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Topeka Prospect ID: Class of 2016 Pitching Analysis

December 5, 2014

By Sean McCann
Prep Baseball Report Kansas

Today we take a look at the class of 2016 pitchers that participated in the Topeka Prospect Identification Showcase on November 2, 2014 at Bettis Family Sports Complex. This was an open event for uncommitted high school baseball players - all grades.

The class of 2016 pitchers in Topeka included a number of projectable arms and reliable strike-throwers that have made steady progress over the last several months. Many are on the verge of moving into the upper tier of pitchers in their age group in the area and will see an expanded role on the mound this spring or begin earning varsity innings for the first time. As time goes on it will be interesting to see which ones continue to climb and emerge from the pack.

Below are the scouting reports on the class of 2016 pitchers that participated in the event. Two-way players have also appeared in one of the position-by-position articles already posted.

To see a complete list of stats from this event click here.

Click on the player's headline link to be directed to their profile with video from their performance.

top class of 2016 pitching prospects

1. AJ Johnson, RHP, Blue Valley HS, KS (2016)
Johnson is a projectable, athletic-framed 6-foot-1, 160-pound right-handed pitcher. Delivery is simple and under control throughout, throws with natural three-quarters arm action, easy arm, repeats. Fastball has arm side run and occasional late sinking action down in the zone, 82-84 mph, spiked to 86 on one pitch – an increase from when we saw him top out at 82 earlier this fall and upper 70’s this summer. Showed an 11/5 breaking ball, some with late, sharp break – also an improvement from the summer when he threw more of a 12-6 spinner. Feel for a 71-72 mph change-up that has similar sinking action to his fastball. Plenty of room to fill out his present thin frame. Trending up. 

2. Sam Duncan, LHP, Bishop Meige HS, KS (2016)
Duncan is a 6-foot-1, 215-pound left-handed pitcher. Showed an up-tempo delivery, tucks at balance, good direction, three quarters arm action, quick arm, out in front release point, athletic finish. Fastball has sinking action, at times late, works down in the zone, 81-83 mph, topped out at 85. Feel for a 1/7 breaking ball, 70-72 mph. Command of a sinking change-up with fastball arm speed, 76-77 mph. Last spring we saw Duncan top out at 80 mph, he’s trending up. 

3. Cooper Marks, RHP/1B, Blue Valley North HS, KS (2016)
Marks is a 6-foot, 185-pound right-handed pitcher and right-hand hitting first baseman. At the plate showed a balanced set-up, minimal hand load, strides in place, upper half dominant, hands work, gap-to-gap approach, occasional pull-side pop, exit velocity 83 mph. Ran a 7.25 60-yard dash. At first base showed athletic footwork, soft hands, clean exchanges, easy high three-quarters throwing motion. Made all strong, accurate throws. Throwing velocity up to 84 mph – top mark among infielders. On the mound showed a very simple delivery, tall balance point, tucks knee, high three-quarters arm action, easy arm, athletic finish. Repeats well. Fastball with sinking action at bottom of the zone, 81-83 mph, topped out at 84. Breaking ball with 12/6 shape, tight spin, 66-69 mph. Shortened breaking ball up at 72-75 mph, good pitch. Change-up with fastball arm speed and dying sinking action at plate 71-72 mph.

4. Eli DeLeon, RHP, Blue Valley HS, KS (2016)
DeLeon is a 6-foot-4, 180-pound right-handed pitcher. Ideal pitcher’s frame. Turns and tucks at balance, tall balance point, stays closed during stride, hides ball, easy three-quarters arm action. Athletic delivery with rhythm and body control. Most fastballs had cutting action, late, 81-82 mph. Breaking ball with 11/5 shape, at times short, 64-65. Change-up 71-72 mph. Easy-armed right-hander with big league body that is a prime candidate to make jump in the class of 2016 group as he progresses. 

5. Tanner Padgett, 1B/RHP, Valley Center HS, KS (2016)
Padgett is a projectable 6-foot-5, 200-pound right-hand hitting first baseman and right-handed pitcher. During batting practice showed a tall set-up, minimal hand load, short stride, short path, fast bat, maintains balance, finishes with extension, 90 mph exit velocity – top mark in camp. Simple, repeatable swing with some thump. Flattened ball out in the middle of the field. Ran a 7.09 60-yard dash – impressive considering how physical he is. At first base showed athletic footwork, soft hands, moves well for a big man, high three-quarters throwing motion, 81 mph throwing velocity, made all accurate throws. On the mound works from the stretch exclusively, medium knee lift, tall at balance. Closes off and hides ball well. Three-quarters slot, athletic finish, repeats. Consistent fastball velocity, nine fastballs all in the 80-82 mph range with arm side run. Command of breaking ball with 11/5 to 12/6 shape, gradual action, 71-73 mph. Sinking change-up, 75-76 mph. 

6. Trevor Munsch, LHP, Lawrence Free State HS, KS (2016)
Munsch is a thin, 6-foot-3, 145-pound left-handed pitcher. He showed a rhythmic delivery, high knee lift, natural three-quarters arm action, loose arm, good direction, gets out in front with ease, athletic finish. Fastball has arm side run, occasional cutting action, 78-81 mph. Command of a 71-73 mph slider, some with late break. Change-up has arm side run 72-75 mph. Quality left-handed pitching prospects are worth their weight in gold and the projectable Munsch could climb the ladder rapidly as he adds size and strength.

Best of the rest (alphabetical order) 

Austin Bade, 3B/RHP, Blue Valley HS, KS (2016)
Bade is a 6-foot, 155-pound right-hand hitting third baseman and right-handed pitcher. During batting practice showed a balanced set-up, strides inline, creates length in hand load, level bat path, aggressive swing, lower half in sync, maintains balance. Slight pull approach, 74 mph exit velocity. Ran a 7.78 60-yard dash. In the infield made clean exchanges, high three-quarters arm action, accurate throws, 74 mph throwing velocity. On the mound worked under control early in delivery, tall balance point, tall/fall, short high three-quarters arm action, some effort. Simple and repeated well. Fastball 73-74 mph, 75 tops, early arm-side movement, high percentage of strikes. Breaking ball with 12/6 shape, gradual break, 65-70 mph. Feel for change-up at 70-71 mph, kept it down in the zone. 

Daniel Baker, 3B/RHP, Olathe North HS, KS (2016)
Baker is a physical 6-foot-2, 190-pound right-hand hitting third baseman and right-handed pitcher. At the plate showed a tall set-up, wide stance, strides inline, no load, short path, upper half dominant, strong hands. Middle to pull approach, 83 exit velocity. Ran a 7.52 60-yard dash. In the infield showed athletic infield actions, soft hands, quick three-quarters throwing motion. Made strong, accurate throws, top throw at 84 mph – top mark among infielders. On the mound has a simple delivery, aggressive tempo, high three-quarters arm action, some effort, upright finish, repeats well. Fastball in 81-82 mph range, strikes. Short breaking ball with 11/5 shape, 71-76 mph. Change-up runs arm side, 76-77 mph. Physical 2016 right-hander that is another prime candidate to make a rapid rise over the next several months.

Jack Castrop, RHP, Rockhurst HS, MO (2016)
Castrop is a 5-foot-10, 175-pound right-handed pitcher. Simple, repeatable delivery with rhythm. Slight turn at balance, hides ball. Throws from tall balance point. High-three-quarters arm action, easy. Worked fastball both sides of the plate, sinking action arm side, 74-76 mph, 77 tops. Breaking ball with 12/6 shape, gradual action, 59-61 mph. Feel for sinking change-up, 66-68 mph. 

Wesley Gilmore, 3B/RHP, Wellington HS, KS (2016)
Gilmore is an athletic-framed 5-foot-10, 165-pound right-hand hitting third baseman/outfielder and right-handed pitcher. Athletic set-up at the plate, short stride, no hand load, short path, upper half dominant, middle-oppo approach, 76 mph exit velocity. Ran a 7.51 60-yard dash. In the outfield showed athletic footwork, three quarters arm action, 83 mph throwing velocity, accurate throws. During infield drills showed fluid footwork, quick exchanges, loose three-quarters throwing motion, 74 mph throwing velocity, accurate throws. Listed as third baseman but has the actions, athleticism of middle infielder. On the mound works from a tall balance point, slight drop/drive, picks up-tempo during delivery, three-quarters slot, athletic finish. Fastball with arm side run that matches arm slot, 74-75 mph, topped out at 76. Short breaking ball with 12/6 to 11/5 shape, 62-67 mph. Change-up with sinking action 69-70 mph. 

Alec Koehn, 3B/RHP, Dodge City HS, KS (2016)
Koehn is an athletic-framed 6-foot-1, 180-pound right-hand hitting third baseman and right-handed pitcher. During batting practice showed a balanced set-up, smooth hand load, no stride, short path, slight pull approach, exit velocity 70 mph. Ran a 7.53 60-yard dash. In the infield fielded everything cleanly, short high three-quarters throwing motion, easy arm, throwing velocity 74 mph, mostly accurate throws. On the mound under control early, hops at balance, leans back, slinging low three-quarters arm action. Fastball with arm-side run that matches slot, 75-76 mph. Feel for 11/5 breaking ball, 67-68 mph. Worked down in the zone with 66-69 mph change-up. 

Grant Parks, LHP/OF, Blue Valley Northwest HS, KS (2016)
Parks is a lean 6-foot, 140-pound left-handed pitcher and left-hand hitting outfielder. At the plate showed a tall set-up, reverse toe tap, closed stride, no hand load, short path, lower half in sync with upper, middle-oppo approach, 72 mph exit velocity, ran a 7.35 60-yard dash. In the outfield took good routes to the ball, easy high-three quarters arm action, 75 mph throwing velocity, accurate arm. On the mound turns and tucks at balance, hides ball, three quarters arm action, arm works. Athletic delivery with rhythm. Fastball with arm side run, occasional glove side cutting action, 74-75 mph, 76 tops.  Breaking ball with 1/7 shape, gradual action, controllable, 61-63 mph. Change-up with sink below the zone, 67-69 mph. Sound delivery, feel for all three pitches, could be reliable innings-eater lefty.

Treston Rook, LHP, Olathe Northwest HS, KS (2016)
Rook is a 5-foot-10, 145-pound left-handed pitcher. Up tempo delivery, high vertical knee lift, three-quarters arm slot, athletic finish. Body control, repeats well. Fastball with arm-side sink down and away from right-handed hitters, 76-78 mph. Velocity range has bumped up over last year. Breaking ball with 12/6 spin, at times tight, 65-69 mph. Change-up runs and sinks, 71-73.

Cole Schumacher, 2B/RHP, Hays HS, KS (2016)
Schumacher is an athletic 5-foot-10, 170-pound right-hand hitting infielder and right-handed pitcher. Tall set-up at the plate, open stance, early stride, minimal hand load, short bat path. Simple swing with balance, rhythm and flow, exit velocity 81 mph. One of the best rounds of batting practice on the day – line drives in the gaps. Ran a 7.25 60-yard dash. In the infield hands and feet work, easy three-quarters throwing motion, 75 mph throwing velocity. On the mound has an athletic delivery with rhythm. Turns at balance, hides ball. Short three-quarters arm action. Fastball at 76-78 mph. Breaking ball with 12/6 to 11/5 shape, at times short, 66-69 mph. Change-up with sink when down in zone, 69-70 mph. Solid prospect that carries himself with confidence and does a lot things on the baseball field well. 

Alex Towler, LHP, Shawnee Mission Northwest HS, KS (2016)
Towler is a 5-foot-11, 165-pound left-handed pitcher. Simple rocker step, short knee lift, strides inline, three-quarters arm action. Fastball 75-77, occasional arm side run. Breaking ball with 12/6 to 1/7 shape, 68-70 mph. Change-up with arm side run 73-77 mph. 

Bryce Unruh, 3B/RHP, Dodge City HS, KS (2016)
Unruh is a projectable 6-foot-3, 190-pound switch-hitting third baseman and right-handed pitcher. Hitting right-handed showed a balanced set-up, smooth hand load, strides in place, level bat path, lower half in sync, bat speed, worked middle of the field with juice at times, exit velocity 83 mph. Left-handed showed an athletic set-up, hands close to body, strides in place, minimal hand load, worked gaps, exit velocity 79 mph. Simple swing with rhythm and flow from both sides. Ran a 7.52 60-yard dash. Showed athletic actions in the infield, clean exchanges, short high three-quarters arm action, 78 mph throwing velocity, mostly accurate throws. On the mound starts on left side of rubber, under control early, tall balance point, leans back. Closes off and hides ball. Three-quarters arm slot, some effort. Fastball with sinking action down in zone, 76-77 mph, topped out at 78. Breaking ball with 11/7 shape, at times short, 67-69 mph. Change-up 66-67 mph. 

Logan Vicin, RHP/OF, Maize South HS, KS (2016)
Vicin is a 5-foot-6, 150-pound right-hand hitting outfielder and right-handed pitcher. Tall set-up at the plate, early stride and load, worked mostly oppo, 79 mph exit velocity, ran a 7.38 60-yard dash. In the outfield fielded the ball cleanly, loose over-the-top throwing motion, 77 mph throwing velocity, mostly accurate throws. On the mound turns at balance. Hands and knee lift in sync, high three-quarters arm action. Fastball with early arm side run, 69-71 mph. Breaking ball with 12/6 shape, gradual action, 59-61 mph. Feel for change-up with arm side fade, 64-65  mph.

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