3 for '23 - Delaney, Gantz, Strother
December 8, 2021
Highlighting 3 players in the 2023 class to keep an eye on heading into the 2022 season. Each players was evaluated in the summer at our West Coast Trials event at Linfield.
Summer events events such as this provide players with the opportunity to build their profile with the most up-to-date information and video footage. All players in attendance receive an online profile with their verified statistics, player report, picture and video. Additionally, all subsequent stories written about a prospect will be linked to the player’s profile, ultimately creating a one-stop shop for recruiters.
Showcases help identify which prospects have asserted themselves towards the top of their class as well as who might be one of the next youngsters to emerge onto the scene. They also serve as potential identifiers for invite-only events such as our Future Games, Junior Future Games and West Coast Games
For a full statistical release of the event, click HERE
3 for '23
uncommitted spotlight
Riley Delaney RHP / OF / Tualatin, OR / 2023Rankings StateRank: 47 / POS: 13
6-foot-1, 165 pounds with wiry, athletic frame. Square, athletic set up in the box with slight crouch in his set up. Hands start loaded just below rear shoulder as he maintains flexion with his lead elbow. Quick, low forward stride into landing as hands push back to create separation. Rotates easily to create bat speed as barrel covers depth in the zone. Strong brace against his front side with full rotation through contact. Line drive approach with gap-to-gap type power. Defensively, moves with clean and athletic actions in the OF. Aggressive, confident routes to the ball with consistent footwork. Funnels ball outside of stance which leads to an easy exchange into throwing motion. Long, continuous arm path with high ¾ release. Accurate ball flight with projectable arm strength. On the mound, the body control and athletic arm action translates well. Works with a quick, deliberate pace throughout with controlled, late intent. Stays tall at leg lift then gets into drop and drive action with back leg as he strides down the slope. Creates slight angle in shoulder line with elevated glove hand. Slight cross action at landing. Consistent arm path into high ¾ release. Extends well out over front side and drives through the baseball. FB/CB combination really stood out on this look. Generates hard, downer action on 11/5 CB that has potential to play well off of lively FB at 80-82. Could see a jump in pure stuff in 2022 as he adds strength. |
Carson Gantz SS / RHP / Jesuit, OR / 2023Rankings StateRank: 21 / POS: 6
6-foot, 150 lbs with a square shaped upper half and lean strength throughout. Offensively, uses a tall, upright set-up with an open lower half. Loose, relaxed hands keep barrel in upright position prior to forward stride. Slight hover on backside into forward move as hands push back to load. Simple actions with limited moving parts. Lands balanced and allows hands to work easily to the ball. Loose barrel action into contact as backside gets through the ball. Defensively, moves well in the INF with versatile actions and arm strength to handle multiple positions on the dirt. Clean footwork to work around the ball and come thru the play with momentum into the throw. Soft glove hand as he funnels ball in. Tight, compact arm action with a quick release from low ¾ slot. Arm shows plenty of carry. On the mound, velocity has continued to climb across multiple looks. Worked out of the stretch in this pen session, throwing from the far left side of the rubber with slight cross action at landing. Leads out with hip as he comes down from leg lift and gets into stride. Shorter stride length helps speed up the arm and really shows off his hand speed. Inward turn with upper half hides the ball and creates some added deception. Arm path is bent/compact throughout. Ball jumps out of hand from behind his ear with life thru the zone. Really attacks hitters with FB on the looks we’ve had in-game. Has aptitude for spin and the ability to shape multiple breaking balls. Highly competitive demeanor on the mound with poise and pitchability. |
Grant Strother RHP / C / Sprague , OR / 2023Rankings StateRank: 43 / POS: 12
6-foot, 170 lbs with some present strength. High waisted frame. At the plate, starts with a wide, open base and some weight pre-shifted onto his backside. Closes off direction with a toe tap stride then has slight pause before initiating weight shift into contact. Stays tall in lower half. Hands work inside of the ball with a flatter barrel path into contact. Mainly line drive contact using the big parts of the field. Potential to tap into more lift to pull-side. Head stays down through contact with bottom hand extension as he finishes. Behind the plate, showed the ability to stay low and work beneath the ball while receiving. Solid mobility with his one-knee-down set up. Glove arm stays bent while receiving the ball. Showed a consistent exchange on throws down to 2nd with accuracy to the bag. Clears his lower half and allows backside to come thru after release. High arm action with over the top release. On the mound, uses length and height in his frame well to create a leveraged delivery to drive the ball downhill. Starts delivery with hand set very high above eye level. Gets into a coiled leg lift with significant inward rotation. Clean direction into landing from the far right side of the rubber. Arm gets fully extended after hand break then moves into a high ¾ slot with a continuous path. Strong lead leg and glove side out front. Eyes stay on target throughout. Back side comes through with intent and torso shows extension out towards target. FB shows some late fade/arm-side run when down in the zone. CB flashes depth with 11/5 shape and CH tumbles hard when at its best. |