Prep Baseball Report

Oregon HS Scout Blog (3.17.22)


Shooter Hunt
Vice President, Scouting

Last week we debuted our Preseason edition of the Oregon Power 12, rankings our Top 12 teams in the state prior to the start of the season. 

At the #1 spot is a familiar name in the Jesuit Crusaders. The 'Cru boasts a starting rotation that can rival arguably any pitching staff in the country. Paired with an offense littered with college talent and Power 5 commitments. 

#1 ranked '22 LHP Nelson Keljo (Oregon State commit) has garnered significant attention recently, and rightfully so. But on this look we were treated to dynamic performances to '23 RHP Noble Meyer (Oregon commit) and '23 RHP Ty Alleman, the top uncommitted arm in the state. 

For South Eugene, it was a tough day of facing 90+ with virtually every FB on the day. But '23 C Leo Reeves (Oregon commit) continues to impress and show why he belongs in the upper echelon of players for his class. 

Read more below...

oregon HS scout blog

Jesuit & South Eugene 

The Crusaders scored early and often as the #1 team in the state blanked the visiting Axe, 12-0 in a 5-inning game. It was an offensive explosion from 2022 1B Hayden Smith who blasted two home runs on the day (5 RBI) that led the charge while 2023 IF Levi Jones, an Oregon State recruit, finished the day 2-for-2 with a triple. 2024 IF Dustin Doherty also collected two hits on the day with a triple and drove in two runs. In all, Jesuit amassed 13 hits on the day including six for extra bases. 2023 RHP Noble Meyer, an Oregon recruit, was dominant throughout four innings of work allowing just two hits while striking out 10.

+ RHP Noble Meyer, Jesuit HS, OR (2023)
Meyer, an Oregon recruit, was dominant while hardly breaking a sweat in his four innings of work that needed just 50 pitches (76% strikes). The long-limbed, 6-foot-4, 185-pounder looks noticeably stronger coming out of the winter, but still holds considerable projection on the frame. The arm works free and loose through a continuous stroke that delivers out of a near ¾ slot. Working 89-92 throughout with upwards of 2460 RPM on the fastball, there was ride and run present to the bottom of the zone. This look saw more control over command of the fastball as he was routinely in the zone, but seemed to click better late in the game with confidence to repeat to the glove side. That glove side fastball allowed a future plus-slider to play as an unhittable pitch in this look. Routinely in the 2744-2814 rpm range, he manipulated the shape at times with a short, late break when thrown firmer (up to 86 mph), and more frisbee-sweep at 79 mph. The pitch tunneled the fastball with late separation, and left little chance for opposing hitter to make contact. Previous looks have also shown a quality changeup from the potential frontline starter, but the pitch was not needed in this outing. The low effort seen from the big right-hander promises even more velocity to come as the spring moves on, and while this was a stellar outing for the junior, it is scary to think that he will be even better by the end of the year.



+ IF Levi Jones, Jesuit HS, OR (2023)
Jones, an Oregon State recruit, continued an upward trend at the plate, and showcased a mature approach throughout a two hit day that included a triple to the pull side and two-strike single to the opposite field. Confident and relaxed from the left side, the hands load fluidly in sync with the lower-half which allows a heavier barrel to drive through the ball. The 6-foot, 170-pound left-handed hitter appears to have filled out a bit more, and looks poised for a breakout junior campaign.

+ RHP Ty Alleman, Jesuit HS, OR (2023)
The highest ranked uncommitted player in the 2023 class, Alleman provided a quick glimpse at some overpowering stuff. The 6-foot, 185-pound right-hander sports a compact frame with a longer, one-piece arm stroke that delivered fastballs up to 91 mph (2500 RPM). Working 89-91 in a 12-pitch, 3-strikeout inning, the fastball exhibited considerable hop through the zone when elevated, and he appeared to manipulate sink when working down. Alleman has an easy operation on the bump and worked exclusively from the stretch in this look. He is definitely an arm that college coaches will want to circle to see throughout the spring/summer as he has demonstrated an innate ability to compete and succeed in previous looks.

 



+ C Leo Reeves, South Eugene HS, OR (2023)
Oregon recruit. Reeves, the #10 player in a strong ‘23 class in the state, impressed at the plate going 2-for-2 against Meyer, accounting for all of the Axe hits. The athletic, 6-foot-3, 175-pound switch-hitter did not appear intimidated by the 90+ coming at him, and confidently attacked each pitch that he hunted. Slowing the game down from the left side, there is an ease to the load as the hands start low before separating to a deeper power position with a leg kick with the barrel working short-to-long through the zone.