A fastball with hop has a flat approach angle and visually jumps through the zone. When thrown up in the zone, it is more likely to generate a higher swing and miss average. Hop+ of 100 is MLB average.
Fastball
Sink+
A fastball with sink has low backspin and drops through the strike zone. When thrown down in the zone, it is more likely to generate a higher ground ball percentage and lower launch angle. Sink+ of 100 is MLB average.
Fastball
Rise+
A fastball with rise has a high percentage of backspin. When thrown up in the zone, it is more likely to generate a higher fly ball percentage. Rise+ of 100 is MLB average
Slider
Hammer+
A hammer breaking ball drops vertically with velocity through the zone, or 12-to-6 movement. Hammer+ of 100 is MLB average.
Slider
Sweep+
A sweeping breaking ball moves horizontally with velocity through the zone. Sweep+ of 100 is MLB average.
Uncommitted, ranked No. 86 overall in the state’s junior class. Long, lanky 6-foot-2, 160-pound multi-sport athlete (basketball) that’s still growing into his frame and should continue to tack on mass over the next few years. Started for the Bulldogs and threw two strong innings, punching out four with a hit allowed. Athletic in-line mover, open front hit at footstrike, sticks the landing and finishes onto a firm lead leg. Arm is loose and easy with natural whip, finishes out of a clean ¾ arm slot. Fastball played at 85-87 mph, touching 87 mph multiple times, with hard, natural running action that drew several uncomfortable swings against right-handed hitters. Easy out the hand, plenty more in the tank. Spun a sweeping slider at 71-74 mph, paired it well off fastball and spotted it to the glove-side corner of the plate with consistency. Finding his footing as the spring comes to an end, is an upside arm with plenty ceiling to follow for one of the top 3A teams in the state.
10/04/23
Long 6-foot-2, 160-pound frame with plenty of projection within. Athletic and polished mover on the bump with a loose, quick arm. On Sunday, he ran his running fastball up to 88 mph in the beginning of his start and he settled in the low-to-mid-80s as his outing went on. Was also confident in a low-70s slider that played with late sweep and was able to spot it up in the zone, while also throwing it out for whiffs. It was a quality look at this uncommitted arm and is continuing to trend in the right direction after a couple of strong looks throughout the year.
8/08/23
RHP Braxdon Decker (Highland, 2025) caught our attention on the mound in his PBR event debut. The 6-foot-2, 160-pound multi-sport athlete from southern Illinois is a lanky mover on the mound with a loose, whippy arm and low-effort delivery to pair. His fastball is plenty unique - it peaked at nearly 2500 RPM while also moving 22 inches horizontally at max and played in the low-to-mid-80s, touching 87 mph. Decker showed plenty of confidence in his low-70s slider, landing it for strikes in hitters’ counts, and spinning it at 2482 RPM at peak. Decker appears to just be scratching his surface on the mound and is a name to follow headed into the fall of his junior year.
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Long 6-foot-2, 160-pound frame with plenty of projection within. Athletic and polished mover on the bump with a loose, quick arm. On Sunday, he ran his running fastball up to 88 mph in the beginning of his start and he settled in the low-to-mid-80s as his outing went on. Was also confident in a low-70s slider that played with late sweep and was able to spot it up in the zone, while also throwing it out for whiffs. It was a quality look at this uncommitted arm and is continuing to trend in the right direction after a couple of strong looks throughout the year.
RHP Braxdon Decker (Highland, 2025) caught our attention on the mound in his PBR event debut. The 6-foot-2, 160-pound multi-sport athlete from southern Illinois is a lanky mover on the mound with a loose, whippy arm and low-effort delivery to pair. His fastball is plenty unique - it peaked at nearly 2500 RPM while also moving 22 inches horizontally at max and played in the low-to-mid-80s, touching 87 mph. Decker showed plenty of confidence in his low-70s slider, landing it for strikes in hitters’ counts, and spinning it at 2482 RPM at peak. Decker appears to just be scratching his surface on the mound and is a name to follow headed into the fall of his junior year.