JP
Gauthier

An Illinois State recruit, Gauthier produces good whip with the bat head and above-average power potential with his balanced weight transfer, rhythm and loose swing. At 6-foot-2, 170 pounds he has the frame to add weight and gain strength. His strong scores with exit velocity (94 mph), bat speed (73.8 mph), peak hand speed (23.5 mph) and power kW (4.82) further underscore his power potential. Additionally, his on-plane efficiency score of 77% placed him in the top five at the ProCase. Defensively, he showed average arm strength (85 mph) from shortstop with fair hands and actions. His ability to more aggressively play through the ball will likely be developed at the next level. At present he looked to rely more on arm strength to make plays. After a slower start, Gauthier showed to be a present average runner underway while clocking a 7.05 sixty. There will likely be improvement to his run tool due to his athletic, in-line stride and arm swing to go along with a lower effort level. All things considered, Gathier doesn’t have the loudest tools at this point in his career, but they are solid and something to build upon. The arrow is certainly pointing up with proper development.

Illinois State commit. Ranked No. 11 in the state’s 2021 class. 6-foot-2, 165-pound right handed hitting shortstop. Long and lean frame with projection for physical development. Played shortstop and batted third against Great Lakes Baseball Academy on Friday night. At the dish, sets up in an open stance, leg kick stride, draws hands back into load. Loose hands that generated quick bat speed. Finished the game 2-for-4 with a pair of singles, two RBI, and two runs scored. In the field, showed natural actions at the shortstop position. Soft hands, fluid footwork. Throws showed carry across the diamond. Also started for ISA Impact on Thursday, shutting out Top Tier North in the process. He punched out 11 batters in just five innings of work, allowing just two hits and two walks in the process, consistently dodging barrels all game. He worked with rhythm and tempo and a consistently well-located fastball, sitting 80-83 mph. He also regularly mixed in a curveball, 68-71 mph, that he demonstrated real feel for, dropping it into the zone for strikes and burying it low and away to righties.

11/29/18 - Verbally committed to Illinois State.

10/28/18 - Projectable frame at 6-foot-2, 165-pounds, long and lean. Right-handed hitter, tall open stance, smooth loading actions, leg kick trigger, good balance. Loose hands create bat speed, in rhythm hitter, pull side tendency with hard contact off the bat. 86 mph exit velocity from the tee. Natural actions on the infield, projects at third base, hands play soft and funnel to release. Arm carries, 83 mph across, high ¾ slot, athletic arm action. 7.84 runner in the 60.

2.17.18 - 5-foot-11, 150-pound, lanky, athletic two-way prospect, projectable build. Defensively, loose, athletic arm action, high ¾ arm slot, throws carry across the infield at 78 mph. Plays through the ball with soft hands, easy body control. Offensively, tall, athletic setup, hanging leg kick stride, maintains good balance through contact. Line drive hitter, gap-to-gap at times, level barrel path, present bat speed, 86 mph exit velocity off a tee. Ran a 7.91 laser-timed 60. On the mound, loose arm action, quick arm speed, over-the-top slot. Tall and fall delivery, stays tall at balance point, regular effort, smooth rhythm, shoulders stay level. Fastball, mostly straight, 76-77. Curveball, 11/5 shape, gradual break, 67-69. Changeup, sinking action, 70-71.

3.15.17 - 5-foot-9, 133-pound, lanky, two-way prospect. On the mound, works from a high ¾ arm slot with loose arm action. Tall and fall delivery, uphill shoulders, works on-line, lands square, finishes upright. Fastball sat 68-70 mph. Curveball, 11/5 shape, late action, thrown with near fastball arm speed, 60-63 mph. Changeup, cut action, 60-63 mph. Defensively, loose arm action from high ¾ slot, 67 mph across the infield. Offensively, tall, open setup, wrap load, leg kick timing-trigger. Pull hitter, long barrel path, 78 mph exit velocity off a tee. Ran an 8.51 laser-timed 60.