Prep Baseball Report

NCTB Fall Classic: Day 1


Shooter Hunt
National Crosschecker

Day One from Stockton, California at the NCTB Fall Classic saw players from 15 different teams throughout the state showcase their skills in a pro-style workout before competing in their first of three games on the weekend. Players from the 2018-2021 classes (and even a 2022) ran, fielded, and hit in front of college coaches in hopes of catching their eye. With more of a breakdown of the workout portion coming in the future, On the Hunt focusses on some of the players that stood out in games along with some notes from the workout.

STANDOUTS:

+ Uncommitted 2018 RHP Alex Schrier (Santa Margarita Catholic HS, CA) got the start for the NCTB Bald Eagles in game one of the event. Delivering out of a tough, funky, true ¾ slot Schrier was able to sink his fastball to both sides of the plate effectively. He was up as high as high as 86 mph early on before settling into mostly 82-83 as he got deeper into the game. However, the sink was always there, and he looks like he may be able to drop down even further in the future. Schrier’s changeup was his best secondary pitch, and featured late-fading action at 72-74. He also showed feel for an average breaking ball at 68-71 with sweeping movement across the plate. The harder he threw his slider, the better the pitch broke.

+ Uncommitted 2019 OF Griff Fenn (Pleasant Valley HS, CA) had a heck of a day at the plate. The 5-foot-11, 165-pound outfielder went 3-for-3 with three hard-hit balls including a double. He is confident at the plate, and the balanced stance that he takes allows him to track balls comfortably without being fooled. He exhibits quick hands with strong wrists, and plays the game hard at all times.

+ 2021 RHP/OF Tommy Dilandri (Bishop Gorman HS, NV) is one of the better known arms in the ‘21 class, but it was his powerful swing that stood out on the day. The physical, 6-foot-2, 190-pounder hit everything hard, and showed off his power with a deep double to the left field wall. He has quick hands that drive through the zone aggressively, and the ball jumps off his bat at an advanced speed.

+Uncommitted 2019 INF/OF Mason King (Turlock HS, CA) is just an all out baseball player. The speedy athlete ran a 6.74 60-yard dash, and showed the ability to play both the infield and outfield at a high level. At the plate, the right-handed hitter works uphill through the zone, and has the strength necessary to drive the ball from gap to gap. He hammered two singles before floating around the bases. While he has the ability to play the infield, it was his work in centerfield that really caught my eye as his quick first step allowed him to get excellent jumps on balls that few others would have tracked down.

+Uncommitted 2018 INF Porter Slate (Petaluma HS, CA) is going to be a nice addition to some school’s recruiting class. The athletic, 6-foot, 160-pound left-handed hitter has feel for the barrel, and it shows some lag in the zone. His twitchy hand’s load works fluently before his quick hands allow him to get to any pitch and spray line drives to all fields. Slate works level through the zone with a high, loose finish, and the ball jumps off his bat, some.

+ Uncommitted 2018 C Ryan Belloumini (Valley Christian HS, CA) was one of several catchers who really stood out on the day. He sports a strong, durable, 6-foot-1, 190-pound frame, and was a quiet receiver behind the plate with soft hands. Belluomini was consistently at or around a 2.0 with throws to second base between innings after getting as low as 1.95 during the workout portion. He has a strong, accurate arm that, combined with clean footwork and exchange, allows him to control the running game. At the plate, Belluomini had a huge, two out, two RBI, line drive single. He has a smooth load that is triggered by a minor leg kick that initiates hand movement down and back before working uphill through the zone.

+ 2020 LHP Drew Dowd (Serra HS, CA) may only be 5-foot-9, 155-pounds, but the young left-hander has a quick arm, and advanced breaking ball that should continue to make giant leaps forward as he continues to grow. Working 80-82 with a fastball that featured late, arm side run, Dowd’s quick arm delivered out of a high ¾ slot when at its best. His breaking ball varied in speed at 70-74 as he changed the shape of the pitch depending on the count and situation. At times it was a tight, multi-tier breaking, 1/7 curveball. Other times he might drop his arm angle a bit lower to create more slider, 2/8, shape. Any way he threw it, however, the pitch was above average and swing and miss. Dowd’s feel for his breaking ball in and out of the zone is well-advanced for his age.

+ Uncommitted 2018 RHP/OF Marshall Hunt (Chico HS, CA) came out, early on, showcasing some of the best stuff that I have seen this fall from an uncommitted 2018 pitcher. The twitchy-athlete sat 86-88 from a higher ¾ slot, and the ball jumped out of his hand, and again as it approached the plate. He threw his changeup with fastball hand speed at 79 mph, and also snapped off a few above average curve balls that took 11/5 shape at 73-75. His velocity would dip, some, from the stretch as well as later in the outing, but not before he exhibited a repertoire, frame, and strong arm to entice schools moving forward.

+ Uncommitted 2018 SS Colton Hamman (Chico HS, CA) looks to have the athleticism that you want in a shortstop at the next level. He has a wiry frame that shows plenty of room to fill out, and his first step in the field is quick, and he has clean hands that lead to strong, accurate throws. At the plate, the loose-wristed right-handed hitter has a smooth load, and is aggressive towards pitches in the zone. He impressed me with his patience at the plate, and was never fooled even when going against some very tough secondary pitches. Hamman had a single in the game, and is an athletic runner that will be able to help some school at the next level.

+ Uncommitted 2018 RHP/1B Tyler Coleman (Pleasant Valley HS, CA) has durable, physical, 6-foot-2, 205-pound frame, and looks like he may have a chance to be a two-way player at some level. Though his 60-yard dash time lacked, some, he showed the strength at the plate necessary to, possibly, make up for it. That strength was on full display when he blasted a loud double in-game. Coleman would also step on the mound where he looked comfortable and confident while working 85-86 with his fastball early on, and there looks to be even more left in the tank moving forward. He delivers out of an over the top slot, and has quick hand speed out front.

+ Uncommitted 2019 OF Ishmael Burton (Franklin HS, CA) was on every pitch that he swung at on the night. He thrived in hitter’s counts as his twitchy hands allowed his barrel to work quickly through the zone. Burton had a single and a double in his first two at-bats before, finally, being retired after a hard fly ball to center field. He moves around well in the outfield, and takes solid routes before making plays with his confident hands.

+ Uncommitted 2019 INF Garret Santos (Christopher HS) had a strong game with a single and a triple along with a hard line out to shortstop. Santos has a mature, proportionally strong frame, and features some bounce in his step when moving around the infield. He is a solid fielder, and works uphill at the plate with strength through the zone.

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