Joseph
Shapiro

+ LHP Joseph Shapiro (Glenbrook South HS, IL), an unsigned senior, is a 6-foot-1, 185-pound, athletically-built, well-proportioned, lefty and put together an impressive complete-game performance for Top Tier on Day one of the Midwest Fall Championship. Shapiro went seven innings, scattered three hits, struck out six, allowed two runs and did not walk a batter. Shapiro has a clean arm, repeatable delivery and works out of an over-the-top slot. Shapiro pounded the zone with his 81-82 mph fastball throughout his start and went to his sharp, late-biting breaking ball whenever he wanted. Shapiro showed the ability to manipulate the 74-76 mph offering depending on situation and count. High-pitchability unsigned senior left-handed pitcher.

6-foot-1, 185-pound left-hander for the Top Tier Americans put together a solid showing on the mound. It’s a smooth, consistent drop and drive delivery, allowing Shapiro to locate in the zone. He has deliberate actions on the mound and pitches effectively away at 80-83. He uses his curveball in the zone at 73-74 and below the zone at 75-76. He controls the running game well and pitches with a plan. He pitched four innings and didn’t allow a hit or a run. He’ll throw his curveball for strikes, allowing him to throw the pitch at any point in the count. He’ll continue to gain velocity, but he’ll always be a finesse pitcher, relying on his abilty to locate and mix his pitches to be effective.

Positional Profile: LHP/1B On of the top uncommitted southpaws in the state.
Body: 6-foot-1, 185-pounds. Well-proportioned body, strong lower half.
Delivery: Tall at balance point, stays over rubber and hip leads to home, leg swings out in-line to home, toe lands square and heel first, smooth rhythm. 
Arm Action: LH. Arm plays long and loose, speeds through a short, high 3/4 window, hides it well.
FB: T84, 82-83 mph. Played straight with finish towards the bottom of the zone.
CB: 74-76 mph. Advanced feel for curve, can really spin it, 1/7 shape with sharp action, fastball arm speed, bottom of the zone.
CH: 76-79 mph. Faded with fastball arm speed, played more to arm side.

2/10/19 - 6-foot-0, 180-pound left-handed pitcher. Tall and fall delivery, toe lifts into balance position, open side stride, heel lands first at foot strike, balance finish. Arm action is long, clean easy arm speed, high slot. Fastball is mostly straight, controlled the zone with tilt, works downhill, 81-84 mph. Curveball has 12/6 shape, tight at times, showed ability to spin it, dropped for strikes, 73-76 mph. Changeup fades, near fastball arm speed, 76-77 mph. Showed feel for three pitches, starters profile.

9.16.18 - 6-foot, 180-pound, well-proportioned, left-handed pitcher. Came out of the bullpen and struck out six in three innings of work. Arm works short and quick out of a high slot. Fastball seems to play up and finish through the hitting zone, sat 80-82 mph, touched 83 and got a number of swing and misses in the zone. Breaking ball is best secondary offering, aggressive arm speed, tight spin, 1/7 shape and sat 74-75 mph.

8.9.18 - 6-foot, 180-pound left-handed pitcher, lean frame. Delivery works with high front side, toe lift to balance point, lands square. Arm action is long, over the top slot. Fastball is mostly straight, 80-83 mph. Slider has 1/7 shape, 74-77 mph. Flashed changeup at 78 mph. Induced weak contact in game action.

7.18.18 - 6-foot, 175-pound, lanky, athletic left-handed pitcher. Uses a short arm action, slight wrap on back-side, some looseness, slot varies between high and over-the-top, regular effort. Drop and drive delivery, smooth rhythm, works on-line, lands heel-toe square to the plate, finishes athletically. Fastball, mostly straight, sat 79-81. Curveball, 1/7 shape, sharp action, maintains arm speed, commanded, 72-74. Changeup, fastball arm speed, firm, 74-77.

1.27.18 - 6-foot, 145-pound left-handed pitcher, average build. Arm action is long high slot. Works with regular effort and shows some repeatability. Fastball runs to arm side, sat 78-79 mph. Curveball has 1/7 shape, showed better when in the stretch, 68-71 mph. Sinking changeup, occasional fade, 72-75 mph.