Houston Underclass Trials: Quick Hits

HOUSTON, TX - To say that the Houston Underclass Trials was loaded with talent would be an understatement. Over 50 players in the 2020-2022 grad classes converged on the University of Houston campus on Tuesday. If you followed the first two days of the MLB Draft you already know the level of talent in Texas is second to none. We will be rolling out stats, content and videos in the next week with more in depth reports to come, but here are some quick hits from what we say yesterday.

+ Bridge City HS has some strong, talented players in their rising junior class, including a trio of players that were in attendance yesterday. 2020 OF/RHP Logan Hamm is sure to draw the attention of college recruiters this summer and should be on everyone’s list to see. The 6-foot, 200-pounder looks like he could choke slam a steam engine, but has the athleticism to go with it. He ran a 6.87 60-yard dash, threw 89 on the infield, threw 92 from the outfield, and registered a 92 mph exit velo. The left-handed hitter showed plus bat speed during BP, with plenty of pull side power. To top it all off, he jumped on the mound and pumped strikes at 86-87, with good command of a sharp slider with short 11/5 break at 75-76. Also mixes in a 71-73 mph curveball, and a 78-80 mph changeup. 2020 RHP Peyton Havard (Bridge City HS) has an already strong frame at 5-foot-11, 220-pounds. Pounded balls during BP with lift and strength to the pull side (89 exit velo). Threw bullets across the infield from shortstop at 87 mph. Then jumped on the mound and pumped 87-89 mph with his fastball, also worked in a 71 mph curveball, a 74 mph slider, and a 77 mph changeup. 2020 SS/2B Cameron Yadon is a fast-twitch athlete that can play anywhere on the field. He ran a 6.8 60-yard dash, plays fast at both the infield and outfield, and his arm works across the diamond. The right-handed hitter has quick-loose hands at the plate, and smoked line drives through the middle of the field.

+ 2020 SS Orlando Salinas (CC King HS) is a high level, left-handed hitting shortstop. He posted an exit velocity of 92 mph off the tee, and pounded balls to the pull side gap. Plus actions on the infield with a bazooka of an arm (88 mph).

+ 2020 3B Drew Woodcox (Lamar HS) stands 6-foot, 180-pounds, and is going to be a quality sign for teams that are looking for an athletic third baseman with power. Woodcox ran the second fastest time of the day with a 6.66, posted an exit velocity of 92, has a quick bat at the plate, made strong contact during BP, and makes strong throws with plenty of carry across the diamond.

+ 2021 RHP Chase Pelter (Kinkaid) continues to impress on the mound. The right-hander dotted up the zone with his fastball at 86-88 with arm side run. His slider has tightened up since we saw him in early January, the pitch is now 73-76 with tight rotation and 10/4 shape.

+ 2020 C Sam Canales (CC Ray HS) has a smooth hack at the plate with quick hands and excellent barrel awareness. Threw strikes to second base at 2.01, 2.01, 2.05, 2.15, and 2.16. The arm works super easy and he throws with plus carry through the bag.

+ 2020 SS/3B Sergio Galvan (Alexander HS) has a projectable frame at 6-foot, 170-pounds, and he ran a 6.97 60-yard dash. Galvan has the look of a high level defender at shortstop with plenty of arm strength to stay on the left side of the infield. Easy footwork, soft hands, and clean exchange into his throws with a smooth transition from the mid-line.

+ 2020 SS/OF Cole Smajstrla (Pearland HS) has a simple swing with a quiet setup. The right-handed hitter took a solid round of BP, showcasing quick hands through the zone, and flashing pull side power. He is an athletic defender with fundamental footwork and plus arm strength from the OF (90 mph).

+ 2021 C Jonas Holloway (Kingwood Park HS) is a left-handed hitting catcher with a solid arm strength (73 mph) and carry to second base. He posted pop times of 1.94, 2.01, 2.08, 2.08, and 2.13, and threw strikes to second base.

+ 2020 SS Elijah Uribe (Oak Ridge HS) has solid actions on the infield and moves easy. The right-handed hitter has easy rhythm, loose hands, and strength at contact.

+ 2020 LHP/OF Braden Olson (Lake Travis HS) posted a 91 mph exit velo off the tee, then launched balls to the pull side during batting practice, including a home run. A right-handed hitter and left-handed thrower, Olson plays through the ball with easy rhythm, threw strikes to the plate from the outfield at 86 mph. The left-hander has a loose, clean arm swing and topped out at 82 on the mound.

+ 2020 SS Parker Guerin (Lake Travis HS) spent his spring playing for one of the top high school teams in Texas this spring. Guerin is one of those players that college coaches will want to follow closely as he has an athletic, projectable frame at 5-foot-10, 150-pounds. Showed gap power during BP, driving the ball to deep centerfield multiple times. Really like the way he moves at shortstop, the footwork and arm strength are there.

+ 2020 OF/SS Weston Valasek (Tompkins HS) ran a 6.91 60-yard dash, and has plenty of room to to add strength to his already lean-strong 6-foot, 170-pound frame. Swung the bat really well during BP with quick-twitch hands and natural lift. Super athletic kid that can play multiple positions.

+ 2020 C Cole Ketzner (Magnolia HS) has a ton of pop at the plate with an aggressive hack and an exit velocity of 92 mph. Just as impressive were his throws to second base, as he threw thigh high strikes to the bag with pop times ranging from 2.05-2.16. At 6-foot, 195-pounds, Ketzner can also play the corner infield.

+ 2020 C Collin Young (Magnolia HS) has a lean-strong, fast twitch frame for a catcher. Young ran a 6.95 60-yard dash, posted a 90 mph exit velocity, and homered to left field during BP. The right-handed hitter starts from a wide stance and makes strong contact with natural lift and pull side pop. He has a strong arm behind the plate, threw 74 mph down to second base and posted consistent pop times between 2.0-2.14

+ 2020 RHP/SS Shea Walker (Smithson Valley HS) has a projectable, athletic frame at 6-foot-2, 185-pounds and moves easy at shortstop with quick, athletic footwork. The right-handed hitter has loose hands, a compact swing, and smooth path through the zone. He peppered the middle of the field with line drives during BP. Walker also showcased an 81-84 mph fastball with heavy action when he pitched at the end of the day.
+ 2020 RHP Cole Van Poppel (Rotan HS) is a projectable arm for coaches to see this summer. The 6-foot-2 right-hander has a loose arm swing, repeats his delivery, and pumped strikes at the bottom of the zone at 80-82 mph. Shows command of three with a plus changeup at 76, and a curveball at 65-68.

+ 2020 OF Bayne Tryon (Cypress Fair HS) has a ton of strength at the plate with a 91 mph exit velocity. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound right-handed hitter gets started with a leg kick, loose-quick hands, makes hard contact, and ran a 6.85 60-yard dash.

+ 2021 OF/SS JaiDen Chinnis (Georgetown HS) ran the fastest 60 time of the day, posting a 6.64.