Top Prospects: Arizona Preseason All-State

Colten Keith 3B / RHP / Verrado, AZ / 2020

Keith was even better in person than when I had first seen him on video at a December PBR Arizona event. The 6-foot-2, 180-pounder has an athletic frame with wiry strength throughout, and looks like he will pack on much more muscle in the future. He began the day by running an impressive, 6.71 60-yard dash to show off his speed, and later threw 89 mph across the infield and produced an exit velocity of 94 mph. However, it was his work in the game that stood out to me. At the plate, Keith features a large leg kick with his hands held high and work down and back throughout a load before working quickly uphill to the ball with advanced strength for his age. Especially at his young age, it can be difficult to time up a leg kick that big, but Keith is athletic enough to make it work. Even when falling behind in the count, he was able to get his foot down on time against some quality pitching. Because of this, I think he will be able to make the necessary adjustments, in the future, as he continues to face higher level arms. His strong arm will give him a chance to stick on the infield, likely at a corner spot where he will be sure-handed. With his speed, Keith may also have a chance to shift to an outfield spot. Either way, his bat should play, and there is likely even more power coming soon. Making himself an even more valuable recruit, Keith sat 86-88 with a fastball that rode through the zone. He exhibits a quicker, strong arm, and shows the ability to throw strikes. Though still very early in the season, Keith also featured a slurve-type breaking ball at 72-73 that had tight rotation and took more 10/4 shape. The pitch has a chance to be a swing and miss offering in the future as he continues to refine it. Additionally, he showcases a knuckleball (68-69) and changeup (79-81). Overall, the prospect of getting two players (pitcher/position) in one should make Keith a highly coveted recruit moving forward.