Eli
Gennis

Area Code Tryout - USC commit; Average frame with thicker body type, loose fast arm, have seen better stuff (just a week ago at ProCase, lots at 91 mph) with life through zone. Feel for zone was wavering in this look (87-89), didn't consistently get to what is usually a well-above average and fringe plus CB with tight spin and late bite. Will have better days, the stuff and spin and competitive nature are good. 

USC commit; Fills out his 5-foot-11 frame and had a good session with a three-pitch mix that complemented his high spin rate and velocity. With a stocky build and quick arm, was firm in the zone and commanded his pitches, with a mound presence that seems to be able to dictate the competition of the at-bats.

Pitching: A quick drop step to start his wind up makes for max effort delivery that ends in a hop step for momentum. Quick arm action from the beginning, getting it in a position for a short arm action that is not only deceptive but sneaks up on most hitters.  With a challenging fastball that will reach 91 and his curveball that forces weak contact, he compliments his changeup that gets hitters out consistently. All his pitches have depth to match his velocity.

FB: Topping out at 91 and spin rate reaching over 2300, leaned on his fastball and challenged hitters early and often. Sneaking up hitters with a quick arm made 91 look like 95 due to strong ability to get to far extension at release.

CB: With a 12-6 drop, the curveball was late in depth and got quite a few swings and misses. It plays off his fastball and makes the curveball that more deceptive. Flashed what is clearly a potential plus curveball.

CH: With downward movement and late break away from left-handed hitters, the change-up was consistently at 80 mph.

Summary: Competed with every pitch and never gave in when falling behind in counts.  Command and feel for all three pitches was on display. Flashed stuff to put hitters away, best when attacking and trusting the stuff vs occasional periods of maxing out the velo.

Bay Area World Series 2020 (BAWS) - Uncommitted at time of this event/report; One of top '22 RHP in nation w/combo of raw stuff, feel of full repertoire, competitiveness, delivery, arm action. The FB gets to 90 w/spin & extension that make it play livelier than 90. Hammer CB w/big time spin, bite. Throws CHG w/confidence.

CA STATE GAMES

Positional Profile: SS/RHP

Body: 5-11, 175-pounds.  Medium frame with a sturdy athletic build.

Delivery: Works on the first base side of the rubber. It’s an athletic delivery. Fluid and efficient mechanics. Drops and drives into his legs well and lands with a straight and firm front leg that is online with home.

Arm Action: RH.  Long and loose arm out of the ¾ slot. Uses a scalp load and gets a little inverted. Plus arm speed.

FB: T90, 87-89 mph. Gets good extension with 2200-2300 spin. Worked effectively up in the zone. Used it 84% of the time.

CB: 73-75 mph. Some present side spin. Works more like a slurve. Plus 2600-2700 spin.

CH: 79-80 mph. Some present fade and downward action while keeping the arm speed.

Hit: RHH. Stands tall with high hand setup. Small leg lift trigger with bat wiggle. Gets good separation with front hip and hands. Longer stroke that is extended throughout. Swing plane is uphill. Middle of the field approach.

Power: 93 mph exit velocity from the tee. Gap to gap power. Above-average bat speed for his level at 67.4 mph per blast motion data. 

Arm: RH. INF - 86 mph. Longer arm action with plus arm speed. Ball had life and carry across the diamond for mostly accurate throws.

Defense: Takes good first steps and angles to the ball. Clean exchanges and footwork.

Run: 7.62 runner in the 60.

NorCal Preseason All-State: Gennis was the breakout pitcher at the Top Prospect Games with poise and moxie on the mound matched with a highly efficient and low effort athletic delivery where his loose arm works well through the 3/4 release. There’s still added projection as his hands and feet are both very big suggesting another growth spurt to help the frame add to it. The ball jumped out of his hand on the mound with FB (84-88 MPH) being firm to both sides of the plate, a late bottoming CHG (76-79 MPH) and a tight and biting CB (69-73) that falls off the table. Add in the fact that he also can handle the bat and glove and Gennis might be one of the best two-way guys in the ‘22 class. At the plate the high hand set up works the hands upwards through the zone and his stability on the front side allows for some kick back that creates consistent hard contact working gap-to-gap (83 EV). At SS, his feet are active as he took strong angles to the baseball before allowing his loose arm to let it go across the diamond (83 MPH); tendency to trust the arm and playing back on the edge of the grass. The mound is where I see him landing in the long term, but his knack for the game is present and will be a fun one to see later this year.

PBR N CA Top Prospect Game - Uncommitted; Max FB 86, FB 82-85, CB 68-72, CB 80
Perhaps the most eye-popping player at the event, one of top 2022 pitching prospects in Northern California. Listed at 5-foot-10 170-pounds with an average present day build, displayed live and loose 3/4 arm worked in sequence through athletic delivery changing timing and pounding the zone with three pitches. FB 84-86 with life through the zone flashing some run when needed. CB 68-72 with short 11/5 shape flashing tight and sharp ones later in the outing. CHG 80 arm-side fade. Two strikeouts while keeping defense busy with lots of ground balls. Three-pitch mix to be a starter at the next level. Young face/body type indicates that his ceiling is very significant as he is well away from full physical maturity/strength.

5-foot-11, 155-pound medium frame, wiry strength, athletic young body with room to add mass and strength. Flashed three pitches during the game and showed command of each. His fastball was firm and he was able to throw it from black to black. His slider did record some punch outs will get stronger as he continues to mature. Did throw a curve that was a bit inconsistent at times, would not spin it. Could be an effective pitch. Did seen him throw one changeup in warmups. On friday morning he gave up 2 hits and 1 earned run. Had a strong feel for the zone as he was able to command the strike zone early.