Adam
Balcerak

Midwest Halos Red won their second game of the our PBR at The Rock 16u Championships yesterday afternoon, backed by a strong outing from RHP Adam Balcerak. Balcerak went the distance, striking out eight and he allowed just one earned run, too. He relied heavily on his fastball, a pitch that played at 83-86 mph with vertical carry into the zone from a lower release angle.

Balcerak's athleticism especially plays up in the outfield, where he comfortably covers ground with ease – he ran a 6.82 earlier in the day to underscore this point. His arm strength has improved since our last look, as all five of his throws clocked in above 90 mph, with an accurate 92 max as his best. He translated that to the mound as well, running his fastball up to 87 mph and consistently pumping it in at 84-86. Additionally, he hit one of the day’s farthest balls (382 feet) that left the bat at 98.1 mph. He’s among the top uncommitted athletes in the state.

Positional Profile: OF/RHP; High-level athlete to follow in the state's junior class.
Body: 6-0, 180-pounds. Athletic, wiry build; projects well.
Delivery: Athletic drop/drive type delivery, level shoulders, whippy hip/shoulder separation at foot strike, advanced extension downhill. Open-toed landing, works in line to target, finishes out front through release.
Arm Action: RH. Long and loose arm action, 3/4 slot.
FB: T84, 82-83 mph. Four-seam type with a late arm-side wrinkle at times. Stayed down in the zone, strikes. 
SL: 73-75 mph. 11/5 shape with low spin action, works underneath it at times. Still harnessing feel to spin.
CH: 76-80 mph. Straight action.

Hit: RHH. Rhythmic setup; wide/athletic base, front foot open, pre-pitch fluidity in hands, set high. Smooth load back, creates good hip/shoulder separation with balance. Soft, athletic landing, balanced through impact and finish. Bat path is short, level; average bat speed measured at 70.9 mph, per Blast device.
Power: 91 mph exit velocity from the tee. Fluid load through launch creates natural bat strength; hard line-drives, topped 97.7 mph exit velocity during batting practice, per TrackMan.
Arm: RH. OF - 87 mph. Short draw, long circle to high 3/4 slot. Loose throws with carry to home.
Defense: Controlled, fluid feet, careful approach; plays through with crowhop.
Run: 6.82 runner in the 60. Easy, athletic gait.

Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 5-foot-11, 165-pounds. High-waisted athlete with good projectability.
Delivery: Centered on mound, shoulder length base, side steps to high and balanced knee lift, drops and drives, leg swings out creating a crossbody angle, square landing.
Arm Action: RH. Short draw, short arm action from a high 3/4 slot.
FB: T80, 76-80 mph. Flat, straight plane to home; works up in the zone.
CB: 69-71 mph. Sharp, aggressive 10/4 shape thrown at arm speed. Feel to locate and spin.
CH: 71-75 mph. Mostly maintains arm speed; works up in the zone. Straight action, flashes deception.

5-foot-11, 160-pound two way player, trim build. Presently projects best on the mound, delivery is in rhythm, on line with open toed landing, balanced finish, occasional recoil. Arm action is long and drawn out, loose high ¾ slot. Fastball played to glove side, slight natural cut, 76-77 mph. Curveball has 10/4 shape, 64-67 mph. Changeup played with fastball arm speed, runs to arm side, showed fell 76 mph. Right-handed hitter, tall setup, short stride, slight lower half collapse. Loose hands and swing, short and level tendencies, occasional opposite field approach. 81 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively hands play flat to the ground, tall at the waist, occasionally deep. Arm action is long, high ¾, 71 mph across the diamond. 8.40 runner in the 60.

5-foot-11, 151-pound, right-handed hitting/throwing two-way prospect, well-proportioned, athletic frame. At the plate, balanced setup, smooth load, short toe tap trigger, maintains balance. Loose hands, level bat path, gap to gap approach, line drive hitter, fluid rhythm involved. Showed hard contact with present bat speed, exit velocity topped 82 mph from a tee. Defensively, steady hands, long exchange, rhythm in feet. Long, easy arm action, high ¾ slot, throws had some carry across, topped 76 mph. 7.61 runner in the 60. On the mound, tall and fall delivery, directionally in line, athleticism in finish. Long, loose arm action, quick arm speed out front, clean high ¾ slot. Fastball worked straight, 69-72 mph, topped 73 mph. Curveball flashed sharp depth, 12/6 shape with feel in the zone, 62-64 mph.