MN Preseason Underclass: Pitching Analysis

March 26, 2015

By Rob Allison
Prep Baseball Report Minnesota

On Sunday, February 22nd Prep Baseball Report Minnesota hosted the MN Preseason Underclass, an event that included players from the 2017 and 2018 grad classes. The event was held in the Sports Expo Center on the campus of the National Sports Center.

Over the next several days we will breakdown the top prospects from the event by position, culminating in the Top Overall Prospects.

Let’s take a look at the top overall pitching prospects from the MN Preseason Underclass.

Top Overall pitching Prospects

1. Jimmy Ramsey, RHP/1B, Minnetonka, 2017
6-foot-6, 210-pound 2-way player. Ran a 7.3 60. Standing at 6-foot-6, 210 pounds, Ramsey has a long, projectable frame. Hitting from the left side, he stays tall in the box with good leverage at contact. He shows power to the gaps now and makes consistent, hard contact. Produced 87 mph exit velocity off tee. He plays first base, but is athletic and runs enough to possibly move to a corner outfield spot. He has a simple, compact delivery on the mound and his arm works well with downward plane on his fastball. He sat 84-87 in February with reports coming in that his velocity has increased. Breaking ball was 65-69 mph for strikes and changeup ranged 74-76 mph. He is steadily improving his secondary offerings and shows the ability to throw three pitches for strikes. Top 2-way player in state for 2017 class. Has huge ceiling and will continue to develop.

2. Trent Palmer, 3B/RHP, Anoka, 2017
6-foot, 195-pound 2-way player. Strong thick build. Deeper load into launch position. Creates good bat speed. Hands tend to drift down creating lift in swing from slight uphill plane. Creates good energy in lower half. Shows power to pull side of field. 83 mph exit velocity off tee. Proto third base actions. Will rely too much on arm strength at times. Moves well and is light on feet for size. Glove is solid and throws show above average accuracy and carry. 81 mph across infield. Controlled delivery with short leg kick and average balance point. Arm is loose from ¾ slot. Fastball has arm-side life at 82-84 mph. Slider is thrown hard with late break for strikes. Has ability to start pitch in zone and take away for swing and miss. Splitter has heavy action with depth and late sink. Some effort in delivery on off-speed. Overall quality 3 pitch mix with good action and life on pitches.

3. Leo Lerner, LHP/OF, Cretin-Derham Hall, 2017
5-foot-10, 152-pound 2-way player. Lean build. Ran a 7.37 60. Open stance to start. Strides across body to contact. Short to ball with pull approach and average bat speed. 73 mph exit velocity off tee. Moves in the outfield with athletic actions. Some stiffness in fielding using two hands. Arm works well from high ¾ slot with arm speed. Average accuracy at 81 mph. Athletic on mound with good rhythm and body sequence. High leg kick with balance and direction. Arm is long and loose. Fastball comes out of hand clean and easy at 75-79 mph with late movement. Breaking ball is average/ok with 1/7 shape for strikes. Drops elbow at times on change; shows early but creates added sink at 62-64 mph and thrown at fastball arm speed. Quick paced delivery- keeps hitters on defensive- Follow for 2017 class on mound.

4. Luke Wallner, RHP/OF, Forest Lake, 2017
5-foot-11, 180-pound 2-way player. Ran a 7.53 60. Increased in every stat category since August 2014 event. Creates bat speed and shows pop to the gaps. No stride approach but still gets lower half incorporated into swing. High back elbow creates some length to contact but stays on ball well and shows ability to drive through. 81 mph exit velocity off tee. Moves well in outfield. Will field at times with two hands effecting balance and momentum. Arm works well and produced 83 mph velocity from outfield. Once he uses lower half more in throws; arm strength will increase. Shows some athleticism on mound. High ¾ slot with arm speed. Fastball shows life with slight cutting action at 80-82 mph. Breaking ball has tight rotation and sharp late break at 67-71 mph. Changeup is usable and throws with good arm action. Would benefit from closed stride and better finish; but shows good arm with ability to throw strikes.

5. Marcus Bouley, RHP, Anoka, 2017
6-foot, 150-pound right-handed pitcher. Tall lean prospect. Long loose arm action with hand speed. Fastball has life with varying cut and sink action at 78-81 mph. Tends to hang breaking ball due to mechanics. Changeup is above average with late action at 68-72 mph. Lands open and falls off hard to first base side. Really has a chance to develop if he can clean up direction and finish. Arm is above average and shows core strength and athleticism in delivery.

6. Andrew Hanson, SS/RHP, Burnsville, 2017
5-foot-11, 160-pound 2-way player. Projectable build. Ran a 7.34 60. Balanced swing. Length to load. Inverted C load creating uphill swing plane and loft at contact. Shows some pop to pull side. 82 mph exit velocity off tee. Shows some feel defensively. Actions are ok. Short strides to ball limit lateral range. Glove is solid/average and was mostly accurate across at 70 mph. Knee and front toe get outside body in balance point. A lot of moving parts coming at hitter creating deception. Arm is long and works relatively well. Shows feel for zone with fastball at 74-76 mph topping out at 79 mph. Breaking ball is average at 63-66 mph. Changeup is above average pitch for him with plus arm side sink late in zone.

Best of The Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Benjamin Arends, RHP, Cretin-Derham Hall, 2017
5-foot-8, 210-pound right-handed pitcher. Short stocky build. Simple balanced delivery. Arm action is long with looseness from over-the-top slot. Fastball has downward plane and is thrown for strikes at 73-76 mph. Breaking ball has 12/6 shape with gradual break. Good feel for change; thrown with good arm speed and strikes in bottom of zone at 66-67 mph.

Matt Brooks, SS/RHP, Benilde St. Margarets, 2017
6-foot-2, 180-pound 2-way player. Stronger build. Ran 7.47 60. Deep load creating arm bar in swing. Short swing path through ball at contact. Slashy line drive swing plane with limited use of lower half. Has natural strength evidenced by 85 mph exit velocity off tee. Plays flat-footed at times in field. Glove is usable and makes routine plays. More suited for third base in future. Throws from varying slots at 74 mph across infield with average accuracy. Short arm action on mound with effort. Some funk in delivery creating deception. Collapse at balance point. Tends to land open with good direction to plate. Fastball was 78-80 mph. Breaking ball shows tight rotation with flat break. Changeup has arm side sink at 68-71 mph.

Jack Carlson, RHP/3B, Minneapolis Washburn, 2017
5-foot-11, 165-pound 2-way player. Projectable body. Ran a 7.62 60. Early load. Good launch position. Swings against stiff lower half. Lacks weight transfer through swing. Shows some pop to pull side of field. 78 mph exit velocity off tee. Plays flat-footed defensively. Glove is usable. Some lower half stiffness. Arm is quick with plus accuracy across with top velo of 85 mph. On the mound, slight crouch at balance, rushes out of balance point at times. Shoulder tilt in front. Quality direction to plate. Keeps weight back and uses lower half well in delivery. Short arm action from over-the-top slot. Has arm speed. 76-79 mph. Curveball is quality pitch with tight rotation and thrown for strikes. Has feel for changeup in zone at 70-73 mph. Average effort in delivery and arm strength should continue to develop on mound.

Dawson Degnan, C/3B/RHP, Cretin-Derham Hall, 2017
6-foot, 167-pound utility player. 7.53 60 time. Improved in every statistical category since last event in October 2014. Slightly closed stance. Has shortened load and is quicker to contact. Line drive swing plane and shows ability to keep bat in zone. Mid-pull approach. Offensively will continue to improve as he adds strength. Shows soft hands in field. Able to make routine plays. Slows game down and handles in-between hops. Throws from over-the-top slot with accuracy at 74 mph across. Has athleticism behind plate. Better energy and rhythm. Release is much cleaner than before. Shows accuracy to bag with 2.10-2.15 pop times and 68 mph arm strength. Short quick arm action on mound. Good balance point. Front leg swings open in stride. Has feel for zone with 3 pitches. Fastball has average life at 71-74 mph. Breaking ball had gradual break with 12/6 shape. Changeup had flat run at 66-68 mph.

Luke DeGrammont, LHP/1B, Lakeville North, 2017
5-foot-10, 170-pound 2-way player. Short medium sized build. Ran a 7.94 60. Start open and strides extremely closed at contact. Upper half mechanics are very good. Shows looseness in swing and is short to contact. Good hand-eye coordination and makes solid mid-pull contact. 79 mph exit velocity off tee. Quiet actions defensively with soft hands and good feet. Plays with confidence and rhythm. 72 mph arm strength across diamond. On the mound uses simple turn and balance delivery. Arm is long in back and has some looseness. Fastball was straight with occasional run. Shows good feel for changeup in zone. Flat spin on cutter. Upright finish and limited extension flattens out pitches to plate. Fastball ranged 73-75 mph. Curveball 63-64 mph. Changeup 68-70 mph. Cutter 64-66 mph.

Danny Deis, IF/OF/RHP, Wayzata, 2017
5-foot-9, 155-pound 2-way player. Live body with energy. Ran a 7.4 60. Simple load and stride approach. Would benefit by creating some rhythm and looseness to swing. Inverted C load; slight uphill swing. 70 mph exit velocity off tee. Moves well in outfield. Arm is true and accurate. Has carry. 78 mph. Shows good energy and ok actions at shortstop. Explodes through ball and works towards target. Glove can be stiff at times but shows ingredients to be above average defender in future. Travels across rubber in delivery. Separates early from glove. Short arm action with some hand speed out front. Some effort in delivery. Fastball is straight at 74-76 mph. Curveball is sharp at times with 12/6 break. Changeup is usable at 66-69 mph. Good feel in zone with three pitches- typical of athletic position player who can get on mound and be able to play catch with target.

Tyler Fietek, SS/OF/RHP, Lakeville North, 2017
6-foot-1, 175-pound 2-way player. Projectable body with current strength in frame. 7.47 60 time. Slightly open stance with bowed out elbows to start. Unorthodox but loads and get himself into quality launch position. Power in swing evidenced by 89 mph exit velocity off tee. Hard contact to mid-pull side of field. Stays balanced through swing with good separation after contact. Aggressive fielder in outfield and infield. Attacks baseball with confidence. Feet are average and glove is more sure at shortstop. Throws from over-the-slot at 80 mph with above average accuracy and carry. Stretch only on mound. Quick paced delivery. Effort on fastball from over-the-top slot. FB shows arm-side life at 75-78 mph. 11/5 breaking ball with inconsistent break. Changeup has plus arm-side sink and is thrown at fastball arm speed. Is tall at finish with recoil. Has good action on FB and CH.

Daniel Heinsch, OF/RHP, Watertown-Mayer, 2017
5-foot-11, 150-pound utility player. Ran a 7.53 60. Simple no load no stride approach. Flat short swing through zone. 79 mph exit velocity. Has good hands in field. Is aggressive to balls and works through them with positive actions. Funky one piece arm action with limited carry and accuracy. 71 mph arm strength. Crouched delivery with with funky arm action. Lacks arm strength. Pushes pitches towards zone. Fastball was 63-64 mph. Curveball was 51-54 mph. Changeup was 53-56 mph.

Zack Henderson, RHP/2B, Shakopee, 2017
5-foot-9, 155-pound 2-way player. Decent build. Ran a 7.56 60. Medium base with front heel turn trigger. Rotational swing with limited use of lower half and average pop. Pull approach. 78 mph exit velocity off tee. Shows energy in field. Works hard to get into position. Glove is usable. High ¾ clean arm action with accuracy at 75 mph across infield. Travels across rubber. 2 piece almost pie arm action. Shows good balance and direction to plate. Fastball has occasional downhill plane and some arm side sink at 77-79 mph. Slight head jerk in delivery leaves O/S arm side to plate. Repeats delivery and continues to progress.

Alex Houlihan, 2B/RHP, Benilde St. Margarets, 2017
5-foot-10, 160-pound 2-way player. Ran a 7.41 60. Get into proper launch position. Works down and through at contact. Ball jumps off bat well with good gap to gap approach. Lower half is stiff but has projectable bat. 82 mph exit velocity off tee. Shows athleticism in outfield and infield. Has good body control. Works down and through ground balls. Arm has life and accuracy at 79 mph. Rock and fire type mechanics. Front open swings open. Pie arm action Leaves balls to arm side. Fastball shows occasional life with cut and run action at 73-77 mph. Breaking ball was loose and missed to arm side. Tends to slow arm on change and guide to plate.

Sean King, OF/RHP, Minneapolis Washburn, 2017
6-foot-1, 160-pound 2-way player. Tall lean body. Ran a 7.94 60. Square stance and strides slightly closed to swing. Set-up is good. Hands tend to drift down creating length in swing. Gap to gap approach with average bat speed. 77 mph exit velocity off tee. Shows good feet and hands on ground balls. Long arm action with life on throws along with plus accuracy. 75 mph arm strength from outfield. Shows balance and athleticism in delivery. Good direction to plate and lands closed. Easy effort in pitches. Lacks arm strength. Fastball was 70-73 mph. Curveball was 61-62 mph. Changeup was 69-71 mph. Projectable body and will look for continued maturity and development.

Matthew Laursen, RHP, Mounds View, 2017
5-foot-10, 155-pound right-handed pitcher. Quick delivery. Crouched at balance point. Arm works ok from high ¾ slot. Fastball is flat at 69-72 mph. Slows arm on off-speed. Breaking ball has loose gradual break at 56-58 mph. Changeup is 57-60 mph for strikes.

Landon Mahowald, LHP/OF, Lakeville North, 2017
6-foot, 160-pound 2-way player. Thin build. Above average runner. Ran a 7.06 60. Square stance and uses double tap trigger to swing. Swing is short and controlled. Has good strength in swing with 86 mph exit velocity off tee. Lower half is stiff at times. Swing plane is flat and geared towards line-drives. Looks to be an ok athlete in outfield. Shows soft hands and appropriate footwork. Body is loose and shows actions. Arm is stiff with one-piece arm action from ¾ slot. Accurate throws at 76 mph. Overall has good position player tools; arm action and velocity need to improve for him to stand-out at position. Stiff 2 piece arm action. Good balance and direction in delivery. Fastball shows sink for strikes at 71-74 mph. Curveball has 1/7 shape with small break. Change is usable. Has feel for three pitches in zone with moderate stuff.

Tyler Milford, 1B/LHP, New Prague, 2018
5-foot-8, 145-pound 2-way player. Lean frame. Ran a 7.4 60. Starts open and stays open throughout swing. Line-drive swing plane. Would benefit from more squared stance to pitcher. Most solid contact to pull side of field. 71 mph exit velocity off tee. Shows athletic actions and good glove at first base. Moves with purpose and reads hops well. Arm is accurate at 63 mph. Projectable body on mound. Some crouch at balance point. Fluid mechanics. Arm is loose and shows feel for zone with fastball and changeup. Fastball was 67-68 mph. Breaking ball is inconsistent. Stiff wrist at times with changeup causing flat action. Fills up zone with fastball. Mechanics are simple and repeatable. Lacks arm strength right now. Follow for 2018 class. Arm works well and has chance to develop.

Justin Mohlencamp, LHP, Coon Rapids, 2017
5-foot-11, 155-pound left-handed pitcher. Long legs projectable build. Has good direction to plate. Rushes at times out of balance point. 2 piece arm action with stab in back. Fastball shows slight cutting action 66-67 mph. Inconsistent breaking ball and release point at 54-56 mph. Wrist is stiff on change causing flat action for strikes.

Jeffrey Moore, RHP/OF, Deer River, 2017
5-foot-8, 170-pound 2-way player. Medium build. Ran a 7.5 60. Square stance with short stride into ball. Swings against stiff front leg effecting balance and weight shift through ball at contact. Hand drift down adding length to swing with slight uphill swing plane. 77 mph exit velocity off tee. Shows average actions in outfield. Fields with two hands at times. Shows some arm speed on throws. Ball has cutting action to target. 76 mph arm strength from outfield. Controlled delivery. Falls out of balance point early. Loses lower half and runs off mound. Short arm action from high ¾ slot. Fastball ranged 70-73 mph with average effort. Curveball showed tight rotation for occasional strikes. Changeup was average and didn’t have as much feel for pitch as other two.

Joe Moraczewski, RHP, Osseo, 2017
6-foot-2, 196-pound right-handed pitcher. Tall physical build. Stretch only. Strides closed. Rigid short arm action. Fastball was straight at 67-69 mph. Curveball was inconsistent at 59-60 mph. Changeup was 62-64. Lacked feel around zone at times.

Michael O’Malley, OF/IF/RHP, Armstrong, 2017
5-foot-9, 167-pound 2-way player. Average build. Ran a 7.75 60. Swing is mechanical. Strides slightly closed with front heel up in air. Hands drift down creating length and uphill swing plane. Makes solid contact and stays in middle of field. 69 mph exit velocity. Good footwork in outfield. Reads bounces well. Short arm action with average carry and ok accuracy at 74 mph. Similar arm strength from infield. Makes routine plays. Plays flat-footed at times. Winds up to throw. Average actions. 69-71 mph fastball velocity on mound. Crouched delivery. Slightly closed and in-line stride. Consistently missed up in zone. Curveball showed gradual break at 60-62 mph.

Vaughn Pouncy, OF/LHP, North St. Paul, 2017
5-foot-11, 195-pound 2-way player. Ran a 7.75 60. Closed stance. Hands drift down to swing. Short to contact with slashy line drive swing plane. Pull approach with average power. 77 mph exit velocity off tee. Average actions in outfield. Fields with two hands effecting balance and momentum. Short arm action with average carry and accuracy. 73 mph arm strength from outfield. High leg kick with short arm action. Lacks arm speed. Fastball was 68-70 mph. Curveball was 57-58 mph. Changeup was 57-60 mph.

Mason Schwerzler, RHP/OF, Stillwater, 2018
6-foot-1, 180-pound 2-way player. Ran a 7.78 60. Good build that will continue to add strength. Slightly open stance and strides across body. Quality set-up and load into launch position. Swing is uphill and needs to work on translating weight through at contact. Makes solid contact and has some strength in swing. 83 mph exit velocity off tee. Is aggressive in outfield and fields balls cleanly. Shows good actions and arm works from high ¾ slot. Showed average accuracy with 79 mph arm strength. Travels across rubber in delivery. Collapse at balance point. Stiff arm action from high ¾ slot. Fastball has arm side action at times. Breaking ball is an average offering at 61-65 mph. Changeup is thrown for strikes at 62-65 mph.

Sam Thoresen, SS/RHP, Minnetonka, 2017
6-foot-2, 170-pound 2-way player. Long lean projectable body. Ran a 7.34 60. Slightly open stance to start. Strides across body into contact. Pre-set hand position with small shoulder load into launch. Tends to swing with shoulders. Rotational actions at plate. Simple fixes with load and stride will allow body to work better through swing. Has hand-eye coordination and ability to square baseball. 81 mph exit velocity off tee. Shows good actions on left side of field. Glove and feet work well. Loose actions with quick-clean exchange and release. Accuracy is good across infield with 76 mph arm strength. Works down to up with body control and athleticism. Long one piece arm action on mound from over-the-top slot. Fastball showed good downhill plane for strikes at 75-78 mph. 12/6 breaking ball with moderate break for strikes. Tends to slow arm on change at 68-71 mph.

Darius Uditsky, 1B/RHP, Benilde St. Margarets, 2017
6-foot-3, 235-pound 2-way player. Ran a 8.5 60. Loose hands in swing. Creates whip at contact. Pull approach. Good launch position. Stride is short at times and limits extension but overall quality actions at the plate. 77 mph exit velocity off tee. Moves adequately at first base. Shows ability to make routine. Accurate arm and handles throws around the bag. 72 mph arm strength across diamond. Shows rhythm in delivery. Leaks out early from balance point. Some effort and head jerk in delivery. Over-the-top slot with short arm action. Fastball was flat for strikes at 72-73 mph. Curveball was inconsistent at 59-62 mph. Changeup was around zone at 69-70 mph.

Torben Urdahl, LHP, Eden Prairie, 2017
6-foot-2, 175-pound left-handed pitcher. Tall lean build. High leg kick delivery. Loses balance. Lands open but has good direction to plate. One piece slingy arm action with stab in back. Fastball is flat with slight run at 71-75 mph. Wobbly breaking ball with inconsistent break. Shows advanced feel for changeup that has late sink and thrown with good arm speed. Tall finish with minimal extension to plate.

Matthew Urke, 3B/RHP, Wayzata, 2017
6-foot-3, 180-pound 2-way player. Physical build. Will continue to get stronger. Ran a 7.53 60. 80 mph exit velocity off tee. Front heel turn trigger. Creates rotational swing. Short to contact with some pop; short through the zone and out of zone quickly. Creates some lift at contact. Fields routine at third base. Average energy and actions. Throws flat-footed at times. Effects accuracy and carry across diamond. 65 mph arm strength across. Balanced controlled delivery. Lower half is stiff. Short 2 piece arm action. Good direction and lands closed to target. Tall finish after release. Fastball was 69-71 mph for strikes. Slider showed inconsistent break at 63-64 mph. Changeup was flat at 66-67 mph for strikes.

MN Preseason Underclass: Pitching Analysis

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