2021 Games: Top Overall Prospects
August 21, 2018
The Invite-Only 2021 Games took place on Wednesday, June 6th at Hi Corbett Field, home of the Arizona Wildcats. The event featured many of the state's top outgoing freshman and gave players an opportunity to earn an invitation to play for Team Arizona in our premier national event, the PBR Future Games. Today, we wrap up our event analysis with the top overall prospects list. This list was extremely hard to compile with such young prospects as there's a significant balancing act between present ability/production and future projection. This list was assembled based strictly on this event and projecting them as prospects down the road based on that performance. IF Barrett Skaugrud earns the top spot on the list based on the present hit tool and future projection in his body, narrowly topping C Ryan Campos, who has a very strong argument as the top freshman player in the state at this moment. Both players made verbal commitments to in-state Pac-12 schools shortly after this event. The back end of the list was also extremely tough to differentiate, with Braydon Rogers and Chase Valentine earning the final two spots over guys like Jose Lopez (who didn't pitch at the event), Tanner Smith, Zach Kress, Ayden Malkovich, Cade Westerlund (previously evaluated as a catcher, but burst onto the scene as a likely RHP prospect) and Max Zdimal.
Complete video, data, pictures and scouting reports have been posted to players' individual profiles. As always contact [email protected] or direct message @PBRArizona on Twitter with any questions and/or information. The next opportunity for players from the 2020-2022 classes to attend a PBR event in AZ will be 10/14 at Brazell Field, home of the Grand Canyon Antelopes. The event is open for registration at this LINK.
Top Overall Prosects:
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BARRETT SKAUGRUD SS / 2B / SANDRA DAY O'CONNOR, AZ / 20216-foot, 135 pound frame. High-waisted, lean, projectable body. Skaugrud spent the entire spring pitching for the state champions Sandra Day O'Connor HS, but his future is on the infield where he likely profiles as an offensive second baseman at the next level; 72 mph infield velocity. Skaugrud shows an advanced rhythm in the box with loose wrists and should continue to add power as physical maturation takes place; 82 mph exit velocity at this event. Skaugrud also turned in a 7.09 60-yard dash, which marks a significant improvement from our previous looks. Remains one of the top AZ prospects in class.
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RYAN CAMPOS C / OF / RED MOUNTAIN, AZ / 2021Rankings StateRank: 4 / POS: 1
C Ryan Campos played mostly in the outfield this spring at Red Mountain, but absolutely cemented his spot as one of the top 2021 grads in AZ with his performance at this event. Despite his diminutive 5-foot-7, 160-pound frame, there's nothing quiet about Campos' tools. He started off the day by turning in a 6.97 60-yard dash, 89 mph exit velocity and a 1.87 best pop time with 75 mph velocity from the crouch. Campos capped that off by taking one of the better rounds of BP, showing real bat speed and on-plane path from the left side. Play the game fast and may be the top 2021 player in AZ at this time, without the same physical projection as a couple of guys ranked above him.
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WES Kath 3B / SS / DESERT MOUNTAIN, AZ / 2021Rankings StateRank: 5 / POS: 1
6-foot-1, 160-pound frame. Kath gets a little better every time we see him and this day was no different. He continues to get bigger, but also drastically improved his run time on this occasion, posting a 7.20 60-yard dash after turning in a 7.60 at a PBR event last fall. Kath shows effortless actions in the field with a loose, whippy arm action (84 mph infield velo) and soft hands. While he's currently playing more 3B, it's not out of the question that he could handle SS if the athleticism continues to tick up. Offensively he's continually showed an ability to be on the barrel with a simple, slight uphill path and should grow into some real power, which he flashed smoking a double off the wall in RF at Hi Corbett in live game action; 86 mph exit velocity. Positioning himself as one of the top 2021 prospects in the state.
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CAYDEN COLLINS RHP / SS / MOUNTAIN RIDGE , AZ / 2021Rankings StateRank: 3 / POS: 1
6-foot-1, 165-pound frame. Wiry body. RHP/IF Cayden Collins is intriguing as a position player, but has a chance to be a premium prospect on the mound. Collins ran his fastball up to 85 mph with virtually no effort and a clean arm action from a low 3/4 slot. He showed the ability to throw his breaking ball for a strike and has plenty more in the tank as he continues to mature. With the recent jump, Collins has established himself as one of the top couple arms in the AZ 2021 class. Offensively Collins used a short, compact stroke and a linear swing path. Hands remained close to body throughout the swing, minimal extension; 77 mph exit velocity. Impressed with his actions on the infield. Positioned body and played through the ball very well. Kept feet moving the whole time, solid rhythm. Arm strength was apparent posting an 86 mph infield velocity. Also posted a 7.19 60-yard dash.
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AUGIE WALTERS RHP / OF / BROPHY COLLEGE PREP, AZ / 2021RHP Augie Walters has been on our radar since last fall and continues to climb with his athletic 6-foot-4, 170-pound projectable frame and the type of effortless arm speed that could make him a very high velo day down the road. On this day he did nothing to hurt that status, running his fastball up to 85 mph. Curveball worked 61-62 mph with gradual 11/5 break. Could be thrown with more arm speed, presently more of a get me over pitch. Change up showed some fade at 70-74. Also worked out as a position player. Posted an 83 mph exit velocity, 80 mph outfield velocity, and ran a 7.24 60-yard dash.
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QUADE SWEARINGen OF / RHP / CORONA DEL SOL, AZ / 2021Rankings StateRank: 7 / POS: 1
5-foot-10, 185-pound frame. Strong, compact build. Swearingen was one of the top athletes in attendance, posting the top 60-yard dash time at 6.83. At the plate Swearingen hit from a balanced, athletic set up. Very quick hips. Efficient path to the baseball, on-plane swing, high one handed finish. Present bat speed. His 81 mph exit velocity is not indicative of his present strength level or the type of contact he made during BP. Defensively, Swearingen has the athleticism to profile as a center fielder down the road, but could easily handle a corner spot if need be; 77 mph outfield velocity. On the mound Swearingen ran his fastball up to 80 mph using a simple, highly repeatable delivery and a high ¾ arm slot. Minimal back knee flexion/loading of the rear hip. Full arm circle, clean arm action. Change up was thrown at 67-70 mph with solid fading action. Curveball ranged from 63-65 mph with 11/5 shape and tight spin. Multi-sport athlete has very high ceiling on the diamond. Will be highly-rated when rankings are next updated.
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ELIE KLIGMAN SS / RHP / CIMARRON-MEMORIAL, NV / 20215-foot-9, 150-pound frame. SS/RHP Elie Kligman made the trip over from Nevada and proved to be one of the more polished prospects in attendance. Kligman appears to be a true switch hitter, showing an advanced swing from both sides and found the barrel multiple times in live game action; 85 mph exit velocity. Middle infield defensive profile. Showed range to both sides, clean transfer, and a quick arm; 81 mph infield velocity. Also posted a 7.35 60-yard dash. Kligman also pitched where he showed a smooth, effortless delivery that produced quick arm speed from a ¾ slot. Fastball ranged from 76-78 mph with life to his arm side. His change up was thrown at 68-72 mph with fastball arm speed and flashed impressive sinking action. Also showed a curveball at 58-64 mph with proper 11/5 shape and spin when released out in front of his body.
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JOEY COLLIER LHP / PARADISE HONORS, AZ / 2021Rankings StateRank: 8 / POS: 2
6-foot, 160 pound-frame with considerable projection remaining. Collier showed more of what stood out at the recent D-Backs Academy Scout Day where we got our first look at the young lefty. He sat 81-83 mph with his fastball, pounding the strike zone with only average effort and the type of athletic delivery that should project for more velo down the line. Long, loose arm action with present arm speed. He also flashed a harder 76 mph slider with tight rotation and established himself as one of the top arms in the class. Also showed a 72-75 mph change up with some sink.
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CHASE VALENTINE SS / RHP / SANDRA DAY O'CONNOR , AZ / 2021Rankings StateRank: 11 / POS: 4
Valentine has started to mature some physically, as he's now more than 5-foot-8, 125-pounds and turned in a significantly improved 7.31 60-yard dash. Plays with the type of energy that absolutely stands out the moment you walk up to the field. He will be the type of player that makes everyone around him better. It also doesn't hurt that he appears to be the top infield defender in the class, moving effortlessly around the diamond and playing underneath the baseball with soft hands and the ability to make accurate throws from all angles; 78 mph infield velocity. Offensively Valentine showed solid swing mechanics that registered a 77 mph exit velocity. Exit velocity will improve with added strength. Also ran his fastball up to 80 mph on the bump with a quick arm action and some effort. Curveball worked 65-68 mph with tight spin and 11/5 shape. Change up flashed solid sink.
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BRANDON ROGERS 3B / SS / QUEEN CREEK, AZ / 2021Rankings StateRank: 13 / POS: 2
6-foot, 170-pounds. Lean, athletic frame. Hit from a tall, upright, open stance. Takes a long stride, creating a wide base. Explosively fires the hips before hands work fluidly to the baseball. Good extension through contact, high two-handed finish; 82 mph exit velocity. Rogers is a true utility guy who can play virtually any spot on the diamond. An impressive athlete (7.03 60-yard dash) and good build, Rogers has a chance to become a prospect in the outfield or at 3B. Recorded a 77 mph infield velocity.
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