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Preseason Underclass Preview: Pitcher Analysis

March 26, 2015



By Phil Wade
Indiana Executive Director    



The Inaugural Preseason Underclass Preview took place on Sunday, February 22nd, at Lawrence North High School in Indianapolis, IN with a total of 86 underclassmen in attendance; 53 2017's, 26 2018's and seven 2019's.  Below we take a look at the 36 pitchers who attended the event. 

Top arms

Chas Adams, LHP, Floyd Central HS, 2017: The 6-foot-1, 190 pound southpaw showcased a quick, loose arm.  Has a long arm action and pitches from a 3/4 slot.  Fastball sat 81-83 with lots of run and kept in the zone.  Flashed several sharp breaking balls with depth at 60-64.  Shows easy effort throughout the delivery with good rhythm.  Has more velocity in the tank.  

Cole Barr, RHP, Yorktown HS, 2017: 5-foot-11, 165 pounds pitches from a loose high ¾ arm delivery with quick arm speed.  Level shoulders and good line to the plate.  Fastball has run and kept in the zone at 82-84.  Slider sat 73-76 with sharp break, cut action.  Changeup was 71-73 with arm side run, but has a tendency to slow his arm down when throwing it.  

Jacob Gilcrest, LHP, Center Grove, 2018: Tall, lanky 6-foot-4, 160 pound southpaw works at a quick pace and showcased a loose, quick arm action.  Fastball possesses tons of movement at 77-78. Breaking ball morphed at times showing a 12/6 shape while the other had more of a sweeping action. His changeup sat 74-75 with some cut and sink action.  Frame and arm action suggests he'll see a velocity jump in the near future.   

Kyle Callahan, RHP, Zionsville HS, 2018: A projectable 6-foot-2, 185 pound righty, Callahan showcased a fastball that sat 84-85 mph that was kept down in the zone.  He possesses a quick, loose arm action with overall good rhythm throughout the delivery.  His secondary was inconsistent but does show good movement.  Callahan still needs to refine his mechanics, but has big time potential.  

Carter Lohman, LHP, Hamilton Southeastern HS, 2018:  A 6-foot-1, 170 pound left-handed pitcher, Lohman has high projectability.  His fastball topped out at 80 mph lots of movement.  Flashed a couple of plus breaking balls at 66-68 from an 11/5 shape getting late break with depth.  Changeup is a potential plus pitch as well, sitting 71-74 with arm-side run and sink.  Lohman possesses tons of arm speed and should expect a velocity increase in the near future.  

Blake Malatestinic, RHP, Cardinal Ritter HS, 2017: 5-foot-9, 150 pound righty pitches from quick, ¾ arm delivery with a long arm action.  Athletic, loose arm, smooth rhythm in the delivery with level shoulders.  Stays in line to the plate and lands square.  Fastball was 83-84, up to 86.  Throws 2 breaking balls, a 69 mph curve ball and 72-73 mph slider with late action.  Changeup sits 72-73 with some fade. 

Best of the Rest 

Brenden Bube, RHP, Lanesville HS, 2017: 5-foot-9, 155 pounds, comes at hitters from a long ¾ arm delivery.  Loose arm action with quick arm speed.  Up tempo delivery, good line to the plate.  Lands square.  Fastball has some run at 81-82, up to 83 and thrown for a strike.  Breaking ball sat 69-70 with an 11/5 shape but erratic.  Changeup was thrown with near fastball arm speed at 73 with some cut action.  Knuckle ball was 63 mph.  

Corbin Cox, RHP, Pendleton Heights HS, 2017: 6-foot-1, 205 pound right-hander pitches from a short, high ¾ arm delivery.  Above average arm speed.  Smooth rhythm in the delivery, tendency to fall off towards 1B side.  Fastball was 79-80 consistently thrown for a strike.  Breaking ball shows late action with depth at 71 mph.  Change has run and sink at 70-71. Ability to throw all pitches for a strike. 

Isaiah Davis, RHP, Ben Davis HS, 2017: 6-foot, 155 pound righty comes at hitters from a short, high ¾ arm delivery with above average arm speed.  Works at a quick pace, rushed delivery, falls off towards 1B side.  Fastball has some deception at 76-77, up to 78 and thrown for a strike.  12/6 breaking ball was 61-63 with sharp action, down in the zone.  Changeup sat 63-65.   

Aaron Ernst, RHP, Carmel HS, 2017: 6-foot, 155 pounder pitches predominately out of the stretch.  High ¾ arm slot with above average arm speed.  Long arm action.  Good line to the plate, falls off towards 1B side.  Fastball was 82-84 and in the zone.  Breaking ball sat 70-72 with side spin.  Changeup was thrown for a strike at 73-76 with run and sink.  

Brady Fentress, LHP, South Dearborn HS, 2018: 5-foot-9, 160 pound southpaw pitches from a ¾ slot.  Long arm action with some stiffness, stab on the backside.  Level shoulders, good line to the plate.  Finishes upright, falls off.  Fastball was kept down in the zone at 73-74.  Sweeping 60-62 breaking ball with gradual break, erratic in the zone.  Changeup sat 70-72 with sink and thrown for a strike.  

Kyle Freel, RHP, Lake Central HS, 2017: 6-foot-1, 190 pound righty pitches from a ¾ slot with average arm speed.  Low front side, smooth rhythm in the delivery.  Shoulders are down at launch.  Stays in line to the plate.  Fastball was heavy and straight at 78-79, up to 80.  68 mph breaking ball has a 10/4 shape with power action and kept down in the zone, solid pitch.  Changeup was erratic at 71-72, down in the zone.  

Chris Fundich, RHP, Lake Central HS, 2017: 6-foot-1, 210 pounds comes at hitters from a long, loose, ¾ arm delivery.  Average arm speed.  Has some rhythm in the delivery with level shoulders.  Good line to the plate, landing square.  Fastball shows cut action at 73-75 and kept in the zone.  Slows his arm down on the breaking ball.  Breaking ball sat 59-61 with a sweeping action, gradual break.  Slows arm down when throwing the changeup as well.  

Nick Geisen, RHP, St. Mary’s HS, 2019: 6-foot, 155 pounder pitches from a long, ¾ arm delivery with average arm speed.  Has some rhythm in the delivery with level shoulders.  Stays in line to the plate, lands square.  Fastball shows arm side run at 76-77.  Breaking ball has an 11/5 shape with early break at 62-64.  Changeup is thrown with near fastball arm speed at 69-71 with occasional sink.  

Stephen Gilbertsen, LHP, Chesterton HS, 2018: 5-foot-8, 130 pound southpaw pitches from a long ¾ arm delivery.  Choppy rhythm, good line to the plate.  Lands square.  Fastball sat 73-75 around the zone.  Breaking ball shows gradual break at 69-71, sweeping action.  Lacks a changeup.   

Conner Hoffman, RHP, Lake Central HS, 2018: 6-foot, 174 pound righty pitches from a long, ¾ slot with average arm speed.  Regular effort with some rhythm in the delivery.  Level shoulders, good line to the plate, lands square.  Fastball was 76-77 with occasional arm side run.  11/5 breaking ball shows gradual break and in the zone at 63-64.  Changeup has some fade and thrown for a strike at 64-67.

Evan Kahre, RHP, Evansville Central HS, 2017: 6-foot, 150 pound righty pitches from a long, ¾ arm delivery.  Rushed delivery, shoulders are downhill at launch.  Lands closed, falls off towards 1B side.  Fastball was 73-75 with occasional sink.  11/5 breaking ball sat 62-64, sweeping action, erratic in the zone.  Changeup shows some sink at 68-70 and thrown for a strike.  

Nikolos Kavadas, RHP, Penn HS, 2017: 6-foot, 205 pounds pitches from a long, loose, ¾ arm action with average arm speed.  Regular effort in the delivery, uphill shoulders at launch.  Good line to the plate, lands square. Fastball was mostly straight, occasional run, at 80-81, up to 82.  11/5 breaking ball with late action at 64-65, spinner type pitch.  Slows his arm down when throwing the breaking ball.  

Jack Kellams, RHP, Center Grove HS, 2017: 6-foot-3, 200 pounds pitches from a ¾ slot with above average arm speed.  Long, loose arm action.  Easy effort in the delivery with good rhythm.  Level shoulders, stays in line to the plate landing square.  Fastball was 77-79 with occasional run and thrown for a strike.  10/4 breaking ball sat 64-67 with gradual break, thrown for a strike.  Changeup sat 67-68 with some sink.  Throws all three pitches for a strike.  

Jake Lautenschlager, RHP, West Vigo HS, 2019: 6-foot-1, 165 pounds pitches from a high ¾ slot with a long, loose arm action.  Easy effort, smooth rhythm in the delivery.  Fastball was straight with occasional run at 75-77, touching 78.  12/6 breaking ball showed sharp break at 61-63, but inconsistent in the zone.  Changeup was thrown with near FB arm speed at 69-70 with some arm side run.  

Ty Lautenschlager, RHP, West Vigo HS, 2017: 6-foot-4, 240 pound right-hander comes at hitters from a long, ¾ arm delivery with average arm speed.  Loose arm action.  Shows some effort in the delivery.  Level shoulders and stays in line to the plate.  Fastball has some run with late action at 82-83 and thrown for a strike.  Sweeping 68-70 mph breaking ball was kept in the zone.  Changeup has some fade and thrown for a strike at 73-75.  

Josh Lindeman, RHP, Taft Middle School, 2019: 5-foot-11, 165 pound right-hander pitches from a long, ¾ arm delivery.  Choppy rhythm with uphill shoulders at launch.  Stays in line to the plate.  Fastball was 74-75, touching 77 and straight.  11/5 breaking ball shows gradual break, but erratic in the zone at 64-66.  Changeup was 64-66 and thrown with near fastball arm speed.  

Max Linton, RHP, Roncalli HS, 2018: 5-foot-11, 145 pound righty pitches from a ¾ slot, long arm action.  Good line to the plate, lands square.  Fastball sat 66-67, touching 68 with arm side run.  Slows his arm down when throwing the breaking ball which has gradual break at 61-63.  Changeup was 56-58 with some fade.  

Allbry Major, North Central HS, 2017: 6-foot-3, 170 pound righty with long limbs.  Pitches predominately out of the stretch.  Comes at hitters from an over the top slot with good arm speed.  Long, loose arm action.  Stays in line to the plate, landing square.  Fastball was 75-77 with slight cut action.  Changeup sat 69-70 with run and sink.  Breaking ball has a 12/6 break with sharp action and depth, kept down in the zone.  Projects well.  

Dallas Matlock, LHP, Southport HS, 2018: 5-foot-10, 145 pound southpaw is mechanically sound on the mound, but currently lacks arm strength.  Pitches from a high ¾ slot with smooth rhythm in the delivery.  Fastball was thrown for a strike at 64-66.  Breaking ball was 59-60, spinner type pitch.  Changeup sat 60-62 and thrown with near fastball arm speed for a strike.  

Wendell Mosteller, LHP, Avon HS, 2017: 6-foot-1, 185 pound southpaw comes at hitters from a ¾ slot with a long arm action.  Slight stab on the backside.  Rushed delivery, level shoulders, good line to the plate.  Fastball was kept down in the zone with some run at 76-77, up to 79.  Sweeping breaking ball at 62-65 with gradual break.  Changeup was 70-72 with sink, but erratic in the zone.  

Jake Petrusky, RHP, Columbus North HS, 2018: 5-foot-10, 140 pounds, pitches from a ¾ slot, long, loose arm action. Above average arm speed.  Shows some rhythm in the delivery with level shoulders.  Good line to the plate, lands square.  Fastball has some run at 78-79, up to 80 and thrown for a strike.  Sweeping breaking ball at 71-72 with gradual break.  Changeup was thrown with near fastball arm speed at 69-70 with some sink.   

Brandon Reid, RHP, Brownsburg HS, 2017: 5-foot-9, 170 pound righty pitches from an over the top slot with above average arm speed.  Steps straight back when starting the delivery.  Falls off towards 1B side.  Fastball was straight and erratic, up in the zone at 80-82, touching 83.  Breaking ball sat 69-71, with gradual break, sweep action.  Change up was 75-75 some sink action. 

Trevor Reynolds, LHP, Greensburg HS, 2017: 6-foot-3, 188 pound southpaw pitches from a high ¾ slot with average arm speed.  Slow, deliberate delivery with smooth rhythm.  Fastball shows run at 75-76.  1/7 breaking ball sat 64-66 and thrown for a strike.  Changeup shows good cut with occasional sink at 71-72. Secondary can be really good if he continues to work on consistency.  

Brevan Rivers,RHP,  New Castle HS, 2019: 5-foot-10, 165 pound right-hander pitches from a ¾ slot, long arm action.  Choppy rhythm in the delivery, level shoulders.  Lands closed, falls off, finishing upright.  Needs to improve his front side. Fastball was flat at 70-72, thrown for a strike.  58-61 mph 10/4 breaking ball shows gradual movement but slows his arm down. Slows his arm down on the changeup as well.  Change sat 59-60 with sink, thrown for a strike.  

Collin Stanifer, LHP, Penn HS, 2018: 6-foot-3, 165 pound lefty has a projectable pitchers frame.  Pitches from a high ¾ slot, long arm action.  Currently lacks arm strength.  Fastball was 66-67, touching 69 and thrown for a strike.  Breaking ball lacks identity at 62.  Changeup was straight and in the zone at 61-62.  

Conner Tomasic, RHP, Lake Central HS, 2018: 6-foot, 160 pounds comes at hitters from a long high ¾ slot with quick arm speed.  Shows some rhythm in the delivery with a good line to the plate, lands square.  Fastball has run at 78-79.  10/4 breaking ball shows gradual movement with spin at 61-62.  71-72 mph changeup shows some sink, kept down in the zone.  Solid 2018 arm.  

Nathan VanDeventer, RHP, Columbus North HS, 2017: 6-foot, 160 pounds comes at hitters from a long, high ¾ arm delivery.  Front side needs improvement.  Stays in line to the plate, lands square.  Average arm speed.  Fastball was 81-82 with some arm side run.  11/5 breaking ball shows gradual break, slurve type pitch, at 68-70.  Changeup was 72 and straight, thrown with fastball arm speed. 

Garrett Welch, RHP, New Castle HS, 2017: 6-foot-3, 175 pound right-hander pitches from a clean, high ¾ arm action with above average arm speed.  Smooth rhythm in the delivery with a good line to the plate.  Finishes upright.  Fastball was straight at 80-81.  Breaking ball sat 68-69 with late action.  Changeup was 70-73

Zach Wells, RHP, Center Grove HS, 2017: 6-foot-3, 230 pound sophomore pitches from a high ¾ slot with a short arm action.  Average arm speed.  Smooth rhythm in the delivery.  Shoulders are uphill at launch, good line to the plate.  Fastball was 77-79, up to 80 and straight.  12/6 breaking ball sat 62-63 with gradual break, erratic in the zone.  Changeup was 70-72. 

Matthew Wolff, RHP, Fishers HS, 2018: 5-foot-11, 185 pound right-hander possesses a strong, athletic frame.  Pitches from a high ¾ slot with a long arm action.  Good arm speed with smooth rhythm in the delivery.  Stays in line to the plate, finishes upright. Slight pause up top.  Front side needs to improve.  Fastball sat 82-83, up to 84 and kept in the zone.  12/6 breaking ball shows gradual break at 62-65 mph.  Changeup was 75-76 with some sink and throws a knuckle ball at 70. 

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