San Diego Fall Open: Quick Hits
November 12, 2021
Jack Shannon
New Episode LIVE now! - At The Yard Podcast
Torrey Pines HS, San Diego, Calif. - Prep Baseball Report California ended the year on a high note with the San Diego Fall Open. With the sun setting an hour earlier and on a weekend that featured the Breeders’ Cup World Championships a mile away at the Del Mar racetrack, the San Diego Fall Open had its fair share of standouts, longshots and new names to help set the table for 2022. The event featured 400 batting practice pitches, 136 live at-bats, 306 defensive in game slots, 96 pages of TrackMan and Blast data and 7 hours of the best game on Earth.
With so many talented players on hand it was a great day of showcase baseball. The Quick Hits addition hits leadoff for post-event content with photos, profile videos, statistical leaders, scouting reports, and more on deck. Until then we’ll take a look at a few players that stood out to the scouting staff along with quick notes on every player at the event.
CATCHERS - OUTFIELDERS - INFIELDERS - PITCHERS
CLICK HERE FOR FULL SORTABLE PLAYER STATISTICS INCLUDING TRACKMAN AND BLAST
Only a sophomore, Nikko Paoletto has made himself as one of the top uncommitted power bats on the market. His average bat speed of 79 mph puts him into the upper echelon of players we have ever had at our events at any level. Paoletto had one of the more impressive BP rounds, pounding balls with consistent 90+ exit velos and backspin which allowed for 4 HRs over the left field fence. Also had two hits during game action which included a double to the LC gap. The swing works on an upward path through the zone and he looks to do damage out front. His strong hands give him options with his approach as he was able to barrel a LD single to left on an outside FB he had to reach for. His approach also showed patience and knowledge of the zone as he laid off close pitches throughout the day and worked two walks. -JC
Fishbough played his freshman year at La Costa Canyon before moving to Utah for his sophomore and junior years. Now back in the Maverick green and gold for his senior year the toolsy player is making noise in the North County San Diego baseball circuit. Listed at 6-foot 160 pounds, Fishbough started the Fall Open with a flash, literally, as he was the first player to run the 60-yard dash and did so at 6.75. During the defensive portion, topped at 86 mph from the outfield and 81 mph from the infield. The footspeed and arm strength combination projects well in any high school centerfield and gives him versatility in all three outfield spots. Add his infield ability as he showed well laterally and with an arm that can make throws all over the infield and you’ve got a good problem to have with a player that could essentially play 6 positions. Offensively, Fishbough scored very well according to Blast Motion (20-80 scale) with 54 plane - 60 connection - 63 rotation scores. Showed about equal exit speeds on the inside part of the plate as he did on the outside part of the plate, showing positive signs of quality plate coverage and potential gap-to-gap ability. The jump in competition and potential thrust into the top of the lineup in one Southern California’s most consistent programs will put Fishbough on the spot and give him an opportunity to really make a name for himself as a potential top uncommitted senior. -JS
Show up to the ballpark, you never know what you’ll see. Sunday’s San Diego Fall Open had plenty of young talent capable of playing at the next level. With Daylight Savings over, the shadows were growing long when the 6-foot-3, 190-pound Kovaleski took the mound and gave everyone the shot of adrenaline needed to finish out a long day at the field. Running his fastball up to 92 mph, he easily pumped strikes with a three-pitch mix. While showing good feel for a changeup at 83, it was his fastball and slider that grabbed attention. His heater ranged from 88-92, averaging 14.7 inches of induced vertical break and 19.4 inches of horizontal movement. He worked ahead of hitters, establishing the fastball, and then put them away with a sharp slider with tilt and depth at 73-75. The whole time, he was poised on the mound, unfazed by anything and completely in control. Seemingly business as usual for the uncommitted righty. -NR
I don’t see nearly as many freshmen as our state guys or Shooter Hunt, but when I do, it’s typically noteworthy. Farrell was the only 2025 at the Fall Open, but I wouldn’t have known it without a roster. He has present strength in his 5-foot-8, 150-pound frame, but is obviously not done growing. He also showed a mature presence, exuding confidence while catching and facing arms two and three years older than him. He never looked overmatched from the right side, showing sound swing mechanics with solid bat speed and a direct barrel path. Behind the plate, his pop times were in the 2.0-2.3 range with 70 mph arm strength, numbers that will only trend upward as he continues to mature physically. - NR
Physical frame at 5’11” 195-pounds with strength throughout the body that really shows itself on the mound where he gains ground down the mound with the extension (avg.7’3”) of a much taller player causing his mid-80’s fastball to get on hitters in a hurry. Short and compact through the back he maintains the same arm slot on all pitches with his breaking balls (CB/SL) both tunnelling off the fastball plane until their late sinking action comes into play. Had four strikeouts to go with a few weak groundouts that supported what the eyes saw. With a 4.0 GPA and a 1410 SAT score, Isaacman is certain to have the eyes of coaches looking for a late arm in the 2022 class. -LL
Martinez has been a starter at El Camino since his freshman year and put himself on the PBR San Diego radar early on with word from the coaching staff about his “competitiveness, grit and natural ability”. In two seasons at El Camino, Martinez compiled a 2.38 ERA over 50 innings pitched, 54K:9BB, 1.16 WHIP. Offensively, 385 batting average (21-96), 880 OPS and 5 strikeouts. The stats alone for an underclassmen show his baseball ability and set him up very well for two big statistical junior and senior seasons. In his two innings of work at the Open, struck out 3, walked none and allowed two hits, indicative of his high school career stats. Martinez pounded the zone with a three-pitch mix highlighted by the fastball and changeup mix. With a fastball that possesses induced vertical break with significant ride and a changeup induced vertical break with significant sink, you can see where the swings and misses come from. With a fastball that averaged 83.8 mph and topped at 86.5 mph, velocity gains will be needed, however the pitchability and current swing and miss set him up well for future gains and success. Don’t be surprised to see Martinez among county leaders in many statistical categories the next two years. -JS
At 6’2” 195-pounds Hamro’s physicality immediately stands out thanks to his proportional strength throughout his frame. The uncommitted righty works quick with no wasted actions in his delivery that sees him rock back onto his right leg with a high left leg kick before driving down the mound through to his release. Short path in the back through a “stabbish” type release where he keeps the elbow close to body allows his fastball/slider pairing to come from the same arm slot and tunnel. Commanded both pitches and landed each for strikes en route to six strikeouts and a shallow fly ball out while allowing only a weak base hit to the right side during his outing. Carries a 3.6 GPA. -LL
It’s been several months since we last saw Hurtado and the first thing that stands out is the physical gains he’s made as his frame looks much slimmer and stronger than our last viewing. Those strength gains have resulted in an increase in velocity as he was bumping 88 mph with the fastball, an improvement of 3-4 mph from the best we’d seen before. Worked primarily with the fastball which he was able to command to all quadrants of the zone, but did flash a few sliders in the 68-70 range that he landed for strikes with average spin but late, biting action. At 6’2” 190-pounds, you get the sense that Hurtado is not done in the strength gains departments, and come spring we should see the slider more frequently giving a clearer picture of his full arsenal. Had four strikeouts, two groundouts, a walk, and a base hit allowed. -LL
Last time I saw Marenghi was at last year’s state games and his development since was easy to see on Sunday. His average bat speed has increased by 10 mph to 70 mph and has noticeably filled out his frame. He put together one of the stronger BPs of the day showing some pull side power with balls that had good backspin and carry. The swing and approach are more physical as he looks to slug. Barrel takes an upward path that enters the zone and stays in the zone a long time with good extension at finish. Had himself two hits on the day which included a hard liner up the middle off a CB. Also showed solid actions at SS during his workout with an above average arm for his level at 80mph. Marenghi is only a sophomore so look for him to continue to trend upward. -JC
A junior at La Costa Canyon, Camacho showcased skills that look to translate to a standout season next spring. He has a larger frame with some present strength that can add some athleticism, along with a rather advanced swing and rhythmic hands. Generates easy bat speed (70.3 mph average) with a slightly uphill barrel path that creates some natural loft and pull side power. Had himself two hits during game action which included a hard liner back up the middle and a hard ground ball up the middle where he shortened up his approach with two strikes. Camacho also showed the best defensive 1B skillset of the event, exhibiting smooth feet, soft hands and clean exchanges that made his double play turns quick while showing good feel around the bag. A name we expect to get picked up sooner rather than later. -JC
Gomez was the type of player that the PBR scouting staff quickly noticed thanks to his silky smooth infield actions and on field baseball swag. A starter his freshman year for Patrick Henry at second base and apart of the San Diego Show travel ball organization, Gomez is putting together a nice resume in his young career. Gomez put together a clean batting practice performance with 45% of his batting practice sessions line drives to left-center field. His exit speeds were even throughout the zone, showing early ability to control the bat throughout the zone and signs of down the line all fields ability. Gomez scored well according to Blast Motion (20-80 scale) with 68 plane - 58 connection - 40 rotation scores. The above-average plane score illuminates his swing ability to stay through the zone and on plane. Good signs for high contact and potential for a high batting average. Tops on plane efficiency average 84% of all the hitters at the Open. Defensively he has a great feel showing awareness in positioning hitter-to-hitter, quality first step and fundamental actions. The arm is average for his age at 74 mph from shortstop, making velocity gains his biggest key for becoming a left-side player at the varsity level and beyond. The actions, feel and offensive analytics are pointing upwards - now it's time to put it all together and show off these tools in the 2022 season. -JS
UPCOMING EVENTS
RELATED TOPICS
