By Chris Fuller
Kentucky Scouting Director

On July 22-23, a total of 100 players from the Classes of 2016, 2017, and 2018 convened at the University of Kentucky and Bryan Station High School for the 2nd Annual Kentucky Underclass Games Event.  The following is a look at the pitchers from Team Navy.  This is pitching analysis only.  Those players who also played a position at the event will have their position player analysis featured in a subsequent article.

Hazard 2017 RHP Ryan Smith showed a quick arm and ran his fastball up to 84 mph, and in the process proved to be one of the top young arms we have seen to date in the 2017 class.

The following is a look at the Team Navy pitchers.

Ryan Smith, RHP/SS, Hazard HS, 2017
6-foot, 155-pound prospect works through a ¾ arm slot, arm is quick and loose, throws slightly across body, fastball sat 81-84 mph and showed some arm-side run and sink, showed a 68-69 mph curveball that he got under a few times, frame projects and arm works well, one of the top few arms seen to date in the 2017 class with very good upside.

Marcus Johnson, OF/LHP, Bryan Station HS, 2016
6-foot, 184-pound prospect uses long arm action through a high ¾ arm slot, easy effort in delivery, works fast and attacks the strike zone, fastball sat 79-81 mph touching 83 once, showed a 67 mph curveball with gradual 1/7 action, good arm action on 74-77 mph changeup, LHP to keep an eye on in 2016 class.

John Cornelius, RHP, Rockcastle County HS, 2017
5-foot-10,165-pound prospect uses short arm action through a high ¾ arm slot, lower half stays online, regular effort in delivery, fastball sat 79-81 topping at 82, showed a 68-69 mph curveball with short 11/5 break, arm shows some quickness, young prospect with above average velocity for age, prospect to follow in the 2017 class.

Austin Shepherd, 3B/RHP, Paul Laurence Dunbar HS, 2017
6-foot, 180-pound prospect uses medium arm action through a high ¾ arm slot, arm is quick and loose, good lower half direction, fastball sat 75-77 mph topping at 78 with moderate arm-side run and sink, throws a 60-61 mph curveball that showed short 12/6 action, 71-73 mph changeup shows some sink and fade, also throws an effective cutter with late cutting action at 72-74 mph, interesting 2017 prospect on the mound should continue to see velocity gains.

Joshua Owsley, 2B/OF/RHP, Bryan Station HS, 2015
6-foot-1, 160-pound prospect with athletic frame, uses shorter arm action, arm shows some quickness, works through a high ¾ arm slot, fastball sat 75-77 mph showing occasional late arm-side run, showed a 62-63 mph curveball with 11/5 action, struggled some with command.

Jacob Bates, 1B/RHP, Oldham County HS, 2016
6-foot-4, 175-pound prospect with long and lanky frame, uses long arm action through a high ¾ arm slot, fastball sat 73-75 mph with occasional cutting action, seemed to find release point of 61-64 mph curveball in his second inning of work that showed 11/5 action, also throws a 64mph changeup that is straight.

Timothy Lancaster, LHP/OF, Paul Laurence Dunbar HS, 2017
6-foot, 155-pound prospect, uses shorter arm action working through a high ¾ arm slot, lands closed, fastball sat 72-74 mph topping at 75 varying between occasional cutting action and occasional arm-side run, showed a 62-63 mph curveball with 1/7 action and a 69 mph changeup that is mainly straight, lanky frame with projectability.

Tyler Pence, OF/LHP, Eastern HS, 2017
5-foot-9, 140-pound prospect uses long arm action with some wrapping on the backside, works through a high ¾ arm slot, fastball sat 68-70 mph topping at 71 and is straight, showed the ability to throw strikes with 58-59 mph curveball with gradual 1/7 action, also showed a 63 mph changeup, should continue to get stronger and add additional velocity.

Scott Vanderventer, LHP/1B, South Oldham HS, 2016
6-foot, 195-pound prospect uses short arm action through ¾ arm slot, drop and drive type delivery, fastball shows occasional arm-side run at 70-72 mph and topped at 74, curveball show minimal action at 63 mph and needs continued development, changeup sat 65-68 mph.