Nevada ProCase Preview: Jace Avina

October 14, 2020
Brett Harrison
Nevada Scouting Director

Jace Avina is a Northern Nevada prospect that has continued to impress with his progression in each part of his game throughout his high school career. The University of Nevada commit has dedicated himself to the gym over the past year and his added physicality amplifying each part of his game with new personal bests becoming the norm at each PBR event he attends. In his last high school game before the Covid-19 shut down, he hit two opposite field homeruns for Spanish Springs and has proven his abilities at the plate as a player that can hit for average with present power to both gaps with a PBR Verified 100 mph Exit Velocity. Defensively, he has no problem holding down a premium position in centerfield after posting a 6.65 60 Time paired with an Outfield Velocity of 91mph. This is prospect that we expect to open some eyes at the upcoming PBR Nevada ProCase with above average tools in each facet of the game.

Scouting Report

6/28/20

PBR California ProCase

Body: 6-foot-2, 175-pounds. Lean, sinewy, streamlined, built like a WR. Given his present tools, as he gains musculature and physical maturity those tools could really explode.

Hit: RH - Quiet & clean mechanics, separates well through contact, worked all fields in BP rounds & showed the same approach in game ABs, including a LD single through the middle. Slight knee lift, lands w/stability on stride leg, maintains body control throughout the swing. Showed swing adjustability. His bat speed registered as high as 77.4 mph w/peak hand speed of 23 mph (courtesy of Blast Motion).

Power: Given the 100 EV during the BP rounds (courtesy of TrackMan) while using wood, clearly there is power potential. His hot zone was the lower quadrant in the middle of the plate with an AVG EV of 96.05 and launch angle of 18.31. As he gains man-muscle there will be HR power, grading out in the future as above average.

Field: Chance to develop into an above average/plus defender, with the speed and arm strength and natural athleticism to not only take away hits w/above average range, but also a powerful and accurate arm.

Arm: Long-ish, pitcher-type AA, overhand delivery, patterns his feet and release quite well and many throws were either accurate and easy to handle one-hops or on-a-line darts. Arm will play as a plus attribute at the college level and beyond.

Run: 6.65 - on a quick turf surface he took advantage and posted the lowest time at the event.

Summary: Chance to develop into a 5-tool talent, with the run, power, field, throw tools all grading out as future plus (at the least, above average. The one tool that separates all players, particularly high school hitters is the hit tool. From what we saw of the swing mechanics and lively body, I'd feel comfortable putting a future 50 grade on his hit tool. There will be viewings of him in the spring season as we are talking about a future CF w/a chance to hit. Having seen A.J. Pollock in high school, that comp seems apt for Avina.