Norcal Underclass ID: Two-Way Player Positional Analysis

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LATHROP, CALIF. - The Northern California Underclass ID event took place at Islanders Field at River Islands on the morning of 10/10/20. There were 43 players in attendance, 12 of whom participated as 2-way players and are included in this piece.

TrackMan and Blast Motion were utilized during their batting practice round to gather data on exit velocity, hand speed, bat speed, rotational acceleration, fly ball %, on plane efficiency, and many other data points.

We are completing our roll out of the reports on the underclassmen this week, with one to two positions released each day. Here are the underclass catchers, outfielders, infielders, and underclass pitchers

Here are the completed reports for the upperclass pitchers, catchers, outfielders, 3rd basemen, and shortstops.

(Click to individual player profiles for full stats and video)

Listed in order of their peak exit velocities:

Matthew Gobel, Tokay (CA), 2023
Positional Profile: RHP/OF
Body: 6-3, 195-pounds. Large sturdy frame, broad upper body, still retains ample room for size/strength.
Hit: RHH. Tall set, up in the box off plate, wide feet, medium quick knee lift to short stride with deep hand load, some barring of lead arm, max 18 rotational acceleration (15.7 avg). Abbreviated high two hand finish, fairly flat to contact point, has strength to impact the ball, 55.6% fly balls, ball leaves bat well, 74% on plane.
Power: 91 mph exit velocity in live BP via TrackMan. Max hand speed 21.6, max bat speed 70.
Arm: RH. OF - 76 mph. Long deep backside arm stroke, 3/4 slot, minimal carry with tailing action.
Defense: Direct lines to ball on ground, clean glove skills, fairly efficient with release though seems to have more in there than comes out in regard to the carry, projects to LF.
Run: 7.39 runner in the 60. 

Nathan Schikore, Rodriguez (CA), 2023
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 6-1, 155-pounds. Long lanky, lean young body, ample room to put on size and strength as he physically matures.
Hit: RHH. Deep in box, tall traditional set up, slight bend of knees, vertical early bat set prior to significant barrel tilt, medium knee lift, smooth stride, balanced and in control of hands through the swing, calm head. Smooth swing, serves the ball around, quite a bit of contact above the ball (top-spin), looks capable of spraying ball around and as he strengthens doing so with some gap pop, 62.5% GBs (25% LDs), 40% on plane
Power: 89 mph exit velocity in live BP via TrackMan. Max hand speed 20.4, max bat speed 65.7.
Arm: RH. INF - 76 mph. Loose clean arm, confident in his arm, compact back side, accurate, quick release on backhand side.
Defense: Creates clean angles to set up his throws, soft hands, light confident feet, plays with pace, sound footwork.
Run: 7.37 runner in the 60. 

Eddy Stone, St. Vincent's (CA), 2023
Positional Profile: RHP/1B
Body: 6-2, 190-pounds. Big frame, sturdy upper body dimensions, shows some present musculature, could grow to be a powerful body.
Hit: RHH. Wide feet, presence in the box, slight bend of knees, small lift prior to small stride, minimal weight transfer to backside, high back elbow. Sweeps barrel through zone, uses top hand well, ball leaves with some authority, high two hand finish, rotational with hips and shoulders, chance to develop power to pull-side, 54.5% fly balls, 27.3% ground balls, 74% on plane.
Power: 89 mph exit velocity in live BP via TrackMan. Max hand speed 21.8 (21.08 avg), max bat speed 68.7.
Arm: RH. 1B - 70 mph. Short arm stroke, works for making feeds to 2nd base, showed some ability to change arm angle as needed.
Defense: Gloved ball cleanly, efficient footwork, has feel around the bag, minimal wasted movement, quick pivots, good timing of footwork to receive ball at the bag
Run: 8.14 runner in the 60. 

David (DJ) Andersen, Vanden (CA), 2023
Positional Profile: RHP/1B
Body: 6-7, 230-pounds. Big frame, immediately noticeable, long and large with present strength and athletic proportionality.
Hit: RHH. Presence in the box, wide feet, off the plate, balanced with traditional set-up, medium knee lift to placing foot back down, quiet hands load going from set position to forward, quite a small swing for a big young man, 15.7 max rotational acceleration. Drops high back elbow into slot, creates some sweep/loft, 80% line drives/fly balls, controlled barrel well, has power and more to come, 65% on plane.
Power: 89 mph exit velocity in live BP via TrackMan. Max hand speed 24.2 (20.89 avg), max bat speed 75.4.
Arm: RH. 1B - 70 mph. Easy arm, some depth to the stroke, can snap a throw with lower slot if needed.
Defense: Worked bag well, quality technique and soft hands on short hop, fairly nimble for his size, played below ball well, kept head up and eyes level.
Run: 8.21 runner in the 60. 

Jaden Clifford, Rocklin (CA), 2023
Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 5-10, 160-pounds. Rangy upper body, strong though hips and thighs, sturdy frame to hold plenty more strength.
Hit: RHH. Neutral feet, lower early hand set, tall and relaxed, lift with pinched lead knee, sizeable stride, deep hand load with knob to catcher. Flat swing, quite a bit of top spin contact, stays connected with elbows, hints of strength to project some pop, core works well though has some tension in the stroke, 88.9% ground balls, 70% on plane.
Power: 87 mph exit velocity in live BP via TrackMan. Max hand speed 21.7, max bat speed 66.5.
Arm: RH. 3B - 75 mph. Loose quick arm, depth on backside, threw on run easily.
Defense: Angles and reads were good, calm feet, played ball well, efficient actions, has body control.
Run: 7.87 runner in the 60. 

Bryce Cruz, Jesuit (CA), 2023
Positional Profile: RHP/SS One of top 2023 RHP in Northern CA along with still budding two-way talent.
Body: 6-0, 165-pounds. Athletically built with some muscular development in upper leg/hips, rangy upper body proportions.
Hit: RHH. Starts with weight forward, early barrel tilt, slightly open, very minimal weight transfer, sizeable stride, calm medium hand load, 15.1 max rotational acceleration. Collapse to front side type of leverage, has strength, slight lift through impact, controls barrel more often than not, 77.7% LDs/Fly balls, 57% on plane.
Power: 86 mph exit velocity in live BP via TrackMan. Max hand speed 18.8, max bat speed 64.
Arm: RH. INF - 82 mph. Quick strong arm, full finish, loose with left side arm strength.
Defense: Technically sound footwork, plays low to and through ball, soft hands, got below ball on backhand side, throw on run well, steady performance.
Run: 7.48 runner in the 60. 

Justin Iglesias, Bishop O'Dowd (CA), 2024
Positional Profile: 1B/RHP
Body: 6-3, 170-pounds. Lanky body, still growing into a frame that projects very favorably for future size/strength, sturdy lower half.
Hit: LHH. Tall with slight open feet, neutral width, high back elbow, medium depth in box, closes stride, lean back weight transfer. Pull-side oriented approach with aggressively upward attack angle, found barrel repeatedly, projects to have some loft power, 66.7% fly balls, 39% on plane.
Power: 86 mph exit velocity in live BP via TrackMan. Max hand speed 25 (avg 23.6), max bat speed 71.8 (68 avg).
Arm: RH. 1B - 72 mph. Compact arm action, accurate snap throws to 2nd base, confident in his arm.
Defense: Came off bag well, quiet clean footwork while working the bag, soft hands, understands angles for feeds to 2nd base, looks like a future highly competent defensive player.
Run: 7.43 runner in the 60. 

Ned Righellis, St. Francis (Mountain View, CA), 2023
Positional Profile: OF/RHP Potential to develop into college two-way talent.
Body: 6-3, 190-pounds. Long and strong with athletic proportions, muscular lower half, streamlined build.
Hit: RHH. Presence in the box, balanced wide feet, into his legs early, tall quiet barrel, small hand load, small toe tap stride, 15.3 max rotational acceleration.  Short stroke, direct to ball middle/in, occasionally loses barrel under ball on outer half, small player approach on a strong young man which will be a benefit as he develops, 50% GBs/LDs, 50% FBs, 62% on plane.
Power: 84 mph exit velocity in live BP via TrackMan. Max hand speed 20.7, max bat speed 64.
Arm: RH. OF - 87 mph. Big arm, full finish extension, gets power from the ground up through body, tracked mostly on line, occasionally late arm led to loss of throw on arm side.
Defense: Angles are good, gloved ball cleanly, a few choppy steps getting feet set for the approach, once gloved he got ride of it quickly.
Run: 7.25 runner in the 60. 

Arch Ljepava, Los Gatos (CA), 2024
Positional Profile: OF/LHP
Body: 5-8, 140-pounds. Lean sinewy body type on athletically proportioned frame.
Hit: LHH. Even stance, balanced wide feet slightly into back knee, hand load with some depth, slightly closes off stride with some tipping of head/shoulders, 22.08 max rotational acceleration (17.09 avg). Flat attack with slight upward finish through contact, showed aggressive barrel through ball, lively swing, 70% FBs/LDs, 80% on plane.
Power: 82 mph exit velocity in live BP via TrackMan. Max hand speed 19.3, max bat speed 60.
Arm: LH. OF - 73 mph. Circular and fairly compact arm action, quick arm, tailing throws.
Defense: Athletic approach to ball, gloved ball cleanly, has an out of sync step in the set up to throw.
Run: 6.98 runner in the 60. 

Ian Holt, Sequoia (CA), 2024
Positional Profile: LHP/OF
Body: 5-10, 130-pounds. Lean rangy body type on frame with dimensions that will hold future size/strength.
Hit: LHH. Tall set, narrow feet, hands held high, smooth easy stride, hands load deep. Rotational shoulders, loose fairly explosive hips, quiet head, fairly flat plane, stays above ball, 77.7% LDs/Fly balls, 69% on plane.
Power: 79 mph exit velocity in live BP via TrackMan. Max hand speed 18.5, 60.3 max bat speed.
Arm: LH. OF - 73 mph. Loose arm, overhand release, throws stayed on line, fair carry with good accuracy.
Defense: Calm to ball, good lines, sound mechanics with efficient catch to release, skilled footwork.
Run: 8.09 runner in the 60. 

Adrian Figueroa, Willows (CA), 2023
Positional Profile: LHP/OF
Body: 5-8, 125-pounds. Athletic build, lean wiry strength, well-proportioned.
Hit: LHH. Wide, slightly open, light crouch into backside, balanced, small controlled stride, loads back beyond his frame. High two hand finish, upward attack angle through contact, 42.9% LDs, 57% on plane.
Power: 76 mph exit velocity in live BP via TrackMan. Max hand speed 19.1, max bat speed 57.4.
Arm: LH. OF - 80 mph. Easy loose arm, high-3/4 slot, extension through release, accurate, projects to be above avg OF arm.
Defense: Graceful actions, creates clean angles, calm and controlled to ball with sound set up to throwing mechanics.
Run: 7.72 runner in the 60. 

Matthew Wolf, Menlo-Atherton (CA), 2024
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-4, 110-pounds. Young body w/smaller frame and athletic proportions.
Hit: RHH. Tall set, neutral feet very slightly open, relaxed early bat set, high knee lift, keeps back elbow connected, sizeable stride, maintains balance. Works inside, worked all fields, high two hand finish, swing and contact are present to show up with more physical maturity, 55.6% line drives.
Power: 71 mph exit velocity in live BP via TrackMan.
Arm: RH. INF - 62 mph. Compact arm strike, on -line finish through extension creates consistent accuracy.
Defense: Plays low to and through ball, adjustable hands, quick release, good body control, looks like a very sound gloveman in the making.
Run: 8.22 runner in the 60.

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UPCOMING EVENTS

SHOWCASE	STATE	DATE	LOCATION
NorCal ProCase Preview (2022)	CA	11/14	Islanders Field - Lathrop
NorCal Rising Stars (2024/2025)	CA	11/15	Islanders Field - Lathrop

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