Western Wisconsin Open: Pitcher Analysis
August 29, 2019
On July 9, the PBR Wisconsin team made the trip from the Badger State Battle in Mauston, Wis., westward to Eau Claire, the site of the annual Western Wisconsin Open showcase. Immediately following the event, we published our Quick Hits and Statistical Analysis posts, but this week is reserved for our position-by-position analysis.
On deck today is the event’s pitchers, after we broke down the day’s catchers, outfielders, and infielders earlier in the week. Stay tuned tomorrow when we rank the top-10 from the event.
TOP PROSPECTS (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY)
Owen Anderson, RHP, Hudson, 2021
6-foot-1, 180-pound right-handed pitcher with a strong, athletic build, projection. Wide set, deliberate side rock into knee and hip turn, drop and drive, closed shoulder with high front, lands closed. Compact arm circle, high ¾ slot, arm speed is quick out front, loose. Fastball, straight, some jump from hand, 80-82 mph. Slider, aggressive, maintains arm speed, drops arm slot, 10/4 action with early break, 68-70 mph. Knuckleball, flashed late action, some feel, thrown at arm speed, changeup-like, 67-73 mph.
Austin Baker, RHP/SS, Eau Claire Memorial, 2022
5-foot-9, 150-pound two-way prospect with lean/athletic frame with projection. On the mound, smooth motion, low knee lift, coil at balance point with hip turn, level shoulders, extends down mound, lands square and athletically. Easy effort, arm is quick, clean, loose from a high ¾ slot. Fastball, slight natural run, 77-78 mph, touched 80 mph. Curveball, feel to spin, 10/4 plane, 64-66 mph. Changeup, mostly maintains arm speed, flashed fade action, 68-70 mph. Offensively, tall/upright setup, open front foot, hands set high, leg kick and long stride, bat wrap load. Fast bat works off a long and uphill plane; 79 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively, plays with bounce, fluid footwork, smooth exchanges. Arm works athletically, varies arm slot with accuracy, loose; topped 70 mph across the infield. A 7.37 runner in the 60.
Trevor Bowe, LHP, Chippewa Falls, 2022
5-foot-8, 155-pound left-handed pitcher. Quick rhythm, into knee lift, high front side, long draw, long stride, square and athletic landing. Long arm circle to over-the-top release, some looseness. Fastball, some natural arm-side run, 73-74 mph. Curveball, decelerates slightly, 1/7 shape with gradual action, 61-64 mph. Changeup, mostly maintains arm speed, some sink, 59-63 mph.
Zach Clark, LHP, St. Croix Falls, 2021
6-foot, 155-pound left-handed pitcher with long levers. Side step to average knee lift, early draw, big arm swing, shoulders/torso opens, lands open falls third base side. Arm action is long from high ¾ slot. Fastball, straight, 68-70 mph. Curveball, decelerates, gradual action, 54-57 mph. Changeup, straight, thrown near regular arm speed, 60-61 mph.
Mason Dado, RHP/OF, St. Croix Central, 2021
5-foot-11, 185-pound, right/right two-way prospect. On the mound, simple/repeatable motion, high knee lift to balance point, drop-and-drive type, works on line, level shoulders, with toe-open landing. Long arm action from high ¾ slot, quick arm speed. Fastball, straight four-seam type, sat 81-82 mph; touched an 84 and an 85 mph with his last two pitches. Curveball, 11/5 shape, above-average action with feel, 68-70 mph. Changeup, mostly maintains arm speed, arm-side run/fade, 73-77 mph. Slider, similar to curve, tighter/later action, 69-70 mph. At the plate, tall setup with some bend at the knee, low hand set, leg hang trigger into long stride. Bat path is long and level, 78 mph exit velo from the tee. On defense, athletic approach and gather, quick and clean transfers. Long and loose arm action, present arm strength, carry to home, topped 85 mph. A 7.28 runner in the 60.
Teddy Donna, RHP/OF, Hudson, 2020
5-foot-10, 160-pound two-way prospect with lean/athletic frame. On the mound, right-handed, rhythmic rocker into athletic and fluid knee lift and high front side, long stride down mound, athletic landing. Arm action is loose and clean, quick arm speed, high ¾ slot. Fastball, slight run, 77-79 mph. Changeup, slight arm deceleration, firm, 73-76 mph. Curveball, inconsistent but flashed sharp 11/5 action, 67-71 mph. At the plate, right-handed, pre-pitch rhythm, wide base, drops hands into bar load, long and uphill path with extension in finish; 91 mph exit velocity from the tee. On defense, athletic and fluid footwork, long transfer, long and high ¾ arm slot with carry to home; 79 mph high to home. A 7.15 runner in the 60.
Jackson Falkner, RHP/INF, Mondovi, 2020
6-foot-2, 165-pound prospect with wiry/athletic, thin frame, projection. On the mound, side rocks into pronounced leg kick and high knee lift, drops and drives with a slightly high front side, lands square with toe slightly open. Works in some rhythm with fluid actions. Arm action is loose, quick, and easy from a ¾ slot. Fastball, mostly straight, some natural steady run, 83-85 mph, touched 86 mph, an event-best. Curveball, decelerates arm action slightly, gradual action off a 10/4 plane, 68-70 mph. Changeup, arm-side run, fade, 73-76 mph. Slider, better feel than curve right now, later break with more vertical tilt, 71-75 mph. At the plate, right-handed, tall setup, pigeon-toed front foot, minimal load back, short stride. Bat path is long, level with some extension in finish, some barrel feel; 86 mph exit velocity from the tee. On defense, can stay a little tall, two-hand gather, arm action is long and loose from a ¾ slot; 81 mph high to first. A 7.19 runner, athletic gait.
Andrew Gehm, LHP/OF, Green Bay Preble, 2022
5-foot-7, 150-pound two-way prospect with small/athletic frame, some strength throughout. A right-handed hitter, balanced/athletic setup, long stride, minimal load. Quick bat speed, short and level bat path, line-drive/pull-side approach, consistent barrel feel; 82 mph exit velocity from the tee. On defense, athletic fielding position, controlled approach and gather to the ball, arm action is long and over-the-top; topped 70 mph to home. A 7.80 runner in the 60. On the mound, left-handed, side rocker, early draw, level shoulders, works on-line. Arm action is long, loose, quick from high ¾ window. Fastball, demonstrated control, slight run, 71-73 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape with depth, 62-64 mph. Changeup, mostly maintains arm speed, some fade, 64-65 mph.
Blaine Guthrie, C/RHP, Baldwin-Woodville, 2021
6-foot, 190-pound two-way prospect with strong, thick build. At the plate, right-handed hitter, wide/open base, hands set high, short stride to square. Hands drop into long and uphill path, quick bat speed with premium bat strength, loud on contact, extension through the baseball with power potential; 83 mph exit velo off the tee. Defensively, stays tall, long arm action, high ¾ slot, pop times ranged from 2.10 to 2.16. Throws feature some carry, 75 mph. On the mound, tall/fall type, long draw, long arm action and high ¾ release, short stride to target, square landing. Fastball, some downhill tilt, carry through zone, 79-82 mph, touched 84 mph. Curveball, some feel to spin, 11/5 action, 65-68 mph. Changeup, decelerates arm speed, some fade, 64-67 mph. A 7.82 runner in the 60.
Addison Hocheaver, LHP, Badger, 2020
6-foot-3, 165-pound left-hander with high-waisted lanky, athletic frame. Side steps into high and athletic knee lift to balance point, shoulders level, lands slightly closed. Arm action is short and quick from a high ¾ slot, some effort involved, works with a little rhythm throughout. Fastball, arm-side run, some finish in the zone, 80-81 mph. Curveball, 2/8 shape, some feel to spin, early action, 67-71 mph. Changeup, thrown at arm speed, firm, similar run to fastball, 74-77 mph.
Kale Hopke, LHP, Amery, 2022
6-foot-1, 180-pound left-handed pitching prospect with strong build, especially upper half, and projection. Bounces into high knee lift, drops and drives with level shoulders, lands square. Arm action is long and quick out front, advanced arm strength for age. Slide step from stretch. Fastball, carries through zone, run/sink, 80-82 mph. Curveball, decelerates arm speed, 2/8 action, some feel to spin. Changeup, somewhat maintains arm speed, firm, 62-65 mph.
Brandon Jaenke, RHP, Fall Creek, 2021
5-foot-10, 160-pound right-handed pitcher, high waist. Smooth rhythm, with low effort, high knee, level shoulders, square and athletic finish. Arm action is loose from a high ¾ slot, above-average arm speed, feel for the corners with mix. Fastball, straight, locates, sat 73-75 mph; last two pitches were 78 and 76 mph. Curveball, tighter spin, more slider-like, flashed some late break, 68-70 mph. Changeup, near regular arm speed, sinking action, feel beneath zone, 67-70 mph.
Kevin Kaczrowski, RHP/OF, Pulaski, 2021
6-foot, 155-pound, right/right two-way player. At the plate, tall/open setup, hands set high, drops into load, short stride to even. Bat path is long on an uphill plane; 79 mph exit velocity from the tee. On defense, two-hand gather, long arm action from high ¾ slot; topped 70 mph to home. A 7.65 runner in the 60. On the mound, brief side rock into high knee and hip turn, level and on-line to home. Long arm action from ¾ slot. Fastball, slight run, 71-73 mph. Curveball, gradual action with 10/4 break, 59-63 mph. Changeup, straight, 62-64 mph.
Ezekial Klais, RHP, Mount Horeb, 2020
5-foot-10, 158-pound right-handed pitcher. Slow rock into big hip turn/waggle at balance point, fires hips, shoulders level, lands open. Long arm action from high ¾ slot. Seems more comfortable from the stretch. Fastball, arm-side run/sink, began 68-70 mph from windup, then one 76 mph as final pitch; 74-75 mph from stretch. Changeup, thrown at arm speed, sink action with some late, 63-67 mph. Knuckleball, some spin, 59-64 mph.
Steven Kleyheeg, RHP, Franklin, 2020
6-foot-2, 170-pound right-handed pitcher with lanky frame, some projection. Overhead side rock into knee lift, high front side, closed landing. Arm action is over-the-top, quick out front, gets on top. Fastball, some downhill tilt, slight run, 80-81 mph, touched 82 mph. Slider, tight 10/4 break, early action, 68-70 mph. Curveball, more vertical movement, similar to slider, 65-68 mph.
Joe Kroeger, 1B/RHP, Rice Lake, 2021
6-foot, 198-pound two-way player with strength in lower half. At the plate, right-handed, tall setup with pre-pitch rhythm, dips into arm bar load and long stride. Long and uphill swing path met the ball with authority regularly, hard leveraged contact into the gaps, power potential; 81 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively, moves well laterally, feel for the base, fluid feet; topped 71 mph across the infield. A 7.27 runner in the 60. On the mound, side rock into high knee, long draw, high front. Long arm action from the ¾ slot. Fastball, straight, 74-77 mph. Curveball, 10/4 shape with above-average action, 61-62 mph. Changeup, decelerates arm speed, slight fade, 67-68 mph.
Tyler Penny, RHP/INF, River Falls, 2020
6-foot-1, 165-pound two-way prospect with tall/lean frame, long levers. On the mound, rhythmic rock into high knee/hip turn, drop-and-drive, level shoulders, some extension down mound, lands open. Long arm action from high ¾ slot, loose. Fastball, straight, 75-79 mph, touched 80 mph. Curveball, somewhat maintains arm speed, 11/5 action, some feel and depth, flashed late/sharp spin, 65-69 mph. Changeup, thrown at arm speed, straight, firm, 72-75 mph. At the plate, right-handed, balanced setup, pigeon-toed, brief load back into stride. Bat path is short, level plane; 85 mph exit velocity off the tee. On defense, fluid feet, athletic gather, clean transfers with long, loose arm action from high ¾ slot featuring some carry; 80 mph across the infield. A 7.37 runner in the 60.
Ragan Pinnow, 3B/RHP, River Falls, 2022
6-foot, 175-pound two-way prospect with athletic/lean build, projection. Right-handed hitter, wide base, athletic/balanced setup, minimal load, short stride. Fast bat, hard and aggressive hacks, level bat path produced hard line-drive contact, some gap-to-gap, bat strength for age; 85 mph exit velocity off the tee. On defense, defends a little tall but the hands and feet work together, fluid and clean transfers. Arm action is long from high ¾ slot with some carry; 76 mph across the infield. A 7.40 runner in the 60. On the mound, works quick, drop-and-drive type, coils at balance point, level shoulders, square landing. Arm action is long, high ¾ window, quick and loose arm speed. Fastball, some heaviness to it, 77-80 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, breaks early but with above-average depth, 65-66 mph. Changeup, mostly maintains arm speed, straight, slight fade, 66-68 mph.
Kyler Reps, OF/RHP, Saint Charles (MN), 2020
6-foot-4, 190-pound two-way prospect with tall/lean frame. A 6.91 runner in the 60. At the plate, right-handed, tall/balanced setup, minimal load, short stride. Short and fast path to the ball, some extension through finish, raw power potential; 86 mph exit velocity from the tee. On defense, short and loose arm action from high ¾ slot, topped 77 mph to home. On the mound, methodical rock into big knee lift, early separation/draw, short stride. Long arm action from high ¾ slot, works in line with shoulders level. Fastball, occasional run, 76-78 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape with some depth, early and gradual action, 58-61 mph. Changeup, mostly maintains arm speed, straight/slight arm-side action, 63-68 mph.
Ryan Robertson, RHP, Eau Claire North, 2022
5-foot-10, 165-pound right-handed pitcher. Smooth, low effort, rocks into low knee, level shoulders, open landing, finishes square to home. Arm action is loose from a high ¾ slot. Fastball, some run, flashed occasional hard action for age/size, 74-76 mph, touched 79 mph. Curveball, sharp 10/4 action with a feel to spin, some early break, 61-64 mph. Changeup, maintains arm speed, sink/fade, 69-71 mph.
Connor Sempf, RHP/2B, Boyceville, 2021
5-foot-11, 165-pound two-way prospect. 5-foot-11, 159-pounds. Side rocks into a high knee lift at balance point, drops and drives with level shoulders, works on line to home and lands square. Arm action is long and over-the-top. Fastball, straight, some downhill tilt, life in zone, 77-80 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, breaks early, 68-69 mph. Slider, tighter spin than curve, downer action, 69-71 mph. Changeup, thrown at arm speed, fade action, 69-72 mph. At the plate, right-handed, balanced/open setup, wide base, wrap load, small leg lift stride. Bat path is long and level, pull-side approach; 76 mph exit velocity from the tee. On defense, controlled and athletic footwork, some rhythm, hands work well together; long and loose arm action, high ¾ slot, topped 79 mph to first. A 7.58 runner in the 60.
Griffin Spindler, INF/RHP, Chippewa Falls, 2020
5-foot-10, 145-pound two-way player with lanky frame. Left-handed hitter, tall setup, weight shift load back, small leg kick into stride. Bat path is long and level; 79 exit velocity from the tee. Defensively, clean and deliberate transfers, long arm action from a ¾ slot; topped 71 mph across the infield. A 7.54 runner in the 60. On the mound, side steps into high knee lift and athletic balance point, high front side, short stride, lands closed. Long arm action with high ¾ slot, works in some rhythm. Fastball, cuts at 71-72 mph; dialed up 76-77 mph on his final two pitches. Curveball, decelerates, early break, 60-63 mph. Changeup, decelerates, straight, 61-63 mph.
Preston Viens, INF/RHP, Beloit Turner, 2020
5-foot-11, 155-pound two-way prospect with thin/athletic frame. At the plate, right-handed, wide base, balanced/athletic setup, quick load back, no stride. Short, level path to the ball with bat speed, able to repeat line-drive contact up the middle; 80 mph exit velocity from the tee. On defense, athletic actions and footwork, plays with some bounce, arm action is long and loose with above-average arm strength; topped 81 mph to first. A 7.57 runner in the 60. On the mound, a methodical motion, slow/fluid rock into high knee and hip turn, works level and online. Short arm circle, quick arm speed, loose, some jump from hand, high ¾ slot. Fastball, straight, slight downhill tilt, 80-82 mph, touched 83 mph. Curveball, decelerates, gradual 11/5 break, 67-68 mph. Changeup, mostly maintains arm speed, straight-type with some fade, 74 mph.
Kale Weisenberger, RHP/INF, Stratford, 2021
5-foot-9, 155-pound two-way prospect. On the mound, fluid motion and rhythm, side rock to high knee and athletic balance point, arm swing draw, long stride, toe-open landing. Arm action is long, quick, and loose from high ¾ slot. Fastball, two-seam type, slight run, 80-81 mph, touched 82 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape with a feel to spin, flashed sharp, kept beneath the zone, 67-71 mph. Changeup, at fastball arm speed, arm-side run, 71-73 mph. At the plate, right-handed, balanced/crouched setup, loads back short stride, short path to the ball; 75 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively, can get a little tall, long and loose arm action from a high ¾ slot; topped 73 mph across the infield. A 7.51 runner in the 60.
Samuel Wilson, RHP, St. Croix Falls, 2021
6-foot, 205-pound right-handed pitcher with strong build, durable lower half, with projection. Quick to high and athletic knee, strong push off, extension down mound, level shoulders, works on line, lands open. Arm action is aggressive, quick, loose, from high ¾ slot with some effort. Fastball, creates downhill tilt, some heavy action, 79-82 mph. Curveball, some deceleration, 11/5 shape flashing sharp/late bite, 68-70 mph. Changeup, firm, thrown at arm speed, straight, works beneath the zone, 72-75 mph.
Mitchell Zahurones, LHP/OF, Wausau West, 2020
5-foot-10, 158-pound two-way prospect with thin/lean frame. On the mound, wide set, side rocks into high knee lift, works on line, lands square. Arm action is long, quick, and loose from a high ¾ window. Works with some rhythm, fluidity. Fastball, some cut, 74-76 mph. Slider, flashed tight/sharp, 1/7 shape, 66-69 mph. Curveball, similar to slider, more vertical movement, tight spin, 66-68 mph. At the plate, right-handed, upright/open setup, hands set high, pronounced leg kick and bat wrap. Long and mostly level bat path, slight incline; 68 mph exit velocity from the tee. On defense, quick and fluid feet, long and loose arm action from a high ¾ slot; topped 75 mph to home. A 7.68 runner in the 60.
Tyler Zarnstorff, 1B/LHP, Mukwonago, 2020
6-foot-3, 190-pound two-way prospect with tall/strong build, some proportional strength. Left-handed hitter, tall/open setup with some pre-pitch rhythm, slight leg lift stride back even. Bat path is long and uphill with above-average bat speed, loud off the barrel with pull-side power potential; 83 mph exit velocity. Defensively, solid first base actions, hands work, big target; 74 mph across the infield. A 7.83 runner. On the mound, slow rock into high knee lift, early draw, high front side, open landing. Long arm action, quick arm speed, loose from a high ¾ window. Fastball, arm-side run, flashed hard action, 78-79 mph. Slider, aggressive, thrown at arm speed, slight downer action, 71-72 mph.