The Inaugural Rising Stars Showcase took place at Santiago High School in Corona, California and was open to players in the 2022 and 2023 classes. The event attracted over 50 players in these two classes with many of these players likely to be found on our upcoming 2022 Class Rankings. The participants were put through a pro-style workout that saw them run the 60 yard dash, batting practice, and a defensive workout before the pitchers took the stage to throw their bullpens and close out the event.

As part of our continuing coverage of the event we will continue to break down all the data, roll out stats, content, and videos from the event, but first here are some quick hits from what we saw at Santiago HS.

NOTE: Be sure to click on the player profile to see full statistical breakdown. 

+ 2022 OF/LHP Ezra Farmer (Tahquitz HS) impressed right out the gate when he ran a 6.69 60 to open the event before taking that momentum with him throughout the day. During BP he showed excellent feel/control of the barrel as he consistently squared balls up from a balanced setup with smooth load and a short stride. In the outfield he shows instinctive reactions to balls hit to him. Shows fluid footwork while playing through the ball and shows clean/quick exchanges. Arm has accuracy while throws have life.

+ 2022 3B/RHP Wyatt Doty (Yucaipa HS) has a chance to be a big time prospect both at the plate and on the mound. Shows present bat/hand speed to go with burgeoning power. Uses lower half well at the plate and shows the ability to consistently square balls up. On the mound he flashes a three-pitch (FB, CB, CH) mix. Will be a future power pitcher when he learns to use the lower half better but presently shows a fast, sharp slider that he commanded for strikes. Changeup shows some arm side run but is still developing.

+ 2023 SS/C Noah Rodriguez (Orange Lutheran HS) was one of the more impressive 2023 players at the event because of the overall game he displayed. After running a 7.08 60, Rodriguez showed his present hitting ability during BP where he shows present bat speed with compact and explosive movements through to extension. At shortstop he shows a lot of athleticism with a strong, accurate arm that has carry on throws.

+ 2022 SS/RHP Taer Rodriguez (La Sierra HS) caught the attention of our scouts during the hitting wheel where he showed fantastic rhythm and balance with above average bat and hand speed. Has excellent balance throughout swing while keeping his head still. Defensively he shows excellent footwork with range to both sides and present arm strength to make throws from multiple angles. Has feel for the game both at shortstop and on the mound where he was one of the top arms at the event. Shows feel for three pitch mix and oozes projection.

+ 2022 C/OF Delshaun Lanier (North Torrance HS) showed well both at the plate and in the outfield where his arm shows accuracy and present average strength and quick feet with range. Behind the plate he shows a quiet setup with a strong base. Explodes out of crouch and has a quick release. At the plate he shows feel for the barrel with present bat speed with a middle approach.

+ 2022 C/OF Ben Lee (St. Monica Catholic HS) is a big, strong bodied, physical C/OF whose present power at the plate projects to over-the-fence power in the future. Slots his elbow and hands into a power position pre-pitch. Shows present power to all fields with a consistent slightly uphill path. Behind the plate he shows soft hands at receiving with a clean/quick exchange and athleticism in getting balls on the infield.

+ 2022 OF/LHP Justin Cabada (Brea Olinda HS) is a good looking prospect both at the plate and on the mound. Shows good feel for hitting and the barrel with a strong understanding of what he's trying to do with each pitch. On the mound he shows a long/loose arm action with good drive off the mound where he gains ground and pitches downhill. Fastball pops out of his hand with aggressiveness and some run to the arm side.

+ 2023 OF/RHP Owen Egan (Yucaipa HS) shows a compact and powerful swing in which he utilizes his entire body. He's short-to-the-ball and gets extended through it from a balanced setup with a long stride. Shows present bat speed and the ability to consistently get the barrel on plane with line-drive, gap-to-gap abilities. Shows a strong (82 MPH OF velo), accurate arm in the outfield.

+ 2022 SS/RHP Cutter Coffey (Liberty HS) is a known player in baseball circles and he showed why at the Rising Stars event. At the plate he shows present bat speed and barrel feel. He hit some balls hard into the gaps which would indicate future power. Using an athletic setup with a short stride, Coffey explodes his lower half into the swing to generate his present power. On the mound he's strong and athletic. Stays tall on the rubber and gets good arm swing. The slider has plus pitch potential.

+ 2022 OF/1B Justin Roulston (Culver City HS) is a raw, athletic, very projectable player. Shows quick hands at the plate and flashes of barrel control/feel. Maintains barrel on a slight uphill path throughout the swing through to an extended finish. Shows athletic movements both in the outfield and at first base. Arm strength is developing and is presently average with some accuracy.

OTHER NOTABLE PLAYERS

+ 2022 RHP/3B Salvador Moncada (Esperanza HS) is a big-bodied, big-feature pitcher with a three-pitch mix that really projects. Curveball flashes tight spin and depth while his fastball has some life.

+ 2022 RHP/SS Jacob Reimer (Yucaipa HS) projects very well on the mound were his tight breaking ball was one of the best we saw on the day. Shows quick hands and fair footwork on the dirt at shortstop.

+ 2022 INF/RHP Alonso Reyes (Culver City HS) is a raw, but toolsy player with some projection on the mound where he uses a modified windup with a high leg kick to add deception to his delivery. Arm is strong and whippy.

+ 2022 SS/C Noah Rodriguez (La Mirada HS) is a flat out ballplayer. Everything he does at shortstop is rhythmic and under control. Has fast hands and the ability to drive balls at the plate.

+ 2023 SS/3B Brendan Shanahan (Great Oak HS) showed very well with the bat where he has a simple, balanced swing through to finish with quick hands and some feel for the barrel.

+ 2023 3B/2B Van Sidebotham (Corona del Mar HS) is very projectable at the plate where he uses his body very well and he keeps his hands back before exploding through contact. Has improved significantly since we saw him SoCal Underclass Trials.

READ MORE FROM RISING STARS SHOWCASE HERE

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

SHOWCASE	STATE	DATE	LOCATION
Central Coast Open	CA	10/07	Cabrillo College
Senior Games (Invite Only)	CA	10/13	JSerra High School
Los Angeles Open	CA	10/20	Maverick Field

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