Phoenix was a scouting mecca last week, with the juxtaposition of spring training and some high school tournaments. Between The Boras Classic, the Best of the West tournament and the Langley Blaze playing against pro teams, it was an easy opportunity for crosscheckers, directors and even general managers to see a host of amateur prospects.

I landed Wednesday morning and immediately headed to the field to see OF Justin Crawford (Bishop Gorman HS, NV), but SS Jackson Holliday (Stillwater HS, NV) was the highlight of the first day, as he was finishing up a tournament in Peoria. The Oklahoma State recruit is off to a hot start this spring and showing why we’ve had him in or flirting with the top 10 of the high school class for some time. As the son of former big leaguer Matt Holliday, it should come as no surprise that Jackson is an elite hitter. He has gained strength since last summer, but still has room for more. His loose, strong hands create easy bat speed and allow him to manipulate the barrel and drive the ball to all fields. Even when his lower half was caught out front against softer velo, his hands stayed back and delivered loud contact. In terms of best pure hit tool in the high school class, SS Termarr Johnson (Mays HS, GA) is the easy clubhouse leader, but Holliday starts the conversation of who comes after that.