First Thoughts: Preseason Downstate Pitching
March 5, 2018
Over a week ago (February 21, 2018) more than 60 players worked out in front of our New York boots-on-the-ground scouting staff. Overall, the talent was exciting to say the very least. Several new names to the system impressed while some veterans to PBR continue to improve and raise their stock. Today we take a look at a few pitching prospects that impressed last February, 21. Let's get started. ** Rankings have not been updated to reflect most recent events..
2019
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Joshua Vega RHP / Christ the King , NY / 2019Rankings StateRank: 147 / POS: 41
Standing 5-foot-10, 165-pounds from a lean athletic build. Quick tempo to his delivery, creates positive momentum, uses hip separation with a long stride, fluid long arm action, releasing the ball from a high 3/4 slot fastball peaks at 84 mph. Shows confidence and feel with the change-up, fastball hand speed with a diving to arm side action 75 - 76 mph. Curveball sits 73-75 mph showing a hard late 10/4 shape, swing and miss potential. In October of 2016 we witnessed him sitting 77 mph, now up to 84 showing significant arm strength improvement. |
2020
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Alex Santos RHP / 1B / Mount St. Michael Academy, NY / 2020Standing 6-foot-3, 185-pounds from a lean strong build, high waist with long levers, more size to come as he matures. On the mound, extremely sound mechanics, slower pace to his delivery. Direction towards home is on the power line, above average hip/shoulder separation, long stride, long back arm action, clean with no restrictions. Fastball jumps from the high 3/4 slot sitting 87-89 with plenty left in the tank, curveball spiked at times sat 69-71, chance to be a swing-and-miss pitch with late 11/6 shape. One of the top pitching prospects in 2020 class. |
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Alex Ungar SS / RHP / Connetquot, NY / 2020Rankings StateRank: 43 / POS: 9
Standing 6-foot-2, 170-pounds from a lean projectable build. On the mound there's clear signs for more to come. Mechanics are slightly choppy, coils up prior to driving towards home. Long clean arm-action on both back and front side, release from a high 3/4 slot, fastball jumps at 82-84 peaking 84 mph, arm-side tail. Curveball loose at times did show late 12/6 shape sitting 64-65. Very athletic arm that projects to throw harder. |
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Max Luke 3B / RHP / Croton Harmon, NY / 2020Rankings StateRank: 38 / POS: 4
Standing 6-foot-2, 200-pounds with a strong thicker build. On the mound Luke continues to impress giving off an impression to our staff there's plenty more to come. On the mound he works from a quick tempo, high knee lift, hands high. As he drives forward off a strong back side his shoulders show some uphill tilt, long stride with above average range of motion in his hips. Throws the ball from a high 3/4 slot, fastball sits 83-84 with a max of 86 mph, down in zone consistently. Curveball has feel with 11/5 shape, 63-65 velocity range. FB hand-speed CH sitting 69-72.
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Christopher Antonelli RHP / 3B / Stepinac, NY / 2020Rankings StateRank: 18 / POS: 6
Stands 6-foot-0, 180-pounds from broad shoulders and a thicker overall build. On the mound there's plenty to like about the 2020 RHP. He uses a quicker pace to his delivery, high knee lift, hands relaxed prior to separation. Clean arm-swing with extension out in front, fastball sat 83-84 mph, touching 85. Curveball has late 71-72 shape, above average pitch. Change up sits 70-72 slowing his arm speed down, would benefit from more aggressive arm-speed. He also throws a splitter that at times had late downward action, tough pitch to master. |
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