Jake
Buxton

at Montgomery HS - Cal Poly signee; Previously listed at 6-foot-1, 180-pounds, he looked all of that and maybe a little closer to 185. Lean physical body type, with defined muscularity from thighs through hips. Knee lift to waist, pinches knee at the top with 6-cleat show of stride foot, presumably to keep him over the rubber longer, short backside arm action while hiding the ball pretty well. On line stride with slight heel land and subtle rotation toward 1st base line. Engages backside well as he works down the slope, high 3/4 slot with good extension to his release point. Fastball topped at 92 mph while staying steady 90-91 throughout his 5 IP (2 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 7 K, 75 pitches, 52 strikes). Fastball control was spotty but his stuff was overpowering vs the opponent. Has both 2 and 4-seamer, with considerable sink/run on the 2-seamer. Overthrew at times with the fastball and the control is going to have to improve. As spotty as the fastball control was, he threw both the slider (76-77) and change-up (77-78) with average to above average feel, with slider grading out future average and change-up above average, fringy plus. Slider had late bite and depth through the zone to be a swing and miss pitch and the change-up had late dive and run, while being thrown with arm speed consistent to the fastball. Future fastball velocity grades as a plus, with the command hopefully getting to average. Expect him to be an upper round draft prospect for the 2023 draft. He should be seen this spring as well as he is going to get to 93, possibly beyond at some point as the weather warms.

Area Code Tryout - Cal Poly commit; strong athletic build, high-3/4 slot, very quick arm action, some effort in the delivery, attacked with the fastball (87-89 T90) as his primary offering, curveball with wide break and showed limited feel of that pitch in this look.

Fall tournament - 6-foot-0, 165-pounds, long frame with strength in legs and higher waist. Pitchers build showing frame that can add strength to it and projects very well. One of the more intriguing uncommitted 2020 pitchers in the region. Compact and very quick arm gets to 3/4 release cleanly; delivery has a down/up from chest while showing a small turn with his front shoulder with high front knee. Head has some wobble on front foot strike, but did a good job controlling strike zone in outing. Fastball 85-87 showing small arm-side actions especially when attacking that way against right-handed hitters. CHG showed short arm side run off the FB plane with flashes of getting under right-hand hitter hands. Slider 70-72 with tight spin showing short, late action; feel for the pitch and using for swing and miss.