KENTFIELD, CA - The Northern California Top Prospect Game took place on Sunday October 13th at College of Marin, with talented players from all four current grad classes in attendance. The players participated in a pro-style workout before taking the field for game play. Each position player had three plate appearances in the games, with pitchers facing 4-6 batters in their outings.

There were some state-ranked players in attendance and some others opened our eyes to the point that they will be in strong consideration for the next ranking of their graduation class. Thus far we have published our Quick Hits featuring early standouts, the Statistical Leaders, Catchers and Pitchers. Today we focus on the Infielders, listed alphabetically.

INFIELDERS

Victor Heredia SS / RHP / Santa Ynez, CA / 2022 7.30 60yd, 82 INF MPH, 88 EV Lean and wired strength frame that is still young and growing; impressive athleticism with skills to stick at Shortstop (7.30 60yd). Quiet and tall at the plate showing strong body control with foot lift as the hands show a quick rotation allowing his quick hands to work the barrel up through the zone driving balls into the gaps (88 EV); on base three times with BB, 1B to LF and INF 1B (4.76 H-1st). The bat-to-ball skills are advanced and have a chance to be a future above-average asset. Talented defensive player moving with range, working glove through the ball before hitting 1st basemen in the chest on throws with life; easy athleticism with strong footwork allowing him to make plays easily. Made some nice plays during the game as well, especially when on the move. Will be one to follow.

Dominic Giuffre SS / OF / Archbishop Mitty, CA / 2021 7.10 60yd, 77 INF MPH, 90 EV Medium frame showing a strong and agile player (7.10 60yd) with the versatile skill set to fit at multiple positions (2B, SS, 3B, OF). Defense was on display again showing bounce and lateral agility having arm move in time with feet and keeping balls on a line across the diamond (77 INF MPH); made a nice play on a pop up over 1st base into the swirling wind. Defensively seems to find the baseball and shows the timing and rhythm to be a solidly average or better defender. Balanced stance keeping barrel on back with relaxed elbows; foot lift as hands work back getting lower half into the swing with ease. Quick upwards bat path driving line drives all around the field with gap-to-gap carry (90 EV); bat-to-ball skills were on display in game with a single to CF and hard flyout to LF.

Marcus Rivera 1B / C / Moreau Catholic , CA / 2022 8.23 60yd, 73 INF MPH, 93 EV Sturdy, strong medium frame still carrying young weight; strength in the frame and can keep improving as he shapes and matures (8.23 60yd). Strength shows up in the bat standing slightly opened at the plate with high hands and high back elbow; hands stay wide away from body with big knee lift and tuck before gaining some ground and getting back hip through contact. Barrel has slight uplift through the zone being able to pull into the gap and flashing leverage to add future pop that way (93 EV). Good reactions at first base with ability to move to the armside working low below the baseball; glove was consistent at the bag flashing the ability to pull balls out of the dirt and helping give a good target for his infielders. Arm is compact; times where he measures throws instead of allowing arm strength to come out (73 INF MPH).

Mathieu Rocheleau RHP / 3B / Granada, CA / 2022 7.97 60yd, 79 INF MPH, 79 EV High waist, long frame, young with ability to project as he continues to mature (7.97 60yd); foot speed will need to improve. Opened, tall hand stance with slight load of the hands; harder foot lift and land showing ability to firm up and allow him to hit behind the baseball. Worked gap-to-gap with the direct hands lifting through the zone; flashes ability to get body rotating and pulling barrel through to get some lift pullside (79 EV). Picked up a hard single to CF in game. Showed some reaction skills that fit the hot corner moving well at SS during workouts with fair range to both sides; ability to rotate the glove quickly making some nice plays working through the ball. Arm has length and windup type of throws across; game clock was good and if arm strength increases could make a big jump (79 INF MPH). Raw tools that have the ability to make big leaps with the strong frame.

TeJean Smith SS / RHP / Laguna Creek, CA / 2021 7.36 60yd, 81 INF MPH, 88 EV Compactly built with strength in lower body, good build to play up the middle. Versatile defender capable of playing anywhere in the infield, arm strength suggests 2nd base may be the best spot (81 mph) in the future but has clean and skilled footwork that plays at SS. Raw footspeed (7.36 60-yard) is an area to improve though his instincts and angles to the baseball on defense allow his range to play above the footspeed. Offensively brings some presence into the box and in positive counts he's capable of doing damage (88 EV), as evidenced by a ringing double to LF. In two-strike counts showed a tenacious approach and ability to spoil quality pitcher's pitches. High hands set up with rocker actions using big foot lift. Bat lifts through the zone with present speed to the pull side; flashes some pop as well. Confident player with personality that draws in teammates.

Jaylen Wise 3B / 1B / Deer Valley, CA / 2022 7.85 60yd, 71 INF MPH, 87 EV Medium full frame with present strength; body can still shape the frame as he keeps growing (7.85 60yd). Keeps feet under him well in stance with hands even keeping a flat barrel on the back shoulder; coils around the back hip with slight load as hands work directly back using shallow foot lift and hang before transferring weight through contact. Barrel is flat through the zone showing gap carry driving line drives through the middle of the field; loose easy swing. High hips and low glove working in line with his footwork at SS; will need to improve foot speed to increase range though did show ability to drop step going gloveside. Stays low after fielding allowing compact arm to stay straight across the diamond; arm strength increases will help the profile stay at both corners (71 INF MPH).

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