BAWS 2018 - Top Underclassmen - Scouted by PBR
August 2, 2018
From June 1-3 we were on hand in Stockton (CA) to see 148 players at Bay Area World Series 2018, at Klein Family Field on the campus of the University of the Pacific. The event featured 70 2019 grads, 55 2020 grads, and 23 2021 grads. Let's dive in and take a look at some of the standout 2020/2021 grads at BAWS 2018. Click on the player's name for his full profile, including video for those that have it within their profile.
2020/2021 Grads
Drew Dowd – Serra HS (San Mateo), LHP, 2020; 5-10, 165, L/L
Built like a good young athlete and pitches like one too. Does look the part as a hitter and position player but it’s on the mound where he’s making his name. Clean arm, good angles, ball comes out easy, has feel of three pitches, fastball up to 86 mph, keeps down well. Slider 71-74 mph gets under bats, flashed change-up.
Nick Yorke – Archbishop Mitty HS (San Jose), SS/2B, 2020; 5-11, 185, R/R
Perhaps the top overall player at BAWS 2018, regardless of class. Strong young player with athleticism to compete all over the diamond. Bat speed and feel for the bat, gap power now and should develop more as he ages. Strong arm with good defensive instincts. Big time motor, leader, winner type. Awarded Top Teammate, along with brother. Baseball Player.
Nick Kresnak – Acalanes HS (Lafayette), OF/3B/P, 2020; 6-1, 200, R/R
Not real complicated about what is to like about Kresnak. He can hit and looks to be one of the better right-handed hitters in the region in this class. Physical hitter with bat control and a whole field approach, with power to all fields. Strong corner type arm, have seen more of him in outfield than at 3B. On mound, strike thrower with feel of fastball up to 85 and also above average feel of offspeed offerings. He’s a talent.
Jake Torres – Bella Vista HS (Fair Oaks), LHP, 2020; 5-11, 160, L/L
Athletically built young left-hander who went through hitters like a buzz saw. Quick worker, tempo was simply excellent. Used fastball (up to 82 mph, played quicker than that) on both sides of plate, can get in vs right-handed hitters. Feel of the fastball was top notch. Curveball with depth to illicit swings and get under bats. Fun to watch. Got easy outs.
Omar Plascencia – Bear Creek HS (Stockton), C, 2020; 5-11, 180, R/R
Chance to be one of the better defensive catchers in 2020 class in the region. Strong body, built well for the position now and going forward still has room to physically mature. Legs work really well for him behind the plate, got off low pop of 1.84, on the bag regularly. Strong quick hands at plate, stays behind ball well.
Michael Brown – Vacaville HS, 1B, 2020; 6-4, 235, L/L
About as noticeable as any player a scout will come across, in a physical presence capacity. Not just a big kid, but he has legit hit tools and present day power that projects to be plus raw and usable power down the road. Fairly short stroke given his size and age, impressive. Works bag well, feet work, confident arm.
Ben Newton – Albany HS, SS/2B, 2020; 5-10, 150, S/R
Hard to keep your eyes off Newton. His energy and love of playing is very apparent, kind of kid who sits outside the dugout if he’s not playing, talking up teammates, ballplayer. Tools are good too. Compact stroke that is playable on both side of plate, line drive hitter. Good infield footwork allows arm to play up a bit.
Max Rettig – De La Salle HS (Concord), 3B, 2020; 5-11, 170, R/R
His ability to regularly get the barrel to the ball was strong. Short swing, direct to the ball, disciplined in his approach and swing discipline. Lots of loud contact to all fields and it all starts with a small and simple load. Defensively ranged well to left and right, good arm, chance to develop at more than one infield position.
Nolan Dunkle – Justin-Siena HS (Napa), RHP/3B, 2020; 5-11, 180, L/R
Competitive right-hander with an aggressive approach to the game, which is fun to see in a pitcher. High knee lift somewhat reminiscent of Trevor Hoffman, works to gather and use lower body. Bit of max effort, fastball up to 84 mph, more in there, big curveball and also a slider up to 75 mph, somewhat of a cutter.
Sean Loder – Tamalpais HS (Mill Valley), C/3B, 2020; 6-0, 170, R/R
Lean bodied backstop who showed talent to be a strong defensive catcher with a chance to compete with the bat. Defensively he threw accurately with above average arm strength, with a low pop of 1.93. Solid blocking skills as well. Offensively more of a pull oriented approach but loud contact when on time.
Tyree Reed – Will C. Wood HS (Vacaville), CF, 2021; 6-2, 170, L/L
Fluid and graceful athlete, moves around like he can roam from gap to gap. Long strider, gets to top speed easily. Strong arm in terms of exit from hand, though mechanics can smooth out for more carry. Offensively has easy bat speed and can whip the barrel. The more he uses whole field, the better he’ll be.
Tommy Splaine – Archbishop Mitty HS (San Jose), C/P, 2021; 6-4, 195, R/R
Big time body, presently strong and so much room to fill out and mature. Tools are there now but has plenty of ceiling to reach. Loose easy swing with good bat control projects ability to hit for average and the power he will develop. Defensively showed strong receiving skills, good arm, and given his big young body, competitive pop times (low of 2.10). On mound, up to 84 mph with late life and feel of change-up.
Gavin Tonkel – Heritage HS (Brentwood), OF, 2021; 6-1, 165, R/R
Lean wiry athlete with plus speed and likelihood of maintaining that tool as he physically matures. Has quick twitch ability. Made consistent hard contact and showed balance at plate. Accurate thrower with arm that projects to be above average. Pitches, but it’s the speed/defense that will draw attention to him.
Jason Booker – Rodriguez HS (Fairfield), CF/3B, 2021; 5-10, 160, R/R
Versatile and twitchy athlete, has game that can cause havoc for opponents. Slashing type hitter with fast hands and a short stroke, which should allow him to hit multiple pitches and speeds. Surprising pop given his size. Plus runner down line and better underway. Good outfield arm and good ball tracking ability.
Jordan Fisher – American Canyon HS, OF, 2021; 6-0, 170, L/L
Made highlight reel catches in outfield all weekend, showing exceptional range and determination to make plays. Throws were on-line and accurate with carry and there is still more in there as he develops. Showed ability to drive mistakes, ball left his bat well, good hands. Just scratching the surface as a hitter.
