Area Code Games: Day 1

A’s:

2020 LHP Kyle Harrison (De La Salle) - UCLA commit. Got the start on the hill for the A’s and showed up ready to go attacking hitters with mainly two pitches attacking the inside part of the plate to set up the nasty slider. At 6-2, 205 the build has length in the lower half with the space to continue to add strength projecting more velocity as he matures, Harrison was on as his long, loose arm worked from that 3/4-to-Mid-3/4 slot running the FB on both sides of the plate and showing a late breaking SLD that was devastating as it froze hitters and got some ugly swings and misses. Went 3IP giving up three hits (1 clean single) and 0 runs, hitting one guy (back foot SLD), walking one and striking out 6. The FB 87-91 T92 worked mainly 89-91 touching down a tick in the 3rd with the run working on both sides. SLD 75-78 late breaking with tilt to miss barrels and freeze hitters. CHG 81 flashing hard dive out of the hand; only used it once or twice and didn’t need it during the outing. If scouts didn’t know about Harrison before today, they got a great look at his upside. 

2020 1B Michael Brown (Vacaville) - Washington commit. Showed off the strength in his frame when he doubled down the left field line (breaking two bats in the AB, one on the hit) and showed the footwork and glove to be an overall solid first baseman. XL frame at 6-5, 220 has current strength with the room to keep adding and enough athleticism to move easily (4.87T on double) all over the field. Glove was good during pre-game picking balls out of the dirt and helping his infielders. Hoping the Marine Layer is clear tomorrow morning to see him put on a show during the A’s batting practice. 

2020 C Tyler Soderstrom (Turlock) - UCLA commit. Soderstrom might be the best catcher in the state and showed his intriguing toolset in this game. Athletically built at 6-2, 190, Soderstrom moves easily on the baseball field showing an above average arm during pre-game (1.87-1.97 pop) and working well with Harrison to cruise through the Brewers lineup. Offensively he squared the baseball up twice with a hard line out to RF and then tripling down the 1st base line showing the ability to tighten his hands and keep it fair (4.47T). 

2020 INF Nick Yorke (Archbishop Mitty) - Arizona commit. Yorke continues to impact the game in multiple ways playing solid defense at 2nd base and putting together three quality AB’s picking up a hit, 2 walks and a SB. The athleticism in the 6-0, 195 frame is there and he made a great play on a tough throw, falling to his backside but having the wherewithal to grab the ball off the turf and make a great tag getting the A’s out of a situation and setting them up for the victory. 

2020 RHP Andy Owen (Turlock) - USC Commit. Owen carried over a strong outing during the Area Code Tryouts to his 1 inning outing today striking out two and showing a strong three-pitch mix. Arm is loose and live, showing length out of the glove in a delivery that keeps his hands at his waist and having some effort with head whack. Normally that would signify some control problems, but that wasn’t the case as Owen working the ball up and down with angle and showing feel for his late change. FB 90-93, CHG 85 with late dive, SLD 80 short with lateral break. Owen has kept improving and the upside is present. 

Brewers:

2020 RHP/OF Jared Jones (La Mirada) - USC commit.Getting the start on the hill for the Brewers, Jones went two innings striking out two and walking five. It was a rough start for Jones, but the tools still flashed even with poor control during the outing. FB 90-93 worked through the top half of the zone getting some swing and misses; was unable to adjust only rarely flashing angle of the pitch. CHG 85-87 with heavy and late bottom armside at the plate; got some swing and miss on the pitch and was the best one on the day. SLD 78-79 with late action flashing bite and showing feel of the pitch to throw it in different counts; couldn’t really use the pitch because he was behind. During BP he showed a quick bat with a slightly uphill path driving the ball to the pullside flashing some pop that way. 

2020 INF Jacob Gonzales (Glendora) - The Mississippi commit checks in at a physical 6-foot-2, 185lbs. The ultra-athletic, two-sport (football – QB) recruit had one of the better BP sessions on the day. Athleticism really stood out. Gonzalez was peppering balls all over the field displaying gap power and a hinted some future over the fence power potential. Currently overall game is raw with defense over hit. Exhibits graceful movements and quick twitch actions on defense. Gonzalez looks fresh, and I like that he has not been worn out by the showcase circuit.

2020 OF Isaiah Green (Corona) - Greene, currently uncommitted has made some significant adjustments in his approach since the last viewing at the Area Code tryouts. He really stood out in his BP session today using the whole field squaring it up consistently. It translated into the game where he had a hard hit single seen here. Your buying the athleticism, speed and what could be a high ceiling if he puts it all together.

2020 OF Kalai Rosario (Waiakea, HI) - The Cal Baptist commit is a sturdy 6-feet, 200lbs. Shows tremendous physical strength, plus bat speed, power to all fields in BP. Game power is behind raw power due to limited experience, but no concerns about its development. Swing path and plane creates backspin and gets carry on fly balls. Has the most raw power on the team. Average arm strength; not an asset but enough for a corner outfield, and won’t be exposed. Took quality at-bats today and squared it up a couple times (Hard 1B to RF and hard L6).

2020 UTL Jonathan Vaughns (St John Bosco) - The uncommitted, physical, 6-foot-2, 210lbs, two-sport (football – Safety) passes the eye test, and really fills out his uniform. Vaughns stands on an extra-large, athletic, durable, frame with high waist and tush. Strong, muscle build w/ barrel chest & wide shoulders. Big, strong hands and toned legs. Physically mature with minimal room to grow. Ideal body to hold up to the rigors of a professional baseball season. Vaughns took a solid round of BP with loud contact and displayed plus raw power. Currently tough to say what position will be his future, until then he will be used as a super utility player; will get reps this week in right field showing a plus arm, first base and on the mound.

2020 C Kevin Parada (Loyola) - Georgia Tech commit. 6-foot, 195 pounds, strong frame, athleticism with present strength. Looked good at the plate during the game and in batting practice. Parada makes consistent loud contact and that was the case during the game and in BP. Laced a single to LF (103 exit velo) taking a middle in pitch and turned on it as the shortstop was going to cover on a hit and run. Flashed some gap power during BP working the ball gap-to-gap. He has quick feet and gets out of the box with a good first step. Behind the plate he showed some athleticism. Has soft hands behind the plate, clean exchange, footwork on point and come thru throw. Parada was one of the highlights in the game from the Brewers team.

2020 INF De’Andre Smith (San Dimas HS) - USC commit. 5-foot-8, 180 pounds medium frame, athletic and strong body. Had a good day at the plate recording one base hit (1B to RF). He came in during the middle of the game to take over for short, recording the single, a run scored and a stolen base. Stayed on a pitch away hitting it to right-center flashing a nice compact swing. Line drive approach and used the whole field during batting practice. Great jump to steal second and is a threat once on the base paths. He is smooth at short, good actions, fields the ball with proper mechanics showing good reads off the bat. Did show some lateral movement making up-the-middle play and seemed to play with confidence. Has a strong arm, showing carry and mechanics where consistent. Skills to stick in the middle of the infield.