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Thu April 20, 2023
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CORONA, CALIF. - After the constant weather that has hit southern California in the last month pushed off an event, the Rising Stars ID tour kicked off in earnest at Eastlake High School. The event drew over 40 players from the 2027 and 2028 classes who came to show they’re deserving to be considered to represent Team California at the Prep Baseball Report Jr. Future Games in LakePoint, GA.
This July, PBR California will be taking a team to the Jr. Future Games for the first time. This unique event is run in conjunction with, and at the same facility as, the Future Games which last year hosted over 360 college coaches. Adding to the spectacle is the uniqueness of the event being open to uncommitted players only.
The Rising Stars ID series will serve as the springboard for players looking to be a part of the best event in the country for uncommitted players, and this first event certainly did not disappoint with as many as 20 players having really solid performances in what was the first showcase setting for many of them.
Players were put through the traditional pro-style workout that included the 60-yard dash, Bullpens, BP, and a defensive workout using Trackman, Swift Technologies, and more to measure every movement.
We earlier took a look at the First Ten which highlighted some early standouts, but in this post we’ll break down the pitching leaders from the Rising Stars ID: Inland Empire.
Be sure to follow PBR California on Twitter and Instagram for videos/notes throughout the weeks of the high school season.
CLICK HERE FOR FULL STATISTICAL BREAKDOWN
Prep Baseball Report events across the country have been powered by TrackMan’s industry-leading Portable system and Blast Sensor technology to capture pinpoint accurate, actionable data from player performances. Prep Baseball Report, Trackman and Blast are dedicated to recognizing talent and unleashing their potential.
All pitchers had a chance to throw a bullpen while being monitored through our portable Trackman unit. Each player threw all their pitches where we were able to collect key ball flight metrics such as release velocity, spin rate, vertical & horizontal movement and much more.
PBR was able to collect data on many uncommitted players around the states that is sharable with coaches & scouts as well as help players identify areas of development for the future.
This data has become significantly important for high school, Juco and 4-year players. College programs have evolved beyond radar velocity readings, looking deeper into a pitcher's ability to spin and move the ball. In addition to velocity, TrackMan provides pitchers with valuable data points such as spin rate, spin direction, horizontal movement, vertical movement and more. Ultimately providing feedback to college coaches, MLB scouts and the players themselves; to enhance training and also to identify prospects of interest above and beyond simple velocity readings.
At select PBR Showcases and Events, amateur players now have access to the same technology shared by professionals and are able to see how their pitching arsenal compares with those across the state and the country. The TrackMan Arsenal Analysis will highlight those metrics and explain the benefits behind the numbers.
[For a complete glossary of terms and definitions, please CLICK HERE]
Max Fastball Velocity
The maximum velocity of the pitch measured right at release.
Rank
Name
State
School
Class
Pos
Velocity (max)
1
Luke Armijo
CA
Mater Dei
2027
LHP
85.2 mph
2
Alexander Elizondo
CA
Murrieta Valley
2027
OF
84.6 mph
3
AJ LaSota
CA
Notre Dame
2027
RHP
83.3 mph
4
Jacob Melendez
CA
Paloma Valley
2027
LHP
82.3 mph
5
Isaiah Camacho
CA
Servite
2027
OF
82.3 mph
6
J. Beckett Berg
CA
Notre Dame
2027
RHP
81.2 mph
7
Davin Arth
CA
Foothill Technology
2027
C
80.2 mph
^
Zion Martinez
CA
Yucaipa
2027
SS
80.2 mph
8
Jaiden Solares
CA
EM Sports Academy
2027
1B
79.0 mph
9
Michael Aleman
CA
Etiwanda High School
2027
RHP
78.7 mph
10
Carson Richter
CA
Newbury Park
2027
OF
78.4 mph
Max Fastball Spin Rate
The max amount of revolutions per minute (rpm) of a pitch. For fastballs, a higher rpm causes the ball to drop less due to gravity, this gives the illusion of a rising pitch.
Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Spin Rate (max) |
1 | Luke Armijo | CA | Mater Dei | 2027 | LHP | 2405 rpm |
2 | AJ LaSota | CA | Notre Dame | 2027 | RHP | 2390 rpm |
3 | J. Beckett Berg | CA | Notre Dame | 2027 | RHP | 2382 rpm |
4 | Wes Gomes | CA | Vista Murrieta | 2027 | 3B | 2213 rpm |
5 | Roy Kim | CA | Rancho Christian | 2027 | LHP | 2175 rpm |
6 | Brock Rainis | CA | N/A | 2028 | 3B | 2118 rpm |
7 | Isaiah Camacho | CA | Servite | 2027 | OF | 2061 rpm |
8 | Michael Aleman | CA | Etiwanda High School | 2027 | RHP | 2060 rpm |
9 | Carson Richter | CA | Newbury Park | 2027 | OF | 2033 rpm |
10 | Jacob Melendez | CA | Paloma Valley | 2027 | LHP | 2024 rpm |
Max Curveball Velocity
Like many things in baseball, the faster the better. A fast off-speed pitch while maintaining traditional movement patterns makes the pitch harder to hit. The measured velocity for this metric is right as the pitch leaves the hand.
Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Velocity (max) |
1 | Jacob Melendez | CA | Paloma Valley | 2027 | LHP | 75.4 mph |
2 | AJ LaSota | CA | Notre Dame | 2027 | RHP | 70.2 mph |
3 | Isaiah Camacho | CA | Servite | 2027 | OF | 70.1 mph |
4 | Jaiden Solares | CA | EM Sports Academy | 2027 | 1B | 67.8 mph |
5 | Roy Kim | CA | Rancho Christian | 2027 | LHP | 67.8 mph |
6 | Davin Arth | CA | Foothill Technology | 2027 | C | 66.9 mph |
^ | Zion Martinez | CA | Yucaipa | 2027 | SS | 66.9 mph |
7 | Carson Richter | CA | Newbury Park | 2027 | OF | 65.9 mph |
8 | Wes Gomes | CA | Vista Murrieta | 2027 | 3B | 65.7 mph |
9 | Charlie Cummings | CA | Sierra Canyon | 2027 | SS | 63.5 mph |
10 | Scott Fritz | CA | Orange Lutheran | 2028 | 1B | 61.7 mph |
Max Curveball Spin Rate
The spin rate for a curveball tends to be the highest among all the pitches in a pitcher's arsenal. A higher spin rate, measured in rpms, on a curveball generally means more downward movement when combined with the top spin of the pitch.
Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Spin Rate (max) |
1 | AJ LaSota | CA | Notre Dame | 2027 | RHP | 2681 rpm |
2 | Roy Kim | CA | Rancho Christian | 2027 | LHP | 2575 rpm |
3 | Isaiah Camacho | CA | Servite | 2027 | OF | 2307 rpm |
4 | Jacob Melendez | CA | Paloma Valley | 2027 | LHP | 2087 rpm |
5 | Wes Gomes | CA | Vista Murrieta | 2027 | 3B | 2055 rpm |
6 | Carson Root | CA | Linfield Christian | 2027 | LHP | 1987 rpm |
7 | Jaiden Solares | CA | EM Sports Academy | 2027 | 1B | 1937 rpm |
8 | Scott Fritz | CA | Orange Lutheran | 2028 | 1B | 1932 rpm |
9 | Carson Richter | CA | Newbury Park | 2027 | OF | 1902 rpm |
10 | Zion Martinez | CA | Yucaipa | 2027 | SS | 1854 rpm |
^ | Davin Arth | CA | Foothill Technology | 2027 | C | 1854 rpm |
Max Slider Velocity
Sliders generally are faster than most other off-speed pitches with less overall movement. This metric measures the speed of the slider when it comes out of the hand.
Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Velocity (max) |
1 | Luke Armijo | CA | Mater Dei | 2027 | LHP | 75.0 mph |
2 | Jacob Melendez | CA | Paloma Valley | 2027 | LHP | 74.7 mph |
3 | Michael Aleman | CA | Etiwanda High School | 2027 | RHP | 73.1 mph |
4 | AJ LaSota | CA | Notre Dame | 2027 | RHP | 72.9 mph |
5 | Nathan Lopez | CA | N/A | 2027 | OF | 71.9 mph |
6 | J. Beckett Berg | CA | Notre Dame | 2027 | RHP | 70.1 mph |
7 | Alexander Elizondo | CA | Murrieta Valley | 2027 | OF | 69.9 mph |
8 | Brock Rainis | CA | N/A | 2028 | 3B | 67.8 mph |
9 | Roy Kim | CA | Rancho Christian | 2027 | LHP | 67.6 mph |
10 | Jaiden Solares | CA | EM Sports Academy | 2027 | 1B | 67.2 mph |
Max Slider Spin Rate
The higher the spin rate for a horizontal pitch like the slider means that it will have more movement from right to left for a right handed pitcher. This metric measures the maximum spin rate of a pitcher's slider in rpms.
Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Spin Rate (max) |
1 | AJ LaSota | CA | Notre Dame | 2027 | RHP | 2864 rpm |
2 | J. Beckett Berg | CA | Notre Dame | 2027 | RHP | 2751 rpm |
3 | Roy Kim | CA | Rancho Christian | 2027 | LHP | 2615 rpm |
4 | Jacob Melendez | CA | Paloma Valley | 2027 | LHP | 2154 rpm |
5 | Brock Rainis | CA | N/A | 2028 | 3B | 2064 rpm |
6 | Luke Armijo | CA | Mater Dei | 2027 | LHP | 2045 rpm |
7 | Michael Aleman | CA | Etiwanda High School | 2027 | RHP | 2041 rpm |
8 | Carson Root | CA | Linfield Christian | 2027 | LHP | 2026 rpm |
9 | Landon Peterson | CA | EM Speed and Power | 2027 | SS | 2017 rpm |
10 | Jaiden Solares | CA | EM Sports Academy | 2027 | 1B | 1852 rpm |
Max Changeup Velocity
This metric determines the speed of a changeup as it is released from the pitcher's hand.
Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Velocity (max) |
1 | Luke Armijo | CA | Mater Dei | 2027 | LHP | 81.8 mph |
2 | Carson Richter | CA | Newbury Park | 2027 | OF | 77.3 mph |
3 | J. Beckett Berg | CA | Notre Dame | 2027 | RHP | 77.0 mph |
4 | Jacob Melendez | CA | Paloma Valley | 2027 | LHP | 76.3 mph |
5 | Isaiah Camacho | CA | Servite | 2027 | OF | 75.8 mph |
6 | AJ LaSota | CA | Notre Dame | 2027 | RHP | 75.4 mph |
7 | Nathan Lopez | CA | N/A | 2027 | OF | 72.3 mph |
8 | Wes Gomes | CA | Vista Murrieta | 2027 | 3B | 71.9 mph |
9 | Michael Aleman | CA | Etiwanda High School | 2027 | RHP | 71.3 mph |
10 | Roy Kim | CA | Rancho Christian | 2027 | LHP | 70.9 mph |
Max Changeup Spin Rate
This metric shows how fast the ball is spinning during the pitch, measured by rpms.
Rank | Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Spin Rate (max) |
1 | Luke Armijo | CA | Mater Dei | 2027 | LHP | 2210 rpm |
2 | Jacob Melendez | CA | Paloma Valley | 2027 | LHP | 2153 rpm |
3 | AJ LaSota | CA | Notre Dame | 2027 | RHP | 1902 rpm |
4 | Michael Aleman | CA | Etiwanda High School | 2027 | RHP | 1840 rpm |
5 | Carson Richter | CA | Newbury Park | 2027 | OF | 1831 rpm |
6 | Scott Fritz | CA | Orange Lutheran | 2028 | 1B | 1821 rpm |
7 | Nathan Lopez | CA | N/A | 2027 | OF | 1807 rpm |
8 | J. Beckett Berg | CA | Notre Dame | 2027 | RHP | 1801 rpm |
9 | Roy Kim | CA | Rancho Christian | 2027 | LHP | 1758 rpm |
10 | Jacob Terriquez | CA | Santiago | 2027 | OF | 1698 rpm |
UPCOMING EVENTS
SHOWCASE | STATE | DATE | LOCATION |
Rising Stars ID: Bay Area | CA | 04/23 | College of San Mateo |
SoCal Rising Stars Game | CA | 05/21 | Cerritos College |
CA FUTURE GAMES TRYOUT | CA | 06/03 | Fullerton College |
NorCal ProCase | CA | 06/04 | Chabot College - Hayward |
SoCal-NV-AZ-ProCase | CA | 06/04 | University of Southern California - Dedeaux Field |
NorCal Rising Stars Game | CA | 06/06 | Islanders Field (morning) |
Team CA Future Games ID | CA | 06/06 | Islanders Field (afternoon/early evening) |
Bay Area State Gamess Open ID | CA | 06/14 | College of San Mateo |
OC State Games Open ID | CA | 07/11 | Hart Park |