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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA - In January we will see players from all over the region at our Preseason ID events, including some players we've previously seen and there will be development gains for many of them. There will also be players we've not seen before and they will show us their tools while creating a data/metrics baseline in their PBR profile.

Looking back at players we saw either at a PBR event or in a high school, summer, or fall game, these players feel like good bets to make loud noise this spring... some because they've gotten physically stronger, some because they've smoothed out some rough edges, and some because they just flat out put in the work and have continually improved.

Oh, speaking of the Preseason ID events, here is a link to the five we have coming up. Come on out, show us what you've got! Let's get your talents and hard work publicized BEFORE the spring season.

LINK TO ALL 2023 PBR CA PRESEASON ID EVENTS

RHP Thomas Egbert, Serra HS (2024) - I last saw the lanky right-hander (6-2, 175) in early August and when he topped out at 89 mph. The arm is loose, quick and easy. Can spin the CB with bite and depth. In what is the strongest conference in Northern California (WCAL), he will be tested but has the talent to excel. The Clemmens Crystal Ball shows that he will be in the mix for all-league honors, his FB will regularly flash above 90 mph, he will pile up the strikeouts, will make a move up the rankings (presently #128), and ultimately will have his pick from among many college suitors.

SS Kenny Winters, Lincoln HS (2024) - One of the best 2024 hitters in Northern California, in 2022 he hit .390 in 114 plate appearances, slugging eight doubles and driving in 32 runs (led his team), while posting a .438 on base percentage. He has consistently displayed not only an ability to make line drive barrel contact, but an outstanding all-field approach. From what I have seen he's poised to be even better as a junior. The Clemmens Crystal Ball shows that he takes his offensive game to a higher level as a junior, hitting over .500, driving in 50 runs, with an on base percentage over .600.

INF Dante Vachini, Petaluma HS (2024) - One of my favorite 2024 left-hand hitting infielders recently committed (Luke Oyler, Whitney HS) and given that left-hand hitting is ALWAYS a sought after commodity, particularly with infielders, Vachini moves up the list of available LHH. He's coming off an all-league sophomore season and strong showing during the summer and fall. He's versatile, with experience at SS, 2B, and 3B and runs well. The Clemmens Crystal Ball shows Vachini having an opportunity to commit during the midst of a season when he contends for conference MVP.

OF/1B Tate Medicoff, Sacred Heart Cathedral (2024) - He was among the few players we saw at events in 2022 who registered a max exit velocity over 100 mph (102) and while that is great and certainly an indicator of a major tool (power), he also has shown the ability to USE that power in competition. Medicoff is a physical 6-2, 200 RHH (also runs 7.07) and playing in the tough WCAL, he will have ample opportunity to make a name for himself when facing a plethora of D1 commits on the mound. The Clemmens Crystal Ball shows him contending for the conference lead in home runs.

INF Riley Borges, Amador Valley HS (2024) - The previously listed players all had varsity experience in 2022. Borges (LHH) did not and perhaps it's because he is leanly built player needing some strength. If he's gotten stronger, his fluid swing has a chance to blossom. The Clemmens Crystal Ball shows that in his first varsity season in one of the region's top conferences (includes De La Salle, Foothill, & Cal HS), Borges emerges as a D1 level hitting talent and college programs will pay attention, following him into the summer season as they scour the landscape looking for LHH.

UPCOMING EVENTS

SHOWCASE	STATE	DATE	LOCATION
SoCal Preseason All-State Underclass	CA	01/07	Elsinore High School
Fresno Preseason ID	CA	01/08	Euless Ballpark - Fresno City College
SoCal Preseason All-State Upperclass	CA	01/08	Cerritos College
Far North Preseason ID	CA	01/15	Butte College - Oroville
Inland Empire Preseason ID	CA	01/22	Santiago HS
Peninsula Preseason ID	CA	01/22	College of San Mateo
South Bay Preseason ID	CA	01/29	Mission College - San Jose
East Bay Preseason ID	CA	2/05	Chabot College -  Hayward