By Shooter Hunt
National Crosschecker
@ShooterHunt

The second day of the 2017 PBR Future Games saw the action turn up as game action started and the pitchers took center stage. Getting the nod to start the first game for the much-heralded Minnesota/Iowa/Nebraska squad, 2019 RHP Will Frisch (Stillwater HS, MN) set the tone for what would become a game filled with strong performances against Illinois. Frisch utilized his short, strong arm to run his fastball up to 92 mph while comfortably working at 89-91. He spotted up to both sides of the plate with a heavy fastball that showed some sink, and was able to get in on right-handed hitters. The power changeup that he exhibited in March at PBR Minnesota’s preseason event has continued to develop, and he threw it with fastball hand speed at 79-80 with late, sinking action. Frisch threw multiple curveballs in his inning of work at 66-69 where he seemed to get under the ball at times, but showed the ability to throw it for strikes. At 6-foot-1, 210-pounds, Frisch has a thick lower half and broad shoulders. His quick performance was more than enough of a glimpse for the many on-looking recruiters to envision a future impact arm. He will throw again on Saturday.

Here are some more highlights from Thursday...

+ 2020 C McGwire Holbrook (Bishop Moore HS, FL) kicked off the day by going 3-for-3 with a booming double to left-center field for Team Florida. The 5-foot-11, 180-pounder has a smooth load that works in rhythm with a smaller leg kick before his hands control the barrel through the zone.

+ 2019 OF/LHP Ben Gilbert (Lake Wales HS, FL) showed off loose hands at the plate from the left side as his barrel worked level to uphill through the zone. He stayed in on a left-handed arm to rope a single. Gilbert also stepped on the mound, and sat 83-84 while touching both 87 and 88. He has a quick, athletic arm, and his fastball showed some arm side run as he worked it down in the zone.

+ 2019 LHP Jonathan Machamer (Massillon Washington HS, OH) was one of my favorite pitchers at PBR Ohio’s Top Prospect Games in June, and I thought he was even better in his outing for Team Ohio. Machamer sat 87-88 with his fastball, and it played up even harder with his up-tempo delivery. Combined with his sharper, 2/8 slider, and developing changeup, I believe that Machamer has a chance to be an elite starter at the next level.

+ 2019 RHP Hunter Rosenbaum (Webster HS, WI) had been a name that had created some buzz recently as there were rumors of a velocity uptick. Those rumors held true, as the tall, proportionally-strong right-hander sent his first fastball in at 89 mph. He would settle in at 86-87 in his inning of work, and throw one slider at 80 mph. Rosenbaum has a pitcher’s build at 6-foot-2, 182-pounds, and a strong arm that releases out of a high ¾ slot. I am looking forward to seeing Rosenbaum toe the rubber, again, on Saturday.