PBR had a chance to see some excellent talent throughout the fall at the PBR Fall Championships, Universal Classic and other games and events. We spotted some interesting standout underclass prospects that could make some noise going forward  Today, we take a look at some of the top underclassmen from the fall that you might want to keep an eye as they continue to progress.

Issac Araiza RHP / Cibola, AZ / 2022 Started on the hill for Aggies baseball. Large frame with present strength & durability. More athleticism & twitch then the body type shows. FB sat 87-88 T89mph with long loose 3/4 arm action. Delivery was explosive but a bit inconsistent at times. Showed glimpses of pounding the strike zone throughout game when he got extended. Mixed in an above average hard breaking ball at 75-76mph. Should be a strong pitching prospect to follow in 2022 class.

 

Zachary Wadas 1B / LHP / Brophy College Prep, AZ / 2023 Rankings  OverallRank: 176 / POS: 4 Was a stand out player offensively for Trosky National on Day 1. He has continued to show skills at the plate. On Day 2, Zach showed that he is also an athletic LHP that controls his energy well. His FB sat 79-80 MPH. Creates explosiveness in his delivery coming down the mound. He located 3 pitches for strikes early with above average feel for his CV and Changeup before spotty command late. He also flashed the ability to tunnel his pitches. Should be a high follow the next several years.

 

Chris Newstrom SS / C / Cocopah , AZ / 2024 Is a name you will be hearing about for years to come. Athletic 6-foot-1, 170-pound middle infielder with proportional strength and quick-twitch tendencies. Looks to be a high-level national prospect playing for the Scottsdale Dirtbags Black. Moves with fluidity and confidence. Made advanced plays at 3B, SS and 2B in the first game. Loose, athletic arm action, shows ability to throw from multiple angles, plays exceptionally well on the move with plenty of arm to stick on the left side of the dirt. Plays the game with a level of moxie and ease, yet plays hard. Offensively, has advanced rhythm in the hand/load, generates bat speed with his hands. Overall has an advanced presence in the box.

 

Nuri Todd SS / C / Brophy College Prep, AZ / 2023 Premium, high-level athlete with big upside. Long-limbed, high-waisted 5-foot-11, 133-pound left-handed hitting middle infielder. Possesses game-changing speed. Beat out a routine chopper to second base, 4.18 down the line. Three-sport athlete. Looks to be a high-level national prospect with more refinement.

 

Luke Moeller C / RHP / Desert Mountain, AZ / 2022 Started the game for Team Dinger 2021s on Saturday. Moeller is a 6'3" 195lb framed RHP with good strength & athleticism from frame. Showed a power arm with minimal leg use from a low effort delivery. FB sat 82-84mph, topping out at 86mph. CB had 11/5 shape and showed glimpses of being a plus pitch. The arm really works and should be a high ceiling RHP.

 

Christian Perez 1B / 3B / Sunnyslope, AZ / 2022 Showed one of the more advanced levels of hitting in the entire event playing up for Aggies Baseball 2021 team. Strong frame at 6'1" 200lbs hitting from the left side of the plate. Advanced approach, quiet setup with minimal extra movement. Body control throughout swing. Aggressive but stays inside the ball. Gap to Gap hitter with a slightly uphill swing plane. More than capable of playing 3B right now. Fields ball out front and has a good arm & carry across the diamond. High follow as a LHH 3B.

 

Linden Reaburn RHP / OF / Casteel, AZ / 2023 Might have arguably had one the best performances of the day for AZBC. Facing a loaded Trosky team, Reaburn struck-out 11 batters while not allowing a run & only walking 2 batters. Reaburn displays a power arm from a large more physical build. FB sat 80-83MPH throughout night. Creates intent with every throw. He wasn't afraid to attack hitters inside. CV shows chance to be a swing & miss pitch. Was also able to command off-speed. He also showed an aggressive demeanor which was appreciated. He was also a standout in the PBR Junior Future Games in GA this past summer.

 

Landon Penney LHP / 1B / Brophy College Prep, AZ / 2023 Had one of the more aggressive approaches that we saw at Red Mountain. He had a solid approach and didnt get cheated. He also had one of the more physical bodies and level of strength we saw in the grad class. He consistently barreled the ball up all day. He his from a semi wide base with a closed off upper body, loading into an arm bar. He pitched in game 1 struggling early but bouncing back and settling in with short arm action.

 

Adolfo Sanchez LHP / Mountain Point, AZ / 2023 High-follow prospect in the 2023 class. Came out of the pen for the Arizona Athletics Founders Club, and left a lasting impression during his one-inning stint. Thin, narrow-shouldered, young frame with a loose, highly athletic arm. Maintains excellent rhythm throughout low-effort delivery, arm works free and easily in the back, athletic, loose and quick out front. Fastball ranged between 78-80 with slight arm-side run - plenty more in the tank as he physically matures. Only threw a few breaking balls, but they were advanced. Showed potential to be a true putaway pitch, 68-70 mph, power slurve shape, tight spin, back-footed a right-handed hitter for a strikeout.

 

Tyler Acton SS / C / Verrado, AZ / 2023 Standout for the AZ Athletics on Sunday. Large athletic switch hitting SS/C with  room to mature and fill out physically. Showed an all around smooth approach & knowledge of the game. Simple compact and short approach to hitting from left side. Hit an inside the park HR to RC field where he showed above average speed. Simple actions with athleticism at SS. Showed carry across the diamond. Should be a strong follow in 2023 class.

 

Brayden Tambone 1B / RHP / Perry , AZ / 2023 Was another player from the Scottsdale Dirtbags that stood out today. He consistently barreled the ball up. Has power potential to LF from his physical frame. Defensively, he showed a good glove and lateral movement. Good arm with carries on his throws across the diamond. Good stick to follow down the road.

 

Giovanni Melchione C / OF / Casteel, AZ / 2023 Standout at the JR Future Games in Georgia. Hit a 2B down the LF line this past weekend for AZBC. Simple, relaxed approach at the plate with some pop. Actions & mobility are improving behind the plate to go with a solid arm. Should be a catching prospect to follow down the road as his athleticism continues to develop.

 

Tanner Nelson C / RHP / Saguaro , AZ / 2023 Had a good first game for the Scottsdale Dirtbags and looks the part going forward. He has an athletic build that looks ready to add more strength. Saw him barrel up some balls throughout the day from a medium athletic base and simple trigger. Saw him get a little long in the 2nd game at times. He also shows the ability to hit the ball to all fields. Defensively, with more technique he shows the ability to become a solid defensive catcher. He has good flexibility in legs, receiving skills and has a solid arm to work with. His athleticism behind the plate makes him an interesting catcher to follow.

 

 

Carson McEntire C / Mountain Ridge, AZ / 2023 Standout at PBR Fall Championships, continued to swing the bat throughout the weekend for AZBC. Helped lead his team to the Universal Classic championship hitting a deep HR to Left field. Hits from an athletic, slightly open base with minimal stride. Good rhythm and loose hands throughout swing. Consistent barrel contact. Strong hitting and catching prospect with athletic frame to work with.

 

 

Joshua Butler RHP / Mountain Ridge, AZ / 2023 Butler had good presence on the mound for AZBC with a tall 6'5" 200lbs frame. Sat 77-79 mph with his FB, touching 80mph. With some refinement in his delivery and continued development, could be a guy we are talking about a lot in the future. He's just at the beginning stages of learning to use that big body of his. Solid follow.