Northern Louisiana Preseason I.D.: Pitcher Analysis

March 12, 2021
Alex Armand
Louisiana Scouting Director

The PBR Northern Louisiana Preseason I.D. took place on Saturday, January 23rd at Sterlington Sports Complex. The event featured over 40 prospects from all high school classes.

Over the last few days, we rolled out our position-by-position analysis by taking a look at the catchers, infielders, and outfielders. Today, we conclude the position analysis with a talented group of pitchers that includes some uncommitted prospects to add to your radar this spring.

Pitchers

Maddox Mandino OF / Glenbrook , LA / 2023

Athletic and compact 5’9” 150 lbs. frame with a ton of fast twitch. From the windup, starts in the middle of the rubber and stays there throughout his delivery. Really good tempo in the delivery. Uses a high leg kick, turning slightly inward and striding slightly closed that creates some natural cross-fire deception. Loose and quick arm action, bringing the ball down before releasing from a high ¾ arm slot that produced a max FB velocity of 83 mph on a cold and frigid day. Velo will tick up in warmer weather. FB sat 81-82 mph with classic left handed arm side run. Spin rate on the FB averaged 2042 RPM per Trackman. Flashed a “1-7” shaped CB that sat 66-70 mph with above average spin at 2204 RMP per Trackman. The pitch needs to be landed with more consistency. 73-76 mph CH was thrown with same arm speed as the FB and was a firmer pitch with some sink. Athletic 2023 that is a high follow.

Jase Garner LHP / West Monroe, LA / 2022

Athletic 5’9” 160 lbs. frame with some present physicality in the lower half. Starts in the middle of the rubber and stays there throughout his windup. Even keel tempo on the mound. Clean delivery finishes with shoulders and hips square to home plate. Stays on line to his target using his a short arm action releasing the ball from a ¾ arm slot that produced a max FB velocity of 71 mph. FB sat 65-70 mph that stayed true through the zone with an average spin rate of 1785 RMP per Trackman. 55-58 mph CB was near “12-6” in shape and was a big, looping type of breaking ball. CH was 66-68 mph and stayed true in its shape similar to the FB.

Shelton Harville Jr. RHP / Captain Shreve , LA / 2025

Projectable 5’10” 165 lbs. frame. High waist, long legs with room to add strength as he matures. Starts on the left side of the rubber and stays there throughout his delivery. Slower rhythm from the wind up, high leg lift with front shoulder titled slightly upwards before release. Short, quick arm action, releasing the ball from a ¾ arm slot produced a max FB velocity of 76 mph, sitting 73-75 mph with an avg. spin rate of 1764 RPM per Trackman. CB was “11-5” in shape with average spin and depth at 60-65 mph. SL was 62-65 mph and CH was 67-68 mph, both still developing pitches. Posted a 7.53 in the 60.

Vincent Collins LHP / Sulphur , LA / 2022

Athletic 5’10” 170 lbs. frame. Starts in the middle of the rubber and works to the right side through his delivery. Quick and uptemp windup. Strides closed, swinging his leg towards the first base side before landing slightly closed. Brings the ball down out of his glove, before raising it into a short arm action releasing the ball from a ¾ arm slot. Max FB velocity of 79 mph, sitting 74-78 mph with natural arm side run and an avg. spin rate of 1974 RPM per Trackman. Above average spin (2165 RPM) on his SL that started down the middle, breaking towards a would be RHH back knee at 71-72 mph. CB was 62-65 mph and was used as a get me over pitch. 64-69 mph CUT had similar characteristics as his SL. Developing CH at 76-77 mph that was more of a firmer pitch with some arm side run.

Hayden Harmon C / Glenbrook, LA / 2023

Athletic and physical 5’11” 175 lbs. frame. Starts in the middle of the rubber and stays there throughout his delivery. Tilts his front shoulder upward, creating a tough view for the hitter to see release point. Long arm action, releasing the ball from a low ¾ arm slot created natural run on his 80-83 mph FB, topping out at 84 mph on a cold and rainy day. Velo will tick up in the spring. Avg. spin rate on FB was 2090 RPM per Trackman. 69-71 mph CB was “10-4” in shape with good spin at 2056 RPM per Trackman. High follow in the 2023 class.

Aiden Colvin RHP / Benton, LA / 2022

Physical 5’11” 188 lbs. frame. Stars on the left side of the rubber and stays there throughout a slow and control windup. Finishes with hips and shoulders square to the plate. Long and sweeping arm action, releasing the ball from a ¾ arm slot produced a max FB velocity of 79 mph, sitting 76-79 mph with an avg. spin rate of 1764 RPM per Trackman. 67-68 mph CB was shaped more like a slurve, with average spin and depth. CH was 70-71 mph. Kept same arm speed on the CH that stayed straight and true.

Dawson Curtin LHP / Live Oak, LA / 2022

Physical 6’0” 188 lbs. frame with present strength in the lower half. Starter profile with a solid and durable frame. Stays in the middle of the rubber throughout a quick and deliberate windup. Online finish with hips and shoulders square to home plate. Ball comes down upon breaking his hands into a long and loose arm action, releasing the ball form a ¾ arm slot that produced a max FB velocity of 84 mph, sitting 82-83 mph with an avg. spin rate of 2030 RPM per trackman. SL sat 70-73 mph and has the makings of a real out pitch with an avg. spin rate of 2154 RPM. CH was 74-77 mph and was more of a power CH with good arm side sink. Committed to the University of Louisiana a month after this event.

Aidan McLelland 3B / Glenbrook , LA / 2023

Tall and projectable 6’1” 169 lbs. frame with room to add strength. Starts on the right side of the rubber and stays there through a smooth and athletic windup. Tilts the front side slightly upwards creating some natural deception. Long and loose arm action that whips, releasing the ball from a ¾ arm slot. FB sat 75-76 mph, Top 77 mph with good spin at 2156 RPM per Trackman, which projects for the 2023. 67-69 mph CB was shaped like a slurve with really good average spin at 2497 RPM per Trackman. 72-73 mph CH was more of a developing pitch. One to follow in the 2023 class.

Nolan McDonald RHP / Central Private, LA / 2022

Tall and projectable 6’2” 155 lbs. frame with plenty of room to add strength. Starts in the middle of the rubber working to the left side throughout his delivery. Strides closed which creates some “crossfire” action for the hitter. Short and quick arm action, releasing the ball from a ¾ arm slot produced a max FB velocity of 77 mph, sitting 75-76 mph with an avg. spin rate of 1876 RPM per trackman. FB showed some arm side run at times. CB was 61-63 mph and “11-5” in shape, landed for strikes. 68-69 mph SL was shaped like a SL with average spin and depth. CH was 71-72 mph with some arm side run and fade.

Toby Haulmark LHP / Calvary Baptist, LA / 2023

Physical 6’1” 205 lbs. frame with a durable build. Starts on the right side of the rubber and stays there throughout his delivery. Sinks down into his lower half as he strides to home plate finishing with his hips and shoulders square. Long arm action, releasing the ball from a low ¾ arm slot produced a max FB velocity of 80 mph, sitting 78-79 mph with natural arm side sink and run and an avg. spin rate of 1922 RPM per Trackman. CB had an avg. spin rate of 1945 RPM and was “2-8” in shape with average spin and depth. Same arm speed was kept on a developing 71-72 mph CH.

JT Stephens SS / Cedar Creek , LA / 2021

Physical and projectable 6’2” 185 lbs. frame with room to add strength. Begins in the middle of the rubber and stays there throughout his controlled windup. Athletic delivery with a clean arm action. Brings the ball down and then up, releasing the ball from a ¾ arm slot. FB was 82-83 mph, topping out at 84 mph with more in the tank. Avg. spin rate on the FB was 2085 RPM per Trackman. CB was 70-71 mph and near “12-6” in shape. Landed for strikes multiple times. CH sat 71-72 mph and stayed straight through the zone.

Nick Whittington RHP / Sterlington, LA / 2022

Physical and projectable 6’2” 195 lbs.frame with more room to add strength. Starts in the middle of the rubber and works to the left side throughout his windup. Strides closed with his front shoulder tilted upwards, creating some natural deception and “cross fire” action. Long arm action, releasing the ball from a low ¾ arm slot produced a max FB of 84 mph, sitting 81-83 mph with an avg. spin rate of 2179 RPM per Trackman, with some natural arm side run. CB was 70-71 mph and “10-4” in shape with an avg. spin rate of 2065 RPM. CH was a firm pitch with some arm side run at 79-80 mph. One to follow in the 2022 class.

Barnes Williamson OF / Riverfield, LA / 2023

Physical 6’3” 195 lbs. frame. Pitched exclusively out of the stretch. Starts on the right side of the rubber and strides slightly closed creating some natural deception. Finishes square to home plate. Long arm action, releasing the ball from a ¾ arm slot produced a max FB velocity of 79 mph, sitting 77-78 mph with an avg. spin rate of 1792 RPM per Trackman. CH sat 68-70 mph and was landed for strikes consistently. Good athlete who posted a 6.94 in the 60. Physical RHH who took aggressive hacks during BP, showing pull side power with a max exit velocity of 89 mph.

Cale Latimer RHP / Benton, LA / 2023

Physical and imposing 6’3” 215 lbs. frame. Latimer was one of the biggest winners on the day. Pitched exclusively out of the stretch, starting on the left side of the rubber. High leg lift striding slightly closed before using a short and quick arm action, releasing the ball from a ¾ arm slot. FB sat 86-87 mph, topping out at 88 mph and should tick up in warmer weather. 2097 RPM avg. spin rate on the FB. Elite level extension (7’ plus) and release height per Trackman. 80-83 mph CH was a really good offering with heavy sink to the arm side. SL is still developing at 66-70 mph with average depth and spin. Excellent student and a high follow in the 2023 class.

Cooper Eldridge RHP / Riverfield Academy , LA / 2023

Tall and projectable 6’5” 193 lbs. frame with room to carry more weight. Starts on the left side of the rubber and stays there throughout his windup. Stayed on-line throughout his delivery finishing with hips and shoulders square to home plate. Long arm action releasing the ball from a ¾ arm slot produced a max FB velocity of 72 mph, sitting 68-71 mph with an avg. spin rate of 1629 RPM per Trackman. CB was 63-64 mph and shaped more like a SL or CUT with average spin and break. 60-62 mph CH is still a developing pitch.