Luke
Mensik

SS Jack Wheeler (Morris Community, 2025) RHP Luke Mensik (Lincoln-Way Central, 2025) Displaying an athletic and proportionate 6-foot-1, 190-pound frame, Mensik was shoving for Sparks. The righty came in to relief in the middle of the third inning and pitched 2.2 innings striking out four batters and not allowing any walks. Mensik has a long stride fully extending over his left leg. He short arms his delivery and throws out of a high 3/4 arm slot with a tight window. Mensik throws an 87-90 mph fastball with natural cut. He complements his fastball with a 76-79 mph slider that has an impressive 2400-2600 rpm spin to it.

Xavier commit. Currently ranked No. 27 in the state and listed at an athletic 6-foot-1, 180-pounds. Mensik got the start for the Knights and was stellar in his six innings of work. Perhaps what stands out the most with Mensik is his competitive fire on the mound, pitching with no fear and an apparent confidence in himself. He is an athletic mover downhill with a simple and methodical delivery, paired with a short and quick arm. Mensik kept hitters off-balance throughout his start with his two-pitch mix. HIs fastball had juice behind it in the first inning, sitting 90-91 mph, before settling in at 86-88 later in his start. His out-pitch in this game was a 75-80 mph breaking ball with 2600+ rpm on average. Mensik showed the ability to manipulate the shape of the breaker; throwing it with more bend and depth at times, or throwing a sharper late-breaking one when needed. Mensik has shown better with each look and the ace of the Knights will be one to continue to follow as we start tournament-play across the state soon. Final line: W, 6 IP, 4 H, 2 BB, 1 ER, 6 K.

Xavier commit and currently ranked No. 36 in the state, Mensik was stellar in his outing for the Knights, earning the win and tossing five innings of one run (unearned) ball. He is a loose and athletic mover down the mound at 6-foot-1, 180-pounds, pitching with a short and compact arm stroke. Mensik pounded the strike zone (67% strikes) throughout his outing, working with a fastball/slider pitch-mix. His fastball played with some sink at 87-88 mph (T89) in the first inning before settling in at 84-86 mph in the later parts of his outing. He was able to induce weak contact and get whiffs with his fastball throughout the start, while tossing in an 11/5-shaped slider that played with downer action at 75-77 mph with 2500+ rpm at times to go as his out-pitch. Mensik will give the Knights a chance to win every time he takes the ball, and will be worth following throughout the rest of the spring. Final Line: W, 5 IP, 3 H, 1 BB, 1 R, 0 ER, 8 K.

Verbally committed to Xavier University.

Uncommitted. 6-foot-1, 175-pound frame with upside and room to till out, high waist. Started on the mound for the Knights and threw it well over his seven innings of work, scattering seven hits, one earned run, one walk and eight strikeouts. The right-hander has an easy tall and fall delivery with little perceived effort, creating some tilt with his fastball thanks to his higher release point. He worked his fastball up to 87 mph, sitting mostly 84-86 mph, showing the ability to work it to both sides of the plate. He showed a knack to spin the breaking ball, flipping in both a 10/4 slider at 76-78 mph and 11/5 curveball at 74-75 mph, both playing with sharp action and two-plane break with feel for the zone. Impressive polish over his arsenal with more velocity to come as he continues to mature. 

RHP/INF Luke Mensik (Lincoln-Way Central, 2025) had a strong all-around day as a two-way prospect. On the mound, the 6-foot-1, 175-pound, right-hander stood out with a polished repertoire, led by a riding fastball that sat at 86-88 mph with 16.7 inches of average IVB. He rounds out his repertoire with a firm, sharp curveball at 75-77 mph with 2585 average RPM and a changeup at 82-83 mph. The right-handed hitter offers intrigue at the plate as well with a balanced, repeatable swing and polished whole field approach. Mensik, who peaked at 94 mph off the bat also ran a 7.09 60. On the infield, Mensik has soft hands and athletic actions, ranging easily to both sides of his glove to cover ground. His arm plays with well above-average life across the diamond, reaching up to 87 mph from a high ¾ slot. 

Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 6-1, 175-pounds. Athletic frame with some strength, projectable.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, narrow setup, fluid quiet load and stride. Balanced swing, repeatable, stays simple and inside the baseball, on time and on the barrel.
Power: 94 max exit velocity, averaged 85.3 mph. 263’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 87 mph. Jumps out of the hand, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Soft hands with athletic actions, clean transfer, easy range laterally.
Run: 7.09 runner in the 60. 

Delivery: Repeatable delivery, in-line leg lift and stride.
Arm Action: RH. Compact, 3/4 slot, acceleration out front.
FB: T88, 86-88 mph. Ride through the zone, straight.  T2308, 2230 average rpm.
CB: 75-77 mph. 12/6 action, some feel.  T2689, 2585 average rpm.
CH: 83-83 mph. Downer action, some arm-side fade. T1710, 1629 average rpm.