2,076 MLB PLAYERS | 14,476 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
Create Account
Sign in Create Account
High School  | General  | 5/20/2021

High School Notebook: May 20

Jason Phillips      Matthew Arietta      Steve Fiorindo     
Photo: Coleman Willis (Perfect Game)

Coleman Willis, RHP, Houston County (Ga.) 

Coleman Willis would get the call in a must-win game two for Houston County in Allatoona Monday night, and turned in a dominant complete game, seven-hit, one-run, nine-strikeout performance to force a game three Tuesday night in the Georgia 6A Final Four. 

Coleman has an extra-large, lanky frame with a lean and athletic build at 6-foot-6, 190 pounds. He has some room to fill yet is somewhat broad with a high waist and long limbs in his current state. On the mound, Willis uses his size to his advantage, as he deploys a small load into his backside, and then drops and drives his leg down the mound, driving straight down the mound towards the plate, the vast majority of the time. Willis’ arm action works well and is in sync with his mechanics, featuring a long, unrestricted arm circle in back and gets very quick up top, releasing his repertoire from a three-quarter slot with whip, and a free and easy appearance through deceleration. 



Willis’ three-pitch mix was electric on Monday as he used his fastball, curveball, and changeup trio in all counts as he went, shutting down Allatoona’s bats all game long. Willis’ mix was plus Monday, as he featured a fastball which sat in the low-90s all game, and had a high of 94 in the early going with arm-side run and riding life. Willis’ curveball was consistently in the mid-70s, with good rotation, and some 12/6 shape, depth and bite through the strike zone. Although seldom use of the changeup, Coleman did throw one hard at 87 mph with sink in the small sample. 

Coleman’s quick pace and tempo throughout the start was too much for Allatoona, as he kept their lineup uncomfortable, turning in a dominant outing. Willis appears very confident in his repertoire and fills it up with average control and developing command, yet did flash some promise throughout, hitting the glove time and again while not allowing a walk during the contest. With advanced pitchability Monday night, Coleman might have rose up many draft boards as he showcases plus tools and pitchability each time he steps on the mound. With plus size and strength also present, there is a lot to dream on, if a front office is looking for a potential front line starter down the road, with an already-above average fastball and future average off-speed deliveries, a dangerous combination. 

Coleman Willis has been no stranger to success throughout his prep career, as he has excelled at Houston County and at Perfect Game events dating back to his freshman year in 2018. Over the four years of competition, Coleman has received multiple Preseason All-American honors, and an invite to participate in the 2020 National Showcase last year in Hoover, Ala. A prep arm with impressive upside and baseball future, Coleman is verbally committed to stay home and attend the University of Georgia, but first we have to wait and see what the MLB Draft in July has in store.  


Continue reading this article and more with a Crosschecker Rankings & Scouting Reports subscription.
Sign in
CrossChecker Rankings & Scouting Reports
PG Special Events
Travel, Lodging, Entertainment
PG Partners
Recommended
About Perfect Game :: Contact us :: Terms of Use :: Privacy Policy :: Testimonials :: Job Opportunities
Copyright 1994-2024 by Perfect Game. All rights reserved. No portion of this information may be reprinted or reproduced without the written consent of Perfect Game.