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 start the event analysis with some Quick Hits on a few of the top performers. 

Complete video, data and pictures are already posted to players' individual profiles with scouting reports to follow in the coming weeks. As always contact [email protected] or direct message @PBRArizona on Twitter with any questions and/or information.

2019:

-MIF Brendan Blakeman (Queen Creek HS) has made significant improvements to his game since the Preseason All-State Games this winter. He showed off a much improved swing, getting more out of his lower half and making more consistent line drive contact during his round of BP. The front side can get soft at times, with significant forward head movement in his swing, but the progress is significant. Blakeman also showed off a quicker transfer on the infield and improved his run time to a 6.93.

-OF/2B Alex Figueroa (Millennium HS) 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 the the pull side. 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. May fit very well at a high-end juco where he can continue to make defensive refinements.

-OF Jacob Griffin (Chaparral HS) has a strong frame and 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.

-IF/RHP CJ Valdez (Perry HS) showed well across the board, posting a 6.96 60-yard dash, 82 mph infield velo and running his fastball up to 85 mph with little effort. Valdez has a line drive approach and swing plane in the box, gathering himself very early and showing an ability to be on time consistently.

-OF/1B/LHP Danny Marshall (Queen Creek HS) is coming a off a spring season where he threw a lot of innings for a program that went deep into the playoff and showed well on both sides of the ball on this day. On the mound he ran his fastball up to 83 mph 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. 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.

2020:

-C Sebastian Laguna (Chaparral HS) is a very advanced defender behind the plate, providing a low target for pitchers with good flexibility and quiet hands. Laguna posted a best pop time of 2.02 with 75 mph velocity and should develop into a college-level defender behind the plate, despite not having ideal size.

-SS Vinnie LaGatta (Valley Christian HS) was one of the top overall performers at the event. With some present strength in his 5-foot-9, 150-pound frame, LaGatta squared up the baseball to all fields with some authority during round of BP. He uses a very narrow setup and big stride to create good separation, landing in a good position to drive the ball. Where he really stood out was on the infield where he possesses solid actions, soft hands and a quick transfer with enough arm strength to stick at SS. The twitchy defender appears to be a DI infield prospect and will certainly factor in to the updated 2020 rankings at the end of the summer.

 

 

-3B Hunter Bagshaw showed some hitting ability, using a deep hand load and flat plane, to make hard contact to the pull side. 88 mph exit velocity very solid for sophomore prospect.

-C/OF/RHP Garrett Olson 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 advanced mechanics in the box, keeping the barrel in the zone for a long time with an easy rhythm and solid lower half. Olson also ran his fastball up to 80 mph on the mound and showed some pitchability.

-OF/RHP Ricardo Santiago is a solid physical specimen, looking more physical than his listed 6-foot, 175-pound frame. Posting a 7.12 60-yard dash and 84 mph outfield veto, Santiago is intriguing as a position player, but showed best on the mound, 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.