On Sunday, February 23, the PBR Illinois team hosted its first-ever Libertyville Preseason I.D. showcase at the Libertyville Sports Complex where over 70 prospects participated in this open event. 

Shortly after the event’s conclusion we posted an early analysis of the event with our Quick Hits and Statistical Analysis pieces. We jump started our position-by-position breakdown by taking a dive into the catchers.

Today we continue the analysis with a look at the pitchers in attendance. We divided the top arms up by class. When looking at the Top three arms in the 2021 class; RHP’s Brady Wells (Libertyville), Joseph Crum (Springfield) and Alexander Carruthers (Warren), you could virtually flip a coin on who you like more.

In the 2021 class, RHP Kyle Kaempf (McHenry) led the way. He arguably could be best suited as an infielder but he has an athletic, live body and ran his fastball up to 85 mph.

In the 2023 class there were a host of arms with high-upsides. At the top of the list are RHP’s Michael Scarpelli (Libertyville) and Ryan Geraghty (Mundelein). Scarpelli has a projectable athletic frame and loose arm with seemingly a lot more in the tank. Geraghty has some polish for a 2023, touched 82 mph and showed feel for a three-pitch mix. 

Read on below for reports on all of the pitchers from the event.

TOP 2021 PITCHING PROSPECTS

1. Brady Wells, Libertyville (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 6-foot-3, 210-pounds. Wide-shouldered, durable build with strength throughout.
Delivery: Smooth controlled tall and fall delivery, stays online and lands slightly closed.
Arm Action: RH. Clean, easy arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T89, 85-87 mph. Easy and clean out of the hand, jumps through the zone, plays mostly straight.
CB: 66-70 mph. Lowers slot, 10/4 sweeping shape, ability to get it glove side. Lands for strikes out of the stretch.
CH: 76-79 mph. Tendency to slow arm action, works mostly straight with occasional fade.

2. Joseph Crum, Springfield (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 6-foot-1, 168-pounds. Athletic, well-proportioned frame.
Delivery: Steady drop and drive delivery, creates extension downhill, falls towards first base side at times, directional to target, throws with some effort. 
Arm Action: RH. Long arm action, over-the-top slot. Quick arm.
FB: T87, 85-87 mph. Jumps into the zone. Strikes low in the zone.
CB: 63-65 mph. 11/5 shape with gradual action.
CH: 75-78 mph. Maintains near fastball arm speed. Plays straight and down in the zone.

3. Alexander Carruthers, Warren Township (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: RHP/OF Emerged as a 2021 arm to follow.
Body: 6-foot-2, 180-pounds. Athletic, lean frame with plenty of room for continued physical development.
Delivery: Smooth tall and fall delivery, repeats, works on-line and plant foot lands closed.
Arm Action: RH. Loose, quick arm action plays out of a 3/4 slot.
FB: T85, 84-85 mph. Easy out of the hand, arm-side-run and occasional sinking action. Showed control.
CB: 72-73 mph. Thrown aggressively, 11/5 shape, inconsistent action, tight spin.
CH: 71-73 mph. Arm-side-run.

TOP 2022 PITCHING PROSPECTS

1. Kyle Kaempf, McHenry (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 6-foot-1, 150-pounds. Athletic, lean frame with upside.
Delivery: Drop and drive delivery, fluid rhythm, lands front-foot open and efffort throughout.
Arm Action: RH. Long loose quick arm action comes out of an over-the-top window.
FB: T85, 82-84 mph. Jumps out of the hand, heavy at times.
CB: 68-72 mph. 10/4 shape, occasional depth.
CH: 71-74 mph. Thrown with arm speed, gets sink when down in the zone.

2. Connor Walters, Libertyville (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 6-foot-3, 175-pounds. Athletic, wide-shouldered frame. Projects.
Delivery: Steady tall/fall type delivery, lands square, works open to target at times, athletic finish.
Arm Action: RH. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T80, 78-79 mph. Plays downhill at times with heavy action. Flashed arm-side run. 
CB: 58-61 mph. 12/6 shape. Early break with some depth.
CH: 66-69 mph. Slows arm action at times. Plays straight.
CUT: 66-67 mph. 

3. Nick Palmieri, Warren (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 6-foot, 155-pounds. Athletic, high-waisted frame.
Delivery: Efficient tall and fall delivery, minimal use out of lower half, works on-line and lands front-foot closed.
Arm Action: RH. Short clean arm action, quick out front, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T81, 77-80 mph. Works mostly straight, clean out of the hand.
CB: 66-68 mph. 11/5 shape, short wrinkle.
CH: 67-69 mph. Maintains arm speed, fade and sink.

4. Lucas Goldstein, Huntley  (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 5-foot-8, 150-pounds. Athletic build.
Delivery: Smooth patient tall and fall delivery, stays on-line, repeats and lands square. Feel for three-pitch mix. Confident and comfortable on the mound.
Arm Action: RH. Clean quick arm action, 3/4 slot.
FB: T80, 78-80 mph. Late finish through the zone, arm-side-run at times.
CB: 68-70 mph. Thrown aggressively, feel for the zone, 11/5 plane, depth.
CH: 72-73 mph. Fastball arm speed, feel, sink and fade action.

5. Kendall Lyons, Warren (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 5-foot-11, 175-pounds. Strength in lower half.
Delivery: Smooth tall and fall delivery, coiled at balance point, finishes online.
Arm Action: RH. Long, quick arm action, over-the-top slot.
FB: T83, 80-82 mph. Heavy, late run, occasional titl.
CB: 69-71 mph. 11/5 shape, maintains arm speed, late bite at times.
CH: 74-77 mph. Tilt and sink, locates at the bottom of the zone.

5. Michael Addari, Libertyville (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: RHP/OF
Body: 6-foot-2, 165-pounds. Lean, athletic build. High-waisted with plenty of room for continued physical development.
Delivery: Full windup, works directionally down the mound and lands square.
Arm Action: RH. Short arm action, over-the-top slot.
FB: T80, 78-79 mph. Works straight, tilt at times.
CB: 63-65 mph. 11/5 plane, lands for strikes, occasional depth.
CH: 69-73 mph. Maintains arm speed, straight with fade action at times.
CUT: 63-65 mph. Plays with curveball action, tight spin, feel, 11/5 shape.

TOP 2023 PITCHING PROSPECTS

1. Michael Scarpelli, Libertyville (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: RHP/2B
Body: 6-foot-1, 160-pounds. Long-levered, high-waisted frame.
Delivery: Smooth delivery, efficient and repeatable. Lower half works on-line, lands square and finishes athletically.
Arm Action: RH. Loose, quick arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T80, 79-80 mph. Comes out of the hand clean, works straight, thrown for strikes.
CB: 62-64 mph. Thrown with intent, 11/5 shape, sharp tight spin, depth.
CH: 65-69 mph. Plays mostly straight.

2. Ryan Geraghty, Mundelein (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: 3B/RHP
Body: 5-foot-11, 165-pounds. Athletic, well-proportioned frame.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery, works on-line, lands front-foot closed and finishes upright. Delivery works with rhythm and some effort throughout.
Arm Action: RH. Clean quick arm action, over-the-top slot.
FB: T82, 78-81 mph. Works down in the zone at times, arm-side-run, finishes through the zone.
CB: 62-65 mph. 11/5 shape, tight spin, lands for strikes.
CH: 63-65 mph. Flashed late sinking action. 

3. Bennett Musser, Mundelein (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 5-foot-11, 150-pounds. Lean athletic frame.
Delivery: Full windup, tall and fall delivery, stays on-line and lands square.
Arm Action: RH. Loose, quick arm action, high 3/4 window.
FB: T81, 79-80 mph. Jumps out of the hand at times, late run, down in the zone.
CB: 66-67 mph. Thrown aggressively, 11/5 plane, tight spin, feel for the zone.
CH: 70-72 mph. Maintains arm speed, works mostly straight.

4. Hank Liss, Evanston  (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: RHP/C
Body: 5-foot-10, 160-pounds. Athletic, well-proportioned frame.
Delivery: Athletic drop and drive delivery, level shoulders, lands square, on line to target, athletic finish. Smooth rhythm throughout.
Arm Action: RH. Long and loose arma ction, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T82, 78-80 mph. Clean out the hand. Natural arm-side run.
CB: 65-68 mph. 11/5 shape with gradual action. Thrown with intent, strikes.
CH: 70-72 mph. Maintains near fastball arm speed. Showed arm-side run and fade. Strikes, plays down in the zone.

5. Christopher Callas, Mundelein (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: 1B/RHP
Body: 6-foot-1, 225-pounds. Strong, wide-shouldered, physical frame.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery, works online and lands front foot slightly closed. HIgh-volume of strikes with his three-pitch repertiore.
Arm Action: RH. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T81, 78-79 mph. Thrown for strikes, slight arm-side-run and occasional tilt.
CB: 64-65 mph. 11/5 shape, maintains arm speed, occasional depth.
CH: 66-69 mph. Works mostly straight with occasional fade.

5. Cole Clark, Warren (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: 3B/RHP
Body: 5-foot-9, 190-pounds. Compact build, strong lower half.
Delivery: Stretch-only delivery, repeats and stays closed down the mound.
Arm Action: RH. Short, quick arm, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T83, 80-82 mph. Showed control, works mostly straight with occasional cut.
SL: 72-74 mph. Thrown aggressively, 10/4 shape, late short wrinkle, feel for the zone.
CH: 73-76 mph. Maintains arm speed.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Jon Buckley, Carmel Catholic (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: 3B/SS
Body: 6-foot, 165-pounds. Well-proportioned, defined muscle.
Delivery: Stretch-only tall and fall delivery, stays closed down the mound and front foot lands open.
Arm Action: RH. Long arm action, over-the-top slot.
FB: T75, 73-75 mph. Thrown for strikes, straight action.
CB: 63-65 mph. 11/5 shape, occasional depth.
CH: 67-69 mph. Maintains arm speed, works mostly straight with sink at times.

Jonathan Ciullo, Libertyville (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: RHP/2B
Body: 5-foot-11, 160-pounds. Athletic frame.
Delivery: Slow-paced windup, accelerates out of balance point, stays on-line down the mound, lands slightly closed with effort throughout.
Arm Action: RH. Long quick arm action, over-the-top slot.
FB: T82, 78-82 mph. Creates tilt and angle at times. Works mostly straight, misses tend to be down.
CB: 64-66 mph. 12/6 shape, occasional depth and ability to land for a strike.
CH: 71-72 mph. Works down in the zone, mostly straight.
CUT: 69-71 mph. Thrown with intent, 10/4 shape, blends between cutter/slider action.

Jake Dasso, Carmel Catholic (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: RHP/RHP
Body: 6-foot, 180-pounds. Strong, proportional frame.
Delivery: Repeatable delivery, strong front side, lands closed to target and works on line. Easy effort throughout.
Arm Action: RH. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T80, 78-80 mph. Flashed arm-side run. Some strikes up in the zone.
CB: 64-66 mph. 12/6 shape. Late break with depth, showed feel to spin.
CH: 74-76 mph. Maintains fastball arm speed. Plays down in the zone. 

Tyler DeFranco, Libertyville (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: 3B/RHP
Body: 5-foot-8, 140-pounds. Strength in lower half.
Delivery: Full windup, slight hesitation at balance point, works on-line and lands square.
Arm Action: RH. Arm works short and out of a high 3/4 slot.
FB: T75, 71-74 mph. Sinking action when located down in the zone.
CB: 58-60 mph. 11/5 shape, occasional sweeping action, landed it for strikes.
CH: 63-64 mph. Maintains arm speed, fade action.

Bobby Dlatt, Lake Zurich (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: RHP/OF
Body: 5-foot-11, 160-pounds. Well-proportioned frame.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery works in rhythm, slightly across his body, lands closed.
Arm Action: RH. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T73, 71-73 mph. Works mostly straight with occasional cut.
CB: 60-62 mph. Maintains arm speed, 11/5 shape.
CH: 61-63 mph. Thrown for strikes, occasional sink.

Luke Dragin, Antioch Community (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: 1B/LHP
Body: 5-foot-11, 155-pounds. Athletic build.
Delivery: Side rocker step, tall and fall delivery, repeats, stays on-line and lands square.
Arm Action: LH. Short arm action, high 3/4 to 3/4 slot.
FB: T75, 72-74 mph. Late running action.
CB: 65-66 mph. Thrown with intent, 1/7 shape.
CH: 65-67 mph. Fastball arm speed, late fade action.

Michael Farina, Stevenson (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-foot-10, 135-pounds. Well-proportioned frame.
Delivery: Smooth delivery, uptempo, repeatable, works on-line with regular effort throughout.
Arm Action: RH. Short, compact arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T76, 74-75 mph. Works mostly straight, thrown for strikes, occasional late run.
CB: 62-63 mph. 11/5 shape, flashed sharp spin and depth.
CH: 65-69 mph. Thrown with fastball arm speed, slight arm-side-action at times.

Mateusz Gapinski, Lake Forest (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: 1B/RHP
Body: 5-foot-10, 185-pounds. Durable thick build.
Delivery: Works quick, tall and fall delivery, works on-line, lands square and easy effort throughout. Overall strike thrower.
Arm Action: RH.
FB: T71, 69-71 mph. Works straight, slight arm-side-run.
CB: 59-62 mph. 11/5 shape, lands for strikes.
CH: 65-68 mph. Near fastball arm speed, fade action.

Austin Gomez, Libertyville  (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: OF/1B
Body: 5-foot-9, 153-pounds. Athletic build.
Delivery: Drop and drive delivery, works on-line and lands square.
Arm Action: RH. Long draw out of the glove, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T73, 67-71 mph. Late cut and sinking action at times.
CH: 57-63 mph. Near fastball arm speed, sinking action.
CUT: 57-61 mph. Curveball action, 2/8 shape.

Cayden Hart, Lakes Community (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 5-foot-11, 150-pounds. Lean frame with plenty of room for added strength.
Delivery: Smooth tall and fall delivery, stays on-line and lands front-foot closed.
Arm Action: RH. Long, easy arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T72, 71-72 mph. Arm-side-run action.
CB: 60-62 mph. 11/5 shape, landed for strikes at times.
CH: 64-65 mph. Maintains arm speed, creates tilt, fade action, and thrown for strikes.

Owen Hodges, Carmel Catholic (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: RHP/OF
Body: 5-foot-11, 154-pounds. Lean, wiry frame.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery, works smooth and in rhythm. Stays online and lands square.
Arm Action: RH. Long arm action, high 3/ slot and easy effort.
FB: T75, 73-75 mph. Plays with slight arm-side-run action.
CB: 60-63 mph. Similar to slider; 10/4 shape.
SL: 60-62 mph. Showed more feel than the curveball, similar 10/4 shape and action.
CH: 60-63 mph. Maintains arm speed.

Tyler Johnson, Lake Zurich (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: 1B
Body: 6-foot-5, 197-pounds. Lean, lanky, projectable frame.
Delivery: Stretch only, tall/fall type delivery, closed-toe landing, works on line with target.
Arm Action: RH. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T77, 75-76 mph. Flashed slight arm-side run. Some strikes.
CB: 61-64 mph. 11/5 shape with gradual action.
CH: 68-70 mph. Slight deceleration in arm action. Plays straight. 

Carter Laureys, Mundelein (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 5-foot-6, 120-pounds. Wiry lean frame.
Delivery: Simple, efficient, repeatable delivery, works on-line, lands square.
Arm Action: RH. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T74, 72-74 mph. Slight arm-side-run action.
CB: 62-64 mph. 10/4 shape, late sweeping action at times.
CH: 68-70 mph. Thrown with arm speed, feel at the bottom of the zone and fade action.

Logan Leach, Cary-Grove (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 6-foot-2, 155-pounds. Lean, high-waisted, upside frame.
Delivery: Smooth deliberate repeatable delivery; works on-line and lands square.
Arm Action: RH. Long clean arm action, 3/4 slot.
FB: T74, 71-73 mph. Thrown for strikes, plays straight.
CB: 61-64 mph. Maintains arm speed, 11/5 plane.
CH: 63-65 mph. Best from stretch; worked down in the zone with late fade.

Max Lens, Highland Park (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-foot-9, 160-pounds. Compact build with strength in lower half.
Delivery: Drop and drive delivery, body works on-line down the mound, lands square.
Arm Action: RH. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T76, 74-75 mph. Works straight.
CB: 65-68 mph. 11/5 shape, depth and action varies.
SL: 67-70 mph. Short late wrinkle, 11/5 shape.
CH: 68-68 mph. Fastball arm speed, locates down in the zone.

Joe Liss, Evanston (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 5-foot-10, 180-pounds. Lean build.
Delivery: Repeatable tall/fall type delivery, athletic at balance point, level shoulders, lands square and direct to target. 
Arm Action: RH. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T80, 79-80 mph. Flashed arm-side run.
CB: 67-69 mph. 11/5 shape. Showed sharp action at times and feel to spin.
CH: 69-72 mph. Plays down in the zone.
CUT: 70-73 mph. Slight sweeping action. 

Nicholas Martino, Huntley  (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 5-foot-8, 154-pounds. Lean frame.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery, works slightly across his body and lands square.
Arm Action: RH. Long arm action, over-the-top slot.
FB: T76, 74-76 mph. Creates tilt a times, works straight, thrown for strikes.
CB: 63-66 mph. 11/5 shape, occasional depth.
CH: 68-70 mph. Maintains arm speed, sinking action and locates at the bottom of the zone.

Matthew McBrien, East Leyden (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: OF/LHP
Body: 5-foot-6, 135-pounds. Average, well-proportioned frame.
Delivery: Smooth delivery, easy effort, works slightly across his body and lands square.
Arm Action: LH. Long, clean arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T71, 69-70 mph. Works straight.
CB: 54-58 mph. 10/4 shape, gradual action.
CH: 63-66 mph. Near fastball arm speed, sinking action.

Justin Orloff, Deerfield (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: 3B/RHP
Body: 6-foot-2, 195-pounds. Physical strong frame.
Delivery: Steady tall/fall type delivery, level shoulders, lands square, works direct to target.
Arm Action: RH. Long arm action, over-the-top slot.
FB: T77, 74-77 mph. Plays straight.
CH: 66-69 mph. Primarily played straight with occasional sink. 

Charlie Parcell, Maine West (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: OF/LHP
Body: 5-foot-8, 118-pounds. Lean, long-limbed frame with plenty of room for added strength.
Delivery: Uptempo delivery, works on-line and lands front-foot slightly closed.
Arm Action: LH. Long draw out of the glove, comes out of a short high 3/4 window.
FB: T73, 72-73 mph. Mostly straight with occasional arm-side-run movement.
CB: 57-63 mph. 1/7 shape, gradual action.
CH: 67-71 mph. Sinking action down in the zone.

Benjamin Snider, Stevenson (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: SS
Body: 6-foot, 170-pounds. Athletic, high-waisted frame.
Delivery: Rocker step delivery, works directionally down the mound, lands slightly open.
Arm Action: RH. Long arm action, plays from a 3/4 slot.
FB: T76, 74-76 mph. Arm-side-run at times.
SL: 63-65 mph. 10/4 shape, occasional sweeping action, maintains arm speed.
CH: 62-64 mph. Fade action, consistently worked to the arm-side.

Avery Zakson, Barrington  (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: RHP/SS
Body: 5-foot-8, 145-pounds. Average well-proportioned build.
Delivery: Stretch-only, linear delivery, works on-line, lands square.
Arm Action: RH. Clean full arm circle, loose and quick out front, over-the-top slot.
FB: T80, 79-80 mph. Thrown for strikes, works mostly straight.
CB: 66-68 mph. Tight spin, 11/5 plane, depth and bite at times.
CH: 72-73 mph. Maintains arm speed, feel down in the zone, run and sinking action.

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