SoCal Underclass Trials II: Corner Infielder Analysis

July 24, 2018
Les Lukach
State Scouting Director

The SoCal Underclass Trials came to Eastlake High School in San Diego on July 17th. With over 60 players in attendance, there was a bevy of talent on display for the over dozen college coaches in attendance to view.

As part of our coverage we will be rolling out top position players from the event before rolling out our Top Prospects.

In this edition we will take a look at corner infielders that stood out from the showcase.

*Click on a players profile for complete individual stats from the event. Players are listed in no particular order.

Jeffrey Barber 3B / OF / Point Loma, CA / 2020

Barber caught our eye with his 6-foot-2 195-pound frame that is both athletic and still not done growing/filling out. Barber shows athletic defensive actions with a big, strong, accurate arm. Moves well defensively and shows good range to both sides with excellent body control and clean exchanges and plenty of arm to make all throws necessary. Projects as a future power hitting third baseman. At the plate he's aggressive and tall with a slightly open stance. His fast hands whip the barrel through the zone with the knob leading a consistent slightly uppercut barrel path that produces loud contact to all fields with a gap-to-gap approach. Shows some present pull side power that should develop into over-the-fence power with continued physical maturation.

David Horn 3B / RHP / Murrieta Valley, CA / 2022

Horn has the look of a future power hitter from the third base position at 6-foot-3 185-pounds. Horn showed his current power and projectability at the plate during his batting practice session when he mashed balls to the gaps with his fast hands and excellent use of his lower half. Shows the ability to stay back and explode through the ball with some raw power and balanced swing. Defensively his arm strength and hands make up for what he may be lacking in footwork which is average and not a detriment at this point in his development.

Rocco Gurrola 1B / LHP / Mater Dei Catholic , CA / 2021

Gurrola worked as both a first baseman and a left-handed pitcher at the showcase and while he was okay on the mound we liked him more at first base and at the plate where he's aggressive to the ball and makes solid contact currently to the pull side. Has a little bit of a tall-and-fall approach, but his hand speed makes up for any excessive movements with the body. Defensively he showed good footwork while corralling the ball out front with strong, online throws across the diamond. He is nimble around the bag. At 5-foot-10 165-pounds there still a lot of physical development left for the rising sophomore, which should elevate his game.

Grant Norberg LHP / 1B / Scripps Ranch , CA / 2020

Norberg also participated as a first baseman and a left-handed pitcher but it his current skill set in the field that stood out to us as scouts. At 6-foot-8 210-pounds Norberg shows enough athleticism to stay at the position in the future while at the plate he flashes huge power potential from a wide open stance. When his timing was on during BP balls came of the barrel hard and loudly immediately drawing eyes his direction. Norberg is still a bit raw but highly projectable as a rising junior given his size and power potential.

Christian Nava 3B / SS / The Bishops School, CA / 2021

At 5-foot-11 165-pounds Nava is a physical player with a strong lower half that he uses to generate good power at the plate from a tall/upright stance. Uses his hands very well both at the plate and the field. Can be a frontside hitter at times. Gets extension through the ball with a slight uppercut barrel path with a pullside approach that flashes current pop and projects for more power in the future. Defensively Nava has enough arm strength and carry on throws with range to stay at third base. His footwork can be a bit inconsistent, but it's adequate presently. Could see Nava move behind the plate where his physicality and arm strength could play up.