Ryan
Pipkins

Fresh off a strong Midwest Super Sophomore Games, OF/RHP Ryan Pipkins (Champaign Central, 2028) would continue to show one of the more intriguing two-way profiles in the state's 2028 class. At the plate, he showed a controlled left-handed stroke with line drive intent and some present feel for the barrel while flashing some barrel strength during his batting practice, producing a max exit velocity of 97.2 mph. Finished gameplay 4-for-7 with a double, a home run, two RBIs, and four runs scored. Would also show well on the mound, throwing two scoreless innings, showing simple, easy movements on the mound with feel to repeat while working from a high 3/4s slot. The fastball would sit in the low-80s and was thrown alongside an upper-60s-low-70s curveball with sweeping shape and a fading low-70s changeup. Athletic 6-foot, 174-pound frame.

Positional Profile: OF
Body: 6-0.4, 173.9-pounds. Wiry, athletic frame with room for additional strength.
Hit: LHH. Wider balanced setup, controlled, short stride. Works on top of the baseball with strength, barrel creates length through the zone, loose, handsy swing. 68.9 mph bat speed with 18g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 97 mph max exit velocity (81 avg.); 352-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 82 mph. Full arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Attacks the baseball, efficient routes, plays through the baseball.
Athletic Testing: 6.79 runner in the 60-yard dash; 26.10-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 72.42 Edge Score.

Positional Profile: RHP
Delivery: Simple, repeatable, high leg lift with some coil, drop and drive, directional.
Arm Action: RH. Short, compact, high 3/4 arm action.
FB: T84, 81-83 mph. Comes out smooth, straight with some carry. T2131, 1884 average rpm.
CB: 68-70 mph. Sweeper action. T2236, 2125 average rpm.
CH: 72-72 mph. Fades. T1514, 1514 average rpm.

Currently ranked the No. 9 player in the 2028 class, Pipkens is no stranger to our staff. His skills were on display all weekend, going 11-for-22 with two doubles and a HR. He has a simple approach from the left side of the plate that produces hard contact consistently, and has a strong feel for the barrel. Pipkins started on the mound on Saturday where he struck out nine batters through five shutout innings. The right-hander operates from a controlled, easy delivery with a high leg lift and a tall/fall approach. Easy, short arm action from a ¾ slot. His fastball sat 81-84 mph and he was able to locate to all parts of the zone. He mixed in a curveball that sat 64-66 mph with sharp actions.

OF, Ryan Pipkins, Champaign Central, 2028 Uncommitted. Impressive 6-foot, 170-pound build with notable strength throughout for his age. Started in left field and was hitting out of the three-hole as a freshman. Mature approach with a low heartbeat, does not get sped up, knows the zone and showed limited chase, barrel stays through the zone with authority and gets good swings off, finished the game 1-for-3 with a double, two RBIs, a run scored and a walk. Also hopped on the mound to close out the game with a fastball up to 80 mph, has shown firmer in the past, higher leg-swing into balance point, deliberate tempo with a high ¾ release. High-level left-handed hitter to follow closely in the state.

OF Ryan Pipkins (Champaign Central, 2028) stands out physically for his age with a 6-foot, 170-pound frame, boasting round shoulders with some present strength and more room to add in the coming years. At the plate, the left-handed hitter flashed some loud contact with a peak EV of 95 mph, averaging 88 mph throughout. He has a shorter swing that stays direct to the baseball with some backspin feel up the middle of the field at times. Defensively, Pipkins plays with a very soft glove and showed rangy actions as well. He topped out at 82 mph from the crow-hop.

Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 6-0, 165 pounds. Wiry frame, room for added strength.
Hit: LHH. Taller setup, slight crouch, small leg lift load, short stride. Short and direct, creates extension through contact, balanced. 69.5 mph bat speed with 15g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 95 mph max exit velocity (88.2 avg.).
Arm: RH. OF - 82 mph. Long, loose arm action, high ¾ slot.
Defense: Stays behind the ball, ranges well, one-hand gather, soft glove.
Athletic Testing: 6.97 runner in the 60-yard dash; 24.70-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 72.67 Edge Score.

Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 6-0, 165-pounds. Lean frame with present strength.
Delivery: Simple, easy mover, high leg lift with tuck, tall/fall down the mound.
Arm Action: RH. Full arm action, loose, 3/4 slot.
FB: T84, 80-83 mph. Comes out of the hand clean, mostly straight. T2138, 1936 average rpm.
CB: 63-67 mph. 11/5 shape, showed some feel. T2131, 2034 average rpm.
SL: 66-68 mph. Short, horizontal action. T2062, 2047 average rpm.
CH: 66-68 mph. Some fade, decel. T1568, 1472 average rpm.

OF/RHP Ryan Pipkins (Champaign Central) was a steady performer on both sides of the ball for Team Illinois. Listed at 6-foot, 163-pounds, the left-handed hitter finished the week 1-for-4 with an RBI, run scored and three walks. He has a simple and easy swing that stays flat through the zone and balanced through impact, making adjustments to velocity and off-speed easily. On the mound, the right-hander fired two scoreless innings with just one hit allowed, no walks and two strikeouts. There’s plenty of arm-strength to dream on, and he’s a controlled mover with minimal perceived effort; reaching into the low-80s with his fastball.

OF/RHP Ryan Pipkins (Champaign Central, 2028) is an intriguing freshman to know from the event. Pipkins showed well in all facets on Tuesday, starting the event with a 6.95 60 time, while also recording a max vertical of 30”. The 6-foot, 163-pound prospect then swung the bat well from the left side, showing loose and easy hands paired with a line drive approach. His athleticism carried over into the defensive workout in the outfield where Pipkins displayed easy movements and body control throughout his round. He later jumped on the mound and impressed with his easy actions and control down the mound. His fastball sat 77-81 mph, throwing it for strikes 100% of the time. He also mixed in a curveball with 11/5 actions and a change-up with slight fade to the arm-side. Pipkins is an upside prospect in the 2028 class.

Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 6-0, 165-pounds. Tall, wiry frame, projectable.
Hit: LHH. Wide setup, minimal leg lift with a short stride. Loose, easy hands, on time and line-drive approach. 66.6 mph bat speed with 17 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 87 max exit velocity, averaged 85.1 mph. 336’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 76 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Easy mover, plays with body control and minimal effort, clean release.
Run: 6.95 runner in the 60.

Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 6-0, 165-pounds. Tall, wiry frame, projectable.
Delivery: Simple, easy mover, control down the mound, high leg lift, tall/fall delivery.
Arm Action: RH. Long, loose arm action, 3/4 slot. FB: T82, 78-81 mph. Clean, easy out of the hand, ride through the zone. T2111, 2039 average rpm. CB: 61-66 mph. 12/6 shape, slows down arm slightly. T2141, 1885 average rpm.
SL: mph. Short, horizontal actions. T, average rpm.
CH: 63-66 mph. Fade and depth, deceleration. T2131, 1755 average rpm.

Pipkins impressed across two games Saturday on the mound and at the plate. In his first game, he toed the rubber and tossed five and one-third innings. Across the frames, he struck out nine using a fastball that worked up to 80 mph. Flashed feel for a breaking-ball that hovered in the low-70’s that was used to generate swings-and-misses. In his second game of the day, Pipkins launched a two-run home run over the center field wall to tie the game. Was compact to the ball and demonstrated quick bat-speed.