California Insider: 2019 California Uncommitted Standouts

January 19, 2018
Les Lukach
State Director

The class of 2019 is once again loaded in the state of California, and while most of the top players in the class have long been committed to four-year schools, there are plenty of noteworthy players that remain uncommitted.

Below we will take a look at some of these players in no particular order.

Justin Campbell RHP / Simi Valley, CA / 2019

Campbell is a well known prospect not only in California but nationally as well after having pitched on the USA Baseball 15U National Team a couple summers ago. At 6-foot-7 Campbell has scouts dreaming on what the final product will look like with more physical maturity. Campbell regularly works in the upper 80’s to the low 90’s and has shown improved command with his fastball. His 12-6 curveball has improved enough since last season that it’s now become an out pitch for him. He also shows feel for an improving changeup giving him an arsenal that really stands out at the high school level.

Javier Felix RHP / Santa Cruz, CA / 2019

Felix usually works in the 85-88 mph range with his fastball that he keeps in the hitting zone and shows glove side run. His slurve is an out pitch now and he mixes in a true two-plane curveball at 71-73. Works quick on the mound without much wasted motion or energy. There is room for growth not only on his frame, but in his pitchability as well. Seems to be just scratching the surface of where he will end up.

Brock Jones OF / 1B / Buchanan, CA / 2019

A two-sport athlete, Jones showed very well at the 2017 Area Code Underclass Games which carried over into limited fall action. Using a compact, balance stance, Jones has a high leg kick trigger before getting the barrel into the zone with a level plane swing that shows some current power as evidenced by his no-doubt home run at the event. Presently a gap-to-gap hitter with power, Jones does not get cheated at the plate. Shows very good pitch recognition. At 6-foot 180 pounds, Jones has the frame that will easily add more mass.

Elias Rios OF / Cypress, CA / 2019

Rios has prototypical outfield size at 6-foot-3 with broad shoulders and long legs that will support the addition of more mass. An advanced runner, Rios has the range to both sides to make the difficult plays look easy. His defense and arm are his current carrying tool as he routinely makes online, accurate throws with carry. The bat has shown steady progress since the end of last season. From an upright stance, Rios uses a toe-tap and low leg kick trigger to initiate his swing. Shows good pitch recognition and zone awareness.

Damone Hale SS / OF / John Glenn, CA / 2019

A hyper-athletic 6-foot-3 175 pound shortstop, Hale has a large frame, long limbs and present strength. Shows smooth glove actions with nimble footwork when ranging to the ball and funnels it in a little deeper - even with feet - while working through the exchange with clean actions. Present arm strength allows for accurate throws with carry from a high three-quarters slot. A right handed hitter, Hale uses a slightly open stance with an exaggerated left leg trigger. A compact, fluid hand path to the ball results in a lifted plane with present bat speed and loud contact to the gaps.

Sebastian Pelayo SS / 2B / St. Francis, CA / 2019

Pelayo is a 6-foot 165 pound middle infielder with a large frame with an athletic build and long limbs that projects for additional strength. Flashes smooth, athletic footwork when surrounding the ball while receiving the ball out front and working through exchange with fluidity. At the plate Pelayo uses a simple, direct path that maintains the barrel in the zone resulting in line drives sprayed from gap-to-gap. Aggressive approach to get barrel head to the ball.

Spencer Bullock RHP / 1B / Foothill Technology, CA / 2019

With a long, lean frame Bullock projects to add size and strength to his 6-foot-2 165 frame. The right handed pitcher uses a medium-to-high leg lift to initiate his delivery. Stays tall and creates coil when he gathers. At times lands slightly open. Uses a three-quarter slot. Fastball shows arm-side run and works primarily in the low-to-mid 80’s. Curveball has 11/5 shape and is tight and flashes good depth working in the low 70’s range. Shows very good understanding of pitching while working both sides of the plate and mixing pitches and delivery.

Griffith Fenn OF / Pleasant Valley, CA / 2019

At 5-foot-11 165 pounds, Fenn is a left handed hitter that produces very good bat speed that results in line drives that pepper all fields. Using a slightly open stance, Fenn uses a smooth, loose swing that utilizes his strong hands. His approach is simple, balanced, and under control. As an outfielder he shows good fundamentals when attacking the ball. Arm has present, developing strength that result in accurate throws with carry.

Benny Casillas SS / 2B / El Segundo, CA / 2019

For Casillas the bat is a little ahead of the defense at the present time, but not by much. Operating from an open stance, Casillas has a loose, fluid swing with good bat speed while hitting the ball out front and looking to drive it to the gaps. Shows the ability to pull the ball with power potential. An aggressive runner on the bases, he shows a knack stealing bases and getting good reads off the pitcher. Defensively he shows good, soft hands and the ability to make plays on the move with strong, accurate throws across the diamond.