On Aug. 9, PBR Illinois hosted this annual showcase for academically-minded prospects seeking opportunities to play at the next level: GPA Games. We previously published a post in the days after the event, highlighting the top statistical performers. Our position-by-position analysis for this showcase started this week with the event’s catchers, outfielders, and infielders, and we’re onto the pitchers today.

We had a senior from Wisconsin particularly break through amongst his peers at this event: LHP Owen Rice (East Troy). With long levers and a clean arm, Rice produces low- to mid-80 velocity with some deception and his fastball features some premium peripheral traits, as we note below.

Another senior, from Cary-Grove, broke out here, too: Bobby Jannusch. He topped 87 mph from the right side, the day’s max fastball velocity, with a quick arm and athleticism involved. Sophomore Wesley Carter (Bloomington Central Catholic, 2023) also earned some added attention here, after showing a clean and easy arm action that reached 82 mph.

For detailed scouting reports on these three, as well as all of the other arms who took the mound, check them out below.

TOP PITCHING PROSPECTS

1. Owen Rice, East Troy (WI), 2021
Positional Profile: LHP
Body: 6-4, 175-pounds. Lanky, long-levered frame.
Delivery: Deceptive drop/drive type delivery, high front side, sits into back hip and explodes towards the plate. Closed-toe landing, maintains direction towards target, upright finish. Makes for an uncomfortable at-bat, especially for left-handed hitters.
Arm Action: LH. Long arm action, over-the-top slot.
FB: T85, 81-84 mph. Steep angle created by elevated arm slot, four-seam type with straight actions. Averages 2,097 rpm, max of 2,250 rpm. Elite induced vertical break traits: average of 22 inches, max of 27.2 inches of IVB.
CB: 68-70 mph. 1/7 shape, gradual action; loose spin.
CH: 68-68 mph. 

2. Bobby Jannusch, Cary-Grove (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 6-1, 180-pounds.
Delivery: Tall/fall type delivery, lead leg swing, shoulders stay closed, works in line to target with an athletic finish. Throws with some effort.
Arm Action: RH. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot. Quick arm.
FB: T87, 83-86 mph. Four-seam type, lively action. Effective up in the zone, averages 16.9 inches of induced vertical break, maxing out at 19.5 inches.
CB: 70-71 mph. Used sparingly; averages 2,166 rpm.

3. Wesley Carter, Bloomington Central Catholic (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 6-1, 170-pounds. Athletic, highly projectable frame.
Delivery: Simple tall/fall type delivery, front hip leads downhill, closed shoulders, strong lead leg block at footstrike. Maintains direction to target, upright finish.
Arm Action: RH. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot. Above-average arm speed for age.
FB: T82, 79-81 mph. Comes out clean, easy effort; plenty more in the tank. Some sink at times, maxed at 19.2 inches of induced vertical break.
CB: 57-58 mph. Decelerates arm action, 11/5 shape that breaks early.
SL: 62-65 mph. Tighter spin, 10/4 shape, occasionally sharp. Thrown with fastball intent. Averages 2,173 rpm, max of 2,286 rpm. 

4. Nate Kemp, St. Dominic (MO), 2022
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 5-11, 183-pounds. Strong, physical, broad-shouldered frame.
Delivery: Stretch only, low-effort tall/fall type delivery, athletic lower half, strides in line to target, lands square.
Arm Action: RH. Long and loose arm action works from a high 3/4 slot; above-average arm speed for age.
FB: T85, 83-84 mph. Slight arm-side action, attacks all quadrants, effective up in the zone. Impressive TrackMan metrics: 2,154 rpm average, 2,231 rpm max. Averages 20.5 inches of induced vertical break, max of 25.3 inches.
CB: 62-62 mph. 11/5 shape, gradual action. Leaves up in the zone.
CH: 72-72 mph. Fastball arm speed, showed fade and sink. 

T-5. James Vambaketes, Alton (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: OF/LHP
Body: 6-0, 155-pounds. Quick-twitch, athletic frame with room for added physical development.
Delivery: Hands rock high over head, athletic drop/drive type delivery, tight knee tuck at balance point, level front side, recoil finish. Does throw with some effort.
Arm Action: LH. Short and loose arm action, over-the-top slot. Advanced arm speed for age.
FB: T81, 79-80 mph. Plays with a steep angle created from an elevated arm slot. Strikes, attacks hitters with confidence.
CB: 66-67 mph. Tight 1/7 shape, late break at times. Feel to spin. Averages 2,151 rpm.

T-5. Nathan Chapman, Jacobs (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 6-2, 185-pounds. Proportional frame with more room for projection.
Delivery: Stretch only, slight drop/drive type delivery, tall posture at balance point, lead leg swings to footstrike, level shoulders, stays in line with his target.
Arm Action: . Compact arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T84, 82-83 mph. Plays with some downhill angle from an elevated arm action, straight action. Mixes north to south. Averages 17.7 inches of induced vertical break, maxing at 20.7 inches.
CB: 69-71 mph. 11/5 shape, flashed sharp action with some depth.
CH: 75-77 mph. Near fastball arm speed, slight arm-side action and sink at times. 

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Jason Adix, University School of Milwaukee (WI) (WI), 2023
Positional Profile: 3B/1B
Body: 6-2, 190-pounds. Lanky, projectable frame.
Delivery: Tall/fall type delivery, lead leg swing, upright finish through release.
Arm Action: RH. Long arm action, over-the-top slot.
FB: T71, 67-70 mph. Plays with some downhill angle from an elevated arm slot, strikes.
CB: 62-65 mph. 12/6 shape, early break into the zone; some strikes.
SL: 63-64 mph. Near fastball arm speed. 

Michael Benavente, Whitney Young (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: RHP/1B
Body: 6-0, 235-pounds.
Delivery: Tempo'd tall/fall type delivery, open-toed landing, downward finish through release.
Arm Action: . Long arm path, over-the-top slot.
FB: T76, 73-75 mph. Four-seam type, plays straight.
CB: 61-61 mph.
CH: 67-68 mph. Near fastball arm side, showed occasional arm-side tumble. 

Sanjiv Bhogaraju, Barrington (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: LHP
Body: 6-1, 155-pounds. Lanky, high-waisted frame.
Delivery: Stretch only, efforty drop/drive type delivery, level shoulders, works direct to target, upright finish.
Arm Action: LH. Long arm action, 3/4 slot.
FB: T76, 74-75 mph. Primarily plays with arm-side run, does work around to cut it at times.
SL: 69-70 mph. Sweeping action, used sparingly in this outing. 

Jonathan Boyles, Plainfield East  (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: RHP/SS
Body: 5-11, 135-pounds. Lean, high-waisted frame.
Delivery: Stretch only, high front side, short to home, works closed off from target, open-toed landing.
Arm Action: RH. Compact arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T76, 74-76 mph. Four-seam type, plays straight with slight arm-side run at times, some strikes.
CB: 63-65 mph. 11/5 shape, gradual action.
CH: 69-69 mph. Near fastball arm speed.
CUT: 67-68 mph. Thrown with fastball arm speed, flashed late action. 

Nathan Burdin, Rochelle Township (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: OF/LHP
Body: 5-10, 145-pounds. Lean, wiry build.
Delivery: Tall/fall type delivery, high front side, hands separate on time, works direct to target, upright finish through release.
Arm Action: LH. Short arm path, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T73, 68-72 mph. Two-seam type that showed both sink and run.
CB: 58-61 mph. Works underneath. 1/7 shape, breaks early.
CH: 60-62 mph. Near fastball arm speed, flashed fade. 

Jack Cosich, Lincoln-Way East (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: OF/C
Body: 5-9, 145-pounds. Lean, high-waisted frame.
Delivery: Drop/drive type delivery, front hip leads body downhill, closed-toe landing, works direct to target.
Arm Action: RH. Compact arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T74, 67-73 mph. Plays straight, occasionally flashed arm-side run.
CB: 58-61 mph. 11/5 shape, breaks early into the zone.
CH: 61-65 mph. Digs some prior to release, decelerates arm action; straight action. 

Will Goldberg, Homewood-Flossmoor  (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: OF/LHP
Body: 5-11, 155-pounds. Wiry, high-waisted frame.
Delivery: Slight drop/drive type delivery, athletic hip hinge, high front side, works direct to target with a square landing.
Arm Action: LH. Short arm path, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T79, 75-78 mph. Four-seam type, plays straight with some occasional arm-side action. Averages 2,107 rpm; max of 2,234 rpm.
CB: 65-67 mph. Spins off a 12/6 shape and gradually breaks into the zone.
CH: 69-70 mph. Maintains fastball arm speed. Flashed sink. 

Sam Gossard, New Trier  (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 6-2, 185-pounds. Strong, well-proportioned makeup.
Delivery: Low-effort tall/fall type delivery, upright posture at balance point, shoulders stay level, lands square with an athletic finish.
Arm Action: RH. Long arm path, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T75, 73-74 mph. Primarily plays with slight action to the arm-side, does get around and cuts it at times.
CB: 65-67 mph. 11/5 shape, tight spin when he gets on top, some feel. 

Isaac Kopalchick, St Charles East (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 6-6, 200-pounds. Lanky, high-waisted frame that projects.
Delivery: Stretch only, drop/drive type delivery, utilizes long levers to create extension downhill, level front side. Open-toed landing, lands square with an athletic finish.
Arm Action: . Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T82, 78-82 mph. Two-seam type, occasional heavy arm-side run. Cuts and gets around it at times, as well.
CB: 68-70 mph. Decelerates arm action. 12/6 shape, gradual action.
SL: 72-72 mph. 11/5 shape, tighter spin than curveball.
CH: 72-74 mph. Near fastball arm speed, plays straight. 

Jacob Koski, Home School (WI), 2021
Positional Profile: 3B
Body: 6-3, 190-pounds. Athletic, well-proportioned frame. Room to add strength in the lower half.
Delivery: Drop/drive type delivery, front hip leads downhill, hands separate on time, shoulders stay level. Maintains direction to target, lands square with an upright finish.
Arm Action: RH. Long arm action, 3/4 slot.
FB: T79, 77-78 mph. Two-seam type with arm-side run and sink at times, strikes.
CB: 68-72 mph. 11/5 shape, mostly gradual action but breaks late at times. 

Josh Livengood, Lexington Christian (KY) (KY), 2021
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 6-5, 215-pounds. Tall, well-proportioned frame.
Delivery: Tall/fall type delivery, high front side, short strider downhill, stable lead leg at footstrike. Works in line with target, lands square, athletic finish.
Arm Action: RH. Compact arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T80, 77-79 mph. Heavy arm-side run at times, works east to west for strikes.
SL: 70-72 mph. Shortens up arm action. 11/5 shape, minimal spin. 

Grant Marshall, Normal University (IL), 2023
Positional Profile: LHP/1B
Body: 6-0, 190-pounds. Strong lower half.
Delivery: Some deception from a slight drop/drive type delivery, strong front side until footstrike, lands closed to target, repeats well.
Arm Action: LH. Long arm path works from a high 3/4 arm slot.
FB: T75, 72-74 mph. Four-seam type, plays straight. Challenges hitters, strikes.
SL: 65-66 mph. Slurvy type pitch with sweep, works down in the zone; strikes.
CH: 63-65 mph. Decelerates arm action, flashed occasional downward action. 

Jacob Melendrez, Little Chute (WI), 2022
Positional Profile: SS
Body: 5-9, 165-pounds. Athletic build.
Delivery: Stretch only, sits into back leg pre-motion, tall/fall type delivery, athletic at balance point, closed shoulders, open-toed landing, repeats.
Arm Action: RH. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot
FB: T77, 75-77 mph. Jumps out the hand some. Cuts it at times, also showed flashed arm-side run. Averages 2,175 rpm; max of 2,228 rpm.
CB: 65-68 mph. Sharp action that breaks off a tight 11/5 plane. Well above-average spin for age, 2,530 rpm average with a max of 2,600 rpm. 

Spencer Munch, Rockford Christian Schools (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 6-2, 185-pounds. Strong, athletic frame.
Delivery: Hands rock high over head, step behind rubber initiates an athletic drop/drive type delivery, level front side, some lead leg stability at footstrike. Works direct to target, square landing, athletic finish.
Arm Action: RH. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T81, 77-81 mph. Primarily plays straight, did show heavy sink to the arm side at times.
CB: 64-68 mph. 11/5 shape, gradual action. Worked effectively at keeping hitters off balance. 

Joshua Notini, Prospect (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: RHP/OF
Body: 5-10, 160-pounds. Athletic build.
Delivery: Tall/fall type delivery, high balance point, works in line to target, upright finish.
Arm Action: RH. Short arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T79, 75-78 mph. Two-seam type; plays with natural arm-side action.
CB: 63-67 mph. 11/5 shape, gradual action. Works behind at times.
SL: 64-65 mph. Similar spin and break to curveball.
CH: 70-70 mph. 

Joshua Rogde, Burlington Central (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: RHP/OF
Body: 5-11, 150-pounds. Compact frame, some strength in lower half.
Delivery: Tall/fall type delivery, shoulders stay level, works in line to target, lands square.
Arm Action: RH. Long arm path, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T74, 72-74 mph. Plays straight, occasional arm-side run.
CB: 58-63 mph. 11/5 shape, gradual action. 

Jack West, Mount Carmel (IL), 2021
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 6-2, 170-pounds. Athletic, well-proportioned frame.
Delivery: Simple drop/drive type delivery, heavy quad load, shoulders stay level, works in line to target.
Arm Action: RH. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T80, 76-79 mph. Two-seam type, plays with heavy arm-side run
CB: 68-70 mph. Spins off a somewhat tight 11/5 plane, gradual action. 

Joe Williams, Huntley (IL), 2022
Positional Profile: 1B/RHP
Body: 6-2, 185-pounds. Lanky, athletic frame with strength in the lower half. More room to mature and add muscle.
Delivery: Tall/fall type delivery, high balance point, works closed to target, downward finish.
Arm Action: RH. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T71, 67-69 mph. Sits in the bottom of the zone; heavy sinking action
CB: 61-62 mph. 11/5 shape.
CH: 64-65 mph. Near fastball arm speed, occasional sinking action. 

Matthew White, Nicolet (WI), 2021
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 6-0, 165-pounds. Athletic build.
Delivery: Tall/fall type delivery, upright posture at balance point with an occasional high leg kick, minimal drive leg engagement, lands square to target.
Arm Action: RH. Long arm path works from a high 3/4 slot.
FB: T80, 76-79 mph. Four-seam type, plays straight and worked effectively up in the zone. Maxed out at 19.7 inches of induced vertical break, 2025 rpm average.
CB: 65-69 mph. 11/5 shape, gradual action; some feel to spin. 

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