LATEST PG SHOWCASE REPORT
2006 California Showcase-Aug 26 & 27
Joey Van Cleave is a 2007 RHP/MIF with a 5'10'', 180 lb. frame from Windsor CA, who attends Windsor HS. Named a Top Prospect at this event. Van Cleave has a compact, athletic build and good present day strength. Van Cleave is quite an interesting player. He is listed as a primary pitcher, but likely only because players have to list a primary and a secondary. He is about the same caliber of player as both a pitcher and a hitter, and is talented boh ways. On the mound Van Cleave has a long arm stroke, with an over the top slot. He is a bit of a drop/drive pitcher and does fall off a bit, so there are some mechanical things to smooth out. He is aggressive and has a good fastball, topping out at 87 and pitching in the mid-80s. There is good life on his fastball. Van Cleave's curveball has the ability to lock up hitters and he throws it with good arm speed. He is competitive and throws stikes with all his pitches, and very importantly, he trusts his fastball. As a hitter Van Cleave has the natural knack for squaring up the barrel at contact. He swings aggressively and the ball jumps a bit off his bat. He has good present day power, particularly to the pull side. The more he hits and faces good pitching, the better he will get. Van Cleave is a good student and has D1ability, with an approach to the game that plays well at the college level.