Day 1 at the highly-anticipated California State Games, hosted by PBR Tournaments, proved to be every bit worth the wait, as talented prospects from all around the state showed-out. Committed upperclassmen continued to demonstrate their strong skills, and the host of uncommitted players were eager to put on a show for the numerous college coaches in attendance. A limited schedule was rolled out for the first day (Thursday) with school still going on around the state, but the action was jam-packed from the first pitch. Below are some of the players that stood out:

Gage Jump LHP / OF / Jserra , CA / 2021 Rankings  StateRank: 32 / POS: 1 OverallRank: 263 / POS: 32 Uncommitted. Getting the start for Pacific Baseball Academy in Game 2, Jump brought his electric arm and arsenal to the bump under the lights in the stadium at Great Park. Listed at 5-foot-11, 175-pounds with more compact, developing strength throughout, his fastball exploded out of the hand at 87-89 with a short arm stroke allowing it to jump on hitters at the plate with some arm side life. Though his fastball featured more control than command on this night, he was able to get swings and misses with the pitch in all counts against a quality lineup. Remaining linear down the mound with a high ¾ slot, Jump utilizes normal effort out front with impressive quickness to the arm. Even more so than his fastball, his ability to spin and manipulate the shape of an above average breaking ball stood out. At 71-75, he mixed a tightly spun, multi-tier 1/7 curveball early on in counts and to left-handed hitters, and exhibited the ability to bury more of a sharp slider at the back leg of right-handed hitters. The slider-type pitch showcased shorter, late-breaking action, and both pitches have the potential to become true swing-and-miss offerings in the future. His poise and pitchability stood out on over the course of his outing, and he was able to create his own outs leaving runners in scoring position.

Maxwell Muncy SS / 3B / Thousand Oaks, CA / 2021 Rankings  StateRank: 8 / POS: 4 OverallRank: 47 / POS: 15 Uncommitted. Muncy, a long and lean, 6-foot-1, 175-pounder hit in the 3-hole for a talented, committed, upper-class roster for the SoCal Giants, and rightfully so. Wiry and lean with plenty of room to keep filling out, the right-handed hitter took quality at-bats throughout where his quick hands and direct path stood out. A larger leg kick starts his hands slightly down and back before quickly ripping the barrel though the zone on a flat path. He adjusted with two strikes, limiting the leg kick, and setting up early, but the hands still played, and he demonstrates the ability to use the entire field. He had one hit on the day, but found the barrel in each at-bat, battling some tough pitches when behind, and also hammering a home run foul that was pushed to the wrong side of the foul pole by wind. Perhaps “burying the lead” here: he also looks the part of a true SoCal shortstop with twitchy-glovework and nimble feet to go along with a strong arm. He didn’t have many chances, but his athletic turn of a double play after a difficult receive stood out, and he will likely be one of the state’s (and country) premier defenders the next couple of years.

Gabe D'Arcy OF / 3B / JSerra, CA / 2021 Rankings  StateRank: 29 / POS: 8 OverallRank: 255 / POS: 42 Uncommitted. Physically-gifted at 6-foot-3, 190-pounds with defined, lean strength throughout the entire frame, D’Arcy immediately stands out on the field for his frame, and proceeded to back it up with his all-around game. Hitting in the 3-hole for Pacific Baseball Academy, D’Arcy stands balanced in a crouch with his weight evenly distributed, and was constantly in control of each of his at-bats, hunting his pitch, and unafraid to hit from behind. His strength and plate coverage allowed him to drive the ball to the opposite gap for a triple early on, and he peppered the opposite field throughout. His quick hands drive the barrel through the zone with impressive strength, and he never strayed from a controlled approach. I was thoroughly impressed by his pre-pitch routine and overall ability to slow the game down which should help him continue making strides forward in the future. He shifted to centerfield from right field for game two of the night, and made some quality plays demonstrating the ability to cover ground from side to side along with closing in on balls that were shallow. Overall, D’Arcy is a player to know in the 2021 class, and coaches will want to get eyes on him soon.

 

Gianni Horvat, SS, Oaks Christian HS (2021)
Uncommitted. Horvat, listed at 5-foot-10, 170-pounds, is still very young-looking, but had plenty of energy and bounce throughout two games for Pacific Baseball Academy. Physically-developing, he moved well in the field with a quick first step and quality actions, and playing with plenty of energy. His quick glove-to-hand work allowed for him to get rid of the ball from all angles, and he played the position with confidence. At the plate, though still filling out, he featured some twitch to the hands, utilizing a later coil to ignite them.

Christian Becerra, RHP, Harvard Westlake (2021)
Uncommitted. Becerra got the start in the first game of the night for Pacific Baseball Academy, and showcased an 82-84 fastball that jumps, some, out of the hand, and countered it with a quality changeup (75-77) that he showed excellent feel for, and induced swings and misses. Wiry-thin at 5-foot-11, 160-pounds, he utilizes a simple, compact delivery with a fuller arm stroke before striding slightly open and delivering out of a high ¾ slot with impressive extension out front. His slider was more of a developing pitch in the low 70s, but he exhibited the ability to land the pitch for a strike. Working quickly, Becerra is calm and confident on the mound, and should see an uptick in velocity as he continues filling out. He tired, some, late and left the ball up which found some barrels as the fastball flattened out at the top of the zone, but regardless, he is an intriguing arm to follow.

Tyler Ganus, OF, Harvard Westlake (2020)
Uncommitted. Ganus set the table for the Pacific Baseball Academy team, and produced a plethora a loud hits throughout two games. Lean and athletic at 5-foot-10, 170-pounds, the right-handed hitter sets up in a crouched stance with his weight set on the back side. The hands waggle the barrel into a down and back stride with a slight wrap, separating with a knee-knock stride with a flat path through the zone. His ability to find the barrel consistently throughout the night stood out, as did his approach, and he looks the part of a player that will be able to force his way into the lineup at the next level whether in the outfield or at first base.

Jordan Kang, INF, Harvard Westlake (2022)
Uncommitted. Kang is still developing physically at 5-foot-11, 180-pounds, but already features some compact strength, especially in the lower-half. The sole 2022 member of the Pacific Baseball Academy squad, he entered the first game as a pinch hitter, and immediately made his presence felt with an RBI, 2-strike single to right field, and followed it with a loud, eye-opening double to left field in his next at-bat. His hands start at the ear, before loading down and back with a late lift before his quick hands drive the barrel directly to the ball. His pitch recognition and balance stood out over the course of two games, and he showcased no timidity as an underclassman. At third base, he featured solid actions, and should be able to stick there or move to second base, and there also may be some potential to shift behind the plate at some point.

Kieran Sidebotham, INF, Corona del Mar (2020)
Uncommitted. The 6-foot, 170-pounder has some proportional strength throughout an athletic frame, and took quality at-bats for the West Coast Blackdogs 17U team. The right-handed hitter found the barrel on multiple occasions utilizing a twitchy hands load that includes a late barrel tilt before quickly working uphill through the zone. He played multiple positions on the infield, and also looks like he might provide some depth at a corner outfield position in the future.

Jordan Andrade, SS, Yucaipa (2020)
Washington recruit. Andrade looked noticeably stronger than the last time that I saw him, and he now sports proportional strength throughout his 5-foot-11, 170-pound frame. That strength comes across in his approach to the ball, and he did not get cheated when hunting pitches on the day. Starting with his hands held high by the ear, a leg kick drops them down and back with a strong, slightly uphill approach through the zone. His quick hands are aided by more aggressive use of the lower-half, and he hammered a line drive single to left field. Athletic actions in the field should allow him to play any spot on the dirt, including shortstop at the next level.

Max Miller, RHP, Cathedral Catholic (2021)
Uncommitted. Standing 6-foot-3, 200-pounds, Miller’s frame stands out high atop the rubber, and the stuff that he showcased only made him that much more intriguing. Durably-built with more strength likely on the way, his fastball worked 87-89 with some angle to the bottom of the zone. He features a longer arm stroke with a stiff wrist throughout before that hand works quickly through the ball out front. He repeated a simple, linear delivery with ease, though his high ¾ slot varied in finding a consistent release point. He threw some short, sharper sliders at a firm, 79-81, but might have shown more promise in a near 12/6 curveball that was featured in-between innings. The pitch was tightly spun and audible from behind the plate impressive depth, and looked like a future weapon. Miller’s frame and arm strength will bring plenty of eyes from college coaches in the future, and the potential to have two above average breaking balls is a possibility.

Charlie Fick, C, Rancho Bernardo (2021)
Uncommitted. As a former pitcher, I like nothing better than catchers that can really receive, and work to help you from behind the plate. Fick did just that in his short stint behind the dish, and his quick feet and transfer ability allowed for consistent 2.0 throws between innings, and likely would have been lower in-game. He possesses loose hips and soft hands with quality blocking skills. At the plate the right-handed hitter covers the plate with quicker hands, and will be aided moving forward as his athletic and wiry 6-foot, 170-pound frame continues to fill out.

Dylan Schwartz, RHP, Ontario Christian (2020)
Uncommitted. Wiry-thin and athletic with a dynamic delivery, Schwartz’s high RPM fastball-curveball tandem stood out under the lights. Smaller-framed at 5-foot-11, 150-pounds, Schwartz delivered 85-87 fastballs with riding life through the zone. Coming nearly over the top with his release point, Schwartz has a higher front side down the mound that he throws over while getting extended at the release. He countered the fastball with a firm, tightly-spun near 12/6 curveball at 76-77 that featured impressive depth albeit some inconsistency. With the frame continuing to develop, and the breaking ball a potential weapon, Schwartz is an arm to follow throughout the summer.

John Newman, C, Los Alamitos (2020)
Santa Barbara recruit. Standing 6-foot-1, 190-pounds, Newman sports some defined strength throughout a strong frame, and looks the part of a catcher at the next level. He did a solid job of receiving behind the dish, but it was his work at the plate that stood out in the late game of the evening. He notched two hits against Gage Jump, and showed no issue handling the high velocity and elite stuff of the talented southpaw. Standing upright and slightly open, Newman is relaxed with the hands pre-pitch. His strong wrists/forearms provide for strength through the zone on a slightly uphill path as he works directly to the ball with the ability to use the whole field.

LES LUKACH STANDOUTS:

2020 RHP Ben Grable (Flintridge Prep HS) was a treat in closing out the first game of the day for the SoCal Giants. The 6-foot-4 projectable righty showed a loose, quick arm from a compact delivery through to a high 3/4 delivery. Pounded the zone consistently at 87-88 touching 89 with downhill plane that flashed swing-and-miss stuff at times. Shows feel for secondary pitches although he threw those sparingly given how well the fastball was working.

2022 LHP Victor Estrada (Palm Desert HS) showed some very projectable tools on the mound for the West Coast Black Dogs in the second game of the day. The southpaw touched 82 in the second inning of work but it’s his loose, whippy arm action that paired with his moxie on the mound intrigued. Fastball shows some natural cut back to the gloveside that made it difficult on hitters while his curveball showed more of a tumbling action although he did snap two tight ones off giving a glimpse of the pitches potential.

2020 RHP Wyatt Johnson (Kennedy HS) started the nightcap for CBA Bears and showed the stuff of one of the better uncommitted 2020 arms in the area. Johnson worked the fastball to both sides of the plate to set up a sharp, biting curve ball that flashes some depth at 71-72 mph. The difference making pitch is the 2-seam fastball that flashes cutter action. The pitch is sharp and late breaking inducing many swing-and-misses.

2022 SS Chris Paciolla (Temecula Valley HS), a UCLA recruit, got into a fastball that he drove to left center field that one-hopped the fence for a standup, two-run double. Paciolla shows fast hands and good feel for the barrel and has some developing power to his game. His defensive position is still working itself out as he worked primarily at second base tonight.

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