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Class of 2017 Games: Pitcher's Analysis

August 10, 2016

Shon Plack
Kansas Scouting Director

Prep Baseball Report-Kansas held the Class of 2017 Games in Topeka at Washburn University on June 28.  Profiles have been updated with times, velos, videos and profile pictures.  Today we will take look at pitchers.  Pitchers are listed in alphabetical order.

CLICK HERE, for 2017 Games Instant Analysis
CLICK HERE, for the Infield Analysis
CLICK HERE, for the Outfield Analysis
CLICK HERE, for the Catchers Analysis

Pitchers

Justin Alpough, LHP, St. Thomas Aquinas, 2017
Alpough is a 6-foot-2, 200 pound left-handed submarine pitcher in Kansas’ 2017 class from St. Thomas Aquinas HS. Alpough’s delivery is smooth with little effort and fairly consistent. Fastball was between 66-72 mph with some arm side run. He would come around the ball occasionally allowing for some cut. Arm slot would raise slightly when throwing the slider and was between 62-65 mph. During game action Alpough’s command was erratic at times but when in the zone he forced numerous ground balls.

Bryce Balusek, LHP, Park Hill (MO), 2017
Balusek is a 5-foot-10 210-pound left-handed hitting first-basemen in Missouri’s 2017 class from Park Hill HS.   At the plate, athletic set up, open stance, uphill swing path, creates leverage with his lower half, exit velo of 86 mph, 4.84 home to first, and showed some pull pop during his bp session.  On the infield, 64 mph positional velo, high three quarters arm action, accurate throws, and clean exchanges. On the mound, Balusek’s delivery is simple, fluid, easy over the top arm action. Fastball showed occasional cut between 67-70 mph and curveball had 12/6 shape and was seen between 56-60 mph with gradual bite.

Parker Base, LHP, Abilene, 2017
Base is a left handed hitting first baseman and left handed pitcher from Abilene HS in Abilene, KS. Base runs a7.09 60, a 4.29 home to first and an 89 mph exit velo. While working at 1B, Base posted an 74 mph positional velo, with clean exchanges and moves well and has good footwork.  During batting practice, Base showed an aggressive and loose swing with good bat speed.  He has a balanced and athletic set-up with a simple load and compact swing. On the mound, Base worked 75-78 mph with his fastball, and showed a 2-to-8 breaking ball at 69 mph. His breaking ball served as a wipeout pitch as it has sharp action and was tough for batters to pick up from his delivery. Base’s delivery shows some balance and includes a high ¾ release with good momentum and direction towards the plate.

Austin Brooks, RHP, Park Hill (MO), 2017
Brooks is a 6-foot-4 195-pound outfielder and right handed pitcher in Missouri’s 2017 class from Park Hill HS.  Brooks displays a projectable frame and build. He ran a 7.53 60 and 4.67 home to first from the right side. During outfield evaluations, Brooks posted a 77 mph positional velo, clean exchanges and fairly accurate throws.  During batting practice, Brooks has a balanced set up, hands trigger his load, maintains balance throughout and showed some pop to his pull side. During game action, Brooks had a line drive single to left field. On the mound, Brooks’ delivery has many moving parts which provided added deception to the hitter. Fastball worked between 74-77 with some run. Changeup looked like his fastball and was clocked was between 71-73 mph. Curveball had 11/5 shape at 67 mph.

Grant Cowley, LHP, St. Thomas Aquinas, 2017
Cowley is a 5-foot-11, 160-pound left-handed hitting and throwing outfielder.  Cowley’s build is smaller, yet athletic as he shows some explosive movements defensively attacking the baseball, clean and quick exchanges, positional velo of 78 mph and mostly accurate throws. He ran a 7.19 60 and 4.47 home to first. Athletic stance at the plate, smooth load, level bat path, exit velocity of 80 mph. During bp he showed pull side line drives and contact up the middle. On the mound, Cowley was a strike thrower and shows an over the top arm angle, quick arm speed with some rhythm and fluidity to his delivery. Fastball was between 75-80 mph with occasional run and his curveball was 68-68 mph. Curveball has 12/6 shape with sharp action at times.

Kalin Fergus, RHP, Piper, 2017
Fergus is a 5-foot-9 190-pound right-handed hitting catcher, infielder and right handed pitcher. At the event Fergus ran a 7.53 60 and a 4.50 home-to-first. At the plate he shows a balanced stance, negative toe tap, simple load with hands, some pop to the opposite field, an exit velo of 80 mph and during game action he doubled and singled. Behind the plate, pop times ranged from 2.09 to 2.25, positional velo of 70 mph, over the top arm action and clean exchanges. In the infield, Fergus has a positional velo of 69 while making accurate throws.  On the mound, Fergus’ delivery has a slower tempo but does show some rhythm. Fastball was clocked between 65-71 mph, with his changeup at 57 mph and his curveball at 54 mph.  

Jayton Haggard, RHP, Marysville, 2017
Haggard is a 6-foot-2, 160-pound athletic and projectable right-hand hitting middle infielder and right-handed pitcher. Balanced set-up at the plate, open stance, good bat speed, minimal hand load, extension through the baseball, maintains balance throughout, 82 mph exit velocity. 4.77 home to first base from the right side. 7.04 60-yard dash time. Defensively, Haggard had good actions, attacked the ball, clean exchanges, loose arm action, fluid footwork, 76 mph throwing velocity with very accurate throws. On the mound Haggard showed a smooth, clean and repeatable delivery with good direction and loose arm action from his high ¾ release point. Fastball was 81-84 mph and his curveball was 71-74 mph with tight break, good action and 11/5 shape. Mixed pitches well during game action with an abundance of strikes. Did not allow a hit. Very athletic class of 2017 prospect.

Kyle Heckenbach, RHP, Smithville (MO), 2017
Heckenbach has a simple and repeatable delivery with an explosive lower half. Heckenbach threw pitches for strikes in game action, fastball between 81 and 85 mph, occasional cut and a changeup at 77 mph with occasional sink. Heckenbach has a high three quarter arm slot, strides slightly across his body and recorded three strikeouts in game action - two coming on his changeup while the other was the result of his fastball. 

Jacob Taylor, RHP, Maize, 2017
Taylor is a 6-foot-3 180-pound first baseman and right-handed pitcher in Kansas’ 2017 class from Maize HS in Wichita, KS.  During infield evaluations, Taylor posted a 78 mph positional velo, clean exchanges, with quick footwork and release, making accurate throws across the infield. He ran a 7.63 60 and had an exit velo of 87 mph, one of the top velos at the event.  During batting practice, Taylor showed some pull pop with mostly a line drive approach. He has an open stance, balanced set-up, hands work inside and a 4.56 home to first from the left side. During game action, Taylor singled twice, one a ground ball to the pull side the other a line drive to the opposite field. On the mound, Taylor’s FB worked between 71-78 mph and curveball 63-65 mph that showed to be sharp at times and had 12/6 shape. Taylor’s delivery shows some rhythm, uses his glove side to provide deception from this over the top arm slot and a square, athletic finish.

Cole Larsen, RHP, Concordia, 2017
Larsen is an athletic 6-foot-1 160-pound right-handed pitcher and outfielder. He ran a 7.50 60 and a 4.20 home-to-first.  He has an exit velo of 86 mph from the right side.  At the plate, athletic set up, slightly open stance, smooth hand load, varies load with lower half from a toe tap to a knee-to-knee pinch. During bp Larsen sprayed the entire field, with majority of the balls going to his pull side and the remaining few going up the middle and oppo.  In the outfield, Larsen showed off a loose arm from a high ¾ slot, athletic footwork, good directional movements and worked down hill with 86 mph positional velo. On the mound, Larson showed control for his curveball clocked at 74-75 mph, 11/5 shape and sharp/late break at times. His fastball had some arm side run and was 81-85 mph. Larson’s delivery showed some effort, but overall was smooth with good arm action and an athletic, square finish. Larson’s slender and athletic frame make him a projectable prospect in the future.

Ian Meyer, RHP, Monett (MO), 2017
Meyer is a projectable 6-foot-1 195-pound right-handed hitting shortstop and right handed pitcher  in Missouri’s’ 2017 class.  He ran a 7.70 60 and a 4.86 home-to-first.  He has an exit velo of 86 mph.  At the plate, wider and crouched set up, open stance, loose hands, maintains balance throughout and singled up the opposite field in game action.  On the infield, 78 mph positional velo, over the top arm action, mostly accurate throws, fluid footwork with clean exchange. On the mound, Meyer located his fastball well to both sides of the plate, good downward action and velo range of 75-81 mph. Curveball was 64-65 mph with gradual 12/6 break. Changeup is 67-68 mph with some sink. Meyer’s delivery showed to be smooth and directional with loose and quick arm action.

Nick Michael, LHP, Gardner Edgerton, 2017
Michael is a left-handed pitcher in Kansas’ 2017 class from Gardner Edgerton HS. Slow deliberate delivery that is repeatable. Michael throws three pitches for strikes from his high ¾ arm slot and clean arm action. Fastball ranged from 65-68 mph, curveball ranged from 54-58 mph with gradual break and 1/7 shape and his changeup was 64-65 and thrown for a high percentage of strikes. Michael will get under the ball at times but showed the ability to control all three of his pitches.

Bryce Nation, RHP, Jayhawk Linn, 2017
Nation is a 5-foot-11 175-pound switch hitting catcher and right handed pitcher in Kansas’ 2017 class from Jayhawk Linn HS.  He ran a 4.47 home-to-first from the left side, a 4.89 home-to-first from the right side with exit velos of 86 and 81 mph, from the right and left side respectively. During bp, from the right side Nation has  loose hands, a compact swing with contact up the middle; while from the left side he showed an open stance, uphill bat path and primarily pulled the baseball.  Behind the plate, he had pop times between 2.14 and 2.22, 71 mph positional velo, an over the top release and clean exchanges. On the mound, Nation’s delivery is smooth, repeatable and directional with a square finish. During the game Nation was a strike thrower, with a fastballs ranging from 74-77 mph and curveballs at 66-67 mph, that resulted in a good amount of outs. Nation exhibited good feel for his curveball that has 11/5 shape and has the potential to be a good pitch for him in the future.

Conor O’Boyle, LHP, Riley County, 2017
O’Boyle is a left handed pitcher and first baseman from Riley County HS. He posted a 4.32 home to first time, a 7.22 60 and a 77 mph exit velocity. At the plate, O’Boyle has a balance stance, minimal load and a level bat path. During the game, he went 1 for 4 with his hit being a solid line drive up the middle. On the mound, O’Boyle’s delivery includes high ¾ arm action, good direction and an athletic finish. Fastball ranged from 68-71 mph with slight run. His curveball has 1/7 type action and was 60-63 mph.

Matthew Peck, RHP, Shawnee Mission Soutn, 2017
Peck is a 6-foot-4, 200 pound right-handed pitching prospect from Shawnee Mission South HS in Kansas’ 2017 class. Peck has a smooth delivery, over the top arm action, some deception with his glove side, works down the mound with direction towards the plate. Fastball is 77-80 mph with occasional run. Curveball is 60-63 mph, gradual break, 11/5 shape. Changeup has arm side run and is 66-68 mph. During game action Peck worked both sides of the plate with his fastball.

Nathan Postlethwait, RHP, Andale, 2017
Postlethwait is an athletic and slender framed right handed pitcher and third baseman in Kansas’ 2017 class. On the mound, Postlethwait’s delivery is easy, simple and repeatable. He throws from an over the top arm arm slot, has good direction and has an athletic, repeatable finish. Fastball ranged from 79-82 with good downward action, changeup was 66-72 with good action and his curveball showed good life, sharp bite with 11/5 shape, and was thrown with good arm speed between 64-78 mph. During game action, Postlethwait mixed speeds well at the knees which resulted in numerous ground ball outs. Defensively, the footwork was fluid and he has a positional velo of 76 mph. At the plate during bp, Postlethwait showed good rhythm, a leg kick, loose hands, a pull approach during bp and an exit velo of 89 mph. 7.69 60 yard dash and 4.76 home to first.

Parker Reynoso, RHP, Shawnee Heights, 2017
Reynoso is a 5-foot-11 176-pound right-handed pitcher from Shawnee Heights HS in Topeka, KS. Reynoso has a repeatable delivery, works downhill, good command, consistent finish with smooth and loose high three quarter arm action. During game action he pounded the zone and effectively kept hitters off balance with a four pitch mix. Reynoso’s fastball was clocked between 77-83 mph with occasional sink and arm side run. His curveball was equally effective as he was able to put hitters away and roll it in for a strike, 68-73 mph, 10/4 shape and tight break. Reynoso throws a straight changeup at 75 mph and shows a knuckle at 67 mph.

Lucas Scheele, RHP, St. James Academy, 2017
Scheel is a 6-foot-5 205-pound right-handed pitcher from Kansas’ 2017 class, and a Kansas State commit. Scheele’s fastball ranged from 81-85 mph with occasional cut. Curveball showed the potential to be a plus pitch between 68-71 mph, 12/6 shape, sharp bite and late break. Scheele also commanded a split finger fastball that was clocked at 78-79 mph. Scheele showed lightning quick arm speed, accelerated down the mound, consistently threw downhill with loose arm action and utilizes his glove side for added deception.

Cooper Sears, RHP, Olathe East, 2017
Sears is a 5-foot-9 165-pound right-handed hitting middle infielder and right-handed pitcher from Kansas’ 2017 class.  During batting practice, Sears showed a balance stance, simple load with a toe tap, average bat speed, an exit velo of 77 mph and had two singles to the opposite field during game action.  He ran a 7.70 60/yd dash and a 4/50 home-to-first. During infield evaluations, Sears posted a 71 mph positional velo, charged the baseball, clean exchanges, and made accurate throws across the infield. While on the mound, Sears showed a simple delivery with a high leg kick, over the top release point, and works to create deception with his glove side. His fastball was clocked between 71-74 mph and threw his curveball between 58-61 mph. Curveball was viewed to have gradual break and 12/6 shape

Jake Steinbring, RHP, Manhattan, 2017
On the mound Steinbring shows a smooth delivery, inconsistent finish at times, good direction and short but quick, high three quarter arm action. Fastball was between 77-81 mph and his curveball was 70-72 mph with gradual 10/4 action.

Jake Webb, RHP, Pittsburg, 2017
Webb is a 6-foot-4 185-pound athletic and projectable right-handed pitcher from Pittsburg HS in Pittsburg, KS. Webb’s delivery is smooth and fluid with some effort, high ¾ arm action, good direction and a repeatable finish. He consistently works downhill, throws a heavy ball and has a long, loose arm action. Webb’s fastball was seen between 85-90 mph with some run. He threw a power curve between 75-79 mph with tight, late spin and 11/5 shape. Webb’s slender and athletic frame as well as his ability to pound the strike zone with two quality pitches make him an attractive pitching prospect in Kansas’ 2017 class.

Blaine Wood, RHP, Wichita Independent, 2017
Wood is a 5-foot-11 170-pound right-handed hitting catcher, outfielder and right handed pitcher from Wichita Independent HS. Wood ran a 7.25 60, 4.21 home-to-first and an exit velocity of 81 mph. At the plate Wood has an opened and balanced stance, some bat speed, during bp he showed solid contact up the middle along with some pull power. During game action, Wood reached on a single and on errors twice.  Behind the plate, pop times ranged from 2.12 to 2.20, positional velo of 69 mph, over the top arm action, clean exchanges with the feet and hands working together.In the outfield, Wood has a positional velo of 76 while making mostly accurate throws.  On the mound, Wood utilizes and over the top arm slot, smooth rhythm and an athletic finish to throw his fastball  which ranges from 73-75 mph, a changeup at 67-68 mph and a curveball between 66-70 that has 12/6 action and is sharp at times.
 
Skyler Zirkle, RHP, Shawnee Heights, 2017
Zirkle is a 6-foot 185-pound middle infielder and right-handed pitcher from Shawnee Heights HS in Topeka, KS. Zirkle posted a 7.63 60/yd dash and 4.97 home-to-first. During infield evaluations, Zirkle had an 75 mph positional velo, with smooth, clean actions and a quick release with mostly accurate throws. During batting practice, Zirkle showed a balance set up, minimal hand load, extension through the baseball and worked the middle of the field. On the mound, Zirkle’s delivery proved to be repeatable while providing some deception with his glove side. Zirkle showed command of his fastball that worked between 75-78 mph and curveball between 64-66 mph. Curveball had 12/6 shape and showed occasional tight spin.


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