James
Vargas

A strong 5-foot-10, 192-pound athlete with sturdy shoulders, Vargas continues to trend upward inside the Badger State’s senior rankings. Vargas produces some of the easiest high-80s velocity we saw all summer, bumping his fastball up to 90 mph a handful of times early on in his outings. The relative ease and polish that he works downhill with throughout his delivery suggests even more velocity is left in the tank, too. We’ve seen him throw a fading changeup with confidence in the past and his slider flashed late break off a 10/4 plane at 70-72 mph in this look. Vargas also enjoyed quite the power surge at the plate throughout the tourney, going 5-for-8 with two grand slams and a double. He’s a top-35 prospect in our overall Wisconsin 2022 rankings and he’s still uncommitted. 

At our 17u tournament at The Rock in Franklin, WI, Vargas toed the rubber during the night game. Vargas' fastball sat 85-88, touching 89 mph throughout the entirety of the game and had late life through the zone. This overpowering fastball got him 16 strikeouts through his six innings of work; one of the most dominating performances that we have seen on the mound throughout the summer.

Vargas is a 5-foot-10, 192-pound, two-way prospect who stood out with his defensive abilities on the infield. Vargas – listed at a compact, 5-foot-10, 192 pounds – moves better than expected, ranging around with fluid/active feet at times while showing soft, sure hands and a strong arm that played at 87 mph across. He also ran a 6.92 laser-timed 60. Vargas hopped on the mound later in his workout and continued to build off previously impressive live looks. He showed a complete three-pitch mix, all of which were thrown for strikes, and improved his fastball velocity, now sitting at 84-86 mph.

Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-foot-10, 183-pounds.
Delivery: Squared start from the right side of the rubber; simple side step to high knee, level shoulders square to home. Lands square, toe-closed, finishes in an athletic position. Easy effort invovled.
Arm Action: RH. Long, loose, arm action to a 3/4 slot.
FB: T81, 80-81 mph. Straight, mostly, some slight arm-side action.
CB: 69-70 mph. 12/6 shape, some depth, gradual action; flashed some late break under the zone.
KN: 69-73 mph. Firm; some spin. 

Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-foot-10, 183-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Narrow stance, slightly crouched, moderate stride length,. Path is slightly uphill, some length, hits in rhythm with consistent contact.
Power: 88 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 83 mph. Long, loose arm action from a 3/4 slot; above-average arm strength.
Defense: Actions are controlled, fluid; footwork helps square the ball up at gather. Exchanges are quick and clean.
Run: 7.02 runner in the 60. 

4/8/18 - 5-foot-4, 145-pound, athletic two-way prospect. Offensively, open setup, long stride, incorporates lower half, maintains balance. Gap-to-gap type hitter, level barrel, extension through the zone, square contact, fluid rhythm, 75 mph exit velocity. Ran an 8.05 laser-timed 60. Defensively, short arm action, high ¾ slot, 68 mph across the infield. On the mound, quick, loose arm action, high ¾ slot, easy effort. Tall and fall delivery, works on-line, lands square, finishes athletically. Fastball, sat 68-69, touched 71. Curveball, 11/5 shape, depth at-times, 58-61. Changeup, near fastball arm speed, fading action, 58-62. Three-pitch feel.