Prep Baseball Report

Central California Summer ID: Infielder Analysis


Steven Hardesty & Diego Cruz
Associate Director SoCal & Prep Baseball California Contributor

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On Tuesday, July 8th, the Prep Baseball California team hosted the Central California Summer ID at Ventura College in Ventura, CA. This was an open event for high school classes (2026-29), and gave our staff an ample look at the development of some of the top talent in the area and introduced our staff to new names to know after their performances.

38 players made their way to Ventura College this past week and participated in a pro-style workout, gathering unrivaled access to data through our state-of-the-art tech partners (VALD, Blast Motion, and TrackMan) as well as in-depth scouting analysis from our Prep Baseball California staff.

Today, we will be looking at analysis of the infielders in attendance at the event and for more information including stats from the event, click here.

Central California Summer ID: Infielders

Top 5 Overall (in order):

Rickee D. Luevano 1B / RHP / Sylmar Charter High, CA / 2027


Positional Profile: 1B/RHP 
Body: 6-0, 192-pounds. Well-filled out, athletic build.
Hit: RHH. Compact, narrow stance. Body and front foot angled away from pitcher. Bat rests on back shoulder. Small leg kick. Slow, progressing load into back leg. Lands hard on front foot. Great hip torque to generate power. Mature, line drive hitter. 73.4 mph bat speed with 25 G's of rotational acceleration.
Power: 104 max exit velocity, averaged 95.6 mph. 383' max distance.
Arm: RH. INF-73 mph. 3/4 release. Long arm path. Pitcher-like tendencies. Heavy ASR.
Defense: Athletic stance and posture. Lower half utilized well. Quick feet.

Ryder Miller 3B / RHP / Redwood High, CA / 2028


Positional Profile: 3B/RHP 
Body: 6-2, 170-pounds. Long, lengthy frame with tall upper half.
Hit: RHH. Tall, narrow stance. Slight bend in knees. Bat angled behind helmet towards 3rd base dugout. Elbow flared out. Small leg lift stride toward pitcher. Casts hands outward. Loads with upper half. Lands hard on front foot. Upward swing plane. Projectable strength. 69 mph bat speed with 11 G's of rotational acceleration.
Power: 96 max exit velocity, averaged 89.6 mph. 364' max distance.
Arm: RH. INF-77 mph. High 3/4 slot. Short back arm path with quick release. Smooth arm actions.
Defense: Narrow hips and feet. Keeps tall posture throughout. Decent transfer with room to improve quickness.

Alex Noble 3B / RHP / Bishop Alemany High School, CA / 2028


Positional Profile: 3B/RHP 
Body: 6-1, 173-pounds. Tall, athletic frame with room to fill out frame.
Hit: RHH. Wide, balanced stance. Hands held at back shoulder. Small leg lift stride. Hands held in same position during load. Transfers weight well. Whip-like barrel. 64.9 mph bat speed with 14 G's of rotational acceleration.
Power: 95 max exit velocity, averaged 90.2 mph. 354' max distance.
Arm: RH. INF-81 mph. Low 3/4 slot. Whip-like release. Short arm path. Accurate arm with slight ASR.
Defense: Keeps tall posture. Gets in low position as ball approaches. Quick, twitchy feet. Covers ground efficiently.

Trey Chamois 3B / RHP / Eleanor Roosevelt High, CA / 2026


Positional Profile: 3B/RHP 
Body: 6-2, 233-pounds. Thick, durable frame, with present strength throughout.
Hit: RHH. Body angled towards back foot. Gets to launch position early. Hands kept low at shoulder level. Bat rests on shoulder. Small, inward leg kick. Lands hard on front foot. Hips and hands fire in sync. 69.1 mph bat speed with 19 G's of rotational acceleration.
Power: 103 max exit velocity, averaged 92.3 mph. 384' max distance.
Arm: RH. INF-79 mph. 3/4 arm release. Short arm path with smooth release. Slight ASR.
Defense: Hands work ahead of feet. Present lower half balance and strength. Smooth, calculated movements.

Auron Blackledge SS / 3B / Calabasas High, CA / 2028


Positional Profile: SS/3B 
Body: 5-11, 153-pounds. Tall frame, sturdy lower half.
Hit: RHH. Narrow lower half stance. Knees bent. Hands held high at ear level. Bat angles over helmet towards pitcher. Small leg lift stride. Long, loose barrel through zone. Stays tall throughout swing. 65.6 mph bat speed with 9 G's of rotational acceleration.
Power: 91 max exit velocity, averaged 83.7 mph. 347' max distance.
Arm: RH. INF-72 mph. Low 3/4 release. Slight pause in arm path. Short, quick release. Long follow-through.
Defense: Fundamental movements. Decent transfer with room to grow. Smooth glove as ball approaches.

All Infielders (listed in alphabetical order):

Griffin Arnold, Santa Barbara High School (CA), 2028
Positional Profile: C/3B 
Body: 6-1, 170-pounds. Long, athletic build room to fill.
Hit: LHH. Tall, balanced stance. Knees slightly bent. Hands held back. Quick, snappy barrel. Uphill swing plane. Long finish. 64.8 mph bat speed with 6 G's of rotational acceleration.
Power: 96 max exit velocity, averaged 86.4 mph. 327' max distance.
Arm: RH. C-76 mph. INF-76 mph. High 3/4 release. Long arm path. 1/2 circle windup.
Defense: 2.11-2.30 pop times. C: Balanced crouched stance. Sets up feet from stance quickly. Okay transfer. INF: Lower half stays active. Steady, smooth movements. Shows projectable range.

Lucas Cruz, Homeschool (CA) (CA), 2028
Positional Profile: SS/RHP 
Body: 5-8, 125-pounds. Stalky, compact frame with room to fill.
Hit: SH. Wide lower half in stance. Hands kept in front of shoulders. Minimal bend in knees. Small toe tap stride toward pitcher. Rotates hips well. Creates great bat lag during swing. Snappy barrel. 65.3 mph bat speed with 9 G's of rotational acceleration.
Power: 85 max exit velocity, averaged 74.7 mph. 289' max distance.
Arm: RH. INF-68 mph. Over-the-top release. Compact arm action, with slight sailing action. Projectable arm strength.
Defense: Feet stay low and active. Hands are smooth with quick transfer.

Colton Dunwoody, Royal (CA), 2028
Positional Profile: RHP/3B 
Body: 6-1, 187-pounds. Projectable, lengthy frame with room to fill.
Hit: RHH. Tall, laid-back stance. Front foot is offset. Hands held in front of body at shoulder level. Medium leg kick. Medium stride towards pitcher. Lands on time with pitch. Loose hands. Heavy loft in swing. 65 mph bat speed with 4 G's of rotational acceleration.
Power: 94 max exit velocity, averaged 80.7 mph. 366' max distance.
Arm: RH. INF-75 mph. Low 3/4 release. Long arm path with slight pause. Projectable strength, with more room to improve. Accurate thrower.
Defense: Progressing, calculated footwork. Tall posture is kept throughout.

Broden Embley, St Bonaventure High School (CA), 2027
Positional Profile: 3B/OF 
Body: 5-10, 166-pounds. Compact frame with room to fill.
Hit: RHH. Tall, balanced stance. Bat rests on shoulder, with back elbow flared out. Small leg stride toward pitcher. Body shifts towards back leg after swing. Hands cast outward slightly. 60.6 mph bat speed with 8 G's of rotational acceleration.
Power: 80 max exit velocity, averaged 76.5 mph. 288' max distance.
Arm: RH. INF-64 mph. High 3/4 release. Full arm circle path. Short release with room to grow strength.
Defense: Lower half stays active with short steps as ball approaches. Decent range with room to improve quickness.

Antonio Hernandez, Servite High School (CA), 2028
Positional Profile: 3B/2B 
Body: 5-11, 170-pounds. Average, compact frame with room to fill.
Hit: RHH. Balanced stance, slightly crouched. Hands kept high right behind ears. Elbow flared outward. Small stride toward pitcher. Hands kept in same position during load. Body angles forward. Level bat angle that generates some loft. 63.7 mph bat speed with 13 G's of rotational acceleration.
Power: 91 max exit velocity, averaged 80.5 mph. 325' max distance.
Arm: RH. INF-66 mph. Short arm path. High 3/4 release. Long follow-through. Accurate arm, with strength to improve.
Defense: Lower half stays low and active. Tall posture after gather. Plays under control.

Cru Hopkins, Thousand Oaks High (CA), 2027
Positional Profile: C/1B 
Body: 6-0, 191-pounds. Athletic, well-filled out frame, broad shoulders.
Hit: RHH. Wide, crouched stance. Hands kept behind ears. Bat angled towards 3rd base dugout. Large toe tap stride towards pitcher. Hands cast outrward. Hips generate okay torque. Developing power bat. 64.9 mph bat speed with 12 G's of rotational acceleration.
Power: 93 max exit velocity, averaged 85.6 mph. 337' max distance.
Arm: RH. C-66 mph. INF-60 mph. Short arm path with slight pause. Accurate throws, ball tends to arc. Developing arm strength.
Defense: 2.55-2.66 pop times. C: Calculated movements. Stays under control, feet play first before throw. 1B: Long strides approaching ball. Plays with tall posture.

Robert Juker, Foothill Technology High (CA), 2026
Positional Profile: 1B/3B 
Body: 6-6, 188-pounds. Long, lengthy projectable frame with wide shoulders.
Hit: RHH. Tall, narrow stance. Front foot offset. Large bat waggle. Hands held high at ear level. Large leg kick stride towards pitcher. Hands cast heavily during load. Hips fire first, generating good bat lag. Power to all quadrants. 67.9 mph bat speed with 13 G's of rotational acceleration.
Power: 100 max exit velocity, averaged 93.4 mph. 359' max distance.
Arm: RH. INF-66 mph. Short arm path with whip-like release. Sidearm release. 
Defense: Tall posture when fielding. Calculated steps towards ball. Smooth, efficient transfer.

Joseph Martinez, Paraclete (CA), 2027
Positional Profile: OF/RHP 
Body: 5-10, 167-pounds. Average, compact build with room to fill.
Hit: RHH. Very wide, crouched stance. Hands held high at ear level with bat angled over helmet. No-stride approach. Loads in back leg. Hips rotate well. Upward barrel path. 66.8 mph bat speed with 12 G's of rotational acceleration.
Power: 92 max exit velocity, averaged 87.2 mph. 331' max distance.
Arm: RH. INF-79 mph. OF-83 mph. OF: Long, winding arm path. Quick release. High arc-thrower. INF: Low 3/4 arm slot. Release is smooth with shorter arm path.
Defense: Shorter, calculated steps towards ball. Even strides during crow hop. Stays high when fielding.

Quinn Melton, San Marcos High (CA), 2028
Positional Profile: C/1B 
Body: 6-1, 199-pounds. Sturdy, tall, athletic frame with noticeable definition.
Hit: LHH. Strong, wide base. Imposing stance. Hands held behind ear. Front foot angled offset. Moves barrel heavily during load. Hinge at hips. Loads in back leg. Generates torque at hips. Snappy barrel. Powerful pull-side bat. 69.7 mph bat speed with 20 G's of rotational acceleration.
Power: 102 max exit velocity, averaged 96.4 mph. 392' max distance.
Arm: RH. C-71 mph. INF-70 mph. C: Whip-like arm action with long follow-through. Shows heavy recoil. Over-the-top arm path. 1B: Long arm path with high 3/4 slot. 
Defense: 2.12-2.25 pop times. C: Quick, agile lower half. Stays in athletic position. One step in front of other leaning forward.

Nicholas Pateras, Buena High (CA), 2028
Positional Profile: RHP/SS 
Body: 5-5, 139-pounds. Compact, sturdy frame.
Hit: RHH. Wide, balanced lower half. Hands held high above shoulder. Elbow flared outward. Small leg kick. Lower half stays balanced. Upper half dominant swing. Level barrel. Projectable bat speed with more rotation. 56.6 mph bat speed with 8 G's of rotational acceleration.
Power: 82 max exit velocity, averaged 76.9 mph. 281' max distance.
Arm: RH. INF-70 mph. Long windup. Low 3/4 slot. Long arm path, quick release.
Defense: Athletic lower half with twitchy movements. Can move on all levels. Smooth transfer.

Tyler Weber, San Marcos Senior High (CA), 2029
Positional Profile: C/3B 
Body: 5-5, 140-pounds. Compact frame with balanced, athletic build for age.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, shoulder-width stance. Front foot offset. Hands held slightly above back shoulder. Medium, leg lift stride. Lands offset with front fot inward towards plate. Transfers weight well. 64.2 mph bat speed with 12 G's of rotational acceleration.
Power: 86 max exit velocity, averaged 76.7 mph. 278' max distance.
Arm: RH. C-64 mph. Short arm path. Low 3/4 slot. Arm strength shows projection. Ball has high, but developing arc.
Defense: 2.29-2.49 pop times. Lower half stays engaged. Athletic stance. Slight pause in transfer.