I traveled out to Vacaville (CA) on a cool Sunday morning the other day to spend some time watching the Admirals Baseball program in a pre-season workout.  I hung around the cage as they took some hacks, then hit the field to watch them get in some defensive work, followed by an infield/outfield and an abbreviated BP session.  

One of the most interesting parts about scouting high school players is getting the opportunity to be with them on the field, especially the younger players.  Having a chance to talk to them, engage them, see how they go about their work, feel their physical presence, shake their hands and look in their eyes, it really is something that adds so much to the scouting profile of a young player.  There is so much we don’t know from simply sitting in the stands or standing along a fence.

So, you’ve read this far and you really want to know WHO the standout players are. Ok, let’s get it ...

Their top 2021 player is L/L OF Tyree Reed of Will C. Wood HS (Vacaville, CA) and he's going to be a very closely followed player, nationally.  Reed is a long and lanky young man, he moves around with grace and fluidity.  Reed earned a spot in the USA Baseball 14U National Team Development Program last summer, one of 30 players from across the country to have that opportunity.  From there he was invited to tryout for the 15U National Team, eventually being the last player cut at the tryout.  He can run, throw, has bat speed, projectable power and a whole lot of physical development ahead of him on that lanky frame.

One of his impressive teammates is 2021 R/R OF/1B/3B Brewster Mott of Vacaville HS.  Watching him take hacks in the cage and on the field, he certainly doesn’t swing like a freshman in high school.  With his frame, size, and present day tools (bat speed and aggressiveness are quite good), he will be another highly coveted player in the 2021 class.  In his profile there is some video of his BP swings the other day. 

Also of note were 2021 L/R INF Kobe Rolling (Will C. Wood HS, Vacaville CA) and 2021 R/R 3B/OF Jason Booker (Rodriguez HS, Fairfield CA).  Rolling is primarily a 2^nd baseman with good hands and footwork.  He’s got bat speed and those hands translate to his hitting, where he showed good hand-eye coordination and the ability to hit to all fields.  He’s also a HIGH level soccer player and at this point, who knows what his future holds.  

Booker is a lithe and lean player and you can just feel some electricity coming out of him.  He’s got quick-twitch athleticism, excellent bat speed (some video in his profile of his BP hacks) and can really run, along with a strong arm. I really liked the look in his eye and how he goes about his business, which makes sense, because his father is a USA Air Force pilot.  

There are plenty of other good looking players in this program, but for today, let’s just leave it with these few standout 2021 kids.  Well... how about just one more name... a talented 2019 RHP named Matthew Carrier (Will C. Wood HS).  He's got a great frame and a good arm, with a chance to develop two above secondary pitches.  When he stayed on top of the change-up, it dove with late action.  He's got some refinement to do with the tempo of his delivery, but he's got a shot. Check out the video in his profile.

If you aren't aware, Will C. Wood HS has produced a couple of big leaguers, most notably Jermaine Dye and current Fresno State assistant coach Jermaine Clark (U of San Francisco, former Athletics scout prior to moving to Fresno State).