Top Prospect - Chicago: Pitcher Analysis

On Tuesday, June 12, Route 66 Stadium in Joliet hosted our annual, invite-only Top Prospect - Chicago showcase and it featured nearly 70 of the area’s top uncommitted, 2019 players in a pro-style workout setting. This took place in front of the PBR Illinois staff and in front of over 50-plus attending college programs. Since the conclusion of the event, we’ve completed all of our write-ups and reports on the attending players and today we’ll publish our final position-by-position breakdown with the day’s pitchers.

RHP Joe Glassey (Lakes Community) propelled himself to an invite to the prestigious Midwest ProCase after his excellent performance at last month’s Top Prospect event. At Route 66, Glassey utilized a firm fastball down in the zone that sat 87-89 mph. He showed some advanced secondaries, too, including his changeup which projects as an advanced outpitch. His breakout culminated in an appearance within the top 30 of the recently updated state rankings, launched on Monday.

Elsewhere, RHP Tristan Cazel (St. Charles North), like Glassey, used this event as a way to put himself on the map. He also debuts on the latest rankings after last month’s showing where he was 85-87 mph with run, with a go-to breaking ball. And LHP Johnny Beck (Rochelle Township) and his 6-foot-8 frame since committed to Western Illinois, possibly aided by his standout work on the mound at Top Prospect.

If you missed the catcher, outfield, or infield analysis, click on those links. Otherwise, you can continue reading below for reports on each and every one of the arms in attendance from last month’s showcase.

TOP RHP PROSPECTS

1. Joe Glassey, RHP, Lakes Community, 2019
6-foot-3, 190-pound, strong, athletically-built right-handed pitcher, projectable frame. Long, athletic arm action, gets out front quickly from a ¾ slot, good balance throughout, some effort. Smooth, methodical delivery, shoulders remain level, works on-line landing square and finishing in an athletic position. Fastball, hard, late running action, commanded, sat 87-89. Changeup, swing and miss pitch, maintains arm speed, aggressive armside run and sink, commanded. Curveball, 10/4 shape, depth at-times, some feel for pitch, 65-70.

2. Tristan Cazel, RHP, St. Charles North, 2019
6-foot, 180-pound, athletic, strong frame, lower half and shoulders continue to broaden, right-handed pitcher. Ultra fast tempo, smooth rhythm, drop and drive delivery works on-line, lands toe open, finishes athletically. Short, loose arm action, short stab on back-side, arm works quickly to get out front. Fastball, late run action, thrown with intent, kept in zone, sat 85-87. Curveball, maintains arm speed, 11/5 shape, sharp action, located low in the zone, 70-71. Splitter, maintains slot and speed, tumble action, 76-80.

3. Jacob Karaba, RHP, Neuqua Valley, 2019
6-foot, 180-pound, athletically-built right-handed pitcher. Loose, whip-like arm action, high ¾ slot with little effort. Tall and fall delivery, deceptive hitch, straightens stride leg before giving final push off rubber, works on-line, lands square, finishes athletically. Fastball, late run, commanded, sat 87-88. Curveball, shape varied between 10/4 and 11/5, tight spin, sharp late action, kept around zone, 75-77. Changeup, maintained arm speed, thrown aggressively, armside run, 79-80.

4. Nick Gilhaus, RHP, Normal Community, 2019
6-foot-2, 210-pound, strong, durable-build, thick upper and lower halves, right-handed pitcher, projectable frame. Arm action works long and loose, slight stab/wrap on back-side, gets out front quickly. Compact delivery, quick two-step to balance point, works on-line, lands square, finishes athletically. Fastball, gets on top, run action, commanded, sat 86-88. Curveball, 11/5 shape, late, sharp action, maintains fastball arm speed, feel for, 71-76. Changeup, near fastball arm speed, thrown with intent, arm side run, commanded, 80-82.

5.Riley LeTourneau, RHP, Brookfield East (WI), 2019
6-foot-4, 210-pound, strong upper and lower halves, right-handed pitcher, projectable build. Easy, athletic tall and fall delivery, smooth rhythm, works on-line, lands closed. Arm works long and easy, slot varies between high ¾ and ¾. Fastball, mostly straight, flashed sink, sat 86-87. Curveball, 11/5 shape, depth, sharp action, maintains arm speed, commanded, 69-71. Changeup, near fastball arm speed, fade action, 74-76.

TOP LHP prospects

1. Johnny Beck, LHP, Rochelle Township, 2019
Recent Western Illinois commit. 6-foot-8, 200-pound, extra long frame, left-handed pitcher, plenty of room for continued filling out. Long, loose arm action, some effort, high ¾ slot. Smooth rhythm in delivery, long stride down the mound, works on-line, falls off to third base side, lands closed. Fastball, mostly straight, occasional cut, sat 85-86. Curveball, slurve-like, short, sharp action, 71-73. Slider, similar to curveball, 2/8 shape, 72-75.

2. Cameron Mulvihill, LHP, Evanston, 2019
6-foot-2, 170-pound, lanky, high-waist, athletically-built, left-handed pitcher, projectable frame. Arm action works loose and clean from an over-the-top slot. Tall and fall delivery, easy effort, smooth rhythm, soft front-side, works on-line, lands heel square, finishes athletically. Fastball, mostly straight, cut at-times, 82-84, touched 85. Slider, 1/7 shape, short, tight break, maintains arm speed, commanded, 74-76. Changeup, fastball arm speed, flashed cut and sink, kept in zone, 76-78.

3. Tyler Denu, LHP, Mount Horeb (WI), 2019
6-foot-1, 220-pound, athletically-built left-handed pitcher, strong lower half. Short, quick arm action, high ¾ slot, easy effort. Tall and fall delivery, some rhythm, works on-line, lands slightly closed in an upright position. Fastball, flashed run and sink, sat 84-85, touched 87. Curveball, near fastball arm speed, 1/7 shape, depth at-times, 67-68. Changeup, fade, flashed cut once, kept in the zone, 71-74.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Matthew Ambrose, RHP, Niles Notre Dame, 2019
6-foot-4, 220-pound, wide shoulders, strong lower half, right-handed pitcher. Short, clean arm action, slot varied between ¾ and high ¾, relatively easy effort. Drop and drive delivery, smooth rhythm, slight crossbody action, lands closed. Fastball, slight run at-times, in the zone, sat 81-83. Curveball, 11/5 shape, depth, 68-70. Changeup, near fastball arm speed, fade action, 75-77.

Justin Divelbiss, RHP, Plainfield Central, 2019
5-foot-11, 175-pound, right-handed pitcher. Overall, short arm action, some length on the back-side, quick arm speed allows to get out front. Drop and drive delivery with some effort, smooth rhythm, works on-line, lands square, finishes with some arm recoil and a hop. Fastball, mostly straight, late run and sink at-times, kept down in the zone for strikes, 83-85, touched 87. Curveball, shape varied between 12/6 and 11/5, depth, 69-72. Changeup, maintains arm speed, sink and fade actions, located low in the zone, 74-77.   

Jack Hansen, RHP, Lane Tech, 2019
6-foot-1, 190-pound, right-handed pitcher, strong build. Quick, loose arm action out of an over-the-top arm slot. Hybrid delivery, works on-line, lands square, finishes athletically. Fastball, gets on top, features run or cut at-times, sat 84-87. Changeup, armside run and fade actions, maintains arm speed, commanded, 76-78. Splitter, tumble action, some feel for, 73-78. Slider, 12/6 shape, 72-76.

Harrison Hoff, RHP, Providence Catholic, 2019
6-foot, 180-pound, right-handed pitcher. Short, loose arm action, high ¾ window, some effort to drop and drive delivery. Works on-line, lands square, finishes athletically. Fastball, cutter-like, 76-79. Curveball, 10/4 shape, gradual break, feel for, 65-66. Changeup, fade action, 72-74.

Robert Jackman Jr., RHP, Lincoln-Way West, 2019
6-foot-3, 200-pound, strong, durable frame, right-handed pitcher. Long arm action, full arm swing, shows on back-side, high ¾ slot. Drop and drive delivery with some effort, works on-line, lands heel square. Fastball, mostly straight, flashed run, in the zone with, sat 85-87, touched 90. Curveball, 12/6 shape, can be sharp at-times, depth to, maintains arm speed, 65-67. Slider, sweeping action, 67-69.

Mason Kasprisin, RHP, Joliet West, 2019
6-foot, 180-pound, athletically-built right-handed pitcher. Long, firm arm action, over-the-top arm slot. Drop and drive delivery, regular effort, some rhythm, falls first base side, lands open, finishes crossing over. Fastball, flashed cut and sink, 78-81. Curveball, 11/5 shape, gradual break, maintains near fastball arm speed, 66-68. Changeup, occasional cut, 68-70.

Eric Lundell, RHP, Marmion Academy, 2019
6-foot-1, 180-pound, athletic, thick lower half, right-handed pitcher. Hybrid delivery off the first base side of the rubber, smooth rhythm, works on-line lands square, finishes athletically. Arm works short, over-the-top with some effort. Fastball, cutter action at-times, commanded, 81-84. Curveball, 11/5 shape, near fastball arm speed, tight spin, 76-79. Slider, 10/4 shape, 76-79. Changeup, feel for, cut and sink actions, maintains arm speed, 73-76.

Luke Markunas, RHP, Washington, 2019
6-foot-3, 205-pound, large, projectable frame, strong upper and lower halves, right-handed pitcher. Works out of the stretch-only. Long, loose arm action, shows on back-side, easy effort at-times. Drop and drive delivery, some rhythm, works on-line, lands toe-closed, finishes upright, crossing over. Fastball, hard, late arm side run, around zone with, sat 86-87, touched 88. Curveball, 11/5 shape, late break, maintains arm speed, 71-74. Changeup, mostly straight, 76-78.

Michael McCormack, RHP, Hinsdale South, 2019
6-foot-4, 170-pound, athletic, lanky right-handed pitcher. Short, quick arm action, over-the-top slot. Drop and drive delivery, smooth rhythm, works on-line, lands square, finishes with a hop into an athletic position. Fastball, mostly straight, some armside run or cut at-times, sat 81-82, touched 84. Curveball, 11/5 shape, gradual break, 71-74. Changeup, near fastball arm speed, fade action, commanded, 75-77.

Ernan Rivera, RHP, Solorio, 2019
5-foot-11, 168-pound, athletically-built right-handed pitcher, projectable frame. Long, loose arm action out of a ¾ window, arm gets out front quickly. Drop and drive delivery, smooth rhythm throughout, at push off jumps off the rubber directionally towards home, lands square, finishing athletically. Fastball, cutting action at-times, commanded in the zone, sat 86-87, touched 88 twice. Curveball, 11/5 shape, tight spin, sharp action, flashed swing and miss potential, maintains fastball arm speed, feel for, 70-73. Changeup, near fastball arm speed, arm side run action, can take off at-times, 83-85.

Jacob Rosenkranz, RHP, Stevenson, 2019
6-foot-5, 189-pound, athletically-built, long frame, right-handed pitcher, projectable. Arm action works short and loose, slight plunge on back-side, over-the-top slot, gets out front quickly with relative ease. Tall and fall delivery, works quickly, smooth rhythm, momentum carries downhill towards home, lands toe-open, finishes athletically. Fastball, tilt, flashed cut, mostly straight, sat 85-86. Curveball, 12/6 shape, depth and sharp action at-times, maintains arm speed, feel for, 70-73. Changeup, near fastball arm speed, fade action, located down in zone, 75-77.

Tim Rybarczyk, RHP, Lincoln-Way Central, 2019
6-foot-5, 210-pound, extra large frame, strong upper and lower halves, right-handed pitcher, projectable build. Long, loose arm action, works quickly to get out front, high ¾ slot. Tilt and topple delivery, some rhythm, rushed at-times, shoulders stay level, works towards home, lands toe-open. Fastball, mostly straight, commanded in the zone, sat 83-87, touched 88. Curveball, 11/5 shape, short break, 70-73. Slider, 10/4 shape, 70-73.

Ashton Schwab, LHP, Maine East, 2019
5-foot-9, 140-pound, athletic left-handed pitcher. Short, clean arm action, hides well on back-side, quick arm speed, maintains good balance on leg kick, easy effort throughout. Tall and fall delivery, smooth rhythm, works on-line, lands square, fundamentally sound. Fastball, slight run, kept around zone, 80-81. Curveball, 1/7 shape, thrown with intent, sharp action, 67-68. Slider, 2/8 shape, cutter-like movement, 71-72. Changeup, demonstrated multiple actions, sink, run or fade at-times, 75-76. Has feel for all four pitches.

Ryne Singsank, 1B/LHP, Elk Grove, 2019
6-foot-7, 215-pound, left-handed hitting two-way player, extra large frame, strong upper and lower halves. Ran a 7.18 laser-timed 60. Offensively, balanced, wide setup, hands load back, barrel wraps, short stride. Gap-to-gap type hitter, long barrel path, gains extension through zone, fluid rhythm, exit velocity topped 100 mph from a tee. Defensively, loose arm action, ¾ slot, kept throws around bag with carry, topped 79 mph across the diamond. Fields position athletically, clean on exchanges. On the mound, drop and drive delivery, loose arm action, ¾ slot. Smooth rhythm, shoulders work uphill, lands heel square, finishes with recoil. Fastball, running action, gets on top, sat 80-81, touched 82. Changeup, fade action, 69-72. Slider 1/7 shape, 65-68.

Andrew Sweetalla, INF/RHP, Appleton East (WI), 2019
6-foot-1, 185-pound, left-handed hitting two-way player, lanky, athletic frame, plenty of room for continued physical development. At the plate, balanced, wide setup, back load, short stride. Loose hands, uphill bat path, flashed hard contact, pull/power potential, rhythm involved. Quick bat speed, exit velocity topped 94 mph from a tee. Defensively plays through the ball, steady hands, clean exchange, arm plays short and loose, high ¾ slot, throws carried 86 mph across the diamond. 7.14 runner in the 60. Right-handed pitcher, high knee balance, works in line down the mound, athletic finish with rhythm involved. Arm is long and loose, high ¾ slot, some effort involved. Fastball, some run, topped 87 mph, sat 83-85 mph. Changeup faded with arm speed, ranged 73-75 mph. Slider, 11/5 shape, ranged 71-73 mph.

Jacob Wilde, LHP, Waukesha West (WI), 2019
6-foot-3, 190-pound, left-handed pitcher, lanky frame. Athletic tall and fall delivery, works with smooth rhythm, momentum carries towards home, lands closed, rotates on plant leg to open. Long, loose arm action, high ¾ slot. Fastball, gets downhill, locates in bottom of zone, sat 82-83, touched 84. Curveball, 2/8 shape, depth, near fastball arm speed, 69-71. Changeup, mostly straight, near fastball arm speed, 77-78.

Collin Wilma, RHP, Tinley Park, 2019
6-foot-4, 190-pound, lanky, athletic right-handed pitcher, projectable frame. Short, loose arm action, high ¾ slot, coils at balance point. Drop and drive delivery, works on-line, lands toe-open, finishes in an athletic position. Fastball, late run action, tilt at-times, sat 85-86. Changeup, thrown with intent, sink and fade actions, commanded low in the zone, 78-79.  
Slider, maintains near fastball arm speed, 11/5 shape, depth at-times, 73-75. Curveball, similar shape to slider, depth, 60-63.

Collin Witzke, RHP, Oswego East, 2019
6-foot-3, 185-pound, athletic right-handed pitcher. Long arm action, stab on back-side, quick arm speed. Drop and drive delivery with some rhythm, works directionally towards home, lands toe closed and finishes in an athletic position. Fastball, mostly straight, occasional cut, sat 84-85. Slider, 11/5 shape, gradual break, 69-72. Changeup, fade action, 74-77.

JUCO

Tristan Michaels, INF/RHP, Triton JC, 2016
5-foot-11, 180-pound, left-handed hitting two-way player, athletically-built. On the mound, stretch-only, short, loose arm action, gets out front quickly, high ¾ window. Tal and fall delivery, simple lift and go, easy effort, smooth rhythm, works on-line, lands heel square, finishes athletically. Fastball, glove-side cut, located low in the zone for strikes, sat 84-88. Slider, 11/5 shape, power action, maintains arm speed, commanded, 73-76. Changeup, glove-side cut, armside fade, 76-79. Defensively, short arm action, high ¾ slot, accurate with carry, 85 mph across the infield. Plays through the ball with fluid footwork, quick, clean exchanges. Offensively, balanced setup, short leg kick timing-trigger, maintains balance. Gap-to-gap approach, long, uphill barrel path, gets extension through zone, exit velocity topped 83 mph from a tee. Ran a 7.52 laser-timed 60.

Jonah Nosek, LHP, Triton JC, 2016
6-foot-2, 190-pound, athletically-built left-handed pitcher. Loose arm action, comes out clean from high ¾, hides ball on back-side, works quickly to get out front, effortless delivery. Fastball, late life, run and sink action, located down in zone on the corners, sat 83-84. Curveball, feel for, 1/7 shape, tight spin, sharp break, maintains arm speed, 70-74. Changeup, some fade and sink, feel for, 79-80.

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