Fresno Easter Classic: Day 2 Notebook
April 17, 2019
FRESNO, CA. - Day Two of the Fresno Easter Classic meant crosschecking a lot of guys. Our scouts bounced around from field-to-field trying to get eyes on as many players as possible. In the end they were able to see some very talented committed players in addition to seeing the next wave of commits coming from the region.
Below are notes on some of the players that stood out to our scouts during Day Two of the Fresno Easter Classic.
2022 MIF Brandon Forrester (Oregon State) of Bella Vista shows plenty of tools for a freshman both defensively and at the plate. He understands the strike zone and shows discipline at the plate. Hands were quick through the zone although there were hints of a lagging barrel, could be due to his developing body and strength. Squared up two balls in the viewing and showed to be a very good baserunner. Had a scare when he dove headfirst into second base and appeared to jam his shoulder. He got up after a bit and appeared okay. Defensively his actions are clean with good lateral movement to both sides and fair range.
2020 3B Garret Forrester (Oregon State) of Bella Vista is a big bodied, country strong looking third baseman with present power in the bat. From an upright, hands close stance, he whips the barrel in the zone on plane. Smoked a home run to left-center field that cleared the 15 foot wall by plenty. Shows fair footwork at third base where his arm strength is plentiful and accurate presently. Profiles well at third base moving forward.
2020 P/INF Jake Torres (UNLV) of Bella Vista showed very well at the plate where his left-handed swing is pure and consistent. Showed the ability to manipulate the barrel plane when he adjusted mid-pitch to an offspeed pitch before pulling it into the right-center field gap. Very athletic player whose future is on the mound.
2022 SS Mikey Bell (Uncommitted) of San Joaquin Memorial stands around 6-foot 165-pounds by the eyeball test (no height/weight in program) with present tools that will make him a player that will be highly coveted by college recruiters in short order. With plenty of room for physical development, Bell is a rangy shortstop with average present arm strength. He made a very athletic play on a backhand in the hole to initiate an inning-ending double play. He also showed his instincts by covering an open bag at third with a runner rounding second. At the plate he shows the ability to fight off pitches and extend at-bats. Looks comfortable in the box. Aggressively smart baserunner.
2021 2B Eddie Saldivar (Uncommitted) of San Joaquin Memorial is a left-handed hitting middle infielder that shows very good actions defensively to go with a patient and disciplined offensive approach. Smoked a single through the box on a breaking ball he sat back on. Busted out of the box forcing the center fielder to work a little to get the ball in. Shows feel for the barrel with a short, compact attack on the ball. Saldivar showed to be a strong defender with excellent footwork and quick hands with clean exchanges. Turned a double play with ease and in a hurry. Arm is presently average with accuracy.
2020 P Joey Bell (Uncommitted) of San Joaquin Memorial pitched last night so he DH’d in this viewing and he did not disappoint smacking a ball deep off the left-center field wall that nearly missed getting out. He collected a couple other hits in the game showing a consistent approach that relies on using quick hands through the zone before utilizing the present strength in the body.
2019 SS Hunter Bryan (Fresno St.) from Redwood looks far more physical than the last time I saw him play last summer. He’s stronger throughout the frame, particularly in the shoulders and lower half. Showed excellent range making plays to both sides. The backhand was very good in this viewing; smooth and seamless. He’s coming back from a sore arm/shoulder and it appears he’s still not 100% in that area. At the plate the added strength was on display as he took the first pitch he saw in the game deep over the left-center field wall for a three-run home run. He hit a couple other balls hard in the viewing.
2020 RHP Juaron Watts-Brown (Texas Tech) from Hanford was a big draw on Day Two of the Fresno Easter Classic. The junior righty burst on the scene last summer at the Underclass Area Code Games where he flashed a lively fastball and two-plane slider and has improved his command of both pitches since then. His fastball showed some late life while working at 87-89 most of the night. It was straight at times but he showed the ability to elevate and bury it when needed while also working to both sides of the plate. Didn’t lose any velocity out of the stretch early before settling in at 85-87 from there late. Slider showed two breaks to it. Initially it was slurvy with late biting action, before it took on more of a curveball break with depth working at 75-77 and touching 78 with the pitch, he took something off from the stretch causing the break to be a tad loopier at 71-73 which also kept hitters off balance.
2019 C Darrien Miller (New Mexico) from Clovis High was once again spectacular. After squaring up 92 the night before for a triple he squared up 89 that one-hopped the center field wall for a double. Miller tried to extend it to a triple but a perfect relay got him at third. The hit, and the entire at-bat for that matter, showed Miller’s immense talent. The fastball was elevated and Miller was able to adjust his barrel path and square it up. He busted out of the box and was going to for three before he rounded first showing his excellent baserunning ability with tight around the bags. He threw out a runner defensively and made the play of the game on a foul ball pop up behind the plate where his technique in handling the ball was textbook.
2021 C Anson Aroz (Uncommitted) of Placer is a catcher that played shortstop today. Athletic body that is a high energy/high IQ player. Couple of hard hit balls in this viewing both to the opposite field with a line drive stroke with carry. Not a large body but shows strong hands as the ball comes off the barrel nicely. Hard contact in all three at-bats. Aggressive baserunner who takes the extra base if he sees it. 2nd game showed off defensive skills behind the plate with lateral quickness and ability to bounce from blocks to recovery. Footwork is clean on throws to 2nd with quick steps while getting ball out of his glove in unison flashing average arm strength; 2.0-2.04 at the bag in spot for tags. His glove hand is strong with great setup for receiving pitches.
2021 C Carson Seeman (Uncommitted) of Placer capably did everything defensively - received well, handled the low pitch well. Multiple accurate throws on the bag - 2.11-2.19 pops - in game. Fair arm strength presently. Very solid blocking skills - quiet and efficient in his movements. Had a single and double to left along with a hard hit ball to centerfield. Quiet, simple approach. Similar approach and profile in 2nd game while playing 2nd base. Showed middle of the field approach with two hard hit balls back through the box; compact and on-time swing.
2021 CF Jacob Richardson (Uncommitted) of Placer has a compact, strong runner-type body. Can hit. Easy stroke from the right side that is simple and quiet. High average-type hitter. Everything was gap-to-gap and barreled in his three at-bats. Defensively shows above average range with a good first step and jump.
2020 Justin Holaday (Uncommitted) of Lemoore ran the bags well and showed good reads/jumps and angles in the outfield. Very instinctive off the bat. Plus defensive range both left and right with an above average, accurate arm. Really strong middle-oppo approach with present and projectable power. Good top hand - one-hopped the center field wall with bases loaded.
2020 SS TJ Nichols (Sac State) Oakmont athletic SS stayed hot going 3-3 in game flashing barrel control with single to RCF/LCF before lacing a 2B down the LF line. Showed his speed in game with first step quickness getting stolen base and again with 2B thinking 2 out of the box (4.4T). Athleticism translates to Defense ranging behind 3B and making a great catch in foul territory. Has timing and rhythm at SS showing quick release with strong arm that flashes above average.
2020 C Carson Blatnick (Washington State) Oakmont catchers defensive skills were very impressive using athletic skills behind the plate blocking balls and with footwork on throws to 2nd base. Trusts the average arm and willing to flick balls behind runners getting one for backpick; 1.95-2.10 Pop times between inning regularly on the bag. Showed athleticism and game knowledge getting to 3rd base when it was unoccupied on drag bunt preventing runner from advancing. Big 2B to tie the game on slash pulling ball past 1B.
2020 RHP Kevin Haynes (Uncommitted) Jesuit RHP is large showing a squared up frame with length in lower half; projectable pitcher body with space in frame for more projection. Controlled, easy velocity from compact 3/4 showing elbow behind the back. FB showed life at plate with cut working 83-85 T86 MPH. SLD 77-79 MPH was late at the plate with short bend flashing tilt through the zone; chance to be a big swing and miss pitch. CHG 80 MPH with some late heaviness at the plate working under RHH swing.
2021 RHP/CF Tanner Sagouspe (Uncommitted) of San Joaquin Memorial has a medium, athletic build started in CF before moving to the mound. FB 80-82 MPH making hitters swing through pitch up in zone before showing deep and late CB at 68-69 MPH showing Up/Down sequencing. At the plate showed pop to the pullside with 2 HR’s with good bottom hand direction to the baseball and late barrel quickness.
2019 3B/RHP Chandler Dakin (Uncommitted) - From Placer was on base 5 times (3 hits, 2 BB) while driving in 2. Middle of the field approach with a compact swing and frame that fits at 3B showing strength in it. Arm is fine for 3B and showed strength when he hopped on the mound for final inning hitting 83 with FB.
2019 OF Carson King (Uncommitted) Stockdale RF swang the bat well with pullside focus collecting three hits and three runs; 2B down the line keeping hands tight and flashed some barrel quickness. Arm is strong and fits well in RF with good range to both sides and ability to close on balls.
2019 1B Kade Sheedy (Cal Poly) from Stockdale flashed barrel control with 1B into LF before big drive to RCF for 2B to win game in bottom of the 9th; also drove a ball at the RF to get runner to 3rd. Strong frame with compact arm and ability to track balls against foul territory.
2022 2B Adolph Sykes (Uncommitted) showed small frame with wider shoulders and lean projectable body for Stockdale. High-energy player with great first step; stole 2nd and 3rd on very good catcher with great reads of pitcher. Stayed on FB away driving it to LCF for 2B with speed in quick angled turn (4.73T). Moves through the ball well at 2nd base with fair arm that can continue to strengthen and stick in the middle of the field.
2019 SS Brady Hormel (Nevada) Buchanan SS continues to show the bat speed with two hard hit singles to right side; first one was a shot off the 2nd baseman. Quick feet and athletic actions in the middle of the field with the ability to get angled for turns on double plays and to move through the ball; strong arm with easy carry.
2019 OF Brock Jones (Stanford) Buchanan CF had the Speed/Power combination on display with a patient eye. Very athletic, twitchy build with great 1st step quickness on bases and in CF; stole 2nd twice. Finished the day on base 4 times with 2 walks, 1B and HR to RF; ball was absolutely crushed on hanging CHG. 3rd AB got jammed but showed off speed down the line beating 1B to the bag (4.13 H-1st) gliding down the line with long, controlled stride.
2019 1B TJ Fondtain (SDSU) Buchanan 1B is long in the large frame with length in lower half and space in frame to keep adding. Showed off quick hands and late barrel speed turning on FB over RCF wall; ball took off on impact with continual carry. Hit another hard ball to RF in 3rd AB that was just a bit in front of. Good frame at 1B with good feet around the bag.
2020 RHP Luke Sula (Uncommitted) from Buchanan went CG going 7IP, 1R, 4H, 3BB not allowing a runner past 2nd base until the 7th inning. Large, lean frame with multiple pitches breaking off the same release point and staying off barrels. FB 79-81 MPH with bouts of big run and cut. SLD 69-73 MPH with short sweep and flashes of depth in 10/6-to-10/5 depth; used the pitch in any count and able to go to it as needed. CHG 71-75 MPH with heavy arm-side run late off FB path. Competed and created lots of weak contact.
2021 SS Elvin Delic (Uncommitted) Consumnes Oaks SS has a medium frame with athletic actions that showed well on defense making plays to each side and moving in time through the ball. Flashed an above-average arm with easy release keeping it on the bag while on the move. Very quick feet with jailbreak running actions on drag bunt for Sacrifice (4.00 H-1st) and when stealing 2nd base. Bat showed some length when focusing heavily to pullside with swing, but strong wrists and good rhythm and timing in swing.
Notables:
2021 OF Landon Dodd of Hanford is an interesting player to follow. He shows discipline at the plate - had a 7 pitch walk - and has some speed down the line - 4.29 H-1st on a dropped swinging third strike….2020 OF Daylon Davis of Hanford is the center-fielder that started the great relay that nailed Miller at third. He also showed well at the plate squaring up a ball and flashing some speed on the bases….2020 OF Brandon Burgos of Hanford smashed two balls on the night. One was caught in deep center field while the other went into left field for a base hit. Burgos has shown a knack for hitting that should continue into the summer….2021 INF Lee Trevino of Redwood shows some big upside both at the plate and defensively. He handles the bat well with a quick handed short path to the ball that shows a knack for the opposite field. Moved around the bag at first base (not his position of the future) well and handled/scooped balls in the dirt….2019 SS Justin Tiger will see better days defensively but he came up in a huge spot for Clovis and deliver the game winning hit. With the bases loaded Tiger took an elevated fastball at 87 and drove it into right-center field for a bases clearing double that gave Clovis the lead and ultimately the win.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
SHOWCASE | STATE | DATE | LOCATION |
N. California Underclass ID | CA | 05/26 | Islanders Field - Lathrop |
Inland Empire Futures Games Trials | CA | 06/01 | Norco High School |
SoCal ProCase | CA | 06/08 | Hart Park |
Northern California ProCase | CA | 06/09 | Delta College - Stockton |
Bay Area Open Showcase | CA | 06/26 | Laney College |
Inland Empire Top Prospect ID | CA | 07/23 | Santiago High School |
Norcal Top Prospect ID | CA | 07/24 | St. Mary's College |
Junior Future Games / Future Games | NATIONAL | 07/30 | LakePoint |
Rising Stars Showcase | CA | 09/21 | Santiago High School |
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