Winter Ball Notebook: Huntington Beach Vs. Aliso Niguel & Mira Costa

Head Coach Benji Medure (Huntington Beach HS)  hosts Craig Hanson (Aliso Niguel HS)  and Keith Ramsey (Mira Costa HS) in a preseason three-way double header at his picturesque baseball stadium less than a mile away from the sandy shores of Huntington Beach, California. The Oilers took on a talented Aliso Niguel squad in game one, and faced a stacked Mira Costa lineup in game two. 

aliso niguel vs. huntington beach

+ 2020 OF Jake Vogel (Huntington Beach HS) Has a 70-grade run tool, along with three other tools on the plus side currently. I saw Cal State Fullerton star Mark Kotsay play with the Titans back in the mid 1990’s; Vogel reminds me of him in many ways. He hits the ball hard every at-bat and striking out is a rarity. It’s going to be fun to watch what he does this season and how his numbers stack up against the three other high school MLB Draft outfield prospects in the area. Admire the double he hits in the clip below, and the subtle extra-gear Vogel hits about half-way between first base and second base. Clocked a 4.33 on the turn and 7.56 home-to-second. Draft stock is rising. 

+ 2020 3B/RHP Michael Davinni (Aliso Niguel HS) The University of San Diego signee is an intriguing two-way prospect that is rightfully garnering interest from Major League scouts. A physical six-feet, 195lbs Davinni is a third baseman that can really swing it with over the fence power potential. Oh ya, he brings it on the mound as well; athletic, with a quick arm 90-92, and spins a wipe-out slider at 77-78. Davinni will be the lock down closer all year, which suits him just fine. 

+ 2020 SS Noah Sudyka (Aliso Niguel HS) I have followed Sudyka’s progress over the past year. A two-sport athlete (football) that has now focused his full-time attention to the diamond. Athletic, with a strong, durable frame the UCSD signee is primed for a big year with the Wolverines, and will be counted on to produce from the middle of the lineup meanwhile anchoring down the shortstop position. Sudyka does a good job here adjusting to the curveball with two strikes, squaring it up, and shooting it the other way. The Tritons have a good one here.

mira costa vs. huntington beach

+ 2020 OF Petey Halpin (Mira Costa HS) Has been leaving his mark on the SoCal scene the second we all got wind he was headed south to Manhattan Beach. Halpin continues to impress scouts and decision makers with his toolsy actions and 70-grade run tool. He plays the game the right way, no matter the previous result. Clocked a 4.01 seen here. Draft stock is rising. Will Halpin show up on University of Texas campus in August?

+ 2020 OF/1B Jag Burden (Huntington Beach HS) The Cal Berkley commit has always been one of my favorite 2020’s; the kid can rake. Since day one progress has occured at a steady clip, along with the physical tools. His understanding of the strike zone and his ability to compete every pitch is a separator for me. I don’t think there has been a time when I’ve seen Huntington Beach play where he didn’t get at least two hits. The term hitterish comes to mind. In my opinion, one of the top hitters in the state and always plays the game the right way.  Logged another two hits on the afternoon, the double seen here missed going out for a home run by a couple feet. A tough out that can spray the ball with authority to all fields.

+ 2021 OF/RHP Jonah Storey (Mira Costa HS) is an underrated, uncommitted, six-foot-one, 185lbs, two-way recruit that college programs need to pay attention to, and run to go lock up this junior. I have followed Storey for the past year and always come away impressed with his overall game and approach. This season Storey will be an important piece on the pitching staff logging important innings. However, his impact with the bat is even greater. He will be firmly planted in the middle of the lineup to produce. Halpin should be on base all year, and the opportunities to drive runs in should be plentiful and hopefully fruitful. Storey is a leader by example and has a high baseball IQ. Here he is collecting two hits on the afternoon.

+ 2020 3B Kyle Karros (Mira Costa HS) The UCLA commit has a frame you can dream on and his physical tools are present. When Karros stays connected at the plate and squares it up, it’s loud, and can be dangerous. He has attracted the attention of MLB scouts since the Area Code Games. In my opinion, three years at UCLA would be optimal and the best decision to let his tools develop. Karros has over the fence power potential, and has a chance to be a monster coming out of his junior year at UCLA.  Here he is squaring one up without the desired results. There will be a ton of eyes on the Mira Costa squad this season, and a great platform.

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