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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA - Without any inside knowledge of their recruitments status or activity, these players standout among those not yet verbally committed, for a variety of reasons. The focus here is on some players who have STANDOUT tools and/or ability, which we've seen live, and yet, here they are listed in this piece.

Last week a few of the uncommitted senior pitchers came off the board. At this time of year there generally aren't an abundance of shortstops or centerfielders or left-handed hitters in the uncommitted demographic. There always seem to be quite a few catchers, corner infielders and outfielders, and most of them are right-handed hitters still hoping for an opportunity to commit to a four year school, in particular D1 schools.

In any case, for the catchers, the reasons they remain uncommitted aren't overly complicated. College rosters often have only 3-4 catchers, one is the expected starter (scholarship), another is likely a younger player (soph or frosh on scholarship) and the expected future starter and plays in mid-week games, etc. Beyond those two, there is likely a walk-on for depth and then perhaps a player or two who is an OF/C or 1B/C, and very often a left-handed hitter. In some years a D1 program won't recruit a scholarship level primary catcher.

As for corner position players, those positions are often counted on to produce significant offense at the college level. The issue for the high school players who fit in this category of player is that, yes, they may have raw hit tools, size, strength, etc, but ultimately the biggest question about any player is this... is he going to hit beyond high school? Power only matters if a player can GET to his power and it's a usable tool, which requires him to be able to hit. The players who fit in this category among uncommitted high school players are often right-handed hitters.

No one REALLY knows if a high school player will hit at the D1 level. Sure, recruiters/evaluators feel better about some than others, but if it's between a high school senior or a productive juco player, and now, a college player in the portal, well, college coaches KNOW a lot more about those players. Those players are significantly less risky. Having been a D1 recruiting coordinator, albeit 20+ years ago, that's how I see it.

As it pertains to middle infielders who remain uncommitted, particuarly the shortstops, the main question isn't generally about the hitting ability (seen as a bonus), it's of course the defense. There are some uncommitted middle guys we've seen as good offensive players, with plus speed, strong arms, i.e. TOOLSY, generally right-handed hitters. The question that is most likely holding them back from an opportunity is, as you might assume, can he stay at SS? Along with that, if he can't stick at shortstop for the college program, where could he move to and then the question moves to this... will the offensive ability be enough to want to move him... which brings us back to the original question of... is he going to hit?

So, let's look at who some of these players (2024 grads, position players) are who I believe will be contributors at the D1 level, whether it's sooner, or later.

For a deeper dive into the players, please go to their profiles where you will find all the metrics, data, and video we have on them (available to PBR subscribers).

Players listed alphabetically:

Ian Coyne C / 1B / Rocklin, CA / 2024 Rankings  StateRank: 271 / POS: 30 Followed up a strong showing at BAWS 2023 with an impressive tryout for Area Codes, earning a spot on the Athletics ACG team. Has shown plenty of catch/throw skills, glimpses of hitting talent to support his defense.

Luke Duncan C / OF / Dougherty Valley, CA / 2024 Rankings  StateRank: 277 / POS: 31 His catch/throw talents fit for a D1 recruit, without a doubt. He's also a talented blocker, receiver, and pitch-sequencer, which to have that show up in showcase game settings is really impressive. Has gap juice.

Maximiliano Garcia 3B / El Cerrito, CA / 2024 Rankings  StateRank: 320 / POS: 25 On multiple occasions we've seen his impactful hitting tools, with exit velocities ranking near the top of ALL California 2024 grads. In most recent game action, we saw the usability of the tools, with impact production.

John Handy C / 3B / Woodcreek, CA / 2024 Rankings  StateRank: 99 / POS: 11 Highest ranked uncommitted position player among all Northern CA 2024 grads. From this perspective, he doesn't lack a single thing relative to tools and talents and skills for D1 baseball. And that includes running speed.

Jamie Mullin 3B / 1B / De La Salle, CA / 2024 Rankings  StateRank: 330 / POS: 26 De La Salle will again be among the top teams in NorCal, w/title expectations. If Mullin produces at the plate like his talents say he can (as an RBI man, such as Connor Harrison was in 2023), the Spartans will have had a good year.

Nolan Randol OF / 3B / Bellarmine College Prep, CA / 2024 Rankings  StateRank: 244 / POS: 38 Has all five tools, with the eye test being backed up by the data produced in workouts. Excellent defense in CF, if he was a LHH he'd likely be committed. Size, strength, full tool set, experienced vs top competition, strong make-up.

Jake Redding C / 3B / Lincoln, CA / 2024 Rankings  StateRank: 255 / POS: 27 For a catcher, it often comes down to the main part of the position, receiving. Redding CAN hit, has a strong accurate arm, big time motor. If there is a question about his receiving, with NO hesitation I'll guarantee he can be coached up.

Sammy Rivas SS / OF / Serra , CA / 2024 Rankings  StateRank: 249 / POS: 54 No doubt his recruiting status is related simply to whether coaches think he can play SS, then if not, will the bat (RHH) play at another position. Given the plus tools and how serious he is about his body and development, I'd bet on him.

Nic Sebastiani OF / SS / Sonoma Valley, CA / 2024 Rankings  StateRank: 275 / POS: 42 His run and arm tools, along with electric hitting hands, put Sebastiani in a unique category of TOOLSY players. Has been a SS but now learning OF, already showing comfort in the OF. Such a high ceiling! Someday it will all click.

Evann Smith SS / OF / St. Ignatius College Prep, CA / 2024 Rankings  StateRank: 196 / POS: 44 An early emerger in '24 class, was a starter at SS as a frosh. Smith has battled some injuries but hopefully that's in the past. There is THUNDER in his bat, not difficult to project impactful performance in college. His position could be in question.

JT Summers C / 1B / Casa Grande, CA / 2024 Rankings  StateRank: 229 / POS: 25 His offensive tools, ability to produce, and consistency stand out. Strong arm, receives well, has excellent baseball make-up. At 6'4" there could be wonder to how he holds up and still be able to provide impact offense, which is his carry tool.

UPCOMING EVENTS

SHOWCASE	STATE	DATE	LOCATION
San Diego Fall ID	CA	11/04	Maranatha Christian School
Rising Stars ID: San Diego	CA	11/04	Maranatha Christian School

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