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CIF-SDS PLAYOFF PREVIEW PODCAST

With the San Diego section playoff seedings and brackets set, the focus no shifts heavily on uncommitted standout players. Currently the San Diego section is loaded with uncommitted junior talent possessing skill sets that will play at the college level and beyond. This group provides the best relief pitcher for the 2019 season, the best uncommitted left-handed pitcher, two two-way players that stuffed the stat sheet and a short-stop that slugged 9 home runs and finished the season hitting 438.

Hunter Otjen

QUICK TAKE: Two-way statistical star that seems to always be making an impact on the field. Unclear what position he will settle on but the type of player that projects well for the college game.

5/3/19- 2020 Point Loma (San Diego, CA) outfield, infield and pitcher is listed at 5-foot-10 170 pounds and is currently uncommitted. Strong and slightly undersized-build. Leader, competitor with good overall feel for the game. Hits right and throws right. Currently with a 409 BA 1.130 OPS 4 HR and 1.07 ERA 0.94 WHIP in 45 ⅔ INN. Defensively has been moved around in his career but primarily has been in the outfield when not pitching. Runs at an average clip and could turn into a serviceable outfielder at the next level. Fastball ranges from 82-85 mph with plus-command and arm-side movement. Off-speed arsenal consists of a breaking ball and change-up that he uses in any count and situation. Lives in the bottom half of the zone and works the corners and up and down. Advanced command and feel for pitching has given San Diego area batters fits all season despite his low 80s fastball. Offensively is a very aggressive hitter with a high contact rate. Hunts pitches early and isn’t afraid to spray pole to pole. Wants to pull in the end and generates good speed creating some power. Statistical two-way star that has a good feel for the game that should translate well to the college game. The biggest hurdle will be a matter of deciding on hitting or pitching and where he would play in the field.

Thomas Saggese

QUICK TAKE: Best tool is his hit tool, pole-to-pole power ability and consistent approach. Finished the season hitting 438 with 9 Home Runs.

4/15/19- 2020 Carlsbad (Carlsbad, CA) INF Thomas Saggese is currently uncommitted. Throws right and hits right. Started at shortstop and hit leadoff. Average infielders build with some room for added strength. Throwback style, no batting gloves, leader. Field general awareness and baseball IQ are present in his play. Displayed soft hands in between innings on warm-up grounders and made consistent on target throws to first. Average runner with solid base running skills and good sliding technique. Overall athleticism, lateral quickness and arm strength are average and do not project for much improvement. Has a good overall feel for hitting with high contact rates and bat speed. Hit two opposite field home runs on two pitches with nearly identical ball flight and in the realm of the “sweet spot” launch angle projection. Was hit by a first pitch change-up in his third and final at-bat. Calm in the box with little wasted and pre-pitch movement. Short to the point of contact with present bat speed. Intriguing uncommitted shortstop with his best tool being his ability to hit for average.

Cooper Rons

QUICK TAKE: Advanced feel for pitching, three-pitch arsenal that projects well as a starter or reliever at the next level. The best 2019 San Diego section relief pitcher.

3/26/19- 2020 RHP Cooper Rons is listed at 6-foot-3 190 pounds and is currently uncommitted. Tall build with long arms and some lean muscle with room. The younger brother of RHP Jake Rons. Has been used exclusively out of the bullpen making 7 appearances so far with a season stat line of 12 ⅔ INN, 0.00 ERA, 0.71 WHIP, 143 OBA and 16 strikeouts. Completed the 8-inning complete game shutout along with his brother in an effective 1 inning appearance where he featured a fastball and breaking ball combo from an over the top release point with fluid mechanics and good arm action. Fastball ranged from 85-87 mph featuring sink and run when located down in the zone. Showed a breaking ball that ranged from 72-74 with a 11/5 sharp break with tight spin and from the same arm slot and arm speed as his fastball. Similar to his brother he worked fast and attacked hitters but ran into some trouble when trying to force his pitches in the zone which created the similar hard glove side pull and inconsistent command of his curveball. Small sample size but a good showing for an underclass pitcher that is statistically and physically showing well. Has room for growth and the body projects well for a velocity increase and should end up being one of the most highly sought after uncommitted 2020 players in San Diego county.

Joseph Ingrassia

QUICK TAKE: Raw pitcher with electric secondary stuff and a fastball that is gaining velocity by the start. Top uncommitted left-handed pitcher in the county.

4/27/19- 2020 Valhalla (El Cajon, CA) LHP/1B/OF is listed at 6-foot 155 pounds and currently uncommitted. Started on the mound and hit second vs Santana. Lean build with fast twitch baseball movements. Whippy athletic arm action that creates a smooth release and finish. Gains ground with athletic hips creating extension towards home plate. Showed quick feet fielding bunts and pivoting towards first. Pick-off move was deceptive and quick enabling him to control the running game. Command was inconsistent as he walked 4 and hit 2 batters over 5 innings. Some pitches he rushed his mechanics creating heavy glove side pull and offspeed in the dirt, while other pitches he kept his weight back longer and landed across his body missing up and away with the fastball.

Fastball sat at 85-87 mph touching 88 mph with some downward plane and carry through the zone but little to no movement. Slider/cutter was electric at 71-74 mph and as high as 77 mph, generating a high swing and miss rate. Showed a split-change at 74-76 mph that had good downward bit from the fastball tunnel enabling him to have another swing and miss secondary option. Relied heavily on the slider/cutter showing almost too much confidence that his command suffered but enabled him to limit the opponent to 3 runs (unearned) and 7 strikeouts in 5 innings. Lively fastball with whippy arm actions and a swing and miss arsenal breaking from different pitch tunnels show great potential, projection and development for the best uncommitted pitcher in San Diego County.

Showed that he can hit at the high school level with a quick bat, speed on the basepaths and the ability to hit quality left-handed pitching. Thriving hitting behind Kyle Casper in the two hole and attacking fastballs in the zone. Currently hitting 364 with a 995 OPS. Confident player and defensively adapt showing athleticism and projection.

Kian Hogan

QUICK TAKE: Successful two-way player on the baseball field and starting quarterback off the field. Projects as a pitcher at the next level. Velocity increase will be his biggest need but has the tools to do so.

4/29/19- 2020 Santa Fe Christian (Solana Beach, CA) LHP/OF Kian Hogan is listed 6-foot 160 pounds and is currently uncommitted. Basic build with some athleticism and strength, starting quarterback for the Eagles. Compact mechanics with proportional extension and landing. Arm works quick and shows strength from an over-the-top release point. When balanced correctly and timing in sync with his mechanics, he showed a good fastball on the inner half of the plate against right-handed hitters. Lower half shows some tightness. Struggled with command walking 3 and hitting two batters across 2 ⅔ innings pitched. Got under his off speed pitches, yanked his head glove side and looked like he wasn’t trusting his stuff at times.

Fastball ranged from 82-85 mph and looked heavy. Curveball was the most used off-speed at 68-71 mph with an average grade and ability to generate swing and miss but command of the pitch needs to develop quickly. Showed a change-up with some fading action at 68-72 mph but quickly abandoned it after struggling with command.

Had a nice day at the plate collecting 2 hits and 3 RBI to help his team climb out of a deficit and eventually win the game. Currently hitting 290 with a 734 OPS. Showed some speed on the bases and a good first step, 12 stolen bases on the year. Two-way player with athleticism and talent that needs to develop command of his off-speed pitches to play off a projectable fastball in order to make the next step.

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

SHOWCASE	STATE	DATE	LOCATION
South Bay Junior Future Games Trials	CA	04/14	Archbishop Mitty HS
North Bay Junior Future Games Trials	CA	04/28	Clyde P. Smith Field - Cardinal Newman HS
Northern California Future Games Trials	CA	05/26	Islanders Field
Inland Empire Futures Games Trials	CA	06/01	Norco High School
SoCal ProCase	CA	06/08	Hart Park
Northern California ProCase	CA	06/09	Delta College - Nick Cecchetti Field
Bay Area Open Showcase	CA	06/26	Laney College
Inland Empire Top Prospect ID	CA	07/23	Santiago High School
Norcal Top Prospect ID	CA	07/24	St. Mary's College
Junior Future Games	NATIONAL	07/30	LakePoint
Rising Stars Showcase	CA	09/21	Santiago High School

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