Underclass All-State Games: Quick Hits

Phoenix Madsen RHP / OF / Shadow Ridge, AZ / 2024

6-foot-3 175 pounds, Phoenix Madsen attended the Underclass All-State Games as a pitcher only. He started the game on the mound and set the trend for the day as the pitchers were in control early. Facing 15 hitters, Madsen allowed 3H, 0R, 4K while walking 1 hitter. Madsen has the build of an elite starting pitcher, with some room to grow. His FB clocked in the top 5 at the event, topping at 84 mph with a spin rate of 2336 rpm and high IVB (19.1). He got off to a questionable start, command was shaky, but he showed great composure as his outing lengthened out. It was good to see Madsen settle in through his outing, and progress as he went. The SL was 70-75 with the ability to land it for strikes. With his build, and added strength and maturity, Madsen is an arm in the 2024 class with high upside and will be a follow for us through this spring at Shadow Ridge. 

Jimmy Diaz SS / OF / Cienega , AZ / 2024

6-foot-2 185 pounds, Jimmy Diaz is a very interesting prospect coming out of Cienega. He's put on 10 pounds since we've seen him last year, and has the build of an elite left side infielder. Diaz showed well through the entire day, putting up solid numbers all around, and performing in game. In his first at bat, Diaz worked the count to full and resulted in a double. He stands with a wider base in the box, very balanced and uses a toe tap stride. The swing plane is flat and direct with good extension through the baseball. Diaz's BP was very mature, 50% line drives, all with backspin flight and a max exit velo of 94 mph. He touched 83 mph across the diamond and showed athleticism and good glove work. Jimmy Diaz is a player that carries himself with some presence, and with more added strength over the next year or so, Diaz will be a highly sought after prospect. 

Andres Castro RHP / 3B / Pusch Ridge Christian, AZ / 2024

6-foot-1 200 pounds, this was this second time this month we got to see Castro out at one of our events, and each time out he is trending in the right direction. Castro is a two-way prospect from Pusch Ridge Christian; however, the upside on the mound is starting take over. Castro posted the event high for FB velo at the Underclass Games, as well as the Tucson ID. Castro started the game on the mound for his team on the 29th, and his outing was poetry. 15 batters faced, 1H, 0R, 6K, 1BB, throwing only 4 balls through his first 7 batters which he set down in order. Castro has not fully tapped into his ability. Currently wrapping up his basketball season at Pusch Ridge, Castro joined us not in complete baseball shape, yet was one of the main highlights on the day. Andres Castro should be making some noise this spring.

Jake Sanko SS / 2B / Sandra Day O'Connor , AZ / 2024

5-foot-9 150 pounds, Jake Sanko has continuously shown to be one of the top athletes on the field every time we have a chance to see him. He possesses a smaller frame, but the explosiveness in his actions is noticeable. Sanko always seems to be making an impact on the game somewhere. His at bats are always competitive, count on a ball or two coming off his barrel per game, and he will run the bases. Sanko turned in a 6.5 60 yard at the Underclass Games. During BP, balls were coming off his bat hard regularly, turning in a 95 mph exit velo and max distance of 358' (top 3). The swing path does have a small amount of loft to it, but he's shown he has the ability to beat outfielders over their heads. Sanko's best success is line drives to the gaps. In game action, Sanko had a 2-4 day, 2 singles, an RBI, and a SB. We expect Sanko to be in the mix of things this year as a sophomore at talented Sandra Day O'Connor.

Smith Bailey RHP / Mountain Ridge, AZ / 2024

6-foot-4 175 pounds, Smith Bailey could have been the biggest bright spot on the day. Currently sitting at the #31 rank in the 2024 class, expect to see a jump in the next update. Smith Bailey has a far above average build for the position and an arm that works. The ball jumps out of his hand, currently the FB is only in the low 80s, but velo will not be an issue for Bailey. The body and arm work too well for the FB not to be in the upper 80's this time next year. Bailey's breaking ball was on this outing, with some downward break, Bailey was buckling hitters. Through 15 hitters, Bailey allowed only 1 hit, 1 run, 1 walk, and punched out 5. Playing for a strong program with a good coaching staff at Mountain Ridge, we expect Smith Bailey to continue to grow over the years and turn into a big prospect. 

Bubba Coleman SS / 3B / Liberty, AZ / 2026

5-foot-11 165 pounds, Bubba Coleman is a name we expect to hear at a high rate through his high school career here in Arizona. The LSU commit was the only 2026 in attendance, and he was not over matched a bit. His size and athleticism for his class is far above average. And his swing and body functionality for his class are far above average. Coleman is a player that carries that carries himself with confidence and it shows. Posting a top 10 exit velo at the event (94 mph) and the 4th ranked max distance at the event (349 feet). Coleman doubled down the left field line in game action, and made all his plays in the infield, recording a 76 mph INF velo. As Coleman continues to grow, get reps, learn the game, and play high level baseball at Liberty High School, the ceiling seems to be very high for this young prospect. 

Austin Charles SS / OF / Liberty, AZ / 2024

6-foot-3 195 pounds, Austin Charles is the #2 ranked 2024 in the state and will be heading to San Diego State University to play his college ball. It has been very fun being able to watch Charles mature and learn the game over the last few years. He came onto the scene hot, with a rare ability to throw with both arms, and hit from both sides of the plate. The talent was always there, but we're starting to really see this guy become a baseball player. Charles joined us at the Underclass All-State Games and was a definite stand out, as expected. Recently making the transition to SS for his HS team at Liberty, he showed it will be an easy switch from 3B. We're starting to see the power in his bat come from both sides of the plate, in the past his best bullets were from the left side. And his arm(s) will always be a tool of his as well. Charles turned in the high for exit velo on the day (99 mph) and the #2 ranked max distance on the day (362 feet). The swing plane has really flattened out, we're seeing more consistency with the barrel and back spin ball flight. Charles started the game at SS where he made a few plays look easy, and finished the game in right field where he gunned a baserunner down a home plate attempting to score on a sacrifice fly. And turned in a 1-3 day at the plate with a BB. Charles will be one of the leaders for 6A defending State Champions Liberty High School this year offensively and possibly on the mound, expect big things from Austin "Max" Charles.

Lucas Shannon C / RHP / Salpointe Catholic , AZ / 2025

6-foot-1 185 pounds, Lucas Shannon is no doubt on our radar among the 2025 prospects in Arizona. Shannon has a physical build, with one of his strongest tools being his arm. He was a standout at the plate and on the mound, as he recorded the events 3rd ranked FB velocity at 85 mph. The SL sat 71-72 mph and showed to have the shape of an out pitch. Not only did he stand out on the mound, but behind the plate as well. His best pop time behind the dish on this day was a 1.90 with a 72 mph C velo and true ball flight to 2B. Shannon did not record a hit at the Underclass Games; however, he barreled a ball to right field for a line out, showing the ability to stay on balls and drive them to the opposite field. We're very excited to follow Shannon's development as a two-way prospect with upside on both sides. 

Pitching line:

10 batters faced, 3H, 1ER, 2K, 1BB

Willie Cornejo-Farmer 1B / C / Brophy College Prep, AZ / 2024

6-foot-2 195 pounds, Willie Cornejo-Farmer joined us at the Underclass Games and was one of the top performers in game action. Cornejo-Farmer spend the fall playing outside linebacker for Brophy, and that size and athleticism has carried over to the baseball field. He has ability to keep things simple and allow his strength to take over. Cornejo-Farmer turned in a 3 hit day, including a triple and two singles. And had a strong showing in BP, with a 94 mph EV and 337 max distance. Cornejo-Farmer’s defensive positioning is still up in the air, we will have to see how he ends up athletically, most likely somewhere on the corners, if mobility and athleticism continue to progress, then maybe behind the plate. Cornejo-Farmer definitely showed his offensive presence, and we’re very excited to continue following his growth closely.