Adams State Fall Tournament: Pitching Analysis
September 30, 2014
By John Cackowski
Director of Scouting
This past weekend the Fall Prospect Program participated in the Adams State Fall Tournament. The tournament was a great opportunity for Adams State head coach James Capra and his assistants to see players in our state, while also showing potential future players their great facilities. Under coach Capra, Adams State started their Division 2 baseball program 3 years ago, and has made competitive strides playing in the tough RMAC conference. They have an impressive All-Turf Baseball Field with upgraded weight and practice facilities.
pitching analysis of the past weekend (listed in alphabetical Order)
Marc Alva, OF, Columbine, 2015
5-foot-8, 155-pound left-handed hitting RHP/OF. Alva did a great job competing against the Adams State Varsity team on Sunday morning keeping the Colorado Fall Prospect team in the game. Alva pitched 3 innings against Adams State Varsity squad but had to come out down 4-3 after getting hit with a line-drive on the leg. On the mound Alva has shown a 75-78 mph fast ball which was has improved through the fall. Alva has a quick, high ¾ arm slot with a solid feel for three pitches. His 67-68 mph curveball shows a 11/5 sweeping action and was thrown for strikes. Has a quick pick to first base. Alva is an uncommitted 2015 player looking for an opportunity to play.
James Kester, INF/P, Regis Jesuit, 2017
5-foot-11, 165-pound right-handed hitting MIF/RHP. We really like Kester's potential as a 2017 player. This weekend he struggled a little throwing strikes, but on the mound we have seen him throw 78-79 mph from a loose, high slot with a max fast ball at 80 mph. In past events he has thrown strikes with fastball and had a 68-69 mph change-up. Curve ball has a good 12-6 action that sits at 63 mph. Mechanically, shows some rhythm to delivery, with level shoulders, toe pointed down at balance point, with squared level shoulders, and in-line towards home plate landing, and is working on falling off to first base.
Thomas Nagel, 3B/RHP, Dakota Ridge, 2016 (Colorado Fall Prospect Team)
6-foot-1, 175-pound right-handed hitting third baseman/right-handed pitcher with lanky, athletic, projectable frame showed real well this weekend. Nagel threw 4 innings against the Colorado Instructional Blue team giving up only 2 unearned runs, and 3 hits striking out 4 which would lead to an eventual 11-6 victory. On the mound, Nagel utilizes a short, loose, high ¾ arm slot. Easy effort, and quick tempo, tall-and-fall type delivery produces 78-79 mph fastballs from the windup and stretch. Touched 80 mph in game we scouted last week. Slows arm on 68-69 mph breaking ball with 12/6 shape that was also thrown for strikes. Nagel is starting to develop into his body and is an interesting follow over the next two years, especially if his velocity takes a jump into the mid to upper 80’s. Everytime we see Nagel throw he improves each time.
Marcelo Sanchez, 3B/RHP, Lakewood, 2016 (Colorado Fall Prospect Team)
5-foot-10, 165-pound right-handed hitting third baseman/right-handed pitcher with strong athletic build. Sanchez came in relief during the first game against the Colorado Instructional League Blue team. Sanchez threw well for two innings pounding the strike zone with an easy effort and square landing that produces 76-77 mph fastballs from the windup and stretch that showed good downward movement. Curve ball ranges from 64-69 with 11/5 shape that was also thrown for strikes and had good late bite at times.
Tom Scufca, RHP, Heritage High School, 2015 (Colorado Instructional League Team)
6-foot-3, 170-pound lanky right handed pitcher. A non-committed senior will be going into the 2015 season as Heritage's number one pitcher. We were impressed with how well Scufca gains ground in-line towards the plate with good down angle. Scufca throws in the mid-80's with the potential to get to upper 80's lower 90's when he fills out. Throws from a high 3/4 slot with a good 12/6 curve ball with late bite.
Casey Thompson,RHP/INF/OF, Lakewood, 2016 (Colorado Fall Prospect Program)
6-foot, 165-pound lanky right-handed pitcher, left handed hitter. On the second game on Saturday Thompson started against the Colorado Instructional Leagues White Team. Thompson labored through 3 innings without having his best stuff, but what impressed us was he was able to battle through leaving due to pitch count after three innings with a 8-1 lead. On the mound, Thompson has flashed a fastball that sits at 79-80 touching 83 mph from a 3/4 arm slot. Utilizes tall and fall delivery, stride direction falls off to first base side. We have seen Thompson's velocity improve because he is doing a better job of using lower half. Thompson has a 66-69 mph curveball and a deceptive 70-71 mph changeup that is thrown for strikes with arm side run.
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