NYS Games Player Preview: 2018 RHP Steven Rossi (Corning HS)

Preseason All-State (February 20, 2017) It's been nearly eight-months since we last watched Rossi throw when he worked two innings in the New York State Games. Over the past eight-months he has gained over 15-pounds, now standing 6-foot-1, 205-pounds with a thick durable upper half. Pitching- On the mound he setups from the stretch with his hands high. Uses a high knee lift, breaks his hands with a ball-to-glove tap as he starts his drive towards home. Throws from a high-3/4 slot, clean arm-action, aggressive stride slightly across his body, with loose hip extension from back leg. Fastball sat 81-82 mph, maxing out at 84 (three mph up from the summer) with natural arm-side tail. Shows advanced curveball feel with above average spin at 66-70 mph, hard late 11/6 shape. Change up shows arm side fade with swing and miss potential. Rossi has made some major strides in the right direction since we last saw him, high follow this spring and summer.  

New York Games (June 27-29, 2016) Rossi stands 6-foot-0, 185-pounds with a thicker upper half. He ran a 8.15 60. Offensively- Uses a more crouched approach with bat tucked by his back ear, parallel to the ground. Loads back on the pitch with a knee lift and stride, barrel to straight up with loose hands. Swing is slightly long with some lift through the finish, exit velocity was 83 mph. Defensively- Shows a solid glove staying behind the ball and down, quick upright transfer to a respectable throwing arm at 76 MPH Pitching- Projects best currently from the mound. Sound repeatable mechanics, gets a bit choppy before he accelerates home, loose arm-action from a high-3/4 slot. Seen him up to 82 mph with quick hand speed, curveball with similar fastball handspeed, sharp shape. Still needs to develop consistency.

Preseason All-State (February 28, 2016) Through four-events now dating back to the summer of 2014 we have been able to watch Rossi really develop. That's what makes scouting a challenge, and sometimes luck falls our way, but the raw signs from the start were evident when he threw. Pitching - He stands 6-foot-0, 185-pounds with thick shoulders, worked from the stretch with a quick tempo, hands high around his chest when he separates and drives. Long arm-action back with a strong, firm front side. Releases the ball from what is close to an over-the-top slot, some head tilt toward the 1B-line. Fastball sat 79-81, running it up to 82 mph with some arm side run. Change up sat 70-71 with visible late depth. Curveball has the makings of a dominate next-level pitch. Creates a lot of spin with sharp 11/5 bite - just needs to become more consistent. Overall a very promising young pitching prospect (2018) from the Southern-tier.