Freshman Free Showcase: Pitcher Analysis
February 15, 2018
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Freshman Free Showcase: Pitcher Analysis
In late January, PBR VA/DC hosted its Freshman Free Showcase at Virginia Sports Complex in Ruther Glen. Over thirty players from the classes of 2021 and 2022 showcased at the event, with the weather cooperating for us to run the 60 yard dash outside. There were a handful of players who stood out and are potential future members of Team Mid-Atlantic for the PBR Future Games.
Today we continue our analysis of the event by looking at the six pitcher who participated in the event.
Jackson Baird SS/RHP Battlefield 2021
Baird is 5-10 with a lankier athletic frame, throws from a three-quarters arm slot with a shorter arm action that has some whip to it. Normal effort to delivery, shoulders uphill and slightly closed, lands on line with an athletic finish. Fastball was 73-75 with some late life. Curveball had some armspeed and gradual 11/5 break that should tighten up, pitch was 57-59. Splitter was 61-62 with some armspeed and sharp dive to it. Change-up had some armspeed and was 64-65.
Noah Burtner 3B/RHP Spotswood 2022
Burtner is 5-7 and has an athletic frame, he throws from a three-quarters arm slot with a short free arm action, normal effort to his delivery. Shoulders are uphill and closed, lands closed with a fall off finish. Fastball was 60-62 touching 64 with some sink to it. Curveball was 52-54 with big gradual 12/6 break and some armspeed. Change-up was 51-54 with some sink and some armspeed.
Jason Mendler OF/RHP Flint Hill 2022
Mendler is 5-8 with an athletic frame, throws from a three-quarters arm slot, stabs down into a long arm action that is free. Throws with some effort. Shoulders are uphill and slightly closed, lands closed with an athletic finish. Fastball was 66-70 with boring action to the armside. Change-up was thrown with good armspeed at 64-65, had heavy fading action to it. Curveball had late 2/8 break to it, closer to slider action, slowed arm a bit, pitch has potential to have late tight break as it tightens, it ran 59-60.
Nick Pancione RHP/OF Highland 2021
Pancione is 5-10 with a lankier athletic frame, he throws from a low three-quarters arm slot. Draws hand straight back and throws with a short arm action and normal effort. Shoulders are level and closed, lands closed with an athletic finish. Fastball was 66-71 with a bit of late sink to it. Curveball was 56-58 and thrown with some armspeed, pitch had gradual 10/4 break with the potential to tighten into a good pitch as he develops. Change-up was 59-64 with sinking action and thrown with good armspeed.
Benjamin Santiago SS/RHP Douglas Freeman 2022
Santiago is 5-9 with an athletic frame, throws from a low three-quarters slot with a short arm action and some effort. Shoulders are uphill and closed, lands slightly closed with an athletic finish. Fastball was 71-75 with late cut to it. Curveball was 61-65 with gradual 12/6 break and good armspeed, potential to sharpen as he gets stronger. Change-up was 61-62 with sinking action, slowed arm a bit on the pitch. Cutter had more slider action, ran 68-69 with gradual 10/4 break and some armspeed.
Griffin Stieg RHP/OF McLean 2022
Stieg is 6-2 with a lanky frame, he throws from a three-quarters arm slot with a longer free, loose arm that is quick, generates velocity with normal effort. Shoulders uphill and closed, lands on line with athletic finish, very smooth simple delivery. Fastball was 76-78, touching 80, with heavy armside run. Change-up was 67-70 an thrown with some armspeed, pitch had heavy fading action. Curveball was 64-66 and thrown with some armspeed, pitch had late 11/5 break and has a chance to be really good.