Joaquin
Covarrubias

Covarrubias brought plenty to like in his start for the Bearcats, finishing 4.2 IP with 3 K while allowing 2 ER on 6 hits. From the jump, the stuff looked alive, especially for a left-hander, and he held his velocity deep, sitting 85–87 and touching 89. He showed the ability to compete in the zone early and give Bonita a chance to win (regardless of the amount of errors), and there’s clear upside with the arm strength and overall arsenal. He worked with a FB/CB/CH mix, and the foundation is strong, but the next step is consistency with location and pitch finish as the outing stretches on. The CB has sharp shape and can be a real weapon, but the command drifted later and he struggled to consistently spot it. The fastball/changeup combo (CH 78–81) was effective at times, especially when he stayed on the edges, but as the game moved into the 4th and 5th, more pitches leaked toward the heart of the plate and hitters started squaring him up easier, possibly fatigue. The frame is lean with room to add strength, and if he can tighten corner command and develop a more reliable put-away pitch, the profile pops, because a junior lefty touching 89 is always going to draw attention. He also showed two-way value with a 2-for-4 day that included a roped double and an RBI, adding to an already intriguing overall look.

The athletic southpaw had himself a day both on the mound and at the plate for the Bearcats. On the mound he went 4.1 innings pitched finishing with five strikeouts against just one walk while scattering four hits on just 66 pitches. The fastball worked 87-89 mph and was all around the zone. He held his velo as his last fastball of the day was at 86 mph. The breaking ball is a true weapon for the USC commit. It’s a two-shape (sharp and sweepy) pitch that worked 75-79 mph and induced whiffs throughout the outing. He threw the pitch in any count to hitters on both sides of the plate. Covarrubias only threw a handful of changeups in the 78-81 mph range that were both effective and a good change of pace. He’s an athletic six-foot player who also bats leadoff for the Bearcats. In his second at-bat of the day he left the yard to left field on an 84 mph pitch that was middle-in. His athleticism was on full display on a couple of PFP plays where he gathered himself and made solid throws to first base. It is unclear if he’s committed to USC as a pitcher or a hitter, but from this look it appears he’s very capable of doing both at the next level. 

Arguably the most prolific showing came from Covarrubias who stood out in a big way on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. An athletic mover in the outfield, Covarrubias had a session low 6.97 60 along with a session high 91mph outfield velo with throws showing carry and accuracy. Moves well to both sides while gaining ground from a developing 5’10” 158 pound frame. Covarrubias then took to the hitting portion of the event where he put on a show with multiple balls leaving the yard to the pullside with a max exit velo of 95mph and 66% sweet spot percentage. Where Covarrubias really stood out was on the mound where he worked into the upper 80’s with the fastball while flashing a sharp, late breaking slider that was all around the zone. His changeup was a good pitch in a bullpen setting and is likely a get me over pitch currently that flashes big upside.

Joaquin Covarrubias, Bonita High (CA), 2027
Positional Profile: OF/LHP
Body: 5-10, 158-pounds. Wiry athletic frame with some present strength.
Delivery: Short delivery. Leg lift kicks out before driving downhill. Closed delivery from stretch.
Arm Action: LH. Over the top release. Tight arm path after reaching back far.
FB: T87, 85-86 mph. Arm side run that plays towards outer half. T2092, 1980 average rpm.
CB: 72-75 mph. Sharp vertical break with some horizontal break. T2308, 2125 average rpm.
CH: 79-80 mph. Vertical break with some horizontal break. T1696, 1625 average rpm.
ATH: 6.93 runner in the 60. 1.75 and 3.96 in the 10 and 30 yard splits. Short choppy strides.

Joaquin Covarrubias, Bonita High (CA), 2027
Positional Profile: OF/LHP
Body: 5-10, 158-pounds. Wiry athletic frame with some present strength.
Hit: LHH. Even stance with hands above back shoulder. Narrow base with medium bend in knees. Rocks feet before load. Short to the ball. 69.6 mph bat speed with 7 G's of rotational acceleration.
Power: 94 max exit velocity, averaged 85.1 mph. 353' max distance. Pulls the ball on a line.
Arm: LH. OF-91 mph. High three quarters release. Keeps the ball low.
Defense: Calm footwork progressing through the play.
ATH: 6.93 runner in the 60. 1.75 and 3.96 in the 10 and 30 yard splits. Short choppy strides.
Vizual Edge: 71.4 Edge Score