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Unsigned Senior Showcase: Left-Handed Pitcher Analysis

October 29, 2015

By Drew Locascio
Illinois Scouting Director

One of the biggest Unsigned Senior Showcases on the PBR circuit is the October event at The MAX in McCook, IL. This year more than 130 prospects came out and showcased in front of 50+ coaches in attendance. The next position analysis on the list is left-handed pitchers. Here’s a look at the top left-handed pitching prospects at the event.

Top left-handed pitching Prospects


1. Josh Hart, LHP, Lincoln-Way North, 2016
6-foot-3, 175-pound left-handed pitcher, average build. Drop and drive delivery, works on line. Showed arm speed, high ¾ slot. Fastball showed slight run on flat plane, occasionally gets underneath, 82-84 mph, worked the top of the strike zone. Curveball sat 67-70 mph, lacked action. Changeup is best secondary pitch, found the strike zone with sink and fade, solid feel for the pitch, 71-73 mph.

2. Drake Berman, LHP, Wauconda, 2016
Lean athletic shape, 6-foot-1, 164-pound left-handed pitcher. Clean repeatable delivery, ability to pound the zone. Long loose arm action, high ¾ slot. Fastball has slight arm side run, 79-81 mph, controlled the zone. Curveball has feel, 1/7 shape, dropped for strikes, 70-72 mph. Changeup has slight sink and controlled the zone, 72-73 mph. Good feel for the strike zone with three pitches.

3. Noah Stern, 1B/LHP, Highland Park, 2016
Athletic build 6-foot, 170-pound right-handed hitting first baseman and left-handed pitcher. Offensively, narrow and tall setup. No load, short stride and average bat speed. Level bat path through the hitting zone. Registered an 80 mph exit velocity. Defensively, the left-handed thrower showed a strong arm across the diamond. Long arm action, high ¾ slot with carry, clocked at 80 mph. Also, ran a 7.30 60 yard dash. On the mound, would be a tough matchup for left-handed hitters. Long arm action, high ¾ window and closed front side. Fastball sat 80-82 mph, touching 83 with hard cutting action at times. Curveball played 12/6 and ranged between 65-68 mph. Change-up sat 74-76 mph with sink and slight cut.

4. Michael Fossali, LHP, Batavia, 2016
6-foot-1, 185-pound left-handed pitcher, average build. Delivery works across his body, closed but low front side. Short arm action, slight stabbing action, loose release. Fastball is mostly straight, 79-80 mph, topped out at 82 mph. Curveball has slurve type action, ranged 69-73 mph. Changeup is mostly straight, occasional sink, 73-75 mph, showed feel for the zone.

5. Andrew Jurack, OF/LHP, Hinsdale Central, 2016
5-foot-10, 160-pound, left-handed hitting OF/LHP. Offensively hits form a balanced, athletic stance. Smooth load to backside with a leg lift trigger. Simple compact mechanics with a short, uphill swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 83 mph exit velocity from a tee. 7.06 runner in the 60. Defensively has a short arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. Uphill throws with fluid footwork and a clean exchange. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a short, quick arm action. Tall and fall, online delivery with a square landing and athletic finish. Fastball showed running action for strikes at 80-82 mph. Curveball showed 11-5 shape with sharp action at64-67 mph. Slider showed tight rotation with minimal depth at 72-74 mph. Changeup was straight at 68-70 mph.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Jesse Bustos, LHP, Portage (IN), 2016
5-foot-10, 175-pound left-handed pitcher. Tall and fall delivery, some rhythm, tall balance point. Arm plays from an over the top slot, full arm swing. Fastball ranged from 73-79 mph, mostly straight. Curveball has 1/7 action, flashed proper spin, 65-68 mph. Straight changeup, 72-74 mph, cuts it at times. Flashed a knuckle ball at 65-66 mph.

Jimmy Cook, OF/LHP, Lincoln-Way North, 2016
5-foot-9, 175-pound, left-handed hitting OF/LHP. Offensively hits from a balanced slightly crouched setup. Short stride with good balance throughout. Line drive pull hitter with a short uphill swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 87mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.08. Defensively has a short arm action from a ¾ arm slot. Athletic actions with some aggressiveness and fluid footwork. Showed soft hands with a clean exchange. Threw 79 mph from the outfield. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a short arm action. Tilt, topple delivery with a high front side at balance point. Some rhythm with an open landing and athletic finish. Fastball was mostly straight at 77-79 mph. Curveball showed 12-6 shape with early action and some depth at 64-68 mph.

Luis Delarosa, LHP, Lincoln-Way Central, 2016
6-foot, 150-pound left-handed pitcher. Slight drop and drive style delivery, tall balance point into squared landing. High ¾ slot, stabbing arm action. Fastball has slight run, 72-75 mph. Curveball played at 64-65 mph, 1/7 plane. Straight changeup at 71-73 mph.

Nick DeWier, OF/LHP, Lincoln-Way East, 2016
5-foot-9, 160-pound, left-handed hitting OF/LHP. Defensively has a short arm action from a ¾ arm angle. Fluid footwork with a long exchange. Threw 79 mph from the outfield. At the plate hits from a wide setup with a short stride and average balance. Long, level swing path occasionally getting uphill. 79 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.70. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a long arm action. Tall and fall online delivery, tucks front side at balance point. Square landing with athletic finish. Fastball was straight at 77-78 topping out at 79 mph. Slider showed slurvy action at 67-68 mph. Showed some feel for his changeup at 74-75 mph.

Nathan Earl, LHP, Sherrard, 2016
Long slender build, 6-foot-1, 147-pound left-handed pitcher. Showed the ability to repeat delivery while throwing from multiple arm angles. Loose arm played from a variety of slots ranging from side arm to high ¾. Fastball lived in the strike zone with run and sinking action, 74-76 mph, at its lowest slot pithed at 69-72 mph. Breaking ball had action on a 2/8 plane, showed feel, 65-67 mph, sweeping action. Changeup thrown from higher slot, 72 mph, sidearm had fade to it at 66-68 mph. Good follow who showed an ability to change speeds in the strike zone from multiple angles.

Kyle Hallberg, LHP, TF South, 2016
5-foot-11, 161-pound left-handed pitcher, average frame with some length. Delivery has some effort, worked on line, upright finish. Arm action is firm, ¾ slot. Fastball has slight running action, ranged 67-71 mph, topped at 72 mph. Curveball has gradual 12/6 action, 59 mph. Slider has 2/8 action, decent action, 66-68 mph. Changeup has cut action, near fastball arm speed, tends to cut it, 63-65 mph. Showed the ability to throw strikes with three pitches.

Jacob Hennessy, LHP, Waubonsie, 2016
6-foot-1, 175-pound left-handed pitcher, lanky slender frame. Delivery is uptempo, slightly rushed, drop and drive type. Loose slinging arm action, ¾ slot, slight crossfire. Fastball showed slight arm side run, some feel for the zone, 75-77 mph. Curveball has 2/8 shape, gradual action, showed feel, near fastball arm speed, 65-69 mph. Flashed slider at 69-70 mph with similar qualities. Straight changeup, 67-68 mph, some feel for the zone, thrown with arm speed. 

Blaine Lewallen, LHP, Prairie Central, 2016
6-foot, 165-pound left-handed pitcher, gangly frame. Delivery has some effort, open landing, low front side, upright finish, finishes third base side. ¾ arm slot, firm arm action. Fastball has slight running action, 77-80 mph, touched 81 mph. 12/6 curveball, off axis, fastball arm speed, threw for strikes, 69-71 mph. Showed feel for changeup, controlled the zone, 70-73 mph.

Kyle Manka, LHP, Lincoln-Way East, 2016
6-foot-3, 161-pound left-handed pitcher, thin slender frame, long legs, projectable body. Delivery has some effort, works online, squared landing. Short arm action, high ¾ slot. Fastball flashed slight run, mostly up, 75-76 mph, touched 78 mph. Curveball has 2/8 shape, near fastball arm speed, slight depth, 69-71 mph. Slider lacked action, 73 mph. Changeup showed feel, found the zone, mostly straight with slight fade, near fastball arm speed.

Trevon Mattox, OF/LHP, Clemente, 2016
5-foot-9, 165-pound, right-handed hitting OF/LHP. Defensively showed off raw arm strength in the outfield throwing 84 mph. Has a long stiff arm action from a ¾ arm slot. Plays thru the ball with fluid footwork and a big crowhop. Offensively hits form a tall open stance. Short stride, hits off backside. Long, level swing path. 82 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.11. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a long arm action. Easy effort with some rhythm. Slow paced delivery with back tilt at balance point. Square landing with an upright finish. Fastball sat 77-78 topping out at 79 mph. Curveball showed 1-7 shape with gradual action at 67-70 mph. Changeup showed slight cutting action at 70-72 mph.

Nolan Moeller, OF/LHP, Rock Falls, 2016
6-foot, 160-pound left-handed hitting OF/LHP. Offensively hits from a balanced athletic setup. Short load to backside with a heel lift stride. Short uphill swing path with early rhythm. 82 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.98. In the field has a long arm action from a ¾ arm slot. Slower actions with uphill throws. Threw 68 mph from the outfield. On the mound works from ¾ arm angle with a short arm action. Tall and fall delivery with uphill shoulders and crossfire action. Fastball was straight at 70-72 topping out at 73 mph. Rolling curveball at 57-58 mph. Got on the side of his changeup showing cutting action at 60-61 touching 65 mph.

Jacob Nalley, LHP, Oswego, 2016
Lean lanky frame, slender build, 6-foot-1, 190-pound left-handed pitcher. Delivery works slightly against his body, closed landing, upright finish. Regular effort, short arm action, high ¾ slot. Fastball flashed slight run, found the top of the zone, 73-74 mph, touched 76 mph. Curveball has 1/7 shape, gradual back-up action, near fastball arm speed, ranged 63-67 mph. Changeup was firm, 71-73 mph, showed feel, fastball arm speed.

Anthony Ramirez, LHP, Brooks College Prep, 2016
6-foot, 170-pound left-handed pitcher, average solid build. Delivery is clean and athletic, works on line. Arm action is short, some quickness, over the top slot. Fastball is mostly straight with slight action, 75-76 mph, touched 77 mph. Curveball has 1/7 action, flashed spin and shape, 62-65 mph. Changeup is thrown with near fastball arm action, mostly straight, 69-70 mph. Flashed cutter at 75-77 mph.

Nelson Velazquez, LHP, Morgan Park, 2016
Large bodied left-handed pitcher, 6-foot-3, 260-pounds. Delivery works across his body, regular effort. Arm action is long, high draw, high ¾ slot. Fastball is mostly straight, tendency to pull it, 73-75 mph, topped out at 78 mph. Curveball has 12/6 shape, gradual action, showed occasional feel, 62-64 mph. Showed feel for a changeup, arm side action, 64-66 mph.

Sam Wojs, OF/LHP, Cudahy, 2016
5-foot-9, 155-pound, left-handed hitting OF/LHP. Currently ranked No. 78 in the Wisconsin Class of 2016. Defensively has a long arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. Athletic crowhop with a clean exchange. Threw 81 mph from the outfield. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a high back elbow. Good balance with a short, level swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 83 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.44. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a loose arm action. Tall and fall online delivery with a square landing and athletic finish. Fastball sat 74-75 mph. Curveball showed 1-7 shape at 64-67 mph. Changeup showed sinking action at 70-71 mph.

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