2018 Top Underclass Games: Pitcher Analysis
August 28, 2018
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Wednesday August 8th saw some of the Top Underclass players from across North Carolina converged on Jim Perry stadium on the campus of Campbell University. The Top Underclass Games culminated PBR’s three days at Campbell and the talent on hand was impressive.
Close to 45 players took part in the day. Position players ran through a full pro-style workout, running a laser timed 60, going through offensive testing, taking live BP, and working out defensively. PBR was able to take statistics on each player throughout the workout. Video has been added to each player's profiles on PBR in the coming week. Pitchers threw in live game situations, working two controlled innings, allowing hitters to get live at-bats.
Twelve of the top 2020 and 2021 pitchers were on hand, throwing two controlled innings vs hitters. With the August date of the Top Underclass Games, several arms may have been down a tick or two but their future potential was evident. Two arms touched 87 with several flashing advanced breaking balls. The group also featured a couple of potential dual pitcher/position player prospects. Below, the evaluations feature an in-depth look at each arm as well as their stats from the day. Their name will link back to their individual video from the Top Underclass Games.
PBR Top Underclass Games: By the Numbers
+ 44 Players worked out on the day… 39 took part as position players and 15 pitchers threw in live game action.
+ Top Underclass Games Record - Laser timed 60 of 6.48… Topped a record time of 6.52 recorded earlier in the day
+ 42 Players ran the 60. 4 ran under 7.00. Median time of 7.42.
+ 8 of 21 infielders had a positional velocity across the infield topping 80 mph
+ 7 of 15 outfielders posted a positional velocity of 80 mph or better
+ 5 of 9 catchers recorded workout pop times under 2.10
+ 15 hitters with an exit velocity of 85 mph or better… 9 above 88… 5 above 90 and the leader at 94.
+ Median fastball of 81 with two arms reaching 87 mph on the day.
CLICK HERE for a complete roster from the 2018 Top Underclass Games
CLICK HERE for a the complete statistical results from the Top Underclass Games.
2018 Top Underclass Games: Pitchers
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Jacob Coffin LHP / OF / Apex , NC / 2021
Athletic presence at 5-foot-10, 145 pounds. Good projection left as he continues to mature. Left hander has a quick hand from a long arm action. Loose through the delivery. Occasional run on the fastball at 74-78. Elevated a times with the fastball. Breaking ball flashes depth at 61-65 with late 1/7 tilt. High ceiling to spin as arm strength is continued to develop. Slows the arm a bit on the straight change-up at 65, showing feel for the zone. Average leg kick and stable head. High front side after separation creates some uphill leverage. Good rhythm, creates angle when on time. Flat when elevated. Lands on-line and square, working for at least average extension. |
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Marshall Witherell RHP / OF / South Point, NC / 2021
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Tyler Blackburn RHP / OF / Grays Creek, NC / 2021
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Eli Culbreth RHP / 3B / Midway, NC / 2020
Lanky, athletic frame at 6-foot-3, 165 pounds. Plenty of room to add strength as he matures. High ceiling. Heavy fastball has angle when in the down zone. Ranged 81-85, touching 86. Long, loose arm swing works through a slight stab but is on time to an over-the-top release. Level with some rhythm. High leg kick. Slight tilt up in his hips out of balance. Lands on-line and square. Breaking ball is still maturing but has makings of an out-pitch. At 66-70, it has differing shapes with downer 12/6 action, slight tilt at 11/5 and more sweeping 10/4 tilt. When the hand maintains hand speed and he stays behind the pitch, the downer 12/6 has depth and is late creating swing and miss in zone as well as chase. |
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Marlowe Iorio RHP / 1B / Chapel Hill, NC / 2020
Athletic with length in his limbs at 6-foot-3, 175 pounds. Fastball touched 87, sitting 83-85. Heavy, the fastball was around the zone creating some issues for hitters. Breaking ball has hard, late slider shape at 70-73. As depth continues to develop it is a potential out pitch. Level, works to find a rhythm in the delivery. High leg kick with some stiffness as the foot works outside the knee on the lift. Counts on his athleticism to take over and repeat. Some effort at release, working to be aggressive. Long, loose arm swing to an over-the-top slot. Head clears the line creating a bigger window for hitters. Backside is very aggressive and hips fire through the pitch completely. |
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Tyler Strickland RHP / 1B / Gray's Creek, NC / 2020
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Trent Hostetter RHP / 3B / Northern Guilford, NC / 2020
Average frame with some length in his limbs at 6-foot, 170 pounds. Strike thrower pounded the down zone showing a feel for the fastball to both sides of the plate. Occasional sink with better than average angle at 76-78. Straight change-up works with some deception in the hand speed, touching 72. The breaking ball rolls at times with gradual top to bottom tilt at 66-67. Good feel for both off speed pitches. Long arm swing works through a slight pause at the bottom of the arc. High-3/4 release is clean and repeated. Good extension. Slight cross-fire, landing square with the toe. Flooded the zone through his complete outing. |
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Gabe Zickefoose RHP / 3B / Southern Wake Academy , NC / 2020
Strong frame, standing 6-foot-2, 195 pounds. Stretch only. Fastball sitting 79-83, heavy and jumping on hitters. Breaking ball is still maturing and working for consistency. Sitting 71-73 spin shows signs of being sharp with downer action. Pounded the zone with the fastball-curveball combination. Level, fights for rhythm, with some effort throughout the delivery. Ball is hidden through a long arm swing with a slight stab at the bottom of the arc. Better than average hand speed and a high-3/4 release. Slightly coiled at balance, lands on-line and square. |
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Jesse Ashenfarb LHP / 1B / Cox Mill, NC / 2020Rankings StateRank: 89 / POS: 10
Average frame with length at 6-foot-1, 180 pounds. Still maturing with room to add strength. Located his fastball to arm side, creating swing and miss with sink. Down zone, ranging 76-78 created twelve swing and misses on fastballs in, or around the zone. Breaking ball is early, flashing occasional sharp 1/7 tilt at 65-66. Some feel for spin, but a pitch still in development. Stretch only with an average leg lift and stable head. Deception with the arm swing, hiding the ball behind the body line. Some scapular load in the arm swing to a high-3/4 slot. Average hand speed. Lands on-line and square. Lacks extension at times. |
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Landon Miller RHP / OF / North Iredell, NC / 2020Rankings StateRank: 101 / POS: 22
Average frame. Thin, standing 5-foot-11, 130 pounds. Slow over the rubber with a stable head. Syncs his rhythm working level, on-line and landing square. Good balance throughout with a firm front side at foot strike. Early run out of the hand at 69-73. Attacked the strike zone. Gradual 11/5 break on the breaking ball at 66-67. Flooded the zone with a fastball-curveball mix. Long, loose arm action to a high-3/4 slot. Should continue to improve arm strength with increased strength levels. Decent feel for his body. |
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Cyle Phelan LHP / OF / Fuquay Varina, NC / 2021
Broad shoulders and a strong lower half. Stands 6-foot, 190 pounds. Athletic with strength and quickness throughout his game. Dual potential as a prospect. Stretch only. Fastball up to 87, sitting 83-96 with heavy life. Pounded the down zone with angle. Smooth and stable over the rubber. Long, loose arm swing to a high-3/4 slot with good extension. Ball jumps out of the hand. Average kick, loading the front hip with a slight turn. Front side swings to the foot strike with good direction, on-line, and square. Change-up occasionally cut working with deception out of the hand speed. Typically straight at 75-78 with feel for the arm side. Big, power breaking ball with downer action at 63-65. Good feel for locating and expanding with spin. Does not tunnel with fastball but depth and tilt provides issues for hitters. |
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Caleb Cross RHP / 3B / Southern Lee, NC / 2020
Athletic frame with length in the limbs, standing 6-foot-1, 160 pounds. Still maturing with plenty of room to add strength. Strike thrower on the bump. Fastball worked 78-81 with some feel for both sides of the plate. Breaking ball has short, late action at 66-68. Slight hump out of the hand producing 11/5 tilt. Good mix of fastball-curveball. Some rhythm working to a slightly closed position at balance, sinking into his back side and remaining stable over the rubber. Long arm stroke to an over-the-top slot. Quick hand. Lands slightly open on his line. Average extension through the pitch. |
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