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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA - Three games last week and two the previous week provided some glimpses of some of the top players in the region. Some of the games were targeted due to one player in particular, while others were attractive due to the quantity of talent in the game.

There was a scrimmage on 3/13 between club teams with Cardinal Newman players and Casa Grande players. St. Patrick's Day had me in Danville for Granada vs San Ramon Valley. Last week had a Tuesday-Thursday stretch with Drake at Marin Catholic, Rocklin at Woodcreek, and Pittsburg at Deer Valley.

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3/13/21 - Petalocos (Casa Grande HS players) at Santa Rosa Rebels (Cardinal Newman players)

2021 RHP Gavin Ochoa was on the mound for the Petalocos, facing a group of Rebels featuring a strong core of talented 2021 grads; SS Carson Crawford (Cal), C Shane Moran (LBSU), and MIF/P Aidan Lombardi. 

Lombardi is an uncommitted SS/P and one of the top uncommitted talents in California and he had great showing, particularly with the bat vs one of top 2021 RHP in the region (Gavin Ochoa). Went 4-5 including triple and two other hard hit balls. 2-2 vs Ochoa, both times off FB 90-91 mph, approach was clean, took inside FB to pull side and first pitch FB middle/away to right centerfield. Runs above average, near plus when underway. Showed well above average defensive range and ability to make touch throws on the run with outstanding body control. On mound was 88-90, aggressive to strike zone, didn't use what we've seen as a above average slider as it was a short one inning, closer type outing.

3/17/21 - Granada (Livermore) at San Ramon Valley

2023 LHP Joshua Morano (Arizona commit) was on the mound for Granada, facing an offense led by 2022 OF Jaron Nevarez (San Diego State commit) of San Ramon Valley. 2022 RHP Michael Banderas of SRV was also of interest in this game. 2023 OF Jason Krakoski of Granada stood out with a long lean body and what looks to be above average, near plus footspeed. The arm also showed well in pre-game, while the range showed up as above average in the game. Walked in three of his four at-bats while showing strong pitch recognition skills.

3/23/21 - Sir Francis Drake at Marin Catholic

This game featured two D1 committed shortstops, one we'd seen a bit of and one we'd (or me) hadn't seen live in quite some time. 2022 SS Jonas Salk of Drake is headed to the University of Portland and 2023 SS Carl Schmidt of Marin Catholic is committed to Oregon.

3/24/21 - Rocklin at Woodcreek

This game had a plethora of talent in it, including well-known/regarded talents 2022s RHP Toran O'Harran, 1B Brandon Larson, & CF Payton Brennan of Rocklin as well as SS Caden Thompson and CF Zack Malone of Woodcreek. A player I'd not had on my radar but do now is 2022 RHP/INF Jake Harvey of Woodcreek. Two Rocklin seniors also stood out to me; catcher Chase Meggers (6'0" 180, L/R) and SS Gabe Petrucelli.

Meggers hit in the two-hole between Brennan and O'Harran and was the most impactful hitter in the game, driving a triple and double to the opposite field and driving in at least three runs as Rocklin won the game handily. The ball came out of his hand well and though there are some mechanical adjustments he can make as a receiver, overall he looked like a college caliber talent, without a doubt. As for Petrucelli, here is the report submitted in his profile; Undersized but athletically built, good baseball player w/ability to play above average defense at the college level at either SS or 2B. Strong arm, ball comes out with easy quick release while producing accurate on-line carry, soft confident sticky hands, goes to backhand well, middle/oppo approach, short quick stroke, works inside and lets ball travel, little sneaky gap pop, tough at-bat and overall showed to be a winning type of player.

First look at the uncommitted Jake Harvey (younger brother of Ryan Harvey at UCSB), started on mound, stuff not overwhelming on gun (80-84, CB 65-67, CHG 76-78) though spin and bite on CB and movement plus feel of CHG are strong abilities, clean arm action, athletic delivery, overhand slot, expect the velo to keep ticking up, there is a well-rounded repertoire here. Hit in 3-hole between two D1-commits, gap-gap middle approach, stays inside, hands work through contact, all four plate appearances consistent approach in middle. Has caught in the past and after pitched went to 2nd base where he plays when not on mound. Interesting player with talent/skill and budding tools.

Login to read notes and see video on more standouts including Gavin Ochoa, Jaron Nevarez, Joshua Morano, Carl Schmidt, Jonas Salk, Payton Brennan, Toran O'Harran, Brandon Larson, Caden Thompson, and Zack Malone.

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