Arizona College Summer Recap: Team USA

With the fall season in full swing, our staff takes a look back at college players from the state of Arizona who had notable performances over the summer. 

Today we begin with two players who represented Arizona State on the USA Collegiate National Team; 1B/OF Spencer Torkelson and SS Alika Williams. 

Spencer Torkelson, 1B, Arizona State, 2020
A repeat USA CNT member, Torkelson combines power production with hit ability and finished the summer with a .260/.361/.440 slash. A physical build at 6-foot-1, 220 pounds with a thick neck and shoulders, Torkelson has a balanced and quiet setup with minimal pre-pitch movement and a short stride. He’s able to extend at-bats by fouling off offspeed pitches and getting to the next fastball; a rare skill for power hitters. He’s also solid defensively at first base with an above average, accurate throwing arm and quick release. He routinely made crisp throws that were on the money and fielded everything hit his way with solid range. He's a near average runner underway on the base paths. Torkelson continues to improve from a previous look from last fall in Tempe. He is the premier bat in this year’s college class and with continued production will likely be considered where similar talent Andrew Vaughn was selected this past June; 3rd overall.

Alika Williams, SS, Arizona State, 2020
An athletic, wiry built middle infielder at six-foot-two, 170 pounds, Williams finished 2nd on the CNT with a .364 batting average to go along with his .545 SLG%. His body type reminds of Braden Shewmake (1st round, 21st overall by Atlanta in 2019). Offensively, Williams shows a good approach at the plate, puts the bat on the ball and uses all fields. From an open stance his swing can get long and disconnected at times with his hands too far out front. He also tends to drift to the ball, which added some length to his swing. But he uses his hands well, knowing when to pull them in closer to his body to get the barrel to the ball. He turned around a 96 mph inside fastball for a base hit through the 6-hole. After walking during his second at-bat of the opening scrimmage, Williams showed his base running acumen with a pair of stolen bases, then scored from third base on a ground ball with the infield in. A plus runner underway, he ran a 4.26 and 4.19 down the line from the right side. He is blessed with really good, soft hands and good actions with an average arm from shortstop. Shows excellent body control and the ability to throw from all angles. Also has a high baseball IQ and instincts for the game. As one of the top draft-eligible college shortstops for the 2020 draft, Williams will likely push his way into the back of Day One next June.

Be sure to stay tuned over the next few days as we break down more prospects with Arizona connections from the Cape Cod and Northwoods Leagues. 

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