OK Winter Open: LHP Analysis

December 28, 2018
Andy Urban
Oklahoma Scouting Director

The OK Winter Showcase was held at the World Baseball Outreach facility in Tulsa, OK on Sunday, December 16th. This one day event featured over 60 prospects in the 2019-2022 from around the state showcasing their skills in front of PBR staff and college coaches.

This talented event saw impressive numbers in every category, including seven sub seven second 60s, seven 90+ exit velos, seven arms that were 80+ across the infield (top 92), five arms that were 85+ from the outfield (top 97), and four pitchers that were 86+ (top 92)

Today, we take an in-depth look at the six projectable left-handed pitchers from the event. Although a few of them are solid two-way players, they will be covered here only as pitchers, with position analysis to follow in the coming days.

Complete Roster: Click Here

Pitcher Stats: Click Here

Position Stats: Click Here

Kyler Ayres OF / LHP / Southmoore, OK / 2019

A long, lean, and projectable 6-foot-4, 190-pound frame with room to add size and strength. On the mound, the left-hander works some from an average tempo wind up with a big rocker step with a high and controlled up, down, and out leg kick before gliding down the mound and finishing to the third base side. Arm action is long in the back with a slight pause before coming through a high-3/4 slot. Fastball sits 80-82 with some late life, found the zone a few times. Slider has 1/7 shape with tight spin and occasional depth.

Parker Coil LHP / 1B / Edmond Memorial., OK / 2022

A physically advanced and projectable 6-foot-1, 160-pound frame with long limbs and plenty of room to add size and strength. On the mound, the left-hander works from an average tempo delivery with a high leg kick before driving towards the dish and finishing in line. Arm action is long and low in the back with a quick change of direction at the bottom of the arm stroke before coming through a near over the top slot. Fastball has downhill action at 75-77 mph with occasional cut, controlled around the zone. Curveball has advanced spin and depth with 1/7 shape, some strikes. Changeup is a solid third pitch with some fade and some strikes at 70-71 mph.

Ben Gross LHP / Bishop Kelley, OK / 2019

A lean and projectable 6-foot, 170-pound frame with lots of room to add size and strength. On the mound, the left-hander works from an average tempo delivery with a moderate leg kick before striding down the mound and finished balanced. Arm action is short and fluid in the back making a clean circle before coming through a high-3/4 slot. Fastball sits 78-80 and touching 81 mph with late life that jumps out of his hand, advanced command to both sides of the plate. Curveball has big 1/7 shape and consistent depth, commanded in the bottom of the zone at 63-65 mph. Changeup has consistent fade and sink, almost all strikes, 71-72 mph.

Jackson Hodge LHP / OF / Bethany, OK / 2022

A developing 5-foot-8, 135-pound frame. On the mound, the left-hander works from a smooth and fluid average tempo delivery with a high leg kick before striding down the mound and finishing balanced. Arm action is long, fluid, and loose in the back before coming through a high-3/4 slot. Fastball keeps its plane at 74-77 mph, some strikes. Changeup is thrown with full arm speed, showing occasional cut, some strikes at 63-67 mph. Curveball has slurvy shape with depth at 64-65 mph and consistent strikes.

Bryson Martin LHP / 1B / Asher, OK / 2022

A long, lean, and projectable 6-foot-1, 155-pound frame with lots of room to add size and strength. On the mound, the left-hander works from an average tempo delivery with a high and fluid leg kick before striding down the mound and finishing to the third base side at times. Arm action is long and loose in the back with a quick change of direction at the bottom of the arm stroke before coming through a high-3/4 slot. Fastball has occasional arm-side run and late life at 72-75 mph, some strikes. Curveball takes on more of a slider 2/8 shape with tight spin and late break at 64-65 mph, commanded around the zone. Changeup keeps its plane at 67-68 mph, some strikes.

Tatum Watie LHP / OF / Sand Springs, OK / 2020

A lean and projectable 6-foot-1, 155-pound frame with lots of room to add size and strength. On the mound, the left-hander works from an abbreviated wind-up with a controlled rhythm and a short leg kick before striding to the dish and finishing balanced. Arm action is long and very fast before coming through an over the top slot. Fastball sits 76-80 mph with consistent arm-side run and sink, commanded in the zone. Curveball has consistent 1/7 shape with some depth in the zone at 61-64 mph. Changeup is developing showing some cut at 65-66 mph, a few strikes.