California State Games: Quick Hits

ELECTRIC player with truly impactful speed to go along with high level hand-eye coordination that not only allows him to get to that speed, but he also showed the ability to drive the ball over the heads of OFs and into the gaps. He did so using a wood bat all weekend. Watching him run the bases makes the 6.62 60 time seem SLOW (that's the handheld time we got). Has the ability to kick it into an extra gear when wants/needs. 82 mph OF arm is plenty good to project him as an impact player at the D1 level and there is a professional future for him as well. 97.1 max EV, 56% hard hit (balls over 90 mph), 78% sweet spot, 78% line drives.

Felt like each at-bat he had was must see and frankly all over the field, INF and OF both, he is an exciting player. There is impact talent with the bat and also his bat to ball skills are outstanding, which will allow him to consistently get to the impact hitting talent. 74 mph max bat speed, 82% on plane efficiency, 99.6 max EV, 80% hard hit (balls hit over 90 mph), ran 6.78 60 and posted 87 mph INF throw and 89 mph OF throw. Hits to all fields, can handle velocity and offspeed pitches. Vertical jump of 30.4" as measured by Ezejump. ATHLETE Ballplayer.

Was already having an impressive showing as a position player with talent that shines and will draw attention (96.2 max EV, 44% hard hit %, 56% sweet spot, 44% line drives, 72.3 max bat speed, 67% on plane efficiency, 81 mph INF throw) but it was when he stepped on the mound that illuminated his status as a standout at the event. FB peaked at 90.7 mph, highest of the weekend, with 2298 max spin and 16.9 avg IVB. The arm is easy, the body control is good, the delivery is repeatable. Slider 75-79 mph with a peak of 81 mph, spin can tighten up a little as evidenced by max 2241 spin. Given that he's a rising junior, the future is quite bright.

Not an exceptional body at 5-foot-11, 180-lbs but he is strong and well-proportioned with body control to repeat the delivery. The raw stuff is good but even better is the feel for the zone with his full repertoire. The FB peaked at 88.9 mph with a max spin of 2409 and 15 avg IVB. The release height of 5.1 does allow him to pitch up in the zone and use that spin to ride the baseball. Does have a two-seam he's able to incorporate as a sinker. The slider (75-79 mph) was quick and tight with 2317 max spin and feel for the zone and ability to manipulate the pitch. CHG (79-81 mph) with BIG spin reduction off the FB and plays completely opposite down in the zone.

The eyeball scouting of him matches the metrics and data, putting Taylor firmly in the mix for the top uncommitted 2023s in Northern CA and frankly, the state. He's a well above average defensive player with middle of the line-up hitting ability and performance. A dive into the hitting metrics show 96.9 max EV, 22.3 hand speed and 76.8 bat speed, 58.8 hard hit % (balls hit over 90 mph), 64% on plane efficiency. The arm across the diamond is strong, 86 mph and accurate, footwork and playmaking ability to both his left and right and the bat talent played in games as extra base power to all fields.

A player who looks like he has a significant future in the game with the bat in his hands. The metrics and data are there and the naked eye also sees what the metrics show. The swing is contolled violence with the ability to keep the barrel in the zone and behind the ball. His power plays to ALL fields and it's the type of swing and juice that will allow him to MISS a ball or be a little late and still punish the pitch. 99.5 max EV, 23.8 hand speed, 75.1 bat speed, 72% on plane efficiency, 82.4% hard hit % (balls hit over 90 mph), 70.6% sweet spot %. The bat tools translated to in game performance as well.

Having seen Winters play on a number occasions there was, as always, an expectation and trust that he would perform well, and that was the case. He's got skill all over the field, at three infield spots, at the plate and an energy/confidence that just screams BALLPLAYER. His slashing stroke plays to all fields and he's also good in two strike counts. The ability to make plays, above average difficulty plays, at 2B/SS/3B speaks to the value he will bring to a college program and the bat has been the tool that has always stood out for him. 96 max EV, 40% hard hit % (balls hit over 90 mph), 50% sweet spot %, 71.2 max bat speed.