Blake
Begner

9.12.16 - Verbally committed to Illinois Central JC.

2/14/16 - 5-foot-11, 155-pound left-handed pitcher. Delivery works with regular effort, high front side, squared landing. Arm action is quick, short and loose, over the top slot. Showed an ability to command his fastball, slight arm side run and sink, worked down with surprising tilt for his size. Curveball has 1/7 shape, thrown with arm speed, 64-66 mph. Good feel for his changeup, flashed advance sink and run to arm side, 70-74 mph.

1.18.15 - 5-foot-9, 140-pound left-handed hitting LHP/OF hits from a wide base, open stance, hands load back, short stride, long, level bat path, up the middle approach, 71 mph exit velocity. Defensively, threw 79 mph from short, loose, over-the-top arm slot with accuracy and carry. Plus arm for frame and age. Fluid footwork in the outfield, quick exchanges, attacks the baseball. Ran a 7.66 60. On the mound, fastball ranged from 77-79 mph, touching 80. Same straight over the top angle as in outfield, aggressive in delivery, shoulders work uphill, stride direction in line with home plate, falls towards third base due to aggressiveness. Throws 60-64 mph curveball aggressively with sharp bite, 1/7 shape. Slows arm slightly on 60-61 mph change. Due to his arm speed and clean arm action Begner is an prospect to watch as he continues to grow, especially on the mound.

7/14/14 - 5-foot-8, 140-pound two-way player. Showed well on the mound at the 2017 Top Prospect Games, demonstrating ability to throw three pitches for strikes. Works from over-the-top slot, quick, clean arm action, hides the ball well. Fastball topped at 79 mph, sitting 76-78, with arm-side run. Athletic delivery, stays tall on backside well. Throws changeup with conviction at 67-68 mph, occasional sink. Also throws curveball in 62-66 range. Offensively, hits from a balanced, wider setup, athletic hands, line-drive approach; 79 mph exit velocity. Moves athletically in the outfield, shows natural outfield instincts, arm plays, recorded 76 mph with consistent accuracy.

6/12/14 - 5-foot-7, 130-pound two-way talent impressed with arm strength on the mound and in the outfield.  Hits from a balanced setup with a smooth load, leading to a level bat path with good extension.  Begner has a fluid rhythm to his swing, but currently lacks strength/power.  Threw 80 mph from the outfield with a long, loose arm action.  On the mound impressed with a 77-79 mph fastball, 63-65 mph curveball with 11-5 shape thrown near arm speed with occasional depth.  68-70 mph changeup was thrown near fastball arm speed with some sink and arm side run.

9.29.13 5-foot-4, 110-pound left-handed, two-way player. At the plate has a balanced setup, short stride and maintains excellent balance through contact. Compact swing, solid swing mechanics. Off the tee had an exit velocity of 65 mph. From the outfield showed solid footwork and athletic movements. Overall solid outfield actions; throws with a long arm from an over-the-top slot with accuracy at 75 mph. Ran an 8.2 60. On the mound he throws from a high ¾ slot with a clean arm action. Delivery is clean and repeatable. Fastball sat 70-73 mph with strong arm side run out of windup and stretch, flashing 74 mph once. Curveball showed 12/6 tendencies, and sitting 58-61 mph, touching 62 mph. Changeup flashed good fading action and sat 60-63 mph from both the windup and stretch. Also showed the ability to throws strikes with all three pitches.

3/10/13 - 5-foot-4, 105-pound left handed two way player. Shows upside on the mound. Left handed pitcher works from a high ¾ arm slot, regular effort, tall and fall approach, smooth rhythm. Fastball finishes, occasional run, showed above average control, 67-68 mph. Slider has feel, sweeping action, thrown for strikes, 60-61 mph. Changeup is 54-56 mph. Offensively hits from a balanced setup, no stride approach, good balance throughout. Line drive approach, opposite field slap approach. Defensively shows some infield actions, 65 mph across the diamond.