Inland Empire Fall ID: Preview

Gavin Cruz C / 3B / Norco High, CA / 2030

From 5/3/26: Cruz previously shone bright at the IE Rising Stars ID to earn himself a spot at the SoCal Rising Stars Game and backed it up with a strong overall showing. More compact in build, but with emerging present strength in his frame, Cruz looks the part of a long-term backstop with the actions in his receiving and present throwing ability (76 MPH C velocity with 2.05-2.1 pop times) that have him showing impact potential at the premium spot as he matures. As good as what Cruz does with his work behind the plate, there is plenty to be intrigued by with his offensive profile. With a swing that features both present bat speed and loft in the bat path, Cruz produces consistent hard contact, and when that contact is in the air, it carries well. Across two rounds of batting practice, Cruz peaked at 95 MPH with EV (second best at the event) while averaging 86.7 MPH on all of his balls in play. The loft in his path can get his contact point on top of the ball at times during BP, but as he polishes his approach/timing with maturity will get the ball in the air more consistently to tap into the power upside in his profile. During the game, Cruz didn't collect a hit, but did in two at-bats flash the impact potential in his bat as he drove a deep F-9 into the RCF gap that helped advance a runner from second to third, while in another at-bat drove another ball deep into the OF with carry. The angles and impact in the batted ball profile, with the flashes he showed in-game, combined with the quality of how he operates a premium spot behind the plate, will have Cruz firmly on the radar of names to follow in the 2030 class going forward.

Gary Garcia SS / 3B / Corona High School, CA / 2028

Elijah Kim OF / LHP / Diamond Bar High, CA / 2029

Dylan Valdivia OF / RHP / Los Osos High, CA / 2027