SoCal ProCase Spotlight: SS Christopher Paciolla

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Body: 6-2, 185 pounds. Athletic feel and movement. Some strength throughout with room to fill out in all areas. Quick reactions both defensively and offensively project well. 

Hit: Extremely comfortable in the box, shoulder width base, hands high, relaxed pre pitch movements, two-hand finish. You can tell right away that he is a high contact hitter with his overall ease to contact, with a 10% strikeout rate over three varsity seasons coming as no surprise. Paciolla took three live at-bats; groundout to third - deep flyout to left-center - single to left. ProCase pitchers increased velocity and secondary spin in comparison to the average high school pitching did not phase him. The 35/80 Blast Motion score illuminates his current swing inability to keep the bat through the zone and on plane which could cause issues at the next level where consistent contact becomes more difficult. Paciolla makes up for that with pro-level hand and bat speed that come naturally to him. Potential plane adjustments to his swing along with his natural hitting tools could make him a 60 grade hitter. 

Power: Statistically Paciolla showed his ability to hit for power in the 2021 high school season with 12 XBH (5 2B - 2 3B - 5 HR) which was a major increase from 7 XBH over his freshman and sophomore seasons. The hand and bat speed will certainly project well where he will be able to evolve with increased velocities at the next level and connect with higher velocity for extra-bases. Paciolla maxed out at 98.16 mph exit velocity and maxed out at 362 feet in batting practice but his real power showing came in his second at-bat where he hit a towering fly ball to left-field that he just missed but showed just how close he was to sending it 400 ft live. 

Field: Quality showing overall, with the quick and natural glove movements highlighting his fielding skill set. Sound first step and fundamentals on display show that he is no stranger to the basics of fielding. Did a very good job of getting his body in the proper fielding position and getting his arm in the most efficient throwing position when he had the time. 

Arm: Consistent arm release and action at 80-82 mph from short-stop. Low and quick release help him get rid of the ball quickly but also likely decrease throwing velocity. When there is enough time I would like to see him get on top of the ball more and let it fly across the diamond. Arm could stick at SS at the college level but increased velocity will be needed to stick at short.

Run: 7.19 laser timed dash on artificial turf surface. Running form showed uphill actions that could be adjusted and likely decrease his 60 time. Only 3 stolen bases in 65 career varsity games. 

Summary: Clearly one of the most natural and looks the part players at the ProCase. His relaxed approach and high contact ability really stood out and project well for an immediate impact at UCLA and beyond. Defensively he has great actions and arm mechanics at the high school level but also lacks the plus athleticism and arm strength needed for a top round shortstop. His ProCase in game showing offensively along with his track record of hitting success make him one of the safest bets in the 2021 SoCal ProCase.