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Prospect Identification Showcase 6.11.13 - Pitching Analysis

June 26, 2013

Today we break down the pitching group at the Prospect Identification Showcase on June 11. Ryan Arnold stood out as the top pitcher at the event showing projectability out of his 6-foot-3, 190-pound frame, producing an 82-84 mph fastball from a high 3/4 slot. Here's a look at how the rest of the pitching group breaks down.

Top Pitchers

1. Ryan Arnold, RHP, Rochester, 2014
The athletically built, 6-foot-3, 190-pound right-handed pitcher shows good projectability.  Throws with a loose arm, delivering from a high ¾ slot.  Fastball showed some life and movement, sitting 82-84 mph topping out at 86 mph.  Curve showed gradual 10/4 break at 72-75 mph, straight change sitting 78-80 mph. 

2. Francisco Mari, RHP/OF, Elgin, 2014
Mari proved to be a solid two-way player.  The athletically built right-handed pitcher and outfielder has some room to fill out his 6-foot-3, 170-pound frame.  Fastball showed life with some run and sink, and thrown for strikes sitting 80-81 mph.  Locates his 11/5 curveball well at 62-64 mph.  Throws a straight change ranging 67-69 mph.  Displayed solid defense and threw 81 mph from the outfield.  Hits from a balanced setup with a smooth load.  Line-drive hitter with above average bat speed, recording an 81 mph exit velocity.  Ran a 7.45 60. 

3. Jack Stannard, LHP/1B, Oak Park-River Forest, 2015
The athletically built, 6-foot-1, 180-pound left-hander showed an impressive bullpen at the showcase.  Repeatable delivery with long arm action, Stannard threw two of his three pitches most effectively.  Fastball showed some life and arm-side run at 79-80 mph.  Changeup showed to be Stannard’s best off-speed, sitting at 74-75 mph displaying arm-side run and sink.  Curve had 12/6 action with some depth but needs development.  Showed some pop at the plate recording an 81 mph exit velocity.  Threw 72 mph across the infield and ran a 7.59 60.

4. Kyle Polaski, RHP, Joliet Catholic, 2014
Polaski is a 6-foot, 175-pound right-handed pitcher.  Shows long arm action delivering from a high ¾ slot.  Fastball sat 80-82, curveball showed 10/4 action ranging 68-72 mph, and changeup was around 78-79 mph.

5. Jack Mueller, RHP, Oak Park-River Forest, 2014
Mueller is a 6-foot-4, 195-pound right-handed pitcher.  Throws with loose, short arm action.  Fastball sitting 80-81 mph with slight arm-side run, curve with gradual 10/4 curve at 65-67 mph, changeup at 73-75 mph, and splitter around 71-73 mph. 

6. Andrew Bruss, RHP, Aurora Central Catholic, 2014
Bruss is a 5-foot-9, 175-pound right-handed pitcher.  Has a fast delivery, short arm action, and releases from a high ¾ arm slot.  Throws a straight fastball, consistently sitting at 82-83 mph, curveball 72-73 mph, and straight change at 71-73 mph. 

7. Brady Kostecki, RHP/1B, Joliet Catholic, 2014
Kostecki is a 6-foot-4, 190-pound lanky right-handed pitcher and first-baseman.  Throws with long arm action coming from an over the top slot.  Has feel for all three pitches.  Located his fastball sitting 80-81 mph; good depth and command on his curve at 69-71 mph; changeup thrown between 71-74 mph.  Defensively, threw 72 mph across the infield.  Recorded an 88 mph exit velocity off the tee and ran a 7.78 60.

8. Matt Kelly, RHP/MIF, St. Francis, 2014
Kelly is a 6-foot, 170-pound middle-infielder and right-handed pitcher.  Delivery showed some rhythm and short arm action with a high ¾ arm slot.  Fastball was straight but located at 80-82 mph; curve and slider also located, curve at 70-73 mph, slider 79-81 mph; changeup sat at 70-72 mph.  Kelly was a line-drive hitter at the plate with an exit velocity of 80 mph off the tee.  Threw 78 mph across the infield and ran a 7.45 60. 

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Stephen Buhrt, RHP, Aurora Christian, 2014
Buhrt is a 6-foot-6, 185-pound right-handed pitcher.  Works out of the stretch, throws with long arm action delivering from a high ¾ slot.  Fastball ranging 74-77 mph, curve sitting 65-66 mph, changeup at 69-70 mph. 

Andrew Clavenna, RHP, Lincoln-Way West, 2015
Clavenna is a strong 6-foot, 200-pound right handed slinger on the mound.  Has long, loose arm action coming from a high ¾ slot.  Fastball sits 79-81 mph and thrown for strikes, curveball 71-73 mph with a sweeping motion, and changeup between 64-67 mph with occasional sink.  Clavenna is a pitcher to follow to see how he projects. 

Matthew Cohen, RHP, New Trier, 2014
Cohen is a 6-foot-1, 140-pound right-handed pitcher.  Delivery has short arm action and releases from a high ¾ slot.  Fastball sat 73-74 mph, curve at 61-63 mph, and changeup between 58-61 mph. 

Vincent Damato, LHP, Dundee-Crown, 2014
Damato is a 6-foot-1, 165-pound left-handed pitcher.  Throws with short arm action from a high ¾ slot.  Has four pitches: fastball at 74-76 mph, curve at 63-64 mph, slider at 68-71 mph, and change at 67-69 mph.

Zack Dowz, C/RHP, Addison Trail, 2014
Dowz is a 5-foot-11, 190-pound catcher and right-handed pitcher.  Solid defensively with good feel for the position behind the plate.  Recorded pop times between 2.08 and 2.14 throwing 74 mph from the crouch.  Hits with an open, upright setup at the plate and has an easy, fluid linear swing.  Recorded an exit velocity of 82 mph and ran a 7.26 60.  On the mound, Dowz showed easy effort in his delivery with short arm action and quick arm speed releasing the ball from a high ¾ arm angle.  Showed some rhythm in his delivery, working in line with his target and finishing balanced.  Keeps all three pitches down in the zone.  Fastball at 80-83 mph with some arm-side run; slider between 78-80 mph with 11/5 movement that occasionally flattened out; and changeup with arm-side run sitting 68-69 mph.

Alex Ewell, MIF/RHP, Oak Park-River Forest, 2015
Ewell is a 6-foot, 155-pound middle-infielder and right-handed pitcher.  On the mound, delivery shows loose arm action from a ¾ arm slot.  Fastball showed sink thrown 76-79 mph; curve sat 69-70 mph; and changeup at 68-71 mph.  Ewell ran a 7.4 60, threw 73 mph across the infield, and recorded a 73 mph exit velocity. 

Brian Gerner, LHP, New Trier, 2014
Gerner is a 6-foot-3, 175-pound left-handed pitcher.  Throws from over the top with short arm action.  Fastball sat 74-76 mph, curve between 59-64 mph, changeup at 68-70 mph. 

Rich Hernandez, 1B/LHP, McHenry, 2014
Hernandez is a 5-foot-10, 190-pound first-baseman and left-handed pitcher who also hits from the left side.  On the mound he delivers from a high ¾ slot with a fastball sat 79-80 mph, slider 67-68 mph, curve 62-63 mph, and changeup 67-68 mph.  At the plate, showed above average bat speed with some whip recording a 79 mph exit speed off the tee.  Needs work keeping his hands inside and extending through to prevent from rolling over.  Ran a 7.72 60. 

Tyler Hofmann, RHP, Crystal Lake Central, 2014
Hofmann is a 5-foot-8, 140-pound right-handed pitcher.  Fastball sat 74-75 mph, curveball at 61-63 mph, and changeup at 64-65 mph. 

Jack Jomarron, RHP/3B, Lincoln Park, 2014
Jomarron is a 6-foot, 175-pound right-handed pitcher and third-baseman.  Fastball sat 72-74 mph, curveball 57-59 mph, changeup 65-68 mph.  Ran a 7.66 60; threw 76 mph across the infield and recorded an exit velocity of 77 mph. 

Danny Katz, RHP/SS, New Trier, 2015
Katz is a 5-foot-10, 130-pound right-handed pitcher and shortstop.  Delivers from a high ¾ slot, throws with easy effort and repeatable mechanics.  Has smooth rhythm, keeps his shoulders level, shows direction, and lands square in his delivery.  Katz has good feel and command for all three pitches: fastball sat 74-76 mph with some life and run; curve at 64-65 mph with 11/5 action, and changeup at 59-60 mph.  Velocity to be gained as his lanky build fills out.  Ran a 7.46 60 and threw 73 mph across the infield.  Hit from a quiet, balanced setup with a smooth load.  Exit velocity was 65 mph. 

Brandon LaBunski, 1B/RHP, Glenbrook North, 2015
LaBunski is a 6-foot-3, 195-pound first-baseman and right-handed pitcher.  Ran an 8.13 60; threw 72 mph across the infield and recorded an 81 mph exit velocity.  On the mound, his fastball was between 67-70 mph, curve sitting 61-63 mph, changeup at 65-67 mph. 

Torian Lowery, RHP/OF, Lincoln Park, 2013
Lowery is 5-foot-11, 155 pounds, hits and throws right-handed.  Threw 75 mph from the outfield and recorded a 75 mph exit velocity off the tee.  Pitching, his fastball sat 74-76 mph, curve between 62-64 mph, and changeup at 71-73 mph. 

Matt Lynch, RHP, Loyola, 2014
Lynch is a 6-foot, 185-pound right-handed pitcher.  Fastball sitting 78-80 mph, curve ranging 64-68 mph, changeup at 68-69 mph. 

Josh Mead, SS/RHP, Bureau  Valley, 2015
Mead is a 5-foot-10, 175-pound shortstop and right-handed pitcher.  Ran a 7.25 60.  Threw across the infield at 78 mph and recorded an exit velocity of 82 mph.  On the mound, throws with short arm action at a high ¾ arm slot.  Fastball ranged between 77-81 mph, curve between 67-72 mph, and change at 61-64 mph. 

Jack Myers, SS/RHP, Prairie Ridge, 2014
Myers is a 5-foot-11, 180-pound infielder and right-handed pitcher.  Ran a 7.19 60 at the showcase; threw 79 across the infield and recorded an exit velocity of 82 mph.  On the mound, Myers’ fastball sat 76-78 mph and curve at 68-71 mph.

Mario Navarro, OF/LHP, Guerin Prep, 2015
Navarro is a 5-foot-9, 145-pound outfielder and left-handed pitcher.  Showed rhythm and natural instincts defensively; threw 77 from the outfield and ran a 7.12 60.  Hits from a tall, open stance with a short, diving stride.  Exit velocity at 74 mph.  On the mound, Navarro throws from an over the top slot with a fastball maxing at 74 mph, curveball around 63-64 mph, and changeup between 67-69 mph. 

Connor Pauly, OF/LHP, Glenbrook South, 2015
Pauly is a 6-foot, 160-pound left-handed hitting and throwing outfielder and pitcher.  Displayed athleticism running a 7.08 60 and 4.25 home to first.  Showed athletic feet defensively, short arm action releasing from over the top with some accuracy at 78 mph.  At the plate Pauly hits from a tall setup and displayed a simple and balanced swing with above average bat speed.  Made contact on an uphill plane fully extending through the ball.  Exit velocity recorded at 79 mph.  On the mound, his fastball was at 73-75 mph, curve sitting at 69-70 mph, change ranging between 66-70 mph. 

Evan Plonis, C/RHP, Benet, 2015
Plonis is a 6-foot-3, 160-pound catcher and right-handed pitcher.  Displayed good offensive ability at the plate: showed some pop recording an exit velocity of 81 mph and capable of creating lift on the ball.  Behind the plate, Plonis recorded pop times between 2.43-2.45, throwing 71 mph from the crouch.  Ran a 7.88 60.  On the mound, his fastball was at 71-72 mph, curve around 58-60 mph, and changeup sitting 64-66 mph. 

Lucas Robbins, RHP/1B, Manteno, 2015
Robbins is a 6-foot, 205-pound right-handed pitcher and first-baseman.  Ran a 7.7 60; threw 76 mph across the infield; recorded an exit speed of 72 mph.  On the mound, sat 78-80 mph on his fastball, curveball at 65-66 mph, changeup ranging 73-76 mph. 

Dennis Rudolph, RHP/OF, Glenbard West, 2014
The 5-foot-10, 175-pounder plays the outfield with confidence.  Rudolph has good rhythm defensively, and showed accuracy and some carry on his throws at 79 mph.  Ran one of the faster 60 times at 6.85.  At the plate he showed a level swing and recorded a 76 mph exit velocity. 

Nick Sanders, RHP/OF, Lake Zurich, 2016
The lanky 6-foot-2, 155-pound right-handed pitcher showed good potential on the mound.  Throws with short arm action and a high ¾ arm slot.  All three pitches showed life starting with his fastball which was thrown for strikes at 76-79 mph.  Curve had 11/5 action with some depth and gradual break ranging 61-64 mph.  Changeup had cutting action between 73-76 mph.  Showed good athleticism on the mound and running a 7.06 60.  At the plate, Sanders showed solid hitting ability with a consistent line-drive swing with a good bat path.  Has the tendency to over-rotate.  Recorded an 81 mph exit speed.  May project more at first base than the outfield. 

Jimel Smith, OF/RHP, Lincoln Park, 2014
Smith is a 5-foot-6, 140-pound outfielder and right-handed pitcher.  Ran a 7.26 60 and 4.44 home to first.  Hits from the right side, recorded an exit velocity of 80 mph and threw 68 mph from the outfield.  On the mound, Smith comes from over the top slot with long arm action, topping out at 74 mph. 

Alex Stremel, LHP, Fremd, 2015
Stremel is a 5-foot-10, 150-pound left-handed pitcher.  Throws with short arm action and comes from an over the top slot.  Fastball thrown from 67-69 mph, curve sitting at 61-63 mph, and change between 62-64 mph. 

Luke Styka, RHP/3B, Andrean (IN), 2015
Styka is a 5-foot-11, 175-pound right-handed pitcher and infielder.  On the mound, Styka shows some rhythm and works with great direction – keeps his shoulders level, body in line with his target, and lands square.  Locates his fastball between 74-77 mph, curve has 12/6 action with gradual break at 63-64 mph, and change is thrown for strikes with arm-side run with occasional fade sitting 64-65 mph.  Ran a 7.57 60 and threw 77 across the infield.  Showed some pop at the plate and recorded a 79 mph exit velocity. 

Kyle Wallbaum, 3B/RHP, Ottawa, 2014
Wallbaum is a 5-foot-11, 165-pound third-baseman and right-handed pitcher.  Explodes to the ball at the plate with above average bat speed.  Good pop off the bat recording an exit speed of 85 mph.  Will improve offensively with more consistent contact, as he has the tendency to over-rotate.  Defensively, showed accuracy and some carry, throwing 79 mph across the infield.  Ran a 7.2 60.  On the mound, Wallbaum had a violent delivery and max-effort throwing style.  Arm action was short, delivering from a high ¾ slot.  Fastball was straight, sitting at 80-81 mph, curve at 69-70 mph, and changeup from 66-69 mph. 

Jalan Williams, OF/RHP, Lincoln Park, 2014
Williams is a 5-foot-11, 165-pound outfielder and right-handed pitcher.  Ran a 7.59 60 at the showcase and threw 78 mph from the outfield.  Has a level and repeatable swing at the plate.  Exit velocity was 81 mph.  On the mound, Williams’ fastball ranging between 75-78 mph, curve ranging from 66-68 mph, and slider sitting 70-71mph. 

Jake Zyzda, RHP/3B, Barrington, 2016
Zyzda shows good projection being a 2016 graduate at 6-feet, 190 pounds.  Good presence in the box – hits from a tall, slightly open stance.  Athletic swing on an uphill plane with some whip.  Recorded an 83 mph exit speed.  Great projection for him at the plate.  Throws 77 mph across the infield and ran a 7.57 60.  Definitely a position player to follow.  On the mound, Zyzda throws three pitches: fastball at 76-78 mph, curve between 62-65 mph, and change ranging 64-67 mph.

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