The Summer Trials took place on Sunday, May 20th at Sunrise Mountain HS in Peoria. The event featured prospects from the 2019-2022 classes and provided an opportunity to be evaluated by PBR and considered for future invite-only events like the 2020 Games, 2021 Games and 2019 Top Prospect Games in June. Today, we continue the event coverage with our Outfield Analysis. Vinnie LaGatta was not included on this list, despite working out in the outfield as he is a far superior middle infield prospect and one of the top defenders in his class.

Complete video, data pictures and scouting reports have been posted to players' individual profiles. As always contact [email protected] or direct message @PBRArizona on Twitter with any questions and/or information.

Top Outfield Prospects

 

 

Alex Figueroa 2B / OF / Millennium, AZ / 2019 5-foot-10, 160-pound frame. Took the top round of BP for any player in attendance. Showing off loose wrists and an easy rhythm in the box, Figueroa has natural loft in his swing and drove the baseball from LCF over to the pull side. Has made some mechanical adjustments to get better extension and stray through the baseball since we saw him last. There's very little question about his hit tool and Figueroa is a potential DI prospect in that regard. He has also made physical improvements; cutting his 60-yard dash down to a 7.35 and increasing his exit velo to 86 mph. Defensively Figueroa is less natural, most likely fitting in LF where he posted a 76 mph outfield velo. May fit very well at a high-end juco where he can continue to make defensive refinements.

 

 

TJ Oster 2B / SS / Valley Christian, AZ / 2021 High-waisted 5-foot-9, 135-pound frame. Lists himself as a primary 2B as he plays on the same high school team as standout SS Vinnie LaGatta, but shows plenty of arm strength to play short or even center/right field. Likely the top freshman prospect in attendance, Oster stood out in nearly every category, positing a solid 7.07 60-yard dash, outstanding 87 mph outfield velocity and the type of quick-twitch athleticism that should make him a very strong follow moving forward. Really threw from the outfield with backspin and carry that would be interesting to see on the mound. Hits from wide, athletic setup, tending to lose his posture, without transferring weight into his front side. Posted 74 mph exit velo, but shows tools to hit.

 

 

Garrett Olson C / RHP / Mountain Ridge, AZ / 2020 5-foot-10, 155-pound frame. Shows the ability to be a contributor at a number of positions. He has significantly lowered his 60 time, down to a 7.19 and receives and throws well behind the plate, posting a best pop time of 2.02 with 72 mph velocity. Shows solid flexibility when receiving and good footwork on throws to second. Also moves well in the outfield and made accurate 79 mph throws, but has highest ceiling behind the plate. Shows advanced mechanics in the box, keeping the barrel in the zone for a long time with an easy rhythm and solid lower half with advanced adjustability. Posted impressive 86 mph exit velo for current level of physical development. Olson also ran his fastball up to 80 mph on the mound with a clean arm action from a ¾ slot. Showed some pitchability and feel, with a tight 11-5 curveball in the zone at 63-65 mph. 66-68 mph changeup tended to miss up to arm side and needs to be thrown with FB arm speed.

 

 

Danny Marshall LHP / OF / Queen Creek, AZ / 2019 5-foot-10, 155-pound frame. The proven high school performer on the mound showed well on both sides of the ball on this day. Marshall sat 81-83 mph with his fastball from a lower angle with a cross-body delivery that should make him very tough on LHH. Marshall also showed an ability to pour his 70-71 mph curveball over for strikes and should have value as a college reliever. The 75-77 mph changeup is a developing third pitch as he left it to the arm side at times and also cut it at others. He may have shown even better as a position player where his 7.00 60, 84 mph infield velo, 86 mph outfield velo (with very strong carry) and 89 mph exit velo were all near the top measurable posted on the day. Marshall hits with a narrow lower half, which can create some inconsistencies and could drive the baseball more consistently if he created a more solid base. He shows a relaxed, easy rhythm in the box and some surprising pop for his current body type.

 

 

Christian Roncal OF / RHP / Sunrise Mountain, AZ / 2023 Athletic 5-foot-9, 135-pound frame. Young 2023 prospect turned in very impressive performance, posting 7.26 60-yarddash and 81 mph exit velocity. Some stiffness in swing but shows fast twitch ability and some present strength.

 

 

Ricardo Santiago OF / RHP / Salpointe Catholic , AZ / 2020 Physical 6-foot, 175-pound frame with present strength. Posting a 7.12 60-yard dash and 84 mph outfield velo, Santiago is intriguing as a position player, but showed best on the mound, sitting 79-83 and touching 84 mph with a longer arm action, high 3/4 slot and slight open-toe landing position. The secondary offerings are still developing, but the combination of athleticism and arm strength make Santiago and intriguing follow. Santiago’s 67-72 mph showed a somewhat inconsistent release, tending to pop up out of his hand early, but he did flash a promising one. The 68-72 mph changeup is also developing, as he tended to cut the ball and slow his arm some. Offensively, he hits from a wider setup, creating a very wide base with his stride. The somewhat inconsistent bat path and timing don’t always allow him to show his strength and the 75 mph exit velo he posted is indicative of that. Attacks ball aggressively in the outfield with looser, shorter arm action than he shows on the mound. Would be interested to see if he could translate that over to the bump.

 

 

Carson Baker OF / LHP / Liberty, AZ / 2021 5-foot-9, 140-pound frame. Hit tool stands out; 81 mph exit velocity. Shows advanced feel for the barrel with loose rhythm and slight uphill path with some bat speed. Finding defensive home will be key to future as feet fit better at first base, but body is more suited to the outfield. 7.43 60-yard dash. Moves comfortably in the outfield, throwing 80 mph from ¾ slot with short, quick arm action.

 

 

Jacob Griffin OF / 1B / Chaparral, AZ / 2019 Strong 6-foot-1, 180-pound frame with some tools that will translate, posting a 7.09 60 and 90 mph exit velocity. With some adjustments to get more out of his lower half Griffin could drive the ball with even more authority. Back heel remains on ground throughout swing at times, works to turn barrel behind his body and swing up through the baseball. Looking to lift and pull. Posted 82 mph outfield velo with longer arm action and solid defensive actions.

 

 

Mason Washington OF / RHP / Hamilton, AZ / 2021 Projectable, athletic 6-foot-1, 140-pound frame with high waist. Two-way prospect appears to have highest ceiling as position player, where he turned in a solid 7.19 60-yard dash. Shows some crudeness in swing, but his lower half works well and there’s enough bat speed present to make him an intriguing follow; 73 mph exit velocity. Doesn’t really separate or coil, hitting from a near dead hands position and the barrel tended to leave the zone quickly. Feet work well in the outfield; tended to field ball in center of body and throw with a longer/slower release. Posted 78 mph outfield velo from high slot with shorter arm action. Sat 70-73 mph with his fastball on the mound, showing some downhill plane. Stiffer hips in delivery. Big 63-65 mph curveball shows potential with 11-5 shape and proper rotation. 64-68 mph changeup is held very deep in hand and tended to show cutting action below the zone.

 

 

Braden Watkins OF / RHP / Hamilton, AZ / 2021 5-foot-9, 130-pound frame. Offensively, hits from tall setup with high back elbow, slotting it as he strides forward to create a solid base and land in good position to hit. Gets barrel on plane and made some hard line drive contact to the pull side during his round of BP; 76 mph exit velocity. Posted 73 mph outfield velo, taking a number of steps before release and solid 7.26 60-yarddash. Also pitched, running his fastball up to 76 mph from high ¾ arm slot and slower tempo delivery. Nearly all misses were above the zone, except with 64-65 mph changeup held deep in hand. Also showed 59-62 mph curveball that popped up out of his hand.