San Diego Swing: Midseason Review
April 26, 2021
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SAN DIEGO, CALIF. - San Diego high school baseball is in full swing with the majority of the section teams at the halfway point. Rancho Bernardo sits atop the section rankings thanks to a 15-1 record, along with Lions and North County Tournament Championships. Professional scouting interest has been high this spring thanks to the stellar play of Eastlake shortstop Marcelo Mayer and Torrey Pines shortstop/pitcher Carson Williams. Uncommitted players are building their case for college interest and committed players are flexing their tools. At the major league level, former Grossmont Foothiller Joe Musgrove threw the first no-hitter in San Diego Padres history.
top 10 san diego sectioN
RANK | TEAM | RECORD | OFFENSIVE MVP | PITCHER MVP | UNCOMMIT TO WATCH |
1 | Rancho Bernardo | 15-1 | Shunsuke Sakaino | Collin Rothermel | 2024 Tyler Arnold |
2 | Grossmont | 15-2 | Isaiah Gomez | Jaden Wilcox | 2021 Jaden Wilcox |
3 | St. Augustine | 12-2-1 | Trevor Fox | Manny Butler | 2023 MJ Sweeney |
4 | San Marcos | 10-3-1 | Ryan Rivera | Zach Creighton | 2021 Evan Sipe |
5 | La Costa Canyon | 12-4 | Mark Prince | Landon Elliot | 2023 Gabe Camacho |
6 | Eastlake | 10-5 | Marcelo Mayer | Ray Cebulski | 2023 Isaiah Lane |
7 | Santana | 9-4 | Cole Contreras | Koda Alto | 2021 Cole Contreras |
8 | Torrey Pines | 9-5 | Carson Williams | Zach Isaacman | 2022 Jack Weisenberger |
9 | El Camino | 13-1 | Michael Villani | Michael Villani | 2023 Javier Martinez |
10 | Granite Hills | 9-5 | Austin Smith | Austin Smith | 2023 Camden Sos |
MLB DRAFT 2021 SPOTLIGHT
Marcelo Mayer SS / OF / Eastlake, CA / 20212021 STATISTICS: 375 BA - 7 HR - 27 RBI - 1.151 OPS - 8 SB - 857 FP% SCOUTING GRADES (20-80 scale) |
Mayer is about as surefire of a first round draft pick as there is in the 2021 MLB Draft. The Eastlake shortstop has been on scouting radars for quite some time. During the 2019 season, he started at shortstop over 13th overall pick Keoni Cavaco helping put the spotlight on him early in his high school career. Professional scouting attention and hype for the sweet swinging shortstop rivals that of Stephen Strasburg in 2009 at San Diego State, Kris Bryant in 2013 at the University of San Diego and Mickey Moniak in 2016 at La Costa Canyon High School.
Mayer’s natural feel for hitting and advanced approach at the plate projects well at the major league level. His ability to handle the fastball and ability to adjust with increased velocity will quicken his climb through the minor leagues. Mayer has struggled at times with breaking balls, showing there is an effective and consistent way to get him out at this time, something that will have to be worked on in professional baseball. Big league power has been on display this spring and it would come to no surprise to see him finish the season with 15 home runs.
Defensively Mayer fields with ease, known for making tough plays look easy and showing great instincts at the position. Arm strength is there but not at the level with elite left side major leaguers. Not a burner on the bases but has a good first step and will not hurt a team with his speed. Mayer’s likely average to hopeful above-average run and field tools make him a candidate to be moved around the infield down the line.
Carson Williams SS / RHP / Torrey Pines, CA / 20212021 StatISTICs: 469 BA - 6 HR - 20 RBI - 1.524 OPS - 13 SB - 963 FP% Scouting Grades (20-80 scale) |
Williams is making his tools known throughout the professional scouting community, with his draft stock pointing upward. Legitimate top 5 round talent both at shortstop and on the mound. Despite his elite arm strength on the mound, Williams has made it known that he wants to play shortstop at the next level. There is swing and miss to his swing and he hasn't quite shown the ability to hit the ball the other way, two things that will have to be developed at the next level to make the next step. Power is really starting to show with 6 home runs through 14 games with many of the home runs majestic towering shots.
William's arm is one of the best prep arms to come through California in quite some time. Able to make throws from anywhere on the field and from multiple arm angles. Off the mound Williams touches 95 mph (2574 RPM) with ease, with about as minimal of lower half engagement as you will see in a power pitcher. Projecting a fastball velocity as high as 100 mph down the line with proper pitching development is not out of the question. Seeing Williams drafted in the top 100 picks wouldn’t come as a surprise if there is a team out there that is willing to give him a chance to play shortstop professionally first, with the insurance that if the bat doesn't work out he can transition to pitching.
MLB San diego spotlight
Joe Musgrove threw the first no hitter in San Diego Padres history April 9, 2021. The twenty-eight year old was drafted in the first round of the 2011 MLB Draft out of Grossmont High School. Musgrove posted a 7-5 record, 2.40 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 5 CG, 78 ⅔ INN, 100K:14BB during his senior season. The local San Diegan was traded to the Padres in January of 2021 from the Pittsburgh Pirates. Musgrove made it known post-no hitter that it “was meant to be” with a mural already commissioned and completed on the Grossmont campus.
PBR - California was lucky enough to catch up with Musgrove during the 2020 off-season and try out it’s new TrackMan unit. Musgrove’s stuff set the bar for pitchers in the PBR - California TrackMan data portal and helped set the stage for understanding the unit. Musgrove’s bullpen session was highlighted by his pinpoint control and his plus-ability with multiple off-speed pitches. Musgrove's ability to locate his slider, cutter and curveball has been a big reason for his early season success. The one seam fastball was another pitch that highlighted his session with similar movement to a hard sinker with hopes of tunneling off his changeup.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
SHOWCASE | STATE | DATE | LOCATION |
Northern California ProCase | CA | 06/08 | McBean Stadium |
State Games ID - NorCal | CA | 06/22 | Islanders Field |
SoCal ProCase | CA | 06/22 | Hart Park |
Rising Stars Showcase (N CA) | CA | 06/22 | Islanders Field |
NorCal Academic Games | CA | 07/14 | Islanders Field |
California State Games | CA | 07/16-07/18 | Islanders Field |
PBR Future Games (CA Invite) | CA | 07/28 | LakePoint Sports (GA) |
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