Prep Baseball Report

2019 Top Prospect Games: Top Overall Prospects


Jordon Banfield
Arizona Scouting Director

The Invite-Only 2019 Top Prospect Games took place on Wednesday, June 27th at the Kansas City Royals Complex in Surprise. The event featured many of the state's top rising seniors and gave players an opportunity to perform in front of a strong group of colleges coaches and pro scouts as we gave out all 25 roster packets that were printed. Today, we wrap up our event coverage with the Top Overall Prospects List. Nick Wallerstedt takes home top prospect honors after an absolutely standout showing where he looked like a future pro. RHP German Fajardo comes in as the #2 prospect after showing by far the best stuff we've seen from him, looking an immediate impact D1 guy out of the bullpen. SS Nate Baez didn't stand out as much offensively as we've seen in the past but has made tremendous strides defensively and now looks like he'll be able to stay up the middle at the next level. For the complete list and reports scroll down below. It is also important to note that this list is compiled based only on their performance at this event, not necessarily their overall body of work and prospect evaluation so there may be some discrepancies from our state rankings list. Also noteworthy is the fact that five of the top ten players on this list have committed since the event (two were already committed) and four of those commitments were made to schools that attended this event. C Kyle Hasler, OF Seth Nager and 1B Justin Flebbe remain uncommitted and all possess D1 tools.

Complete video, data, pictures and scouting reports have been posted to players' individual profiles. As always contact [email protected] or direct message @PBRArizona on Twitter with any questions and/or information. The next opportunity for players from the 2019 class to be evaluated by PBR in front of college coaches will be at our Fall Unsigned Senior Showcase on 10/10 at Sunnyslope HS.

TOP Overall PROSPECTS:

Nick Wallerstedt RHP / OF / Mountain Pointe, AZ / 2019

6-foot-2, 185-pound frame. Wallerstedt has always intrigues with his frame, athleticism and arm strength, but he took his game to a completely different level on the mound. He sat in the low 90's during his inning of work, touching 93 and 94 when he reached back for a little extra. The combination of athleticism, lightning arm speed and protection in the body make him a premium prospect that will vault way up in the state and national rankings when updated. He also featured a 76-78 mph true slider with tilt and depth that looks like a future plus pitch and showed feel for an 80-82 mph change in warmups. While there is still some rawness to his game, having just recently started to focus more on baseball, the sky is the limit and we could be looking at a future high-end draft pick who I could easily see as a 95-97 mph guy at some point. Wallerstedt also remains a true two-way prospect, turning in a 6.73 60-yard dash, 91 mph outfield velo and 94 mph exit velo despite some crudeness in the swing. He could also develop into a high-end defender in center or right field as he's continually shown impressive bat reads and the ability to cover significant ground out there.

 

German Fajardo RHP / 2B / Nogales, AZ / 2019

6-foot, 165-pound frame. Arizona commit. Fajardo may have set a record for quickest commitment after a PBR event, giving his verbal to Arizona less than an hour after leaving the mound. Fajardo is generously listed at 6-foot, 165-pounds, but pounded the zone with 89-90 mph fastballs from a 3/4 arm slot with some effort and real intent. The real standout pitch was a true slider at 78-80 mph with late two-plane break. Also showed a change up at 83 mph with fading action. Fajardo has always been intriguing as an undersized RHP who sat in the mid-80's, but the recent uptick in velocity makes him a no brainer and a likely early contributor out of the bullpen for the Wildcats.

 

Nathan Baez SS / SS / Ironwood Ridge, AZ / 2019

6-foot, 170-pounds. Baez was flying somewhat under the radar for a period of time after missing a significant portion of 2017 with injury, but that has changed recently. Swing shows advanced rhythm and ability to be on time in game action with natural loft in swing. Baez posted a personal best 91 mph exit velocity and has always taken an impressive BP, but has now made significant improvements on defense where he now looks likely to remain up the middle. His 87 mph infield velocity represented a significant improvement from the past and he has always played faster than his 7.26 60-time would indicate due to instincts. Baez shows significant present strength in his developed upper and has a chance to become very physical with continued development. 

 

McKay Barney OF / Mountain View, AZ / 2019

BYU commit. 6-foot-1, 165-pound frame. Barney can really run, often posting times around 4.0 down the line during the spring and he again put his speed on display, turning in the top 60-time of the day with a 6.59. Plus runners in the 60 don't always translate on the bases, but Barney is very adept at using his speed on offense and should be able to be an early college contributor at the top of the order and in LF (where his arm 79 mph outfield velocity profiles best). At the plate Barney hit from a slightly open, wide, balanced set up. Minimal coiling or loading onto backside, energy leaks forward early. Generally looking to hit the ball on the ground the other way and leg out base hits which his is very adept at. Possesses quick hands, will hit the ball with more authority with added strength and some swing refinement; 75 mph exit velocity. 

 

Tyler Magin RHP / Desert Vista, AZ / 2019

6-foot, 160-pound frame. Projection remaining with plenty of room to add strength and mass. Magin has an explosive lower half, big time back leg drive coupled with a very efficient lead leg block. Very compact arm action, arm is in elbow flexion during the pick up phase, Corey Kluber-esque. High ¾ release. Fastball ranged from 85-88 mph with arm side life. Curveball featured tight spin and sharp downer break at 67-69 mph. Change up featured considerable diving action at 69-70 mph. With increased consistency in game action could become a high-level prospect as potential low-90’s arm with two swing/miss secondary offerings.

 

Kyle Hasler C / RHP / Hamilton, AZ / 2019

6-foot, 180-pound frame. Hasler shows about as much arm strength as you'll see, posting an impressive 83 mph velocity from the crouch and a best pop time of 1.87. Hasler also has a strong swing (93 mph exit velocity) and performed well in the middle of Hamilton's lineup this spring. The swing is a bit mechanical with a very early deep hand load and when cleaned up could elevate his prospect status even further. Also posted a 7.43 60-yard dash. Hasler also got up on the bump and sat 84-85 mph with his fastball. Controlled tempo on leg lift, very long stride, chest is almost touching front knee at release. Flashed an overhand curveball at 71 mph with downer movement. Next-level prospect behind th plate. 

 

Adam Parra RHP / 1B / Perry, AZ / 2019

6-foot-2, 210 pound frame. Body has cleaned up some. Parra has been on the PBR radar since last fall and is one the better available arms in the state. Clean delivery, gets arm up quickly, high ¾ release, dynamic lower half, present arm speed, repeats well. Gets into impressive positions especially given the size. Fastball ranged from 86-88 mph with heaviness. Curveball was thrown at 68-72 mph in varying movement, could develop more depth. Also used a 74-77 mph change up that featured fading action. Feel for all of his pitches. Very interesting follow. 

 

Jacob Henderson RHP / OF / Mesquite, AZ / 2019

Iowa commit. 6-foot-1, 180-pound frame. Henderson possesses many qualities that immediately stand out: the athleticism, low ¾ release, substantial sink on the fastball, and his lightning quick, whippy arm speed, are a few of them. His fastball ranged from 83-85 mph on this day and we have seen him up to 87 mph in the past. Should induce a very high rate of ground balls for the foreseeable future. His sweeping slider was thrown at 72-74 mph and continues to show promise of developing into a swing-and-miss type pitch. The continued development of his arsenal should give right handed hitters nightmares at the next level. 

 

Seth Nager OF / RHP / Ironwood Ridge, AZ / 2019

6-foot-3, 175-pounds. Nager has been under the radar after undergoing Tommy John, but really stood out with his swing, athleticism and projectable frame. Leg kick trigger, generates bat speed with ease, natural loft; 89 mph exit velocity. Nager posted a 6.83 60-yard dash and despite not being cleared to throw at max effort yet, was reportedly into the mid-80's as a sophomore prior to injury. If the arm comes back at full strength this fall we could be looking at a potentially high-end prospect.

 

Justin Flebbe 1B / LHP / Raymond S Kellis, AZ / 2019

6-foot-1, 175-pounds. Flebbe didn't really stand out on a few short looks this spring, but showed off a really intriguing combination of raw power and bat speed that you wouldn't expect from someone with his frame. Recorded a very impressive 97 mph exit velocity on this day. He has a chance to be a plus defender at first and launched a home run just foul during game action at the event. Posted a 76 mph infield velocity and a 7.07 60-yard dash. Flebbe also ran his fastball up to 83 mph from the left side on the mound. Clean arm action, high ¾ release. Tendency to land on a very bent front leg, fails to stabilize/block forward momentum. Breaking ball showed 1/7 shape with gradual break at 72-75 mph. Flebbe’s currently a much higher level prospect as a position player with enough juice to play first base.