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Western Wisconsin Prospect I.D.: Pitching Analysis

August 13, 2014

By Steve Nielsen
Scouting Supervisor – Illinois/Wisconsin

Austin Braund took the top spot amongst pitchers at the Western Wisconsin Prospect I.D. Braund, a 2017 graduate, had the top velocity at the event touching 81 mph and has a prototypical pitchers build at 6-foot-3, 190-pounds. Holmen teammate Hunter DeSmet was right behind Braund touching 80 mph himself as a 2017 graduate.

Here’s a look at the top pitching prospects from the Western Wisconsin Prospect I.D.

Top Pitching Prospects

1. Austin Braund, RHP, Holmen, 2017
Large frame, 6-foot-3, 190-pound right handed pitcher, typical pitchers build, carries projection. Easy delivery, arm action works from a ¾ slot, long loose arm action. Fastball has run, showed the ability to command it, touched 81 mph, pitched at 76-80 mph. Curveball has 12/6 shape, uses a higher slot, erratic control, should be better suited for a slider. Changeup sat 68-71 mph, still a raw pitch, shows potential. Flashed a knuckle ball at 61-64 mph. Braund is a high follow in the class of 2017 with a big upside.

2. Hunter DeSmet, RHP, Holmen, 2017
5-foot-10, 155-pound right handed pitcher, medium frame, strong build. Delivery has regular effort, high ¾ slot, quick arm action, loose arm, smooth rhythm. Fastball is mostly straight, 76-80 mph, showed control and repeatability. Curveball has 11/5 shape, 59-60 mph. Changeup showed sinking action, 68-69 mph. DeSmet is a strong follow in the 2017 class, his quick arm and athletic strength should see added velocity down the road.

3. Ben Bergman, RHP/OF, Eau Claire Memorial, 2016
6-foot-2, 200-pound two-way player, large frame, mature build. On the mound delivery works on line with squared landing, uses slide step from stretch. Arm operates from high ¾ slot, long arm action. Fastball is mostly straight four seam action, showed control in the zone, 78-79 mph. Curveball has vertical action, 64-68 mph. Changeup sits 72-75 mph, showed the ability to keep it down, occasional sink. 7.54 runner in the 60. Right handed hitter, open stance, short stride, solid balance. Path has uphill tendencies, 80 mph exit velocity from the tee, strong swing. In the outfield uses a longer action, high ¾ slot with accuracy.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Egan Bonde, LHP/1B, Fairbault, 2015
6-foot, 185-pound two-way player, strong build. Tall and fall delivery, short arm action, high ¾ slot. Fastball sat 71-73 mph, touched 76 mph, showed control of the zone. Curveball worked at 64-66 mph with feel of the zone. Slider showed similar action to curveball 66-68 mph. Changeup played at 56-61 mph. Defensively around the bag showed fluid actions, softer hands, feel for the position natural first base actions, athletic arm action. Left handed hitter, hits from a balanced stance, longer stride, slight opposite field approach. 76 mph exit velocity from the tee.

Dawson Gebelein, RHP. Stratford, 2015
6-foot-4, 160-pound right handed pitcher, slender build, long and lanky. Direction is inline, arm action is short, over the top slot, regular effort. Fastball is 72-73 mph. Curveball has 12/6 shape, 58-61 mph, showed control. Straight changeup is 64-67 mph, near fastball arm speed with fade.

Eric McGregor, LHP/OF, Ellsworth, 2015
5-foot-9, 165-pound two-way player. On the mound arm worked from a high ¾ slot, loose arm action, with regular effort. Showed the ability to throw strikes with three pitches. Fastball ranged 71-73 mph touched 74 mph. Curveball had 11/5 shape, 63-64 mph. Changeup had feel with occasional sink at 67-69 mph. Offensively hit from the left side, slight open stance, short stride. 71 mph exit velocity from the tee. In the outfield arm played similar to that on the mound, showed accuracy and played on line at 74 mph.

Jake Olson, RHP/3B, Fall Creek, 2016
6-foot-2, 200-pound two way player, large build. Right handed hitter, slightly open stance, short toe tap stride. Low finish, slight uphill path, low finish. Defensively projects as a corner infield type, arm played at 74 mph across the diamond. On the mound, fastball topped at 77 mph, ranged from 72-76 mph. Curveball showed some feel, 65-66 mph, ability to throw for strikes. Changeup pitched in 63-66 mph range. Also flashed a cutter at 67 mph that showed steeper action.

Porter Sartor, RHP/SS, Fairbault (MN), 2015
6-foot-2, 194-pound two-way player, strong build, larger frame. Defensively showed some arm strength across the diamond, some accuracy, 75 mph across the diamond. Projects as corner infield type, showed the ability to make backhand play. Right handed hitter, balanced stance, closed setup, short stride. Showed some impact of the baseball, uphill path, 73 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.70 runner in the 60.

Jake Somerville, RHP/OF, St. Johns Northwestern Military Academy, 2016
6-foot-1, 175-pound two-way player, lanky frame. Right handed hitter, wide stance, short stride, can get more out of lower half. 76 mph exit velocity from the tee. In the outfield arm action is long and over the top, showed the ability to play through the baseball. On the mound showed feel for three pitches, over the top slot, long arm action. Fastball sat at 75-78 mph, mostly straight four seam. Curveball had 12/6 action, ok depth, 69-70 mph. Changeup had feel, 68-70 mph, slight sinking action.

Reese Vold, RHP/INF, Black River Falls, 2018
5-foot-9, 135-pound, two-way player. Tall and fall delivery with regular effort, clean arm action, high ¾ slot, slightly across body. Fastball is mostly straight, showed control of the zone, 70-71 mph. Curveball has steeper plane, 12/6, 57-62 mph. Changeup has slight sink, 64-66 mph, showed feel for the pitch. Offensively hits from a balanced setup, slight arm bar load and leg kick trigger, 67-71 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm played with shorter action, 67 mph across the diamond.

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