Robert
Gruber

Stands 5-foot-10, 185-pounds with a strong lower half. Fastball velocity was 74-78 MPH with good feel for his breaking ball at 65-66 MPH and a change-up from 70-72 MPH. On the mound works smooth an repeatable. Sinks into his back leg at his apex during delivery and uses drop and drive style approach to the plate. Arm slot works from 3/4 and creates good movement on all pitches. Showed great command and ability to keep hitters off balance during his outing in the New York Games.  

Robert checks in a 5-foot-10 185 pounds, having added 10 pounds to an athletic frame since late August. Pitching- On the mound Robert starts from his glove side, using a short drop step up to a 3/4 high balance point. Arm action is long with loose action through a low 3/4 arm slot. Repeats a closed landing, getting through his front side. Great arm extension with each pitch, finishing square to the plate. Fastball sat in the 78-79 range, touching 80 MPH. Change up has some arm side fade in the 73 MPH range. Curveball featured some 11-to-5 action at 67 MPH. Repeats delivery and has show steady progress both mechanically and velocity wise over the last few events.

Stands at 5-foot-10, 175 pounds, with an athletic body build.  He ran a 4.76 Home to 1^st from the left-hand side.  Defensively- In the outfield, he has a good approach through the ball, with smooth, soft hands, throws with a 3/4 arm action, plays through the ball, and has accuracy on the target.  His arm strength was at 67 MPH.  Pitching- On the mound, he uses a simple side step, balanced delivery, arm action is fairly clean and loose, throws with high 3/4 arm slot.  He has a good drive from balanced position, finishes over his front side.  His fastball was 77-78 MPH.  Curveball (63-64 MPH) had a 12 to 6 downward action.  During the game, he displayed nice composure and control.  He was able to locate all his pitches well and got a lot of groundballs. Offensively- At the plate his setup is relaxed and balanced, longer leg kick stride, with a back load.  His hands are very compact and strong, swinging with a little uphill tilt but straight to the ball, with long/full extension through the ball.  His exit velocity was 78 MPH.  He is a player who shows potential to progress to the next level in college.

Preseason All-State (February 15, 2015) 

Gruber stands 5-foot-10, 175-pounds with a solidly built frame. Pitching- From the mound he uses a sidestep, into a relaxed delivery, high knee lift. Arm action is long, throws from a low-3/4 slot with some hand speed. Fastball sits 77-78 mph, curveball/slurve 64 mph with sweeping shape. Gruber is only a sophomore with a lot of time to grow, he's a WNY LHP to keep an eye on.