North Coast (CA) News

Here are the reports from both games, with subscribers able to log-in and see the videos of Buxton & Bougie. Each of their videos is 1:30 or so. Good look at both of these talented pitchers.

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2020 SS Jeriah Lewis - (L/R - Encinal HS - USC commit) - Presently ranked at #194 in the state, Lewis is an athletic 6-foot-0, 170-pound frame, although looked slightly bigger than what he’s listed at. Proportional strength, uses frame well. Quiet stance, stands deep in the box. Keeps head still throughout swing and uses minor toe tap. Showed great plate discipline. Short, compact swing and quick to ball. Raises hands slightly when loading. Quick out of box, extra advantage given left handed hitter. Above average speed, 4.23 home to 1st . Stole 2nd ,aggressive on bases. Pulled ball mostly but showed ability to go opposite way in final atbat. Smooth fielder, pregame warm-ups did everything right. During game, turned double-play with very quick feed to second. Fields his position effortlessly. Showed athleticism by leaping for errant throw by catcher; likely saved a run. Stayed back on ball in hole and threw runner out at first. Not the strongest arm, some sink on longer throws to 1st base but with time arm should get stronger and can develop more carry.

2020 CF Shamil Youngblood - (R/R - Encinal HS - Uncommitted) - Youngblood has a 5-foot-8, 165-pound athletic frame. Proportional strength, compact. Good speed, 4.39 to 1st and quick feet. Aggressive on bases, stole 2nd on pick-off attempt and then next pitch stole 3rd . Not afraid to run. Quiet stance at plate, keeps hands away from body. Slightly open and stands in middle of box. Mostly upright setup, has some movement in hands as he loads. Uses minor toe tap. Slight hitch in load, comes down, up, and back down again as he prepares to swing. Will need to cut down on excessive movement to develop better barrel control. Moves well in the field. Made a nice diving catch, got up quickly and tried for backdoor at 2nd . Instincts are strong, lacks strong arm, although throws were accurate.

2020 LHP Mateus Conaway - (Alhambra HS - Whitman College commit) - Conaway, at about 6-foot-2, 165-pounds has a tall, thin, wiry build w/room to continue to fill out. Smooth delivery, repeats well. Arm action is clean, comes out of high 3/4 slot. High leg kick, reaches hand back creating deception. Turns hips to plate before foot lands. Quick worker. Uses mound to advantage, works downhill. Finishes mostly square to home plate with slight fall off toward 3B side. Solid 4-pitch mix. FB has late life and explodes effortlessly out of hand. Likes it and used it often. CB has late, sharp bite. Has SL, didn’t show it much although it was tough to see given angle of bleachers, none directly behind home plate. CH has late fade, got several swings and misses on it. Really got into a groove after some traffic in 1 st inning. Settled down and kept hitters off balance. Hit for himself, recorded a hit and sac fly.

2020 RHP Jake Buxton - (Tamalpais HS - Cal Poly signee) - Presently ranked #134 in California, he could be on the rise up the rankings. Previously listed at 6-foot-1, 180-pounds, he looked all of that and maybe closer to 185. Lean physical body type, with defined muscularity from thighs through hips. Knee lift to waist, pinches knee at the top with 6-cleat show of stride foot, presumably to keep him over the rubber longer, short backside arm action while hiding the ball pretty well. On line stride with slight heel land and subtle rotation toward 1st base line. Engages backside well as he works down the slope, high 3/4 slot with good extension to his release point. Fastball topped at 92 mph while staying steady 90-91 throughout his 5 IP (2 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 7 K, 75 pitches, 52 strikes). Fastball control was spotty but his stuff was overpowering vs the opponent. Has both 2 and 4-seamer, with considerable sink/run on the 2-seamer. Overthrew at times with the fastball and the control is going to have to improve. As spotty as the fastball control was, he threw both the slider (76-77) and change-up (77-78) with average to above average feel, with slider grading out future average and change-up above average, fringy plus. Slider had late bite and depth through the zone to be a swing and miss pitch and the change-up had late dive and run, while being thrown with arm speed consistent to the fastball. Future fastball velocity grades as a plus, with the command hopefully getting to average. Expect him to be an upper round draft prospect for the 2023 draft. He should be seen this spring as well as he is going to get to 93, possibly beyond at some point as the weather warms.

2021 RHP/3B Tucker Bougie - (Tamalpais HS - Cal commit) - Presently ranked #97 in California, that is going to change as he is ascending. Long athletic body with ample room to continue to add size and strength on 6-foot-3, 195-pound frame. One of the better pitching prospects in the 2021 class in the region. Worked the final inning of this one (6-3, K, F9). Rhythmic delivery, works in line to plate, 3/4-ish release with at times quality extension. Powers backside through well and when plant foot doesn't spin off line he displayed better control and life on the fastball. Loose arm works easily on the backside with slight stab a bit below the waist. Raw stuff looks poised to make a jump, worked steady 88-89, with T90. Lots of life on the fastball with room to improve the control. When front side mechanics were good he got considerable tilt and late life on the fastball. Showed by curvevall (70 mph) and slider (75 mph), with the slider showing big wide break and some depth. Lots of projectability for this junior right-hander and he looks well on his way to being in the mix for the 2021 draft. Does also play 3B when not on the mound and hits (LHH) in the middle of the line-up, displayed good two-strike adjustments and knack for driving in runs, with 4 RBI in this one. There is some bat talent that can play at the college level though the range and overall defensive profile would likely have to shift him over to 1st base. The outing had us offering him a spot in the 2020 ProCase, which was accepted.

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Extended video for subscribers of both Buxton & Bougie (on the mound). Each of their videos is 1:30 or so. Good look at both of these talented pitchers.

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