Game Notes (CA): #25 Foothill at #5 De La Salle
April 15, 2019
CONCORD, CA - Foothill recently broke into the Power 25, at #25 as their 14-2 record, talented players, and quality wins made us pay attention to the Falcons. Nice initial game as a ranked team... at #5 De La Salle. However, given the nature of conference games, when you can essentially throw out the records, it was a highly competitive game.
De La Salle (14-1, 9-0 EBAL) went ahead 4-0 only to see Foothill put up a 6-spot in the top of the 5th inning, with 2019 C Matt Sugden's (SF State commit) grand slam being the big blow that helped chase DLS starter 2020 LHP Kyle Harrison, who was cruising unscathed until that 5th inning. But like the championship caliber program they are, DLS responded with three in the bottom of the 5th and held on to win by a score of 7-6.
It's possible that the loss will cost the Falcons (15-3, 5-2 EBAL) their spot in the Power 25, because between them (3rd place) and DLS, there is second place Amador Valley (15-2, 6-2 EBAL). Even if that happens, they are one of the team's that will have to be dealt with in the NCS playoffs.
SCOUTING NOTES:
2020 SS Justin Durflinger - Foothill HS - Uncommitted; 6-foot-2, 170-pounds, very athletic build with broad shoulders. Shows a very disciplined approach at the plate, looks for one pitch in his zone and will lay off anything else, not afraid to hit with two strikes and work the count. Short load, very little pre-pitch movement. Has a quick but smooth swing, fast hands, with balance throughout the swing gives him ability to hit any pitch hard. Willing to hit the ball wherever it is pitched, showed he can stay up the middle but also can take pitches on the outside corner down the right field line. Seems like he enjoys and rises up at big moments and wants to be the guy up with the game on the line. Defensively he has the prototypical build for a shortstop, long arms, quick feet, very strong arm with a short arm swing for quick release, fluid fielding motion works through the ball well with range to both sides.
2019 2B Cory Steinhauer - Foothill HS - Uncommitted; 6-foot-0, 180-pounds, tall and lanky, good frame with room to bulk up. Bats left, throws right. Shows good balance at the plate with ability to recognize pitches, doesn't seem fooled on any pitch even when facing tough lefty. Crowds the plate, not afraid to wear a pitch. Has ability to generate some power with a short compact swing.
2020 3B Niko Mollat - Foothill HS - Uncommited; Smallish but compact 5-foot-6, 170-pounds, looks athletic and strong. Good defender at third base, stays down on the ball, good footwork, strong arm and knows how to use his extra time from third base, also has ability to make highlight plays with lots of range in the hole. Seems like he could fit anywhere in the infield mostly at third or second. At the plate he has good discipline and makes good contact, tendency to dip back shoulder as weight goes to back side causing pop ups. If he can keep move his weight forward and attack the baseball, his strength will allow him to put up more power numbers and hit hard line drives more consistently to make him a a very nice well rounded ballplayer.
2019 3B/P Chris Santiago - De La Salle HS - Saint Mary's commit; Strong 6-foot-1, 200-pound build. Started at third base then came in to close the game in the seventh inning. On the mound, his fastball sat around 85-86 mph topping at 88 mph. Also featured a curveball 68-71 mph. Over the top arm slot giving him good tilt on his fastball. Threw mostly fastballs and had good command with it on both sides of the plate. He is able to spot the fastball on the inside corner with confidence, effective in off speed counts which is an important pitch at the next level. Came in to close the game and earned the save. Offensively, Santiago has quick bat speed which allows him to keep his hands back longer, his bat whips through the zone giving him power to all fields.
2020 3B Charles McAdoo - De La Salle HS - Uncommitted; 6-foot-0, 190-pounds, athletic build with more room to fill out physically. McAdoo crowds the plate to take away the outside corner from the pitcher, looks for a ball left out over the plate. Also has a good eye and forces the pitcher to come into the zone. He was able to execute a very impressive bunt on a squeeze play that scored two runs, pitcher tried to pitch out but he reached way out of the zone to get the job done, a skill that won't go unnoticed by college coaches. Shows good discipline and high baseball IQ. In this one he went 1-for-2 with 3 RBI.
2020 LHP/1B Kyle Harrison - De La Salle HS - UCLA commit; 6-foot-2, 200-pounds, well-proportioned, long and strong. Three pitch pitcher, FB 88-90 T91, CB 73-76, SL 79. Simple and clean mechanics from the left side, looks effortless even when he runs it up to the low 90s, late arm side run making it difficult for hitters to square one up and causes more swing and misses. Both off speed pitches have tight spin and late movement, curveball is slightly more loopy as it is slower than the slider. Showed good feel with curve, able to throw it for strikes repeatedly in any count. Slider was thrown as an out pitch against opposing lefties, could be an effective pitch against righties if he is able to throw it in on the hands to righties. Held composure well on the mound, showed good poise and presence. Also contributed at the plate, going 1-for-3 (R, RBI).
2019 RHP Dylan White - De La Salle HS - U of Chicago commit; 6-foot-2 200-pounds, athletic build, long and lanky, is typical looking collegiate type pitcher both physically and stuff wise. Pitches from 3/4-slot 85-86 with FB, CB 65-68, SL 72-73. Able to mix his pitches well and keep hitters off balance. Shows exceptional command, attacks the strike zone, doesn't often fall behind in counts, can throw all three pitches for strikes, high K:BB ratio. Gets quick outs, came in when opposing team had momentum in a big inning and quickly quieted the rally and the bats, keeping his team in it and gave them the chance to come back and win.
OTHER NOTES:
2020 OF Keoni Coloma had a big game for the Spartans, going 2-for-3 (R, RBI), he's a left-handed hitter with a slashing swing and plenty of bat speed, intense at the plate, good presence on the field, certainly one of the many DLS players to be aware of now and in the future.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
| SHOWCASE | STATE | DATE | LOCATION |
| N. California Underclass ID | CA | 05/26 | Islanders Field - Lathrop |
| Inland Empire Futures Games Trials | CA | 06/01 | Norco High School |
| SoCal ProCase | CA | 06/08 | Hart Park |
| Northern California ProCase | CA | 06/09 | Delta College - Stockton |
| Bay Area Open Showcase | CA | 06/26 | Laney College |
| Inland Empire Top Prospect ID | CA | 07/23 | Santiago High School |
| Norcal Top Prospect ID | CA | 07/24 | St. Mary's College |
| Junior Future Games / Future Games | NATIONAL | 07/30 | LakePoint |
| Rising Stars Showcase | CA | 09/21 | Santiago High School |