Fall Prospect Showcase: Top Overall Prospects
December 15, 2018
The Fall Prospect Showcase took place on Sunday, October 14th at Brazell Field, home of the Grand Canyon Antelopes. The event freshman through junior prospects an opportunity to be evaluated in a college stadium in front of a number of college coaches. The showcase marked the biggest event to date in Arizona, with nearly 140 players registered. This event will become a staple for PBR every October, due to the response and large number of college coaches that travel to the area this week every year. Today, we wrap up the event coverage with out top overall prospects list led by 90 mph 2020 RHP Matt Bachelier. Any of the top three could make an argument for this spot, but Bachelier's heavy fastball and aggressive delivery makes him the most college ready of the bunch, fitting immediately into the back end of a D1 bullpen. Guys like projectable RHP Kaden Schiefelbein, powerful 1B Beau Ankeney and OF Braden Miltenberger also warranted heavy consideration.
Complete video, data, pictures and reports are posted to players' individual profiles. As always contact [email protected] or direct message @PBRArizona on Twitter with any questions and/or information.
TOP OVERALL PROSPECTS:
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MATTHEW BACHELIER RHP / 1B / NOGALES, AZ / 20206-foot-2, 190-pound frame. Physical, broad bodied right-handed pitcher. Bachelier turned heads with a dominant outing on the last day of Future Games, where he was completely unhittable for two innings and showed the same type of stuff Sunday at GCU. Bachelier sat 89-90 with a very heavy fastball and flashed a 71-73 mph slider that has the makings of a future average or better secondary pitch as it becomes more consistent and is thrown with more velo. High-end makeup makes him an ideal fit at the back end of a D1 bullpen. There's some funk in the backside of his arm action, but he is able to repeat and get downhill. Every time we see him, the opposing hitters indicate that the arm action is just fine and he's established himself as the top uncommitted arm in AZ's 2020 class.
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CAYDEN COLLINS RHP / SS / MOUNTAIN RIDGE , AZ / 20216-foot-2, 165-pound frame. Lean projectable body. Rated as the top uncommitted sophomore arm in AZ and his bullpen at this event made it clear why. Collins effortlessly pounded the zone with 83-86 mph fastballs from a low 3/4 arm slot. Tons of physical projection remains in his 6-foot-2, 165-pound frame and it's easy to see Collins sitting comfortably in the low-90's or better a few years from now. The pitch that stood out even more on this look was his 72-75 mph changeup that was thrown in the zone with fastball arm speed and big fading action, projecting as a future plus pitch. Breaking ball will need to be tightened, but was thrown in zone; would like to see it developed into a shorter, hard SL. |
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EFRAIN MANZO SS / 3B / CHANDLER, AZ / 2020Rankings StateRank: 7 / POS: 3
6-foot-1, 181-pound frame. Extremely advanced physicality. Manzo continues to show that he's the top available junior bat in Arizona. Posted 93 mph exit velocity. Gliding forward to foot strike, Manzo creates a strong base and solid separation, keeping his hands back as well as anyone before showing elite bat speed to drive the ball with authority to all fields. The physical 6-foot-1, 181-pound prospect consistently produces in game action and I have no problem saying he could hit for any program in the country. He also posted a better 60-yard dash time that we've seen previously with a 7.24. Defensive future remains somewhat in question (LF/1B or possibly 3B), but the bat will play anywhere on the diamond including DH.
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NICK ARIAS 2B / RHP / TUCSON, AZ / 20225-foot-10, 145-pound frame. Arias looks like one of the top prospects in AZ's 2022 class. With a projectable, high-waisted body, Arias looks the part as an infielder and also on the mound. Offensively Arias shows an advanced rhythm, getting started early with a balanced, knee-knock trigger and projects to develop power as he matures physically. Defensively, has the look of a future 3B, generating impressive carry on his throws across the diamond. Foot speed has improved since we last saw him and appears to be the type that will continue to get faster as he gets stronger. Arias is even more advanced on the mound, where he sat 80-81 mph with an under control delivery and very clean arm circle from a 3/4 slot. Arias flashed a true curveball with tight rotation and 11-5 break when at it's best. He also mixed is a very short slider, with more cutter-type break. May benefit from being shelved in favor of a changeup that will give him a weapon against LHH as he matures. Future position will depend on continued development of run tool (7.57), which has come down significantly since we saw him in the spring.
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CHASE VALENTINE SS / 2B / SANDRA DAY O'CONNOR , AZ / 2021Rankings StateRank: 12 / POS: 4
5-foot-10, 135-pound frame. Valentine continues to prove himself as the top infield defender in the class. The combinations of elite hands, ability to throw accurately from all angles and instincts that consistently show up in game action have earned him that distinction. Very confident in his hands; expects ball to go in his glove. Showed 79 mph velocity across the diamond. Should be able to make an impact offensively when he adds strength as he shows a solid swing with loose wrists. Posted an 80 mph exit velocity. The run time will need to continue to come down. Ran 7.37 60-yard dash. Body has started to get longer, but remains thin without much present strength. All tools project to tick up considerably with continued physical maturation.
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KENNETH JIMENEZ C / 2B / NOGALES, AZ / 2020Rankings StateRank: 17 / POS: 2
5-foot-7, 170-pound frame. Strong compact body. Type of player you like more every time you see him and this was no different as he was clearly the top defensive catcher at the event and took one of the day's louder rounds of BP. Jimenez turned in pop times from 1.90-2.02 with 80 mph velo from the crouch and showed terrific footwork as he effectively gains ground towards 2B. It's a bigger swing for an undersized prospect and he could benefit from quieting the lower half in game action, but there's certainly some juice in the bat as he turned in an event best 94 mph exit velo.
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AYDEN MARKOVICH 3B / SS / CASTEEL, AZ / 2021Rankings StateRank: 14 / POS: 2
5-foot-11, 165-pound frame. Fast twitch athlete, posting 6.86 60-yard dash, with strength throughout. Slightly open, upright setup. Uses stride to create separation before lower half starts swing. 90 mph exit velocity produced by present strength and bat speed which he generates easily. Currently a left side infielder, Markovich likely projects to LF or possibly 2B without premium arm strength (77 mph. Bat will be carrying tool and play at a number of positions. Extremely high ceiling and intriguing 2021 prospect.
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DAVID UTAGAWA RHP / 1B / CORONA DEL SOL, AZ / 2020Rankings StateRank: 21 / POS: 4
6-foot-3, 200-pound prospect. Worked out in the outfield and on the mound. Clear future on the bump. Has always intrigued with his physical presence, strong lower half and short, clean arm action. He has battled some inconsistencies in the past, but if this performance is any indication he has absolutely turned the corner and was without a doubt the breakout performer of the entire event. Utagawa pounded the zone with a heavy 84-87 mph fastball, tight 73-74 mph curveball and flashed a 76-77 mph changeup that has the look of a solid third offering. He was completely under control during his bullpen and if this sort of stuff/command continues D1's will be lining up to sign the Ivy-level student. Line drive hitter. At the plate has a strong lower half, hangs and sits on load. Calm and consistent approach. Stays inside balls well. Ran improved 7.46 60-yard dash. |
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MASON WHITE SS / 2B / SALPOINTE CATHOLIC, AZ / 20225-foot-9, 155-pound frame. Showed off possibly the prettiest swing of the day, regardless of class. Extremely rhythmic and smooth left-handed swing with easy power. Can really hit and should be able to turn gap power into home run power with continued physical development. Gets in to a firm front side early in swing and hits against it. Ran 7.88 60-yard dash. Will be interesting to see how he develops physically and athletically, but he's already made big improvements defensively since we last saw him and profiles as a future 3B. Continues to display smooth actions and soft hands. Feet have improved. Arm strength (79 mph) and short arm action help White be an accurate thrower. Defensive future is uncertain, but White is one of the top bats in his class.
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RYAN ELLIS SS / C / MOUNTAIN RIDGE, AZ / 2020Rankings StateRank: 23 / POS: 7
5-foot-7, 140-pound frame. Ellis may not be physically imposing, but he is consistently able to barrel the baseball and packs a significant punch. Clears lower half early, looking to lift and pull. Although his leg kick appears to have been toned down some, he uses it effectively to arrive to time and drive the ball with a slight uphill path. Future raw power grade will dictate whether pull power approach continues to be in his best interest. Ellis' likely college future is at 2B where he excels turning the double play (83 mph IF velo), but is a playable defender virtually anywhere on the diamond, including behind the plate. Ran 7.03 60-yard dash.
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