On December 4th, PBR Arizona Staff was in attendance for some exhibition games between Basha, Casteel, and Chandler High Schools. We were able to get another good look at some of the top teams in the east valley, and some guys who will be solid contributors for their programs. 

As we continue our coverage on high school baseball in the Grand Canyon State, we will be shining light on a handful of prospects from Dec. 4th competition. The PBR Scout Blog provides insider information and scouting notes from the PBR Staff. This running blog will feature information on all prospects, unsigned seniors, draft prospects, and anything else that is notable. We will provide a wide range of information, including player evaluations, velocities, pop times, home to first times, and more.

Basha

 

Nate Pokorney SS / OF / Basha, AZ / 2022 Rankings  StateRank: 119 / POS: 16 Nate Pokorney continues to show well each time out. The recent Mary University of Saint Louis commit stands at 5-foot-9 170 pounds. Pokorney is a great all around athlete with the ability to play multiple positions. He posses an athletic build with proportionate strength throughout his body. He's got speed that translates on the base paths and while tracking balls down in the outfield. His outfield play is a game changer, reliable guy in center field for the Bears with great range and tracking ability. Pokorney is a staple at the top of Basha's order who continuously puts together tough at bats. Count on him to be getting on base at a high rate, running the bases and scoring runs, and the occasional ball driven to the gaps. We love the way Pokorney plays the game and will continue to follow his progress.

 

Nathan Nichols OF / LHP / Basha, AZ / 2023 Rankings  StateRank: 63 / POS: 14 Nathan Nichols is an uncommitted 2023 prospect that could be a big contributor to Basha's success this spring. Nichols has recently put on a noticeable amount of size and strength, taking his game to the next level. From the left handed batters box, Nichols produces a high rate of hard contact and extra base hits. In the past, Nichols has been known to be a heavy pull hitter, and it's starting to seem as if he is gaining the ability to use the whole field without losing the pop. On Saturday, Nichols drove two balls to the middle and off side gap with true ball flight against Casteel. Defensively, Nichols plays a solid right field, with an above average arm. He made a tough diving play on a softly hit fly ball in shallow right field to take away a hit. If Nichols continues to show like he did on Saturday, he will be a high follow with still room to grow on a talented Basha team.

 

Landon Zaborowski 3B / 1B / Basha, AZ / 2024 Rankings  StateRank: 19 / POS: 1 Landon Zaborowski is a great follow in the 2024 class. Corner infielder with size and strength, and athletic ability that has been increasing as he grows. At 6-foot-2 180 pounds, Zaborowski has some power in the bat and an arm that is more than capable from the left side of the infield. During Saturday's competition, Zaborowski turned in a few quality at bats, two that resulted in doubles to the pull side. His second double was a ball that seemed to get in on the hands a hair, but was able to still muscle it over the left fielders head. The leverage and bat path Zaborowski possesses is key to his game. With an approach to the big part of the field, Zaborowski rarely gets pull happy, and this allows him to get some true flight on his ball. This is a big year for Zaborowski and his development, as a 2024 with a big role offensively, we expect him to put up some numbers this spring.

 

Nathan Hoffman LHP / 1B / Basha, AZ / 2023 Nathan Hoffman made a starting appearance vs Casteel on December 4th. Hoffman is a left handed arm that throws from a high 3/4 slot and has some size. It was a heavy FB attack on Saturday vs Casteel. The FB sat 81-83 mph, topping at 84 mph with some run to the arm side. Hoffman showed he can be an arm we see getting some work for Basha this year, as he was filling up the strike zone and getting outs. With added development to his offspeed options, Hoffman could be an interesting left handed arm in the 2023 class.

 

Casteel

 

Nicholas Pisano C / 3B / Casteel, AZ / 2022 Rankings  StateRank: 180 / POS: 26 6-foot-1 200 pounds, Pisano strung together 5 consecutive quality at bats that resulted in either a walk or hard contact. Aggressive hitter that goes to the plate looking to do some damage. He's got a simple swing and proved he can hit balls hard to all parts of the field. Pisano recorded 4 hits and a walk on Saturday, including a no doubt home run to left center field. He seems as if he will be a regular guy in the middle of Casteel's order that can drive in runs. Defensively, he is still looking for a home. He showed he has the ability to play first base, digging a couple tough throws out of the dirt. And he may get some time behind the plate. Pisano is an interesting uncommitted bat in the 2022 class, we will continue following and expect a move in the rankings.

 

Karsen Waslefsky SS / 2B / Casteel, AZ / 2022 Rankings  StateRank: 41 / POS: 9 Karsen Waslefsky is a prospect we have been following for some time now, and he has proven his ability, especially on the defensive end. A leader for a young Casteel roster, Waslefsky is one of the top defenders at his position in the state. He made a couple plays ranging to the middle, one to save a run in a tight ball game. The South Mountain CC commit will be somewhere at the top of the order for Casteel and expected to be a solid contributor. Waslefsky doubled to right center field on Saturday. He profiles as a gap-to-gap hitter with an occasional ball driven deep to the gaps. If Waslefsky can cut down the strike out numbers a hair, and produce a higher rate of balls in play, he will see a lot of offensive success.

 

Chandler

 

Kyle Sleconich LHP / 1B / Chandler, AZ / 2022 6-foot-1 165 pounds, Sleconich showed well on Saturday as a two-way prospect. The left handed thrower made a starting appearance on the mound vs Casteel, and was also in the lead off spot. Sleconich made quick work in the top of the first inning, featuring a FB that sat 82-83, and a SL that had some good spin. With some development and increase in command on the SL, it could be an out pitch. The SL stayed to the arm side, and he was able to have some success with it, but for it to be a serious out pitch he will need to be able to get it on the outer third to LHH. Offensively, Sleconich had an impressive day. He led the bottom of the 1st off with a double to right center, and in his next at bat he singled through the 4-hole. Add Sleconich to the list of gritty and tough players on the Chandler roster, we will continue following.

 

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