Cameron
Nielson

The U Utah commit, and PBR Future Games alum, has a strong hitting profile and emerging pitch arsenal on the mound. The projected ace of the staff this spring at Cottonwood, Nielsen should make a loud statement on both sides of the ball this spring. With an EV range over the past 6 months of 96-99 mph, Nielsen can get long in his swing, but possesses hand and bat speed to handle velocity. An efficient and consistent defender at SS, Nielsen posted an event best, 87 mph arm across the INF, and look for his arm to creep into the low 90’s over the next two seasons. On the mound, Cam has touched 89 mph with the FB at the PBR West Coast Games last August, which was a 5-8 mph range increase from this time a year ago. In the low to mid 80’s at the Preseason All-State, is a valid range for coming out of the snow and cold weather of northern Utah, as he works his arm into mid season form in the coming weeks as the HS season unfolds. At 170 lbs, Nielson has the frame to add another 20 lbs over the next few years, and as he reaches his man strength, look for Nielson to make his biggest mark from the pitching rubber, as his FB should creep into the low 90’s FB in the near future.

A Future Games and West Coast Games participant, Nielsen went to LakePoint as a pitcher only and drew attention with his easy loose arm that was up to 88 three weeks ago. But we took him to Las Vegas for the inaugural WCG’s as a two way type, to play SS/3B and again take his turn on the mound. As a hitter, Cameron put up the best peak bat speed at 83.2 along with a 99.15 EV in the workout at LakePoint. At the WCG’s Nielson put together a strong defensive showing in game play and made all the plays with his strong (87 mph) arm across the INF. At the plate, he was a bit rusty as he has been on the mound for about a month vs the “dirt” over the past month, but hit two well struck balls through the right side of the INF. Was also able to see him at a college prospect camp last weekend in Utah, and he stung a couple of pulled balls, with one a “screamer” right at the 3B that caught on a line. The arm on mound once again drew significant interest in Las Vegas as he was 84-88 T89 with an easy delivery and showing the type of fluidity to the delivery that will be a low 90’s arm by next spring and maybe a big arm by his senior year in 2023. 

A Future Games participant and one of the more surprising jumps not only on the mound, but in the workout with the bat and his overall data profile. Starting with the bat, although only pitching at LakePoint, Nielson put up the highest EV at 99+ and has the highest hand speed at 26 mph, along with 83 mph bat speed and was significantly higher than his previous event last March. The strength has shot up with just an additional 5-10 lbs in 4 months. On the mound was even more surprising as his FB was topping out at 81 in March and he topped out at 88 in Atlanta with 2400+ spin rates. The ball was exiting his hand with ease and wasted little effort to do so. The CB 72-74 had late tight and short biting action with 2300+ spin and was able to throw both for K’s and the CH is a work in progress. But we have a legit two way type with a coupe of more years to sort out what direction he goes. He will be playing both in the upcoming inaugural West Coast Games in Las Vegas and it won’t be long before he he starts getting calls from recruiters. 

One of the more intriguing arms and athletes in the class, as he hit over .450 in part-time duty as the starting SS late in the spring season, and has really come on with his arm on the mound this summer. The FB is 84-86 with a 2400+ spin rate and the makings of a future avg CB at the next level. A slight, twitchy build that has projection and will be a 90 mph arm as he continues to fill out, gain weight and add strength. The FB velo may jump sooner than some think. Plays for former MLB 1B-Chris Shelton at Cottonwood HS and will definitely be a name college coaches will want to have on their radars.