CERRITOS, CA – With the 2019 season set to start in less than a month, the Gahr Gladiators played host to the Huntington Beach Oilers in a winter ball game as both teams refine their rosters and put the final touches on their preseason campaigns with sights on the regular season.

What the camera doesn't pick up the eyes do. With that said, there were plenty of standouts that are not captured on video this day, but let me tell you, there is plenty to gawk about pouring over the rosters.

For the sake of perspective on the depth of these rosters, committed players not listed in these notes are: 

GAHR  - 2019 Jayden (JJ) Cruz, CSUF; 2021 Mathew Polk, UCLA

HUNTINGTON BEACH – 2021 Shane Stafford, SDSU; 2019 Cole Minato, Gonzaga; 2019 Nick Upstill, SFSU

With a bevy of talent and college commitments on both clubs, these two well-coached teams should be primed for a big season in their respective leagues. Let's review what when on.

Josh Hahn – The UCLA commit is the #5 ranked player in the State and 50th overall in the 2019 class, which puts him in our PBR HS Draft 100 list. Josh continues to be consistent with the bat and looks like he has made a commitment to being more physical. His body composition has changed over the summer months and looks to have a big Sr. season. Will the dividends pay off on the mound? To Be Continued.........

Jake Vogel – The UCLA commit is the #29 ranked player in the State for the 2020 class and remains impressive with an all-around game, instincts, and has a consistent offensive approach that hits the ball hard often. Vogel is a plus defender with the ability to track balls down in the gap. Really looking forward to watching his development for the next few years.

Jag Burden – The Cal Berkley commit is the #37 ranked player in the State for the 2020 class and one of my favorite hitters to watch in the SoCal area. He just looks hitterish. Burden is very athletic and plays with excellent awareness. He is firmly planted in the 3-hole in a stacked line-up and has tremendous defensive flexibility being able to play in the OF & INF giving Huntington Beach Head Coach Benji Medure balance to the line-up.

Tyrese Turner – The Oregon commit is the #72 ranked player in the State for the 2019 class. You don't see a running talent like this too often. He has MLB leadoff type speed right now. I have him clocked 3.10 on this stolen base with 12 strides. It's electric and really fun to watch. If he gets on base and sets the table, the Gladiators will have a successful season. The hit tool will determine his overall impact potential in the MLB draft this June.

Brett Barrera, HBHS – This was the Stanford commit's first live in-game swings in eight months following labrum surgery. The transfer from Los Osos HS makes an immediate positive impact on the Oilers roster giving them more power in the line-up with tremendous position flexibility. Barrera can play anywhere on the field showing a high baseball IQ and the ability to hit in the middle of the line-up.

Kevin Quiroz – Really liked what I saw from 2020 uncommitted Jr., RHP, Kevin Quiroz. A virtual unknown to me before today. He displays really clean arm action coming from a ¾ slot. Quiroz has an excellent young pitchers frame that is long, loose, and projects physically all-around. He will not blow you away, but has command of his fastball. If I were a college recruiter, I would schedule a viewing. Will be an excellent project for anyone.

Eddie Pelc – The USD commit is the #103 ranked player in the State for the 2019 class. He worked 2 innings and displayed improvement from my last viewing 8 months ago. He featured an 87-89 FB, 75—76 CB, and a hard SL at 78-79. I really like his pitch-ability, competitiveness and he carries himself with poise swagger on the mound. Pelc is also a big offensive contributor for the Oilers and an impact base runner when he gets on.

Jeremy Wiegman – The Cal State San Marcos commit impressed on this day and has shown great strides and improvement on the mound from my last viewing at the PBR Sr. Games (11/10/18). Wiegman worked one inning displaying an 84-85 FB, 73-75 CB and a wicked change-up at 73, throwing each for strikes. A lot of upside to his offerings. Wiegman is going to have to be a consistent strike thrower for the Oilers to be successful this year.

Dylan Ramirez – The Cal State San Marcos commit continues to show why he belongs as a 1-2 starter, and a bat in the middle of the line-up for this stacked Oiler team. Ramirez is a consistent strike thrower that can command 3 pitches. When you go up against Cole Winn (2018 Texas Ranger 1st round draft pick out of OLU) pitch for pitch, and win, you command respect. Ramirez has to stay healthy for the Oilers to make a run.

Cole Tague – Uncommitted, 2019, RHP worked one inning featuring an 81-84 FB with cut & run and a CB sitting between 70-72. He has some violence to his delivery His ability to throw strikes consistently will determine his role in the pitching rotation for the Oilers this year.

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UPCOMING EVENTS

SHOWCASE	STATE	DATE	LOCATION
Northern California Preseason All-State (Invite-Only)	CA	01/27	Delta College - Stockton
Super 60 Pro Showcase	NATIONAL	02/03	The Max
SoCal Junior Future Games Trials	CA	03/09	O'Malley Field - Harvard Westlake
Northern California Future Games Trials	CA	05/26	Islanders Field - Lathrop