Central Valley Preseason ID Infielder Analysis
January 23, 2020
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Fresno, CA - The Road to the California State Games continued its early season trek into the Central Valley with a stop at Fresno Pacific University where players came to show their fall/winter development as their high school seasons are just a few weeks away. The open event roster saw 52 players kicking off our second Central Valley Preseason ID.
Players were put through a customary pro-style workout that included a laser-time 60-yard sprint, a round of batting practice, a defensive workout, and concluded with bullpen sessions for pitchers. We purposely did not include games because we didn’t want to put pitchers who aren’t ready to face live hitters in that situation.
Many players were attending their first ever PBR California event giving us a first look at these players in a showcase setting after having seen most with their high school or club teams. In some cases we saw players for the first time with several leaving a lasting impression and quickly getting added to the spring follow list.
As we dive deeper into our notes and videos we will release more post-event content. Earlier we released our Quick Hits, our Statistical Analysis, the Catchers, the Pitchers, Outfielders and today we finish break downs on the Infielders.
INFIELDERS
Scouting Report
Central Valley Preseason ID: Trevino is a high-waisted and long, young bodied middle infielder that showed the ability to stick in the middle of the field and produce hard contact at the plate. The hands start at the shoulder but get the barrel on plane early and deep in the turn as he kept the hands tight through the zone driving line drives through the pullside of the field (86 EV); when he got contact out front, balls jumped into the gap. Trevino showed fair range at SS with a good prep step and ability to move laterally (7.20 60) utilizing a soft glove to work through the baseball. His slingy-mid slot release probably has him as a 2nd baseman at the next level, but there were times where the ball came out with better carry (79 MPH) flashing the ability to stick at SS when needed.
Scouting Report
Central Valley Preseason ID: We first saw Fellows last season at the Central Valley Preseason ID and a year of growth and development has served him well as he’s made vast improvements to his athleticism (7.18 60) and arm strength and that showed during the event. At the plate his slightly opened stance with hands on the back shoulder and high back elbow allows him to showcase an easy trigger with a quick bat that stay level through the zone sticking to the middle and pull gap with hard line drives; keeps his head still and behind the baseball showing a swing that has strength and with continued maturity can see those liners carrying deeper into gaps (83 EV). On defense he keeps his back flat utilizing his legs to sink and drop showing good range and the ability to get to that athleticism more consistently on the field. The arm has some length to a high release and can continue to improve the overall strength (77 MPH).
Scouting Report
Central Valley Preseason ID: Another first-look player, Kent made sure he wasn’t overlooked producing some of the best exit-velocities and showing that bat speed was real during batting practice. The long and lanky frame has some twitch and bounce in it (7.07 60) and space to keep future strength on the frame. At the plate starts tall and narrow with flared elbows and lower hands before controlling the body on forward movement; coils into the back hip well allowing that energy to be released through the baseball. The hands work backwards on load before attacking the baseball on a level path showing quickness in them as he sprayed line drives through the middle (92 EV); can continue to make sure he doesn’t keep the hands moving backwards on the load and throwing off his timing to the baseball. On defense his footwork was solid with good timing and a flat back using wide hips to funnel the ball up showing a quick and compact arm (79 INF); throws were firm and accurate and quick release plays up.
Scouting Report
Central Valley Preseason ID: Mandal is a two-sport athlete having shown his athleticism on the football field as an up and coming QB in the area, and on the baseball field shows a bright future as well. Physical and long, the frame projects well with length through the torso and rolled shoulders. At the plate he shifts the weight over the back hip on the front foot lift having the hands slow load back before having the full body come through and driving the ball; can really get the hips through contact. The barrel works upwards with leverage and showed the strength in his frame as he hit balls deep to the pullside before finishing with the last ball out over the LF fence (86 EV). On defense he showed good timing and rhythm getting the ball out of the glove quickly and online to the bag. There’s athleticism available moving laterally and with the current physicality and shape looks like a power hitting 3B in the very near future (74 MPH). A 2023 that will be a high follow.
Scouting Report
Central Valley Preseason ID: A first look, Ayala was one of the more impressive left-handed bats on the day and shows a swing that you can project more power from as he continues to mature. The long and young body still can be shaped and cleaned up as he ages and stays in the weight room, and if done could add to the power-hitting 1B profile. From a low hand and high lift front foot set up, Ayala repeatedly drove balls into the pullside gap showing a quick barrel that works upwards through the zone consistently. He really stung some balls putting them deep into that pull gap and the way the swing works projects better carry at full maturity (86 EV). At 1st, he utilized his glove and feet well around the bag being soft and picking out multiple balls from the dirt as he kept his eyes behind the glove. Improved athleticism will help him on defense and will increase the arm strength, but the building blocks for success are present and very developable.
Scouting Report
Central Valley Preseason ID: At 6-2, 225 McNary stood out from the get go as the wide shouldered and physical frame isn’t done growing and shaping. McNary showed during the event he’s got future upside on the hill while flashing power in his bat. From the plate, he stands slightly open with hands away from the back shoulder and a high back elbow using a quick load. The load created some bat wrap and steeper hand path, but when he was on time the ball jumped off the bat on a line through the middle of the field (88 EV); some sequencing tweaks should allow the bat to work with more strength. At first he worked the backhand out of the dirt well picking some balls and showing flashes of bounce off the bag. On the hill, McNary has projection where his full arm swing to 3/4 release showed untapped arm strength as he stayed to the lower half of the zone. The hands stay high and have a harder break on the high front knee with McNary staying inline and having big extension with his large frame. FB 78-81 T82 working the velo up as the session went along and using pitch to both sides of the plate; more velocity available. SLD 67-74 lateral with loose actions and flashes of more running tilt in the pitch. CHG 72-74 straight with flashes of armside run. McNary’s tools are raw, but with the work he could make big leaps quickly.
Scouting Report
Central Valley Preseason ID: 5-11, 140 long and wiry strong frame with lots of space for added girth. Balanced stance with hands at the back shoulder and slight foot lift; slow load with hands working directly back maintaining posture through turns. Barrel is level through the zone with quick turns showing a full, two-handed finish; was able to stay behind the ball making consistent contact out front and able to backspin balls into the pull gaps. Compact feet staying in balance and motion through the baseball as the glove funnels deep by the body; full long and loose arm swing shows strength and times where he cuts the ball to first. Can play with a bit more aggression in the infield allowing the ball to come to him. Projectable frame that with added girth/strength could make a jump.
Scouting Report
Central Valley Preseason ID: 6-1, 152 high waist and squared up frame with lanky limbs; projectable frame with space to add strength. Tall with high front shoulder and slightly opened stance; hands stay at back shoulder with short foot lift gaining ground and controlling the forward movement. Hands fire with back hip having direct path to the baseball as barrel has flat circular path through the zone; was able to backspin some balls through the middle flashing line drives. Hands work out front with soft actions as he funnels the ball up the body and moving in time to first; compact, high elbow thrower was able to keep balls on the bag from over the top slot. Good range laterally and attacked the baseball. Projectable body still has some timing/coordination gaps that can be improved.
Scouting Report
Central Valley Preseason ID: 6-0, 185 high waist, full frame with wider shoulders and some strength. Tall stance with high hands keeping bat North/South to start before small rock having hands work back before starting to turn the barrel. Hands showing quickness and staying connected to the full body turn; when barrel turn works upwards through zone there more jump off the bat and better ability to drive with lift to the gaps. Hands are soft out front and have a quick funnel to a strong, quick release arm; really liked his ability to get to the ball and get rid of it while still keeping the ball online with some life. Actions look like a 3rd baseman and if he can extend his range/quickness a bit could make a jump on the defensive side of the ball. Projectable build/tools.
Scouting Report
Central Valley Preseason ID: 5-11, 165 high waist and firm, lean muscle build showing projectable frame. High Hands have some bounce at the back shoulder with slight knee bend; quiet swing with head staying still and hands working underneath the shoulders. Barrel stays level through the zone showing loose wrists and ability to have the top hands whip the barrel through; can get lower half more involved in swing. Best swings had lift and ability to control the barrel through both sides of the field. Smooth and easy actions beating balls to spots and working through it; soft glove feeds to loose arm showing good hands. Can keep working on footspeed to help the profile and increase his range; projectable actions and tools.
Scouting Report
Central Valley Preseason ID: 5-11, 150 high waist and some strength in the shoulders for young frame. Wide base with hands at the back shoulder using rocker technique to get behind and through the baseball. Bat gets on plane deep in the swing working flat through the zone; times where the hands drop out of slot losing barrel in forward movement. Was able to work around the field with line drives and showing some lift to the gaps with some leverage. Works around the baseball with higher hips; best when keeping momentum through the baseball allowing him to stay in motion. Arm has high elbow, compact release having elbow lead the throws; more available in arm as he matures. Good projection in frame and swing.
Scouting Report
Central Valley Preseason ID: 5-10, 200 sturdy frame with strength in upper half and shoulders; frame can still shape a bit showing some projection. Crouched stance with high hands and wide elbows; hands stay at back shoulder with quiet front foot stride before hands work under shoulders quickly through the zone. Barrel has a short arc behind the body getting on plane and working upwards through contact; really quick and powerful swing showed his ability to drive the ball through the OF on a firm line. Early prep step to get around the ball fielding off glove side foot in time with body as he keeps posture through the baseball; arm has wider mid-slot release allowing him to keep throws online across the diamond. With frame shape and way arm works looks like a solid 3B, but arm strength needs to make a jump for him to stay there; bat has easy projection.
Scouting Report
Central Valley Preseason ID: 6-0, 180 showing physicality with tight waist and strength in lower/upper halves. Balanced stance, high back elbow with hands at back shoulder using small shift keeping hands deep in load on high front foot; soft shoulders and easy swing with ability to keep head still. Barrel creates easy lift working upwards through the zone as he stayed pullside; too often barrel gets around the baseball sapping ability to keep it fair and hit it hard. Some agility off the bag playing with glove deep; showed ability to move the bag at 1st and presents a good target while also picking balls out for his infielders.
Scouting Report
Central Valley Preseason ID: 5-11, 170 long torso showing some strength in shoulders; still space to shape body as matures. Narrow, squatted stance with hands high away from body and relaxed elbows; big hand load pulling knob down and back on high front foot. Showed some balance in the back hip before gaining ground and creating some stretch; swing works upwards with high one-handed finish. Barrel showed flashes of quickness and ability to drive ball to pullside gap; can continue to work on keeping hands through inside of baseball as time where he lets barrel get away. Quick prep step showing ability to bounce to baseball; works high with the hips/glove as he works glove in circular motion. Hand stays high with a big scap load in throw showing some carry.
Scouting Report
Central Valley Preseason ID: 5-8, 135 long, slender frame with squared shoulders. Even hands, slightly opened stance with hands pulling back and staying low on quiet load; direct hands to the ball with steeper barrel showing ability to stay behind the ball before high finish. Found the middle of the field and pullside with some line drives. Pushed his range on defense showing some laterally coverage and softness in the glove able to adjust to baseball. Arm is compact from lower slot, able to keep it on the bag.
Scouting Report
Central Valley Preseason ID: 5-9, 185 full build with some strength in rolled shoulders. Slightly squatted stance keeping hands higher with flat bat on shoulder; slow load with knee tuck before firing. Direct hands and flat barrel are able to shoot balls into oppo/middle of the field; the front hip opens early taking away some stability. Works to get around baseball fielding close to body; long load with quickness through higher slot keeps it firm across the infield.
Scouting Report
Central Valley Preseason ID: 5-7, 135 long projectable young frame ready for added strength. One of the younger players at the event shows promise as he matures. Slight bend in back knee showing good posture and high hands/high back elbow; quick hand load back using high front knee for timing. Short, quick arc behind body lifting on contact with high finish; hitterish at the plate with good trigger and understanding of his swing. Was able to work gap-to-gap with flashes of hard contact; can work on limiting head movement for continued success. Projectable swing that can keep making leaps. Quick, short feet able to move laterally and extend range; backhand play went far into OF and made nice play. Glove showed some adjustability and can keep working out front; arm was compact and quick keeping throws on the bag consistently. More available as the frame grows, strengthens and matures.
Scouting Report
Central Valley Preseason ID: 5-7, 130 high waist with length in legs and young, projectable frame. High hands, tall stance with wider elbows; hands have slight pull down with high front knee loading forward. Compact barrel keeping hands tight through the turns with whippy finish; barrel can drop but due to strength deficiencies rather than movement issues. Line drives through oppo and middle of the field improving as the round went along. Showed some athleticism in infield with good footwork and soft hands fielding out front and moving through the baseball; arm is compact and accurate with good mechanics. Flashes some skills; needs to keep getting stronger for more to come out.
Scouting Report
Central Valley Preseason ID: 6-2, 240 advanced physicality with current strength in wide shouldered, long torso frame. High hands balanced stance with flared elbows; slight lift of hands on quick rock load with small foot lift. Strength in frame comes out in swing keeping hands in time with body turns and barrel working upwards through zone; barrel will get away and around the baseball. Showed ability to drive the pull gap with carry on pitches up in the zone. Able to move around at 1st with longer arm load; showed some footwork on the bag to adjust to throws.
UPCOMING EVENTS
| SHOWCASE | STATE | DATE | LOCATION |
| Winter Update Series powered by Monterey Bay Pirates | CA | 01/24 | Monterey Bay Pirates Facility |
| NorCal Preseason All-State (Invite-Only) | CA | 01/25 | Islanders Field - Lathrop |
| Winter Update Series powered by EM Sports | CA | 01/27 | EM Sports - Long Beach |
| Winter Update Series powered by EM Sports | CA | 01/28 | EM Sports - San Diego |
| Winter Update Series powered by FBK1 | CA | 01/30 | FBK1 - Santa Rosa |
| California Far North Preseason I.D. | CA | 02/01 | Chico HS |
| Super 60 Pro Showcase | NATIONAL | 02/02 | The MAX - McCook, IL |
| Winter Update Series powered by Mike Murphy Baseball | CA | 02/08 | MMB - Walnut Creek |
| SoCal Underclass Games ID - Los Angeles | CA | 02/09 | O'Malley Family Field |
| Winter Update Series powered by EM Sports | CA | 02/10 | EM Sports - Rancho Cucamonga |
| 2020 PBR Future Games (California Invite) | CA | 07/29 | LakePoint Sports |
Scouting Report