Prep Baseball Report

Spring Scout Blog: State Playoff Standouts


Jordon Banfield
Arizona Scouting Director

The Arizona Spring Scout Blog will include notes and reports on select prospects we see throughout our spring high school coverage. If there is a game/player that needs to be covered do not hesitate to reach out and we will do our best to be there. As always, contact [email protected] or direct message @PBRArizona on Twitter with any questions about Prep Baseball Report and/or commitment information. 

STATE PLAYOFF STANDOUTS

Zack Martinez, 2019, RHP, Liberty HS
Arizona Commit. In my first live look at Martinez after he was forced to sit out part of the season due to transfer rules, the undersized righty showed a significantly different arm action than we've seen from him previously. The action was much longer, straightening out completely on the back side and almost slinging the ball towards home plate. After pitching out of a big jam in the first inning, he settled in and dominated a solid Red Mountain Lineup with his 85-87 mph fastball and mid -70's slurve. Martinez really competed on this day and mixed pitches effectively. In addition to a change in arm action, his delivery also shows significantly less effort and 
violence, maturing into more of a potential starter's profile.

Jacob Robson, 2018, OF/3B/C, Mountain Ridge HS
Uncommitted. After showing well in a couple events last fall, Robson has continued to hit every time I see him play. A significant physical presence with his 6-foot-3, 195-pound frame, Robson shows enough present strength to drive the baseball with authority to all fields. While he doesn't possess elite bat speed, he shows a knack for being on time and finding the barrel and can without question compete for time in a  college lineup this fall. There's some question as to where he fits defensively, generally playing in the outfield at Mountain Ridge, he's shown enough offensively to fit at 1B or DH if the alternatives don't work out.

Chase Webster, 2018, RHP, Mesquite HS
Arizona State signee. After a somewhat inconsistent spring, Webster got the start for Mesquite in the state semifinals and dazzled wth electric stuff early. Sporting the ideal power pitcher's frame with a strong lower half, he sat 92-94 in the first two innings without significant effort. With a short, clean arm swing and high 3/4 slot, he showed the type of velocity that previous;y made him an intriguing MLB Draft prospect. The slider was somewhat inconsistent and often flat from 84-87 mph, but flashed true plus to close out the first inning with tilt and depth disappearing down and out of the zone. A tough Liberty lineup eventually got to him stringing together singles and there were;t a ton of swings and misses, despite the stuff, but Webster still offered a tantalizing glimpse of what he could be with continued refinement.