Carson
Stevens

Uncommitted as of this post; vs Buchanan HS - one of the better uncommitted players in California. He was in the 4-hole for this game, not so much because he's a big time power source but because he can bang a ball but he also understands game situations and can provide a team-type at-bat or be a run-producer. He was just off in a few at-bats and it's not due to timing, his timing is good, his balance is good. It's that he lost the barrel at contact and that could be a product of trying to do extra base hit damage vs staying above the ball with his top hand and driving the ball, which his strength. All three at-bats ended with on-time and good barrel contact. In any case, he will be fine with the bat. It's his defense that is his calling card anyway. In this one he threw out two runners (pop times aren't super low but he's accurate and competitive in the 2.05-2.10 range, arm is 74-76 mph), blocked well, can absolutely receive and does winning-type things that aren't hard to see. He blocks curveballs in the dirt with runners on base, his team will throw breaking balls in the dirt with two strikes, and he doesn't flinch. Having watched him play multiple times, I see the same thing all the time. He's a D1 catcher who just hasn't been offered the right opportunity yet. Oh, interesting to note is that his twin brother is his teammate, LHP Grant Stevens.

Uncommitted; not much more to report on all the good D and intangibles that regularly show up, but he HAS made an adjustment in his swing mechanics, kept top hand above the ball longer on the way to contact and was able to keep the barrel on plane with the pitch. Regularly is on-time to just about any velocity but barrel control was a struggle recently. In this outing, vs a 86-89 mph D1 commit pitcher he was dialed in. Arm still is the one tool that can improve as the throws can tend to tail a bit into the runner. Doesn't tend to hurt the pop times and accuracy though as he as 2.04 in the warm-ups and he was on the money. Drew two BB and the AB referenced previously was a double to the fence in deep LCF.

Fall tournament over three days - Uncommitted and one of the top such catchers in Northern California. Proportioned 5-foot-10, 170-pounds on average frame with lean strength in upper half and more defined strength in legs; space to strengthen as he matures. Stance has high hands with a high back elbow and a high front knee; quick hands produce a short swing that showed the ability to pepper the pull gap and middle of the field during BP producing 89 exit velocity. Good timing at the plate, frequently worked deep into counts, drew multiple walks, knows what he wants to hit, has a run producing type mentality, can stay above the ball a bit better in order to drive the outer third fastball to right. Showed very well on defense with a quick arm (75 mph testing) that showed late flicks producing balls regularly on the base (2.0-2.16). Blocking was strong, agility really plays, not only high level blocking ability but controls and steers the black well by producing soft controlled bounces and flashes of ability to smother pitches preventing run game for opposing teams. Fringe-average runner (7.31) that looks better underway rather than initial burst and has ability to go 1st to 3rd. 

Uncommitted. 5-foot-9 160-pound strong athletic body, compact and well-proportioned. Also plays fullback on the school football team. Lean, durable, tough minded hard working player perfect for the catcher position, and could play other positions on the field. Extremely efficient player all over the field. Fundamentally sound behind the plate with middle infield type mobility and hands receiving. Pop-time to 2nd base consistently 2.1 seconds. Very efficient hitter who makes the most of every at bat, good hitting in all situations. Contact hitter, upside is his pop at the plate as his body matures. Has caught two no-hitters this season. Good contact skills with a little gap pop, can drive in a run and also execute team-oriented at-bats. Good baseball player, winner.