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Scout Blog - Todd Beamer at Puyallup

March 21, 2019
Dan Jurik
Scouting Director - Pacific Northwest

Puyallup, WA - Last Friday we made our first trip down to Heritage Park in Puyallup to watch the Vikings host the visiting Titans from Todd Beamer HS in a non-league matchup. Although the game didn’t feature a ton of drama, Puyallup got an early lead and never looked back, winning by a final score of 10-1. We did get the chance to see Nate Clow, University of Southern California commit for the first time as well as several talented players throughout the Puyallup line-up.

For Puyallup, uncommitted ‘20 RHP Levi Kiuchi got the start and was solid across 4 scoreless innings. He had some lapses in command at times, issuing 4 BB, but countered that by limiting Beamer to only 1 hit and punching out 6 batters. Working from a high ¾ slot with some cross action in his delivery, Kiuchi sat mostly 82-84 with his FB and ran it up as high as 85, 86 early on. Showed a willingness to work to both sides of the plate and can create steep angle on the ball when he gets it down in the zone. Also showed feel for his CB with 11/5 shape at 68-71. Pitches with quiet confidence and demonstrated some poise while pitching out of a big jam in the 4th.

After Kiuchi, Puyallup handed the ball over to another uncommitted ‘20 grad, OF/RHP Kyler Johnson. Johnson started the game in RF and had a big day at the plate, going 2-3 with 2 doubles. At 5-foot-11, 180 pounds, he has a strong, developed frame and showed athletic actions with plenty of arm strength during pre-game. On the mound, he worked quickly while also varying the tempo of his delivery to keep hitters off-balance. The FB sat in the 77-79 range and topped at 80, showing late cutting action to his glove side. CB has big, 11/5 shape in the 66-68 range. Johnson has feel for both offerings and wasn’t afraid to pitch backwards across his 3 innings of work. Intriguing 2-way prospect to keep an eye on moving forward.

Offensively, several players contributed multi-hit games for the Vikings, including ‘20 INF Evan Scavotto. The Portland commit was all over the barrel on this look. He’s got a mature approach at the plate and shows the ability to recognize spin while still being able to handle velo. Defensively his actions are smooth and easy, with balance throughout and enough arm strength to handle all the required throws at 2B.



Hitting directly behind Scavotto in the line-up was ‘19 OF and Puget Sound commit Jonas Kim. Kim showed impressive defensive actions in the OF, moving very athletically with his 6-foot, 180 pound frame. Flashes some noticeable bat speed at the plate with a balanced, fluid swing. High finish after contact could lead to more power production down the road as he develops and gets stronger. Another promising young player for Puyallup who had a big day at the plate was uncommitted ‘21 SS Drake Anderson. Anderson was in the DH role on this look but displayed twitchy, compact defensive actions at SS during I/O. Quick first step laterally to go with a soft glove hand when funneling the ball in. At the plate, there’s rhythm and tempo in his set-up. Loads with a subtle leg kick that syncs with the movement in his hands. Barrel gets level and stays flat thru the zone. Has some lift in his swing after contact. Exciting young player. 

 

Another Viking with a multi-hit game was uncommitted ‘19 OF Kendall Luckman. He had 2 hits and drove in 3 runs on the day. 5-foot-10, 170 pounds with some projection left on his frame. Luckman works from a high ¾ slot in the OF and showed the ability to make consistent, accurate throws. At the plate he has a simple, compact swing and keeps his hands inside of the ball. 


For Beamer, Nate Clow got the start and although his outing was brief, there was plenty of arm strength on display from the future USC Trojan. In 2 innings of work, Clow topped at 91 with his FB and sat in the 87-89 range consistently. More control than command at this point with the offering. He pairs it with a sharp SL that ranged anywhere from 75 to 80 mph. Shape varied at times but it has tight, late bend with depth when thrown at its best. Puyallup did a solid job of not offering at SL’s that didn’t make it into the strike zone. At the plate, Clow sets-up in a balanced, relaxed stance just slightly open to the pitcher. Generates above average bat speed with easy effort. Maintains a disciplined approach and doesn’t expand or chase early in the count. Level barrel path into the zone with the typical, smooth lefty finish. Shifted over to 2B when his outing was over. Possess actions that play at any INF position with the arm to match. While it wasn’t a big game in terms of production, Clow certainly reaffirmed that he’s one of the top overall talents in the state for the 2020 class.

 

‘22 3B/RHP Willy Hernandez came on in relief for Beamer after beginning the game at 3B. The big bodied youngster has some rawness to his game but possess the actions and skill to develop into a solid prospect. Looks to be about 6-foot-1 and roughly 210-215 pounds presently. On the mound, pitches out of a high, over the top release. Shorter stride length creates tough downward plane on the ball when everything times up properly and he can work down in the zone. Stuck with the FB rather exclusively in this outing. Currently sits 75-78 but given his age and size, there’s reason to believe more velo will develop over time. Defensively he fits the mold of a corner INF. Moves with deliberate tempo and maintains balance while working thru the ball at 3B. Promising body control for his size. How his frame develops physically will have a big impact on the bat and his offensive game. 


Lastly, Beamer has 2 athletic seniors that should figure prominently into their offensive production moving forward. ‘19 OF Trystan Plunkett, Centralia College commit is a lean and wiry athlete who can track it down in CF. Light on his feet with long, rangy strides. Clean arm action from high ¾ release. Moves with ease and has the look of an above average defender. There’s some swing and miss in his game offensively, but given his size, strength and athleticism it’s reasonable to think he can eventually produce more contact down the road. ‘19 OF Kincade McFarlane is a 2-sport athlete who’s currently committed to Western Oregon University for football. But until he makes his way to the gridiron in the fall, he’s going to look to do some damage with his powerful left-handed swing. Strong, physical frame at 6-foot-2, 225 pounds. McFarlane showed some juice in his barrel when he drove a ball to his pull-side gap. He was responsible for the only RBI of the game for Beamer.