Prep Baseball Report

Joey's Fall/Winter Uncommitted Standouts


Joey Cohen
California Staffer

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. After an outstanding summer season of events, PBR California’s fall and winter showcases were just as memorable. Events included our SoCal Upperclass Games, SoCal Underclass Games, Unsigned Senior Games, and the San Diego Fall Open. Several players from these events have already found college homes, but as we start to edge closer to the spring HS season I wanted to highlight some of the better-uncommitted players from these events that still need a home. Players range from ‘22s to 25’s and include many notable uncommits along with players that need to be added to spring follow lists. Below is a team of 13 standout players with quick takes on why they made it. Make sure to click the player link to see their full scouting report and profile 

Infielders

‘23 1B Gabe Camacho: Coming off a strong sophomore season at LCC, Camacho came into the San Diego Open and impressed. Is a 6-1 200lb 1B that moves quite well. The swing is a whippy and rhythmic stroke that looks to translate to the next level. Turns the barrel well into the hitting zone with good bat speed while staying on a slight uphill path. Is able to adjust in the box and change his approach mid-AB. Pullside HR power already with some natural loft. Underrated defensive skill set as well. 

 

 

‘23 2B Eric Logsdon: One of the better defensive middle infielders we had at an event this fall/winter. Real smooth defensive actions showing soft hands and good heel-toe feet that play through the ball. Good range going both ways. Has a decent arm as well. Gets the job done at the plate using a compact line drive stroke with present bat-to-ball skills. 


 

‘24 SS Will Marenghi: A projectable SS with an athletic build. The offensive skill set has progressed well in the past year with noticeable power improvements and an approach that looks to do more damage. Can improve defensively but the fundamentals are there with footwork and glove skills. Predicting a breakout sophomore season. 

 

 

‘22 3B Ryan Skjonsby: One of the better-uncommitted power bats left on the market. Swing has some natural loft to it. The impact is consistently out front and loud. Showed well at our Socal Upperclass games both in BP and in-game. Whatever program picks him up is getting a steal of a bat.

 

 

‘23 C Brett Williams: First time I ever saw him was at the San Diego Fall Open and he had a good overall event. Had one of the stronger BPs of the day pounding almost every baseball with a simple compact stroke that delivers the barrel well. Blast metrics were above average in almost every facet with bat speed average at 74mph and rotational acceleration at 19gs. The catching skill set is solid as well. Looking forward to seeing more of his game this upcoming spring. 

 

 

Outfielders

‘22 OF Nick Cook: One of the strongest kids we had at an event this fall/winter. 6-2, 190lb physical build. Power projection is there and is easily seen with his offensive metrics. EV max: 102 mph, Bat speed: 72 mph, Rotational acceleration: 22gs. Reliable OF as well. Takes good angles, has some sneaky speed, and has an above-average accurate arm. Expecting a monster senior season. 

 

 

‘24 OF Jack Haferkamp: A 2021 Future Gamer and a standout at our SoCal Underclass Games. Projectable 6-3 175lb athletic build. 6.8 runner that can track down balls in the OF with an 83 mph arm. The bat looks to be trending upwards. It’s a relaxed and smooth stroke that uses the whole field. Has some advanced blast metrics for his age level showing good power projection going forward. A player to watch continue to develop. 

 

 

‘24 OF Nikko Paoletto: Paoletto is probably the most powerful ‘24 bat I’ve seen so far. At the San Diego Fall Open he put on a show in BP crushing 4 balls way over the LF fence. Paoletto’s offensive metrics are off the charts in almost every facet. Has a strong mature build already at 5-11, 205 pounds. Solid defensively in the OF with an above-average arm (85 mph). A player that should be on everyone’s radar. 

  

 

‘22 UTL James Whitman: The 6-5 230 pound Whitman is a consistent performer every time I see him with the bat. It’s a power bat that plays to all fields. The swing is balanced and under control with good bat speed which looks to project well to the next level. Defensively, his future is probably at 1B but is athletic and quick enough that I wouldn’t be surprised if he found his way to a corner OF spot down the road. Also started to pitch a bit this summer and have heard positive things.  

 

Pitchers

‘22 RHP Luke Kovaleski: No doubt, the best pitcher we had at an event this fall. Athletic build as he stands at 6-3, 190 pounds. Struck out seven of nine hitters in his San Diego Fall Open outing. Uses a short arm action with mechanics that are repeatable and easy. FB was 88-92 with life. His slider was filthy throwing it hard and sharp inducing confused takes and whiffs. Simply can’t think of a better uncommitted senior pitcher in California. 

 

 

‘22 LHP Harrison Bodendorf: Standout from our Uncommitted Senior Games. Long, lanky, high-waisted and stands at 6-5 165 pounds. Unique mechanics and arm action that creates some deception in the delivery. Gets good length in his delivery which gets good extension out front. FB sits in the mid-80s but it gets up on hitters. Also has one of the better breaking pitches I’ve seen recently as it induced many whiffs in his outing. Should be an interesting senior follow. 

 

 

‘25 RHP Ian Fisher: Standout from our Underclass Games at USD. One of the more advanced arms in his class in terms of pitchability and repeatability of mechanics. Has good mound presence and composure. Pounds the zone with three pitches. FB sits around 80 mph and he puts it where he wants it. Can also swing it a bit with a decent glove at 1B. An athletic body that looks to get bigger and stronger. Excited about his future. 


 

‘24 RHP Nathan Aceves: Highly projectable RHP standing 6-3 185lbs. Athletic down the mound with a short arm action that is repeatable. Easy 83-86 FB. Creates some good extension out front which gives a few extra perceived mph to his FB. One of the better breaking balls I've seen from a ‘24 as it just has a ton of VB and HB. Pitched well at our Underclass Games in September and saw him in a fall game where he was effective against a good La Jolla Country Day lineup. A name we will be hearing a lot about sooner rather than later. 

  

 


UPCOMING EVENTS

SHOWCASE STATE DATE LOCATION
Central Valley Preseason ID CA 01/08 Fresno Pacific University
SoCal Preseason All-State Underclass CA 01/08 JSerra High School
SoCal Preseason All-State Upperclass CA 01/09 JSerra High School
East Bay Preseason ID CA 01/16 Ohlone College
Central Coast Preseason ID CA 01/22 Hartnell College
Sacramento/Delta Preseason ID CA 01/23 McBean Stadium
Peninsula/South Bay Preseason ID CA 01/30 Canada College
Super 60 Pro Showcase NATIONAL 02/06 The MAX - McCook, Ill.


RELATED TOPICS