The Mountain West Scout Day in the books, we now take a look back at the standouts from yesterday's event. The Scout Day included a Pro-Style Workout where players ran a Laser Timed 60 Yard Dash, took a Batting Practice, Catcher Pop Times/Velocity, Outfield Evaluations/Velocity and Infield Evaluation/Velocity concluding with Pitches Bullpens. This was an exclusive event for players in the Mountain West program to highlight current players as well as a spotlight on the current state of the program itself.

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AJ Johnson / 2023 / 1B/RHP

Mountain West Scout Day

2020 Future Games attendee / #10 ranked ‘23, AJ Johnson (@aj11609958), produced a loud round of BP with present pull side power & an ability to spray the ball to all fields. Presents a good target and is athletic around the bag at 1B #BeSeen @Gatorbsbl pic.twitter.com/03xB19mPBW

— Brett Harrison (@B_HarrisonPBR) January 29, 2021

Coming off of a successful 2020 Future Games and ranked #10 in the recent 2023 PBR Rankings update, AJ Johnson produced a loud round during the offensive evaluation of the Mountain West Scout Day using a quiet set up that rocks back into his load with a PBR Verified 25.26 mph Hand Speed via Blast Motion. The present power is there and his ability to consistently square balls up is the separator for Johnson, posting an 86.30 mph Average Exit Velocity via TrackMan at the Nevada Top Prospect event last summer. The defensive side of his game is progressing as well with improved footwork through the ball as well as around the bag at first base, presenting a quality target with obvious athleticism. Johnson is going to be the catalyst in the heart of the Mountain West lineup this year and could also make an impact on the mound with a fastball, breaking ball and changeup mix all of which he can throw for strikes. Keep an eye on this player.

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Nicky Garritano / 2022 / MIF

Mountain West Scout Day

2022 @PBR_Uncommitted SS, Nicky Garritano, showed well on both sides of the ball. Line drive filled round of BP w/ some power potential followed by his clean IF actions, fluid feet w/ improving arm strength, 81 mph #BeSeen @Gatorbsbl @NickGarritano pic.twitter.com/mzcItd2osz

— Brett Harrison (@B_HarrisonPBR) January 29, 2021

Every good team has a good shortstop and Mountain West has just that in Nicky Garritano. The Uncommitted 2022 middle infielder went from 5-foot-5, 120 pounds in March of 2020 to 5-foot-10, 165 pounds as of today and his ability at the plate has paralleled his physical development. He produced a mature round of batting practice, spraying line drive to the big part of the yard then flashed some improved pull side power potential in his last couple swings. He has always been a sure handed infielder stuck mostly at second base because of his size, but has recently made the transition to short with his improved arm strength that topped out at 81 mph. The positive movement in his game should spark some interest with his tools progressing and the present baseball IQ coming together could make for an exceptional player.

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Chaz McNelis / 2023 / MIF

Mountain West Scout Day@PBR_Uncommitted 2023 MIF, Chaz McNelis (@cmcnelis41), gets the day started with an event best 6.97 60 Time followed by this ⬇️⬇️ round of BP with pull side power is starting to shine through as he left the yard to LCF #BeSeen @Gatorbsbl pic.twitter.com/81INNgXtBJ

— Brett Harrison (@B_HarrisonPBR) January 29, 2021

Fresh off of his performance at the Area Code ID Series last weekend, Chaz McNelis produced one of the, if not the, top round of the day with his compact, level stroke that routinely found the barrel that helped him produce a PBR Verified 95.57 mph TrackMan Exit Velocity last weekend. We have seen his power potential turn into present power over the past year, especially to the pull side, evident by him leaving the yard last night to right center field. In addition to his offensive improvements, McNelis posted the top Laser Timed 60 of the day running a 6.97 with underway speed while improving his infield velocity +4 mph to 73 mph. McNelis’ bat is going to carry him to the next level and with the rest of his game progressing, the 2023 middle infielder is going to be a player to keep an eye on over the next few years.

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Connor Apeceche / 2024 / C/3B

Mountain West Scout Day

2020 Jr. Future Games attendee, Connor Apeceche (@CApeceche), showed power potential to the big part of the yard, especially to the pull side, with a compact stroke. Earned an event best 1.95 Pop Time with each throw around the tag zone #BeSeen@Gatorbsbl pic.twitter.com/qInTIykhBh

— Brett Harrison (@B_HarrisonPBR) January 29, 2021

Team Nevada representative at the 2020 Junior Future Games, Connor Apeceche, continued his hitting ways with flashes of power potential to the pull side using his present strength in his lower half. He uses a minimal type swing with an efficient hand path and excellent barrel awareness that paired with his current and projected physicality, could make him one of the top power bats in the 2024 class. Following the impressive offensive portion of his workout, he posted an event best and new personal best, 1.95 Pop Time, that puts him among the top catchers in the state regardless of class. With the 2024 PBR Player Rankings coming out following the completion of the Scout Day Season, you can expect Apeceche to be among the top players in his class.