Nathan
Vela

INF Nathan Vela (Hortonville, 2023) showed off a true arm that played up across the diamond at 85 mph. He worked through the ball well and showed enough athlete in him to stick in the middle of the diamond. From the box, Vela also showed high bat speed (79mph), and drove baseballs as high as 97mph off the bat. 

Hit: RHH. Balanced setup, wide base, hands slot back at load as bat wraps slightly behind head, short stride, controlled posture through contact.  Quick hands that averaged 24.49 mph of hand speed and also rotates exceptionally well, averaging 23.06 g of rotational acceleration, per Blast Motion. Barrel head travels through the zone on a level path, made consistent line drive contact, fluid rhythm throughout.
Power: 90.52 max exit velocity, averaged 81.93 mph. 282’ max distance.
Arm: R/R. INF - 81 mph. Short and loose arm action, high 3/4 arm slot. Throws played accurate to the bag.
Defense: Athletic infield actions throughout his defensive workout. Body stays low to the ground, ranges well laterally and feet work around the baseball in rhythm. Soft hands field out front, clean funnels inward with a quick hand transfer to release, plays through the baseball.
Run: 7.10 runner in the 60.

Positional Profile: RHP/3B; Rising sophomore to know in the state.
Body: 5-9, 165-pounds. Athletic, well-proportioned frame with strength attached as well.
Delivery: Drop/drive type pitcher. Flashed easy effort on the mound. Quick motion. Slightly uphill shoulders. Stays in line and lands square.
Arm Action: R/R. Over the top arm angle. Quick arm speed. Long and loose arm actions.
FB: T84, 83-84 mph. Straight action FB. Big jump out of the hand with good carry. T2079, 1914 average rpm.
CB: 67-68 mph. Flashed 12/6 shape. Okay action with good feel. Shortens arm swing, with a stiff wrist. T1870, 1735 average rpm.
CH: 75-77 mph. Thrown at FB arm speed. Flashed some ASR. Projectable pitch.  T1571, 1493 average rpm. 

5-foot-9, 158 pounds; long-limbed right-handed pitcher with some projection. Made two interesting relief appearances over the weekend, striking out three in 1.1 innings of work. Loose arm from a high ¾ slot, sat 75-76 mph, up to 78.

Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 5-foot-8, 155-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Wide stance, sets up with arm bar prior to load, short stride. Long hit path, barrel travels on uphill plane. Showed opposite field tendencies.
Power: 82 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 79 mph. Arm action is long, releases from a true 3/4 angle.
Defense: Dependable hands. Solid footwork, glove plays deep under center. Long exchange.
Run: 7.55 runner in the 60. 

Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 5-foot-8, 155-pounds. Some strength in frame; broad shoulders.
Delivery: Tall start from the center of the rubber; rhythmic side step to very high knee lift, hip turn and coil balance point, high front side, good extension, strides on line and lands square, finishes athletically. Good tempo/timing, works in a smooth rhythm.
Arm Action: RH. Long, loose, quick arm action from a 3/4 slot.
FB: T80, 77-78 mph. Consistent arm-side action, some hard.
SL: 62-67 mph. Some early feel for spin; 11/5 shape with gradual action.
CH: 69-72 mph. Slight deceleration; arm-side sink/run.