Nicolas
Vertikoff

Nicolas Vertikoff: SS/RHP, (2022) Hilliard Davidson, OH. 5-foot-8, 160-pound. Solid in the box, Vertikoff had an exit velocity of 91 mph. Began in an athletic open stance with a smooth controlled load, then used a leg kick. Bat speed is quick and uses a level swing plane. In the round he found multiple barrels. Line drive approach. Solid in the infield, displayed a velocity of 77 mph; has a fluid exchange, soft hands, and athletic feet. Athletic on the mound, uses an compact arm action and a ¾ arm angle. Feel type pitcher and shows some effort. Showed an athletic balance point. a recoil finish. Curveball (64-67 mph), changeup (69-71 mph).Sat with his fastball at 78-80 mph. 

2/17/20 Position Player
Hit: LIke the hit tool, fluid mover from the left side with a confident stroke, level path, balanced natural tools, squared up everything in BP, only going to get better as he adds physicality.
Power: 81 mph tee exit velocity, line drive flight with flashes of gap abilities. 
Offensive Projection: Multiple Roles.
Field: Feet work well, ball skills are there, sure-handed defender.
Throw: Top infield velocity was 73 mph across the diamond, clean arm that will support added strength. 
Defensive Projection: Multiple roles. 

2/17/20 Pitching
Delivery Notes: Athletic delivery, arm works well through a high-¾ slot, efficient lower half that creates energy down the mound.
Fastball: 75-78 mph, mostly true through the zone, high velo ceiling. Fastball Spin Rate: 1600-1800.
Curveball: 61-64 mph, 11/5 shape, balanced combination of depth and action, has feel.
Curveball Spin Rate: 1400-1600.
Changeup: 66-70 mph, good sell, fastball arm speed.

Body Type: 5-foot-6, 140-pound thin build

Mechanical/Delivery Notes: Slow tempo delivery with a slight pause at top of his lift. Works out of multiple slots.

Fastball: Fastball worked at 71-74 mph with occasional sink and run to the arm side.

Curveball: Curveball has a short 11/5 shape, at 61-62 mph the pitch shows developing depth.

Slider: Slider has a sweeping action across the zone at 59-61 mph.

Changeup: Changeup is thrown with near fastball arm speed. The pitch was mostly straight at 63-64 mph.

Pitchability: Did a good job commanding the zone with all his pitches. Worked multiple slots, fastball velocity was significantly lower from the lower slot.

Body Type: 5-foot-6, 140-pound prospect.
Swing Mechanics: Left-handed bat that starts in an upright stance. Athletic, fluid load with well timed movement. 
Hit: Feel hitter with above average natural tools. Really controls weight well. Athletic movements throughout. Path is rotational with some burst behind. Talented, young bat to follow.
Power: Line drive guy with gap abilities. 84.1 mph off the bat in BP.
Offensive Projection: Run Producer ceiling.

Field:  Smooth actions in the infield with good rhythm throughout. Ball skills are on par for his class.

Throw:  Throws from a side arm slot with loose arm action.

Defensive Projection:  2nd base.

Body Type: 5-foot-8, 150-pound athletic frame.

Mechanical/Delivery Notes: Slightly hunched over windup with a low 3/4 arm action. Powerful lower half landing in line with the plate. Solid mechanics to develop with.

Fastball: 70-74mph 4 seam. 68-70mph 2 seam. Apparent arm side movement. In the zone consistently.

Curveball: 64-65mph. 10/4 movement with some sweeping action. In the zone most of the time.

Changeup: 62-64mph. Good arm side drop to it. Least utilized pitch thrown in the zone most of the time. Kept hitters off balance when thrown.

Pitchability: In the zone most of the time with all pitches.

Body Type:  5-foot-8, 150-pound athletic frame.

Swing Mechanics:  Open stance with a fluid load that allows his hands to get in sync.

Hit:  Uphill bat path with good feel in the box.  Middle of the field approach.

Power:  Line drive guy right now with more to come as he develops and adds size.

Offensive Projection:  Top of the lineup guy.
Field: Infield with confident actions. Feet and hands work well together. Plays with an athletic, fluid tempo throughout sequence. Solid defender.
Throw: 3/4 arm action with some jump out of the hand.
Defensive Projection: Left side of infield. 

Body type:  5-foot-8, 150-pound thin frame.

Swing mechanics:  Bat tip with a simple load into his lower half that gets everything in sync.

Hit:  Swing works with good feel in the box.  Level bat path with a twitchy swing.

Power:  A lot of pop as he develops.

Offensive projection:  Middle of the lineup guy.

Field: Fair fist step and quickness. Glove is solid, should make the routine plays.

Throw: Transfer and release needs to quicken up. Arm strength is still developing.

Defensive Projection: Secondbase.

Thin and athletic frame.  3/4 arm slot that produces good sinker action to his fastball.  Features a fastball that ranges between 68-73mph.  A changeup that compliments his fastball.  A curveball that is very loopy with 11-5 break.  Drops his arm slot down to the side when he moves to the stretch.  Arm works fast.  Will add velocity as he develops.

2/17/19

Body Type: 5-foot-6, 125 pounds. Athletic, lean frame with room to fill in.

Swing Mechanics: Hits out of the box from an open to closed stance after his stride. Compact stroke that shows a smoother, uphill bat path with quick action.

Hit: Made great contact in his round producing loud barrel action. Presented nice ability to lift the ball too.

Power: 79 mph exit velocity. Exhibited more power pull-side, middle.

Offensive Projection: Top of the order potential.

Run: 8.03 seconds 60-yard.
Field: Moves very swiftly showing nice feet as he worked the baseball. Hands were clean while displaying athletic actions fielding it.

Throw: Stronger arm with 72 mph across the diamond.
Defensive Projection: Middle infield.

2/17/19 Pitching
Body Type: 5-foot-6, 125-pound athletic frame.
Mechanical/Delivery Notes: ¾ right-hander with an athletic movement patterns on the mound. Arm works well.  Fluid actions out there.
Fastball: 69-73 mph. Comes out easy and shows regular arm side life. More velo to come as he adds strength.
Curveball: 57-59 mph. Drops arm slot a bit on the offering that shows gradual action on an 10/4 plane.
Changeup: 59-62 mph. Good feel for the offering. Pitch comes out with fastball arm speed and will fade through the zone. Nice pitch.
Pitchability: Filled it up with all three.
Additional Comments: Good athlete with much more to come as physical maturation takes its course.

2/17/19

Body Type: 5-foot-6, 125 pounds. Athletic, lean frame with room to fill in.

Swing Mechanics: Hits out of the box from an open to closed stance after his stride. Compact stroke that shows a smoother, uphill bat path with quick action.

Hit: Made great contact in his round producing loud barrel action. Presented nice ability to lift the ball too.

Power: 79 mph exit velocity. Exhibited more power pull-side, middle.

Offensive Projection: Top of the order potential.

Run: 8.03 seconds 60-yard.
Field: Moves very swiftly showing nice feet as he worked the baseball. Hands were clean while displaying athletic actions fielding it.

Throw: Stronger arm with 72 mph across the diamond.
Defensive Projection: Middle infield.

2/17/19 Pitching
Body Type: 5-foot-6, 125-pound athletic frame.
Mechanical/Delivery Notes: ¾ right-hander with an athletic movement patterns on the mound. Arm works well.  Fluid actions out there.
Fastball: 69-73 mph. Comes out easy and shows regular arm side life. More velo to come as he adds strength.
Curveball: 57-59 mph. Drops arm slot a bit on the offering that shows gradual action on an 10/4 plane.
Changeup: 59-62 mph. Good feel for the offering. Pitch comes out with fastball arm speed and will fade through the zone. Nice pitch.
Pitchability: Filled it up with all three.
Additional Comments: Good athlete with much more to come as physical maturation takes its course.

11/10/18
A left-handed hitter that starts in a balanced stance. Very athletic, loose swing. Barrel flies through the zone with impressive whip/barrel accuracy. Line drive guy who could be dynamic as he develops strength. Impressive round of BP. In the infield he plays with rhythm and light on his feet. Would like to see him play lower through fielding. Ball skills are on par or even ahead of the curve for class. Arm plays on the left side. Vertikoff showed an athletic build on the mound. His delivery appeared to a bit rigid and mechanical but at the same time he showed good body awareness. He could benefit from increasing the intensity of his delivery. His fastball sat 65-68 mph and showed some sink when located down in the zone. His changeup was 63-64 mph and showed a good action. The changeup works off the fastball plane and paired well with his naturally sinking fastball.
60 yard dash: 8.2
Infield Velocity: 68
Exit Velocity: 71

6/27/18
An athletic presence on the mound with good tempo to his delivery. A tall and fall type guy who creates solid direction down the hill. Arm is clean with noticeable whip through a high-¾ slot. Can see him having a ton of velo left in there. Throws with intent and was in the zone for the most part. Spins a quality breaking ball with bite on an 11/5 plane. Rangy defender in the infield with above average ball skills. Plays fast without compromising control. Ball skills are above average for class. Really liked what I saw at the plate. Loose, whippy swing from the left side with some authority at contact. His path allows him to use intent without compromising barrel accuracy. Solid performance in BP.
60-yard dash: 8.03
Infield Velocity: 68
Exit Velocity: 66

3/4/18
5-foot-6, 125 pound right handed pitching prospect throws out of a ¾ arm slot showing nice arm action in his release. Tempo was even flowing throughout delivery and worked efficiently. Developing lower half while driving downhill with force. Fastball was 63-66 mph. Curveball was 59-61 mph. Changeup sat 54-55 mph. A rangy infielder with an above average skill set across the board. Feet are fluid and glove plays on the move and inside funnel. Solid defender. At the plate he looks fluid and athletic. Lower half creates energy and consistent timing. Hands stay noticeable loose throughout load allowing him to generate natural whip and early bat speed. A line drive type hitter presently with much more to come as he adds strength.
60-yard dash: 8.42
Infield Velocity: 64
Exit Velocity: 65