Drew Locascio
Illinois Scouting Director

The Underclass Games at UIC has quietly became one of the more premier events for incoming sophomores in Illinois and Wisconsin. This year’s event took place on Monday, July 24th and featured more than 60 rising sophomores. 

Today we continue the analysis of the event with a look at the pitchers in attendance. The deepest position of the event, may very well have been the pitchers and keeping the list to a Top 10 was a challenge. 

Noah DeLuga (Lake Zurich) turned heads with his performance at the event. The durable left-hander challenged hitters with a fastball that touched 86 mph and he struck out all four batters that he faced. 

Top Pitching Prospects

1. Noah DeLuga, LHP/OF, Lake Zurich, 2020
6-foot, 175-pound left-handed hitting LHP/OF with a strong frame. Established himself as one of the top arms in the Illinois Class of 2020. Works from a ¾ arm angle with a short, quick arm action. Works exclusively out of the stretch. Tall and fall delivery with easy effort, slightly closed landing with an upright finish. Hides the ball well. Fastball was firm with late running action at 84-85 topping out at 86 mph. Curveball has 2-8 shape at 69 mph. Can back foot RHHs for swings and misses. Featured a changeup in warmups at 71-72 mph. Struckout all four hitters he faced. Offensively hits from a tall, narrow setup with a short leg lift stride and average balance. Short, leve swing path. 83 mph exit velocity from a tee. 4.33 runner down the line. Defensively has a short arm action from a ¾ arm slot. Throws showed carry from the outfield at 87 mph.

2. Luke Fox, LHP/OF, Catholic Memorial (WI), 2020
5-foot-11, 170-pound LHP/OF with an athletic frame. On the mound works from a ¾ arm angle with a long, loose arm action. Tall and fall delivery with easy effort. Smooth rhythm working in line with home plate with an athletic finish. Fastball has running action, gets in on the hands of hitters. Sat 81-84 topping out at 85 mph. Curveball has 2-8 shape with short-breaking action at 72-74 mph. Changeup has running action at 77 mph. Consistently gets weak contact, ball didn't leave the infield in his appearance, struck out two. Offensively hits from a balanced setup with a short load and heel lift stride. Pull hitter with fluid rhythm. 80 mph exit velocity from a tee. 4.44 runner down the line. Defensively has a long arm action from a ¾ slot. Accurate throws from the outfield at 85 mph with carry. Athletic actions, plays thru the ball. Made a diving catch in centerfield in game.

3. Zach Hise, RHP, Joliet Catholic, 2020
6-foot-1, 165-pound right-handed pitcher with a projectable frame. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a loose arm action. Tall and fall delivery with easy effort. Square landing working in line with home plate. Works exclusively out of the stretch. Fastball sat 81-84 topping out at 85 mph. Slider has tight rotation with late breaking action at 74-76 mph. Changeup sat 78 mph. High-upside 2020 arm.

4. Tyler Chadwick, OF/RHP/1B, Marshall (WI), 2020
6-foot-4, 175-pound right-handed hitting utility player with a lanky, highly projectable frame. Intriguing two way talent. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a leg kick stride and good balance. Gap to gap hitter with fluid rhythm and a fast bat. 88 mph exit velocity from a tee. 4.61 runner down the line. Defensively in the outfield threw an event best 91 mph from the outfield. Long arm action from an over the top slot. Accurate throw with carry. Plays thru the ball with fluid rhythm. Also took drills at first base and threw 79 mph across the infield. Projects best on the mound. Works from an over the top arm angle with a long, loose arm action. Tall and fall delivery with easy effort and smooth rhythm. Fastball sat 83-85 topping out at 86 mph. Curveball has 11-5 shape at 67-71 mph. Changeup has downer action at 72-74 mph.

5. Eben Heine, OF/RHP, Plainfield North, 2020
6-foot-1, 165-pound right-handed hitting OF/RHP with a lanky frame. Features plus arm strength, threw 90 mph from the outfield in workouts. Raw arm strength translates on the mound. Long arm action from a high ¾ slot, throws showed carry. Plays thru the ball with athletic actions and a quick exchange. At the plate hits from a balanced slightly open setup with a toe tap stride and fair balance. Long, level swing path. 4.61 runner down the line. 87 mph exit velocity from a tee. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a quick arm action. Drop and drive Uptempo delivery with a slightly closed landing. Fastball sat 81-85 topping out at 86 mph, lost velocity from the stretch. Curveball has 11-5 shape with short breaking action at 70-72 mph. Changeup sat 76-78 mph.

6. George Klassen, RHP/INF, Port Washington (WI), 2020
5-foot-11, 150-pound, long, wiry, two-way prospect with plenty of room for continued physical development. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, worked a hitless inning while striking out two. Drop and drive, directional, repeatable delivery. Arm works long, loose and whippy and works predominantly out of a high ¾ slot; will lower arm slot at times. Fastball flashes slight arm-side-run, thrown for strikes and sat 81-83 mph, touching 84. Changeup looks to be best secondary offering, fade action, feel, 76-78 mph. Curveball works 11/5, loose action at times, tendency to back up, 72-73 mph. Defensively, had the strongest arm of the event from across the infield, 87 mph. Throws were accurate with carry. Receptive, steady hands, plays through the baseball and clean transfer. Offensively, right-handed hitter, tall setup, maintains balance through contact and stays on top of the baseball. Simple overall swing, line-drive approach and flashed loose hands. 80 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran a 4.32 down-the-line.

7. Dylan Wolff, RHP, Joliet West, 2020
6-foot-1, 175-pound right-handed pitcher with a lanky frame. On the mound works from a ¾ arm angle with a short long arm action. Tall and fall delivery with regular effort. Smooth rhythm with a square landing and good balance. Fastball sat 80-82 topping out at 83 mph. Curveball has 11-5 shape at 66-67 mph. Changeup is a plus offering with sinking action at 73-74 mph. Projects well on the mound.

8. Tyler Heidkamp, LHP, Oswego East, 2020
5-foot-8, 145-pound left-handed pitcher with an athletic frame. Works from a ¾ arm angle with a long, loose arm action. Tall and fall delivery with easy effort working in line with home plate. Square landing with smooth rhythm. Fastball has slight running action at 80-82 mph, works in on hitters. Curveball has short sweeping action at 69-71 mph. Changeup sat 68-72 mph. Had a clean inning striking out two in game.

9. Connor Gill, RHP/OF, Oswego East, 2020
6-foot, 145-pound left-handed hitting RHP/OF with a highly projectable frame. On the mound works from an over the top arm angle with a short arm circle and hesitation on the backside. Arms works quick with regular effort. Tall and fall, slow paced delivery working in line with home plate. Square landing with an athletic finish. Fastball has tilt at 81-83 mph. Showed feel for curveball with 12-6 shape at 68-70 mph. Changeup has sinking action at 73 mph. Hides the ball well, tough to pick up curveball out of hand, gets swings and misses. Retired all four hitters he faced in his outing. Offensively hits from a balanced setup with an armbar load and average balance. Pull hitter with a long, uphill swing path. 89 mph exit velocity from a tee. 4.57 runner down the line. Defensively has a long arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. Threw 83 mph from the outfield.

10. Johnny Kubin, RHP, Marist, 2020
6-foot, 180-pound right-handed pitcher with a solid frame. Works from a high ¾ arm angle with a long arm action. Drop and drive delivery with a high front side and some effort in release. Fields position well, works fast and attacks hitters. Fastball showed late life down in the zone sitting 82-84 topping out at 85 mph. Featured off speed pitches exclusively in warmups. Slider sat 66-68 mph. Changeup sat 69 mph.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Cole Bhardwaj, RHP, Jacobs, 2020
6-foot, 165-pound right-handed pitcher with a thin, lanky frame. Works from an over the top arm angle with a short arm action. Trall and fall delivery with a closed landing and smooth rhythm. Fastball sat 78-80 topping out at 81 mph. Curveball sat 67 mph. Changeup sat 69-70 mph.

Vince Borrelli, RHP, Andrew, 2020
5-foot-11, 155-pound right-handed pitcher. Works from a high ¾ arm angle with a long arm action. Tall and fall delivery working in line with home plate. Some effort in release. Fastball was straight at 79-81 topping out at 83 mph. Curveball has 11-5 shape with gradual action at 63-66 mph. Changeup had sinking action at 72-74 mph.

Chris Byhre, RHP, Catholic Memorial (WI), 2020
6-foot, 190-pound right-handed pitcher. Works from a high ¾ arm angle with a short arm action. Drop and drive delivery with regular effort and an open landing. Fastball was erratic at 79-83 topping out at 84 mph. Curveball has 10-4 shape with loose rotation at 65-68 mph. Changeup sat 69-70 mph.

Caden Carr, RHP, Marist, 2020
6-foot-2, 154-pound right-handed pitcher. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a long arm action. Works exclusively out of the stretch. Drop and drive delivery with no backside. Fastball sat 74-77 topping out at 78 mph. Slider has 10-4 shape at 65-67 mph. Also featured a curveball with 11-5 shape at 63-64 mph.

Austin Divello, RHP, Oak Park-River Forest, 2020
5-foot-8, 120-pound right-handed pitcher. Works from a high ¾ arm angle with a long arm action. Drop and drive delivery with a closed landing. Falls to first base after release. Slide step delivery from the stretch. Fastball sat 76-79 topping out at 80 mph. Curveball has 12-6 shape at 67-71 mph. Changeup used in warmups, throw with fastball arm speed at 75 mph.

Carter Endisch, RHP, Arrowhead (WI), 2020
5-foot-11, 155-pound right-handed pitcher. Works from a ¾ arm angle with a long arm action. Drop and drive delivery, opens shoulders early. Fastball sat 74-75 topping out at 76 mph. Slider has loose rotation at 59-62 mph. Changeup sat 64 mph.

Eric Erato, INF/RHP, Sussex Hamilton (WI), 2020
5-foot-11, 155-pound, athletically built, lean, highly-projectable, two-way prospect. High-ceiling position player with a smooth left-handed bat. Offensively, confident look in the box, balanced setup, fluid pre-pitch rhythm, loads into backside, short stride and maintains good balance through contact. Short bat path, stays level through the hitting zone, line-drive approach; 83 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, natural fluid actions, plays under control, soft receptive hands, fields athletically and plays through the baseball. Clean transfer, loose, athletic arm action, throws were accurate and carried at 80 mph across the infield. Also, ran a 4.44 home-to-first in game. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, smooth, tall and fall delivery, stays on-line, regular effort throughout. Clean, uninterrupted arm action from an over-the-top slot. Did not allow a hit in his one inning of work. Fastball, downhill tilt, 78-80 mph. Curveball works 12/6, tight spin and depth, 66-68 mph. Changeup was 74 mph.

Nolan Fasel, RHP, Andrew, 2020
6-foot-4, 155-pound right-handed pitcher with a thin, lanky frame. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a long arm action. Tall and fall delivery, slight hesitation at balance point. Works in line with home plate, square landing. Fastball sat 76-78 mph. Curveball has 12-6 shape at 68-70 mph. Changeup sat 69-71 mph. Filled up the zone in his outing.

Nathan Gehrke, RHP, Joliet Catholic, 2020
5-foot-10, 170-pound right-handed pitcher. Works from an over the top angle with a short arm circle on the backside. Tall and fall delivery with easy effort. Smooth rhythm with a square landing. Fastball was straight at 79-80 topping out at 81 mph. Curveball has 11-5 shape at 69-71 mph. Changeup has running action at 71 mph.

Ben Gerl, INF/LHP, Lincoln-Way West, 2020
5-foot-11, 158-pound, well-proportioned two-way prospect. On the mound, left-handed pitcher, works from a hybrid delivery, smooth rhythm, repeats well. Clean, compact arm action and comes out of a high ¾ window. Fastball, thrown for strikes, slight arm-side action, 76-79 mph. Curveball, depth, 2/8 shape, missed glove side at times, sat 66-68 mph. Changeup, maintains arm speed, feel, down in the zone, 70-71 mph. Left-handed hitter, balanced setup, slight pre-pitch rhythm, short stride and repeatable swing. Loose hands, flashes bat speed, makes consistent hard contact, pull approach; 89 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, worked out at first base, fluid footwork at times, quick release, short, loose arm action, throws clocked at 74 mph. 5.26 runner, home-to-first.

Cody Horon, INF/RHP, Union Grove (WI), 2020
6-foot-1, 200-pound, imposing, strong, wide-shouldered, muscle-bound, two-way prospect. Offensively, tall setup, short stride and strength through contact; 85 mph exit velocity from a tee. Simple swing, stays short to the ball, pull tendencies and flashes power potential at times. Defensively, steady, receptive hands, plays deep into body at times. Short, over-the-top arm action, clocked at 73 mph across the infield. Ran a 4.69 down-the-line. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, drop and drive delivery, stays on-line and lands square. Short arm from a high ¾ slot. Fastball works mostly straight, occasional cut, 75-76 mph, topped at 77. Curveball worked 12/6 to 11/5 63 mph. Changeup, clocked at 69-71 mph.

Tommy Kelly, RHP, Peoria Notre Dame, 2020
6-foot-1, 175-pound right-handed pitcher. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a long arm action. Tall and fall delivery working in line with home plate. Works exclusively out of the stretch. Fastball sat 77-79 topping out at 80 mph. Curveball has 11-5 shape at 62-65 mph. Changeup has sinking action at 69-71 mph.

Jack Kuchel, OF/RHP, Sandburg, 2020
5-foot-11, 165-pound right-handed hitting OF/RHP with a strong frame. At the plate hits from a wide base with a short stride and average balance. Long, uphill swing path. 91 mph exit velocity from a tee. 4.57 runner down the line. Defensively has a long arm action from a high ¾ slot. Plays thru the ball with average hands. Threw 82 mph from the outfield. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a long arm action. Tall and fall delivery with some effort on release and an upright finish. Fastball has cutting action at 79-82 mph. Curveball sat 69-70 mph. Changeup sat 74 mph.

Jake Margolick, INF/RHP, Highland Park, 2020
5-foot-10, 155-pound, two-way prospect. Offensively, balanced setup, loads into backside and toe-tap stride. Long, uphill bat path and pull approach; 81 mph exit velocity from a tee. 4.62 runner, home-to-first. Defensively, steady hands, shuffles into release, short, high ¾ slot, throws clocked at 76 mph across the diamond. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, drop-and-drive delivery, stays on-line and works with rhythm. Short arm action from a high ¾ window. Fastball flashed slight cut at times, sat 71-73 mph, touching 74. Curveball works 11/5, 60-61 mph. Flashed a changeup at 68 mph.

Drew Masset, RHP/OF, Ramsey, 2020
5-foot-10, 185-pound right-handed hitting RHP/OF. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a long arm action. Tall and fall delivery with easy effort working in line with home plate. Fastball had heavy action. Doesn’t consistently get on top of fastball, allows him to cut it and sink it at 74-77 topping out at 78 mph. Curveball has 12-6 shape with loose rotation at 62-65 mph. Changeup has cutting action at 68 mph. Struckout two in his inning of work. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a short stride and fair balance. Pull hitter with an uphill swing path. 80 mph exit velocity from a tee. 4.75 runner down the line. Defensively took drills in the outfield, throwing 76 mph.

Sean McLaughlin, LHP, LIncoln-Way East, 2020
6-foot-6, 210-pound left-handed pitcher with a lanky, wide shouldered frame. Works from an over the top arm angle with a long arm action. Tall and fall delivery with a square landing. Fastball was straight at 76-80 topping out at 81 mph. Curveball has loose rotation at 60-61 mph. Changeup sat 72 mph.

Alex Roher, RHP, Andrew, 2020
6-foot-3, 170-pound right-handed pitcher with a lanky frame. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a long arm action. Drop and drive delivery working in line with home plate. Works exclusively out of the stretch. Fastball has slight running action at 79-82 topping out at 83 mph. Changeup sat 74-76 mph. Struckout two in his inning of work.

Henry Schuler, RHP/OF, Joliet Catholic, 2020
5-foot-10, 145-pound right-handed hitting RHP/OF. On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a long arm action. Tall and fall delivery working in line with home plate. Fastball sat 74-76 mph. Curveball has 12-6 shape with loose rotation at 62-64 mph. Changeup sat 68 mph. At the plate hits from a closed setup with a short stride. Opposite field hitter. 77 mph exit velocity from a tee. 4.82 runner down the line. Defensively took drills in the outfield, threw 75 mph.

Christopher Seropian, LHP, St. Laurence, 2020
6-foot, 160-pound left-handed pitcher. On the mound works from an over the top arm angle with a long, loose arm action. Tall and fall delivery with easy effort. Square landing working in line with home plate. Fastball was straight at 72-75 topping out at 77 mph for strikes. Curveball has 12-6 shape with gradual action at 55-59 mph. Changeup sat 66-69 mph.

Rohan B. Shah, INF/RHP, Lyons Township, 2020
6-foot, 160-pound, long, lean, projectable build, two-way prospect. On the mound, right-handed pitcher, works from the stretch only, repeatable, on-line delivery. Arm works loose, from a ¾ slot and regular effort throughout. Fastball, arm-side-run, sat 79-81 mph. Slider, 11/5 shape, short-breaking action, 69-72 mph. Changeup, average command, occasionally misses glove side, 67-68 mph. Offensively, right-handed hitter, balanced setup, slight leg-lift trigger and maintains balance through contact. Fluid rhythm, loose swing, path works uphill, looks to lift the baseball; 84 mph exit velocity. Finished the game 3-for-3. Ran a 4.28 home-to-first. Defensively, on the infield, average hands, winds up on release at times. Long arm action, ¾ slot and throws clocked at 79 mph.

Patrick Straub, C/RHP, Metea Valley, 2020
6-foot, 155-pound right-handed hitting C/RHP with a lanky frame. Defensively has a short arm action from an over the top slot. Accurate throws on the bag with carry. Athletic defender behind the plate with a clean exchange, active blocker. Popped 2.12-2.19 and threw 74 mph from the crouch. At the plate hits from a balanced, slightly open setup. Long, uphill swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 91 mph exit velocity from a tee. 5.01 runner down the line. On the mound works from an over the top arm angle with a short arm action. Tall and fall delivery with regular effort. Fastball sat 79-81 topping out at 83 mph. Curveball has 12-6 shape with sharp-breaking action at 69-72 mph. Changeup has sinking action at 75-77 mph. Lost command from the stretch.

Will Tenuta, RHP, Sandburg, 2020
5-foot-11, 145-pound right-handed pitcher with a thin, lanky frame. Works from an over the top arm angle with a short arm action. Tall and fall delivery with a square landing working in line with home plate. Fastball works downhill at 78-80 mph. Curveball has 12-6 shape with depth at 64-65 mph. Hitters give up on it out of the hand, drops it in for strikes. Changeup has downer action, throw with fastball arm speed at 72-74 mph. Worked fast and threw strikes.

RELATED CONTENT