Ten Uncommitted 2023 Indiana Arms

September 30, 2021
Phil Wade
Indiana Executive Director

AVAILABLE 2023 INDIANA ARMS

Sam West, RHP, Greensburg HS
The state of Indiana just keeps, sneakily, churning out power-arms, and West flashed the potential to be another one with his preseason winter bullpen for the PBR Indiana crew. At 6-foot-5, 205-pounds, there is some present lean strength throughout an athletic frame that shows signs of adding even more in the future. Getting the most out of his height, West creates a steeper plane with a higher slot, and drives a fastball that is now up to 92 mph, to the bottom of the zone with some ride/run that is heavy at times. Most impressive about the big right-hander is his ability to replicate his fluid, compact delivery with advanced movement patterns. The breaking ball is thrown at a firmer 75-77 with depth and multi-tier break, and shows signs of blossoming into a weapon especially given the higher release point. A faded, 71-74 changeup is still developing, somewhat, but gives West a legit shot at three pitches in continuing as a starter at the next level. With a free, continuous arm stroke that plays quick with extension out front, and the athleticism to repeat a clean delivery, expect college coaches to circle West as a player to see immediately this summer.

2.21.21

Caden Cornett, RHP, Center Grove HS

Has good size and strength, with a well-proportioned athletic look to him. Displays a wire fast twitch body with good balance and coordination. Starts his delivery from the far left side of rubber, with a mid-belt glove separation leading to a ¾-hand pump. His H ¾-arm slot is fluid and quick. Has a short quick flinging style finish with a slight pull from glove side. When on line his FB has good movement and life in zone and gets in zone quickly. Short strider in his delivery at times, allows his ball to run and tilt. Aggressive full throttle effort. CB has spin and accuracy, straight changeup gives a late fade look. Cornett is a very good athlete with a very good upside. Staying his line will be key to his overall command while he has two usable pitches. FB 90-92, CB 68-72, that will be out pitches in his future.Body: 6-foot-4, 185-pound, FB: T92. 90-92 mph. (Max spin 2438; Avg 2379), CB: 66-72 mph, CH: 81-82 mph

7.28.21

Bishop Letson, RHP, Floyd Central HS
Lean, tall, wiry, long torso athletic body. Starts from the middle of the rubber and short slide steps the far left side. H ¾ arm slot. Pulls to the glove side too often and loses his line. Has chance to get stronger and get the base of his delivery stronger, with a stronger upper half of his delivery to create possibly more front side resistance. Has a good loose range of motion to his arm and shoulder. Quick arm speed. Small over rotation as he hops in delivery on push off. Letson is athletic enough to correct things and his delivery will improve with more mound time. CB has tight spin off a cast arm slot at times; again, this will improve with strength and weight gain. Late fade on his straight change that has some down action. Has deception and funkiness for a RHP. More of a thrower now and with added experience and understanding will improve in all areas. Body: 6-foot-3, 160-pound, FB: T88. 85-88 mph. (Max spin 2364; Avg 2272), : 73-74 mph, CH: 77-79 mph.

7.28.21

Carter Klein, RHP, Carmel HS
Physical right-hander stands in at 6-foot-3, 225 pounds. Three pitch mix with a fastball that sits mid-80s, topping out at 88-89 mph. Shows the ability to throw the breaking ball with tight spin in the low 70's to mid 70s. Ability to land the breaking ball for both a strike and swing and miss when needed. His changeup holds at 77-77 mph with with fade and depth.

7.28.21

Alec Hershberger, LHP, Fairfield HS
Tall, narrow waisted with lean features, room to fill out his athletic frame. Started from the middle of rubber, has a short step forward before squaring up his delivery to plate load. Mid-chest separation to a ¾-arm slot that is compact. Hides ball well and comes out of his left ear with release for deception. Methodical calm tempo and rhythm to pitch. Small glove tuck in front with slightly stiff front side at times. FB has some run and sink while his changeup showed late fade. CB from the release point was a slider acting pitch that he at times would scale and surround his arm action and flatten out. His style is pitch by command and accuracy. Hershberger looks durable and competitive. When he keeps ball down in zone will have high percentage chance to get outs Body: 6-foot-1, 160-pound. FB: T87. 84-86 mph. (Max spin 1871; Avg 1809), CB: 69-70 mph, CH: 78-80 mph.

7.28.21

Nolen Vertz, RHP, Lawrenceburg HS
6-foot-6, 210-pound. Obvious upside here. Frame has a ton of projection left and he was able to show present quality stuff with obviously more in the tank. Threw his fastball 81-84 mph with a max of 84 mph with late life. Curveball (66-68 mph) showed good depth with 11/5 shape and should continue to sharpen up as velocity increases.

6.8.21

Jacob Murphy, RHP, Center Grove HS
Murphy stands in at just 5-foot-7, 167 pounds, but the right-hander shows plenty of arm strength on the bump with a fastball up to 90mph at the Indiana Bulls Scout Day. He begins on the left-side of the rubber with a short side step delivery. Gets to his balance point before exploding down the mound. Overall good tempo and demeanor on the bump. Slight stab on the backside of his arm action. Pitches from a high 3/4 slot with quick arm speed out front. Fastball sat 88-90. Shows feel for a low-to-mid 70s breaking ball.

6.8.21

Brant Ertel, RHP, Franklin County HS

6-foot-1, 185 pound athletic frame. Begins on the left side of the rubber. Slower delivery with a high balance point. Drop and drive delivery. Strong lower half. In-line direction to the plate. Smaller arm circle back, high 3/4-3/4 slot, shows above average arm speed. Fastball was up to 86 with arm side run. Breaking ball sat 69-73. FB: (Max spin 2058; Avg 2023). Arm side accuracy, slight running action. CB: 69-73 mph. Sweeping action, 10/4-11/5 shape. (Max spin 1747; Avg 1622)

6.22.21

Will Worrel, RHP, Carroll HS
Tall, large frame body structure with good hip and leg strength. Starts from the far left side of rubber, short leg and hip turn that leads to a H ¾ arm slot. Slight surge and lunge forward to his landing foot that he lands on finish with the ball of his front foot closed. Delivery and arm speed remains the same throughout his delivery style. Worrell displays good command and control. When from the stretch he is from extreme left side of rubber and sits on back leg start. Firms up and finishes strong with a little whippy arm style. Has good lower half strength and gives good effort. Has a feel to pitch and good tempo. Body: 6-foot, 170-pound, FB: T87. 83-86 mph. (Max spin 2200; Avg 1940), CB: 67-73 mph, CH: 72-74 mph.

6.8.21

Eli Shaw, RHP, Warren Central HS
Very tall, long legged high waist frame. Square, wide shoulders and long arms. Good extension levers for a pitcher. His delivery starts in the middle of rubber with a soft smooth step to start his abbreviated high hand separation. H ¾ arm slot and in line transfer to plate. Small stand up finish with soft landing. Arm works well out front with arm speed. FB has some run in zone followed with a high top to bottom spin on a CB. Shaw displays a tight spin rotation slider that tends to get in between on angles compared with curveball. He will most likely gravitate to a Slider as he continues his development. A straight changeup is in the mix that has good control and command. His size and flexibility will continue to be intriguing through his years of development. Has good chance to be starter in future due to the ability to command 3-4 pitches well. Body: 6-foot-3, 180-pound, FB: T87. 85-86 mph. (Max spin 2087; Avg 1875), CB: 64-69 mph, CH: 75-77 mph, SL: 70-74 mph.

6.22.21