Bay Area World Series (CA): Uncmtd 2021 MIF's

Lathrop, CA - Bay Area World Series (est. 2004) has seen its fair share of outstanding players over the years (38 MLB players and over 800 D1 players, including MIFs like Marcus Semien, Mark Mathias, Tony Renda). Whether they stick at SS long term, obviously that's TBD. But as athletes and often the best athlete on the field, the SS position is valued for so many reasons.

As is the case all over, kids are always getting better, some later bloomers, some are a bit underexposed, even in California. Sometimes it just takes the right eyes on a player to give them that nudge toward colleges looking for one more potentially impact-type talent for their next incoming class. Maybe not necessarily even an impact talent, rather, adding quality depth to an incoming class, which ultimately, can be more important as injuries and attrition take place over a college career.

These uncommitted players participated in the games portion of BAWS 2020 (September 5-7). Videos from the games are in the editing process, though some of them have video from the BAWS workouts or from a previous PBR event. Stats are in their PBR profiles. The reports are a brief look at the standout qualities for these players.

Click on player profile for bio information and stats, video, etc:

Kobe Rolling 2B / OF / Will C. Wood, CA / 2021 one of top remaining players in 2021 class in Northern California; Outstanding performance both offensively (LHH) and defensively. Have consistently seen his high level pitch recognition skills, now some power is showing up, ignitor type offensive talent. Defensively showed plus range in CF and has outstanding tools for 2nd base, including light and athletic feet, good angles and first step.

Aidan Lombardi SS / 2B / Cardinal Newman, CA / 2021 Rankings  StateRank: 182 / POS: 44 Not much he can't do on a ballfield, classic SS athlete, sure-handed in the field, handles bat well, runs well, throws well, gets on mound & gets to mid-80s (max 2433 spin), can spin a tight breaking ball. Still not as strong as he's going to be. More along the lines of a talented SS who can pitch, but if the bat doesn't play (not saying it won't), there are LOTS of SS who have converted full time to the mound.

Aidan Morton 2B / SS / Washington , CA / 2021 Competitive grinder type player w/athleticism. Shows some ability to impact the ball on the pull-side w/glimpse of XBH pop. Above average defender w/versatility to flip between multiple INF spots (80 mph arm). He's a player a coach wants the ball hit to, especially to end an inning and to get out of jams.

Felix Bravo SS / 2B / Hanford, CA / 2021 Well-rounded player w/offensive (91 EV) and defensive talents (81 mph arm) that all show up in glimpses and do project his ability to play beyond HS. Just a bit more size and strength will enhance all the tools a bit more and elevate how all the tools play. No nonsense style of play frequently found in the Central Valley.

Jake Ferguson SS / 2B / Tamalpais, CA / 2021 Appears more physical than his listed size and there is some physicality to his offensive game. The simple positive comment is that he's good at baseball. Tools aren't exceptional but he's got skill and feel for the game. Gap/gap approach, XBH talent, good infield feet, capable at all INF spots. Watch him long enough and he checks the boxes of a good player.

Justin Sullivan 2B / OF / Cardinal Newman, CA / 2021 Interesting player, multi-position talent, could evolve into true utility man, possesses plus run tool (6.79), has feel for bat, can compete vs quality pitching (w/91 mph EV), grinder style of play, could see a role as UTL/PH early in college career then go from there. He's best appreciated over an extended look to see all the ways he can contribute.

Philip Penrose SS / 2B / Salinas, CA / 2021 Showed solid MIF defensive skills that project more for the right side of the diamond based on raw arm and range, has soft hands and plays a calm manner of defense. Offensively its a contact oriented approach w/solid bat to ball skills. Being a LHH at the MIF position is obviously a positive to the profile. Given time to gain strength, there is a good ballplayer here.

Kai Hori SS / 2B / Los Gatos, CA / 2021 Good baseball player, showed a solid all-around game w/capabilities both at the plate and in the field. Profiles as a contact hitting 2nd baseman w/ability to contribute at SS. Opposite field approach w/ability to move the baseball. Was off ot an exceptional year when the 2020 season was stopped. LHH HS middle INFs with solid all around skills generally have the arrow still pointed up for a few years.

Caleb Wall 2B / SS / Lodi, CA / 2021 Sound stroke, clean mechanics, showed feel for spraying the ball to all fields (LHH) on workout day, timing issues showed up a bit in the sim-game competition, clean funnel type fielding mechanics w/soft hands, accurate thrower, calm actions. Positives of being the son of a coach show up frequently, from how he positions himself and how he interacts with teammates.

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