By Drew Locascio
Illinois Scouting Director

The winter Underclass Invitational is one of our favorite events because it always brings the most unseen talent to the forefront. This year was no different as several prospects put their names on our big board and over the next week we will break down the top prospects at each position. Today we take a look at the pitchers from the Underclass Invitational.

With the number of quality arms at the event we decided to rank the freshman and sophomores separately. Three 2019 arms, all now committed, stood out among the rest of the group. Grant Leader, Nathan Rintz and Bryce Barnett all flashed premium velocity for their age to go along with advanced spin.

Keep an eye on  the top 2020 arm at the event, Connor Gill (Oswego East). Gill is an athletic right-hander who is already sitting 82-84 mph with his fastball and has a solid three-pitch mix.

 

Top 2019 Pitching Prospects

1. Grant Leader, RHP, Lyons Township, 2019
Recent Illinois commit. 5-foot-9, 145-pound right-handed pitcher, athletic build. One of the top arms in his class. Delivery repeats, exaggerated finish, gains ground, open front side. Arm action is short and quick, explosive arm action, high ¾ slot, little effort. Plus fastball for his age, sat 89-90 mph, slight running action, showed feel for the zone, excellent life through the zone. Two breaking balls. Curveball has 12/6 shape, 72-75 mph, better of the two breaking balls. Slider had flatter action, occasional cut, 77-79 mph. Changeup fades to arm side, 74-77 mph, has feel. Excellent four pitch mix, repertoire to be a front line starter at the next level.

2. Nathan Rintz, RHP, Schaumburg, 2019
Arkansas commit. 6-foot-1, 165-pound right-handed pitcher, athletic loose frame. Drop and drive style delivery, athletic and on time, aggressive and dynamic, some effort. Arm action is quick and loose, high ¾ slot. Fastball has hard late life, natural cut action, showed control, 86-88 mph, touched 89 mph. Curveball has 12/6 shape, sharp action, thrown aggressively with arm speed, 74-77 mph, plus potential. Slider is firm, 78-79 mph, thrown hard and tight, occasional back up action. Straight changeup flashed sink, shoed feel, aggressively sat 79-82 mph. Rintz is one of the top right-handed arms in the state, highly dynamic arm with plus type breaking ball.  

3. Bryce Barnett, RHP, Providence Catholic, 2019
Arizona State commit. 6-foot, 160-pound right-handed pitcher, lean athletic frame. Delivery works slightly to open side, some effort. Arm action is quick and loose, high ¾ slot. Fastball has hard late life, sat 85-86 mph, touched 87 mph. Curveball has 12/6 shape, sharp action, plus potential, 68-70 mph. Slider has 10/4 shape, occasional back up action. Changeup thrown with near fastball arm action, fades to arm side, thrown aggressively, 76-79 mph. High ceiling right-handed arm, quick arm with plus potential breaking ball.

4. Michael Gurka, RHP, Hinsdale Central, 2019
Strong solid frame, 6-foot-2, 200-pound right-handed pitcher. Repeats a directional delivery, stays on line and works aggressively to target. Arm action is quick and projects, loose arm from an over the top slot, minimal effort. Four seam type fastball, straight with finish through the top of the zone, sat 81-84 mph. Curveball has 12/6 shape, flashed sharp bite, some feel, thrown aggressively at 72-75 mph. Changeup is firm with slight arm side action, mostly straight, 79-80 mph, deceptive arm speed.

5. Justin Divelbiss, RHP, Plainfield Central, 2019
5-foot-11, 145-pound right-handed pitcher, average frame with some projectablility. Arm action is loose, high ¾ slot, quick arm, regular effort. Fastball has life through the zone, loud finish, slight running action, 83-84 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape, short break, fastball arm speed, flashed sharp action, 72-75 mph. Straight changeup is firm, occasional sink, 75-76 mph. Showed a knuckleball at 64-65 mph.

6. Ryan Leland, RHP/INF, Sandburg, 2019
6-foot-3, 175-pound right-handed pitcher, lean projectable frame, athletic live body. Athletic repeatable delivery. Arm action is, short and loose, high ¾ slot, quick projectable arm. Fastball finishes hard through the zone, slight arm side run, showed feel for the zone, 78-79 mph, touched 80 mph. Slider is tight, 11/5 shape, has feel with aggressive arm action, ability to throw for strikes, 66-68 mph. Changeup is thrown with fastball arm speed, 64-67 mph. High follow 2019 right-handed pitcher. Right-handed hitter, open stance, slightly longer stride. Loose hands, 88 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively showed 75 mph arm across the diamond, long arm action. Ran a 7.83 in the 60.

7. Jacob Rosenkranz, RHP, Stevenson, 2019
Projectable frame, long and lean, 6-foot-3, 165-pound right-handed pitcher. Full windup, tall and fall, tucks glove side. Arm action is long, plunges on backside, high ¾ slot, quick arm. Fastball has running action, late lively finish, showed control, 82-83 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape, 68-70 mph, flashed sharp action. Changeup has slight sink, feel for the zone, 72-74 mph.

8. Collin Witzke, RHP, Oswego East, 2019
6-foot-2, 160-pound right-handed pitcher, thin build on long frame, projectable. Tall and fall delivery, regular effort, works on line with closed front side. Arm action is loose, backside plunge, longer path, high ¾ slot. Fastball is straight, four seam type, 81-82 mph, touched 83 mph, showed ability for command. Curveball has 12/6 shape with gradual action and above average depth, showed feel for the zone, 64-66 mph. Good feel for changeup, fades to arm side, 71-74 mph. Well above average three pitch feel for his age.

9. Dylan Szajkovics, RHP, Plainfield North, 2019
5-foot-11, 157-pound right-handed pitcher. Projects well with arm speed, easy effort, long and loose arm action, high ¾ slot. Fastball has slight running action, showed feel for the zone, easy 80-83 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape, gradual action, 65-69 mph, has control. Showed feel for a straight changeup, thrown near fastball arm speed, 75-77 mph, occasional cut action.

10. Nick Gilhaus, RHP, Normal Community, 2019
6-foot-1, 220-pound right-handed pitcher, solid build, strong lower half. Tall and fall delivery, arm action is long and over the top, comes out of short window. Easy and repeats, kept ball down. Fastball is straight, 78-81 mph, topped at 82 mph, showed feel for the zone. Curveball has action and depth, 12/6 shape, 64-68 mph. Changeup is down, 68-71 mph.

Top 2020 Pitching Prospects

1. Connor Gill, RHP/OF, Oswego East, 2020
5-foot-10, 150-pound left-handed hitting RHP/OF with a lanky projectable frame. On the mound works from an over the top arm angle with a short, quick arm action and stab on the backside. Tall and fall delivery working in line with home plate. Smooth rhythm with good balance throughout delivery. Fastball was straight at 82-84 mph for strikes. Curveball has 12-6 shape at 65-67 mph. Changeup showed fading action at 73-75 mph. Defensively has a long, loose arm action from an over the top arm slot. Plays thru the ball with fluid footwork and soft hands. Threw 83 mph from the outfield. At the plate hits from a balanced setup with a low hand set and arm bar load. Gap to gap hitter with a long swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 83 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.57.

2. Danny Doheny, RHP, Lyons Township, 2020
5-foot-9, 137-pound right-handed pitcher, lean frame has some projection. Arm action is loose, loose finish, clean, quick arm out of a high ¾ slot. Little effort, delivery repeats. Fastball has slight running action, 80-81 mph, touched 82 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape, 68-71 mph, flashed slurve type action. Changeup is thrown aggressively with arm speed, 72-75 mph, mostly straight with slight fade, showed feel.

3. Rohan Shah, INF/RHP, Lyons Township, 2020
6-foot, 160-pound, athletically built, projectable two-way prospect. On the mound, arm action projects for more velocity down the road; works loose and clean arm out of a high ¾ window with regular effort throughout. Smooth, athletic delivery, repeats, stays on line and finishes athletically, occasionally falling off towards first base. Fastball, slight arm-side-run, ranged from 76-79 mph. Curveball works 11/5 and sat 61-65 mph. Changeup, thrown for strikes, fade action, 69-71 mph. Offensively, right-handed hitter, looseness in swing, makes consistent hard contact and gap-to-gap approach. Balanced, open setup, long stride and good balance. Registered a 75 mph exit velocity from a tee. Defensively, fluid, athletic actions on the infield. Soft hands, clean transfer and accurate arm; clocked at 77 mph across the infield. Also, ran a 7.35 laser-timed 60.

4. Will Tenuta, RHP, Sandburg, 2020
Long wiry frame, projects well, 5-foot-10, 130-pound right-handed pitcher. Easy smooth delivery that stays on line, squared landing. Arm action is short and loose, quick arm with high ceiling, over the top slot. Fastball is mostly straight, occasional arm side run, 74-76 mph. Curveball has 12/6 shape, 65-66 mph, showed feel and flashed sharp action. Firm changeup that cuts, 70-72 mph, near fastball arm speed, thrown aggressively.

5. Drew Henrikson, RHP, Rochester, 2020
5-foot-11, 155-pound right-handed pitcher. Tall and fall delivery, regular effort, works with some rhythm, upright finish, can get more out of lower half. Arm action is quick, ¾ slot. Fastball has slight running action, occasionally underneath the ball, worked top half of the zone at 79-81 mph. Slider has 10/4 shape, 67-69 mph, back-up action, gets around at times. Changeup has arm side action with sink, 73-76 mph.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Hayden Brotz, 1B/RHP, Stevenson, 2019
6-foot-1, 210-pound two-way player, large build with strength. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, smooth loading action, long stride, average balance. Bat strength present, aggressive swing with a purpose, front foot hitter attacks the baseball. Power bat registered 91 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action plays with length, high ¾ slot, 79 mph across the diamond. Moves well around the bag, natural defender at first. 7.69 runner in the 60. On the mound fastball has sink, showed feel, 79-81 mph, touched 82 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape, 69-70 mph. Knuckleball showed float action to arm side, 66-68 mph.

Christopher Conrad, RHP, Plainfield Central, 2019
6-foot-1, 154-pound right-handed pitcher, lean lanky frame, projects well. Delivery has effort, recoil finish, gangly actions. Arm action is loose, showed quickness, high ¾ slot. Fastball touched 80 mph, sat 77-79 mph, mostly straight. Over the top curveball was best pitch, 64-66 mph, 12/6 action with depth. Changeup sinks, 70-72 mph, showed some feel. Projectable right-handed frame and arm with well above average curveball for his age.

Cameron Edmonson, LHP, Rochester, 2019
5-foot-8, 155-pound left-handed pitcher. Small frame with an easy arm action, works well, high ¾ slot, loose arm. Closed front side, works slightly across his body. Fastball has slight arm side run, creates angle, 78-81 mph. Curveball has 1/7 shape, 65-67 mph. Changeup has fade, slower arm speed, 67-69 mph.

Brennan Geers, 1B/LHP, Providence Catholic, 2019
6-foot-2, 200-pound left-handed hitting two-way player, athletic body type. Offensively hits from a slightly open stance, short stride, good balance. Level path, backspins the baseball, has bat strength, occasionally jump off the barrell. 89 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is short and quick across the diamond, high ¾ slot, 77 mph across. Showed feel around the bag, softer hands, athletic defender. 7.59 runner in the 60. On the mound arm works over the top, in rhythm. Fastball flashed arm side run, ranged 76-78 mph, touched 79 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape, flashed action and feel, 65-70 mph. Changeup fades to arm side, 68-72 mph. Showed a cutter, at 73-75 mph with slight arm side action.

Cody Harrison, RHP, Plainfield North, 2019
Long thin frame, projects well, 6-foot-2, 165-pound right-handed pitcher. Regular effort, works on line, smooth. Arm action is loose, high ¾ slot, occasionally underneath. Fastball is straight, slight running action, worked to the top of the zone, 78-79 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape, ranged 61-68 mph. Changeup sinks to arm side, showed feel for the zone, able to drop for strikes, 68-70 mph.

Ayden Head, RHP, Hinsdale Central, 2019
6-foot-2, 210-pound right-handed pitcher, strong lower half. Tall and fall delivery, tucks front side, finishes directionally. Arm action is long, high ¾ slot. Fastball has arm side run, sneaky finish, 80-82 mph. Curveball sat 71-72 mph, slight action. Cutter sinks at 74-76 mph. Straight changeup has slight sink, 72-74 mph, showed feel.

Kyle Jennings, RHP, Marist, 2019
Extra-large frame, 6-foot-4, 190-pound right-handed pitcher. Tall and fall delivery, on line, high and slightly open front side. Arm action is long, over the top slot, deceptive release. Fastball is straight, works downhill, heavier feel, 78-80 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape, gradual action, slurve type, 65-68 mph. Changeup sinks, showed feel for the zone, 68-70 mph.

Mason Kasprisin, RHP, Joliet West, 2019
6-foot, 155-pound right-handed pitcher. Delivery has regular effort, stride path works out and around,, lands square. Arm action is long and firm, high ¾ slot. Fastball sat 76-79 mph, touched 80 mph. 12/6 curveball, showed feel for the zone, able to drop for strikes, showed as best pitch, 66-69 mph. Changeup showed slight sink action, near fastball arm speed, 69-73 mph.

Edward Kerner, RHP, Elmwood Park, 2019
6-foot-2, 215-pound right-handed pitcher, large frame. Delivery works with low leg lift, hip load, finishes to first base side. Arm action is long, over the top slot. Fastball has slight sink, heavy finish, down in the zone, 80-81 mph. Curveball has 12/6 shape, gradual action 66-68 mph. Changeup is firm, 75-77 mph, worked down in the zone.

Simon Lane, RHP, Hinsdale Central, 2019
5-foot-11, 180-pound right-handed pitcher, average frame. Delivery is simple and works on line, squared landing, balanced finish. Arm action is short and quick, high ¾ slot. Fastball has slight running action to arm side, 78-80 mph. Throws curveball and slider. Curveball has 11/5 shape, slurve type action. Slider is flatter, 68-70 mph. Changeup thrown near fastball arm speed, showed sink, 71-75 mph.

Eric Lundell, RHP, Marmion Academy, 2019
6-foot, 160-pound right-handed pitcher, lean loose frame. Drop and drive type delivery, in line with squared landing, slightly rotational finish. Arm action is long with looseness, high ¾ slot. Fastball has slight action, showed feel for the zone, 77-80 mph, touched 81 mph. Curveball played with 12/6 shape, showed feel, 66-67 mph. Slider is similar to curveball, 66-67 mph. Changeup is thrown near fastball arm speed, fades and sinks to arm side, showed feel.

Sean Malpeli, RHP/OF, Lincoln-Way East, 2020
6-foot, 178-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 regular effort. Works in line with home plate with smooth rhythm. Fastball flashed running action at 77-79 mph for strikes. Curveball has between 12-6 and 11-5 shape with gradual action at 59-62 mph. Changeup flashed sinking action at 65-70 mph. Defensively has a long arm action from a high ¾ arm slot. Threw 80 mph from the outfield. At the plate hits from a closed setup with a heel lift stride and drop load. Long, uphill swing path. Showed strength thru contact with 83 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.85.

Mike Meissner, RHP, Wheaton Warrenville South, 2019
6-foot-2, 170-pound right-handed pitcher, gangly frame. Deliberate delivery, arm action is long, high ¾ slot. Fastball is mostly straight, 76-77 mph. Curveball has 11/5 sweeping action, thrown with arm speed, 65-68 mph. Straight changeup is 71-72 mph, showed arm speed and feel for the zone.

Brandon Roth, INF/RHP, Normal West, 2019
Lanky frame, 6-foot-2, 170-pound two-way player. Balanced stance, deep load with leg kick stride. Level path with some length, some effort, average bat speed, 86 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is short, high ¾ slot, 81 mph across the diamond. Plays low, works down to up, gangly actions. 7.37 runner in the 60. On the mound arm works from a high ¾ slot, regular effort. Fastball has slight running action, flashed good finish through the zone, 80-81 mph, touched 82 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape, 67-68 mph. Changeup sinks, consistently 72 mph.

Joel Sarver, RHP/C, Champaign Centennial, 2020
6-foot, 155-pound right-handed hitting RHP/C. Offensively hits from a balanced, open stance with a long stride and good balance. Gap to gap hitter with fluid rhythm and a level swing path. 82 mph exit velocity from a tee. Ran the 60 at 7.79. Defensively has a short arm action with a clean exchange. Popped 2.11-2.19 and threw 72 mph from the crouch.   On the mound works from a high ¾ arm angle with a long arm action. Tall and fall, slow paced delivery working in line with home plate. Fastball was straight at 73-74 topping out at 75 mph. Curveball has 11-5 shape at 58-60 mph. Changeup has slight sinking action at 62-64 mph.

Ashton Schwab, LHP, Maine East, 2019
5-foot-7, 136-pound left-handed pitcher. Balanced repeatable delivery, little effort, works on line with balanced finish. Arm action is loose and clean, high ¾ slot. Showed excellent feel for his fastball, projects as a command type left-hander, sat 75-78 mph. Curveball has feel, above average action, flashed sharp 1/7 shape, 64-66 mph. Changeup sat 70-73 mph with action occasionally pulled to glove side.

Christopher Seropian, LHP, St. Laurence, 2020
6-foot, 155-pound left-handed pitcher, average frame. Delivery repeats, regular effort. Arm action is loose and easy, showed feel for the zone. Fastball is straight, 76-77 mph. Curveball has 1/7 shape, 66-68 mph, gradual action, showed feel. Changeup sinks, near fastball arm speed, 72-74 mph.

Ben Vitas, INF/RHP, Providence Catholic, 2020
5-foot-10, 150-pound, lanky, athletically built two-way prospect. On the mound, projectable right-handed pitcher with feel for a three-pitch mix. Clean, loose arm action from a ¾ to high ¾ slot. Tall and fall, repeatable delivery with rhythm, lands closed, stays online and easy effort throughout. Fastball thrown for strikes, arm-side-run and sat 77-78 mph, touching 79. Curveball, 11/5 shape, slurvy action and sat 62-64 mph. Changeup, feel, sinking action, sat 68-69 mph. At the plate, right-handed hitter, balance, wide setup, short stride and path works uphill occasionally; registered an 82 mph exit velocity. Defensively, hands are soft and receptive, plays under control and flashed a quick transfer. Arm works short and showed the ability to throw from multiple angles on the infield. Throws were accurate and clocked at 76 mph across the diamond. 7.47 runner in the 60, laser-timed.

Dylan Wolff, RHP, Joliet West, 2020
6-foot, 170-pound right-handed pitcher, athletic frame. Smooth, tall and fall delivery, little effort, works directionally. Arm action is long and loose, ¾ slot. Fastball sinks with slight running action, 78-79 mph. Curveball has slurve type action, 11/5 shape, 57-58 mph. Changeup sinks, 67-69 mph.

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