Las Vegas – California Baseball Academy held their annual college camp at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas where the organization’s top uncommitted athletes gathered to showcase their skills in front of the 30+ colleges in attendance. Prospects flocked in from Southern California, Northern California, Nevada and Utah for a chance to display their skill in front of programs looking to finish up their 2020 recruiting class, as well as laying the groundwork for the 2021 class and beyond. The following are some of the prospects that turned heads during the event.

+ ’20 Luke Reece (Serra, CA) MIF – 5’11 160, Reece stood out in the first group of the day both in the field and at the plate. His athleticism and smooth actions in the field paired with an above average arm that showed good carry on his ball helped him make a few tough plays with ease. At the plate, Reece showed confidence with his easy rhythm and small leg kick that got down in time for him to clear his barrel. He squared up the ball two out of his three at bats including a double to left center field, showing a glimpse of the power potential Reece may have when he fills out his lean frame. These tools plus a 4.2 GPA should have him on the radar of more than a few different schools heading into his senior high school season.

+ ’20 Diego Trujillo (Laughlin Sr.) MIF/UT – 6’ 160, Trujillo, a two-sport athlete, was the surprise stand out of the event. In the field, he showcased his athleticism both in the infield and outfield by making a tough back hand play down the third baseline showing off his impressive arm strength across the diamond, then an inning later tracking down ball in the left-center gap. Trujillo had three loud at bats, leading off with a triple to the center field wall showing off his 6.87 60 speed, followed by two line outs. The slow rhythm in his legs leading into his toe tap timing mechanism helps him drive balls to all fields with authority. This is an athlete that brings a certain edge to his game that is usually only found in multi-sport athletes. 

+ ’21 Jaden Harris (Roy, UT) RHP – 6’2 230, Harris is a barrel-chested prospect who dominated his three innings of work. One of the top velos at the camp had schools marking this guy down as someone to keep an eye on. Sitting at 87-88 with the occasional 89 along with a tight slider ranging from 72-75, Harris worked downhill, attacking the bottom of the zone producing ground ball after ground ball. Continued development and an increase in athleticism could eventually project this junior to be living around the low 90’s. The tools along with his 3.9 GPA will make him a prospect to keep an eye out for going into the spring.

+ ’22 Harrison Bodendorf (Temecula Valley, CA) LHP – 6’4 155, Bodendorf generated a lot of buzz at the college camp because of his long limbed, lean frame that showed low effort, consistent mechanics with a 3/4 delivery that helped him consistently throw his three-pitch mix for strikes. His fastball sitting 77-79 up to 81, had some arm side run, his changeup ranging from 68-70 had arm side fade that kept hitters off balance and his sweeping curveball (67) was also thrown for strikes. The projectability on Bodendorf is very high if he continues to trend in the right direction and is a 4.0 GPA student which adds to his value. A guy to keep an eye out for in the near future when he starts to fill out his frame.

 + ’23 Austen Roellig (Rancho Cucamonga, CA) MIF – At 5’10 160, Roellig one of the top 3 athletes at the event, is a freshman with a developed, athletic build who will be attracting a lot of attention in the near future. He possesses high level actions with clean footwork that was put on display as he showed off his range at both middle infield positions although his arm strength should allow him to stay on the left side of the infield. Offensively, he has a wide set up in the box that sinks back into a medium-high leg kick that keeps his legs underneath him throughout his entire swing. He squared up a ball his first at bat that turned heads with impressive exit velo. This freshman is a high-end prospect that is already on more than a few schools’ boards as he starts his high school career.

+ ’24 Ty Southisene (Undecided) MIF – The 5’7 135, Southisene, with his lean, quick twitch frame, had the event buzzing with his premium level actions in the infield and his ability to make the tough plays look routine, making an over the shoulder diving catch that got an ovation from the crowd on hand. His understanding of the shortstop position is well beyond his years and it also transitions to the plate as well. With an early, high leg kick that hangs well prior to the pitch being delivered, Southisene showed a great understanding of his swing with an advanced approach to go with it. The only 8^th grader to attend the event, had no trouble handling the high school pitching hitting a sharp ground ball in his first at bat, 4.12 90, then driving a triple to right-center field in his second at bat. This 4.0 student is a highly projectable athlete and premium level prospect already for the class of 2024.

For more information on the event, check out the live coverage on the Prep Baseball Report Nevada twitter (@PBR_Nevada).