Prep Baseball Report

5 Uncommitted NorCal 2021 Follows


Ryan Ozella
NorCal Area Scout

Northern California - The 2020 season is right around the corner and the 2021 class still has a group of players who have the tools to impact clubs at the next level. These Juniors have already produced over their previous two seasons at the High School level and are moving into roles to be counted on come Spring. All have shown the skills both in games and in showcases and should be a group highly reviewed in season. 
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2021 NorCal Follows

Notes

7/18/19
Summer Upperclass Tourney - Plus runner. Drag bunt skills and a solid single up the middle. Good barrel awareness, life in his hands, rangy outfielder, talented young athlete with projectable baseball tools.

3/30/19
vs Casa Grande HS - Uncommitted; strong and lean 6-foot-0 170-pounds, also a standout football player w/strength/body type to play that sport at a high level (tailback, slot, DB). L/L baseball profile, offensive talents are blossoming from last look in summer of 2018. Plus bat-speed, slashing stroke that plays to all fields, line drives that split gaps and good speed to leg out extra bases. Starts with open stance and sees ball well, handled pitches on both halves of the plate. Defensively has above average fringy-plus range and takes good routes, closes on the ball well, arm should approach average, presently 77 mph during warm-ups in this game. Playing RF in deference to Tyree Reed in CF but has CF talents. Quickly rising among ranks of the top 2021s in Northern CA and will emerge as a state level player.

6/1/18-6/3/18 BAWS 2018 - Strong and lean body type on projectable 6-foot-0 170-pound frame. Narrow stance from an open setup with slight crouch, strong top hand with ability to pull ball into outfield. Keeps hands tight on swing and can drive mistakes; 85 exit velocity on ball back through the middle. Average arm with carry; could see more coming in arm as mechanics and footwork improve. Uses high crow hop which saps some arm strength; Regularly online with throws. Rangy in outfield showing off makeup speed to go get the ball. Quick out of box showing athleticism. Overall one of the top outfielder prospects we've seen in Northern California 2021 class.

NOTES

8/17/19

PBR California State Games
Medium, lean and wiry build with tight strength on frame; long limbs and wider shoulders with some space to keep strengthening and growing. Showed he’s one of the best uncommitted pitchers available in NorCal with stuff to be a front line starter. Started Game 1 going three strong innings striking out three, hitting one and giving up one hit. Athletic delivery with looseness and fluidity producing late arm speed. Hands start at chest dropping to waist and back up prior to high front leg swing starting momentum down the hill gaining extension; athletic hips and ability to control them with firm front leg absorbing energy. Arm is whippy and loose with M-3/4 release; arm swing is clean allowing him to manipulate the baseball out front. FB 86-88, working 84-86 in second two innings; pitch jumps out of his hands exploding on hitters with very high spin rate. Able to utilize the pitch on both sides looking to jam and attack hitters; run in on RHH’s creates lots of weak contact. SLD 71-76 with 10/6 shape having bend occur late at the plate; best ones flash tilt with tight spin but could also loosen pitch for strikes. CHG 74 using early and showing small bottom; chance to be a strong third pitch. 2021 that should be heavily recruited.

6/02/19
BAWS 2019 - When I saw the roster for BAWS this was a name I had circled after seeing him pitch during the season. Brouse came out and pitched very well in front of a lot of recruiting eyes and made his name showing the loose live arm for two strong innings (9 Batters) striking out 5 and getting a weak ground ball. The arm comes out of a whippy M-3/4 release; athletic front knee showing controlled hips and strength in the frame. FB 83-86 T88 with life at the plate and actions to both sides; the pitch was located down and flashing the upper half to set up the slider. SLD 72-77 tight with late bite; moved it around the zone for strikes of all types including 4 of the 5 strikeouts. CHG 77-79 flashing early with arm side run; when he turns it over it flashes as an average 3rd. The frame can add some strength over the fall/winter. Excited to see him compete in the State Games coming up as well.

2/12/19
Vs Monterey - immediately caught my attention during infield with a relaxed, easy-going demeanor in the middle of the diamond showing a smooth glove and quick feet at SS. He then moved over to 2B where he made quick turns on double plays letting his strong arm work from a lower slot. That arm strength definitely translated to the mound. He’s more of a slinger than a pitcher currently, but it's a very loose and easy arm from a mid-¾ slot. The control was a work in progress during the outing as he walked two, but got through his inning without any damage. The fastball worked 80-83 mph touching 84 with the pitch cutting and running through the zone and making hitters give ugly swings. His slider was tight and quick working 72-74 mph being used down in the zone and getting his strikeout. The frame has lots of projection and is a name for coaches to follow up on.

NOTES

7/07/19
CCB World Series - Long, wiry frame with some strength in the chest, Ng continues to show his athleticism and quick bat all over the field. The hands are quick with loose wrists creating an upward whip of the barrel as he made a lot of hard contact during the first day without anything to show for it. Was rewarded on Sunday with a long HR to RCF before almost taking the pitchers head off on a hard single back through the middle. Ng covers well in the OF with closing speed and a loose accurate arm. 
5/31/19
BAWS 2019 - Medium, wiry and twitchy frame with athletic actions (7.16 60-yd). Slightly opened stance with very high hands having barrel head pointed towards pitcher; utilizes big knee lift and tuck showing balance in back hip and smooth transition forward. Strong barrel trn to get onto plane with upwards path through the zone; quick bat able to get into zone with whip through it. Drove balls to the pull side squaring it up regularly (85 EV). During games picked up some solid contacts and really ran the bases well with stolen bases of 2nd and 3rd and going 1st to 3rd. Long arm out of the glove with small arm side run from a high release; keeps the ball online through cut guys (79 MPH). Strong defense during the games as well with good range and ability to work hips to make moves.

2/16/19 vs SCHP - an uncommitted player who has been on our radar since starting for the Menlo Knights as a freshman, continuing to get better and make strides. He started his sophomore year off on the right foot reaching base twice in three at-bats and scoring one of the three Knights runs. The lefty had a nice double into the oppo gap showing off his footspeed on the turn (4.58T).  Offensively, he’s a patient hitter keeping high hands and using a foot lift to stay behind the ball while looking for his pitch. When he gets his pitch, his quick hands fire and drive through extension. Ng tends to have an oppo approach, but as he gets more mature at the plate he will begin to get the barrel head out front and drive to all portions of the field. Defensively he started in left field and fits there or centerfield where he works behind the ball well with a strong first step. He tracked down a ball over his head that was hit with some sharpness showing the ability to drop-step and track the ball off the bat. I would not be surprised to see Ng work himself into and up the 2021 Rankings with another strong season.

1/27/19 - PBR N CA Preseason All-State - Very lean and twitchy athletic frame showing length in medium frame; uses legs and loose hips well gaining ground quickly (7.07 60-yd). Tall stance with slight bend in knees keeping very high hands and high back elbow as bat head is pointed towards pitcher; slight knee lift and tuck before gaining ground as hands move back and down. Bat head whips through zone with slightly upward path on baseball and staying through the zone for a long time. Easy bat speed with balance in his stance driving line drives around the field and into gaps (93 exit velo). Defensively attacks the ball under control with quick feet; long arm swing getting to high release quickly and showing ability to put the ball on bases with flashes of more life (78 MPH). A Top 2021 to watch with the athleticism and swing to stick in middle of Outfield and hit atop lineup. He’s continued to improve during every viewing leaving a lasting impression and backing it up with strong measurables.

8/25/18 - 5-foot-9, 140-pounds, lean athletic body, lively actions, good athlete with baseball skill, starting to emerge as one of the better players in the region in the 2021 class. All tools are present and rate well presently with favorable projections for each tool. Also brings energy and intensity intangibles with his talents. Balanced hitting approach, gets behind the ball well at contact, hands work inside the ball and uses hands well in his swing. Also gets to and through the ball with good extension as he throws the barrel through contact. Willing to use the whole field while also having the ability to lash balls to the pull side. With his speed and present size he’s best off staying gap to gap with a line drive approach. Can put pressure on the defense with footspeed and hustle, he’s also a heady baserunner. Defensively moves around the outfield with life and ready feet. Strong arm with long arm action, ball exits hand well and certainly has a shot to develop a plus arm as he ages and gains strength. Strong follow in the 2021 class.

6/1/18-6/3/18 @ BAWS 2018 - Compact 5-foot-9 140-pounds with some twitch and some present strength. Narrow tall stance with toe tap timing; line drives to pull side with ability to get some bat whip through the zone. Patient and times where front shoulder opens early hitting off front foot with bat path and stroke being of the slap variety. Strong arm from outfield with carry on throws; flashes of more and ability to put on line. Average stride with ability to play better in game than down line; 4.53, Home-1st.

NOTES

10/19/19
Fall Scrimmage at Clayton Valley - Uncommitted; Played 3B/SS in this viewing, body is a little stronger than last seeing him, hit tool continues to show up as he is a hit-getter, works middle of field consistently, has a good swing trigger and ability to recognize pitches early and not chase. Saw power in this viewing that had not seen before to the left-center gap. Drove ball to all three fields in 4-5 at-bats in this game. Poised for a big season near top/middle of his team's season.

7/24/19

PBR N CA Top Prospect ID - Very long limbed, lean frame that has space for added weight and projection; uses the length well with stride length and has continued to improve athleticism (7.37 60-yd). Balanced, wider based stance with hands resting barrel on the back shoulder; rocks back with hands lifting starting barrel turn and staying balanced through forward movement. Barrel is quick with direct hands working on an upward path through the zone and showing the ability to get the barrel head out in front; worked deep to the pull side with flashes of pullside power as well (87 EV). Showed easy feet movements in the infield moving well laterally and through the baseball in time; glove is soft and makes the plays look easy. Arm has quick release with compact actions able to adjust for different angles (80 MPH).

5/27/19

PBR N CA Underclass ID - Long, medium frame with good space for growth and some current strength in lean build. Athletic runner moves better underway (7.5 60 yd). Wide, balanced stance with high hands and high back elbow. Quiet load with limited movement showing strong balance through contact. Shows a good barrel turn getting on plane early; can really drive through the ball with extension as he hit line drives from the middle of the field to the pull side with a level bat path (87 EV). Strong control of his body and feet being able to show rhythm and timing as he moves through the ball; really liked his first step and the ability to open hips for range. Glove is soft with clean transition to throwing arm; compact arm with quick release flashing some run when going to his glove side. Athletic in the infield with the ability to stay on the move in control. Very projectable body and tools that are solid with room for continued growth.

2/28/19

vs Ukiah - Smaller athletic build, started as DH and hit in the 9-hole, got first varsity knock with a double to RCF in first at-bat, has good hands, swing works inside ball, not strong yet and that is a ways down the road but does have good baseball actions both in the box and during pre-game infield, capable of manning the SS spot in a year or so, got down 1-2 in the count before banging the double on pitch left up and away, fair runner now but still developing strength in lower body, keep an eye on the overall tools as his older brother (2020) is an impressive athlete in terms of tools and raw speed.

10/20/18

Scrimmage vs Casa Grande HS - Lean and wiry build on smaller body type, athletically proportioned. Bouncy energy, field presence of a scrappy and confident younger player. Has some baseball tools that will need refining but he's got an aggressive nature. Pull side approach and got long with some swings in early counts, though does have barrel awareness and is looking to drive the ball. Could be served a bit better to shorten up and work the middle as he is not a big kid. Swing was that of a much bigger and stronger type player. Hands work and does have some bat speed. Arm plays better for the 2nd base position. Runs fairly.

NOTES

7/12/19
Area Code Games Underclass tryout - Uncommitted; athletic build and utilizes athleticism well on mound, quick and loose arm, has high inverted elbow on backside, displayed good pitchability in this look and particularly so with the fastball to the opposite arm side, early breaking curveball that has good spin and utilized it to get hitters to take some swing out, change-up with late 'dead fish' type action.
6/02/19
BAWS 2019 - Athletic and strong frame with square shoulders and growing strength. Loose arm showing a solid three-pitch mix with a compact 3/4 action; delivery creates good stride length with a slightly closed front foot. Hands stay wide allowing arm to break on high front knee and attack the plate on the arm side. Impressed over 2 innings (8 batters) striking out 4 and inducing weak ground balls. FB 82-85 T86 with heavy arm-side run and the ability to get angle to both sides of the plate; the pitch had some life at the plate with actions staying off of barrels. CB 68-71 from slurvy 12/4 shape with depth through the zone; feel for the pitch has it flashing above average with ability to throw for strikes and punchouts. CHG 77-78 with hard bottom and fade to both sides of the plate. The frame and athletic delivery are both projectable with all three pitches showing well and having a chance to make some jumps as he continues to mature.

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