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SoCal Future Games Tryout: Quick Hits

June 7, 2023
Les Lukach
State Director

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San Juan Capistrano, Calif. - On Saturday, June 3rd we were over at the all-turf confines of JSerra High School for the SoCal Future Games tryout, the first of two tryouts from which we’ll build the Team California roster for the 2023 PBR Future Games, the most highly anticipated recruiting event of the year. 

Since the 2022 Future Games, an event exclusively for uncommitted players, over 400 participants have committed to play collegiate baseball. 

The tryout consisted of a pro-style workout that included running the 60’s followed by batting practice and a showcase defensive workout followed by a nine inning scout ball style game that saw pitchers face five hitters apiece. This invite only event included many of the area's ranked players in both the 2025 and 2026 classes.  

Quick Hits is a recap of some of the top performances that stood out to us on Saturday. It is not a ranking or top prospect list. Additional content including statistical leaders will be coming out as well. 

For a full list of event results, click HERE

QUICK HITS

SoCal Future Games Tryout

Christopher Romo 3B / RHP / Eleanor Roosevelt, CA / 2025

Rankings  StateRank: 112 / POS: 8

Romo is a name we are familiar with after his standout performance at the SoCal Underclass Games last fall and strong spring for Roosevelt both on the mound and in the field. A third baseman with shortstop instincts, Romo packages that with an 88 mph infield arm that is accurate and can make throws from all angles. He hopped on the mound and was equally as impressive, living 85-87 with a wipeout slider at 76 and a fall off the table changeup at 78. He did all this after running a 6.87 sixty to start things off.

Shane Miranda C / OF / Saint Augustine, CA / 2025

Rankings  StateRank: 98 / POS: 14

Another former underclass games and preseason all-state standout, Miranda continues to impress with his continued development into one of the better catchers in the 2025 class that features a number of nationally ranked catchers. A wall defensively, Miranda’s arm is an asset to his game with throws on the bag at 83 mph in the 2.01-2.12 range. At the dish he has excelled as well refining his slight uphill path resulting in more consistent barrels. More loud contacts and more extra base hits are going to become the norm for Miranda.

 

Taylor Werth RHP / OF / Coronado, CA / 2025

Rankings  StateRank: 145 / POS: 36

Werth waited for the right opportunity to break out in a big way at a PBR California event. With a frame that features more arms and legs than torso, you get the impression the high waisted Werth’s frame is going to both elongate and strengthen. The right handed junior had one of the most impressive outings of any pitcher featuring a riding fastball at 86 mph, a sweeping slider at 72 mph, and very good feel for the changeup at 77. Induced weak contact getting his share of lazy fly balls. Finished the day going ꓘ,F7,F6,F8,F8,6-3.

Ayden Munoz OF / 2B / Carlsbad, CA / 2025

Rankings  StateRank: 124 / POS: 25

Running a 6.73 sixty is an attention getter and that’s exactly what Munoz did on Saturday. The compact outfielder then showed off some power and serious strength at the plate to the tune of 92 mph exit velo with max distance of 355 feet. Pounded a 2-1 fastball right at the first baseman who made the catch to save at least a double and likely a triple with Munoz’s speed.

Diezel Hernandez OF / RHP / Francis Parker, CA / 2025

At 6-foot-4 205 lbs. it’s easy to see why Hernandez spends his fall nights on the gridiron where he wreaks havoc for Francis Parker. The two-sport standout showed gap power with the type of athleticism the game of baseball doesn’t see often from a guy his size. Made a difficult play look routine in right field where he charged hard covering a good 100 feet before making a sliding catch. Barreled two balls, one for a triple to RCF, the other for a base hit to RF. The single was hit so hard and right at the outfielder, otherwise it would’ve been extra bases.

Hunter Manning RHP / 1B / West Ranch, CA / 2025

Rankings  StateRank: 38 / POS: 8 OverallRank: 256 / POS: 67

Manning’s frame at 6-foot-5 195 lbs. immediately catches your attention when he hops on the mound. There’s some physicality to it but it’s nowhere near where it’s going to be by his senior year. A relatively fresh arm that features two quality pitches (FB/CH) and the makings of another (SL), there’s a reason Manning was a recent rankings riser in his class.

CJ Weinstein 2B / SS / Huntington Beach, CA / 2026

Rankings  StateRank: 7 / POS: 1 OverallRank: 44 / POS: 1

The last PBR California showcase Weinstein attended saw him crush two balls to deep RCF for doubles showing his ability to handle quality pitching. Fast forward through an entire varsity season and the swing continues to show it’s hitability while handling velocity easily with a knack for finding the barrel. His ability to manipulate the barrel in the zone to get it on-plane stands out.

Izzy Parsky RHP / C / Viewpoint , CA / 2025

Rankings  StateRank: 167 / POS: 42

With a tall, lean, and athletic frame, Parsky was one of the biggest eye openers at the event. Working 85-87 with the fastball from a smooth, low effort delivery that he’s able to repeat, Parsky dominated with a two-pitch combination that features a high spin rate slider and the fastball inducing plenty of whiffs with both. The fastball got on hitters in a hurry with higher perceived velocity thanks to the rising nature of the pitch. Finished K,1B,E6,K,ꓘ,ꓘ

Gary Morse OF / RHP / Orange Lutheran , CA / 2026

Rankings  StateRank: 97 / POS: 21

A 6-foot-6 185 lbs. outfielder/pitcher, Morse opened the event with a long strided 7.46 60 that doesn’t tell the story of his athleticism which he demonstrated when playing outfield. Covers a lot of ground in space with quick jumps and an even quicker first step. With a 90 mph outfield arm that shows accuracy on all throws, Morse carried that over onto the mound where he was upper 80’s with the fastball with a sharp, late showing breaking ball at 72-75 mph and strong feel for a change up at 76-77 mph. Pounded balls during BP at 93-98 mph and barreled two balls in-game.

Mateo Villanueva RHP / RHP / Coronado, CA / 2026

Rankings  StateRank: 14 / POS: 3 OverallRank: 78 / POS: 20

After a strong varsity season at Coronado high school, Villanueva is primed for a breakout summer on the national scene. At 6-foot-2 he has a long, lean athletic frame that he uses very well in his delivery. Working 85-87 mph with the fastball that he commands to all quadrants, Villanueva’s continued development of the changeup is the biggest difference maker in this arsenal. It’s a fall off the table type pitch that he combined with a curveball that flashed late break and depth. It’s easy to envision the velocity ticking up as his body continues to mature.

Nolan Stoll C / OF / West Ranch , CA / 2025

Rankings  StateRank: 109 / POS: 15

Long, athletic catchers that can hit are always highly desirable in the recruiting process and that’s exactly what Stoll is. Started the day running a 7.1 sixty before proceeding to show an all-fields approach during batting practice. Drew two walks in-game before lacing a triple to LCF showing off his instincts on the basepaths. Arm strength is fair at 73 mph with pop times in the 2.09-2.11 range.

UPCOMING EVENTS

SHOWCASE STATE DATE LOCATION
LA County Open ID CA 06/13 Los Angeles Valley College
Inland Empire Open ID CA 06/14 Santiago High School
State Games ID: Bay Area CA 06/14 College of San Mateo
Ventura County Open ID CA 06/20 Conejo Creek South Park
San Diego Open ID CA 06/21  
State Games ID: OC CA 07/11 Hart Park
PBR Junior Future Games NATIONAL 07/25 LakePoint
California State Games CA 08/11 Fullerton College

 

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