Heritage HS at College Park HS (CA)
March 5, 2020
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PLEASANT HILL, CA. - It was a riveting contest that saw the College Park Falcons and Heritage Patriots trade jabs in an early season match-up. The game featured many noteworthy players including 2020 SS/P Ryan Jackson, 2020 OF Keith Jones, 2020 MIF Chaz Myers, and 2021 OF/1B Primo Rodriguez.
2021 LHP Cristian Machado got the start for the Patriots and 2021 RHP Kevin Sharp started for the Falcons. Both didn't have their best outings but are two uncommitted hurlers to keep on the radar. Machado's day was rocky from the start. He quickly loaded the bases on back-to-back walks and a hit-batter with none out in the bottom of the 1st . He recorded a strikeout and then 2021 3B Joe Aivazian (1-for-4, R, RBI) brought home the first run on a base hit to left field. Another RBI single followed. Machado bounced back with his second strikeout but a fly ball to left-center was dropped, leading to two more runs. Another walk and a ground out would end Machado’s day. However, that would turn out to be all the offense for College Park as Heritage would slowly climb their way back into the game. They got three runs in the 3rd inning, starting with a run scoring triple from 2020 MIF Chaz Myers (Pacific), who then scored an errant pick off throw. The Patriots would add another run and eventually take the lead for good in the 4th, scoring four more to beat the Falcons by the final of 7-4. The game was called after six innings due to darkness.
COMMITTED PLAYER REPORTS:
2020 SS/P Ryan Jackson (R/R- Heritage HS - Nevada) - Easy to see why Jackson is going to play at the next level. He is very athletic and very smooth in the field. He showcased a strong arm and a quick transfer in warm-ups and it translated to the game. He made a nice play on a hard hit grounder and quickly flipped it to second for a fielder’s choice. Used his instincts and quick feet to cover second on a steal attempt that caught him a bit off guard but he got to the bag to cover and tag the runner out. Didn’t have a big day at the play, going 0-for-2 with a walk and swinging strikeout but he showed his pitch recognition skills when he laid off a tough slider during an at-bat. Stands close to the plate with hands high but has a very quiet and controlled stance, although there is some backward movement of his feet when he swings. Jackson also closed this one out on the mound, getting the final two outs (H, K).
2020 OF Keith Jones (L/L - Heritage HS - Washington State) - Jones has many of the tools that will play in college and likely beyond. He has a very strong arm, which he showed off pre-game. He has a lanky build that gives him freedom to move quickly in the outfield, in this case right field. Jones is aggressive at the plate, swinging early in the count in each of his at-bats. He makes loud contact and roped a ball to right that the fielder had to make a good play on to save it from being a hit. He took an off-speed pitch the other way, lining a lead-off double to left in one of his at-bats. Went home to first with turn in 4.66 seconds but appears to be quicker than that when underway. Jones showed great discipline staying back on the pitch and letting it travel. He wasn’t tested during the game in the field but it’s clear his arm will play. Also came in to pitch two innings (2 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 3 BB, 3 K). Showed a lively fastball that was overpowering hitters. Curve was a good contrast and had late, downward break. CHG had fade.
2021 OF Gavin Tonkel (R/R – Heritage HS - Sacramento State commit) - Tonkel was impressive, with an abundance of tools, and even though he had a tough day at the plate (0-for-3, BB, 2 K, R), the raw talent to hit and impact the game with his speed is present. He was aggressive early with a pull-side approach, hunting fastballs and looking to do some damage but also seems to know when to be patient (BB). Did a nice job of pulling hands in on a tough pitch for long foul ball in later at-bat. Had some trouble identifying CB/SL, which is going to have to improve. The strikeout in the first inning was on slider and he was fooled on a CB in his last at-bat. Made a critical error at the time in the field, when he dropped a fairly routine fly ball that led to two runs in that long 1st inning. Finding consistency, both offensively and defensively will take Tonkel from being a talent to being a player.
2020 MIF Chaz Myers (R/R – Heritage HS - Pacific) - Myers is a very exciting player and he showed the tools necessary to be a significant player at the next level. Had a big junior season at the plate and there’s no reason to think he won’t do the same this year, as he had a great day at the plate in this one (2-for-3, R, 4 RBI). He tripled and doubled and was terrific in the field at 2nd base. Myers has great presence and a hitterish feel at the plate. He starts with a wide open stance with high hands and stands deep in the box. He plated two on a triple to get the Patriots on the board and then later had a 2-run double in his final at-bat, taking 3rd base on the throw to the plate, showing the baserunning instincts that are part of his overall game that is extremely well-rounded. He impressed in the field as well, moving with every pitch and always in the right spot, showing that his instincts play defensively as well as offensively. One of the top senior infielders in the East Bay and no doubt one to keep an eye on as Heritage aims to win a DCS D1 title.
2021 OF/1B Primo Rodriguez (L/L - College Park HS – Sacramento State commit) - Rodriguez (1-for-3, R, HBP) had another productive game for the Falcons. The 3rd year varsity junior exhibited his trademark patience and discipline at the plate, which we saw in a game last week and a trait that as been present with him going back to his sophomore year. He was hit by a pitch in his first plate appearance and was able to stay back on a curve during his second at-bat, flying out. He worked the count during his final plate appearance and singled to the opposite field, which displaying the ability to use the entire field. He was noticeably not running at full strength after suffering a leg injury last week against California. Rodriguez played 1st base in this game and could be there for some extended time as his lower body gets healthy. He was run for after his single as a precaution.
UNCOMMITTED PLAYER REPORTS:
2021 RHP Kevin Sharp (College Park HS - uncommitted) - Lean and lanky at 6-foot-2 175-pounds, Sharp didn't have a great day in terms of results, but he showed the arm speed, looseness and raw stuff that will have colleges checking in on him this spring and in the summertime. We took notice of him in the fall and at the preseason all-state event and with a fastball up to the mid-80s, with late life, he's got a shot to pitch with the fastball as he gets considerable arm side action and life. Curveball is big and wide and if he can tighten it up a bit and shape it just a bit smaller and get it to break later in the zone it's got a chance to be a real quality pitch. The change-up has arm side dive and flashes as an above average future pitch for him, certainly at this level and very well beyond. Kept composure during a rough outing (like most high school pitchers he had to pitch through some defensive lapses and some bouts of overthrowing) and overall is a junior who is rising among his class of pitchers.
2020 1B/3B Ryan Troye (R/R - Heritage HS - uncommitted) - Troye has a big frame and one that is suited to drive the ball and he did just that during this game. He singled in his first at bat and then drove the ball to the wall in right field for an opposite field double, which is what we saw of him last fall at the uncommitted senior games. He showed ability to work the count during his final at-bat, ultimately popping up. He isn’t the fastest runner but uses his long strides to make up ground. Troye played well in the field too, at 1st base in this one, showing off soft hands and athletic movements around the bag. One of the top uncommitted senior right-hand hitters in the East Bay.
2020 1B/3B Ryan Troye (R/R - Heritage HS - uncommitted) - Troye has a big frame and one that is suited to drive the ball and he did just that during this game. He singled in his first at bat and then drove the ball to the wall in right field for an opposite field double, which is what we saw of him last fall at the uncommitted senior games. He showed ability to work the count during his final at-bat, ultimately popping up. He isn’t the fastest runner but uses his long strides to make up ground. Troye played well in the field too, at 1st base in this one, showing off soft hands and athletic movements around the bag. One of the top uncommitted senior right-hand hitters in the East Bay.
2021 LHP Christian Machado (Heritage HS – uncommitted) - The compact and stockily built left-hander is a talented and fairly accomplished pitcher but he struggled in this one (1IP, 3H, 4R, 2ER, 2BB, 2K), as he just didn’t have his best stuff. Had trouble finishing pitches and was constantly pulling off line with his delivery, which had to do with the timing of his hip turn. Machado showed flashes of why he has been an effective pitcher for the Patriots. He has a repeatable, effortless delivery but again, in this one the release point was inconsistent, likely due to the rough and extended inning. He showed some mental awareness by changing his pitch usage a few batters in, going from mostly fastballs to off-speed stuff, which he commanded far better than the fastball. He showcased a decent 4-pitch mix (FB, CB, CH, and SL). The FB is pretty straight but has good life through the zone He displayed a sharp, biting curve as well and was able to throw it for strikes. The CHG has downward fade and he was able to get a strikeout with it. While he didn’t have the best outing, Machado didn't implode and gave his team a chance to come back, which they ultimately did.
2021 RHP Felix Dominguez (Heritage HS - uncommitted) - The 6-foot-1, 170-pound Dominguez (2.1 IP, 0 R, 2 H, BB, 2 HBP) relieved the starter Machado, starting the second inning and essentially held College Park at bay, giving his team a chance to claw back. His stuff is still raw but he showed flashes of why he could be a force on the mound for the Patriots this year and beyond. He showed two pitches (FB & CB) and both had flashes of above average potential. His FB was straight and had some life through the zone, which allowed him to generate swings and misses, though he didn't record any strikeouts. Had some trouble commanding the curve and finishing the pitch but when thrown right, it had sharp, downward, late break. The ability to control that pitch will be a key to his development into a college prospect. He can repeats his delivery fairly and release point fairly well but there is some effort to it all, which may have led to a couple wild pitches. He has a long stride and uses the slope well to create a downward plane. There is certainly room for Dominguez to grow and fill out his long frame and unlock untapped potential. Keep an eye on this junior RHP.
THE UNCOMMITTED's VIDEOS
* 2021 RHP Kevin Sharp * 2021 LHP Cristian Machado * 2021 RHP Felix Dominguez * 2020 1B/3B Ryan Troye
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