Prep Baseball Report

California State Games: Grey Team Analysis Part 1


Joey Cohen

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Lathrop, CA - On the banks of the San Joaquin river under the hot summer sun the annual Prep Baseball Report - California State Games took place at beautiful Islanders Field. Players from across the Golden State made the journey to showcase their skills and chase their dreams. Uncommits became commits and unknowns became known. 

Nationwide restrictions altered the State Games from allowing college coaches to attend but thanks to modern technology the Prep Baseball Report - California staff was able to stream nationwide. TrackMan and Blast Motion technology provided exceptional data to be collected and distributed. The scouting staff crushed the twitter game and provided ample highlights on day oneday two and day three.

With an abundance of talent on hand, the players were broken up into three groups, today we take a look at Part 1 of the Grey Team analysis.

Bryce Baughman, Placer (CA), 2021
Positional Profile: RHP/1B
Body: 6-1, 180-pounds. Medium frame. Upper body is filling out with room for gains in the lower half.
Delivery: Pitches out of the stretch and on the 1B side of the rubber with a medium knee lift. Drops and drives at the same time. Steps into the RH box. Shows repeatability of mechanics with pitch inconsistencies coming from release.
Arm Action: RH. A long circular arm action that gets to a slightly higher sidearm slot. At times was late at release but executed pitches when he got good extension. When front foot lands he rotates well which helps him get some good arm speed.
FB: T81, 77-80 mph. Showed some armside run and played well down in the zone.
SL: 66-68 mph. Got it over for strikes with high usage. Induced weak contact
CH: 68-69 mph. Had some present fade. 1200-1300 spin. Worked well against RH’s. 

Christian Becerra, Harvard-Westlake (CA), 2021 CALIFORNIA
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 6-1, 170-pounds. Has a lean athletic frame that definitely shows some strength/physical gains since the last time we saw him.
Delivery: Uses a higher knee lift and sequences his body well dropping into his back leg before driving off the rubber. Pulls down hard with his glove and finishes with a firm and stable front leg at landing. Sound mechanics.
Arm Action: RH. Has a more over the top arm slot that is clean and repeatable. Full and long arm swing that is loose but still creates a ton of arm speed. Consistent arm speeds on all pitches.
FB: T90, 87-89 mph.  Located it well to the glove side. Pitch shows good ride with very minimal horizontal movement.
CB: 76-78 mph. Played well in the zone. Same arm speed as FB.
SL: 79-82 mph. Worked it to all quadrants. Most used offspeed. Induced week contact. Above-average spin 2300-2500.
CH: 81-82 mph. Low spin changeup: 1200 spin. 

Bryce Bond, Sierra Canyon  (CA), 2021
Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 6-4, 215-pounds. Large and filled out frame all around with some definite athleticism gains since last time we saw him.
Delivery: Uses a high knee lift and gets to a quick balance point. Good hip/shoulder separation at landing which optimizes velo. Lands hard, firm and squared to target.
Arm Action: RH. A very whippy circular arm action. Loose yet controlled out of the ¾ slot. Good arm speed.
FB: T86, 83-85 mph. Has some good late life. Located it to all quadrants.
CB: 64-68 mph. Some present side-side spin. Moves more like a slurve. Worked well against RH.
CH: 69-72 mph. Lower spin in the 1300s with some good fade. 

Eli Gennis, De La Salle (CA), 2022
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-11, 175-pounds.  Medium frame with a sturdy athletic build.
Delivery: Works on the first base side of the rubber. It’s an athletic delivery. Fluid and efficient mechanics. Drops and drives into his legs well and lands with a straight and firm front leg that is online with home.
Arm Action: RH.  Long and loose arm out of the ¾ slot. Uses a scalp load and gets a little inverted. Plus arm speed.
FB: T90, 87-89 mph. Gets good extension with 2200-2300 spin. Worked effectively up in the zone. Used it 84% of the time.
CB: 73-75 mph. Some present side spin. Works more like a slurve. Plus 2600-2700 spin.
CH: 79-80 mph. Some present fade and downward action while keeping the arm speed.
Hit: RHH. Stands tall with high hand setup. Small leg lift trigger with bat wiggle. Gets good separation with front hip and hands. Longer stroke that is extended throughout. Swing plane is uphill. Middle of the field approach.
Power: 93 mph exit velocity from the tee. Gap to gap power. Above-average bat speed for his level at 67.4 mph per blast motion data.
Arm: RH. INF - 86 mph. Longer arm action with plus arm speed. Ball had life and carry across the diamond for mostly accurate throws.
Defense: Takes good first steps and angles to the ball. Clean exchanges and footwork.
Run: 7.62 runner in the 60. 

Jack Gurevitch, Notre Dame  (CA), 2022
Positional Profile: 1B/RHP
Body: 6-1, 195-pounds. Strong and sturdy frame that is filling out.
Delivery: Works from the first base side of the rubber. Uses a higher leg lift and stays connected to his back leg. Works quick throughout and through the connection to his back leg is able to hold that external rotation. Is able finish firm at foot landing.
Arm Action: RH. Long and loose arm action out of the ¾ slot. Gets a little inverted with a scalp load. Good arm speed. Potential for more velo.
FB: T86, 83-85 mph. Good ride up in the zone. Equal vertical and horizontal break at around 12 inch.
CB: 69-71 mph. Had some side spin so works more like a slurve. Consistently worked it low in the zone. Induced weak contact.
SL: 72-73 mph. 2100-2200 spin, differentiates from the curve by having about 2 more inches of horizontal break.
Body: 6-1, 195-pounds. Strong and sturdy frame that is filling out.
Hit: LHH. Stands tall and upright with hands high and pinched knees. Simple forward stride and stays well connected with his lower body and hips while he rotates. Compact stroke with a bat stays in the zone for a long time per high on plane efficiency score of 92. Steep to flat bat path. 
Power: 93 mph exit velocity from the tee.  Some present pull side power but potential to have more per his average rotational acceleration g’s of 25.6 and average bat speed of 74.3 being above average
Arm: RH. INF - 84 mph. Quick and short arm action on DPs. Quick to release and made accurate throws.
Defense: Showcased athleticism with good footwork on both GBs and around the bag. Sets up feet quickly and in good positions to make throws.
Run: 7.55 runner in the 60. 

Anthony Inzunza, Otay Ranch  (CA), 2021
Positional Profile: OF/LHP
Body: 6-0, 160-pounds. Lean and athletic frame with room to fill out.
Delivery: Uses a high leg lift and stands on the 3rd base side of the rubber. Sinks well into the rubber and pushes off hard. Finishes controlled and squared towards home at landing.
Arm Action: LH. Over the top arm slot. Shorter in the back. Controlled throughout the motion. Arm speeds up late.
FB: T77, 75-76 mph. Consistent tilt with some armside run.                                                           CH: 65-69 mph. Straight change. Kept the same armspeed as FB
Hit: LHH. Slightly open and upright. Pre engaged with his backside. Low hand set up. Short and quick stroke with good barrel control. Middle of the field approach. Level swing path.
Power: 88 mph exit velocity from the tee. Line drive hitter that peppers the gaps. Average bat speed.
Arm: LH. OF - 85 mph.  Longer but fast arm action out of the high ¾ slot. Sets up feet well under him to make accurate throws to the bag.
Defense: Takes good angles to the ball. Plays through the ball and is efficient and fluid in his movements.
Run: 7.21 runner in the 60. 

Max Aude, Notre Dame (CA), 2022
Positional Profile: C
Body: 6-3, 190-pounds. Tall and lean build with an athletic frame that can fill out
Hit: LHH. Is upright and slightly open in his stance.  Quick and rhythmic swing. Toe tap trigger. Slight barrel tip towards the pitcher. Makes consistent barrel contact with a repeatable compact swing. Swing plane is more uphill.
Power: 86 mph exit velocity from the tee. Turns tight which helps maximize his power shown with above-average rotational acceleration numbers for his level at 16.6 g's per blast motion. Has present and raw pull side power and potential for more with strength gains.
Arm: RH. C - 75 mph. Short and quick arm action on throwdowns out of the high ¾ slot. Comes out online and straight to the bag.
Defense: 2.01-2.13 pop times. Clean exchanges. Plus pitch frame ability. Sets up in different crouches to help optimize his framing. Good lateral movement on BID’s and clean footwork on throwdowns.
Run: 7.70 runner in the 60. 

Rocco DiFrancesco, Dana Hills  (CA), 2021
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 6-0, 195-pounds. Physical and mature frame with a stronger build.
Hit: RHH. Stands tall and slightly open at stance. Small leg lift trigger. Slight coil with hands in good launch position. Stays connected to his backside. Quick compact stroke that is on a  level-upward plane.
Power: 91 mph exit velocity from the tee. Gap to gap power. Consistent hard-hit balls throughout BP. Gets out in front and extended to drive balls to the wall. Above-average bat speed for his level of 69.4 mph per Blast Motion data.
Arm: RH. C - 76 mph. Short arm action with low elbow out of the ¾ slot. Leaks front side early and doesn’t get extended so throwdowns have some tail. Mostly accurate throws to the bag.
Defense: 1.97-2.11 pop times. Sets up in a wider crouch. Decent pitch frame ability. Footwork was clean on throwdowns but opens up his upper body early.
Run: 7.69 runner in the 60. 

Ethan Felix, Redondo Union (CA), 2021
Positional Profile: C
Body: 6-2, 190-pounds. Large athletic frame with present strength.
Hit: RHH. Tall and slightly open with high hand set up at stance. Uses a mild leg kick trigger. Quick compact stroke that is flat through the zone. Middle of the field approach.
Power: 90 mph exit velocity from the tee. Line drive gap to gap power. Better on middle to inside pitches per Trackman data. Above-average bat speed for his level of 69.2 mph per Blast Motion data.
Arm: RH. C - 73 mph. Whippy arm out of the higher 3/4 slot. Slower to release but all throws were online and to the bag.
Defense: 2.05-2.14 pop times. Ability to change up crouches. Good receiving and movements on BID's. Clean and quick footwork on throwdowns.
Run: 7.10 runner in the 60. 

Blake Penso, Huntington Beach (CA), 2021 UCI
Positional Profile: C/1B
Body: 6-3, 210-pounds. A large and sturdy frame that is strong and athletic
Hit: RHH. Sets up tall and relaxed with his hands at stance.  Mild leg kick trigger with rhythmic hands that drop into a lower slot. Swing plane was flat to uphill. Turns tight and is extended through the zone for a long time.
Power: 100 mph exit velocity from the tee. Consistent 95+ exit velos. Drives the ball to all fields with good plate coverage. Plus blast metrics of bat speed (70mph) and rotational acceleration (27 g's) are signs of even more power to come.
Arm: RH. C - 78 mph. Short arm action out of the ¾ slot. Quick to release. Some armside tail was present. Mostly on target throws.
Defense: 2.00-2.08 pop times. Clean footwork and glove exchanges. Athleticism shows on BIDs. Good pitch framing/receiving ability.
Run: 7.62 runner in the 60. 

Mikey Bell, San Joaquin Memorial (CA), 2022
Positional Profile: SS/3B
Body: 6-1, 185-pounds. Has a medium frame that is well proportioned.
Hit: RHH. Relaxed in his stance. Stands upright with a slight bend in the knees. Short stride with an upright bat per early connection (107 Degrees). Swing is steep when late but works the middle of the field with line drives when on time.
Power: 88 mph exit velocity from the tee. Line drive gap to gap power. Rotates and sequences body well with an above-average rotational acceleration average for his level of 17.8g's per blast motion data. Higher exit velos on inside pitches per Trackman data
Arm: RH. INF - 80 mph Loose and quick arm action out of the ¾ slot. Throws weren’t strained. They were online and had decent carry.
Defense: Shows good instincts and nice range. Is comfortable moving laterally while staying low to the ground.
Run: 7.28 runner in the 60. 

Devin Martinez, Citrus Valley (CA), 2021
Positional Profile: 2B/3B
Body: 5-8, 170-pounds. Smaller athletic frame with present strength
Hit: RHH. Sets up slightly open and upright,  is also pre-internally rotated Toe tap trigger. Short and compact swing. Uphill swing path. Pull side tendencies.
Power: 81 mph exit velocity from the tee. Line drive gap to pap power. Higher exit velos on inside pitches per trackman data.
Arm: RH. INF - 81 mph. Throws out of the ¾ slot with a short and quick arm action. Throws were accurate and flashed carry.
Defense: Clean footwork with soft and quick hands. Plays through the ball and is comfortable fielding on the move. Good range especially glove side.
Run: 7.32 runner in the 60. 

Jack Johnson, Westlake  (CA), 2021
Positional Profile: SS/3B
Body: 6-1, 185-pounds. Medium to large frame, present athleticism and is starting to fill out.
Hit: RHH. Stands upright with a slightly open stance. Medium leg lift and loads into the scalp. Flatter path to the ball with a pull side approach.
Power: 87 mph exit velocity from the tee. Gap to gap power. Above-average bat speed for his level at 69 mph per Blast Motion data. High exit velos on inside pitchers per Trackman data.
Arm: RH. INF - 81 mph. Short and easy arm action out of the ¾ slot. Good footwork gets him in a position to make strong and accurate throws. Comfortable making throws on the run.
Defense: Clean footwork and takes good angles. Clean exchanges and stays low to the ground. Plus range.
Run: 7.42 runner in the 60. 

Declan Lynch, Mission Bay (CA), 2021
Positional Profile: 1B/3B
Body: 6-3, 205-pounds. Tall athletic build with a large frame
Hit: RHH. Slightly open and upright at stance. Gets food down and hands back early in his load. Short compact stroke this flat-uphill. BP showed a middle of the field approach.
Power: 88 mph exit velocity from the tee. Filled both gaps with LD's in BP. Size and build show more power potential.
Arm: RH. INF - 83 mph. Short quick arm action. The ball came out with good life and on target especially on DP's.
Defense: Smooth and clean footwork on GBs. Quick feet when getting off throws.
Run: 7.87 runner in the 60. 

Michael Rocha, Eastlake (CA), 2022
Positional Profile: 3B/SS
Body: 6-0, 175-pounds. Medium athletic frame with room for gains.
Hit: RHH. Stands slightly open and upright with relaxed hands.  Uses a simple short stride. Quick compact swing with a slightly downward-flat swing path. Middle of the field approach.
Power: 88 mph exit velocity from the tee. Filled both gaps with LD's. Above-average bat speed for his level at 69.5 mph.
Arm: RH. INF - 83 mph. Quick whippy arm. Ability to lower slot when necessary. Throws showed good life and carry across the diamond.
Defense: Soft hands with clean and quick footwork. Showed good range. Made many putouts in gameplay.
Run: 7.86 runner in the 60. 

Ryker Billingsley, Chino Hills (CA), 2021
Positional Profile: 2B/OF
Body: 5-9, 150-pounds. Smaller athletic frame with room to fill out.
Hit: LHH. Stands upright with slight bend and pinched knees. Short and quick stroke. Uphill path towards the baseball. Middle of the field approach.
Power: 83 mph exit velocity from the tee. Gap to gap line-drive power. Higher exit velos when he gets extended on outside pitches per Trackman data.
Arm: RH. Didn't throw
Defense: Clean and quick footwork and exchanges. Stays low to the ball. Soft hands and moves well laterally.
Run: 7.37 runner in the 60. 

Michael Cunningham, Catherdral  (CA), 2021
Positional Profile: OF/SS
Body: 6-0, 175-pounds. Athletic build that is well proportioned.
Hit: RHH. Has a wider stance with knees pinched and active hands. Utilizes a leg kick trigger while hands stay low. Some present bat speed and bat works flat through the zone. Pull side approach.
Power: 91 mph exit velocity from the tee. Gap to gap line-drive power. Power comes when he’s out in front and extended.
Arm: OF - 87 mph. Throws out of the H 3/4 slot. Comes out clean with life and carry. Most throws were accurate and online.
Defense: Solid defensive movements. Gets his feet under him and well-positioned to make throws. Works through the ball and uses his momentum.
Run: 6.82 runner in the 60. 

Sam Durand, San Juan Hills  (CA), 2021
Positional Profile: OF/OF
Body: 6-0, 180-pounds. Athletic medium frame with present strength and room to fill out.
Hit: RHH. Upright with a slight bend in knees at stance with relaxed hands. Simple forward stride with some good coil. Clean hand path but inconsistent barrel contact. Left-middle approach with some ability to go the other way.
Power: 85 mph exit velocity from the tee. Line drive gap to gap power. Best exit velos were on inside pitches per Trackman data. Bat speed generates most of the power in the swing.
Arm: RH. OF - 84 mph. Throws out of a higher over the top slot with longer arm action. Good arm speed and throws flashed good carry. Slower getting to release.
Defense: Gets low to the ball and attacks it. Clean footwork and takes good first steps. Displayed athletic movements.
Run: 6.87 runner in the 60. 

AJ Nimeh, La Mirada  (CA), 2021
Positional Profile: OF/1B
Body: 6-3, 200-pounds. Taller athletic build with a well proportioned filled out frame
Hit: LHH. Taller and even set up with an upright bat Simple quick stroke with a feel for the barrel. Good plate coverage. Slight uphill path. Gap to gap approach.
Power: 91 mph exit velocity from the tee. Higher exit velos when he gets extended per Trackman data. Above-average bat speed for his level at 68 mph per Blast Motion data. Gap to gap with occasional wall ball power.
Arm: LH. OF - 84 mph. Short quick arm action out of the H ¾ slot. Gets to release fast. Had a little armside tail. Accurate throws to the 3rd base bag. Home throws were slightly up 1B line.
Defense: Takes good reads and first steps. Plays through the ball with good footwork. Smooth glove exchanges.
Run: 7.61 runner in the 60. 


UPCOMING EVENTS

SHOWCASE STATE DATE LOCATION
SoCal Uncommitted Senior Games CA 09/13 Amerige Park
Norcal Uncommitted Senior Games CA 09/26 Islanders Field
Norcal Underclass ID Showcase CA 10/10 Islanders Field - Lathrop
SoCal Underclass I.D. Camp CA 10/10 Great Park
SoCal Upperclass I.D. Camp CA 10/10 Great Park
SoCal Underclass I.D. Camp II CA 10/11 Great Park
SoCal Upperclass I.D. Camp II CA 10/11 Great Park


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