Kellen
Merkey

Merkey quickly passes the eye test with an early, but solidly developed frame that already stands 6'2 and carries over 190 lbs. of quality mass, which has the potential to fill out even further in the coming years. Another Santa Barbara-based product who will head to Dos Pueblos High School, which has a history of strong players who reach the varsity level early (most notably, currently, 2029 star Mattias DiMaggion), and Merkey may challenge for a similar early move to the varsity level. A two-way player who shows strong present ability on each half of the game with a powerful RH swing that produces consistent loft when on time and carries to all fields. He reached 89.5 MPH with his max EV and drove HR over the shallower RCF fence with impressive carry for a true 8th grader (just turned 14 in November). There is some length at times to the swing, and like most young players, he will need to develop his rhythm and approach to be consistent, but the raw foundation of a power profile RH hitter is there for Merkey. He is a sound athlete who moves solidly on the INF dirt, giving promise to a potential 3B future for him as a defender, but would be comfortable at the 1B spot with good athletic ability and a large target for INF defenders to throw to. On the mound, he flashes some present arm speed with looseness in the arm stroke that produced a FB just north of 80 MPH while living at 77-79 MPH presently with ride averaging 20" of IVB in his quick bullpen session. There is more in the tank for Merkey as he learns to use his lower 1/2 more effectively and can block behind his lead leg to tap into solid present arm strength.

Kellen Merkey, Dos Pueblos High School (CA), 2030
Positional Profile: RHP/1B
Body: 6-2, 190-pounds.
Delivery: Medium knee lift with slight coil of the hips. Small sink into the back hip as he moves down the mound. Length in the stride with body control to foot strike. Maintains direction to the ground, can pull off to the glove side in the finish.
Arm Action: RH. Shorter arm path with depth above the hips and taking a smaller circle behind the body. 3/4 release point with some extension out front, minimizes recoil after release.
FB: T80, 77-79 mph. Flashes sound present velocity with carry to the FB shape. T2049, 1940 average rpm.
CB: 63-65 mph. Shows some present spin traits with more of a slurve style shape, breaking harder horizontally than vertically. T2199, 2015 average rpm.
ATH: 7.90 runner in the 60.

Kellen Merkey, Dos Pueblos High School (CA), 2030
Positional Profile: RHP/1B
Body: 6-2, 190-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Wider base with slightly closed foot setup, weight heavier on back leg, high back elbow with hands set deeper than rear shoulder at similar height off the body. Barrel tipped overhead towards the LF foul pole. Weight shifts towards the backside further with hands pushing back to create separation from the body, front shoulder/hip coiled, small toe tap stride to a closed setup. Hips rotate with a taller posture in the turn while using the hands effectively to create bat speed. Uphill bat path geared towards loft to all fields.
Power: 90 max exit velocity, averaged 86.9 mph. 331' max distance. Flashes strong present impact for age with the ability to get the ball in the air to all fields and with carry. Power present in profile.
Arm: RH. INF-75 mph. Elbow leads out of the glove with a medium-length path in the back stroke, lower slot release with present quickness and carry to his throws.
Defense: Good first step, plays with high hips, feel to arrive early to the ball with hands on time, comfortable playing two-handed, better moving laterally at present.
ATH: 7.90 runner in the 60.