SoCal Area Code Tryouts: Day One Notebook

SANTA BARBARA, CA. - Close to 100 rising seniors descended on Westmont College for the Brewers team Area Code Tryouts vying for an opportunity to represent the team in the prestigious Area Code Games in a few weeks. 

Players were put through a pro-style workout starting with a 60 yard dash before going into their batting practice, defensive workout and concluding with live at-bats against the pitchers at the event. It was a damp morning that made the outfield soggy resulting in slower-than-normal 60 yard dash times for some players. Near the end of the running there were noticeable divots on the turf near the start line. 

Below are some notes on players who stood out to us today.

+ OF Emilio Corona (Santa Barbara HS) had a strong day overall that started with a hand-timed 6.92 60 yard dash. The Washington commit then went on to have one of the louder rounds of BP with line drives to the gaps and a couple of balls over the fence. There’s present pop, particularly to the pull side, in the swing. He shows good balance and feel/control of the barrel. In the outfield he showed a strong, accurate arm. 

+ SS Kai Saterstrom (High Tech HS) showed off his twitchy athleticism throughout the day after a sluggish 60 yard dash to start. The San Diego State commit shows excellent footwork and quick hands (transfers) defensively. Moves under control while maintaining a strong base. Fundamentally sound middle infielder with a strong, accurate arm. Has some sneaky pop in the bat. Maintains the barrel on plane through the zone with quick hands and strong wrists. 

+ SS Joaquin Hines (Culver City HS) started off running a 7.03 showing a consistent and athletic running stride that appeared to be faster at the end than at the beginning. At the plate he showed good feel for the barrel in the second and third rounds of batting practice than the first. The uncommitted rising senior drove some balls into the gaps with sneaky power that belies his 5-foot-11, 160-pound wiry strong frame. Defensively he showed above average hands and glovework while ranging to both sides while staying low and under control. Footwork is average at worst presently. Showed a consistent pre-pitch routine in-game. 

+ 3B Jack Costello (Chaminade HS) seems to get better and better in each passing viewing. The San Diego commit nearly made the play of the day charging a slow roller up the line before making a barehanded grab and throw that missed the runner by a half step. Costello appears physically stronger as well as his shoulders and lower half look to be carrying more strength. Throws flash carry now too. Had a strong BP session that saw him spray line drives to all fields using a slight load-and-go with excellent use of the lower half. Showed very good feel for the barrel both during BP and in-game. 

+ 3B Eli Paton (Maranatha HS) continues to pound balls with his smooth, powerful left-handed swing. Paton hit a few balls off the net above the fence in right-center-field during his BP rounds while also peppering the gaps with line drives. There’s no wasted movements in the UCLA commit’s swing with consistent, quick hands that keep his barrel on plane through the hitting zone. Shows athletic actions defensively both at third and first base where his footwork really stands out. He’s light on his feet although not a burner on a straightaway run. Smart base runner who will take the extra base. 

+ LHP Aidan Garza (Ventura HS) showed a loose, easy arm from a deliberate delivery that syncs up his timing perfectly. He leans back onto his right foot/leg before initiating the delivery through to a 3/4 slot and release out front. Lands inline consistently. Worked the fastball 85-86 flashing some run back to the arm side. Curveball was tight and sharp at 75 mph. He spotted the breaking ball to both sides of the plate for strikes will working the fastball up-and-down for strikes. The plane change on all pitches clearly made hitters uncomfortable. The uncommitted rising senior should have plenty of options beyond high school after the summer. 

+  RHP Daniel Parra (Hart HS) was impressive from the first pitch where he threw a sharp, late breaking curveball at 71 mph for a strike where the bottom virtually fell off the pitch. He backed that up with a fastball that shows late life at 86-88 mph. He worked both sides of the plate and commanded both pitches for strikes inducing plenty of swing-and-miss with the curveball in particular. The arm is loose and easy and he delivery from a high 3/4 slot. His mechanics were clean and repeatable. At 6-foot-2, 200-pounds, there’s room from physical development still although there is present strength in the lower half. 

+ RHP Ben Grable (Flintridge Prep HS) continued his strong summer with another impressive outing. The recent Northwestern commit pounded the zone at 88-90 mph touching 92 mph twice. There’s some late run to the pitch and he generates excellent downhill plane on all pitches from his 6-foot-4, 205-pound frame. Curveball is sharp with two-plane break at 68-71 mph that resulted in swing-and-miss attempts five times over his outing. 

+ RHP Mark Kenji Pallares (Salesian HS) impressed during his outing with his three-pitch mix that resulted in an efficient and quick outing. Working up to 90 mph with the fastball, the LMU commit lived 88-89 with some late action. His curveball is tight with sharp break and late depth. He shows command of the pitch with the ability to spot it for strikes. Pallares showed a splitter that flashes late diving action at 77-79 mph. He threw the pitch for strikes consistently while working down in the zone and inducing three swing-and-misses with the pitch. 

+ RHP Ryan Delgado (Righetti HS) stood out thanks in part to his 6-foot-2, 195-pound athletic frame, but moreso for his ability to throw strikes with two pitches. Delgado’s fastball worked 86-88 mph while showing some late run to the glove side - almost like a late sliders action just not that extreme. His slider takes that movement the extra step from the same release point/slot as the fastball. The pitch seems to jump on hitters resulting in late attempts and several swing-and-miss during his outing. Working from an upright setup, Delgado flashes a loose, easy arm whose mechanics he’s able to repeat consistently. 

+ RHP Ryan Kysar (Valencia HS) is coming off a spring in which he didn’t pitch much but he appears to be picking up where he left off in our last viewing in January. Working consistently 88-89 mph with the fastball, the Arizona commit worked downhill and in-and-out with the pitch in his outing. Kysar’s changeup was on as he worked 78-81 mph with tight spin and late fading action. The pitch flashes plus potential at times. The curveball was tight with some biting action and depth at  69-72 mph. When thrown with conviction the pitch was unhittable. 

-- Les Lukach

+ C Andrew Allanson (Quartz Hill HS) Uncommitted. Extra-large, tall, flexible, durable, projectable frame similar to Matt Weiders (St. Louis Cardinals). Able to get low while catching and presents well. Arm is average with pop times between 2.09 – 2.2. Switch hitting catcher that will bring value to any Division 1 program. Has a excellent demeanor behind the plate and seems to have leadership qualities. MLB bloodline.

--Steve Doherty