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Leagues  | Story  | 4/11/2023

Iowa Spring League Notebook: Week 2

Myles Davis (2024, Marion, Iowa) continues to show off his all-around game during this Spring League. He has impressed with his feel for his strike zone working three walks in his first 12 plate appearances. Davis also shows good barrel control collecting three hits and a double. He has a small stride that works well engaging the lower half before his hands come through the zone with the barrel whipping around behind them. Davis has a direct hand path to the baseball and has shown the ability to drive the ball to all fields. With an athletic 6-foot-2, 190 pound frame, as the Spring rolls along expect to see more baseballs driven deep. He has impressed once on base with a good base running IQ, collecting five stolen bases. Defensively he has a strong arm and the tools to stick at shortstop, but also has shown some versatility playing a game behind the dish. Iowa commit.

Joey Oakie (2024, Ankeny, Iowa) showed off all of the tools this weekend. On the mound he started from the far first base side of the mound before a letter high leg-kick. Used a low three-quarters arm slot with a good whip. Showed an above average fastball 91-94 that he was able to control well, not allowing a walk. Oakie was able to locate the fastball and a good slider with late break to work North-South in the zone and challenge hitters in his two inning start. Shows a ton of swing and miss potential with the mix, getting five of the six outs via strikeouts. Prevented hard contact only allowing a single hit. Repeats the delivery well with more velocity in the tank. At the plate Oakie showed a smooth swing that starts from a wide base before shifting his weight back and uncoiling to impact baseballs. He was able to collect two hits, including a double and RBI in just four at-bats this week. Shows good power upside with a strong 6-foot-3, 195-pound frame and good bat whip. Iowa commit.



Blake Larson (2024, Des Moines, Iowa) with a strong debut at the Iowa Spring League working two innings of shutout baseball and only allowing a single hit. He started from a letter high leg-kick before a short stride down the mound, with a short arm action and a three- quarter arm slot. He has some effort at release but an easy motion with a ton of arm speed and good whip. The left-handed pitcher was able to show off an impressive fastball that was up to 91 and sat around 89 for the appearance. He mixed in a good 2-8 slider that had a sharp bite and horizontal tilt. He was able to attack hitters with the mix in the strike zone and showed the ability to miss barrels. Exciting player with more velocity in the tank as the 6-foot-3, 175-pound frame adds. TCU commit.

Rowan Donels (2023, Cedar Rapids, Iowa) continued to impress this weekend seeing a small velocity jump on the fastball. He was able to top his high of 89 last weekend running the fastball up to 92 and sat at that 89 with some arm side run. Donels has dropped his arm slot from more over-the-top to a three- quarters slot. He has been able to maintain the velocity on the fastball and the increase in arm side run has added another facet in his ability to challenge hitters. Donels was able to run the fastball into the hands of hitters creating weak contact or missing the bat all together. Mixed in a slider with sharp bite and that shows legitimate out-pitch traits. He also showed the ability to work East-West on the mound and had control of both sides of the plate. He was able to work three innings only allowing a single hit and collecting seven strikeouts. Moves well off the mound and is capable of making plays off the mound. Lanky 6-foot-5, 200-pound frame. Iowa commit.

Aden O’Donnell (2023, Bettendorf, Iowa) continued to show off his upside and the ability to be one of the top pitchers at the Iowa Spring League. O’Donnell went three innings collecting five strikeouts. He competed well in the strike zone but did give up some loud contact, allowing two runs on three hits. He starts with a letter-high leg-kick before a three- quarters delivery. O’Donnell was able to run the fastball up to 86-89 with good arm side run and he mixed in a 12-6 shaped curveball with late bite. He was able to control the mix well to both sides of the plate and showed the ability to challenge hitters in. Last week he was the Top Pitching Performer. Well-built 6-foot-2, 200-pound frame that shows durability and can see some more velocity added as the mechanics solidify. Illinois commit.

Preston Lang (2024, Cedar Rapids, Iowa) continued to swing a hot bat this weekend, collecting three hits in just five at-bats and working a walk. Lang shows middle-of-the-order hitting potential with the ability to get the ball in play and use the whole field. So far he has yet to record a strikeout and flashed some power upside with a triple. Lang starts from a wide base before shifting the weight back, then he rotates the lower half before the hands get the barrel to the ball. Lang also has shown the ability to be a nuisance on the base paths collecting eight steals so far with good base running IQ and has flashed the ability to apply pressure to the pitcher when on base. Lang has an athletic 6-foot, 180-pound frame with room to fill. Will be a player to continue to watch as the Spring League continues.

Bryce Pauly (2026, Davenport, Iowa) continues to show his all-around two-way upside. On the mound Pauley started with a belt-high leg kick before working down from the mound with a low three- quarters arm slot and above average arm swing. He saw a small velocity jump from Week One on his above average fastball for the age, running it up 88 and sitting 85. He also flashed a low- 70s curveball with some 12/6 bite. Pauly was able to go three shutout innings only allowing one hit and a walk. He was able to overpower hitters with the mix and collect six strikeouts. As the weather warms up it will be exciting to see how much his velocity will continue to rise. At the plate Pauley continued to show his big tools adding another hit and walk. So far this spring Pauly is slashing .444/.583/1.139. As his young 6-foot-1, 170-pound frame continues to add strength and mature with his advanced barrel control he should consistently show off his big-time power potential. Pauley continues to show why he is a must watch player during this Spring.

Joshua Loren (2023, North Liberty, Iowa) continued to put on a pitching display for Iowa Select 2023 Scout going another three innings in this start and seeing a velocity jump. Loren was able to work the fastball up to 82-86. Loren also mixed in a good 1-7 shaped curveball. He had good control of the mix collecting seven strikeouts, including six straight in the last two innings. He used a belt-high leg kick before working downhill on the mound well with a high three- quarters arm slot. He has a lanky 6-foot-2, 165-pound frame that can continue to develop and shows more velocity in the tank. Loren was perfect through his three innings and continues to show the ability to be one of the best left-handed pitchers at the Spring League while still not allowing a single base hit through his first six innings. Kirkwood commit.

Corrail Jackson (2023, Bartonville, Ill.) pitched well in his Spring League debut for Iowa Select 2023 Scout. He went 2.2 innings pitched and punched out five hitters. On the mound Jackson was able to repeat them pretty well. He starts with a belt-high leg-kick and a short stride before a good front side whips the arm through at a three- quarters slot. The fastball was effective up in the zone at 83 and touched 86. Jackson was also able to mix in a couple of good off-speed pitches with a 11-5 shaped curveball that he has a feel to spin. He also showed a slider with good downward tilt that was able to be effective low in the strike zone. As the compact 5-foot-11, 185-pound frame with long levers continues to get polished it will allow for a smaller margin of error on pitches, as he was a bit inconsistent with misses high out of the zone. Mississippi Valley State commit.

Anthony Harrington (2026, Lost Nation, Iowa) has gotten out to a fast start and impressed during the Spring League for the Iowa Renegades with good two-way upside. On the mound the right-handed pitcher has worked a combined six innings in three appearances only allowing one earned run and collecting 12 strikeouts. Harrington starts with a leg-kick that is slightly below the belt before short arm action that hides the ball behind his head before whipping the arm through from a three-quarters slot. He uses a fastball that has topped out at 82 so far this Spring and mixes in a good curveball that he controls well in the bottom half of the strike zone. In the box Harrington has proven to be difficult to get out collecting eight hits including four doubles and a triple. Harrington shows good middle-of-the-order hitting potential with the power upside from his large 5-foot-10, 170-pound frame and his ability to drive in runs, collecting 7 RBI in the first two weeks. It will be exciting to see how well Harrington can continue this hot pace as he ended Week Two with a slash line of .615/.706/1.783.

Ty Hall (2023, Iowa City, Iowa) has impressed with his ability to work the whole field with the swing and has shown good opposite field power upside for the Little Hawks Carlson. Hall has shown good middle-of-the-order hitting potential with the ability to work deep counts and get on base with five walks so far this Spring. He starts from an open stance before shifting his weight back and getting good hip rotation through the short swing with some uphill plane. He has impressed with the ability to let the ball get deep in the zone before his quick hands get the barrel to it. Hall has shown some speed and the ability to take extra bases coming around to score six times. He has a compact 5-foot-10, 165-pound frame with plenty of room to add and good power upside.

Noelan Slyter (2024, Davenport, Iowa) has impressed for Davenport North High School with his two-way potential. On the mound Slyter works at an extremely quick pace but is able to stay controlled through the delivery. He starts with a chest-high leg-kick before an over-the-top arm slot with a fastball that was 78-82. He also mixed in a curveball that has loose 12-6 shaped spin that he was able to locate in the strike zone. Aggressively attacked hitters with the ability to work low in the zone as well as control the inner third of the plate, collecting five strikeouts in three innings of work. He also creates deception with a funky front glove path that blocks his throwing arm. In the box Slyter shows good middle-of-the-order hitting potential collecting six hits, including a double in just 11 at-bats. He starts with a high leg-kick before engaging the lower half well and gets good bat speed from quick hands that are able to get the bat on plane. Power upside with a well-built 6-foot-2, 195-pound frame. Slyter ended the second week with a combined slash line of .545/.583/1.220 and will continue to be a must watch player on both sides of the ball.

Brooks McCarty (2026, Orange City, Iowa) continued to show off his power-power two-way upside as a player. On the mound the left-handed pitcher used a belt-high leg kick and short stride before a longer arm action and three- quarter arm slot. McCarty continued to impress with the fastball that sat around 80 and topped out at 82. He also showed the ability to make hitters miss with his breaking ball with good 1-7 shape and that froze hitters that led to him collecting three strikeouts in just two innings on the mound. McCarty helped set the tone for the Iowa Select 2026 Scout as they would complete the shutout. Offensively, McCarty continues to show the power upside adding another two hits including a double and RBI. The right-handed hitter has a simple swing with a small toe-tap before good hands whip the barrel through the zone and shows the barrel control to consistently drive baseballs. McCarty continues to impress and show off his two-way upside and will continue to be a player to follow closely this Spring.

Sam George (2023, Bettendorf, Iowa) also saw a velocity jump in Week Two working the fastball up to 87 and sitting at 85 with two seam action for the three inning start. George starts from a belt-high leg kick before closing the front side and whipping the arm through from a three- quarters arm slot. He was able to use the two seam action on the fastball to work under the barrel of right-handed hitters in the outer half of the plate to generate swing and misses or weak contact. He also mixed in a good slider with 2-7 shaped break and good horizontal tilt. George was able to use the mix to collect six punch outs and spread two hits and a walk into only one earned run. He has a lanky 6-foot-4, 190-pound frame with more velocity in the tank. Minnesota State commit.

–Marcus Thomas
 
James Very (2025, Bettendorf, Iowa) was improving his stock Saturday, knocking balls all over the ballpark. Very finished his day with two hits a walk and four runs batted in. Very has an aggressive approach at the plate, starting with a wide stance, short leg kick on delivery, creates a good whipping action letting his hands follow his hips, adding great barrel control, being able to hit balls in every quadrant. Very also made an appearance on the bump Saturday tossing two innings and collecting five strikeouts while surrendering one hit. James was able to blow it by hitters with his fastball that was sitting 80-82 topping 82. Very has a solid frame standing at 6-foot-3, 205-pounds and has been putting up consistent numbers throughout the first two weeks of this Spring. Exciting young player to watch going forward.

Talon Young (2025, Iowa City, Iowa) was carving on the mound this weekend. Young went three innings surrendering only one hit and one walk while he collected five strikeouts and ran his fastball up to 84. Young has a higher three-quarter arm slot and is controlled and easy throughout his delivery. Young makes it very difficult to hit as he gets elite disconnection from his upper and lower body upon foot landing and gets good extension out front. His mechanics were consistent and he was blowing it by guys for all three innings of work. He stands at 6-foot, 190-pounds and is a very projectable arm. Young is the #2 ranked right handed pitcher in Iowa.

Jaxton Schroeder (2025, Cedar Rapids, Iowa) is always a threat when he comes to the plate. Schroeder steps in with loose hands and a tall, slightly open-stance. Schroeder does a great job of keeping his hands inside and staying connected throughout his swing. Schroeder added his first home run of the Spring to his line this weekend taking a ball over the right field wall for a two run shot. Over the course of the Spring so far Schroeder has proved unlimited power to both sides of the field and is one of the most complete hitters in the league so far.

Tate Proskovec (2025, Cedar Rapids, Iowa) went two innings and collected all six outs via strikeout allowing just one hit. Proskovec sat around 81-84 topping 86. Proskovec gets a good scapular squeeze and explosive arm action. Slow through his wind up, gets down the mound well and ramps it up on delivery. He was able to repeat his mechanics and he is already looking like he is improving from just seven days ago. Proskovec stands at 6-foot-3 180-pounds. Impressive pitcher to watch going forward, plenty of upside.

Drew Fillenworth (2026, Blairstown, Iowa) had himself a day in the box as well as on the bump. Fillenworth exited Saturday with a single and pair of loud doubles. Fillenworth looks comfortable in the box and has an aggressive approach. He starts with an open stance and does a great job of staying connected and getting the barrel in the zone early before he unloads on the ball. On the mound Fillenworth went two innings, collecting four strikeouts, giving up two hits and no walks. He sat around 78-79 topping 81. Fillenworth has present strength and is heating up as of recent.

Garrett Luett (2026, Council Bluffs, Iowa) is walking away from Saturday with three hits, two doubles, two stolen bases and three runs batted in. Luett has continued to be one of the premier hitters in this league and is showing no signs of weakness. His swing is free and easy. His ability to get his barrel to the ball in any part of the zone is extremely advanced for his age. He also impressed on the mound in two innings of relief collecting three strikeouts to only one walk. He starts with a chest-high leg-kick before a high three- quarters arm slot that lets the fastball which sat around 79 and topped out at 81 play well up in the zone to get swing and misses or weak contact. Luett also showed a loose spinning curveball with developing feel and 12-6 shape. Iowa commit.

Caiden Buonadonna (2025, Cedar Rapids, Iowa) stepped on the bump this weekend for two innings and collected five strikeouts. Over the course of this Spring he has an impressive 11 strikeouts in four innings pitched. Buonadonna is a left-handed pitcher with a high leg kick and gets good extension out front. He was sitting 80-83 and could polish up his glove side in delivery to unlock more velocity. In the box Buonadonna looks very mature. He has one of the most polished swings from start to finish in the league. He starts with an open stance and high hands, does a great job staying on back foot and extending. Gets his barrel through the zone and has a nice lean on impact. He gets plenty of torque and leverage from his lower half. Buonadonna pounded two singles through the three-four hole on Saturday. Plenty of upside as a two-way player going forward.

–Aiden Moeller