Uncommitted Spotlight: 2024 LHP Matthew VanOstenbridge (Wilson)

 

Physical: Stocky, athletic 5-foot-9, 160lb frame with high upside. 7.22 runner in the 60.

Offensively: LHH. Balanced, square stance, as the hands operated in rhythm from a strong position. Utilized a lift and replace stride to initiate the swing through a flat, rotational path into the hitting zone. Moderate posture in the box, able to create some timed up success at the front of the plate for a T86 mph exit velocity via Trackman. Worked up to a 302 foot distance with developing extra-base hit approach.

Defensively: The first baseman flashed above-average feel around the bag with a soft glove-hand and repeatable actions. Displayed a live arm across the dirt, carrying at 89 mph to the target.

Pitching: LHP. Southpaw begins from the left side of the rubber; momentum-gaining pace with strength in the lower-half. Quick-window thrower who attacked from a loose H ¾ slot at 83-85, T86 mph (2148). Life at the letters and mixed hard two-plane 66-69 mph CB into the 2551 range. Quality low-70’s CH rounds out the arsenal.

 

 

 

Physical: Highly athletic 5-foot-9, 155lb frame. Feel for his body. 8.02 runner in the 60-yard dash.

Offensively: LHH - Upright, even stance, as the hands operated a little lower at the shoulder. Utilized a toe-tap stride with some hip coil to initiate the swing through a slightly uphill path towards a two-handed finish. Plenty of bat-speed available and clean turn in the lower half into a blocked off front side. Drove the ball through the middle of the field with a mature approach and added a T87 mph bat-exit velocity at his peak. Gap to gap strength, more coming. 

Defensively: The first baseman handled himself with poise around the bag, shuffling and chopping the feet and rounding on the ball with good angle. Fielded out in front off the middle of his body and released with a loose arm up to 87 mph across the diamond (carry).

Pitching: LHP - The southpaw shines on the bump; sat 83-85 mph with command of the arm-side corner. Good drive line down the slope and controls the body, unwinding at footstrike. Tons of arm-talent present, the FB plays live up at the letters from 83-85 mph, strikes. Mixed a sharp two-plane upper-60’s CB with depth to it and flashed hard-fading 69-71 mph CH too. Potential on both offspeed. 

 

 

Physical: Twitchy, athletic 5-foot-8, 145lb frame. 7.99 runner in the 60-yard dash.

Offensively: LHH - Balanced, even stance as the hands showed upright rhythm at the shoulder to start. Utilized a directional lift and replace stride, initiating a quick bat head through a flat, whippy path into the hitting zone. Stayed through the middle of the field with a short swing, producing a 27% line drive rate (via Trackman) using an inside-out approach. Good bat to ball skills and lagged the barrel en route to a T86 mph bat-exit velocity at his peak in a top of the order type skillset (handsy at times). 

Defensively: The first baseman more than handled himself at a corner infield position, shuffling loosely in either direction. Presented a soft glove hand on-time out in front of his right side, funneling to the chest and releasing in rhythm from a ¾ slot (fast release). Able to get back and cover on double plays with short distance quickness (86 mph arm, carry).

Pitching: LHP - The southpaw started off the middle of the rubber with a gradual pace; used some gradual drop/drive out of the stack, separating cleanly and gaining momentum down the slope from an OTT slot at footstrike. The FB ranged from 80-82 mph with increased carry to the plate (>20 inches of IVB via Trackman). Mixed a sharp 68-70 mph CB with consistent 1/7 tilt at 2471rpms (swing/miss) and faded a plus 71-73 mph CH to the arm-side to dodge barrels. Feel for three quality pitches. 

 

 

Physical: 5’8 145 lb LHP/1B ran an 8.09 laser timed 60 yard dash. Small in stature but has athletic movements and a solid base to grow his game.

Offensively: Starts with a wide base and creates good rhythm between his hands and lower half. Maintains good posture throughout the swing. Has a slight delay at the peak of the load before starting the swing.

Defensively: Showed solid defensive ability to move in all directions along with being able to throw on the run. Threw from multiple arm slots depending on the play.

Pitching: Smooth moving windup has effortless movements. Shows a 3 pitch mix that has some promising action to them. Solid foundation to continue improvements.

 

 

Physical: 5-foot-5, 125 pounds; sturdy, athletic frame. 8.4 runner in the 60. Offensively: LHH. Even wide stance with upright bat; short take back, moderate leg kick with all weight on backside. average effort with slight lift. Pull side approach; peak Trackman exit velocity of 79 MPH. Defensively: Upright; active approach, fields ball in center and into body. funnel through hip; standard 3/4 arm slot.   INF - 77 MPH. Pitching: Arm side setup, compact smooth and repeatable delivery; finishes over firm front side. Fluid & smooth arm action from high 3/4 arm slot. FB: T 75MPH, 72-74 MPH. FB has above average carry and spin with some arm side run. CB: 59-62 MPH. CB with 2-8 shape has elite horizontal break with good depth as well. CH: 66-67 MPH. CH has good fading movement and great vertical separation from FB.

 

 

5-foot-5, 125-pound primary pitcher sat 67-69 from a high 3/4 arm slot with a heavy fastball and a sound, repeatable delivery. Curveball at 57-59 showed sharp, late 12/6 break. Tends to overthrow his changeup at 63-64 but the pitch has some depth when hes stays behind the pitch. Athletic frame has plenty of room for growth and strength gains moving forward.