NorCal Top Prospect ID: Quick Hits

+ 2021 SS/2B Aidan Lombardi (Cardinal Newman) - 5-11, 155, R/R
Athletic, long medium frame. Lombardi showed strong improvements since we last saw him at our first event this summer (Underclass ID) with improved run times (7.37 60yd) and more strength throughout the frame. That strength showed up in batting practice where he knocked a few big home runs to LCF-LF; the hands are direct with the barrel having quick follow whipping the head out in front (87 EV). On defense showed easy actions moving well in the middle of the field allowing him to cover ground; the arm looked better and showed (80 MPH) in the readings. Will be representing Team California at Future Games.

+ 2022 OF/1B Hunter Jansen (Clovis North) - 5-11, 165, L/L
Long legged and strengthening frame, Jansen is another returner who impressed with strong athletic actions (7.16 60yd) and some loose wrists at the plate. Lefty showed a quiet load with a level swing that showed extension through contact with some lift to the pull side flashing carry that way as well (87 EV); projectable pop. The arm looks like it has a chance to fit at the corner OF spots (84 MPH) with lofty carry from the loose arm using a high release. Frame projects well and as he continues to mature the strength will increase. 

+ 2020 OF Max Porter (St. Francis) - 5-8, 165, R/R
Medium frame, wide in the shoulders with firm strength throughout, Porter showed big time tools after playing well in the Spring season and recently at the AC Game Tryouts. The arm was very big easily fitting in RF (95 MPH); hit that number multiple times with the quick compact arm showing advanced life to bags. At the plate he was balanced, staying behind the baseball as he drove balls into the pullside gap with consistent hard contact (91 EV). Even after seeing him play in the Spring, the performance and numbers he put up were eye-opening. 

+ 2023 SS/RHP Bryce Cruz (Jesuit) - 5-10, 145, R/R
Medium frame, with length in the limbs showing projectable build and athletic actions (7.60 60yd). Cruz showed he’s a projectable MIF and RHP with the strong arm being a standout tool currently. The arm showed up on defense with quick easy throws (78 MPH) and matched it with good footwork having the ability to shuffle through the baseball and keep it on the bag. Offensively he keeps the hands tight allowing the longer barrel to keep in time as he worked through the middle of the field; as strength comes so will more extra-base hits. On the mound showed projectable three-pitch mix with all three pitches firming up since last viewing and having better actions. FB 76-78, CB 66-69, CHG 72-74. 

+ 2020 OF Logan Azem (Serra) - 5-10, 185, L/R
Azem has looked good this summer at both BAWS and CCB World Series and continues to show athletic ability and strong bat-to-ball skills. L/R profile fits best in the middle of the OF where he can use his body control to go get the ball moving easy (6.98 60yd) and the arm plays up (82 MPH). At the plate Azem stuck to the middle of the field and pull gap showing a short load and compact bat with an extra-base swing carrying balls deep into that pull gap. The HR power has shown up this summer and I like the projection for the hit tool overall. 

+ 2020 SS/2B Jonathan Gazdar (Northgate) - 5-11, 165, R/R
Gazdar was one of the standouts at the Bay Area Open and looked more athletic and confident out on the field during the showcase. The athletic actions showed up (7.15 60yd) in the infield where his quick feet moved well having the ability to slow down and speed up so he was in time with the baseball; matched it with a strong live arm (86 MPH) that should stick at the 6-spot. Offensively he showed strong bat-to-balls skills from a full, quick and level two-handed swing spraying line drives through the middle of the field and creating lots of hard contact (85 EV). Continues to play aggressively and have some fun. 

+ 2020 SS/2B Bryce Gundersen (Scotts Valley) - 5-11, 160, R/R
Gundersen came on my radar during the Spring #CCSFocus coverage where his tools started to take off at the end of the season. Showed the speed (6.77 60yd) and power (90 EV) in the bat that is intriguing for a middle infielder of his size. Lean, high waisted and athletic, Gundersen swang through a couple pitches before slowing down and making an adjustment to hit rockets through the pull gap and showing the HR power that way as well; quick bat creates lift through the zone with strong usage of his backside to drive the ball. Quick feet that can stick in the middle of the infield moving easily and making all the throws including on the move (83 MPH). 

+ 2020 OF Andrew Lombardi (Cardinal Newman) - 6-0, 170, R/R
Wide shouldered, strong and athletic build with plus speed (6.75 60yd) getting to it easy. Showed the ability during the season to drive balls middle/oppo of the field and kept that approach during BP before working around to show some pop to the pull side; HR to finish the round to LCF with good carry (90 EV). Aggressive swings keeping his hands inside the baseball. Defensively moved easy with control of the body through the baseball using high release and loft carrying to the bases (80 MPH); arm will play well in CF matched with his speed. 

+ 2022 OF/RHP Wyatt Davis (Petaluma) - 6-0, 180, L/R
Long and lanky, Davis showed he’s a projectable 2022 player with good speed (6.97 60yd) and the bat/arm combo to profile in the corner OF spots once fully mature. From the left-side, showed a quiet, easy swing staying behind the baseball while working the pullside (83 EV). In RF, he showed a loose arm keeping balls online with athletic actions; as he continues to work on his footwork the velocity will jump as the ball comes out of his hand easy (84 MPH)

+ 2021 LHP Gabe Maya (Christian Brothers) - 6-1, 140, L/L
Long, high waisted and lean, Maya showed a projectable build and the loose arm working easy and in time with the lower half. It’s an athletic, repeatable delivery and once he adds some weight, the velocity will jump. FB 73-74 running with the ability to spot it on both sides of the plate. SLD 60-63 was short and tight with late sweeping action using it on both sides of the plate; strong pitch actions. CHG 66-70 showed good arm speed and was heavy through the bottom of the zone. CB 59-61 is a knuckle curve variety and it showed some flashes of overhand bite when he stays on top of the pitch. Looking forward to having Maya represent NorCal at the State Games next month.

+ 2020 OF Ryan Lew (Tokay) - 5-10, 165, R/R 
Lew is another guy I've seen a couple times this summer and the frame has added strength, showing some space still for added muscle as he continues to mature. Moves well (7.08 60yd) in the OF working to get inline behind the baseball and using his long loose arm to keep balls on bags with life (86 MPH). Offensively Lew worked with a quiet swing as he went gap-to-gap with a barrel that gets on plane early finishing high and showing the ability to carry balls some into the gaps (84 EV). Tools have consistently been present at events. 

+ 2020 SS/OF Nolin Shervais (Castro Valley) - 6-1, 180, R/R
My first look at Shervais and I came away impressed with the tools, especially the bat. Good weight transfer in the swing as he worked both gaps showing a quick bat with strength through the zone to make lots of loud contact (87 EV); flashed some more extra-base hit power with carry and backspin on the baseball. In infield, moved well (7.07 60-yd) having easy footwork and moving in time through the baseball; clean transfer and ability to keep the ball online from a mid-slot arm (81 MPH). Played with confidence and frame still has some space to keep maturing. 

+ 2020 OF/1B Tommy Thrasher (Acalanes) - 6-1, 205, R/R
We’ve seen Thrasher both in the Spring and Summer and he’s been playing well with the Zoots team that has won some big Summer tournaments. Wide shouldered frame with strength in the build, Thrasher continue to show he’s a power threat in the middle of a lineup as he worked from an even stance with high back elbow; balls were jumping off of the quick bat as he creates easy leverage and authority into the gaps flashing some HR pop as well (86 EV). Good footwork in the OF with a compact arm, Thrasher showed carry on throws after attacking the baseball and putting it on the bag (85 MPH). Physical frame that understands how to use it to square up the baseball. 

+ 2020 1B/RHP Victor Martinez (Rodriguez) - 6-3, 185, R/R
Wide shouldered and long through his legs, Martinez looks the part of a power hitting first baseman and showed that during BP as he worked the pull side of the field with the ability to backspin balls over the fence with ease from his tall set up; the hands and wrists are strong working directly to the ball before finishing high over the shoulders (85 MPH). Moved well at first base with plenty of arm to stick and be an asset making crisp throws to 2nd/3rd base (85 MPH); showed some glove work as well scooping a few balls out of the dirt. On the hill showed a projectable frame and arm that with a few tweaks could be working at even better velocity. The delivery showed a tucked front side knee and slight lift of the hands allowing for this compact 3/4 arm to have a slight stab out of the glove; arm moved freely and when in time had ball looking firm at the plate. FB 82-84 flashed some run while attacking edges of the plate. CHG 70-73 sells it well with heavy bottom at the plate. CB 67-69 with short, loose depth having ability to tighten the spin to make pitch go through the zone. 

+ 2020 SS/2B Nick Salas (Highland) - 5-9, 170, R/R - Cal State Bakersfield Commit.
Salas was a stand out at the Preseason All-State and showed he’s got a bright future. Medium frame with strength in the build and tight waist, Salas showed improved arm strength (85 MPH) and used it with his very good defensive skills. Moved easy at the position with a smooth, soft glove and the footwork and body control to cover a lot of ground. During BP, showed a professional approach as he worked with his compact swing allowing the natural strength to come out driving balls throughout the middle of the field with easy carry (87 EV). Salas plays with a calm energy around him and you can see the confidence in the way he plays. 

+ 2020 RHP Treven Crowley (Hilmar) - 6-1, 165, L/R - Fresno State Commit. 
Crowley has continued to show this summer why we thought so highly of him as the stuff on the mound has made major leaps and he’s continued to show the ability to use it for success. Crowley is athletic and controlled moving down the hill with a loose and easy live arm from a compact 3/4 release; late armspeed adds some deception having pitches jump on hitters. FB 87-90 showed late arm side run with good control of the pitch. CHG 76-78 was heavy to the armside; wasn’t his best version and is a pitch that can continue to improve. CB 70 with late bite and more depth showing hard tight spin. SLD 71-73 3/4 shape with late snap and easy feel. The CB/SLD blended a bit, but whatever blend you want to call the breaking balls I wouldn’t want to try and hit against it as both pitches are absolute bucklers.