North Texas Underclass Games: Pitching Analysis

Braxton Pearson, RHP/3B, Georgetown HS, 2020
Pearson is listed at 6-foot, 165-pounds, but there is still room for him to grow, as he has a young, lean-strong frame. Working from a ¾ slot with a long, loose arm swing, the right-hander releases all three pitches from the same window, repeating a drop-and-drive delivery with a long stride down the mound and an athletic finish. Locates his fastball to both sides of the plate with sink and late life. His slider has tight rotation and short, late 10/4 break at 74-78 mph. Real feel to spin the baseball, he also throws an 11/5 curveball with bigger break and more depth at 74-76. For good measure, Pearson can also flash a changeup at the bottom of the zone with depth and fade at 80 mph. Look for big things from this young right-hander as he is still not done filling out his frame.

Konnor Baird, RHP/1B, Salado HS, 2020
Baird has an athletic, long-limbed, projectable frame at 6-foot-3, 185-pounds. The right-hander works from high-¾ slot with a compact arm stroke, and an up-tempo delivery that provides deception. The ball is tough to pick up out of his hand and provides for more effective velocity at 84-87 mph, creating occasional depth as he pounds the zone with feel for two pitches. His breaking ball has slurve-like 11/5 shape that ranged from 74-76 with tight rotation and good depth. The rising junior also plays safety for the Salado football team and ran a 6.8 60-yard dash at an earlier event this past summer.

Tyler Talbert, SS/RHP, Flower Mound HS, 2020
Talbert, who recently committed to Dallas Baptist, is a strong, confident, athletic two-way player with tons of upside. Although he is listed at 6-foot, 170-pounds, he is likely not done maturing physically with his high waist and young face. His arm works from different slots and he can play on the run. A two-way player and right-handed pitcher, Talbert has a fast arm stroke from a high-¾ slot. Tall-and-fall delivery that he repeats with relative ease. His fastball was mostly 87-88 from the stretch, dropping down to 85-87 from the stretch. Hitters struggled to pick the fastball up out of his hand, as the ball got on top of them quickly. Slider played enough to get some weak contact with more lateral 10/4 shape at 68 mph.

Evan Johnson, RHP/3B, Frenship HS, 2021
Johnson is going to be fun to watch as he continues to develop as a two-way player. At 6-foot-3, 185-pounds, Johnson already has a strong, projectable frame. The right-hander works from a high-¾ slot with a clean arm swing and a drop-and-drive delivery down the mound with good hip turn, landing square. His fastball sat 84-87 with good life and some arm side depth. He has a really good feel for repeating his delivery from both the windup and the stretch, where his athleticism allows him to stay synced up. Showed the ability to pitch to both sides of the plate and to get the ball in to both right - and left-handed hitters. His curveball was 70-71 with short, late bite and 1/7 shape.

Carson Ozmer, SS/3B, Denton Guyer HS, 2020
Ozmer has a strong, athletic frame at 6-foot-1, 175-pounds, and will be a fun two-way player to follow this year. On the mound, the right-hander works from a high-¾ slot with a medium arm swing, regular effort, and a tall-and-fall delivery.  His fastball has good sink at the bottom of the zone as he turns it over at release, ranging from 84-87 mph. His breaking ball has short, late break and varies in shape between 11/5 and 10/4 at 73-75 mph.

Thomas Wrehe, C/RHP, Southlake Carroll HS, 2020
Wrehe has a strong 6-foot-1, 190-pound frame with broad shoulders. On the mound, the right-hander works from a high slot from a long arm stroke with a slight reach down out of the glove. Good hip turn with a short stride down the mound, and a drop-and-drive delivery. His fastball ranged from 82-87 with occasional tilt. Shows the ability to spin both a curveball at 70-72, and a slider at 75 mph. His curveball has a slight hump out of his hand before working with 11/5 shape, and his slider has shorter, cutter-like, lateral break at 75 mph. Also flashes a changeup with arm side fade at 79 mph.

Hudson White, C/SS, Byron Nelson HS, 2021
Oklahoma State commit. White is a dynamic, all-around athletic “Baseball Player” that can play multiple positions at a high level. His performance at the NTX UC games vaulted him to the No. 12 spot in the 2021 Texas Class Rankings. At 5-foot-11, 175-pounds, White is a long stride runner with a lean-muscular frame, and posted a 7.25 60-yard dash. On the mound, the right-hander works from a high-¾ slot with a clean arm stroke, drop-and-drive delivery, and lands across his body. His fastball ranged from 82-86 with feel to both sides of the plate, and he mixed in a 71-72 mph curveball with 11/5 shape and good depth. Whether he is on the mound, behind the plate, or on the infield, White’s natural baseball actions and athleticism make him a coveted recruit in the 2021 class.  

Tyson Carlton, RHP/1B, Allen HS, 2020
At 6-foot-5, 225-pounds, Carlton has a durable frame for a junior, and plenty of upside as he continues to mature. The right-hander works from a high-¾ slot with a short arm stroke and quick hand out front. Tall-and-fall delivery, lands slightly across his body. His fastball was 82-85 with occasional tilt. His curveball shows signs of becoming a quality pitch with 11/5 shape at 70-72, flashing good depth when his hand stays on top of the ball.

Cameron Coffee, SS/RHP, Richland HS, 2020
Bulky 5-foot-9, 160-pound frame. On the mound, the right-handed pitcher works from a ¾ window with a short arm stroke in a high-effort, drop-and-drive delivery. Has high shoulders, an explosive front side, falls off fairly heavily to his glove side. His fastball was 85-87 mph with good downward angle, forcing a pair of soft groundouts. His curveball was 65-68 mph with 11/5 shape, as Coffee also mixed in a 71 mph changeup.

Christian Teran, 1B/RHP, Heritage HS, 2020
6-foot, 258-pound frame. The right-hander showed some of the best pure stuff of the day, running his fastball up to 87, flashing arm side life. He sat mostly 85-87, dropping a couple of times down to 83-84. He has a compact arm swing from a high-¾ slot with a quick hand out front, drop-and-drive delivery with good hip turn down the mound. Threw what he called a slider at 70-71 with developing shape, but it was the “cutter” that had more short, late bite and lateral shape at 78-82. Also mixed in a changeup at 78 mph.

Best of the Rest (Alphabetical)

Tyler Abrego, SS/RHP, Argyle HS, 2021
Lean 6-foot, 160-pound frame. On the mound, the right-handed pitcher comes down the slope with a compact, tall-and-fall delivery, working from a high ¾ arm slot. Does well to gather himself, gain momentum before driving towards home plate. His fastball ranged from 79-81 mph, a pitch he threw for strikes to both sides of the plate. His 11-5 curveball hovered around 66-68 mph with depth. Only a rising sophomore, Abrego’s development will be worth keeping tabs on.

Owen Archer, OF/RHP, Liberty HS, 2021
Archer has a strong, projectable frame for a sophomore at 6-foot-1, 170-pounds. A two-way player and right-handed pitcher, Archer works from a high slot with a clean arm swing, and a tall-and-fall delivery. Lands slightly across his body on the heel of his front foot. His fastball ranged from 79-81, while his curveball has still developing 11/5 shape at 66-68. Maintains arm speed on his changeup that has depth to his arm side at 67-68 mph.

Jake Claborn, RHP/OF, Whitewright HS, 2020
Claborn has a long-limbed, high-waisted frame at 6-foot, 160-pounds. The right-hander works from a high-¾ slot with a long arm stroke, and drop-and-drive delivery. Fastball comes out clean at 78-80 when his hand break is synced up with his delivery. Uses a quarter-turn jab steb from the stretch that allows him to still get down the mound with a long stride. His changeup was his best offspeed pitch at 69-71 mph, throws it with same arm speed. Slows his arm down on his curveball but the pitch shows develop shape and more tumbling action at 65 mph.

Hayden Clyce, LHP/1B, Highland Park HS, 2020
5-foot-10, 155-pound frame with proud shoulders. The left-hander works from a ¾ slot with medium arm circle and a tall-and-fall delivery. His fastball ranged from 73-77 mph, while his curveball has developing 1/7 shape at 65 mph. Does a nice job of turning his changeup over to the bottom of the zone with arm side fade at 66 mph.

Philip Crotts, 1B/3B, Allen HS, 2020
Solid 6-foot-1, 175-pound frame with present strength. On the mound, the right-handed pitcher works from a drop-and-drive, slight crossfire delivery at a ¾ arm slot and a short arm stroke. His fastball was 79-81 mph, locating the pitch well to his glove side. His 69-72 mph curveball flashed solid 11/5 shape, while also mixing in a 69-70 mph changeup.

Ryan Drake, LHP/1B, Mansfield Summit HS, 2020
Drake has a projectable, sturdy frame at 6-foot-4, 205-pounds. Works predominantly from the stretch with a drop-and-drive delivery, releasing the ball from a high slot with a medium arm circle. His fastball sat 78-81 with mostly straight action. His curveball has 1/7 shape with at 68 mph.

Harrison Durow, RHP, Lovejoy HS, 2020
Durow has a young, projectable frame at 6-foot-2, 180-pounds. The right-hander works from a high slot with a long, clean arm swing, drop-and-drive delivery and an athletic finish. His fastball sat 80-83 mph and flashes tilt at the bottom of the zone. Curveball comes in with 12/6 rotation and flashes depth at 65-69 mph. Throws his changeup with same arm speed and arm side fade at 73-74 mph. With his high-waist and arm speed, look for Durow to add velocity as he continues to add strength and grow into his frame.

Drew Durst, 3B/RHP, Frisco Memorial HS, 2020
There is a lot to like about Durst as a two-way prospect at 6-foot-5, 205-pounds, he has an already projectable, long-limbed frame and was still able to run a 7.17 60-yard dash. The right-hander works from a high slot with a long, clean arm swing, drop-and-drive delivery with a high leg lift and long stride down the mound. His fastball ranged from 81-83 and was tough for hitters to pick up. His curveball flashes good downer 12/6 shape at 64-67 mph.

Gage Goddard, 3B/RHP, Harmony HS, 2020
Goddard has an athletic frame at 6-foot, 160-pounds. A two-way player and right-handed pitcher, Goddard works from a high-¾ slot and medium arm stroke, getting down the mound with a tall-and-fall delivery. His fastball was mostly 83-85 mph from the windup, dropping down to 81-84 from the stretch. His curveball has 10/4 shape at 64-67 mph.

Harrison Hess, 1B/OF, Midlothian Heritage, 2020
Hess has a high-waisted, lean-muscular frame at 6-foot-3, 200-pounds. A two-way player and right-handed pitchers, Hess works from a high-¾ slot with a long arm swing and tall-and-fall delivery. His fastball ranged from 82-85 mph, while his curveball flashed good depth and got weak contact with 11/5 shape.

Colin Jackson, LHP/1B, Georgetown HS, 2020
Jackson has a durable frame at 6-foot-3, 185-pounds. The left-hander works from a high slot with a medium arm stroke, and a tall-and-fall delivery as he lands across his body. His fastball ranged from 77-80 mph with mostly straight action to his glove side, but he was able to cut a few in to right-handed hitters and get weak contact. His curveball was 65-66 with 1/7 shape and flashed depth at times.

Peyton Lewis, OF/RHP, Parkway HS (LA), 2020
Lewis has a strong, projectable, athletic frame at 6-foot-2, 185-pounds. A two-way player and right-handed pitcher, Lewis works from a high-¾ slot with a medium arm swing, and tall-and-fall delivery, landing square. His fastball had tilt at the bottom of the zone to both sides of the plate at 81-83 mph, while his curveball has 11/5 shape at 68-70 mph. A two-sport athlete in high school, Lewis plays slot receiver for Parkway in the fall.

Tyler Justice, 1B/RHP, Lexington HS, 2020
Justice has a sturdy, durable frame at 6-foot-2, 225-pounds. A two-way player and right-handed pitcher, Justice works from a ¾ slot with a clean arm swing, and repeats his drop-and-drive delivery with good hip turn down the mound, landing square with an athletic finish. Throws a heavy fastball at 80-82, and his changeup has good depth and fade at 72-74 mph. Also mixed in a 10/4 curveball with good rotation and depth at 70 mph.

David Loza, RHP/OF, Irving HS, 2021
Loza has a long limbed frame with broad shoulders at 6-foot-3, 180-pounds. The right-hander works from an over the top slot with a long arm swing and reach out of the glove. Working predominantly from the stretch, he utilizes a drop-and-drive delivery landing square to create angle on his fastball at 73-76 mph, while his curveball was 65-69 mph.

Nathan McKissick, RHP/1B, Forney HS, 2020
McKissick has a wiry frame at 6-foot-2, 150-pounds. The right-hander works from a low-¾ slot with a long arm stroke. Drop-and-drive, cross-body delivery creates some deception for hitters. His fastball has arm side run at 77-80 mph, while his curveball has more slurvey 10/4 shape with lateral break and depth to finish. Was able to spin the ball for a strike early, and expand late.

Hunter Reid, 1B/RHP, Plano Senior HS, 2020
Reid has a strong, durable frame at 6-foot-3, 225-pounds, and spent last spring hitting in the middle of a strong Plano Senior lineup. A two-way player and right-handed pitcher, Reid works from a low-¾ slot with a long arm swing and tall-and-fall delivery. Throws a heavy fastball with arm side sink at 81-83 mph. His slider has lateral running break at 67 mph, while his curveball tumbles with 11/5 shape at 62-65 mph. Works a changeup in with good fade at 67-69 mph.

Blake Richardson, LHP/OF, Hebron HS, 2020
Richardson has a lean, high-waisted frame at 5-foot-9, 140-pounds. The left-hander repeats a drop-and-drive delivery with precision and low effort, working from a high-¾ slot with a medium arm swing. His fastball flashes tilt at 72-76 mph. Can spin his curveball for a strike early and often with 1/7 shape at 63-65 mph, and shows good feel for a 67 mph changeup with depth. Pounded the zone in his one inning of work and did a nice job of keeping hitters off balance.

Dylan Russo, 1B/RHP, Keller HS, 2020
Russo has a strong, durable frame at 6-foot-3, 220-pounds. A two-way player and right-handed pitcher, Russo works from an over the top slot with a long, clean arm swing, drop-and-drive delivery, and athletic finish down the mound. Good angle on his fastball that topped out at 85 mph, sitting mostly 80-83. His changeup was his best off speed pitch, as he threw it with tremendous feel and fastball arm speed at 73-74 at the bottom of the zone. His curveball had still developing 12/6 shape, but flashed depth several times at 65-68 mph. All in all, it was a quality outing for the junior, as he was able to throw all three pitches for strikes and stay off the barrel.

Colton Smith, 3B/RHP, Denton Guyer HS, 2020
Smith has a projectable, lean-muscular frame at 6-foot-3, 180-pounds. A two-way player and right-handed pitcher, Smith works from a high slot with a compact arm stroke, and tall-and-fall delivery, landing square. His fastball ranged from 72-75 mph. Curveball had 12/6 rotation at 62-65 mph.

Austin Testerman, RHP/SS, Whitewright HS, 2020
At 6-foot, 145-pounds, Testerman has a still developing, long-limbed frame. The right-hander works from a high slot with a compact arm swing, tilted shoulders, drop-and-drive delivery, long stride down the mound, and athletic finish. His fastball sat 82-84 mph. Throws a 12/6 curveball at 66-69 that pops up out of his hand, then shows good rotation and depth to finish. Mixed in a changeup at 75 mph with fastball arm speed.

Austin Thorp, 2B/SS, Colleyville Heritage HS, 2020
Athletic, 5-foot-8, 144-pound frame. The right-hander works from a high-¾ slot with a medium, clean, loose arm swing, up-tempo, drop-and-drive delivery with good momentum down the mound with an athletic finish. His fastball comes out clean, creating tilt at 79-83 mph. His curveball has 12/6 shape with some depth at 67-68 mph. Throws his changeup with fastball arm speed and depth at 75 mph.