Future Games Team Mid-Atlantic Spotlight: Leo Simpson

Maryland Preseason All-State Session I

Body: 5’10’’, 175 pounds. Strong, uber-athletic with good proportions throughout. 
Hit: RHH. Balanced, even stance with a slight bend in the knees as the hands showed controlled, moderate rhythm at the shoulder. Utilized a lift and replace stride to initiate the bat head through a short and fluid, flat path into the hitting zone. Showed some burst at the plate with punch to the pull-side, accruing a 40% line drive rate and 27% hard hit rate during his round of batting practice. Stayed in the legs well with minimal head movement in the swing generating quality bat to ball skills (66% on-plane efficiency via Blast Motion).
Power: 93 mph exit velocity during BP per TrackMan. Doubles power at the moment with occasional ability to run it out of the yard with a 317 foot peak batted ball distance. 
Arm: RH. INF - 87 mph. Live, high ¾ slot with slight coil around the backside when throwing; throws carry well towards the target with ability to drop down athletically from a lower angle on the run. 
Defense: Quick first step with easy lateral movements on the routes; stuck the foot in the ground and attacked from right to left at the fielding window, accurate glove hand out in front with funnels into the beltline. Adequate feel for pace from the left side with shortstop projection. 
Run: 7.43 60-yard time.

Delivery: Slow front rocker into a medium leg lift with the shoulders showing coil over the right side. Unleashed the upper half following the hips upon footstrike allowing for repeatability and a fast move down the rubber. Athletic, loose finish out in front with the AA.
Arm Action: RH/LH. High, ¾ slot with quickness on the release. 
FB: T88 mph, 86-87 mph. Average spin rate of 2448 rpm. Extra jump at times to the plate with ability to move the FB to a bunch of different zones. 
CB: 72-75 mph. Average spin rate of 2827 rpm. Tight breaker (11/5 shape) with wipeout depth to it (-18.5 inches of IVB per Trackman). A true out pitch moving forward thrown with a ton of confidence. 
CH: 80-81 mph. Developing offering with good extension out in front (6.29 feet of extension).

Maryland Summer Trials

Body: 5’10’’, 168 pounds. Strong, athletic frame.
Hit: Switch. Hits from a balanced, spread out, slightly open stance. Creates good hand separation with a small leg kick and longer stride. Attacks the ball with intent with a more level swing path. Stays behind the ball well with good lower half involvement. Quick hands and fast bat speed through the zone with solid extension past contact, finishing strong with one hand. Strong middle to pull side line drive approach, lacing balls consistently during multiple BP rounds. 
Power: 79 mph exit velocity from the tee. Projectable pull side pop 
Arm: RH. INF - 82 mph. Throws with short arm action from a mid to high three-quarter slot. 
Defense: Plays loose with active, quick feet and gets around the ball well. Plays through the ball with momentum towards the bag. Fields the ball out in front, funneling it to the belt with a slight glove tap during exchange. Rangy side to side with soft hands and clean exchanges.  
Run: 4.69 home-to-first time.

Delivery: Pitches from the stretch with a high leg kick to a tall balance position. Controlled stride down the mound with strong lower half drive. Lands in-line with the plate and finishes upright. Creates quick arm speed through release throwing downhill. 
Arm Action: RH. Throws with shorter arm action from a high three-quarter slot with regular effort. 
FB: T83 mph, 81-83 mph. Consistent arm-side run and average spin rate of 2239 rpm. 
CB: 68-70 mph. Big 11/5 shape with an average spin rate of 2639 rpm.
KN: 69-70 mph. Showed the ability to really dance.