Preseason I.D. - Illiana: Pitching Analysis

Wrapping up our analysis of the Preseason I.D. - Illinana, our staff looks at the top five pitching prospects from the event. Below you will see reports for the 19 total arms in attendance, with the top five highlighted at the top.

Top Pitching Prospects

1. Ethan Alexander, RHP/2B, Marian Catholic, 2020
6-foot-2, 140-pound, lanky two-way prospect, projectable frame. On the mound, quick, loose arm action, high ¾ arm slot, regular effort. Smooth rhythm, starts slow then picks his pace up, works on-line, lands square, finishes athletically. Fastball, heavy run and sink, commanded, 81-82 mph, touched 83. Slider, 11/5 shape, gradual break, 69-72. Changeup, cut at-times, 73-76. Offensively, balanced setup, short stride, short barrel path, line drive hitter, fluid rhythm, 80 mph exit velocity. Defensively, long arm action, ¾ arm slot, competent hands, 78 across the infield.

2. Chandler Kerr, LHP, Marian Catholic, 2019
Strong thick build, developed lower half, 6-foot-3, 210-pound left-handed pitcher. Tall and fall delivery, side step rocker, easy lift and land, balanced finish,  low effort. Arm action is loose from a high ¾ slot, occasionally gets underneath, working uphill, arm projects for more. Fastball is straight, flashed hard late finish when on top of the baseball, topped at 83 mph, sat 81-82 mph. Curveball has 1/7 shape, 63-66 mph. Changeup played at 65-68 mph, slightly decelerated flashed sink.

3. Joel Holtcamp, RHP/3B, Andrean (IN), 2019
6-foot-2, 160-pound, lanky, athletic two-way prospect. On the mound, projectable frame and actions, right-handed pitcher, long, loose arm action, slot varied between high ¾ and ¾, some effort. Tall and fall delivery, smooth rhythm, works on-line, lands square, finishes athletically. Fastball, slight run, commanded, 82-83 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, sharp break, has feel for, 69-71. Changeup, fastball arm speed, armside run, 74-77. Three pitch mix, keeps down in the zone. Offensively, balanced, wide setup, loads back, short stride, fluid rhythm, loose hands, line drive type hitter, 90 mph exit velocity. Defensively, high ¾ arm slot, competent hands, fluid footwork, 82 across the infield. Ran a 7.22 laser-timed 60.

4. Mike Sullivan, RHP, Wheaton North, 2019
6-foot-1, 170-pound right-handed pitcher, lean athletic frame, projects well. Full windup delivery, deep rocker step into sweeping leg lift rolls through balance position working slightly across his body. Arm action is is long, low effort, over the top slot. Fastball is straight, played at the top of the zone, flashed occasional life, 80-82 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape, 65-68 mph. Showed feel for changeup, displayed as best secondary pitch, sinking action, 72-74 mph.

5. Mathew Birtman, LHP/OF, Deerfield, 2020
5-foot-9, 145-pound, two-way prospect. Showed well as a left-handed pitcher. Pounded the strike zone with a three-pitch mix that has above-average action for age. Repeatable delivery, stays on-line and lands square. Arm works clean out of a high ¾ slot. Fastball, located down in the zone, arm-side-run, 78-80 mph. Slider, thrown aggressively, feel, downer action, 69-70 mph. Changeup, thrown for strikes, sink and fade action, 70-72 mph. Ran a 6.99 laser-timed 60. Offensively, left-handed hitter, balanced, wide setup, loads hands, short stride and average balance throughout. Uses the whole field and registered and 80 mph exit velocity from a tee. In the outfield, works through the baseball, crow hop exchange, short arm action and throws clocked at 77 mph.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Justin Alvarado, 2B/RHP, Mt. Carmel, 2019
5-foot-10, 190-pound, strong, right-handed two-way prospect. Offensively, balanced setup, smooth load back, leg kick timing-trigger, incorporates lower-half, maintains balance through contact. Power hitter,  swings with intent, uphill barrel path, fluid rhythm, 84 mph exit velocity. Ran a 7.42 laser-timed 60. Defensively, works from a low ¾ arm slot, competent hands, 70 mph across the infield. On the mound, unique stab/wrap arm action from a sidearm slot, drop and drive delivery, works on-line, lands closed. Fastball, arm action/slot causes sink, 73-74 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, gradual break, near fastball arm speed, has feel, 61-64. Changeup, near fastball arm speed, sinking action, 68-69.  

Jeffrey Ballard, LHP, Munster (IN), 2019
6-foot-1, 155-pound left-handed pitcher, lean lanky frame. High leg kick with toe lift leads to weight shifted onto backside, high front side gives shoulders slight uphill tilt. Arm action is short on back side, works out of high ¾ slot. Fastball is straight, flat four seam type, worked top of zone, topped at 75 mph, sat 73-74 mph. Curveball has gradual 12/6 action, 64-67 mph. Changeup showed sink, near fastball arm speed, 67-68 mph.

Daniel Brannigan, RHP/1B, St. Rita, 2019
6-foot, 220-pound, right-handed two-way prospect. Defensively, short arm action, over-the-top slot, accurate on throws, competent hands, has feel around the bag, 66 mph across the infield. Offensively, balanced setup, back load, long stride, fluid rhythm, maintains balance. Line drive hitter with present bat speed, 87 mph exit velocity off a tee. Ran an 8.19 laser-timed 60. On the mound, short arm action, over-the-top slot, some effort, smooth rhythm, works on-line, finishes athletically. Fastball, mostly straight, 76-78 mph. Curveball, 12/6 shape, gradual break, fastball arm speed, commanded, 61-66. Changeup, near fastball arm speed, fade action, 67-71. Split-finger, some feel, 66-67.

Blaze Cano, SS/2B/RHP, Hanover Central (IL), 2021
5-foot-6, 127-pound, athletic middle infielder. Offensively, right-handed, closed, tall setup, drops hands on load, toe tap stride, maintains balance. Line drive type hitter, fluid rhythm, attacks the ball, level barrel path, present bat speed, 80 mph exit velocity off a tee. Ran a 7.55 laser-timed 60. Defensively, long arm action, high ¾ slot, playable hands, 72 mph across the infield. On the mound, short, loose arm action, high ¾ slot, tall and fall delivery, smooth rhythm. Fastball, mostly straight, 70-72, touched 73. Curveball, 11/5 shape, 55-60. Changeup, flashed sink and fade, near fastball arm speed, 63-66.

Connor Cassady, C/RHP, Lyons, 2020
6-foot-2, 175-pound catcher, lean athletic frame. Right-handed hitter, open stance, solid balance, occasionally collapses lower half. Path has length and works uphill, flashed pull side approach. 78 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is short and over the top, 71 mph out of the crouch. Simple actions out of the chute, gets tall, quiet feet, 2.18-2.36 pop times. Ran the 60 at 8.02.On the mound delivery is loose and repeats with some athleticism. Regular arm action, clean separation, high ¾ slot. Fastball flashed arm side action, control of the zone, 76-77 mph, topped at 78 mph. Curveball has 10/4 shape, worked better out of the stretch, 61-65 mph. Changeup had occasional cut action, 64-69 mph.

Bryan Corrigan, OF/INF/RHP, Yorkville, 2019
6-foot, 160-pound, lean, multi-positional prospect. 7.10 runner in the 60, laser-timed. Offensively, balanced, narrow setup, slight pre-pitch wrap and long stride. Long, uphill bat path and 75 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, worked out in the outfield and infield. Fluid footwork in the outfield, clean exchange and long arm action. Throws topped at 73 mph from the outfield and 67 mph across the infield. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, tall and fall delivery, stays on-line, lands square with regular effort throughout. Arm works short and out of a high ¾ slot. Fastball worked straight, thrown for strikes, 70-71 mph. Curveball, 12/6 shape, feel, 60-64 mph. Changeup, 59-62 mph.

DeAndre Edwards, LHP, Lane Tech, 2021
5-foot-11, 145-pound left-handed pitcher. Delivery is down-tempo, methodical and balanced, stays on line with closed toe landing. Arm action has length, slight plunging action on back side, high ¾ slot. Fastball is straight, flashed run to arm side, topped at 74 mph, sat 71-73 mph. Curveball has 1/7 shape, fastball arm speed, showed control with above average action for age, 62-64 mph. Slider had less action than curveball, firm 2/8 plane, 66-68 mph.

Cody Harrison, RHP/1B, Plainfield North, 2019
6-foot-3, 175-pound, strong, athletic two-way prospect. Projectable frame on the mound. Right-handed pitcher, short arm action, quick arm speed from high ¾ arm slot, easy effort. Tall and fall delivery, smooth rhythm, works on-line, lands square and finishes athletically. Fastball, slight run action, commanded, 80-81 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, tight at times, showed depth, 64-66. Changeup, near fastball arm speed, fade action, feel for, 69-72. Defensively, over-the-top slot, throws carry, 77 mph across the infield, plays through the ball. Offensively, loose demeanor, smooth rhythm, balanced setup, long stride, maintains good balance through contact. Line drive hitter, present bat speed, level barrel path, 87 exit velocity off a tee.

Jacob Hirschtritt, RHP/SS, Whitney Young, 2020
5-foot-10, 152-pound, right-handed hitting two-way player. Defensively, flashed an athletic arm action, high ¾ slot, plays through the ball, competent hands, 79 mph across the infield. Ran a 7.54 laser-timed 60. Offensively, crouching setup, drops hands on load, leg kick timing-trigger, maintains balance through swing, uphill barrel path, 78 mph exit velocity. On the mound, short arm action, high ¾ arm slot, easy effort. Drop and drive delivery, some rhythm, lands open. Fastball, some run and sink, commanded, 76-78. Slider, 11/5 shape, gradual break, near fastball arm speed, 67-73. Changeup, near fastball arm speed, fade action, 72-73.

Justin Johnson, OF/LHP, Marian Catholic, 2021
5-foot-6, 145-pound, two-way prospect. Impressed on the mound. Left-handed pitcher, stretch-only delivery, repeats, stays on-line, lands square with smooth rhythm throughout. Fastball, works straight, thrown for strikes, 75-76 mph. Curveball, 12/6 shape, depth, 59-62 mph. Changeup, feel, sink and fade action, 62-65 mph. In the outfield, fluid footwork, reliable hands and quick release. Short, over-the-top arm action, throws topped at 76 mph. At the plate, left-handed hitter, open setup, pre-pitch rhythm, exaggerated load and toe-tap stride. Long, uphill bat path and 74 mph exit velocity from a tee. 7.63 runner in the 60.

Jacob Keil, INF/OF/RHP, Prospect, 2019
5-foot-8, 150-pound, multi-positional prospect. Offensively, right-handed hitter, balanced, wide setup, pre-pitch load and minimal stride. Path works long and uphill; 81 mph exit velocity. Defensively, worked out on the infield and the outfield. Arm works over-the-top with longer action in the outfield and throws flashed accuracy; clocked at 79 mph from the outfield and 73 mph across the infield. Ran a 7.69 laser-timed 60. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, drop and drive delivery with regular effort throughout. Arm works long and out of a high ¾ slot. Fastball works straight, sat 74-75 mph, touching 76. Curveball, gradual action, 58-62 mph. Changeup, near fastball arm action, straight action, 62-67 mph.

Justin Schassburger, OF/RHP, Andrean (IN), 2021
5-foot-9, 160-pound, strong lower half, two-way prospect. At the plate, right-handed hitter, open setup, slight bar loading action, stride gets back to even and inconsistent lower half. Looseness in swing at times, line-drive approach and 79 mph exit velocity. In the outfield, works through the baseball, steady hands, long arm action, high ¾ slot and throws topped at 75 mph. 7.88 runner in the 60. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, slow paced, methodical wind up and stays on-line. Arm action works primarily out of a ¾ slot, will raise arm slot on two-seam fastball. Four-seam fastball, arm-side-run, sat 75-76 mph, touched 77. Curveball, 11/5 shape, tight spin at times, thrown for strikes, 62-63 mph. Changeup, maintains arm speed, fade action, 65-66 mph.

Jack West, RHP, Mount Carmel, 2021
5-foot-9, 130-pound right-handed pitcher, thin wiry frame. Mechanical delivery stays balanced through finish, lands squared on flexed front side. Arm plays from a high ¾ slot, clean separation through release. Fastball is mostly straight, topped at 72 mph, sat 69-71 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape, 57-60 mph. Changeup is 64-65 mph, showed fading action.

Zack Zborowski, LHP/1B, Valparaiso (IN), 2019
6-foot-1, 190-pound, strong, lanky, athletic two-way prospect. On the mound, left-handed, short arm action from high ¾ slot, easy effort. Tall and fall delivery, smooth, methodical rhythm, shoulders stay level, works on-line, lands square. Fastball, mostly straight, 77-78 mph, touched 79. Curveball, shape varied between 1/7 and 2/8, depth at times, near fastball arm speed, 64-66. Changeup, flashed sink and fade, 68-71. Slider, firm, short break, shape varied between 1/7 and 2/8, some feel, 71-73. Offensively, right-handed, balanced setup, back load, short stride, maintains balance through contact. Power hitter type, long barrel path, present bat speed, 85 mph exit velocity off a tee. Ran a 7.57 laser-timed 60. Defensively, short arm action, slot varied between high ¾ and over-the-top, 71 across the infield.

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