By Chris Fuller
Kentucky Scouting Director

The 2016 Top Prospect Games took place on June 14-15 and afforded more than 150 players from around the state the opportunity to showcase their abilities to the PBR Kentucky staff and numerous college coaches in a combination showcase/game play event.

CLICK HERE to view the top statistical performers and statistics for all players in attendance.

The following is an in-depth look at the pitchers from Team 8 (Gray). Please note that this is pitcher analysis only. Those pitchers who also participated as a position player will have that performance featured in a subsequent article.

Eric Sottile, RHP/SS, Lexington Catholic, 2018
Max FB: 86, FB: 85-86, CB: 71-72
5-foot-9, 150-pound RHP has a quick and athletic arm that woks through a high-3/4 to over the top arm slot, regular effort in delivery, showed some of the best velocity of the event from a 2018 prospect with the ability to work down in the zone and elevate effectively, works quickly and attacks hitters, showed one of the best curveballs of the event with sharp 11/5 action and good depth, sstruck out two (one swinging FB, one swinging CB) in a quick inning of work.

Noah Thompson, LHP, Louisville Male, 2017
Max FB: 83, FB: 81-82, CB: 65-66, CH: 68,
6-foot, 190-pound LHP had a very impressive outing, showed excellent pitchability in working the strike zone effectively with all pitches, arm action is clean and quick, works quickly with an aggressive mentality, works fastball on both sides of the plate and not afraid to pitch inside, fastball shows occasional run, curveball has solid 1/7 action, threw one changeup in his outing with good arm action. Thompson worked two perfect innings with five strikeouts (4 swinging FB, 1 looking CB) in his two innings of work.

Blake Wheeler, RHP, Central Hardin, 2017
Max FB: 77, FB: 75-77, CB: 67-68, CH: 66
6-foot-2, 215-pound RHP uses a very low/crouched (somewhat awkward) setup from the stretch only but it works for him, sidearm pitcher, fastball shows good run and sink and helps him miss barrels, curveball was effective when he didn’t get under it with sweeping 10/4 action and produced a few swings and misses, threw one changeup that mimicked the fastball with good velocity difference, worked two hitless innings recording all infield outs. Wheeler could be a very effective pitcher out of the bullpen at the next level.

Parker Thomas, RHP/1B, Woodford County, 2017
Max FB: 82, FB: 81-82, CB: 70-74
6-foot-1, 186-pound RHP uses long arm action and works through a high-3/4 slot, minimal effort in delivery, stays tall and uses leverage to produce a downhill plane on fastball, velocity has remained similar from winter event, showed good feel for his curveball with sharp 11/5 action, good pitchability with the two-pitch mix, worked a perfect inning with one strikeout (looking CB).

Keegan Naugle, RHP, Madison Central, 2018
Max FB: 78, FB: 75-77, CB: 64-67,
5-foot-6, 140-pound RHP uses long arm action and works through a high-3/4 slot, regular effort in delivery, fastball shows occasional arm-side run, showed the ability to throw curveball for strikes with 11/5 action, stuck with the two-pitch mix in his outing, did a good job working the lower part of the strike zone, allowed one hit, walked two, and struck out one (looking CB) in his two innings of work, has potential for more velocity as he fills out slight frame.

Hunter Lewis, RHP/1B, Mercer County, 2018
Max FB: 73, FB: 72-73, CB: 63-64,
6-foot-4, 230-pound RHP uses long arm action and works through a ¾ slot with normal effort, arm slot produces some natural run on fastball, showed a curveball with gradual 11/5 break, struggled some with command in his outing walking three batters while allowing no hits and striking out one (fastball looking) in his one inning on the mound.