The Summer Trials took place on Sunday, May 20th at Sunrise Mountain HS in Peoria. The event featured prospects from the 2019-2022 classes and provided an opportunity to be evaluated by PBR and considered for future invite-only events like the 2020 Games, 2021 Games and 2019 Top Prospect Games in June. Today, we continue the event coverage with our Infield Analysis. 

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.

TOP INFIELD PROSPECTS

Vinnie LaGatta SS / OF / Valley Christian, AZ / 2020 5-foot-9, 150-pound frame with surprising strength for size. One of the top overall performers at the event. Solid athlete turned in 7.08 60-yarddash. LaGatta squared up the baseball to all fields with some authority during round of BP. He uses a very narrow setup and big stride to create good separation, landing in a good position to drive the ball; 78 mph exit velocity. Where he really stood out was on the infield where he possesses solid actions, soft hands and a quick transfer with enough arm strength to stick at SS (83 mph infield velo). Also worked out in the outfield where he posted an 85 mph velo, but clearly projects best in the middle infield. The twitchy defender appears to be a DI infield prospect and will certainly factor in to the updated 2020 rankings at the end of the summer.

 

 

CJ Valdez SS / RHP / Perry, AZ / 2019 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.

 

 

Alex Figueroa 2B / OF / Millennium, AZ / 2019 5-foot-10, 160-pound frame. Took the top round of BP for any player in attendance. Showing off loose wrists and an easy rhythm in the box, Figueroa has natural loft in his swing and drove the baseball from LCF over to the pull side. Has made some mechanical adjustments to get better extension and stray through the baseball since we saw him last. There's very little question about his hit tool and Figueroa is a potential DI prospect in that regard. He has also made physical improvements; cutting his 60-yard dash down to a 7.35 and increasing his exit velo to 86 mph. Defensively Figueroa is less natural, most likely fitting in LF where he posted a 76 mph outfield velo. May fit very well at a high-end juco where he can continue to make defensive refinements.

 

 

TJ Oster 2B / SS / Valley Christian, AZ / 2021 High-waisted 5-foot-9, 135-pound frame. Lists himself as a primary 2B as he plays on the same high school team as standout SS Vinnie LaGatta, but shows plenty of arm strength to play short or even center/right field. Likely the top freshman prospect in attendance, Oster stood out in nearly every category, positing a solid 7.07 60-yard dash, outstanding 87 mph outfield velocity and the type of quick-twitch athleticism that should make him a very strong follow moving forward. Really threw from the outfield with backspin and carry that would be interesting to see on the mound. Hits from wide, athletic setup, tending to lose his posture, without transferring weight into his front side. Posted 74 mph exit velo, but shows tools to hit.

 

 

Mason White SS / 3B / Salpointe Catholic, AZ / 2022 5-foot-8, 150-pound frame. White’s left-handed swing stands out immediately, showing a very advanced rhythm with the type of looseness in his wrists that could develop into an elite offensive player as he continues to develop. Tips barrel forward in load and slots elbow to get barrel on slight uphill plane, transferring nearly 100% of his weight into front side and making significant lateral move. Looking to lift and did so with authority and little effort; 81 mph exit velocity. Showed some softness in hands and threw accurately with carry on the infield; 79 mph infield velo. Slower release/transfer. Feet project best to corner infield (3B) currently. Posted 7.71 60-yard dash.

 

 

Brenden Blakeman SS / 2B / Queen Creek, AZ / 2019 5-foot-10, 155-pound frame with some present strength and quick twitch ability. Made significant improvements to his game since the Preseason All-State Games this winter. He showed off a much improved swing, getting more out of his lower half and making more consistent line drive contact during his round of BP. The front side can get soft at times, with significant forward head movement in his swing, but the progress is significant; 81 mph exit velocity. Blakeman also showed off a quicker transfer on the infield with 79 mph velocity across the diamond and improved his run time to a 6.93.

 

 

Hunter Bagshaw 3B / SS / Desert Ridge, AZ / 2020 Appears bigger and more physical than listed 6-foot, 175-pound frame. Hits from a very wide base with minimal stride. Loading hands deep to a near arm bar and linear bat path that isn’t steep. Made line drive contact with authority to the pull side during his round of BP; 88 mph exit velocity. Corner infield profile with hands that could play at 3B. Some stiffness in arm action, but made accurate throws across the diamond at 72 mph.  Posted 7.40 60-yard dash.

 

 

Tyvon Moore SS / 2B / Mountain Pointe, AZ / 2021 5-foot-8, 145-pound frame with some present strength and development in upper body. Moore turned in the top 60-yard dash time of any underclassmen in attendance with a 7.00 and shows the type of athleticism that makes him an intriguing prospect.  His swing is a tad long currently, as he tends to drag the barrel through the zone and his 77 mph exit velo is not indicative of his present strength level. The swing path will continue to refine itself and with continued physical development we could be looking at an interesting 2B or OF prospect down the road. Currently lists himself as a primary 2B, where he tends to field the ball somewhat deep at times, but may profile better to LF down the line where his speed will play.

 

 

Sam Christiansen 1B / OF / Mountain View, AZ / 2022 5-foot-8, 140-pound frame. Appears bigger than listed size. Startingto make a physical jump, improving significantly in every category since we last saw him this winter. Christiansen stands out defensively at first base where he picked literally everything and is very comfortable moving around the bag; posted 73 mph infield velo. Also worked out in the outfield where he registered a 76 mph velo, but is far more comfortable at first base. Hits from taller, balanced setup with high back elbow, dropping hands significantly before taking a slight uphill path to the baseball; 78 mph exit velocity. Also posted 7.69 60-yard dash.

 

 

Rodolfo ( RJ ) Molina SS / 2B / Salpointe Catholic, AZ / 2021 5-foot-6, 130-pound frame. Molina has an intriguing toolset, turning in a 7.12 60-yard dash and running his fastball up to 81 mph on the mound. Molina sat 77-79, using a three-piece arm action and aggressive delivery with big intent and some recoil. He also showed the ability to throw his 12-6 curveball with big break at 65-68 mph in the strike zone and flashed a straight change at 74-76. His left-handed swing is almost too short, with very little hand movement and a steep path, but he appears to be the type of athlete that will figure it out. Turned in 78 mph exit velocity. Shows twitchy feet and workable hands on the infield, making plays to both side and throwing the ball across the diamond at 78 mph from a higher slot.