Fresno Classic Notebook: Position Players

April 18, 2022
Les Lukach
State Scouting Director

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FRESNO, CALIF. - The 52nd annual Fresno Easter Classic, one of the longest standing high school baseball tournaments in the state, once again brought together some of the top teams from the Central Valley and beyond for three days of high level competition.

The tournament is the brainchild of longtime former Fresno High School Head Coach Ken Papi, and is now carried on by his son, current Fresno High School Head Coach, Jason Papi who annually elevates the tournament with quality teams, players, and facilities.

The Fresno Easter Classic is one of my favorite events on the calendar mainly due to the talents on the field, but more also because of the hospitality provided by the teams and coaches in the tournament. The tournament provides evaluators an opportunity to see the best of the best from the region - from Bakersfield to Sacramento and areas in between, the best teams compete in this tournament. As such, evaluators have the opportunity to see not only current, but future MLB Draft prospects along with plenty of players that will litter college rosters in the future.

I had the opportunity to see the first two days of action - eight games total - giving me a glimpse at many of the top prospects the region has to offer in the coming classes.

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THE PLAYERS

Gavin Greer RHP / 3B / Garces Memorial, CA / 2025

Only a freshman, Greer impressed me with his present skill set that features a strong arm from third, instincts and awareness defensively, and a very good approach at the plate. There’s still rawness at the dish, the hands are very active along with general body movement, but the bat and hand speed impressed on multiple hits in the game. Went with a fastball away and drove it to RCF for a base hit. His next at bat he pulled a fastball in down the line for an infield single. It was an uppercut swing that got enough flashing some bat speed and strength to get it down the line. At third he showed an aptitude for the position along with arm strength to make multiple throws. Moves well laterally showing a quick first step on a couple slow hoppers, one at him and one to his left.

Jack West 3B / C / Clovis North, CA / 2025

Another freshman standout for Clovis North, Wood has the chance to be a special player for the Broncos in the near future. Wood DH’d in two games I took in allowing an opportunity to bear down on his hit tool which shows flashes of its full potential. Using an upright, balanced setup, Wood uses a slight leg lift trigger to initiate his swing where he shows the ability to get the barrel on plane through the swing with average bat speed presently. Given his 6-foot-1, 170-pound frame along with his present ability to hit, it’s easy to envision the projection path Wood will take with the bat. Drifts into contact while showing a strong lower half. Showed a slight lift to the ball with two handed finish with occasional late one hand release. Powerful young hitter, long levers though controls barrel well and showed barrel awareness.

Keynen Gomez SS / 2B / Bullard, CA / 2024

Rankings StateRank: 102 / POS: 23

Gomez, a San Diego State commit, passes the eye test at first glimpse with his long, lean athletic 6-foot-1, 175-pound frame. He moves with ease on the dirt where his instincts play up at second base. He’s seemingly always in the right spot at the right time giving him an opportunity to make each and every play on a ball hit in his direction. Shows enough arm strength to make all the throws necessary from that position. Offensively he’s a selective hitter with the hand speed that allows him to catch up and react to pitches and get the barrel on the ball more often than not. A good mistake pitch hitter, Gomez can manipulate his barrel’s plane after initiating his swing allowing him to put the ball in play. Not much swing and miss, he projects as a high contact hitter with some developing power on a frame that will withstand the added mass he’s assuredly to put on the frame.

Jorden Johnson OF / 2B / Central, CA / 2023

Uncommitted junior outfielders that can run, defend, and put the ball in play more times than not are usually attention getting recruits which I think Johnson will be soon. In one half inning he made a fully parallel diving catch to rob a base hit, then in the next he had an RBI single back through the middle for a lead his team wouldn’t give up. He tacked on another hit later for good measure. He’s aggressive in the box while sticking to a plan and not trying to do too much when behind in the count. Read spin well from an arm with multiple above average secondary offerings. Showed some arm strength on a couple of throws to third from the opposite gap hinting that he may stay in CF with enough athleticism to move to one of the corner spots.

Brandon Forrester SS / RHP / Jesuit, CA / 2022

Rankings StateRank: 112 / POS: 18

Forrester has proven that his size will not stand in the way of his potential which has really shot up given the lack of doubt that he can play shortstop at the next level - be it at Oregon St. or in pro ball - thanks in part to added arm strength and defensive actions that are as good as any. A vocal leader on the field and in the dugout, Forrester was the spark at the top of the lineup that Jesuit needed as he came through with clutch hit after clutch hit for the Marauders in two games I saw. Shows fast hands through the hitting zone where he gets and keeps the barrel on plane while showing the ability to manipulate its plane to adjust to pitches. Has excellent barrel control despite his aggressive, attacking swings on pitches.

Nathan Etchegoinberry SS / 2B / Clovis North, CA / 2025

Only a freshman, Etchigonberry stood out in two games for a variety of reasons. Let’s start with the bat, the freshman sets up with his hands - near his ear - using a noticeable bat waggle to set the hands from an upright stance before using a moderate leg kick trigger to initiate his swing. The hands are quick-to-fast through the zone allowing him to catch up to pitches getting more barrels on balls than not. Shows the ability to recognize spin and spoil pitches near the zone. Squared up plenty of balls during a two-game viewing, and defensively he showed the ability to handle third base with enough arm strength to make throws from all angles.

Drew Smith 3B / RHP / Buchanan, CA / 2022

Rankings StateRank: 22 / POS: 3 OverallRank: 206 / POS: 11

Smith, the three hole hitter for the California Power 25 No. 3 Buchanan Bears, came into the tournament with about as much MLB Draft attention as any player in the Central Valley. At 6-foot-1, 200-pounds Smith is built like a linebacker that moves like a running back. There’s obvious power in the swing as he showed with a deep double that split the gap in left, but it’s his ability to spoil quality pitches that really stands out. In his last at bat of the game against Bullard he spoiled five pitches - most of them breaking balls away - before getting just enough of a curveball to dump it into right field for an RBI single. Defensively he shows sound actions that should keep him at third as the arm strength is at worst average for pro ball. There is a high likelihood that Smith’s commitment to Oregon will be challenged come July’s MLB Draft.

Beckett Zavorek SS / 2B / Bullard, CA / 2024

Rankings StateRank: 15 / POS: 4 OverallRank: 84 / POS: 18

The Arizona State commit made five spectacular plays at shortstop in the three Bullard games I took in. They were the types of plays I hadn’t seen from a shortstop since Royce Lewis manned the position for JSerra a few years back. The movements, body control, and baseball instincts are off the charts for Zavorek who 5-foot-11, 175-pounds has plenty of room to add size to his projectable frame. The instincts and body control allow Zavorek to make plays that would otherwise be deemed unmakeable, like the one he made in game one that showed off all his defensive tools. Offensively he starts with an upright, neutral stance with hands slightly above his shoulders. Uses a short leg lift trigger before driving the back hip into the ball with aggression. Hands are fast through the zone while maintaining barrel plane resulting in plenty of barreled balls. There’s power in the bat presently and it projects for more in the future.

Dallan Alles C / Central, CA / 2023

Rankings StateRank: 132 / POS: 21

Alles impressed as much with his defense as he did with the bat. Frames and blocks very well behind the plate while moving well laterally to smother balls. Larger, durable frame with strength throughout, Alles showed soft receiving hands with clean exchanges and accurate throws between innings. Pops ranged in the 2.02-2.19 range consistently. Moves well on the bases with baseball instincts. Had a perfect jump on a stolen base attempt wiped out by a foul ball the hitter should’ve probably taken. Went first-to-third on a base hit in 6.89 seconds. Reads spin well adjusting mid swing and staying back to use his quick hands through the zone.

Andrew Witt SS / OF / Garces Memorial, CA / 2024

The sophomore INF/OF had quite the game against Reedley where he showed off his entire tool set particularly his speed. After a single to center field, Witt stole second on the third pitch of the next at-bat clocking a 3.69 time on the swiped bag. He would later score on a dribbler through the right side. In his next at-bat, Witt laid down a perfect bunt for a single getting down the line in 3.95 from the right side. Playing in left field, Witt again showed his speed getting to a ball down the line, backhanding the ball while planting before coming up firing a ball to second base to keep the hitter to a long single. It was an impressive feat in the spacious outfield of John Euless Park. Witt also plays on the infield where he shows the same athleticism. A sub 7 runner in the sixty, Witt has a package of tools that will make him a highly sought after prospect in short order.

Cole Fellows 1B / OF / Clovis North, CA / 2022

Rankings StateRank: 219 / POS: 13

The Columbia signee showed what many Ivy League commits/signees show and that is an aptitude for the game of baseball. Whether tracking balls down in center field, or taking quality at-bats, Fellows demonstrated the type of skill set that should thrive in the Ivy League. Quicker than fast with a good first good step, Fellows tracked balls to both glove and hand side with ease. The dropstep is a natural first step allowing him to position himself perfectly. Despite not being a burner on the bases he makes up ground with a long stride usually getting to balls with ease. Also showed on a diving catch to his right that he’s not afraid to get after it. Ran about 25 yards before fully diving in on a ball and making the catch. It ended an inning and a threat. At the plate he showed a quiet setup allowing the ball to get deep before doing damage. Went off the wall in right center field for a standup double flashing some power. Used all fields to register a hit in a two game viewing.

UPCOMING EVENTS

SHOWCASE	STATE	DATE	LOCATION
NorCal Rising Stars: Delta Region	CA	04/24	McBean Stadium
SoCal Rising Stars: Inland Empire	CA	04/24	Corona High School
NorCal Rising Stars: Bay Area	CA	05/08	Canada College
SoCal Rising Stars Games	CA	06/04	O'Malley Field
Orange County State Games ID	CA	06/11	Hart Park
Orange County Top Prospects ID	CA	06/21	Hart Park
Inland Empire Top Prospects ID	CA	07/06	Corona High School
LA Top Prospects ID	CA	07/12	O'Malley Field
California State Games	CA	07/30	Hart Park