Chris Fuller
PBR Kentucky

The 2016 PBR Kentucky Unsigned Senior Games were held on Sunday, October 2 at Beechwood High School and brought some of the most talented uncommitted 2017 graduates together in one place.  Below are the evaluations from each of the pitchers that competed in the event for the White Team.

Nick Craddock, RHP, Conner, 2017
Max FB: 86, FB: 82-85, CB: 67-68, SPLT: 71-72
6-foot-1, 220-pound, RHP carries a smooth and confident approach to the mound with athleticism and a solid tempo, takes his hands back over his head during his rocker step, gets loaded well at the top of his leg lift and initiates some good shoulder tilt, gets down the mound with his stride that lands very slightly open, long arm action comes through a high ¾ slot with low effort.  Fastball showed good run with consistent command, curveball had 11/5 shape and was kept down in the zone for strikes, used a splitfinger as his changeup with solid depth.  Recorded a strikeout without allowing a hit in his 2 innings of work. Craddock has made impressive strides in the last 12 months.

Jonathan Allen, LHP, Christian Academy of Louisville, 2017
Max FB: 83, FB: 79-83, CB: 70-72, CH: 76-77,
6-foot-1, 188-pound, LHP showed very similarly to what we’ve seen from him at all previous events, athletic with a confident presence on the mound that shows a lot of control and command, works with good tempo and has a clean and longer arm action that comes through a high ¾ slot, strides mostly in line and lands athletically with good balance.  Fastball stayed mostly straight, curveball was sharp with 1/7 shape, and changeup was thrown with good arm action, all three pitches were thrown with good command and filled up the strike zone.  Recorded 2 strikeouts without allowing a hit in his 2 innings on the mound. Allen has committed to Wabash Valley JC since the event.

Sam Wilson, RHP, Saint Xavier, 2017
Max FB: 83, FB: 79-82, CB: 65-66, CH: 73, SL: 71-73
6-foot-3, 165-pound, RHP has a long and rangy build with a loose and athletic delivery that shows some high projectability, has shown improvements even since his last event with us, smooth and fairly rhythmic delivery, gets well loaded at the top of his leg lift, strides in line and showed a long arm action through a high ¾ release point.  Fastball was mostly straight but was firm, curveball showed 11/5 shape for strikes, changeup faded at the plate, slider showed 10/4 shape with some big break that produced several swings and misses.  Struck out 3 hitters without allowing a hit in his 2 innings of work.

Justin Lowry, RHP/SS, Oldham County, 2017
Max FB: 83, FB: 79-83, CB: 64-65,
5-foot-10, 140-pound RHP uses one of the more uptempo and fast paced deliveries you’ll see, a quick rocker step without any leg lift at all creates a jerky and unique movement toward the plate, doesn’t get front side closed or engage his lower half much, strides in line and lands square to the plate, quick and jerky arm action comes through a high ¾ slot with some slight effort.  Fastball was mostly straight, curveball showed 11/5 shape with some gradual movement and some erratic command.  Recorded 2 strikeouts and allowed single in game play.

Drew Demler, RHP/1B, Ryle, 2017
Max FB: 83, FB: 78-81, CB: 67-70, CH: 72-73,
6-foot-4, 215-pound RHP showed similarly to what we’ve seen from him at other events in the past, athletic with a large and commanding frame brings a presence to the mound, motion can be a little choppy as his tempo changes a little bit throughout, shows a little hitch during his leg lift when establishing some shoulder tilt, longer arm action comes through a high ¾ slot with regular effort, strides in line and lands solidly with balance.  Fastball showed occasional cut but stayed mostly straight, curveball had gradual 11/5 shape, changeup stayed straight but had good arm action.

Ryan Eckerle, LHP/1B, Covington Catholic, 2017
Max FB: 81, FB: 78-81, CB: 66-68, CH: 72-73,
6-foot-2, 200-pound LHP has a big presence on the mound with his size and strong build, turns his body during his smaller rocker step and uses a fairly high leg lift and a good collection at the top before heading home, maintains good posture early in his motion, long arm action comes through a high ¾ slot, good rhythm leads to an in line stride and a balanced landing.  Fastball stayed mostly straight, breaking ball had some gradual 1/7 break, changeup was a solid change of pace.  Recorded 3 strikeouts in his outing. Has ability to throw three pitches for strikes.

Blake Wheeler, RHP, Central Hardin, 2017
Max FB: 80, FB: 77-79, CB: 66-70,
6-foot-2, 210-pound RHP showed very much the same as we saw him at our last event that he attended this past summer, begins from a staggered and crouched stance on the rubber, throws exclusively out of the stretch and uses a unique delivery to throw the hitters off, front leg goes straight into his stride as he slightly stands up during his approach to the plate, jerky and sidearm release point, usually finishes balanced. Fastball showed run that is sometimes very hard with good sink, curveball had sweeping 10/4 shape through the zone.  Recorded 2 strikeouts and allowed a single in game play.

Joseph Yancey, 3B/RHP, Holy Cross, 2017
Max FB: 81, FB: 78-80, CB: 69-70, CH: 72
5-foot-8, 165-pound RHP showed a compact beginning to his motion, smaller stature and physical presence but stays consistent, used a slower leg lift that gets a little funky on the way down through his stride, maintains posture and even shoulders throughout, strides in line while using a shorter arm action through a high ¾ release point, ordinary effort.  Fastball showed some occasional run, curveball has some potentially sharp movement with 11/5 shape, changeup was simply a change of pace.  Recorded one strikeout.

Brady Jones, RHP/1B, Bracken County, 2017
Max FB: 79, FB: 77-79, CB: 64-67,
6-foot-2, 185-pound, RHP showed a controlled and mechanical delivery, stays focused on his target throughout his motion, very repeatable delivery that results in a lot of strikes, long arm action comes through a high ¾ release point with average arm speed and ordinary effort, strides in line and finishes with good balance.  Fastball stayed mostly straight and curveball showed gradual 11/5 shape but was able to pound the zone with both pitches.  Recorded 2 strikeouts and allowed 3 hits in his two innings of work.