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Pitcher Analysis: Week 1 of Fall College Prospect Program

August 21, 2013

By Greg Williams
PA Director of Scouting

Week One of the Fall College Prospect Program showcased 16 pitchers over two days' time. Following is a look at the top performances on the hill at La Roche College (8/17) and Seton Hill University (8/18).

Top Arms

David Lemasters1. RHP David Lemasters, Lakeview HS (OH), Class of 2014

The 6-foot, 170-pound righty sat 85-87 with considerable arm side run to his fastball. Lemasters also commanded a 79 mph cutter, 76 mph changeup thrown at fastball arm speed and a 70 mph 11/5 breaking curveball. He retired all six batters he faced, five by strikeout, and one on a bunt attempt back to the mound. Lemasters retired batters with four different pitches during his two inning stint. The uncommitted senior is ranked No. 32 in Ohio's Class of 2014.

2. LHP Zach Guth, Franklin HS, Class of 2015

Guth was nearly as impressive. The 6-foot-3, 165-pound lefty utilized a fastball that he cuts and runs along with a 73 mph curveball and a 71 mph changeup. Guth sat 83-85 out of a high 3/4 arm slot his first two innings of work and was consistently 86 in his final inning on the hill.

3. RHP Collin Liberatore, Greensburg Central Catholic, Class of 2015

Liberatore sat 79-81 out of a high 3/4 arm slot and commanded a 70 mph 11/5 breaking curveball. It is his changeup that sets him apart. The 6-foot-2, 165-pound righty throws the pitch nearly 50% of the time. It sits 68-70 with late tumbling action at fastball arm speed. As he continues to develop physically, the long-limbed prospect should see a spike in his fastball velocity to go along with one of the top changeups in the state.

4. LHP Josh Keefe, Greater Latrobe HS, Class of 2014

Keefe was virtually unknown prior to his appearance at Seton Hill, but that will change. The 6-foot-2, 165-pound lefty showed a live 85 mph arm from the outfield in defensive evaluations and impressed in his two innings of work on the mound. He sat 81-83 out of a high 3/4 arm slot with some arm side run to his fastball. Keefe pounds the strike zone and showed fluid rhythm to his delivery with command of a tight breaking 72 mph curveball and a 70 mph changeup. Keefe struck out four and allowed just one hit.

Best of the Rest

RHP Jay Cortese, Vincentian Academy, Class of 2015

Cortese has a loose arm at 6-foot-1, 180-pounds and shows signs of increased velocity to come. At times he falls to the first base side losing some velocity. He sat 81-83, touching 84 early and displayed a 66 mph 11/5 breaking curveball. Cortese is extremely athletic and should continue to add to his frame allowing for additional velocity moving forward.

LHP Derek Cursio, Bishop Guilfoyle HS, Class of 2015

Cursio sat 77-80 out of a high 3/4 arm slot with a free and easy delivery. He has a good feel for his complimentary pitches, works quickly and holds runners well. Cursio worked two scoreless innings without yielding a hit.

LHP Eric Fairman, Thomas Jefferson HS, Class of 2014

Fairman worked two innings sitting 70-72 out of a high 3/4 arm slot. He displayed a flat four-seam fastball and a 1/7 breaking curveball at 60 mph. Fairman allowed two runs in his first inning of work, but bounced back for a scoreless second frame.

RHP Nicholas Jennings, Chartiers Valley HS, Class of 2015

Jennings sat 77-80 out of a high 3/4 arm slot with some arm side run to his fastball. The 6-foot-1, 175-pound righty also displayed a 67 mph 10/4 breaking curveball. He yielded one run on four hits in three innings of work with three strikeouts. Jennings showed command of the strike zone and repeatable mechanics that indicate additional velocity is likely.

RHP Drew Lett, Doddridge County HS (WV), Class of 2016

Lett was one of the more interesting pitchers over the course of the first two weekends. He has a long frame at 6-foot-2, 160-pounds and displayed repeatable mechanics out of a high 3/4 arm slot. Lett sat 79-81 with some arm side run to his fastball. He was hesitant to utilize his 71 mph curveball and did not showcase a changeup. His loose arm action indicates additional velocity is in store and with the development of his complimentary pitches Lett will be an interesting follow in this class.

RHP Noah Lolley, Trinity HS, Class of 2014

Lolley is a 6-foot-1, 220-pound righty that sat 80-81 with some arm side run. He has a side step rocker delivery that takes him off his midline that could be adjusted to add several mph to his fastball. Lolley is a strike thrower that has a quick arm. He worked three scoreless innings and displayed command of his complimentary pitches.

RHP John Matthews, Punxsutawney HS, Class of 2016

Matthews has an athletic frame, and a loose arm that produces arm side run to his fastball. He sat 80-82 in three innings of work over two days. The 6-foot, 150-pound righty also showcased a sharp breaking 11/5 curveball at 73 mph and 71 mph changeup at near fastball arm speed.

RHP Zach Murray, Baldwin HS, Class of 2014

Murray utilized an over the top arm slot to work two scoreless innings recording one strikeout and five outs on the ground. The 6-foot-1, 180-pound righty sat 78-80 and commanded the strike zone effectively.

RHP Adam Serpa, North Hills HS, Class of 2014

Serpa worked two innings sitting 70-73 out of a 3/4 arm slot with a 10/4 breaking curveball at 65 mph. Serpa yielded two runs on four hits while striking out two in his time on the mound.

LHP Matt Thompson, Saegertown HS, Class of 2014

Thompson sat 76-78 out of a 3/4 arm slot, creating 2/8 break on his 68 mph curveball. The lefty has natural cut to his fastball that he uses effectively to tie up right-handed hitters.

RHP Matt Voit, Norwin HS, Class of 2014

Voit is a 5-foot-10, 145-pound prospect that sat 70-72 out of a 3/4 arm slot with cut to his fastball. He also commanded a 63 mph curveball in a clean inning of work on the mound with three strikeouts.

RHP Devon Walker, Dubois HS, Class of 2014

Walker is a legitimate two-way candidate at the next level. He works quickly from a high 3/4 arm slot, sitting 81-83 with command of a tight breaking curveball at 73 mph. The 5-foot-9, 160-pound righty pounds the strike zone and keeps the ball down. He struck out four batters in three innings of work over two days.

Additional PA NEws: