Nick
Dalesandro

3rd Team All State: Dalesandro did it all for Joliet Catholic in 2015, mostly behind the plate and on the mound, but occasionally moved to third base and centerfield to give his arm a rest. Capable of playing any position on the field, Dalesandro went 3-0 on the mound in 39 innings pitched, allowing 24 hits, striking out 55 and walking only 9, good for a miniscule 0.89 ERA. At the plate, he hit .380 with seven doubles, three triples, two home runs, 31 RBI, 32 runs scored, and 16 walks. He routinely reeled off pop times in the 1.90 range behind the plate this spring, and also was a gamechanger in centerfield. Dalesandro was drafted in the 33^rd round by the Detroit Tigers, was a four year varsity starter for the Hilltoppers, and will attend Purdue if he does not sign.

4.24.15 - Dalesandro impressed in his first start of the 2015 spring. He has been catching exclusively so far. The 6-foot-2, 185-pound wiry and athletic righthander displayed command of a four pitch mix: highlighted by an 87-89 mph four seam fastball. He did throw some fastballs in the 85-86 mph range, possibly two seams, but reached back for 89 multiple times even in the fifth inning. Mechanically, Dalesandro displayed the same short, quick, high ¾ arm slot he has behind the plate. Works from the first base side of the rubber, aggressive with delivery, lands in line with home plate, front foot is square at foot strike, shorter stride. Flashed a 70-73 mph curveball with 11/5 shape for strikes. 80-84 mph cutter/slider has future plus potential, showed depth with it on an 84 mph strikeout early. Also flashed an 82 mph changeup that notched a swinging strikeout to a left-handed hitter. Recorded strikeouts on all four pitches. Misses up at times with fastball, but impresses with the ability/athleticism to reach back for something extra without sacrificing strike throwing ability. Should be interesting to see his velocity climb as he gets innings under his belt this spring, having not thrown that much. Touched 92 mph this summer in the seventh inning of summer state championship.

4.2.15 - Threw out two runners at second base 1.94 and 2.06 pop times on two throws. Went 4-for-5 at the plate with three singles up the middle, a double deep to left center, five RBI. Staying consistent with up the middle approach this season, pulled elevated 85 mph fastball for double, one hop wall in left center, 380 feet at Joliet Catholic.

3.26.15 - 6-foot-2, 185-pound wiry and athletic right-handed hitting catcher, room to add weight on plus athletic frame, ranked No. 3 in Illinois, No. 42 overall. 2-for-2 with two singles and two walks. Showing advanced approach at the plate so far this season against quality arms. Generally being pitched around and not trying to do too much at the plate. First single was an RBI line shot to left off Ostrowski, 89 mph fastball on the inner half. Timing with lower half getting foot down is much improved, looks more comfortable hitting from wider base. Inside out single to right-field in last at bat against Jenkins, 92 mph fastball. 2.0 to second on in-game pop time to second, also back picked to second base at 1.97, accurate and on bag with both throws, arm is a game-changer behind the plate.

3.20.15 - 6-foot-2, 185-pound wiry and athletic right-handed hitting catcher, room to add weight on plus athletic frame, ranked No. 3 in Illinois, No. 42 overall. The knock on Dalesandro has been on whether or not he will hit enough, looks to be on a mission to prove scouts wrong. In early batting practice seven balls left the yard, left field to left-center (335 down the line, 370 to gap at Joliet Catholic), three consecutive homers at one point, three of which deposited over batting cage in left. Slightly open stance, doing a better job of getting back to square in stride, slight leg lift, better with timing, not hanging in air as long as in the past, foot down earlier, wider at stride contact, utilizing lower half well. Usually works right-center gap/inside out, more aggressive with swing, especially in 3-1, 2-0 hitters counts today. Patient approach, laying off steady diet of breaking balls. Doubled off 81 mph fastball in third at bat driving in three runs, one hopped wall in left field with line drive. Walked in first at bat, struck out looking on a borderline slider up in second at bat, reached on infield error in fourth at bat, roll-over ground ball to short. Defensively, low pop time of 1.86 in pregame, rocket for arm, impresses with easy carry to second base, extremely accurate, threw out runner from knees at third base with right-handed hitter in box (third strike and third out on the pitch). Routinely throws from knees in between innings, registered pop time of 2.01 to second. Elite-level catch and throw prospect, only thing I’ve witnessed similar is Padres’ farmhand Austin Hedges catch-and-throw skills. Handled Fellows extremely well receiving, soft hands, did a good job of staying underneath slider with depth when located down and away to right-handed hitters. Elite national prospect.

2/2/14 - It’s hard to miss Dalesandro as he showed the ability to play multiple positions and on both sides of the ball. The first thing that jumps out is his 6-foot-2, 180-pound frame. It’s long and lean now with plenty of room for added strength as he matures physically. He ran a 6.82-second 60 before showing obvious arm strength, throwing 93 from the outfield. That tool will only play up as he adds polish and works on getting rid of the ball more quickly. However, outfield is likely a backup option for him for now. Dalesandro jumped behind the plate next, using his arm strength and a quick exchange to record pop times in the 1.9-2.0 range. During batting practice, Dalesandro showed a good swing from an athletic stance with some bat speed and no stride. He’ll grow into more power as he fills out. On the mound, Dalesandro sat 85-86, touching 87, while flashing three secondary pitches. His curveball sat at 72-73 with occasional bite. His changeup was 77-79 with sink and run and his slider sat 75-77. He pitches from a three-quarter arm slot with some effort in his delivery. Dalesandro is verbally committed to Purdue.

6/8/13 - Purdue commit. Ranked No. 4 in Illinois, No. 14 overall. Long lean frame shows good projectability. Delivery is uptempo with good rhythm, direction and repeatability has improved since last seeing him. Advanced arm speed, works from several arm slots between high 3/4 and side arm, arm works extremely quick and athletic. Fastball sat between 86-89 mph all game, touched 90 mph several times throughout, touching 91 mph in the fifth, mostly straight, showing good acceleration out of his hand. Flashed a fastball from a side arm slot at 85-86 displaying slight arm side run with mostly sink, showed the ability to throw it under the hands of a right-handed hitter. Slider mostly works from a 3/4 arm slot, shows sweeping action varying between 69-73 mph while touching 75 mph. Slider action is mostly lateral, lacking depth, thrown with near fastball arm speed. Dalesandro clearly has the most electric arm in the Class of 2015, it works athletically from multiple angles with good repeatability. As he improves his slider and works to stay behind it more, Dalesandro's upside is through the roof. Dalesandro also shows a rare level of competitiveness, striking out the side in his final inning which should bode well for his progression in the coming years.

Dalesandro, too, is a high-level eighth-grade prospect, certainly one who should develop into one of the most coveted players in the Midwest. On the mound, the 6-foot, 150-pound right-hander was especially impressive. He has a quick, whippy arm action, as he topped out at 82 mph from a � arm slot. Dalesandro also flashed a tight, late-breaking slider with 10/6 break which should be a plus pitch in the future. Dalesandro will be one of the top two-way prospects for years to come, as he was also stellar behind the plate. He has tremendously quick feet and a strong arm, as he registered a top pop time of 2.1. Offensively, Dalesandro will also be force to be reckoned with. He showed plus-plus bat speed and an aggressive lower half. The ball really jumps off his bat and continues with backspin carry. If there�s a better eighth-grader in the country, we�d like to see him. The athletic 5-foot-11, 140-pounder showed to be a talent well beyond his age. To be clear, Dalesandro didn�t earn top prospect honors based on his immense projectability. Defensively, Dalesandro showcased remarkably quick feet and impressive arm strength, evidenced by his top pop time of 1.98. Offensively, the right-handed hitter displayed electric bat speed and a quick, explosive swing, which produced power well beyond his skinny frame. On the mound, Dalesandro continued to impress with a fastball that topped at 83 with arm side run, and a 66-68 mph slider. Dalesandro also ran a 7.3 60. No doubt you will be hearing about Dalesandro for many years to come.