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 White.  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.

Cameron Planck, RHP, Rowan County HS, 2016
6-foot-3, 195 pound prospect has become one of the top right-handers in the PBR coverage area in the 2016 class.  Arm is quick and loose and works through a high ¾ slot.  Fastball sat 87-89 mph touching 90.  Has a power type slider at 78-81 mph that is well advanced for a high school pitcher and has the potential to be a legitimate swing-and-miss type pitch at the next level, good arm action on 79-82 mph changeup, has committed to Louisville since the conclusion of the event.

Kyle Kelsey, RHP, Madison Central HS, 2016
6-foot, 165-pound prospect uses long arm action through a high ¾ arm slot, some effort in delivery, consistently pounds the strike zone, showed an increase in velocity from previous event as fastball sat 80-82 mph, good command of 65-66 mph curveball with 11/5 action and sharper 68-70 mph slider, continues to show a plus changeup at 69-72 mph with very good sink and fade, should be watched for additional velocity gains, competes and knows how to pitch.

Brady Bowling, RHP/1B, Lafayette HS, 2017
6-foot-3, 155-pound prospect with long and lanky build, frame projects well, uses long arm action through a high ¾ arm slot, delivery is easy and smooth, fastball is mainly straight at 74-76 mph, showed good command of 62-65 mph curveball with 11/5 action, throws a 67-69 mph changeup with good sink and fade when he stays behind it, pounds the strike zone with all pitches, arm is loose, more velocity to come, definite follow in 2017 class.

Jack Biernesser, RHP/3B, St. Xavier HS, 2017
5-foot-11, 165-pound prospect uses shorter arm action through a high ¾ arm slot, fastball sat 75-78 mph touching 79 (slight increase from previous event), fastball shows some arm-side run, shows a 64-66 mph curveball that has 11/5 action when he stays on top of it, have already seen slight velocity increase since previous event with potential to add more.

Logan Holland, 1B/RHP, Lafayette HS, 2016
5-foot-11, 160-pound prospect uses long arm action through a high ¾ arm slot, loose arm, repeats delivery well with good lower half direction, fastball sat 70-73 mph with occasional arm-side run, good command of 64-65 mph curveball with 11/5 action, throws strikes consistently, should pick up additional velocity in the near future.

Blake Wheeler, RHP/1B, Central Hardin HS, 2017
6-foot-1, 185-pound sidearm pitcher, lands significantly to first base side, fastball sat 70-72 mph touching 73 and shows some arm-side run, showed a 62 mph curveball that he tended to get under, delivery has some funk and deception, able to throw strikes from the sidearm slot.

William Manson, RHP/OF, Paul Laurence Dunbar HS, 2016
6-foot-1, 160-pound prospect uses long arm action through a high ¾ arm slot, good tempo in delivery, fastball sat 72-74 mph with some arm-side run and sink, showed a 63-64 mph curveball with gradual 12/6 action, throws a 67 mph changeup with some sink and fade.

Donavan Alderson, LHP/1B, Franklin-Simpson HS, 2018
5-foot-11, 165-pound prospect uses shorter arm action, arm slot varies from low ¾ to ¾, opens front side early, fastball sat 68-70 mph with good arm-side run, gets around 64 mph curveball leaving it flat, changeup shows good fade at 64-65 mph, will see increase in velocity with work on improving lower half direction.

Trenton Heckman, RHP/SS, DeSales HS, 2016
5-foot-11, 145-pound prospect uses shorter arm action through a high ¾ arm slot, fastball sat 71-73 mph touching 74, curveball varied between 59-64 mph, gets under curveball at times leaving it up, curveball shows slight 12/6 action when he stays on top of it.

Michael Lobred, 3B/RHP, Bullitt East HS, 2017
5-foot-11, 155-pound prospect uses short arm action through a high ¾ arm slot, minimal effort in delivery, fastball sat 62-65 mph and is straight, curveball needs continued development at 53-54 mph with minimal action, showed a 53-57 mph knuckle ball.