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Southern WI Prospect ID: Pitching Analysis

October 31, 2013

By Steve Nielsen
Scouting Director – Wisconsin/Illinois

As we wrap up our coverage of the Southern Wisconsin Prospect Identification Showcase, we conclude with the pitchers. This group featured several young prospects with high ceilings, none higher than Nathan Brown (Arrowhead, 2016). Brown showed command of his fastball and slider with feel for a changeup and curveball as well. His arm worked free and easy and shows a ton of upside in his game. Ryan Schmitt (Arrowhead, 2016) was right behind him topping out at 84 mph with an exceptionally quick arm action, there’s little doubt that Schmitt’s velocity will jump as he gets bigger and stronger.

Here’s a look at our top five pitchers.

Top Pitching Prospects

1. Nathan Brown, RHP/SS, Arrowhead, 2016
Lanky frame, projectable build, 6-foot-2, 175-pound two-way player. On the mound shows high level projectability. Tall and fall delivery, regular effort, athletic delivery, good direction, stays online. Arm action is long and loose, free and easy arm, high ¾ arm slot. Fastball showed excellent run, slight sink, showed command of the zone, 82-83 mph. Slider showed short quick biting action, 70-73 mph, 10/4 plane, showed the ability to command it, advanced pitch. Changeup showed advanced action, plus potential pitch, advanced fading action to his arm side, showed excellent feel, 72-74 mph. Curveball worked on 11/5 plane, 68-71 mph. Defensively played through the ball well on the infield, soft hands with clean transfer. Arm played well at 77 mph across the diamond, loose arm action with carry and accuracy. Offensively hits from a wide, open stance, short stride. Great path to the baseball, short path with extension, gap to gap hitter. Excellent bat speed, 86 mph exit velocity, athletic finish with strong balance.

2. Ryan Schmitt, RHP, Arrowhead, 2016
5-foot-9, 155-pound right handed pitcher, wiry build. Uptempo delivery, shows some effort, athletic finish. Arm action is quick, high ¾ slot, free and loose arm action. Showed excellent stuff and action through the zone on all pitches. Fastball showed late action to it, mostly four seam, showed control of the zone, 82-84 mph. Curveball has depth on a 12/6 plane, flashed sharp action, aggressive arm speed, solid feel, 70-73 mph. Changeup has fastball arm speed, plus potential pitch, advanced action, excellent arm side run, occasionally drops to a ¾ slot, showed advanced feel, 73-75 mph. High level arm showed some of the best stuff in Wisconsin’s class of 2016.

3. Logan Wonn, RHP/1B, Oconomowoc, 2015
Strong build, wide shoulder, 6-foot-2, 210-pound left handed hitting two-way player. On the mound delivery showed direction with clean mechanics, athletic finish, slightly upright. Works from a high ¾ arm slot, loose arm action. Fastball has a heavy feel, 82-83 mph, consistent sinking action, commanded the zone. Curveball has 11/5 shape, sharp action, aggressive arm speed, excellent feel with control, late action, 70-72 mph. Changeup has fading action, thrown for strikes 75-78 mph. Offensively hits from an open stance, short stride. Makes consistent hard contact, occasional lift, short path with extension, power potential. 85 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively showed solid hands around the bag with an awareness for the position, 77 mph arm across the diamond.

4. Chris Bernatz, RHP, Arrowhead, 2015
6-foot-3, 185-pound right handed pitcher, highly projectable frame, athletic build. Clean repeatable delivery, shows athleticism, works on line to his target, athletic finish. Shows little effort, arm action is long and loose, ¾ arm slot, quick arm speed. Showed advanced feel for multiple pitches with true action. Fastball featured arm side run, showed control of the zone, 80-81 mph, topped out at 83 mph. Slider showed advanced action and feel, 69-71 mph, sweeping action with bite, swing and miss capabilities. Curveball had steeper plane, 11/5 action, 68-70 mph. Showed feel for a changeup, 70-73 mph, sinking action, excellent arm speed. Also featured a cut fastball, showed true cutter action, impressive feel, short lateral movement, late action, 76-79 mph. Bernatz showcased an advanced repertoire of pitches with fell and action beyond his years. High upside and high follow in Wisconsin’s 2015 class.

5. Matt DeYoung, OF/RHP, Xavier, 20116
Lanky frame, 6-foot-3, 190-pound left handed hitting two-way player, athletic build with projectability. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, short stride. Athletic hands, short path with occasional extension, excellent bat speed, 89 mph exit velocity. Projectable high level hitter. Defensively showed quick footwork, 7.19 runner in the 60. Arm played at 84 mph from the outfield, loose arm action, high ¾ slot, showed accuracy and occasional carry. On the mound works from a ¾ slot, long arm action. Fastball has slight run, showed control, 78-80 mph. Curveball has 12/6 shape, 67-69 mph. Changeup has fading action, thrown with fastball similar arm speed, showed feel and control, 66-70 mph.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Zac Cain, 1B/RHP, Plymouth, 2015
Lanky build, 6-foot-4, 195-pound two-way player. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, short stride. Hands work, bat speed present, line drive, gap to gap tendencies. Athletic hitter, 87 mph exit velocity. Defensively plays with a loose arm action, 72 mph across the diamond. Feet work athletically, 6.93 runner in the 60. On the mound shows some projection. Tall and fall delivery, regular effort. Short backside arm action, ¾ arm slot. Fastball showed consistent sinking action, showed control, 78-80 mph. Curveball flashed 12/6 action, near fastball arm action, 67-68 mph. Changeup at 69-72 mph.

Brady Kais, LHP, Greendale, 2015
6-foot-1, 180-pound left handed pitcher, projectable frame. Tall and fall style delivery, regular effort. Arm action is long, high ¾ slot. Fastball is mostly straight, 76-78 mph. Curveball is 68-70 mph, flat action. Changeup flashes fading action, 65-67 mph. Splitter showed lateral action to his glove side, 65-66 mph.

Cameron Kolbe, RHP/1B, Appleton North, 2017
6-foot-2, 245-pound two way player, strong build. Tall and fall approach on the mound, easy effort, works online, upright finish. Arm action is short and loose, clean arm action, high ¾ slot. Fastball has occasional run, thrown for strikes, 76-78 mph. Breaking ball had gradual 11/5 action, 62-64 mph. Showed feel for his changeup, sinking action, 65-68 mph. Offensively hits from a balanced stance slightly open, short stride. Hard contact, long path, occasional pull power tendencies.

Andrew Miller, LHP, Arrowhead, 2016
6-foot-1, 160-pound left handed pitcher. High ¾ arm slot, long arm action. Fastball sits 70-71 mph. Curveball has 11/5 tilt, slurve action, some depth and feel, 59-60 mph, showed control. Slider is 65-66 mph, limited action.

Chris Mueller, OF/LHP, Homestead, 2014
Slender build, lanky frame, 6-foot-3, 160-pound left handed two-way player. Offensively this from a balanced stance, short stride, minimal lower half. Repeats swing, mostly upper body swing, flat path, line drive hitter. 71 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively uses a long high ¾ arm action from the outfield, 72 mph from the crow hop. 7.19 runner in the 60. On the mound arm action is long from a high ¾ slot. Fastball registered at 68-70 mph, occasional sink. Curveball is 58-64 mph. Changeup flashed sink, 63-67 mph.

Jacob Passow, 3B/RHP, Germantown, 2017
Athletic build, 6-foot-1, 165-pound two way player. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, quick load, short stride. Good path, two piece swing, 76 mph exit velocity. Defensively arm action is long from an over the top slot, 69 mph across the diamond. On the mound arm action is similar to that on the infield, regular effort. Fastball flashed arm side action, 67-69 mph. Curveball works on 11/5 plane, 60-62 mph. Changeup had sink, 61-64 mph, thrown with fastball arm speed.

Kyle Schulz, OF/LHP, Bradford, 2015
Athletic build, 5-foot-10, 150-pound two-way player. Offensively hits from the right side, open stance, short stride, heel lift trigger, great balance through contact. Athletic swing, shows bat speed, short path to the baseball, line drive type hitter. 80 mph exit velocity. Defensively plays through the baseball well, athletic action, natural outfield instincts, 7.01 runner. Traditional outfield arm action, long loose arm, over the top slot, showed accuracy and carry, 80 mph arm strength from the outfield. On the mound delivery is tall and fall, athletic delivery, slightly across his body. Arm action is loose, high ¾ slot, quick arm speed. Fastball is mostly straight, 76-78 mph, showed control of the zone. Curveball has 11/5 shape, showed feel for the pitch, 60-62 mph. Changeup flashed sinking action, showed control, 68-70 mph.

Evan Spry, RHP, Janesville Craig, 2017
5-foot-10, 140-pound right handed pitcher, slender build. Delivery is a tall and fall approach, effortless delivery, works on line with athleticism. Arm action is loose with length, ¾ slot. Fastball has running action to his arm side, showed control, 72-73 mph. Curveball displayed depth, 11/5 plane, flashed sharp bite, fastball similar arm speed. Changeup has fastball arm action, showed arm side run, throws for strikes, 66-68 mph. Showed feel for three pitches, high pitchability guy, solid projection.

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