CA State Games: '26 Top Performers from Game Action
August 16, 2024
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Fullerton, Calif. - This past weekend was the 6th annual edition of the California State Games the premier Invite-Only event in California was hosted at Fullerton College. This event brought together top players from the '25-'28 class together in one location to conclude the summer schedule across California wraps up before the start of school and the fall events schedule.
The collection of talent that was on display in Orange County for the CA State Games was quite impressive. The weekend got started with a Pro-Style showcase workout for all position players/two-way players in attendance. Players received athletic testing on the Swift platforms including 10-30-60 yard sprint times and RSI/Vertical Jump testing. Blast Motion sensors were in use for all batting practice swings to collect swing metric data while Trackman technologies provided the Prep Baseball California staff with batted ball data on each player throughout the batting practice portion. As well, players worked out at their positions during the defensive portion of the workout to collect arm strength velocities while evaluating actions of each player defensively. At the conclusion of the workout the 8 teams (organized by Prep Baseball California staff) would each play two 8-inning simulated games (5 batters per inning) spanning 8 total games over the 3 day event to give our Prep Baseball California staff an extensive opportunity to continue to build their in-game evaluations of the players in attendance at the CA State Games.
Today, we will be taking a look at top performers from the '26 graduating class across the 8 games of game play action. The 8 teams in the event each played two separate 8-inning simulated games with pitchers facing 5 batters per inning. Position players moved around defensively and all received 6+ at bats over the course of the two games with most having around 8 at bats to showcase their offensive/defensive tools in game action.
For all information on all players attending the CA State Games click here to view the data gathered throughout the event.
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Jake Ourique RHP / Gahr , CA / 2026Ourique continued his outstanding '24 High School and summer schedule with yet another sterling performance at the CA State Games. Working off his FB and SLD predominantly while mixing in his impressive CHG at times he worked a solid 2 innings picking up multiple strikeouts. His FB velocity was at 86.8 MPH to 88.5 MPH while his SLD continues to look better as a secondary offering with it sitting at 71-74 MPH and nearing 2400 RPMs on its spin rate while getting -17.9" of horizontal movement at its peak. Ourique's CHG is his present best secondary giving off above average to plus potential and it was at 75-77 MPH during CA State Games averaging 1400 RPMs of spin showing his effective ability to kill spin while getting 18.9" of horizontal movement giving him and east/west offspeed mix between the SLD/CHG combo to go with his FB and ability to throw all 3 pitches for strikes. CA State Games wrapped up a spring/summer in which Ourique firmly placed himself on the radar of college programs. |
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Landon Hovermale LHP / 1B / Norco, CA / 2026Hovermale began the year at the SoCal Preseason All State Underclass where he was very effective, but returning to the Prep Baseball California state for the CA State Games the noticeably more athletic frame and improved stuff Hovermale has developed made a loud statement. His FB velocity is now at 82-86 MPH consistently while touching 87 from the LH side with an average of 19.8" of IVB throughout his time on the mound. Hovermale paired his quality FB with a 73-76.5 MPH SLD getting 14.2" of horizontal movement with tight break that generated swing/miss from multiple hitters. His third offering was 75-78 MPH CHG which flasehd potential, but he is still polishing his feel to throw the pitch consistently with the action he wants. Overall, Hovermale controlled the strike zone with quality stuff to produce multiple strikeouts and showed off his upside as a rising '26 LHP out of the Inland Empire. |
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Gavin Cervantes RHP / OF / St. John Bosco , CA / 2026Cervantes was yet another '26 arm who put on an impressive display during his time on the CA State Games stage at Fullerton College. A wiry athletic 5'11 170 lbs. righthander Cervantes used a whippy quick arm from an athletic delivery to produce a FB in the 84-88 MPH range consistently that touched 90 MPH several times early in his outing. He backed up the quality FB with a 75-78 MPH SLD that touched 80 MPH with strong spin rates peaking above 2600 RPMs multiple times in his outing. Working predominantly off the 2 pitch mix over 2 innings of 5 hitters per inning Cervantes collected 7 Ks and numerous swing/misses within the strike zone showing his potential. There is still polish needed to the operation with strength to add to the frame, but the statement made by Cervantes at CA State Games was that his name is one college coaches need to be keeping eyes on going forward. |
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Gavin Guy 3B / RHP / Newport Harbor, CA / 2026Guy was a strong two-way performer who put together a good workout and played well defensively with several strong at bats throughout the weekend showing his potential as RH hitting INF who profiles at 3B well. But, his outing on the mound at CA State Games showed the height of his ceiling as RHP. With a 6'4 185 lbs. projectable frame for a RHP Guy backed up the look of being a pitcher with the stuff of a rising '26 arm to know. His FB sat at 85-88 MPH throughout his work on the mound while showing high spin rates peaking above 2400 RPMs multiple times with 15.8" of IVB which generated called strikes and swing/miss in the zone. Guy throws a 74-76 MPH SLD as his primary secondary with -11.8" of horizontal movement to go with 2400+ RPM spin rate that flashes potential to be a consistent swing/miss offering. The two pitch mix, clean delivery, athletic frame with projection all wrap up into an intriguing package for the '26 RHP out of the Orange County area as a player to keep eyes on for college programs. |
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Camden Goetz OF / RHP / Canyon High, CA / 2026Goetz has been as consistent of a LH hitting prospect as any who have come across the Prep Baseball California radar over the course of the last 8 months since the SoCal Preseason All State Underclass in January. A 6'1 180 lbs OF who has shown the ability to work strong at bats, generate hard contact off the barrel from line to line while giving you an impression he could potentially be a CF defender Goetz is a name on the rise. His performance at CA State Games was yet another display of his ability to find the barrel of the bat when he pulls the trigger to swing at pitches, control the strike zone with his swing decisions, use the whole field with leverage and be an athletic defender. Goetz picked up multiple hits and his outs were loud off the barrel. College programs eyeing LH hitters for their '26 class should be paying close attention to the rise of Goetz going forward as he has plenty of potential to impact a college lineup in the future. |
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Julian Oliver 3B / RHP / Novato High, CA / 2026Oliver made our earlier list as one of the top performers during the workout portion of the CA State Games and the two-way prospect out of NorCal showed that his quality tool set doesn't just shine during the workout, but it plays in game at a strong level. He flashed his feel to hit by collecting multiple hard hit baseballs throughout the weekend at the plate and as impressively he flashed the actions, footwork, and in game arm strength/accuracy to defend the INF dirt on the left side at a solid to impact level. As good as Oliver was as a position player he was as strong during his time on the mound. His FB presently sits at 82-85 MPH, but he controls it within the strike zone with an easy delivery and good arm action while showing the ability to ride his FB with 2500+ spin rates and an average 22" of IVB. Dropping in a shorter breaking SLD at 77-79 MPH with cutter like action that he threw for strikes consistently and the makings of a CHG at 78-79 MPH that he is still polishing his feel for. Oliver's performance at the CA State Games made a strong impression on the Prep Baseball CA staff and the college coaches in attendance as a '26 on the rise. |
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Royce McKenzie OF / 2B / St. Bernard Catholic, CA / 2026McKenzie is a compact framed athletic OF who has consistently shown well at Prep Baseball California events and the CA State Games was no different. Checking in at 5'7 165 lbs. with the defensive and athletic actions to play all 3 OF spots, but best suited for CF/LF McKenzie continued to show his feel to hit in game with a multi hit weekend that included several quality at bats and loud outs outside of his hits. McKenzie has some present strength to his frame and shows impact through contact which will allow him to drive the ball through the middle of the field with HR power to the pull side as he continues polishing his overall hitting approach despite his smaller stature. McKenzie continues to raise his stock by continuing to perform at high levels during games and is one people should be keeping eyes on going forward. |
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Carl McMullan II SS / 2B / SIERRA CANYON SCHOOL, CA / 2026McMullan is yet another impressive younger player for the rising Sierra Canyon program which is stocked with talented young players and McMullan's performance at the CA State Games puts him right in the mix to be a big part of the future of the Mustangs program. Checking in at 5'8 165 lbs. McMullan took a strong batting practice including a 100% sweet spot rate which showed his feel for finding the barrel that carried into the game play portion as he started his weekend 4-4 in his first 4 at bats spraying the ball around the field hard on a line before recording his 1st out. A good feel for hitting with a middle of the diamond defensive profile that looks comfortable at 2B with some SS potential McMullan made a strong impression for himself at CA State Games. |
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Elijah Duarte SS / C / Ruben S. Ayala High School, CA / 2026Duarte follows a trend of players here who started their year off with a strong showing at the SoCal Preseason All State Underclass and carried it into a strong high school season before capping their summer with a stellar showing at the CA State Games. Duarte was strong during the workout portion of the event and when gameplay started those tools from the workout translated very well in game with multiple hits over the course of his time at the plate. His actions defensively give you the feel he can stick on the left side of the dirt at either SS or 3B on the infield, but he looks comfortable playing 2B as well. Consistently strong with everything he does on the baseball Duarte is a name on the rise and should be one college programs keep a close eye on. |
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Hudson Hall C / 3B / Elk Grove High, CA / 2026Traveling down from NorCal Hall made a strong statement throughout the event similar to what he did at the NorCal Preseason All State event. Flashing impact at the plate with arm strenth behind the plate during the workout both tools showed up in game with several hard hit baseball and multiple hits for Hall while he showed off his arm strength with several strong throws during the game play portion. An athletic frame with room to add strength and his feel for the game Hall has a bright future as a backstop who provides offensive impact.
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Jameson Berigan RHP / OF / Thousand Oaks High, CA / 2026Berigan showed off for the first time for Prep Baseball California staff his potential as a two way player. His workout was strong enough to earn notice in our workout wonders piece, but his play in game was as impressive. Toeing the rubber as the first arm for the Red team he showed off his high spin FB with ride at 86-89 MPH including 20.1" of IVB on average while flashing 2400+ spin rates. He paired it with a shorter breaking SLD at 74-80 MPH and 77-81 MPH CHG. He scuffled a bit early, but locked in to induce swing/miss and chase from hitters flashing the potential he has as a RHP. In addition, he showed the athleticism, actions and feel for the ball in the air to be a potential RF defender with arm strength and stung the baseball at the plate with authority from a swing that generates lift to flash potential as a RH hitter. The ceiling overall for Berigan is high and he will be a name to follow in the '26 class. |
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Brady McKay SS / 2B / Crean, CA / 2026McKay impressed during the workout portion of the event as he continues to heal from an injury that disrupted his summer schedule a bit, but the tools and athleticism for McKay helped him to a very strong performance at the event. A RH hitter who projects to stick up the middle defensively with some real potential to play SS long term as he matures. He made several good plays defensively while stringing together strong at bats and finding the barrel effectively. He continues to trend up and his showing at the CA State Games affirms him as a name to keep eyes on for the '26 class going forward.
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Carter Head RHP / 3B / Arnold O. Beckman High, CA / 2026Head toed the rubber during the first game of the CA State Games for the Green team and the righthander out of the CIF-SS D3 champions Beckman program was very strong in his outing. Checking in at 6'1 180 lbs with wiry strength and a clean quick arm action while displaying feel for his 3 pitch mix of a FB/SLD/CHG. Head sat at 83- 86 MPH on his FB bumping the 87 MPH mark while showing 2400+ spin rates and an average of 18.1" of IVB. His SLD is of the shorter tighter variety with 71-73 MPH velocity with 2400+ spin rates also and his CHG was effective at 76-80 MPH and generates arm side fade. His quality pitch mix, ability to generate swing/miss in the zone and chase out of it and easy delivery make Head a very intriguing '26 uncommitted arm raising his stock at the CA State Games. |
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Jose Borrego C / RHP / Sultana High, CA / 2026Borrego displayed loud tools during the workout portion of the event and one of those loud tools was his arm strength. When the 5'8 160 lbs. compact righthander toed the rubber his arm strength was on display with a FB at 86-90 MPH including spin rates nearing 2600+ and an average of 22.6" of IVB giving it plenty of ride to get chase out of the zone and swing/miss in zone. His SLD comes in at 72-76 MPH while peaking above 2600 with it spin rate and averaged -11.8" of horizontal movement making it a tough pitch for hitters to handle. There is some general rawness to his operation on the mound, but the natrual arm strength and quality two pitch makes for an intriguing RHP prospect, but combined with his potential as solid position player who showed well throughout the event should have people taking note of him going forward. |
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Evan Spencer SS / 2B / Summit High, CA / 2026Spencer checks in with a leaner athletic frame frame at 5'8 140 lbs. that will continue to add strength as he matures. His defensive ability moving around the INF dirt caught the eyes of several members of the Prep Baseball California staff as he played above average defense at multiple spots while giving you the feel that he could play SS long term if his arm strength continues to trend up. Far from a glove only player the RH hitter showed a good approach with feel to control the strike zone and an accurate swing which consistently hit the baseball hard in play. Playing for a strong Summit High School program with his foundation of baseball tools and room to keep developing take down the name of Evan Spencer because there is plenty to like about his future. |
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Miles Mino SS / 2B / Berkeley, CA / 2026The NorCal LH hitting INF was impressive in his showing at the CA State Games. Standing 6'1 180 lbs with some present strength to his frame Mino looks the part of a potential future left side of the INF defender with enough intrigue to his actions that he could stay at SS long term who played strong defense. While his defense was consistently good his offensive production was as impressive if not even more. He found the barrel on numerous swings throughout the event to collect multiple hits and one of his best swings of the weekend didn't even result in a hit as he stung a loud line drive out to RF later in the event. Overall a quality LH hitter who shows INF dirt defensive potential with room to develop/improve athletically & strength wise there is plenty of reason to keep eyes on Mino after the CA State Games showing. |
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Derrick Robertson C / 1B / San Juan Hills, CA / 2026Robertson had a very strong workout and the 6'1 178 lbs backstop out of the Orange County area continued it into the game play portion of the event. His RH swing and approach in the box to be on time helped him collect multiple hits and multiple balls in play over 95+ MPH on Trackman showing the potential impact he possess at the plate. In addition Roberston looked strong behind the dish receiving well and showing some present feel to block. The foundation of his frame, athletic ability, offensive profile with the potential to stay at catcher long term all combining into a very strong '26 name to know going forward after his CA State Games showing. |
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Connor Uchida OF / SS / Crystal Springs Uplands School, CA / 2026Uchida made his first appearance on the Prep Baseball California stage after earning an invite to the CA State Games on the strength of is spring/summer prior to the event and the LH hitter took full advantage of the opportunity. Standing at 5'10 170 lbs. presently with some wiry strength to it he showed a direct swing with an accurate barrel that sprayed line drives and hard contact all over the field throughout the event. Uchida collected multiple hits and hit multiple balls hard while flashing good athleticism to his overall profile. The arrow is pointed up on Uchida as he heads into his JR. campaign of high school. |
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Carson Baker 2B / RHP / South Hills, CA / 2026Baker impressed the Prep Baseball California staff with a strong showing at the Ventura County ID earlier in the summer to earn his invite to the CA State Games. The medium framed 5'10 160 lbs. Baker combines an overall strong collection of tools on the defensive, offensive, and athletic side to be a well rounded baseball player who performed at a high level during game play. He moved around the INF dirt to play multiple spots showing the footwork, glove, arm strength and accuracy to be a potential impact defender at 2B who could slide to the left side should his arm continue to gain more strength. His offensive profile is strong with control of the strike zone, good timing to his approach, quickness to his swing with an all fields feel to hit that produced hard contact and suits a table setter profile. Playing for a very good South Hills High program where he should compete for an impact spot on their roster in his JR campaign Baker is headed in the right direction as he closes out his summer. |
Upcoming Events
Showcase | State | Date | Location |
SoCal Underclass Top Prospect Game | 09/28 | University of San Diego | |
2024 West Coast Games | CA | 10/04 | JSerra High School & Chapman University (Hart Park) |
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