Bryce
Gundersen

At Watsonville: I’ve been following Bryce for a couple years and continue to think highly of his skillset. In a game where opposing pitchers walked 17 in 5 innings, Bryce was calm and patient at the plate finding pitches he could put good swings on and doing just that. 2 BBs, and 2 hits to the 6-hole with a stolen base as well. Barrel was cutting the zone a bit during the viewing but showed good bat speed and his burst out of the box is easy (4.45T). Didn’t have any defensive chances in this one, hence the Quick Hit.

Uncommitted Senior Games: 

6.86 60yd, 82 INF MPH, 87 EV

Medium, wiry long frame with squared shoulders; athletic feet and projects to keep adding strength (6.86 60yd). Crouched, balanced stance with high back elbow keeping hands at back shoulder; foot lift gets him into the lower half as the hands pull the knob down and back towards the catcher. When controlling the forward movement allows the barrel to work upwards through the zone with quickness and square up the ball more consistently to the gaps (87 EV); squared one up at the SS in game for a hard out. Defense was very good during the game showing his range into the OF and on a top ball throwing a strike while on the move; also played well in OF closing on balls showing the athleticism translates. During Workout first step skills were present showing independent glove work allowing him to move laterally in time; arm release and ability to manipulate angles can continue to improve (82 MPH).

NCA Top Prospect ID - Strong and athletically lean frame with projection for more added on; quick, inline runner with fast feet (6.77 60-yd). Squatted and balanced at the plate keeping high even hands and high back elbow; knee tuck with hands pulling knob to catcher allowing weight to transfer efficiently. Barrel moves easily with the ability to get on plane and work upwards through the zone; quick and compact swing allows natural strength to come out. Drove ball gap-to-gap with power showing up to the pullside as well (90 EV). Plays low at shortstop with quick, active feet and ability to chop step to work in time through the baseball; understands timing moving well laterally. Arm is compact able to make throws from all angles for the position (83 MPH).

Vs Santa Cruz - Uncommitted. Medium build with high waist and very lean, wiry build; strength is in the frame and wider chest suggest more size could still be coming. Put together 3 quality at-bats while also taking HBP. Build and actions of a guy who can stick in the middle of the diamond and be a table setter for the offense. Wide stance with slight crouch being balanced as he keeps hands at back shoulder with high back elbow. Pushes into the ground as he sinks into his back hip with slight knee tuck; hands work down and back into shoulder as he creates nice stretch separation between upper/lower half. Hands stay tight to the body with quick turns having swing work through the zone staying inside the ball and flashing late bat-speed on upwards path; really drives the back leg helping to make hard contact. Three quality AB’s with the 1st one being a deep AB, fouling off tough pitches before lining a ball right at the RF. Hard contact in 2nd AB right at the RF again before getting the barrel through the zone to turn a pitch down the LF line for a 2B in last AB (4.82T). Quick feet staying underneath him as he runs and flashing some more speed when needing it. Glove hand flashed well during pre-game pressing through the ball and matched it with quick lateral agility being able to make plays of the move; glove plays better to his armside right now and can continue to work through the ball glove side. Loose arm flashes average; times where he measures throws just looking for ball to get there and with his arm should trust it. Multiple times heard about his work ethic and desire and the raw tools should make a nice jump this summer.