GPA Games: Pitcher Analysis

The third annual GPA Games was held at Lee Pfund Stadium at Wheaton College on Sunday, Aug. 12. Over 50 prospects from five different states made it out to Carol Stream to partake in this one-of-a-kind showcase, targeted for 2019 and 2020 prospects looking to leverage their skills on the diamond and in the classroom into opportunities to play ball beyond high school. Since, three of the attending prospects have already committed to play at the next level.

Today, we’ll continue our showcase analysis with a deeper look into the pitchers who took the mound at GPA Games.

RHP Trent Turzenski (Burlington, WI; 2019; Valparaiso commit) came to Carol Stream as one of the highest-ranked prospects in attendance. The 6-foot-6 righty validated his top-30 ranking in Wisconsin’s senior class with a standout performance, touching 90 mph with late life and control. He paired that live fastball with an aggressive curveball and looked dominant in his lone inning of work. Turzenski leveraged his excellent performance in early August into a commitment to Valparaiso nearly one month later.

The next four uncommitted names on this top 10 each came from different states: RHP Sam Phillips (Cathedral, IN; 2019), RHP Kyle Pothoff (Marquette, MO; 2019), LHP Ryan Steinhauer (Saline, MI; 2019), and RHP Magnus Siverston (New Trier, IL; 2019). To see how they rounded out the top five, continue reading on below.

We previously published our Statistical Analysis from the showcase, as well as a look at the day’s catchers, outfielders, and infielders. Keep an eye out tomorrow for a look at who will be named to the event’s top overall prospects rankings. For now, keep on reading for full reports on all 28 pitchers from the GPA Games.

TOP PROSPECTS

1. Trent Turzenski, RHP, Burlington (WI), 2019
Recent Valparaiso commit. 6-foot-6, 220-pound right-handed pitcher, extra-large frame build. Slight drop and drive delivery with some effort, lands closed, adds some deception. Arm action is long and loose, slight plunge on backside, high ¾ slot, quick arm with strength. Fastball touched 90 mph, with late life through the zone, sat 87-89 mph with control, has showed steady gains throughout the summer. Curveball has 11/5 shape, aggressive arm speed and ability to land for strikes, 69-72 mph. Looked untouchable in a one inning stint, struck out the side with several swing and misses.

2. Kyle Pothoff, RHP, Marquette (MO), 2019
6-foot-5, 190-pound right-handed pitcher, long lean projectable frame. Delivery works in rhythm, on time and balance, controls body well for size. Clean loose arm action, projects for more velocity, arm speed present, high ¾ slot. Fastball played 84-86 mph, played with tilt and showed feel for the zone. Curveball plays 12/6, 70 mph Straight changeup played with fastball arm speed, 78 mph.

3. Ryan Steinhauer, LHP, Saline (MI), 2019
6-foot-2, 170-pound left-handed pitcher, lean loose frame. Clean repeatable delivery, stretch only, loose and live with tempo, lands closed. Arm action is loose and quick, high ¾ slot. Fastball sat 80-81 mph, topped at 82 mph, occasional late running action, controlled the zone. Curveball played 71-74 mph. Changeup fades to arm side with feel, fastball arm speed, 74-75 mph, flashed swing and miss type action.

4. Sam Phillips, RHP, Cathedral (IN), 2019
6-foot-2, 195-pound right-handed pitcher, athletic frame with upside. Delivery showed repeatability, some effort, recoil finish. Arm action is short and over the top. Fastball is straight and controlled the zone, 81-2 mph, topped at 84 mph. Curveball has 12/6 swing and miss action, late and thrown aggressive with feel, 69-72 mph. Flashed changeup at 75 mph. Struck out two in one inning pitched.

5. Magnus Siverston, RHP/OF, New Trier (IL), 2020
6-foot-1, 180-pound two-way player, lean build. Drop and drive style delivery, in rhythm, worked on line and lands square. Arm action is loose, flashed quickness, high ¾ slot. Fastball had control of the zone, slight arm side action, 82-84 mph. Slider played 11/5, near fastball arm speed, 70-74 mph. Flashed a changeup at 78 mph. Right-handed hitter, wide stance, short heel lift stride, path is short to the baseball. 82 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm played long and over the top 79 mph from the outfield. 7.75 runner in the 60.

6. Michael Vallone, LHP, Lake Forest (IL), 2020
6-foot, 160-pound left-handed pitcher, lean build. Tall and fall delivery, down tempo, lands square and works online, in rhythm. Arm action is long, high ¾ slot. Fastball worked 77-79 mph, slight sinking action. Curveball showed depth, 1/7 action, 66-68 mph. Flashed changeup that sinks, 73 mph.

7. Sean Malpeli, RHP, Lincoln-Way West (IL), 2020
6-foot, 185-pound right-handed pitcher. Delivery works with regular effort, lands closed, upright finish. Arm action is long and firm, high ¾ slot. Fastball has slight arm side run, 81-83 mph, touched 84 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape, near fastball arm speed, 67-69 mph. Repertoire showed swing and miss stuff with erratic control, struck out the side while issuing four free passes in one inning of work.

8. Nic Vitiritti, RHP, Mount Carmel (IL), 2019
6-foot-3, 185-pound right-handed pitcher, solid build. Loads on back side and works directional down the hill. Arm action is long from a high ¾ slot. Fastball runs to arm side, controls the zone, 79-81 mph, topped at 82 mph. Breaking ball plays 11/5, 66-70 mph, thrown near fastball arm speed. Changeup sinks 72-73 mph.  

9. Nicholas Johnson, RHP, Cedarburg (WI), 2020
6-foot-5, 180-pound right-handed pitcher, lean projectable frame. In rhythm delivery, worked on line with moderate tempo. Arm action is loose and clean, high ¾ slot. Fastball is mostly straight, occasional run, 78-80 mph. Mixed in a curveball and slider, curveball showed 11/5 shape, 67-68 mph, some depth, slider is more 10/4, 70-71 mph, above average feel for both. Struck out a pair in one inning pitched.

10. Will Franson, INF/RHP, Genoa-KIngston (IL), 2020
5-foot-11, 175-pound two-way player. Slight drop and drive type delivery, some effort, long firm arm action, high ¾ slot. Fastball worked at 80-82 mph, flashed slight cut action. Curveball has 11/5 shape, gradual action, 65-69 mph. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, slightly wide base, short lift and replace stride. Showed occasional bat strength with hard gap to gap contact, path is uphill, 84 mph exit velocity from the tee. Arm plays 80  mph across the diamond, high ¾ slot, occasional carry. Quick exchange, wide actions. 7.36 runner in the 60.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Jackson Broom, INF/RHP, Huntley (IL), 2020
5-foot-11, 185-pound two-way player, solid strong athletic build. Athletic infield defender, plays through the baseball, reliable hands, plays with body control. Arm is short and over the top, showed carry, 85 mph across the diamond, athletic arm action that can play accurate on the move. 7.45 runner in the 60. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, arm bar load, lifted stride. Middle of the field approach, line drive contact, worked gap to gap, fluid rhythm. 86 mph exit velocity from the tee. On the mound, fastball runs to arm side, control of the zone, 77-79 mph, touched 80 mph. Curveball has 12/6 shape, late action, depth and feel, 66-70 mph. Changeup is straight, near fastball arm speed, 74-75 mph.

Lucas Domberg, OF/RHP, Rockford Christian (IL), 2019
6-foot-1, 165-pound two-way player, lean projectable frame. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride. Path is loose and quick, slightly uphill, line drive contact. 85 mph exit velocity form the tee. Arm plays from a long high ¾ slot, 84 mph from the outfield. Actions play though into crowhop exchange. 7.12 runner in the 60. Stretch only delivery, works with regular effort, works to first base side with open toe landing. Arm plays out of a ¾ slot, slinging action, occasionally underneath. Fastball runs to arm side, 78-80 mph, late action at times. Slider has 10/4 shape, near fastball arm action 64-68 mph.  

Nathaniel Elgin, RHP, Lake Geneva (WI), 2019
6-foot, 170-pound right-handed pitcher. Tall and fall delivery, wide toe lift to balance point, squared landing. Arm action is long, high ¾ slot. Fastball is mostly straight, occasional slight run, 72-74 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape, with gradual action, 60-63 mph. Changeup slightly fades, 67-68 mph.

Brennan Foeckler, RHP/1B, Marquette University (WI), 2020
6-foot-5, 190-pound two-way player, long frame. Right-handed hitter, slightly open stance, leg lift trigger. Path works long and uphill, pull side approach, 86 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm plays long out of a high ¾ slot, 74 mph across the diamond. Large target around the bag at first base. On the mound arm works long out of a ¾ slot. Fastball played 74-77 mph. Curveball played 12/6 at 62 mph.

Brandon Frankel, LHP/OF, Stevenson (IL), 2020
6-foot-1, 170-pound left-handed throwing two-way player. Profiled best on the mound, delivery is simple to medium balance point, short stride bounces into landing. Arm action is short from a high ¾ slot. Fastball sinks with slight arm side run, showed control of the zone, 77-78 mph, touched 80-81 mph. Curveball has 1/7 shape, 66-68 mph. Flashed slider at 70-72 mph. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, heel lift trigger, simple swing. Path is short, hips unload and create separation. 85 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively actions played through the baseball, average hands. Arm played at 78 mph from the outfield. 7.56 runner in the 60.

Josh Grimes, LHP, Oswego (IL), 2020
5-foot-10, 140-pound left-handed pitcher. Stretch only delivery, varies between leg lift and slide step, stride works in line. Arm plays from a ¾ slot. Worked predominantly off of a fastball, has slight run action, 69-72 mph, topped at 73 mph. Flashed a changeup that works down, 63 mph.

Zach Gooding, LHP/1B, Hinsdale Central (IL), 2019
6-foot, 170-pound left-handed pitcher, average build. Delivery is uptempo, works exclusively from the stretch, works in line, closed landing, regular effort. Arm action is long, slight plunge on back side, ¾ slot. Fastball has slight run action 76-77 mph, topped at 78 mph. Slider has 2/8 shape, 67-70 mph, short break. Showed control of a changeup, 74-75 mph.

Dru Janosch, OF/RHP, Warren Township (IL), 2020
6-foot, 150-pound left-handed hitting two-way player, lean frame. Left-handed hitter, balanced setup, slightly open stance, loads hands back, stride slightly dives. Path is short, pull side approach, 77 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm played long and low slotted, 77 mph from the outfield. 7.26 runner in the 60. Feet worked athletically through the baseball. On the mound arm action works from a submarine slot. Fastball runs to arm side, 69-71 mph, topped at 72 mph. Curveball has sweeping action, 58-62 mph. Changeup sinks and fades to arm side, 62-63 mph.

Charlie Joyce, RHP, Perry Meridian (IN), 2019
6-foot-4, 200-pound right-handed pitcher. Full windup delivery, works slightly across body into a side arm/submarine slot, recoil finish. Fastball played at the bottom of the zone with arm side run and sink, 72-73 mph. Slider has 10/4 shape, 65-67 mph, sweeping type action.

Colin McDonald, RHP, Dunlap (IL), 2020
6-foot-2, 175-pound right-handed pitcher, solid build carries some strength. Delivery lands square and works online, little effort. Arm action is long from an over the top slot. Fastball worked downhill, mostly straight with slight tilt, 76-78 mph. Curveball has 12/6 shape, some feel and arm speed, 68-71 mph. Changeup played at 73-75 mph.

Luke Montgomery, LHP/OF, St. Laurence (IL), 2020
5-foot-9, 148-pound left-left two-way player. Left-handed hitter, open setup, short lifted stride, simple pre pitch rhythm. Path throws the hands and stays balanced, short to the baseball. 83 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively showed athletic footwork and actions in the outfield, played in stride. Arm is short and over the top, accurate with slight carry, 81 mph from the outfield. 6.99 runner in the 60. Delivery works with regular effort, lands square, maintains balance. Arm action is short and high ¾. Fastball is straight, showed control of the zone, 76-78 mph, topped at 79 mph. Curveball plays 66-67 mph. Changeup is near fastball arm speed, thrown firm, 74-75 mph.

Ethan Over, LHP, Oswego (IL), 2020
6-foot-1, 157-pound left-handed pitcher, proportional frame. Tall and fall delivery, lands soft and squared, works on line. Arm action is long, high ¾ slot. Fastball sits 70-72 mph. Curveball has gradual 1/7 shape, 57 mph. Changeup is straight, 63-64 mph.

Micah Overley, INF/RHP, Janesville Craig (WI), 2019
6-foot-1, 185-pound two-way player, proportional frame. Left-handed hitter, open stance, slight leg kick trigger, smooth load of hands back, average balance. Flashed bat strength, path has some length, balanced approach, hits in rhythm. Made occasional hard contact, found barrels in game play with a triple and a single. 89 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.71 runner in the 60. Profiles at third base defensively, arm played with slight carry, 82 mph across and accurate. Hands and actions are clean, plays through the baseball. On the mound arm action is long and over the top, repeats delivery and ability to pound the zone. Fastball is mostly straight, worked down, 79-80 mph, touched 81 mph. Breaking ball played 68-69 mph. Changeup fades to arm side, 72 mph.

Noah Riley, RHP, Columbia (IL), 2019
6-foot, 160-pound right-handed pitcher, athletic build. Delivery gets turned at top of balance point, slightly coiled into rotational drop and drive down the hill. Arm action is over the top, short draw. Fastball is straight, played 78-80 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape, 73-75 mph. Slider played 74-75 mph. Both slider and curveball played with similar actions.

Luis Salinas, INF/RHP, St. Ignatius (IL), 2020
6-foot, 160-pound two-way player, lanky frame. Projects best on the mound, works from a submarine slot, regular effort, ability to repeat and throw strikes form unconventional slot. Fastball showed feel for the zone, sinks to arm side, 71-73 mph. Slider played with sweeping action, feel and control of the zone, 61-62 mph. Changeup played 67-68 mph. Right-handed hitter, tall open setup, leg kick stride. Path is short, occasional line drive with top spin contact. Defensively arm played 70 mph across the diamond, comfortable actions around the bag. 7.95 runner in the 60.

Dayne Sebranek, INF/RHP, Fort Atkinson (WI), 2019
5-foot-11, 215-pound two-way player. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, arm bar load, short toe tap trigger. Path has length, occasional pop, hit in rhythm, 88 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is long, high ¾ slot, 73 mph across the diamond. Third base profile, hands played, 8.93 runner in the 60. On the mound fastball played with slight run, 74-77 mph, feel for the zone. Curveball has 11/5 shape, 62-65 mph.

Brendan Short, LHP, Normal Community (IL), 2019
5-foot-7, 155-pound left-handed pitcher. Delivery played on line from the first base side of the rubber, lands square. Arm action is long from a ¾ slot. Fastball is mostly straight, two-seamer played at 67-71 mph, four seamer at 74-75 mph. Flashed cutter, 67-69 mph. Changeup sinks, 57-66 mph. Curveball played 12/6, 56-59 mph.

Matthew Trout, RHP, Blue Springs South (MO), 2020
6-foot-1, 165-pound right-handed pitcher. Tall and fall delivery with low effort, lands square, finishes to first base side. Arm action is short, high ¾ slot, clean circle. Fastball sat 75-77 mph. Curveball has gradual 12/6 action, 59-63 mph. Showed feel for a straight changeup, near fastball arm speed, 65-68 mph.

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