Prep Baseball Report

Five Uncommitted 2019 Infielders


Jordon Banfield
Arizona Scouting Director

As our fall events in Arizona are fast approaching, we will spend lots of time in September highlighting some of the best available 2019 prospects in the state. Without any D2 or D3 programs in the state, tons of very solid players remain uncommitted and most will be at the Unsigned Senior Showcase on 10/10 at Sunnyslope HS. Limited space for the event remains and you can REGISTER HERE.

Today we look at five infielders capable of being solid contributors at the next level, possible D1 types and definite high-level Juco/D2 players. All of these prospects have consistently performed at a high level in live game action as well as at previous PBR events. Full report are included with full video available in individual profiles for PBR PLUS subscribers.



Holden Breeze

Class of 2019 / 3B

Player Information

  • Graduating Class: 2019
  • Primary Position: 3B
    Secondary Position: SS
  • High School: Mesquite
    State: AZ
  • Summer Team: AZ Sandlot
  • Height: 5-9
    Weight: 180lbs
  • Bat/Throw: R/R

Statistics

Pitching
85
Max FB
83 - 85
FB
73 - 77
CB
76 - 77
CH
Position
7.18
60-yard
84
INF Velo
91
Exit Velo
Position
60-yard
7.43
INF Velo
82
Exit Velo
86

Scouting Report

6/27/18 - 5-foot-9, 165-pound frame. Offensively Breeze hit from an upright, open stance. Very simple, efficient swing that he repeats well and allows himself to be on time with relative ease. Line drive machine. Defensively profiles as a third baseman. Showed steady, confident hands and looked comfortable moving to both sides. Has the ability to throw from multiple angles across the diamond. Every time I see Breeze I like him more. He has a knack for finding the barrel in live game action, doesn't ever seem to make errors and has improved physically across the board, posting a 7.18 60-yard dash, an 84 mph infield velocity, and a 91 mph exit velocity. Breeze also showed interesting abilities on the mound. His arm slot ranged from a near overhand release, to a near side arm release, and anywhere in between. Used his arsenal of pitches from all angles. His change up was thrown at 76-77 mph with sinking action. Curveball ranged from 73-77 mph. Also showed feel for a knuckleball. His frame doesn't stand out, but the production becomes hard to ignore the more you see him play.

3/8/18 - Breeze isn't overly tools but shows a knack for finding the barrel, connecting on four doubles in the game. Hitting off of hit front foot, Breeze is able to keep his barrel in the zone for a long time and make line drive contact. Improving his foot speed would go a long ways towards making Breeze a higher level prospect as he turned in a 4.61 turn. As is there's no question he has ability to play the game and can contribute at the college level for someone.

1/28/18 - 5-foot-9, 160-pound frame. Varied between toe tap and leg kick trigger sometimes combining the two during his round of BP. Some length in swing with scoopy bat path. Made some hard contact during his round when he made contact out front. 82 mph exit velocity. Does a great job playing underneath the baseball on the infield, moving around comfortably and showing soft hands. Threw 80 mph across the diamond with a quick transfer and high arm slot. 7.44 60-yard dash. 




Jesus Lopez

Class of 2019 / 3B

Player Information

  • Graduating Class: 2019
  • Primary Position: 3B
    Secondary Position: 2B
  • High School: Nogales
    State: AZ
  • Summer Team: Yankees Scout Team
  • Height: 6-2
    Weight: 195lbs
  • Bat/Throw: R/R

Statistics

Position
-1.30
60-yard
86
INF Velo
(10/10/18)
89
Exit Velo
(10/10/18)
Position
60-yard
7.68
INF Velo
86
Exit Velo
89

Scouting Report

1/28/18 - Standing 6-foot-2, 185-pounds with developing strength, and the frame to pack on a significant amount of it, Lopez looks like he may have a chance to really hit at the next level. Though his 60-yard dash time (7.57) is a couple ticks slower than some schools may like, his ability to hit and play the game should remove most doubts. A right-handed hitter, Lopez sets up in a crouch with his feet spread wide and hands held just below the back shoulder. He rocks his weight back with a minor leg lift stride that pushes his hands slightly down and back. From there, he showed strength through the zone on a level path with a high, two-handed finish. The wide-shouldered infielder crushed some balls to the pull side, but also showed the ability to go gap to gap. The bat played up even more in the game, and he hunted fastballs early in counts while adjusting late, and even when he got out the ball was smashed. In the field, he is comfortable at third base and has the arm strength (86 mph) to stick there along with clean hands and footwork. Overall, Lopez’s ability to hit should give him a chance to compete in college, especially when he makes a jump physically.





Justin Flebbe

Class of 2019 / 1B

Player Information

  • Graduating Class: 2019
  • Primary Position: 1B
    Secondary Position: LHP
  • High School: Raymond S Kellis
    State: AZ
  • Summer Team: AZ Sandlot
  • Height: 6-1
    Weight: 180lbs
  • Bat/Throw: R/L

Statistics

Pitching
84
Max FB
81 - 83
FB
72 - 75
CB
Position
7.07
60-yard
84
INF Velo
(10/10/18)
97
Exit Velo
Position
60-yard
7.39
INF Velo
84
Exit Velo
93

Scouting Report

6/27/18 - 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.

2/21/18 - The junior lefty worked 81-83 with his mostly straight fastball, touching 84. He showed a high 3/4 arm slot and a slower tempo delivery, generally filling up the strike zone, but showing more control than command. He mixed in a 67-68 mph curveball and was able to throw it for strikes. As he is able to tighten the rotation on the pitch he should be able to miss more bats moving forward. As a junior lefty who can touch the mid-80's there's no question he can help a college program.





CJ Valdez

Class of 2019 / SS

Player Information

  • Graduating Class: 2019
  • Primary Position: SS
    Secondary Position: RHP
  • High School: Perry
    State: AZ
  • Summer Team: Sandlot
  • Height: 6-0
    Weight: 180lbs
  • Bat/Throw: R/R

Statistics

Pitching
85
Max FB
82 - 84
FB
69 - 70
CB
76 - 78
CH
Position
6.96
60-yard
82
INF Velo
83
Exit Velo

Scouting Report

5/20/18 - 6-foot, 180-pound frame with proportional strength. Showed well across the board, posting a 6.96 60-yard dash, 82 mph infield velo and running his fastball up to 85 mph with little effort. Valdez used a compact delivery and clean arm action from a high ¾ slot to sit 82-84 mph. There should be more velo to come based on the athleticism and arm speed he generates. 69-70 mph curveball had 12-6 shape, backing up at times and was 69-70 mph but could be thrown harder to eliminate the hump, possibly turning it into more of a slurve. Changeup was a more advanced secondary offering on this day, with some fading action and fastball arm speed at 76-78 mph. Valdez has a line drive approach and swing plane in the box, gathering himself very early and showing the ability to be on time consistently. Could stand to swing with more intent, as 83 mph exit velo is not indicative of offensive ability. Easy mover on the infield with some softness in hands and a quick transfer, likely projection best to second or third base.





Jacob Alexander

Class of 2019 / SS

Player Information

  • Graduating Class: 2019
  • Primary Position: SS
    Secondary Position: RHP
  • High School: Queen Creek
    State: AZ
  • Summer Team: Angels Scout Team
  • Height: 6-4
    Weight: 175lbs
  • Bat/Throw: L/R

Statistics

Pitching
87
Max FB
(10/10/18)
84 - 85
FB
(10/10/18)
69 - 74
CB
73 - 74
CH
(10/10/18)
Pitching
Max FB
87
FB
84 - 85
CB
68 - 73
CH
73 - 74
Position
7.07
60-yard
86
INF Velo
(10/10/18)
88
Exit Velo
(10/10/18)
Position
60-yard
7.16
INF Velo
86
Exit Velo
88

Scouting Report

6/27/18 - 6-foot-3, 175-pound frame. Alexander has always looked the part and is starting to scratch the surface of what he could be. Alexander looks even taller than his listed height and shows the same smooth, effortless actions and swing we've seen from him previously, registering an 83 mph infield velocity and an 87 mph exit velocity on this day. Posted a 7.07 60-yard. He's also recently taken up pitching, touching 85 from the right side with a clean arm action. Fastball featured arm side run. Breaking ball was thrown at 69-74 mph that flashed sharp downer break when released out in front. Change up showed sinking action at 71-73 mph. Could be very intriguing for a strong juco while he continues to develop physically and potentially reaches his very high ceiling.