Game Notes:

LAS VEGAS, NV – Defending state champion and PBR Nevada Preseason #1 ranked, Palo Verde opened up their 2019 campaign with a trip to Desert Oasis (DO) on Tuesday.  DO was 4-1 heading into the game, and a matchup that found its way on many a calendar, did not disappoint. 

The Panthers jumped on top first as Diamondback starter, '19 Josh Sharman (UNLV) uncharacteristically walked the first two hitters of the game. He proceeded to pick a runner off of second base, prior to allowing a homerun to Paul Myro IV, resulting in a 2-0 deficit. DO would answer with a run of their own in the bottom half of the inning after Bryce Robison’s first pitch of the game was greeted by Parker Schmidt  (Oregon) for a triple to right centerfield. Schmidt would score on an RBI groundout by 2B, ’20 Colby Smith.  Panther, DH, Hunter Chynoweth homered in the second inning, taking the lead to 3-1. The Diamondbacks would score one in the second as well o an RBI single by Schmidt, cutting the lead to one. That would be the end of the scoring for the defending champions as Sharman would settle in.  The D’backs would add two in the bottom of the third courtesy of a sacrifice fly by 1B, '21 Jacob Walsh and an RBI groundout buy OF, Colton Zobrist, taking the lead.  In the fifth, '19 Aaron Roberts (Cal) would tack on an insurance run with a monster homerun to left-centerfield for his 5^th homerun in six games.  LHP, Tyler Montoya relieved Sharman and threw the seventh for the save. 

Scouting Notes: 

'19 Josh Sharman, LHP (Desert Oasis)

UNLV commit. Sturdy, 6-foot-1, 175, Sharman is a pitchability left-hander with room for weight and strength gains. He maintained area control of his fastball that ranged 82-85 with arm side run. He repeated his delivery throwing from a high 3/4 release point. He relies heavily on his curveball that has the makings of an out pitch. With consistent depth and flashes of late, biting down action, he showed the ability to both backdoor right handed hitters as well as back foot them. His changeup was 73-74 with some straight fade to his arm side.  Mostly a two pitch guy, Sharman was a solid athlete off the mound fieldig bunts and running pick plays to near perfection.  He struggled early to get his curveball going and locate his fastball, but he found both in the middle innings and his competitiveness carried him until then.

 

 

’19 Bryce Robison, RHP (Palo Verde)

BYU commit. Athletic, 6-foot-1, 180, Robison is a 3-pitch mix right-hander with solid zone feel. He threw from a high ¾ arm slot with an upright delivery and a short stride. He threw his fastball that ranged 85-89, pitching comfortably 86-88.  His fastball showed occasional sink when down in the zone. Robison used his off speed early and often. His curveball, 74-76, was tight with consistent depth and late, sharp bite. He relied heavily on the breaking ball and it is easy to see a curveball and slider in his repertoire down the line. Robison displayed good feel for his changeup, maintaining arm speed and sink down in the zone.  He is a good athlete off the mound on picks and coverages. With weight and strength gains, Robison should see some velocity gains but his ability to throw strikes and compete will provide mound time straight away.

’19 Tyler Montoya, LHP (Desert Oasis)

Stocky, 5-foot-10, 190, Montoya has a compact frame with present strength. He throws from a ¾ slot with some effort to his delivery.  The delivery is deliberate from the windup with almost a pause at pivot to a full leg lift and then exploding to the plate. His fastball ranged 85-90. The fastball displayed some arm side life with a tendency to spin off his front side. Montoya relies on stuff over control, throwing a firm breaking ball at 74-76 with good down action. He pitched almost exclusively to his arm side which is a direct reflection of his delivery.  Velocity might reverse project with command but feel for spin and competitive spirit will carry forward. 

'20 Paul Myro, OF/RHP/IF (Palo Verde)

Oregon State commit, Strong, 5-foot-10, 180, Myro has a compact frame. Myro started in centerfield and moved to third base with an injury to first baseman, Tyler Kim. Myro likely profiles best as a middle infielder with enough arm strength to stay on the left side.  He threw well in the outfield during pregame with short term velocity and solid carry.  Carry could be enhanced with a little more length in arm should he stay in the outfield.  He maintains an aggressive approach with manageable length to his swing and a good combination of strength and bat speed with sneaky pull side power, homering to left field.  He displayed some uphill plane to his swing path.

On the mound, he threw from a ¾ slot with an upright short stride delivery. He displayed a solid zone feel with a fastball 87-88, touching 89. In the one inning limited look, he showed feel for a curveball and a changeup, striking out two in one inning of work.