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Player Spotlight: South Oldham 2016 RHP Michael Higgins Shows Big Velocity Gains

February 20, 2015

By Chris Fuller
Kentucky Scouting Director

As stated in the article we ran a few days ago highlighting Jake Ziegelmeyer’s performance this past weekend at the Preseason All-State Showcase, eight months can make a big difference in the development of a high school baseball player. Ziegelmeyer wasn’t the only one to prove that statement true.

South Oldham right-hander Michael Higgins participated in last June’s Top Prospect Games event at higginsWestern Kentucky University. Below is a look at the scouting report for Higgins from that event.

Scouting Report, June 17, 2014: 6-foot-1, 155-pound prospect with lanky build and significant room to add to projectable frame, uses long arm action through a high ¾ arm slot, delivery stays online with easy effort, arm works, fastball sat 79-81 on this occasion (81-83 at previous event), two-seamer shows some arm-side run, showed a sharper curveball than previous event at 66-69 mph that has the makings to be a solid pitch, struck out 4 of the 10 batters he faced allowing just two infield hits, 2016 prospect to watch.

Fast forward to last Saturday where Higgins showed the anticipated jump in velocity.

The 6-foot-1, 165-pound Higgins, a class of 2016 prospect, showed a consistent 85-87 mph fastball throughout his bullpen session.  Working freely and easily, his arm showed good quickness, leading you to believe there is more velocity left in the tank. Higgins topped at 89 mph during his bullpen session, but it wasn’t just the fastball that impressed at the event.

At 69-72 mph, Higgins’ curveball was harder than he has shown in the past, and he showed good feel for his 77-81 mph changeup that is thrown with very good arm action. Both of his secondary offerings have the potential to be very good pitches for him at the next level.

Look for Higgins, currently ranked No. 50 in the 2016 class, to make a big move up the rankings when they are updated over the next few weeks.

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