Inside The Rankings: Top 10 Class of 2021 LHP

Quick Hit: A physical 6-foot-1, 210-pound frame with quality feel for his body, the LHP sits in the mid to upper 80’s with a plus changeup that fades down and out of the zone. Mixes in two different breaking balls, a slider that breaks later and more horizontal at 78-80 mph and a sharp 70-71 mph curveball with depth.

First Glimpse: 4/06/18 Redland vs. Cumberland Valley - Had a key single to start a rally in the 7th inning to top Cumberland Valley 4-3.

Breakout Performance: 4/05/19 Redland vs. Cedar Cliff - Worked 1.1 innings topping at 87 mph with 3 K’s.

The Future: A Georgia commit, Wagner should get an opportunity early on to push for innings with a body that is ready to go from day 1 with four solid pitches that can be thrown for strikes in any count. 

Quick Hit: The 5-foot-11, 170-pound two-way prospect displays fluidity and athleticism in everything he does. On the mound the LHP features advanced feel for a three pitch mix, primarily pounding the zone with an 85 mph fastball with significant arm-side run. A plus 70-73 mph curveball with sharp, sweeping action across the zone and 1/7 action sets him apart.

First Glimpse: 1/29/18 Preseason All-State - Karpathios put himself on the map running the fastball up to 80 mph out of an easy arm-slot with a noticeably sharp curveball.

Breakout Performance: 6/28/19 PBR Limited Series - The LHP sat 83-85 mph and mixed the curveball well en route to striking out four hitters in two innings of work.

The Future: The Coastal Carolina commit continues to see his arrow pointed north headed into the summer in a very talented class. Karpathios has been hard at work adding lean muscle and should expect to see his fastball jump in the near future. With advanced feel for a plus curveball and quality feel for a 75-76 mph changeup with arm-side fade, he should be able to compete for innings upon stepping on campus with a chance to swing it as well.

Quick Hit: The 6-foot-2, 195-pound LHP has a starter’s build with advanced movement on all of his pitches. Runs the fastball up to 87 with natural cut and mixes in a sharp 73-75 mph curveball with depth. Throws a swing and miss 77-79 mph changeup in any count with late drop.

First Glimpse: 9/24/18 Lehigh Valley Rising Stars Scout Day - Ritchie was up to 84 mph with feel for two quality secondary offerings.

Breakout Performance: 8/1/19 PBR Future Games - The left-handed pitcher worked two innings striking out three batters while allowing one hit.

The Future: The East Carolina commit has all the makings of a plug and play recruit. With three offerings that are next level ready and advanced pitchability with comfortability in his arsenal, it’s not hard to imagine he will be an innings eater upon stepping on campus.

Quick Hit: A legit two-way candidate who can run it up to 90 mph with a hard sweeping 66-67 mph curveball, Switalski has advanced athleticism in a 6-foot-3, 190-pound frame with room to add strength. With fluidity in all actions and natural pitchability, the uncommitted LHP/1B would be a quality get for any program.

First Glimpse: 7/03/19 Western PA College Prospect Showcase

Breakout Performance: 2/22/20 Preseason All-State Southwest/Central (90 mph FB and 91 mph exit velocity).

The Future: With one of the better blends of athleticism and pitchability among the LHP rankings, Switalski has a good chance to swing it at the next level as well. A quick learner and hard worker, it would not be a shock for the lefty to be the steal of the class.

Quick Hit: The 6-foot-2, 180-pound lefty gets it done with advanced arm-speed and above average athleticism using a long and loose ¾ delivery while mixing three pitches for strikes: an 87 mph fastball, tight 72-74 slider, and 78-79 mph changeup with arm-side fade.

First Glimpse: 6/28/18 Northwestern PA College Prospect Showcase

Breakout Performance: 10/26/19 Elite Prospect Showcase - Touched 87 mph while recording a 6.88 60-yard dash and an 88 mph bat-exit velocity.

The Future: The Hartford commit will look to add strength before he steps on campus, but the potential is undeniable. The LHP has pinpoint command on all three pitches and with more refinement could be a top of the rotation guy in the future for the Hawks.

Quick Hit: The uber-projectable 6-foot-6, 190-pound LHP has been up to 88 mph with recent improvement on a two-plane 72 mph curveball and an 81 mph changeup thrown with natural cut. Command has been an issue in the past and velocity has tended to dip in the later innings, but the lefty has one of the higher ceilings in the class.

First Glimpse: July 14, 2018 Eastern PA College Prospect Showcase

Breakout Performance: 7/30/19 PBR Future Games - Touched 88 mph striking out three batters in two innings of work.

The Future: The Radford commit will definitely need to develop before seeing significant innings for the Highlanders, but the new and improved curveball has high spin and all the makings of an out pitch at the next level. If he can hold his command in check, Beck has a chance to explode.

Quick Hit: The projectable 6-foot-4, 175-pound lefty utilizes an athletic frame and easy delivery to sit 85-86 mph out of a repeatable, high ¾ arm-slot while mixing in a 78 mph cutter and 77 mph changeup with near fastball arm-speed. Works the zone and attacks hitters early in counts.

First Glimpse: 5/22/19 - Germantown Academy vs. Malvern Prep - Reached base via walk against Oschell.

Breakout Performance: 2/23/20 PA/NY/NJ Procase - Sat 84-86 mph with a three pitch mix in the zone.

The Future: The George Washington commit will need to add weight onto a lean & projectable frame and sharper movement on the secondary offerings. With refinement in those areas, the LHP has all the makings of a conference arm for the Colonials down the road.

Quick Hit: The strong and burly 6-foot-2, 230-pound LHP works a three pitch mix with physicality in the lower half, touching 85 mph with two quality secondary pitches at near fastball arm-speed.

Breakout Performance: 2/29/20 Preseason All-State Northeast - Touched 85 mph with one of the best bullpen sessions of the day.

The Future: The lefty is filled out physically, but the VCU commit competes in the strike zone early in counts and has advanced pitchability. With more flexibility and explosiveness, Dressler could be lights out at the next level.

Quick Hit: Standing in at an athletic 6-foot-2, 185-pounds, the lefty won’t overmatch you with velocity but has some of the best pitchability in the class with advanced secondary offerings. Cuts and runs the fastball at 83-85 mph with seemingly more in the tank. A sweeping 62-65 mph curveball across the zone and 69 mph changeup with plus hand speed keeps opposing hitters off balance. 

Breakout Performance: 7/29/19 PBR Future Games - Missed plenty of barrels en route to two scoreless innings of work with one strikeout and one hit allowed.

The Future: The Delaware commit has room still to add some strength which should point to a slight velocity increase in the near future. With four pitches primed and ready to go for the next level, Welch could be an innings eater for the Blue Hens upon stepping on campus.

Quick Hit: Like Welch, the 6-foot-3, 195-pound southpaw won’t overpower you with the heat, but he keeps hitters off-balance with a quality changeup at 77 mph (7 mph less than fastball speed) and excellent command of all pitches in the zone. Another LHP that isn’t afraid to attack early in counts and trusts his stuff with conviction. Features the best pickoff move we have ever seen with notable ability to shut down the run game.

First Glimpse: 6/22/18 Eastern PA Top Prospect Games

Breakout Performance: 7/30/19 PBR Future Games - Picked off two base runners with one strikeout in two innings of work

The Future: The Stony Brook commit will likely need to add velocity on the fastball in order to be a starter at the next level (82-84 mph right now), but Matt Senk and the Seawolves staff are getting above average stuff in an intelligent player who trusts his abilities on the mound & will not walk hitters.