Prep Baseball Report

CA State Games: 2020's to know


Russ Morgan and Steve Doherty

  

PODCAST: CALIFORNIA STATE GAMES RECAP

IRVINE, CA. - The inaugural PBR Tournaments California State Games took place last weekend hosting over 60 teams in the 14U-17U age groups. The tournament began on Thursday evening in front of well over a dozen college recruiters and culminated Monday afternoon with the 16U and 17U championships. 

In this series we are going to take a look at players from the various classes that stood out to our team of scouts over the weekend. Earlier this week National Crosschecker Shooter Hunt released his Upperclass and Underclass Brain Dump where he breaks down players that he liked over the course of the tournament. 

We will roll through all the classes but we begin with the 2020 class in this edition. 

CLASS OF 2020 PLAYERS TO KNOW

 

Clay Liolios

Class of 2020 / C

Player Information

  • Graduating Class: 2020
  • Primary Position: C
    Secondary Position: 1B
  • High School: Newport Harbor
    State: CA
  • Summer Team: Saddleback Cowboys/A's Scout Team
  • Height: 6-3
    Weight: 215lbs
  • Bat/Throw: R/R

Statistics

Position
7.66
60-yard
(01/05/19)
2.03 - 2.12
Pop Time
(01/05/19)
74
INF Velo
74
C Velo
(01/05/19)
93
Exit Velo
5.15
H-1st
Position
60-yard
7.66
Pop Time
2.03 - 2.12
C Velo
74
Exit Velo
91

STATE GAMES NOTES

Uncommitted.  6-foot-3, 215lbs, big, strong, athletic, durable frame.  Playing for the 17U Saddleback Cowboys, Liolios will be splitting time this summer with the aforementioned Skenes.  Liolios was a two-sport athlete (QB-football) up until this year where he is now focusing solely on baseball. I’ve had numerous looks at Liolios and every time he impresses and improves his game.  Starts from a crouched, slightly open balanced stance. Simple, small leg kick trigger, hands load and separate well away from body before firing. Swing produces gap power currently with high singles and doubles totals.  As he matures and gets stronger, Liolios will be able to get to the inside pitch and pull it over the fence. Jumped all over a fastball and hit a triple that one-hopped the wall in left center field seen here. He’s deceptively fast and athletic for his frame.  Displays excellent mobility, moving well to both left and right on balls in the dirt, has excellent receiving/presentation skills, and has a quick release with accurate online throws to second base ranging in the 2.0-2.10 range. Liolios hit .430 in the competitive Sunset Wave league this year, earning First-Team All-League. He is an elite student that carries an above 4.0 GPA.  Ivy League programs, among others need to pay attention to this recruit this summer.  


Videos

6/6/19 PBR State Games

Kevin Fitzer

Class of 2020 / SS

Player Information

  • Graduating Class: 2020
  • Primary Position: SS
    Secondary Position: 2B
  • High School: Aliso Niguel
    State: CA
  • Summer Team: Quakes Baseball Academy
  • Height: 6-2
    Weight: 175lbs
  • Bat/Throw: R/R

STATE GAMES NOTES

Uncommitted. 6-foot-2, 175lbs. Proportional, lean, athletic frame with significant room to add weight and strength. Displays one of the highest leg kick timing methods I have ever seen on a high school player.  The front knee comes really high, almost touching his elbow before firing, but does get his foot down in time. Bat path is geared for contact. What is really intriguing is his size/speed combination. Fitzer can really move, displaying an above average run tool. Clocked a 4.15 home to first and stole second and third showing his aggressiveness. He was not waiting around to take what he was given on this night.  Exhibited a strong accurate arm on the two chances he got. Will be a definite follow this summer and into his senior campaign.


Videos

6/6/19 PBR State Games

Jacob Nava

Class of 2020 / 2B

Player Information

  • Graduating Class: 2020
  • Primary Position: 2B
    Secondary Position: 3B
  • High School: Foothill
    State: CA
  • Summer Team: Quakes Baseball Academy/A's Scout Team
  • Height: 5-11
    Weight: 180lbs
  • Bat/Throw: L/R

STATE GAMES NOTES

Uncommitted.  Playing for the 17U Quakes Baseball Academy, Nava got off to a quick start lacing a double in the left-center-field gap. He stands on a 5-foot-11, 180lbs, strong, athletic frame. Shows a natural left handed swing, all fields approach. Displays a high leg kick as his timing mechanism. Path of the bat stays in the zone, has some lift in the swing as well too, but is geared for high percentage contact.  Power is in the gaps currently and hits for high doubles totals. Nava’s run tool is a weapon and he is aggressive, aware on the bases, and ready to run early in counts. Got the start at second base and demonstrated smooth, clean actions fielding his position.  Only had one attempt in this viewing. Nava has the ability to play the outfield as well were his athleticism and speed would really stand out. Finished the weekend 9-for-13 with three doubles. Excellent follow in the summer and into his senior season.


Videos

6/6/19 PBR State Games

Ricky Tiedemann

Class of 2020 / LHP

Player Information

  • Graduating Class: 2020
  • Primary Position: LHP
  • High School: Lakewood
    State: CA
  • Height: 6-3
    Weight: 190lbs
  • Bat/Throw: L/L

Statistics

Pitching
93
Max FB
(09/25/20)
91 - 92
FB
(09/25/20)
74 - 77
CB
(09/25/20)
81 - 83
CH
(04/29/21)
77 - 80
SL
(04/29/21)
Pitching
Max FB
92
FB
89 - 91
CH
81 - 83
SL
77 - 80
Pitching
Max FB
93
FB
91 - 92
CB
74 - 77
Pitching
Max FB
85
FB
82 - 84
CB
70 - 72
CH
72 - 74

STATE GAMES NOTES

San Diego State recruit.  6-foot-3, 190lbs. 2-way player, has lean, athletic, projectable body that you can dream on and imagine 25-30 pounds of muscle packed onto his frame.  Long arms, legs, with big, strong hands, high waist and square shoulders. Tiedemann got the nod today on the mound for 17U PFA Next Level. He sat 84-88 T89 with high percentage swing & miss on all his offerings in this outing. Showed two speed variations on his curveball/slider at 69-75 and mixed in one changeup at 79 MPH. Really like the athletic frame & potential of 3 +pitches. On the other side of the ball, the bat is real and Tiedemann can really swing it. Looks relaxed and confident in the box. Exhibits natural left handed swing that produces high double totals. I see above average bat tool with over the fence power potential. Has pro baseball bloodline. His name may come up in 2020 MLB Draft discussions if progress happens & minor adjustments are made.

 


Videos

6/9/19 PBR State Games (Hitting)

6/9/19 PBR State Games (Pitching)

Elijah Tolsma

Class of 2020 / RHP

Player Information

  • Graduating Class: 2020
  • Primary Position: RHP
    Secondary Position: OF
  • High School: Bishop Montgomery
    State: CA
  • Summer Team: SoCal Giants
  • Height: 6-1
    Weight: 185lbs
  • Bat/Throw: R/R

STATE GAMES NOTES

USF Commit. Tolsma has a young frame, athletic and body to add strength. Tolsma is a pitcher that I have seen a few times during the year and liked his stuff. Recently I’ve started becoming really high on Tolsma as a player who going to gets some helium for the 2020 class. On Sunday night Tolsma reassured me that this summer he will pick up some steam. Is easy put of the windup and stretch and doesn’t over exert on arm action uses natural strength for power. His fastball sits 87-88 MPH with an occasional 89 MPH. Has easy velocity with room to add speed. HE has some late run and locates the pitch well. He does throw his change-up for a strike which for a high school pitcher you don’t see that as much. It has good speed variation from the fastball sitting 78-81 MPH.  He threw a cutter which was 83-84 MPH a nasty pitch and a strike out pitch. He has a strong command of the zone, advanced for his age and only walked 4 batters this season for his high school team. Great body language on the mound for his age. Is a smart pitcher doesn’t over power you but wins with location and smarts. Good competitor and is confident in his stuff. Tolsma is an athlete I’ve been told he is a 6.6-6.7 60-yard dash guy. He is a solid two-way player and can swing the bat with a nice line drive swing. He going to be a pitcher at the next level. I’m excited to continue to follow Tolsma this summer and expect him to pick up some Helium this summer and into his senior season.


Videos

6/ 9/19 so cal giants Pitching

Thomas Saggese

Class of 2020 / SS

Player Information

  • Graduating Class: 2020
  • Primary Position: SS
    Secondary Position: 2B
  • High School: Carlsbad
    State: CA
  • Summer Team: SoCal Giants
  • Height: 5-10
    Weight: 165lbs
  • Bat/Throw: R/R

Statistics

Position
7.14
60-yard
(06/08/19)
79
INF Velo
(06/08/19)
89
Exit Velo
(06/08/19)
4.60
H-1st
(06/08/19)
Position
60-yard
7.14
INF Velo
79
H-1st
4.6
Exit Velo
89

State games notes

Pepperdine commit. Medium frame, young athletic with present strength. Has a gap-to-gap approach, makes consistent contact and uses the whole field. Makes loud contact and flashes power to all fields. Saggese was one of the best players on the field and had one of the best days at the plate. Which featured the #8 player in the 2021 class and one of the better players in the state. The game featured a handful of D1 commits and Saggese shined. He is a quick runner, smooth and a medium stride. He has the ability to steal a bag, very quiet runner and recorded a 7.14 60-yard dash. Has a strong arm, enough arm strength to play short and his mechanics were on point. Gets good reads off the bat, funnels the ball and has awareness around him. Showed versatility as he played third and look comfortable at the position making all the routine plays. Shows smart action and has awareness around him. On Sunday he recorded 2 triples, was hit by a pitch and had a handful of quality at-bats.

Zach Chonkich

Class of 2020 / SS

Player Information

  • Graduating Class: 2020
  • Primary Position: SS
    Secondary Position: 2B
  • High School: Redlands
    State: CA
  • Summer Team: Prime Baseball
  • Height: 5-11
    Weight: 160lbs
  • Bat/Throw: R/R

State games notes

Young athletic, with wiry strength and physical projection. He has a line drive swing very compact and uses the whole field. He makes consistent contact and can cover the whole plate, his hit tool plays. Doesn’t flash much power but makes loud contact. Has quick feet, medium stride and is a threat on the base path. Has a strong arm, carries though the ball, good arm speed and has enough strength to stay at short at the next level. His action play at short he is smooth, good reads, proper first step and awareness around him. Has quick hands and strong footwork to help make those plays up the middle. He is aggressive at the plate and has solid discipline. He was one of the best players on the field, offensively and defensively. On a night with a ton of talent Chonkich. HE went 3 for 4 with two triples and one double.


Videos

6/9/19 Prime baseball

Aidan Booth

Class of 2020 / C

Player Information

  • Graduating Class: 2020
  • Primary Position: C
    Secondary Position: 1B
  • High School: Laguna Beach
    State: CA
  • Summer Team: Saddleback Cowboys
  • Height: 6-1
    Weight: 195lbs
  • Bat/Throw: R/R

Statistics

Position
6.80
60-yard
(01/05/19)
1.89 - 2.01
Pop Time
(09/28/19)
75
C Velo
(09/28/19)
91
Exit Velo
(01/05/19)
Position
60-yard
7.13
Pop Time
1.89 - 2.01
C Velo
75
Exit Velo
90
Position
60-yard
6.8
Pop Time
1.97 - 2.08
C Velo
73
Exit Velo
91

STate games notes

Booth has an athletic frame; strong body. Has a gap-to-gap approach, makes consistent contact and uses the whole field. Has a loud bat and has pop in the bat. Has warning track power as he hit two ball over the center fielders head. He has quick feet and a medium stride recorded 12 second time to third base. Seem to have a strong arm of the reports I’ve been hearing from coaches. Showed to be an athlete and able to play multiple positions. His bat plays as he has some strength from the right side and able to put a ball out. Booth recorded 2 hits on Sunday one double and one triple.


Videos

6/9/19 Saddle back cowboys

Brandon Madrigal

Class of 2020 / RHP

Player Information

  • Graduating Class: 2020
  • Primary Position: RHP
    Secondary Position: OF
  • High School: Oaks Christian
    State: CA
  • Summer Team: GBG Marucci
  • Height: 6-2
    Weight: 180lbs
  • Bat/Throw: L/R

Statistics

Pitching
84
Max FB
81 - 83
FB
65 - 66
CB

STATE GAMES NOTES

Madrigal big, athletic young body with a thick lower half. Good use of the lower half, and strong extension to help generate power, repeatable motion and room to add speed. Throws from a ¾ arm angle. His fastball has some life, straight with room to add because of frame, sits 84-86 MPH with an occasional 87 MPH. His curveball has loose movement, good spin, effective when controlled, a 11-5 curveball and can be a strikeout pitch.  Didn’t throw a change much but had good speed variation. Had strong control and was consistently around the plate. Had a strong presence on the mound, with good body language. Was a smart pitcher who pitch to his strengths and seemed confident in his stuff. Madrigal went CG, giving up 1 hits, with 11 strikeouts and throwing 87 pitches.


Videos

6/8/19 GBG Marucci 2020 navy

Chris Conniff

Class of 2020 / SS

Player Information

  • Graduating Class: 2020
  • Primary Position: SS
    Secondary Position: 2B
  • High School: Norco
    State: CA
  • Height: 5-10
    Weight: 165lbs
  • Bat/Throw: L/R

STATE GAMES NOTES

Conniff has a medium athletic frame, with some presence strength. He has a smooth left-handed swing, gap-to gap approach, uses the whole field and makes consistent contact. Conniff has a pretty smooth left-handed swing. Has gap-to-gap power and I’m sure he can get into one and put it Over the fence. Has quick feed and a medium stride. Has average arm strength and carries through the ball. Gets good reads off the bat and cover good amount of ground in the outfield. Smart indicts and believes can make every play. Is listed at a shortstop but played centerfield. Showed good versatility and able to play other position. Recorded 1 hit, a triple to and 2 rbis.

 



UPCOMING EVENTS

SHOWCASE STATE DATE LOCATION
Bay Area Open Showcase CA 06/26 Laney College
Inland Empire Top Prospect ID CA 07/23 Santiago High School
Northern California Top Prospect ID
CA 07/24 St. Mary's College
Junior Future Games NATIONAL 07/30 LakePoint - Cartersville, GA
2019 PBR Future Games (California Invite) CA 07/31 LakePoint - Cartersville, GA
California State Games CA 08/17 Vanguard University
Kern County Prospect I.D. CA 09/07 Cal State Bakersfield
Rising Stars Showcase CA 09/21 Santiago High School

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