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Pre Season All State: Pitcher's Analysis

April 11, 2016

Shon Plack
Missouri/Kansas Scouting Director

Prep Baseball Report Missouri/Kansas held the Preseason All-State Showcase at Mac N Seitz Baseball on Sunday, February 21.  Nearly 75 players in the 2017 class attended. 

Player's profiles have been updated with video, profile pitcher, times and velocities.  Click on each player to see their profile. 

We will break down each position from the event, taking a look at the pitchers today.  Although some players played multiple positions, this is just a review of their pitching performance.  Players are listed in alphabetical order.

CLICK HERE, to see the Preseason All-State Instant Analysis
CLICK HERE, to see the Catcher's Analysis
CLICK HERE, to see the Outfielder's Analysis
CLICK HERE, to see the Corner Analysis

Pitchers

Kaleb Baker, C/RHP, Aurora HS (MO), 2017
Baker is a 6-foot, 205-pound catcher and right-handed pitcher that attends Aurora HS in Missouri. Class of 2017. Solid frame. Simple delivery from the wind-up, high three-quarters slot, some effort and recoil in delivery. Fastball 77-80 mph, with mostly cutting action. Gradual 12/6 to 11/5 breaking ball, 58-62 mph. Straight change-up, occasional sink, 71-73 mph.

Joe Benkovich, C/RHP, Raytown HS (MO), 2017
Benkovich attends Raytown HS in Missouri. 5-foot-8, 160-pound frame. Catcher and right-handed pitcher. Class of 2017. Turns, tucks at balance, hides ball. Aggressive delivery with some effort, body control, repeats. Three-quarters arm slot. Fastball 77-78 mph, strikes. Feel for 11/5 breaking ball, occasional sharp break, 67-69 mph. Change-up, 71-73 mph. Around the plate with all three pitches. 

Adam Carlson, 3B/RHP, Baldwin HS (KS), 2017
Carlson is a third-baseman and right-handed pitcher. Class of 2017. Attends Baldwin HS in Kansas. 6-foot, 166-pound frame. On the mound showed simple body movements and short arm action from a three-quarters slot. Tempo in his delivery varied and was somewhat out of sync. Fastball 73-79 mph, some arm-side run. Breaking ball with late bite, 66-68 mph. Change-up with run and sink, 73-75 mph. Should become more consistent with improved body control and timing.

Garrett Clark, SS/RHP, Blue Valley Southwest HS (KS), 2017
Clark is class of 2017 shortstop and right-handed pitcher that attends Blue Valley HS in Kansas. 6-foot-1, 180-pound frame. On the mound showed a very simple delivery with limited moving parts, maintains body control and repeats. Quick, clean arm action. Fastball with arm-side run, 79-82 mph, strikes. Controllable breaking ball with 11/5 shape, 63-65 mph. Feel for change-up with sink, 66-68 mph. Around the plate with all three pitches. Reliable strike-pumper. 

Mahlyk Davis, LHP, Blue Springs South HS (MO), 2017
Davis is a 5-foot-11, 190-pound left-handed pitcher that attends Blue Springs South HS in Missouri. Class of 2017. From the mound works to a tall balance point, up-tempo rhythm, low three-quarters arm slot, falls off some to the 3B side of the mound. Fastball with cutting action, worked mostly glove side of the plate, 79-81 mph. Sweeping breaking ball with 2/8 shape, most late breaking, 68-70 mph. With his lower slot this pitch could develop into a difficult pitch for left-handed hitters to deal with. Change-up, 70-72 mph.

Brandon Eickhorst, RHP/3B, Harrisonville HS (MO), 2017
Eikhorst is a right-handed pitcher in the Missouri class of 2017 that attends Harrisonville HS. Tall 6-foot-3, 180-pound frame with room to fill out physically. Works from a tall balance point, simple knee lift, short arm, near over-the-top arm slot. Short 12/6 breaking ball, showed feel for it, 68-72 mph. Commands change-up well down in the strike zone, 72-74 mph. Projectable class of 2017 right-handed pitcher.

Aaron Funk, RHP, Lawrence Free State HS (KS), 2017
Funk is a right-handed pitcher that attends Lawrence Free State HS in Kansas. Class of 2017. Projectable 6-foot-5, 201-pound frame. Tall, projectable right-hander. Up-tempo delivery, works to a tall balance point. Works uphill a bit and strides slightly open resulting in falling off to the first-base side. Fastball with running action, 82-86 mph. Breaking Ball with 11/5 shape, at times sharp, 70-75 mph. Change-up 78-79 mph. Needs to iron some things out, but when he does he could rapidly move into the upper tier of class of 2017 right-handed pitching prospects in the MO-KAN area very rapidly.

Cameron Gardner, OF/RHP, Blue Valley West HS (KS), 2017
Attends Blue Valley West HS in Kansas. Gardner is an athletic 5-foot-10, 150-pound outfielder and right-handed pitcher. Class of 2017. On the mound showed an athletic, up-tempo delivery. Natural three-quarters arm slot, quick arm. Finishes square. Fastball 77-82 mph, arm-side run. Breaking ball with 12/6 to 11/7 shape, sharp action, 66-68 mph. Change-up 73-74 mph. Sprayed his pitches at times but as he develops strength and body control should improve command and add velocity – the arm has quickness to it. 

Mason Green, LHP, Olathe Northwest HS (KS), 2017
Class of 2017. Green is an athletic-framed 5-foot-11, 165-pound left-handed pitcher that attends Olathe Northwest HS in Kansas. Athletic delivery with rhythm, turns/tucks at balance, three-quarters arm slot, easy arm, finishes square, body control throughout. Fastball with arm-side run, at times late life, 82-85 mph, strikes. Controllable 1/7 breaking ball at 70-71 mph, can shorten up for strikeout pitch at 73 mph. Change-up runs arm-side, fastball arm speed, 70-73 mph. Under the radar lefty in the KC area class of 2017 that touches mid 80’s with his fastball and has feel for three pitches. More room to fill out physically. Surprise of the camp.

Daniel Hegarty, LHP/1B, Blue Valley HS (KS), 2017
Kansas commit. Class of 2017. Hegarty is a 6-foot-180, left-handed pitcher and and first-baseman that attends Blue Valley HS in Kansas. Delivery with good tempo, rhythm and flow. Maintains body control throughout. Three-quarters arm slot, arm works. Fastball with late cut/sink life, 84-87 mph, around the plate. Has shown a velocity increase over the last few year (topped out at 81 last winter), getting better. Breaking ball with 1/7 shape, at times sharp action, 69-70 mph. Change-up with arm-side fade, dies away from right-hander’s bats as it approaches the plate, maintains arm speed, deceptive pitch, 73-74 mph. Mid-80’s lefties with feel for three pitches tend to log a lot of innings in college baseball and if Hegarty continues to progress that is very likely to be the case.

Max Hewlett, RHP, Rockhurst HS (MO), 2017
Hewlett is a physical 6-foot-1, 200-pound right-handed pitcher in the Missouri class of 2017. Attends Rockhurst HS. Deliberate pace early, works to tall balance point, tucks, aggressive move down the mound. High three-quarters slot, some arm speed, some effort. Fastball 78-80 mph, worked down, some sink/cut. Controllable 12/6 breaking ball, some sharp, 64-67 mph. Change-up with cutting action, kept it down, 75-77 mph.

Collin Hill, OF/RHP, Liberty HS (MO), 2017
Slender 5-foot-10, 160-pound outfielder and right-handed pitcher that attends Liberty HS in Missouri. Class of 2017. On the mound showed balance early with low knee lift, strides slightly open, three-quarters slot, walks out of delivery at times. Fastball 77-80 mph, occasional cutting action. Breaking ball with 11/5 to 10/4 shape 68-76 mph. Change-up 65-71 mph.

Bayler Hinz, RHP/1B, St. Thomas Aquinas HS (KS), 2017
Hinz is a right-handed pitcher and first-baseball that attends St. Thomas Aquinas in Kansas. Class of 2017. Physical 6-foot-3, 210-pound frame. On the mound works to a tall balance point, slight tuck, aggressive move to the plate, high three-quarters slot, excellent body control throughout, finishes square. Quick arm. Fastball 85-87 mph, worked down in the zone. Short breaking ball, 74-75 mph. Change-up 72-74 mph. High follow in the Kansas class of 2017, durable-body with present mid-to-upper 80’s velocity.

Tanner Howe, RHP, Blue Valley Southwest HS (KS), 2017
Howe is a 5-foot-10, 150-pound right-handed pitcher that attends Blue Valley Southwest HS in Kansas. Class of 2017. Up-tempo, aggressive delivery with deception. Works across his body, creates deception. Low three-quarters arm slot creates arm-side run on mid 70’s fastball, more sink when down. Whippy arm action. Feel for sweeping breaking ball, 66-69 mph and 70-71 mph change-up. With his deception and movement, likely to create uncomfortable at-bats for right-handed hitters.

Michael Lane, OF/RHP, Blue Valley HS (KS) 2017
Lane is an athletic-framed 6-foot-1, 160-pound outfielder and right-handed pitcher. Attends Blue Valley HS in Kansas. Class of 2017. Very simple, efficient delivery, repeats well. Quick arm, minimal effort, three-quarters slot. Fastball with mostly arm-side run, sink when down, can also square up the catcher with firm glove-side fastball, fastball command guy, 77-83 mph. Breaking ball with short 11/5 action, 68-69 mph. Works down with change-up, most with arm side fade/sink, good sell with fastball arm-speed, 72-74 mph. Has improved physically and velocity-wise (was 78-79 mph a year ago January) over the last year. Trending up. With his simple delivery and clean arm action could develop upper-level command in college. Solid follow in 2017 class.

Cole Larson, RHP/SS, Concordia HS (KS), 2017
Larson is an athletic 5-foot-11, 160-pound right-handed pitcher and shortstop. Attends Concordia HS in Kansas. Class of 2017. Fast-twitch athlete with arm speed. On the mound his delivery has extra body movement, could simplify to become more consistent. Fastball with arm-side run, 83-86 mph. Breaking ball with 11/5 shape, sharp at times, could develop into a plus pitch, 68-72 mph. Feel for 70-72 mph change-up, strikes, ideal velocity differential between fastball and change-up. Athletic, projectable right-hander with room to fill out physically, add velocity and develop a more consistent delivery (and, therefore, command). One to follow closely in the 2017 class

Carson Lujin, LHP/1B, Blue Valley West HS (KS), 2017
Class of 2017. Lujin is a left-handed pitcher and first baseman that attends Blue Valley West HS in Kansas. 5-foot-10, 165-pound frame. On the mound works deliberately to a tall balance point with low knee lift tuck, then aggressive move to the plate. Repeats delivery well. High three-quarters slot, arm works well. Showed fastball command, 77-78 mph. Feel for breaking ball, dropped several in the strike zone, 60-61 mph. Feel for change-up, kept it down, 68-73 mph. Lean athletic frame with room to fill out. Threw strikes with all three pitches.

Nathan Mark, SS/RHP, St. Thomas Aquinas HS (KS), 2017
Mark is a sturdy-framed 6-foot-1, 190-pound shortstop and right-handed pitcher. Class of 2017. Attends St. Thomas Aquinas HS in Kansas. On the mound showed a very simple, repeatable delivery, minimal effort, three-quarters arm slot, finishes square, body control throughout. Very high delivery grade overall. Fastball with arm-side run, occasional cut, 79-82 mph, around the plate with it. Breaking ball with 12/6 shape 67-68, worked below the zone mostly, sharp at times. Kept change-up down, 71-73 mph. Projects to be a reliable strike-pumper at the college level.

Ryan Miller, LHP, Blue Springs HS (MO), 2017
Miller is a left-handed pitcher that attends Blue Springs HS in Missouri. Class of 2017. 5-foot-8, 175-pound frame. Delivery with rhythm, compact, under control, finishes square. Tucks at balance, hides ball. Arm works. Three-quarters slot. Fastball 77-79 mph. Breaking ball with gradual action, 1/7 shape, 66-68 mph, strikes. Change-up showed signs of the sinking variety, 68-70 mph.

Connor Morehouse, C/RHP, Park Hill HS (MO), 2017
Morehouse is a 5-foot-11, 195-pound catcher and right-handed pitcher that attends Park Hill HS in Missouri. Class of 2017. On the mound showed a simple delivery with limited moving parts, clean arm-action, three-quarters arm slot, short stride, repeats body movements. Fastball 78-82 mph, works bottom of the strike zone. Breaking ball with 11/5 to 12/6 shape, controllable pitch, 72-74 mph. Change-up 70-73 mph.

Carl Occhipinto, SS/RHP, Liberty North HS (MO), 2017
Occhipinto attends Liberty North HS in Missouri. Class of 2017 shortstop and right-handed pitcher. 6-foot-2, 181-pounds. Ideal pitcher’s body. Athlete. From the mound works to a tall balance point, delivery with limited moving parts, repeats, three-quarters arm-slot, arm works easy. Fastball runs, sinks when down in the zone, 79-82 mph. Breaking ball with 11/5 spin, sweeping-type pitch, 65-66 mph. Maintains fastball arm speed on change-up, arm-side running action, 71-75 mph. Tall, athletic class of 2017 pitching prospect.

Tanner Olmstead, RHP/3B, Derby HS (KS), 2017
Olmstead is a right-handed pitcher and third-baseman that attends Derby HS in Kansas. Class of 2017. 6-foot, 205-pound frame. On the mound showed very simple body movements and whippy low three-quarters arm action producing a fastball with arm-side running movement, sink when down, 78-81 mph. Breaking ball with 11/5 to 10/4 shape, 67-72 mph. The breaking ball rolled back arm-side some in today’s workout but it’s easy to see with his arm slot it becoming a sweeping type pitch to complement his sinking fastball well. Change-up has similar sinking action to fastball, works down with it, 69-72 mph.

Tanner Orand, OF/RHP, Eisenhower HS (KS), 2017
Orand is a 5-foot-8, 165-pound outfielder and right-handed pitcher that attends Eisenhower HS in Goddard, Kansas. Class of 2017. On the mound showed a deliberate, simple delivery with low knee lift, picks-up the tempo. Whippy low three-quarters arm action causing his fastball to run arm-side consistently, 78-81 mph. Breaking ball with 11/5 shape, gradual action, 67-69 mph. Kept change-up below the strike zone, 68-70 mph.

Charlie Peyla, SS/RHP, Junction City HS (KS), 2017
Peyla is a 6-foot-3, 190-pound shortstop and right-handed pitcher that attends Junction City HS in Kansas. Class of 2017. Tall, athletic right-hander with some strength. Simple and under control early, aggressive move to the plate, simple strike, excellent body control throughout. Repeats well. Quick, high three-quarters arm action, arm works. Fastball has arm-side run, at times late, works down, 84-87 mph. Flashed a sharp 11/5 breaking ball, 69-72 mph, worked down – knees and lower. Maintains arm speed with change-up, feel for this pitch, 76-78 mph. Physical right-hander with a chance to add velocity and develop high-level fastball command.

Derek Ripp, RHP/1B, St. James Academy (KS), 2017
Ripp is a 6-foot-6, 215-pound right-handed pitcher and first-baseman that attends St. James Academy in Kansas. Class of 2017. Great frame, highly projectable. Showed an aggressive delivery and quick arm. High three-quarters slot. Pounded the bottom of the strike zone with most fastballs, 82-86 mph. 12/6 Breaking ball showed sharpness, was somewhat erratic with it command-wise today, but it’s a potential plus pitch once he harnesses it, 57-61 mph. Change-up 78-80 mph. Strong follow in the MOKAN class of 2017.

Jack Sailor, RHP, Blue Valley Southwest HS (KS), 2017
Attends Blue Valley Southwest HS in Kansas. Sailor is a class of 2017 right-handed pitcher. 6-foot, 190-pound frame. Simple knee lift to a tall balance point. Early hand separation, works under the ball at times. Fastball 75-77 mph. Breaking ball with 11/5 spin, 68-69 mph. Change-up 67-68 mph, sink when down. 

Dakota Solomon, SS/RHP, Hickman HS (MO), 2017
Solomon is a 5-foot-6, 165-pound class of 2017 shortstop and right-handed pitcher that attends Hickman HS in Columbia, Missouri. On the mound works from a compact balance point, under control stride and square finish. Long action, three-quarters slot. Has some aggression to his delivery. Fastball 75-78 mph, threw some sinking fastballs at the bottom of the strike zone. Breaking ball with 11/5 shape, flashed a shorter version, 64-70 mph. Slider 70 mph. Straight change-up, keeps it down, 70-72 mph.

Jonathan Sprinkle, RHP/1B, Blue Valley Northwest HS (KS), 2017
Sprinkle is a physical 6-foot-6, 210-pound right-handed pitcher and first-baseman that attends Blue Valley Northwest HS in Kansas. Class of 2017. Projectable frame. Tall and fall delivery. Easy arm, three quarters arm slot. Body control throughout his delivery. Repeats delivery well, especially for such a physical pitcher. Fastball 83-85 mph (86 tops), works down, arm-side run. Breaking ball with 11/5 shape, 71-73 mph, controlled it in the zone and also shortened it up as a strikeout pitch. Feel for change-up with arm-side action like fastball, 74-76 mph. Impressive right-handed pitching prospect in the class of 2017.

Joe Todd, RHP/OF, Shawnee Mission Northwest HS (KS), 2017
Todd is a loose-bodied lanky 6-foot-1, 175-pound right-handed pitcher and outfielder that attends Shawnee Mission Northwest HS in Kansas. Class of 2017. Under control pace early, tucks at balance with low knee lift, gets extension down the mound, finishes square. Fastball 82-84 mph, most with arm-side run. Hard breaking ball 74-75 mph. Showed feel for change-up, threw at bottom of the strike zone, 79-80 mph. Solid class of 2017 follow with room to fill out physically.

Adam White, LHP/1B, Bishop Miege HS (KS), 2017
White is a class of 2017 left-handed pitcher and first-baseman that attends Bishop Miege HS in Kansas. 6-foot-2, 172-pounds. Ideal tall pitcher’s body. Simple vertical knee lift, quick tempo, easy arm, high three-quarters slot. Fastball 79-81 mph. Breaking ball with 1/7 shape, sharp action, 73-75 mph, potential plus pitch. Change-up sinks away from right-hand hitter’s bats, proper shape, has feel for it, 72-73 mph. Projection lefty in the class of 2017 with feel for both off-speed offerings.

Nick Wohler, RHP/1B, Manhattan HS (KS), 2017
Wohler is a 6-foot-2, 175-pound right-handed pitcher and first-baseman that attends Manhattan HS. Class of 2017. Ideal projectable pitcher’s body. Works to a tall balance point, slight turn, throws downhill. Quick, clean arm action, high three-quarters arm slot. Overall athletic delivery with rhythm and flow. High percentage of strikes with his fastball, 82-85 mph. Breaking ball with 11/5 shape, at times short, 70-72 mph. Change-up with arm-side run, 77-78 mph. Wohler is a very interesting class of 2017 prospect that is already trending up physically and velocity-wise – last fall he was a rail thin 6-footer, topping out with his fastball at 79 mph. With his sound pitching delivery and clean arm action, as he continues to fill out his projectable frame, there isn’t much doubt there is more in the tank velocity-wise.

Trey Ziegenbein, RHP/OF, Blue Springs HS (MO), 2017
Ziegenbein is a lanky 6-foot-3, 160-pound right-handed pitcher and outfielder that attends Blue Springs HS in Missouri. Class of 2017. On the mound showed an athletic and aggressive delivery. Three-quarters arm slot, quick arm. Fastball 84-87 mph, late life at times, high percentage of strikes. Breaking ball with 12/6 shape, some sharpness, feel, 64-68 mph. Feel for change-up, fastball arm speed, sells it well, keeps it down, 74-79 mph. Projectable class of 2017 righty with plenty of room to fill out physically. More in the tank velocity-wise, possibly much more.

 

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