Uncommitted Spotlight: 2023 RHP Daniel Jacobs (West Chester East)

 

Physical: XL, powerful 6-foot-3, 245lb frame with a thick lower half. 8.17 runner in the 60-yard dash.

Offensively: RHH - Controlled, shoulder-width stance with the weight favoring the backside slightly. Utilized a lift and replace stride out towards the pitcher, initiating the bat head through a direct, flat path into the zone. Good sequencing following the lower half in the movements, able to adjust on pitches into the bottom of the zone for flush contact to the pull-side of the field. Phased well into a stiff/sturdy front-side producing a T97 mph bat-exit velocity and extra-base hit juice when on time to the black of the plate. Middle of the order consideration down the line with early connection in the swing. 

Defensively: The first baseman demonstrated adequate actions around the bag, presenting the glove hand early out in front and shuffled the feet while getting hips/shoulders in line to the target. Released at an accurate H ¾ slot (74 mph arm, low intent). 

Pitching: RHP - Started off the far left side of the rubber from the stretch-only. Medium leg lift with balance at the stack before holding connection down the slope at a higher, H ¾ release working slightly downhill into the zone. The FB worked from 83-85, T87 mph, commanding low for strikes and mixed in a sharp 73-75 mph CB with late depth on his descent at 2200+ rpms. A 76-78 mph SL was the strikeout offering with swing/miss shape (lateral) and could command a tough 72-74 mph CH with shorter fade.

 

 

Physical: XL, powerful 6-foot-4, 245lb frame with a strong lower half that translates to success. 7.98 runner in the 60-yard dash.

Offensively: RHH - Balanced, even stance using a slight bend into the backside knee with a high-elbowed starting position. Utilized a leg lift stride out towards the pitcher initiating a short, flat path into the hitting zone with above-average barrel awareness. Stayed simple and inside the lower half, driving with good hip/shoulder separation resulting in hard LCF contact/juice during batting practice. Worked his way up near 100 mph bat-exit velocity (T98 mph, 55% fly ball rate, 352 foot batted ball distance) with easy middle of the order consideration at the next level. 

Defensively: The first baseman operated with a soft glove hand funneling inward off the middle of his body from a medium postured position (wide stance). Accurate, high ¾ slot and medium intent across the diamond with more available (81 mph arm). 

Pitching: RHP - Started off the far left side of the rubber from the stretch-only, using a quick leg lift to a medium height and separating early with lots of length out of a H ¾ release. FB ranged 86-89 mph with high spin, but slight down action into the zone (9.3 inches IVB, 59% zone rate) with ability to lead for strikes. Mixed a harder 76-78 mph SL flashing plus at times when he got to a leveraged release out in front for K’s (2539rpms max, 17 inches HM).