By Shooter Hunt
National Crosschecker

 

Recent events in New Jersey (New York) and Minnesota produced some top level talent, and the seven pitchers featured in this week’s, On the Hunt, all have premium talent and are going to be major, impact players at the next level. Some have a strong chance to be two-way players at the next level, but their capabilities of contributing at a high level are undeniable. Featured in the list are two left-handed competitors with big velocity, three 2020 right-handers who will be moving into PBR’s National Rankings, and two right-handers with plus arms who will be moving up in PBR’s soon to be released 2019 overall rankings.

 

Will Frisch, RHP/3B, Stillwater HS, MN, 2019
The video of Frisch will hardly do him justice, as the heaviness and sink of his fastball were, perhaps, the best part of his athletic skill set. Standing 6-foot-1, and a sturdy 210-pounds, Frisch has broad shoulders and natural strength with a thick lower half. While he has a medium arm swing, the ball appears to come right out of Frisch’s ear, almost like a catcher when I watched from behind the plate. He repeats his motion easily and strides across his body, but was able to spot his fastball to both sides of the plate as he pounded the lower portion of the strike zone. I found myself concerned for the catcher as I didn’t want his thumb to be broken by the 89-91 sinking fastball. Frisch also threw a hard, 80-82 slider with fastball arm speed that showed more cutter shape. It has a chance to be a wipeout pitch, but on this day had little movement, but was also probably one of his first bullpens of the year. Frisch’s changeup showed even more sink than his fastball, and was very close to being plus. Thrown as a power pitch at 82-83, he turned over it some to produce impressive sink. While his fastball velocity garnered “oohh’s and ahh’s”, it was his changeup that quickly became the showstopper, and had the catcher coming away saying “that was the best pitch that I have ever caught.” Frisch also showed some pop at the plate from a balanced stance with his hands held low. He has a short, quick path to the ball on an uphill plane, and shows present strength (90 mph exit velocity) gap to gap. In the field he showcases soft hands and average footwork. He projects as a corner infielder, and will definitely have a chance to be a two-way player at the next level. Overall, Frisch is going to be a massive riser in PBR’s 2019 National Rankings, and should be coveted by all schools this summer. He will be a major part of the Minnesota pitching staff at the Future Games that could be the deepest at the event.