Then & Now: Kaleb LaFavor, RHP/1B, Sioux City Heelan
December 29, 2025
In our Then & Now series, we examine how Iowa athletes have progressed over time using trusted Prep Baseball showcase metrics. By comparing everything from speed and arm strength to Blast swing traits and TrackMan performance, we get a clear picture of each player's developmental arc. Today we look at Bishop Heelan's Kaleb LaFavor, a right handed pitcher/first baseman in the class of 2026.
Take a look at the progress in his key metrics below:
Fastball Velo: 80.2 mph (Mar 2023) ➡️ 91.1 mph (Feb 2025)
Fastball Spin Rate: 1894 RPM (Mar 2023) ➡️ 2253 RPM (Mar 2024)
Slider Velo: 71.3 MPH (Mar 2023) ➡️ 79.0 MPH (Mar 2025)
MORE IOWA THEN & NOW CONTENT
UPCOMING IOWA EVENTS
| EVENT | DATE | LOCATION |
| Winter Hitting Update (S3) | 01/11/2026 | Chips Performance, Waukee, IA |
| IA Preseason ID-Eastern Iowa | 02/08/2026 | Eastern Iowa Sports Facility, Monticello, IA |
| Rising Stars ID-Eastern Iowa (2030s Only) | 02/08/2026 | Eastern Iowa Sports Facility, Monticello, IA |
| IA Preseason ID-Central Iowa | 02/15/2026 | SportsPlex West, Waukee, IA |
| Rising Stars ID-Central Iowa S1 (2030s Only) | 02/15/2026 | SportsPlex West, Waukee, IA |
| IA Preseason ID-Southeast Iowa | 02/16/2026 | Musco Sports Center, Muscatine, IA |
| Rising Stars ID-Southeast Iowa (2030s Only) | 02/16/2026 | Musco Sports Center, Muscatine, IA |
| IA Preseason All-State (Invite-Only) | 03/08/2026 | SportsPlex West, Waukee, IA |
| Rising Stars ID-Central Iowa S2 (2030s Only) | 03/08/2026 | SportsPlex West, Waukee, IA |
Scouting Report
Positional Profile: RHP/1B
Body: 6-6, 180-pounds.
Delivery: RH lean high waisted frame, high end projection on mound, loose fluid movements and ball jumps out of hand well.
FB: T88, 86-87 mph. T2157, 2020 average rpm.
SL: 77-79 mph. T2616, 2158 average rpm.
CH: 77-81 mph. T1630, 1588 average rpm.
Positional Profile: RHP/1B
Body: 6-6, 180-pounds.
Hit: LHH- narrow open stance, gradual inline stride, stays compact and is short to contact, impacts baseball well with above avg. max and overall avg. exit velocities
Power: 99 max exit velocity, averaged 90.9 mph. 179' max distance.
ATH: 7.63 runner in the 60. 1.81 and 4.20 in the 10 and 30 yard splits. 19.80 max vertical.
Positional Profile: RHP/1B
Body: 6-5, 155-pounds.
Defense: RH. INF - 89.00 mph. Above avg. at position with arm strength and ability to receive throws across the diamond.
Hit: LHH. Long lean frame, slight open stance, knee to knee trigger, stays connected well and is short to contact, aggressive approach in box with flashes of hard line drive contact to pull side of field.
Power: 87 mph max Trackman exit velocity in bp.
Run: 7.78 runner in the 60.
Delivery: Ultra projectable long lanky frame, gains momentum down mound, above avg. extension to plate. Screams velocity jumps once body fills outs and gains additional strength.
Arm Action: RH. long loose arm swing, OT slot.
FB: T87, 84-86 mph.
SL: 73-76 mph.
CH: 75-78 mph.
Positional Profile: C/RHP
Body: 6_0, 131-pounds.
Defense: 2.27-2.30 pop times. C - 73 mph. Works through plate well, solid overall accuracy to bag, longer exchange time, should allow ball to travel closer to body, overall solid body control and mechanics.
Hit: LHH. Square stance, comfortable in box, stays short to contact, consistently squares baseball, interesting follow offensively with strength gains.
Power: 84.60 mph max Trackman exit velocity in bp.
Run: 8.21 runner in the 60.
Delivery: Short rocker into athletic tuck and turn, moves free and easy down mound, has extension and finish to plate.
Arm Action: RH. Long, loose & projectable, ball comes out of hand well, ¾ arm slot.
FB: T80.20, 78.5-80 mph. Solid run and sink to arm side of plate.
CB: 65.2-66.7 mph. Slower loopy break.
SL: 70.5-71.2 mph. Tighter shape with 10/4 break.
CH: 69.2-71.3 mph. Solid overall run, fade and sink.