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Unsigned Senior Showcase: Pitching Analysis

October 18, 2013

By Steve Nielsen
Scouting Director - Wisconsin/Illinois

Today we break down the pitching prospects from the Unsigned Senior Showcase on October 12. John Moynihan topped the list with his 84-85 mph fastball, while Isaiah Strassburg was close behind showing a ton of movement on everything he threw.

Here's a look at the top pitching prospects.

Top Pitching Prospects

1. John Moynihan, RHP/3B, Verona Area, 2014
Sturdy build, 5-foot-11, 190-pound two-way player. On the mound showed a solid delivery, some effort, work quickly, up-tempo delivery, solid direction. Arm works quickly, high ¾ slot, regular arm action. Fastball touched 85 mph, worked at 83-84 mph, mostly straight four seam, pounded the zone. Curveball has 12/6 shape, thrown at fastball arm speed, flashed sharp action. Slider played at 71-73 mph, occasional depth. Changeup showed excellent control, fastball similar arm action, some fade, 74-78 mph. Offensively recorded the top exit velocity at the event, 94 mph from the tee. Hits from an open stance, smooth loading action, short stride. Well above average bat speed, hard contact, occasional pull side approach, some lift. Defensively plays through the baseball with body control. Arm action is short, high ¾ slot, showed accuracy and carry, 80 mph across the diamond.

2. Isaiah Strassburg, LHP, Chippewa Falls, 2014
6-foot-2, 175-pound left handed pitcher, solid frame. Delivery shows some effort, works slightly on an open line. Arm action is long, ¾ arm slot. Fastball has arm side run, showed occasional late life, showed control, 80-82 mph. Slider showed good lateral action, 72-76 mph, 10/4 plane, flashed sharp action. Curveball had rolling action, 64-68 mph. Showed a knuckleball at 73-76 mph, thrown hard, some late action, had control.

3. Jesse Sustachek, RHP, Oak Creek, 2014
5-foot-11, 200-pound right handed pitcher. Delivery showed little effort, ¾ arm slot, smooth delivery throughout, stays directional and repeats well, athletic finish. Showed a four seam and two seam fastball, both sat 78-80 mph. Two seam fastball showed excellent run to his arm side, two seamer showed control down in the zone, excellent action. Curveball worked between 12/6 and 11/5 plane, 70-72 mph. Slider has later action, 73-76 mph, shorter break with downward action. Changeup was thrown with near fastball arm speed, advanced arm side action, showed control, 71-73 mph.

4. Jacob Nelson, RHP/MIF, Jefferson, 2014
Slender build, 5-foot-10, 145-pound two-way player. On the mound delivery repeats well, tall and fall approach, regular effort, stays on line, athletic finish. Arm action is short and loose, works with some quickness, athletic arm, high ¾ slot. Fastball flashes occasional sink, showed control, 79-81 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape, flashed late action, thrown with fastball arm speed for strikes, 68-71 mph. Changeup has excellent action, showed feel, 72-74 mph, fastball arm action. Shows pitchability throwing three pitches from the same window, repeats and disguises secondary well. Defensively showed clean athletic actions on the infield. Showed soft hands, with a clean exchange, backhand exchange showed excellent quickness,  solid body control. Arm played accurately, short loose arm action from a high ¾ slot, 73 mph across the diamond. 7.58 runner in the 60. Offensively hits from both sides, slightly open stance, short stride from both sides. Maintains solid balance throughout, short bat path, showed more strength from the right side. Posted exit velocities of 78 mph from the right side and 71 mph from the left side.

5. Nicholas Kukurich, 3B/RHP, Appleton West, 2014
6-foot, 185-pound two way player, sturdy frame. On the mound delivery is sound, shows little effort, tall and fall style. Arm action is long, high ¾ slot. Fastball featured slight arm side run, 79-80 mph, showed solid control. Curveball has 12/6 shape, flashed sharp bite occasionally, 70-71 mph. Changeup has advanced action, sinking movement with occasional arm side run, showed control, 73-75 mph, thrown with near fastball arm speed. Defensively showed a strong arm across the diamond, 79 mph with accuracy. Offensively hits from an open stance, smooth loading action, short stride. Bat path displayed some whip, solid contact, line drive gap to gap hitter.

5. Ben Miller, RHP, Union Grove, 2014
5-foot-10, 160-pound right handed pitcher. Delivery is sound, tall and fall style, moderate effort, showed rhythm. Solid loading position, high elbow separation, slightly across his body, athletic finish. Arm played from a high ¾ slot, short arm action, typical arm speed. Fastball sat 78-80 mph, cut action, showed the ability to command it. Slider worked at 66-67 mph, thrown for strikes. Curveball showed at 64-66 mph, rolling action. Changeup flashes sink, 70-73 mph, thrown with fastball similar arm action.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Carter Daniels, LHP/OF, Montello, 2014
5-foot-9, 170-pound left handed two-way player. From the outfield, arm played at 75 mph from a long over the top arm slot showing accuracy. 7.37 runner in the 60. Offensively hits from the left side, balanced stance, short toe tap stride, hands drop at load. Lower half shows involvement, front foot hitter. 71 mph exit velocity from the tee. On the mound delivery has a tall and fall approach with regular effort. Arm action is long from a high ¾ slot. Fastball displayed slight cut action, showed control, 72-75 mph. Curveball worked on 11/5 plane, 60-63 mph. Slider showed later and tighter action at 66-69 mph. Also featured a cut fastball at 72-73 mph.

Matt Pudlo, C/RHP, Appleton West, 2014
5-foot-11, 195-pound two way player. Offensively hits from the right side, tall stance, short stride. Hands worked in his swing, pull side approach, lacked back side explosion. Posted an exit velocity of 82 mph from the tee. Defensively posted pop times of 2.26-2.29. Short over the top arm action, showed accuracy, 70 mph arm strength out of the crouch. On the mound worked from a tall and fall delivery, hesitation at the top of balance point, regular effort, arm plays from a high ¾ slot. Fastball sat 76-78 mph, showed sinking action with occasional run. Curveball had 12/6 shape, 63-65 mph. Changeup flashed sink, down in the zone, decelerated arm action, 61-64 mph.

Jacob Reetz, RHP, Denmark, 2014
6-foot-2, 195-pound right handed pitcher. Delivery has some drop and drive tendencies, stays on line, arm plays from a ¾ slot. Fastball has slight run, 74-76 mph showed control. Curveball has 11/5 action, 63-66 mph. Slider works better from arm slot, 64-66 mph, showed control. Threw a straight changeup, occasional arm side run, 69-71 mph.

Jeffrey Reinholtz, OF/RHP, Verona Area, 2014
Lanky frame, 6-foot-1, 175-pound two way player. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, smooth load and short stride. Bat path is level, line drive type hitter, 84 mph exit velocity from the tee. From the outfield used a long arm action from a high ¾ slot, occasionally accurate, 79 mph from the outfield. Ran a 7.67 60. On the mound, tall and fall delivery with regular effort. Arm played out of a high ¾ slot, long arm action. Fastball registered at 75-76 mph, topping out at 78 mph. Slider showed early action on a 10/4 plane, typically up in the zone, 63-64 mph. Forkball displayed tumbling action, 65-68 mph, down in the zone.

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