By Toby Bicknell
Texas Scouting Director

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With the high school season approaching, we take a look at five sophomores to watch this spring.

Nicolas Hernandez, LHP, Bishop HS
5-foot-6, 120 pound frame. Works from a ¾ slot with natural, fluid arm-action. Compact, cross-body delivery. Generates momentum down the mound. Fastball velocity ranges from 77-79 mph with some arm-side run. Circle change-up has deception out of the hand, slight arm-side run and significant vertical drop at 71-73 mph. The slider is a good pitch, thrown with tight spin, good feel and 2-8 shape at 70 mph.

Caden Walton, 3B/RHP, Vista Ridge HS
5-foot-10, 165-pound, strong frame. The right-handed hitter starts from a tall set-up with a short leg-kick to transfer aggressively through contact. Solid hand path with strong top hand-punch and strength at contact. Registered an exit velocity of 76 mph and showed the ability to drive the ball with back-spin in both gaps. Defensively, Walton has good footwork and average glove action with smooth transition from catch to release. Showed accuracy to first base with some carry in the arm at 78 mph across the infield. Ran a 7.66 60-yard dash.

Mayan Mendez, OF, Pflugerville HS
5-foot-8, 148-pound, wiry, projectable frame. In the outfield he has quick feet, creates aggressive momentum into his throwing motion from a high, compact arm stroke with accuracy and carry at 76 mph. Mendez, a left-handed hitter, starts from a tall, open stance with good flex in his legs. Coils his body with a low leg-kick to get started and lands aggressively into his launch position. Flat path with slight arm-bar and developing bat speed that registered 82 mph off the bat. Showed a good approach during batting practice with hard, ground ball contact through the middle of the field. Ran 7.32 60-yard dash.

Sean Swain, RHP/OF, Round Rock HS
5-foot-11, 139-pound, lean, projectable frame. The right-hander works from a ¾ slot with clean, elbow dominant arm stroke from back to front with compact stride length and front side. Fastball ranged from 78-79 mph. Curveball has 11-5 shape and flashed late movement at 70 mph. He threw his change-up with with some feel at 74 mph. Swain's frame and arm action suggest that fastball velocity and action on off-speed pitches will improve with increased leg drive in delivery. In the outfield, Swain shows good footwork and athleticism with a clean exchange. Transitions well into a strong, smooth throwing motion with an accurate, clean arm stroke with carry at 82 mph. Swain, a right-handed hitter starts from neutral stance with flex in his knees and relaxed hands. Slight rock-back load to get ready, short stride, lands with balance. Flat bat path with some length, strong hands at contact with whip in the barrel. Exit velocity 76 mph. Ran a 7.56 60-yard dash.

Jacob Aguilar, SS, Fort Bend Christian HS
5-foot-9, 155-pound frame. The right-handed hitter starts with a calm setup, short stride and quiet rhythm. Uses a small leg-kick to get started. He has a compact, direct hand-path and uses the middle of the field. He registered an exit velocity of 80 mph. On the infield Aguilar has a good first step, shows long strides to gain ground and average glove action. He throws with a short, compact arm stroke at 71 mph and shows the ability to throw on the run. Ran a 7.51 60-yard dash.

 

 

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