Nathan
Vargo

Physical: 6-foot-3, 215 pounds; Muscular, athletic build. 7.2 runner in the 60.

Offensively: RHH. Even setup, with feet wide spread; flat bat to start. Lifts hands with an up and down stride for timing. Stays behind the ball while showing an aggressive lower half. Showed a direct swing path with a two handed finish.  More line drives than flyballs and groundballs with a peak exit velocity of 99 MPH via Trackman. 

Pitching: Uses a glove side setup while using a side step. Belt high leg drive with a slight coil away from the plate. Has a moderate stride while landing slightly closed. Moderate arm swing while showing effortless and fluid actions; standard 3/4 slot. Square to the plate with finish. FB: Peak velo of 87 MPH, while sitting 86-87 MPH; life through the zone.  SL: 68-70 MPH; short action. CH: 76-78 MPH; fading action.

Physical: Large, durable 6-foot-3, 210-pound frame with an imposing presence on the bump. 7.53 runner in the 60-yard dash. 

Offensively: RHH - Open, loose stance with the hands showing rhythm at the ear, utilized a leg hang with ability to stay behind the baseball at impact, the bat head played through a whippy, slight uphill attack with short, fluid turns at the hitting window; showcased a pull-side approach generating a 67% fly ball rate, a 332 foot max batted ball distance points to doubles power at the moment and will increase soon when looking at a standout 99 mph bat-exit velocity during batting practice. A peak of 28 G’s of rotational acceleration suggests an extremely high power ceiling down the line. 

Defensively: The first baseman flashed feel around the bag, arriving on time to the baseball with the left foot. Got the chest downhill with a soft glove hand fielding off the middle of his body; stayed relatively low throughout the posture allowing for the ability to get in-line quickly with the hips/shoulders. Let it rip from an accurate ¾ slot yielding easy 86 mph arm strength across the diamond. 

Pitching: RHP - The righty started from the middle of the rubber with up tempo pace in the delivery, quick side rocker and raced into a repeatable stack position with hip coil; worked violently down the mound with an upright torso position through the land phase. FB ranged from 83-85, T86 mph with solid ride (21 inches of IVB) paired with impressive extension on the front side (6.35 feet on average). Mixed a quality 68-70 mph breaker with late, two plane shape. Countered with a 73-75 mph CH that he effectively killed spin on (1451 RPM average) generating consistent fade to the arm-side (12.7 inches on average).

Showcased a physically advanced 6-foot-2, 195-pound frame with present strength in an overall projectable frame. The primary right-handed pitcher sat 75-78 mph out of a high ¾ arm-slot with a “straight-arm” pause at the hip in the takeaway. Mixed in a 57-60 mph curveball showing occasional 11/5 shape. Countered with a 61-64 mph changeup that will be improved with increased arm-speed. The right-handed hitter begins with a balanced, even stance utilizing a knee-knock stride to initiate a slightly uphill barrel path with weight shift into the hitting zone. Generated hand speed with occasional length towards contact point allowing for pull-side lift during batting practice. Recorded an impressive 88 mph bat-exit velocity while hitting into a stiff front side and ran a 7.75 60-yard dash. The first baseman showed off adequate footwork while playing moderately low to the ground using a soft glove hand to play through the ball. Utilized occasional inside turns on double play footwork yielding accurate 77 mph arm-strength across the diamond.

6-foot-1, 190-pound right-handed hitter begins from a balanced, square stance with a leg-lift stride. Showcased advanced feel, generating consistent backspin evidenced by his 82 mph bat exit velocity. Utilizes good momentum defensively, which lets his 68 mph infield-arm carry across the infield. Right-handed pitcher starts from a high 3/4 arm-slot with a good takeaway. Recorded one of the top overall performances of the day. Fastball showed arm-side-run at 70-72 mph while topping out at 73 mph. Curveball was 55-58 mph with 11/5 rotation. Changeup featured at 60-63 with arm-side-run with room for improvement on its sell.

Offensively, initiates swing from neutral set up with short stride staying neutral. Weight and separation are adequate. Benefit would be gained from more aggressive connection of back elbow . There is leverage while transferring weight into firm front side. A 77 mph bat exit velocity was recorded. There s considerable offensive upside in this very young, developing player.

Defensively, would benefit from greater commitment to working bottom up and playing through baseball while following throws.

On the mound working out of high 3/4 arm slot there is balance, rhythm and repeatability.. Arm action is long and loose with low effort to delivery. FB was up to 68 mph with arm side run. CB sat 47-48 mph showing 11-5 shape and moderate depth. CH is work in,progress with slowing of arm. Solid command was demonstrated. Overall, Vargo is advanced on the hill at this stage of his development.

+ 2018 PBR Junior Future Games Selection (12U Team Pennsylvania)