-70. Changeup was thrown with near fastball arm speed with good cut at 76-78.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Philip Archer, LHP, Floyd Central HS, 2016: 6-foot-2, 210 pound southpaw showcased average arm speed from a long, high ¾ arm delivery. Good line to the plate, athletic finish. Fastball was 78-80, touching 82 and thrown for a strike. 12/6 breaking ball with late action at 63-64, thrown for a strike. Changeup shows sink at 68-72, tendency to slow arm down when throwing the change.

Dane Baldwin, RHP, Crawfordsville HS, 2016: 6-foot-3, 190 pound right-hander comes at hitters from a short, ¾ arm delivery with average arm speed. Level shoulders in the delivery with a good line to the plate. Lands square, athletic finish. Fastball sat 76-79. Breaking ball has an 11/5 shape with gradual break at 64-65 and kept in the zone. Changeup was thrown with near fastball arm speed at 68-69 with some cut and thrown for a strike.

Tyler Blackington, RHP, Carmel HS, 2016: 6-foot-2, 215 pound right-hander pitches from a long, high ¾ arm delivery. Arm speed is average. Regular effort in the delivery with a high front side and uphill shoulders at the launch. Good line to the plate, lands square. Fastball was straight and up in the zone at 79-80. Good 12/6 breaking ball with sharp break down in the zone at 66-68. Changeup is thrown with fastball arm speed at 71-73 with some sink.

Cameron Boyd, RHP, Fishers HS, 2016: 6-foot-3, 195 pounds, pitches from a long, ¾ arm delivery with average arm speed. Delivery is rushed at times with regular effort. Fastball shows downhill plain at 77-80, touching 81. Fastball was heavy with some run and thrown for a strike. Breaking ball shows a 10/4 shape with early action at 64-66. Changeup was thrown with near fastball arm speed with some sink, thrown for a strike at 71-74.

Nick Casey, RHP, Chatard HS, 2016: 6-foot-3, 185 pound right-hander pitches from a short, ¾ arm delivery with average arm speed. Shows some rhythm in the delivery with a good line to the plate. Lands square, athletic finish. Fastball was straight at 78-80, up to 81. Breaking ball has a 10/4 shape with late break at 65-66. Changeup is straight at 72 mph and thrown with fastball arm speed.

Christian Chapman, RHP, Fishers HS, 2016: 6-foot-3, 205 pounder pitches from an over the top slot with average arm speed. Long arm action. Max effort delivery, high front side. Fastball was straight at 80-81, touching 82, kept in the zone. 70-73 breaking ball shows late action and kept down in the zone, but erratic. Changeup shows late arm side run at 76-77.

Benjamin Clevenger, RHP, Carmel HS, 2016: 6-foot-1, 180 pounds pitches from a high ¾ slot with above average arm speed. Tall to fall delivery. Good line to the plate. Fastball sat 83-85 with late run and kept in the strike zone. 11/5 breaking ball was 70-72 with late break. Changeup thrown with near fastball arm speed at 77-80 with some fade.

Nik Conner, LHP, Penn HS, 2016: 5-foot-11, 220 pound southpaw pitches from a short , loose ¾ arm delivery with above average arm speed. Good rhythm in the delivery with a good line to the plate. Lands square. Fastball shows late run at 81-82. Sweeping breaking ball with gradual break at 66-69 mph. Changeup was thrown with near fastball arm speed at 76-77 with some fade.

Joe Drury, RHP, Center Grove HS, 2016: 5-foot-11, 175 pound righty comes at hitters from a long, ¾ arm delivery with average arm speed. Good rhythm in the delivery with level shoulders and in line to the plate. Lands square. Fastball has some sink to it at 79-80. Breaking ball was 72-74 with gradual break. Slows his arm down on the 69-70 mph changeup, but keeps it in the zone with some fade.

Grant Ellis, RHP, Terre Haute South HS, 2016: 6-foot-2, 215 pound RHP pitches from a ¾ slot with average arm speed. Long arm action. Created deception in the delivery with a long pause. Good line to the plate. Fastball possesses movement at 82-83. Breaking ball was 68-69 with gradual break. Changeup was thrown with near fastball arm speed and shows sink and run at 70-73 but erratic in the zone.

Bryce Freels, RHP, Marquette Catholic HS, 2016: 6-foot-4, 220 pound right-hander comes at hitters from a high ¾ slot. Slow pace delivery with level shoulders and a good line to the plate. Fastball was straight at 73-74, touching 75. 10/4 breaking ball has a sweeping action with gradual break at 58-61. Slows his arm down on the 65-66 mph changeup. Change was kept in the zone with occasional sink. Also throws a 65 mph cutter.

Noah Freimuth, RHP, Bishop Dwenger HS, 2016: 6-foot-2, 199 pounds pitches from a ¾ slot with average arm speed. Fastball was shows occasional run at 82-84, up to 85. Sweeping 10/4 breaking ball at 65-66 with gradual movement. Changeup is thrown from a low ¾ slot with arm side run and sink, kept in the zone at 71-73.

Hogan Fulkerson, RHP, New Palestine HS, 2016: 6-foot-1, 175 pound righty comes at hitters from a long, ¾ arm delivery. Slight wrap on the backside. Good line to the plate. Fastball has arm side run with occasional sink at 79-80. Breaking ball has a 10/4 shape with gradual movement at 69-71. Changeup has some run and sink action, kept down in the zone at 72-73. Showcased sink on all pitches with solid secondary pitches.

Brett Herndon, RHP, Terre Haute North HS, 2016: 6-foot, 175 pound righty pitches from a high ¾ slot, short arm action. Fastball shows run at 84-85 with hard action and kept in the zone. Good 10/4 breaking ball shows late action at 70-72 and thrown for a strike while the changeup sits 73-74 with sink and some fade.

Sam Huff, RHP, Castle HS, 2016: 6-foot-4, 175 pounder possesses a lanky, athletic frame. Pitches from a long, ¾ slot with average arm speed. Shows some rhythm in the delivery with level shoulders. Good line to the plate, lands square. Fastball has some run with heavy action at 77-78. Breaking ball shows a 10/4 shape with early action at 62-64, consistently in the zone. Changeup was 64-65.

Alan Lozer, RHP, North Central HS, 2016: 6-foot, 150 pound righty possesses average arm speed with a long arm action and high ¾ slot. Inward turn in the delivery. Shoulders tilt uphill during the launch. Fastball sat 76-77 with some sink and consistently in the zone. 10/4 breaking ball was 63-64 with sharp break. Throws a 66-70 mph split with good sink for a strike.

Mark Mazure, RHP, Crown Point HS, 2016: 6-foot-2, 205 pounds, pitches from a ¾ slot with a quick, short and loose arm action. Show some rhythm in the delivery with a good line to the plate. Fastball was kept down in the zone with heavy action at 83-84, touching 86. Spins the breaking ball at 72 mph. Changeup was thrown with near fastball arm speed at 64-65 with some cut action and kept in the zone.

James Meyer, RHP, Zionsville HS, 2016: 6-foot-2, 180 pound right-hander pitches out of the stretch. High ¾ slot with a long arm action. Smooth rhythm, level shoulders, good line to the plate. 81-83 fastball with run and thrown for a strike. 10/4 breaking ball sat 63-65, spinner pitch. Tendency to slow his arm down when throwing the changeup and drops his arm slot down. Change sat 70-71.

Logan Murphy, RHP, Silver Creek HS, 2016: 6-foot-1, 215 pound righty comes at hitters from a high ¾ delivery with average arm speed. Delivery is rushed and choppy. Showed the ability to locate the fastball well at 79-80, touching 81. Throws two breaking balls, 61-62 mph CB and a 70-71 mph SL. CB shows inconsistent spin, while the SL was the far better of the two pitches. SL is a good HS pitch. Changeup was 64-66 and in the zone, but has a tendency to slow his arm down when throwing the pitch.

Sam Phillips, RHP, Roncalli HS, 2016: 6-foot-2, 215 pound righty pitches from a short, high ¾ arm delivery with quick arm speed. Works at a quick pace. Fastball was hard and straight in the zone at 81-82. Spins the breaking ball at 68-71 with little break. Best off-speed pitch was his 72-75 mph changeup which shows arm side run and kept down in the zone for a strike. Projects to have more in the tank on the fastball.

Zach Ramirez, LHP, Charlestown HS, 2016: 6-foot-2, 150 pound southpaw comes at hitters from a high ¾ slot. Smooth rhythm in the delivery. Fastball was thrown for a strike at 70-72, up to 73. 1/7 breaking ball shows gradual movement and thrown for a strike at 61-62, best off-speed pitch. Changeup was 64-65. Ability to throw all pitches for a strike, clean arm action, lacks arm strength.

Tyler Reeves, RHP, Crawfordsville HS, 2016: 6-foot-2, 185 pound righty possesses average arm speed with a short, ¾ arm delivery. Choppy rhythm in the delivery. Good line to the plate. Finishes upright. Fastball shows sink at 80-82, touching 83. 10/4 breaking ball was 69-72 with gradual break. Changeup sat 71-74.

Kelly Rider, RHP, Charlestown HS, 2016: 6-foot-2, 220 pound right-hander pitches from a long, ¾ arm delivery with a slight stab on the backside. Possesses average arm speed. Shows good direction to the plate, landing square. Fastball shows occasional run at 81-82. 12/6 breaking ball was 68-70 and thrown for a strike.

Ryan Ruthrauff, RHP, Lake Central HS, 2016: 5-foot-11, 185 pounder pitches from a high ¾ slot with a long arm action. Max effort, choppy delivery. Level shoulders with a good line to the plate. Lands square, athletic finish. Fastball was straight at 77-78, up in the zone. 12/6 breaking ball sat 69-72 with sharp break, down in the zone. Changeup was 70-72 with arm side run and some sink, but erratic.

Travis Sanders, LHP, Ben Davis HS, 2016: 5-foot-11, 160 pound southpaw pitches from a short, high ¾ arm delivery with average arm speed. Pitches down from a simple delivery, front side shows some stiffness. Good line to the plate. Fastball was straight at 78-80, up to 81 and consistently in the zone. Throws a good 12/6 breaking ball at 65-67 with sharp break down in the zone. 67-69 mph changeup is thrown with near fastball arm speed with slight arm side run and occasional sink action.

Jared Schoen, RHP, Hauser HS, 2016: 6-foot-1, 205 pound right-hander pitches from a short, high ¾ arm delivery. Rushed delivery with shoulders tilting uphill during the launch. Tendency to fall off towards 1B side. Fastball was straight with occasional run at 77-80, up to 81. Breaking ball was a downer type pitch with late break at 66-68. Changeup is thrown with near fastball arm speed with sink at 71-74 mph.

Braden Scott, LHP, Shakamak HS, 2016: 6-foot-4, 195 pound lefty pitches from a long, ¾ arm delivery. Stab on the backside. Fastball showed sink at 79-81, touching 82 and kept in the strike zone. Breaking ball shows a sweeping action at 66 with gradual break. Changeup was thrown with near fastball arm speed at 71-72 with arm side run and some sink action; thrown for a strike. Committed to Marshall.

Connor Spear, RHP, Mount Carmel HS (IL), 2016: 5-foot-10, 172 pound righty pitches from a high ¾ slot with a long arm action. Level shoulders, good line to the plate, lands square. Tall to fall delivery. Fastball sat 81-83 with occasional sink. 10/4 breaking ball showed late action at 67-69 while the changeup was 73-75 and straight. Also threw a cutter at 78-79 with occasional run.

Nick Thieme, LHP, Guerin Catholic HS, 2016: 6-foot, 215 pound lefty pitches from a long, high ¾ arm delivery. Has some stiffness in the arm action. Rushed delivery with level shoulders. Good line to the plate, lands square. Fastball was kept down in the zone with some sink at 73-75, touching 76. Breaking ball has a 12/6 shape with gradual break at 63-65. 67-68 mph changeup has fade and thrown for a strike, thrown with near fastball arm speed.

Nate Thomas, RHP, Mishawaka Marian HS, 2016: 6-foot-2, 235 pounds pitches from a high ¾ slot with quick arm speed. Good arm strength, choppy rhythm. Fastball was heavy and straight at 84-86, up to 87. Breaking ball was erratic in the zone at 66-68. Changeup shows occasional sink at 74-77, erratic in the zone.

Mitch Ubelhor, RHP, Avon HS, 2016: 6-foot-2, 180 pounds pitches from a high ¾ slot. Possesses some stiffness in the arm action. Shoulders tilt uphill during launch, good line to the plate, lands open. Ability to pound the fastball in at 84-85, up to 86. Power breaking ball shows an 11/5 shape at 75 mph. Changeup thrown with near fastball arm speed at 78-80.