RENO, NV – Mike Neu and the Cal Bears traveled to Northern Nevada to take on the Wolf Pack this past Saturday.  This, the first of two fall scrimmages for the Pack is due to new legislation passed by the NCAA, allowing for baseball to face outside competition without impacting the 56 permissible regular season contests in the spring. It was a beautiful day in the valley, fans expecting cooler temperatures were able to enjoy the warm and friendly confines of Peccole Park. Plenty of scouts were on hand with some anticipation of evaluating players in the heat of competition for the first in the fall. Cal had the advantage early of already scrimmaging UC Santa Barbara last weekend and was noticeably a bit more relaxed as the game began.

Andrew Vaughn, the 2018 player of the year, and the PBR No. 2 college prospect was in a walking boot and would not play in the contest. Nevada left-handed pitcher, Ryan Anderson did appear in the scrimmage for his first competitive outing of the fall.  Anderson threw two innings, using primarily a FB, 89-93. The large frame, evenly proportioned left-hander has started to come into his own. He has streamlined his delivery and maintains a loose quick arm. His body still has room to add weight and strength which makes it easy to dream on yet more velocity coming. He flashed a changeup but it was obvious that after his summer workload and the late onset to his fall program, he was relying on the FB.  For Cal, sophomore Darren Baker, whom we all remember being scooped up JT Snow in the MLB Playoffs is pesky offensively. He posted 3 hits in his first 3 plate appearances and was 4.26 on a turn.  The left-handed hitting second baseman appeared a serviceable defender, but his strength was as a catalyst, reaching base and stealing bases.

 

MORAGA, CA -- The St. Mary’s Gaels welcomed the Cal Baptist Lancers for a 16 inning contest at Louis Guisto Baseball field. St. Mary’s worked in players during each of the two games focusing on seeing some younger guys in action and allowing some upperclassmen to work their way into game shape. The Gaels showed depth in their squad, especially with starting pitching, as they look to put themselves in position for another WCC title. This is Cal Baptist’s first season in the WAC and first season in Division I Baseball. Based on the way they played this weekend, they’re ready to be one of the top WAC teams for years to come. Here is a list of players who caught our eye as potential MLB draft prospects both this year and future seasons...