By Rob Allison
Minnesota Scouting Director

The Underclass Prospect Games brought over 40 underclass prospects to showcase themselves to colleges in attendance in the one day event held at the University of Minnesota. Today we analyze and rank the pitchers in attendance at this years event.

There were many 2 way players in this event; this list is based solely on each players ability as a pitcher only. Thursday we will release our Overall rankings of top players in the event regardless of position.

Earning the top spot for pitchers in this event is Brett Schulze from Maple Grove HS. Schulze showed a loose body and athleticism, low to mid 80's fastball with life, and a hammer breaking ball. Overall was near or top in every statistical category. 

TOP pitching PROSPECTS

1. Brett Schulze, RHP/SS, Maple Grove, 2016
6-foot, 170-pound 2 way player. On the mound has simple mechanics, good balance point, and quality direction to home.  Arm works free and easy producing 82-85 mph fastball down in the zone for strikes with hard late sinking action. Curveball had 11/5 shape with late biting action. 64-67 mph. Changeup showed near FB arm speed with late sink.  Overall Hard Follow as 2 way player.  Shows loose athletic actions in all areas.

2. Matthew Grove, RHP/SS, Edina, 2016
6-foot-3, 180-pound 2 way player. Pitching, athletic delivery with loose arm action. Incorporates lower half well. Stays online with good direction to plate. Pumps consistent strikes with fastball that shows late run. Hard sharp 10/4 breaking ball for strikes.  Fastball ranged 80-83.  Curveball was 73-76. Fast twitch athlete who projects well as 2 way player with higher upside on mound.

3. Benjamin Zocher, LHP/1B, East Ridge, 2016
6-foot, 195-pound 2 way player. On the mound has simple clean mechanics. Good balance point and direction to home plate. Throws from over the top slot with short arm action and circle. Throws 3 pitches for strikes. Fastball was 73-76 mph with sink down in zone. Curveball had 1/7 gradual break at 68 mph. Changeup showed FB arm speed with sink in the zone. Changeup velocity of 70-71.

4. Luke Wallner, RHP/OF, Forest Lake, 2017
5-foot-10, 180-pound 2 way player. On the mound shows late life and hides the ball well throughout delivery and release. Simple mechanics with short leg kick and tends to rush from balance point. Lands on stiff front leg. ¾ arm slot produces slight movement on 80-82 fastball. Curveball is best pitch with sweeping 10/4 shape and good angle to right handed hitters. Simple delivery, hides the ball, and fastball jumps on hitters at times.

5. Griffin Fussy, SS/RHP, Blaine, 2016
5-foot-10, 170-pound 2 way player. Pitching, simple conpact delivery. Has balance and good direction to home.  Arm and body work well together and are sequenced.  Fastball is straight with command.  Curveball shows 11/5 break with late action.  Fastball was 79-81. Curveball ranged 66-72 for strikes.

6. Liam Owens, LHP/1B, Magic City(ND), 2016
5-foot-eleven, 170-pound 2 way player. On the mound gets to a good balance point, front leg and side tend to swing open early in delivery to home. Gets good extension out and over front leg. Works from high ¾ slot with average arm speed. Throws strikes with 2 pitches.  Fastball was straight at 72-76. Showed sweeping curveball with 3/8 movement. Quality left on left pitch. Good arm speed on CH for strikes with minimal movement.

7. Cole Litsey, SS/RHP, Esko, 2016
5-foot-10, 170-pound 2 way player. On the mound gets to good balance point in a crouched position. Very simple motion with not a lot of additional movement. Consistently threw strikes down in zone with fastball 80-82 mph. Showed good breaking ball with 11/5 shape and hard break late in the zone.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Conner Cress, RHP/SS, Eagan, 2017
5-foot-9, 150-pound 2 way player. Pitching, simple turn to balance delivery.  High leg kick effects balance and direction to home.  Lands open but keeps good direction to home and follows through well.  Fastball was 75-76. Curveball ranged 59-63.

Zack Henderson, RHP, Shakopee, 2017
5-foot-8, 165-pound right handed pitcher. Simple rock and turn delivery.  Ok balance point. Stagnant hands with short arm circle.  Stays inline with good direction to home plate.  Average follow through and extension.  Showed slight cut action to fastball.  Curveball showed gradual break. Threw both pitches for strikes.  Fastball ranged 74-77 and curveball was 70 mph.

Kelby Johnson, IF/RHP, Lakeville South, 2016
5-foot-6, 150-pound outfielder. On the mound, simple delivery.  Upper and lower half work well together.  Throws strikes with straight 72-74 mph fastball. Used curveball with downer action at 65-69 mph.

Jeffrey Moore, C/RHP, Deer River, 2017
5-foot-7, 165-pound 2 way player. On the mound throws from ¾ arm slot with a 69-71 mph fastball. Rushes to the plate.  Needs improvement in balance point. Lands across body effecting rhythm and momentum. Breaking ball had gradual movement and was 61-64 mph.

Bryce Norby, OF/RHP, Mora, 2017
6-foot-1, 170-pound 2 way player. Big rocker step delivery on mound.  Limited use of front side and throws all arm from ¾ slot. Fastball was 73-77 mph for strikes. Below average breaking ball with gradual shape to home; 60-65 mph. Bat is #1 tool and one that needs to be followed. Best position is catcher; due to limited registration slots worked out at other positions.

Jevan Richert, C/RHP, Springfield, 2017
5-foot-eleven, 165-pound 2 way player. On the mound, uses easy and simple mechanics.  Good balance point and direction to plate. Will catapult weight towards home losing fluidity. Straight fastball at 73-74 mph. Curveball showed gradual break and was 60-63 mph.

Conor Taney, RHP/OF, Minot(ND), 2016
6-foot-1, 170-pound 2 way player. On the mound shows simple mechanics. Rushes balance point and limited use of front side. Opens early and lands open effecting arm speed. Fastball was 72-76 mph. Curveball showed gradual break for strikes in 63-66 mph range.

Trevor Walderon, RHP, Hastings, 2016
6-foot-1, 195-pound right handed pitcher. Unorthodox delivery. Opens front side early. Lands very open with catapult delivery to home from over the top arm slot.  Fastball was 74-75 with slight run. Curveball was 66-70 mph with gradual break and 10-4 shape.

 

RELATED CONTENT 

• PBRPlus The Hotlist: Other 2017 Prospects To Keep An Eye On9.17.14
  They didn't make the initial ranking, but these sophomores are still worth watching... >>

• MN Minnesota Underclass Prospect Games: Position Player Analysis9.23.14
  Position player analysis and rankings for 1st PBR Minnesota event.... >>

• MN Underclass Prospect Games: Stats Posted8.18.14
  Minnesota underclass players experience their first PBR event.... >>

•