The Mile High Crosscheck provides insider information and scouting notes from our PBR Colorado Scouting Staff during the season. This running crosscheck will feature information on underclass prospects, unsigned seniors, draft prospects and highlight notable performances and performers.  We will provide a wide range of information, including player evaluations and game notes. We strive to bring state and national recognition for our Colorado players.

CLASSICAL ACADEMY 13, SAND CREEK 7

6-foot-2,190-pound 2023 Vinny Miller, TCA (Uncommitted) pitched a strong six innings giving up 1 earned run on 3 hits. Miller was 80-81 with good ASR and showed 73 mph CB and a 68 mph change up. Has good late break on his CB when he gets on top of it. He also showed good pop from the left side with an opposite field home run.

Vinny Miller
2023 RHP
Classical Academy HS @TCATitans@PBR_Uncommitted

FB ranged 80-81 with good ASR.
CB at 73.
CH at 68. Good feel for both.

6’2”, 190 lbs has a lot of velocity left in the tank.

Also hit an Oppo home run. pic.twitter.com/6bOVzlys0t

— PBR Colorado (@pbrcolorado) April 22, 2022

2022 Josh Dunn, TCA, (Uncommitted) showed an athletic body and a strong arm across the infield. With added strength, his gap power will increase. Currently hitting .509 on the year with 10 doubles.

2023 Cole Witter, Sand Creek (Uncommitted) showed the ability to compete from the left side going 2-2 with 2 BB's on the day. His ability to put the barrel on the baseball allowed him to work deep in counts and be comfortable with 2 strikes.

 

PONDEROSA 4, DOUGLAS COUNTY 2

On a cold April day at Douglas County High School, 5A’s 4th ranked Douglas County matched up with defending 4A state champs Ponderosa.

Cold conditions must have had an adverse effect on the bats, as barrels were hard to come by. In the end, Ponderosa made the most of their opportunities early in the game and were able to fend off DC, winning the big-time matchup 4-2.

2023 RHP Gabe Jacobs, Ponderosa (Uncommitted) was extremely impressive on the mound throwing 6 innings and only allowing 1 run. 2022 C Derek Lukes, Ponderosa (Point Loma Nazarene) had a big hit in the first inning along with an RBI late to help Ponderosa win. He also displayed next-level ability behind the plate, guiding Jacobs to the win on the bump and closed the game on the mound for the Mustangs.

For Douglas County, 2022 Cooper Latino (RHP/3B, Douglas County, CSU Pueblo) threw 3 scoreless innings with 4 strikeouts late in the game to keep the Huskies close. 

2023 RHP Gabe Jacobs, Ponderosa (Uncommitted) - Jacobs had an excellent outing against the Huskies utilizing a FB that sat 82-85 T87, and a CB sitting at 73-75 with tight 11-5 action. Jacobs showed the ability to box his CB in even/behind counts, as well as the ability to use it as an out pitch when needed. Jacobs was competitive in the zone throughout the day and kept the Huskies hitters off-balance for 6 innings. There’s more velo in that tank, and Jacobs proved today that he can pitch at the next level.

Final Line - 6IP 3H 1ER 4BB 6K

Gabe Jacobs @Gjacobs42
2023 RHP
Ponderosa HS @phsmustangs @PBR_Uncommitted

Impressive day vs DC! 6IP 1R
FB 82-85 T87
CB 73-75 11/5
Boxed up CB in all counts, kept hitters Off-Balance all day!
++Competitor #beSeen @prepbaseball pic.twitter.com/0odteng8UY

— PBR Colorado (@pbrcolorado) April 27, 2022

2022 C Derek Lukes, Ponderosa (Point Loma Nazarene) - Lukes showed a composed approach at the plate and stayed inside the ball well in the first inning to lace a single back through the middle off of a 90MPH fastball from Tucker Moore. More impressive to me was Lukes’ ability to handle the pitching staff well behind the plate. Finally, Lukes closed the game on the mound for the Mustangs with a FB that ranged from 84-85MPH and a decent CB that sat 66-68MPH.

Derek Lukes @lukes_derek
2022 C/RHP
Ponderosa HS @phsmustangs @PLNUBaseball Commit

Turn around 90+ FB for Base Hit ✅
Handle Pitching Staff as C ✅
Close game vs DC in 4-2 Win ✅
FB 84-85 CB 66-68

Lukes with a TEAM effort!! #beSeen @prepbaseball pic.twitter.com/GFZUVOK9by

— PBR Colorado (@pbrcolorado) April 27, 2022

2022 RHP Cooper Latino, Douglas County (CSU Pueblo) - Latino was a bright bright spot for the Huskies today as he shut down the Ponderosa offense from the 5th inning on. Latino utilized his 80-83MPH FB sparingly, relying heavily on his breaking ball which sat 70-73MPH with plus horizontal and vertical depth. 

Final Line - 3IP 3H 0ER 0BB 4K

UPCOMING EVENTS

SHOWCASE	STATE	DATE	LOCATION
Colorado Springs/Pueblo Rising Stars ID	CO	05/09	The Farm - Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado Dugout Club Scout Day	CO	06/07	Horizon High School
PBR Junior Future Games	NATIONAL	07/26	LakePoint
2022 PBR Future Games (Colorado Invite)	CO	07/27	LakePoint Sports Complex - Emerson, GA
Colorado State Games (Invite-Only)	CO	08/08	Cherry Creek High School