2017 Righties Impress On The Mound At Under Armour All-America Pre-Season Tournament
Josh Ibarra and Collin Storms came in at #1 and #3 respectively on the 2017 Top 10 list from the Under Armour All-America Pre-Season Tournament in January, but they certainly weren’t the only righties in their class who impressed.
6’4” David Stapleton III is an imposing figure on the mound and he showed the stuff to match. He worked down in the zone with his fastball that touched 87 mph and obviously had good plane. He also showed a very good feel for his curve and change.
Another RHP with a great frame is Alec Seaward. Alec also worked in the mid 80s on a consistent basis with good rhythm to his delivery. Like David, the Limestone College commit was very comfortable with his off-speed stuff, throwing a curve and change both for strikes.
A few of the RHPs flashed a breaking ball with the makings of a true out-pitch.
Luke Drummond from Temple Terrace, FL threw a hard downer curve that is a swing-and-miss pitch and was a large contributor to his seven strikeouts during his outing.
Fallbrook, CA native Kevin Wiseman also threw a breaking ball with depth and bite. His arm worked well and he touched 87 mph with his fastball, as well. Wiseman is a Wagner College commit.
Brendan Martin is an interesting prospect with a lean 6’2” frame and more velocity in his future. In the meantime, the North Central Texas commit used a mid 80s fastball and change to set up hitters for his tight breaking ball with ¾ tilt.
Brandon Johnson of Cottondale, AL made right-handed hitters uncomfortable with his tailing fastball from a ¾ slot. His curve and change are also quality offerings. Johnson is currently committed to the University of Alabama in Huntsville.
With a sturdy frame and good stuff, J.P. Shaw struck out eight in his Arizona outing. He is a strike thrower whose fastball/curveball/split mix was very effective.
Also impressing was Florida Southern commit, Ryan Langford. Despite pitching in on-again, off-again rain that was sometimes hard, Langford showed quality stuff to go along with poise on the mound. Touching 86 with tail, his delivery and arm were both clean, and he landed his curve consistently for strikes.
Finally the long-limbed Matt Mascio, with his long loose arm swing, touched 86 mph and had natural cut to his fastball that made it very effective against hitters in Arizona.
With many good January showings on the mound, these guys stood out to our scouts monitoring each field out in Mesa.