Uncommitted 2021 Sr. Showcase - Pitcher Analysis

FULLERTON, CALIF. - The second annual SoCal Uncommitted Senior Games took place at Amerige Park home of the Hope International Royals. Over 50 players descended on the downtown Fullerton ballpark to participate in the event that was live streamed to over 100 coaches across the country with many Division II and Division III coaches in attendance since restrictions on their recruiting were lifted on September 1st. 

Players were put through a traditional pro-style workout before playing in a live scout-ball style game in which pitchers faced 5-6 hitters apiece. For several players this was their first opportunity at live baseball action in some time which you would have never known based on their performances. 

In this edition we'll take a look at the uncommitted pitchers for the 2021 class. Click on the player name and it will take you to their full profile.

Aaron Juarez, Ayala (CA), 2021
Positional Profile: RHP 

Delivery: Works out of both wind up and stretch. Simple set up, eyes dip slightly before ball release. Uses the lower half well to generate power.
Arm Action: RH. Clean arm stroke, short and gets up and on time at foot plant
FB: T82, 78-80 mph. Showed above average induced vertical break meaning the ball plays up in the zone.
CB: 70-74 mph. Shape varied from cutter/slider to curveball action. Plus horizontal sweep when thrown correctly.
CH:  Showed above average movement separation from FB with average speed differential.

David Lee, San Juan Hills (CA), 2021
Positional Profile: RHP/2B
Body: 5-10, 150-pounds. Wiry, athletic, with plenty of room to fill out 

Delivery: Hand over head wind up with a slight pause before leg lift. Uses gravity to get into his lower half and ride the back hip down the mound
Arm Action: RH. Short, clean, spirals out nicely. High slot, transfers energy from the lower half extremely well.
FB: T86, 84-85 mph. High slot creates an above average ride that will play at the top of the zone.
SL: 72-73 mph. Very good shape for a slider with above average horizontal sweep
CH: 78-79 mph. Movement profiled similar to the FB with solid speed difference of 7 MPH.

Edwin Groff, Campbell Hall (CA), 2021
Positional Profile: RHP/SS
Body: 6-1, 165-pounds.  

Delivery: Worked exclusively out of the stretch. Keeps back foot/leg plugged into the ground which allows him to store energy. Gets over his front leg exceptionally well.
Arm Action: RH. Clean arm action, long on the back swing but gets it up on time. Spirals out nicely and no visible limitations on the deceleration.
FB: T88, 86-87 mph. 1:30 spin direction leads to almost equal ride and run with both coming out to near MLB average.
SL: 74-76 mph. Movement profiles well off of FB movement. Shape varied with harder ones being thrown with less depth.

Messimo Vega, Hart (CA), 2021
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 5-11, 170-pounds. 

Delivery: Worked out of both wind up and stretch. Classic hand over head delivery with a weight gather at peak leg lift. Rides back hip down the mound and blocks on the front side well.
Arm Action: RH. Arm is long out of the glove but is up and around 90 degrees at the foot plant.
FB: T86, 83-85 mph. Showed above average ride that plays up in the zone.
SL:  76-78 mph. Showed varying breaks with one acting more as a cutter. Best one was thrown with an estimated 10:30 spin direction.
CH: 80 mph. Similar movement profile to Fastball. Average speed separation of 5 MPH.

Zabian Nila, Etiwanda (CA), 2021
Positional Profile: 3B/RHP
Body: 6-1, 175-pounds. Athletic, solid base, room to fill out and add mass. 

Delivery: Worked from the windup and stretch. Semi high leg lift with a quick tempo. Sits into the back hip which carries him down the mound. Can improve lead leg block.
Arm Action: RH. Long arm stroke out of the glove. Late getting up at foot plant which could be limiting energy transfer and command
FB: T74, 67-69 mph. High slot creates a plus ride which can be effective up in the zone.
CB: 64-66 mph. Shape varied from pure slider to more of a curveball throughout the session with an average of 65.4 MPH.
CH: 62 mph. Threw one changeup with similar movement to the fastball.

Chris Jeong, Irvine  (CA), 2021
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 5-10, 180-pounds. Medium well-proportioned frame with present strength in legs.
Delivery: Throws out of the stretch. Uses a high knee lift and tucks it in. Rides hard down the mound. Finishes slightly off to the 1B side of the rubber. At times leaked front side early. Firm and stable front leg at landing.
Arm Action: RH. Short and compact arm action out of the higher 3/4 slot. Clean spiral. Above-average arm speed and accelerates it late.
FB: T79, 75-78 mph. Decent spin that sat around 2200 rpm. Good ride with average 22 inches of VB and basically no HB.
SL: 64-65 mph. A true slider with basically no VB. Effective against RH hitters. 

Gianvito Carriglio, Palma (CA), 2021
Positional Profile: 1B/RHP
Body: 6-1, 180-pounds. Medium frame with present athleticism. Room for gains.
Delivery: Athletic and repeatable delivery. Quick up and down. Doesn't hold ball deep in glove. Lands firm and stable. Online with home at finish.
Arm Action: RH. A quick compact arm action out of the H 3/4 slot. Hides arm behind his body well for deception. Everything is out of the same slot.
FB: T81, 77-80 mph. Located it well with decent life up in the zone.
CB: 65-66 mph. Decent secondary pitch. Was effective in the zone. Moves more like slurve.

Brandon Clark, Ca. Connections Academy (CA), 2021
Positional Profile: LHP/1B
Body: 6-2, 180-pounds. Large frame with a long lengthy build. High waisted.
Delivery: Easy repeatable delivery. Higher knee lift and falls downward from there. Is well balanced throughout the delivery and throws a little cross body which makes him finish slightly off to the 1B side of the mound. Soft at landing.
Arm Action: LH. Quick and loose arm out of the H 3/4 slot. Pulls down hard with his glove. Slots all his pitches the same. Average arm speed.
FB: T76, 73-75 mph. Showed some sink late and located it well arm side.

Jovanni DeLaTorre, Vista Murrieta (CA), 2021
Positional Profile: RHP/1B
Body: 6-2, 200-pounds. Tall frame with a sturdy filled out build.
Delivery: Athletic delivery with clean mechanics. Sits into his back leg and rides the back hip forward. Pulls down hard with his glove. Stays closed as long as possible. At times falls off to the 1B side of the rubber at finish but usually finishes soft and firm.
Arm Action: RH. Compact arm circle out of the H 3/4 slot. Decent arm speed. Inconsistent with release in terms of extension.
FB: T80, 77-79 mph. Showed good command to all quadrants. 21.6 inches of vertical break.
CB: 69-71 mph. Some present horizontal movement so moves more like a slurve.
CH: 72-73 mph. Circle change grip. Some present arm-side fade.

Brandon Delgado, Martin Luther King (CA), 2021
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 6-1, 193-pounds. Taller and proportional frame. The body is filling out.
Delivery: Balanced delivery throughout. Stays online with home. Drops into the back leg and drives off hard. At times inconsistent with front side leaking early and at times with falling off to the 1B side. Overall clean mechanics.
Arm Action: RH. Quick and loose arm circle that comes out of the H 3/4 slot. Above average arm speed.
FB: T87, 84-86 mph. Located well and didn't leave anything middle.
SL: 75-76 mph. Decent spin with top at 2400 rpm. Minimal vertical break. Swing and miss pitch.
CH: 79-80 mph. Same arm speed as FB. Got hitters out in front.

Kade Johnstone, Vista Murrieta  (CA), 2021
Positional Profile: LHP/OF
Body: 6-2, 190-pounds. Large proportional frame. Present athleticism.
Delivery: Athletic delivery. Uses lower half well as he drops into the back leg and pushes off rubber hard and stays low. Firms up front leg and is online with a good fielding position at finish.
Arm Action: LH. Shorter arm action. Brings elbow high in the back and comes out to a low 3/4 slot. Slots every pitch the same. Average arm speed. Real good extension.
FB: T79, 74-77 mph. Located well. Some present arm-side fade.
CB: 62-64 mph. Moves more like a slider due to horizontal movement.
CH: 67-68 mph. Played well off the FB. Good late drop. 

Jose Marquez, Bishop Amat  (CA), 2021
Positional Profile: 1B/RHP
Body: 6-3, 220-pounds. Large sturdy frame. Present strength in legs.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery. High knee lift, sits into back hip and rides it down the mound. Firm front leg at landing and finishes facing home.
Arm Action: RH. Long circular arm stroke in the back and came out of the H 3/4 slot. Average arm speed. Pulls down hard with glove. Consistent arm speeds and slots for all pitches.
FB: T80, 75-78 mph. Well located to all quadrants.
SL: 65-66 mph. Worked well in the zone and as a chase pitch. Fooled hitters in game action.
CH: 71 mph. Decent third pitch. Present fade late. Deceptive when off the FB because of the same arm speed.

Weston Millis, Orange Lutheran  (CA), 2021
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 6-1, 170-pounds. Long and lengthy build with present athleticism. High waisted.
Delivery: Tall and fall type of delivery. High knee lift and tuck. Accelerates down the mound. Deacellerates well at finish. Finishes online with home. Overall clean mechanics.
Arm Action: RH. Short compact arm circle with plus arm speed. Arm speed on secondary pitches is noticeably slower. Slots are the same with all pitches.
FB: T89, 84-88 mph. 2200-2400 spin. Located well to all quadrants. Effective as a strikeout pitch up in the zone.
CB: 67-69 mph. 2100-2350 spin. Was effective in the zone. Swing and miss pitch. Well developed secondary.

Andrew Stanley, Pacifica (CA), 2021
Positional Profile: RHP/1B
Body: 6-4, 180-pounds. Long and lengthy build. High waisted.
Delivery: Throws out of the stretch and sets up on 1B side of the rubber. High leg lift but doesn't tuck. Sinks into the back leg and rides down the mound. Pushes off rubber way before release. Delays upper body. Steps slightly into RH hitters.
Arm Action: RH. Whippy arm action out of the low 3/4 slot. Arm circle in the back with a slight scalp load. Arm accelerates late in the delivery.
FB: T86, 84-85 mph. Flashed late life. About equal horizontal/vertical break.
SL: 73-74 mph. 2100-2300 spin. Deceptive pitch as it got him some looking Ks in game action.
CH: 71-76 mph. Late fading action. Effective against RH hitters.

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