Norcal 9 - Players to see more of

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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA - The last game I attended this spring was on 3/12/20 when Alhambra took on American Canyon, as I was there to get an early season look at our top ranked 2021 player, Tyree Reed. Today is May 15th, just over two months since that game. Yet somehow, it feels even longer since I've seen a game. I am sure the same goes for all of you reading this... especially the players.

In this piece I look at nine uncommitted 2021 players I've seen and my gut says they will each have the opportunity to play D1 baseball. But to confirm that gut feeling, they are also among players I feel like I need to see more of. Sometimes you go to a game and a player doesn't get much to hit, or the ball doesn't find him on defense. We see pitchers in a showcase scenario but want to see them compete in game action to see more than their raw stuff. We see tools of position players in a showcase but want to see how those tools play in real game competition.

(Listed alphabetically, click the link to the profile to see bio info & reports/videos/stats)

+ RHP Griffin Allen - Valley Christian - Big frame, loose powerful arm, saw him vs De La Salle this spring (up to 89 mph) and though it was a rough outing for him, I left that game very excited to see him again. He also plays 1B and there are plenty of things to like about his offensive talents, but it's my belief that he's got a chance to develop a mid-90s fastball someday that has me excited to see him again. Also has makings of a big hammer CB. Massive ceiling!

+ RHP Lex Dillon - Whitney - Long and lanky, has steadily developed from a catcher/pitcher when I first saw him over two years ago, into a primary pitcher. He has a real bright future if he continues on the same development arc. When I last saw him live (5/31/19) at Bay Area World Series (BAWS), he was topping at 82 mph. But I've been sent video of recent bullpens where he's touching 87-88, with a nice CB and loose easy arm that has definitely gotten stronger.

+ C/1B Joey Donnelly - De La Salle - A burly body type, he's a LHH and from the few at-bats I saw from him this spring, my gut says he's got a process/approach and pitch recognition skills to be an elite college hitter. I've not seen him at his primary position of catcher, where he is likely to be the starter in the next HS season. Given his size and presumable strength, along with the aforementioned process/approach/recognition skills, he could be a monster.

+ MIF Jake Ferguson - Tamalpais - Given that I've only seen him play one game, obviously I need to see more to confirm my gut feel on him. However, that one game showed things that are attractive for the college game. Gap to gap hitting approach, very sound infield footwork, excellent/instinctive baserunner, clearly visible enjoyment of playing the game, and a nice athletic body type. Started at 2nd base as a sophomore on a strong varsity team, a good indicator of his bright future.

+ RHP Julian Garrahan - Petaluma - Long and lanky with a good build, my look at him this spring was very brief, one inning, the last inning of his CG effort (3 K, 4 H, 0 BB) on 2/26/20. He was up to 88 mph in that game and his last offering was 86. He threw that CG using only fastballs and completed it in 69 pitches. That is an incredibly efficient performance! With his body type and pitchability with the fastball, he's one to know. Obviously need to see more and see the secondary stuff.

+ RHP Martin Haswell - Placer - Strong and lean athletic body, I saw him at our preseason event and there is definitely arm strength that intrigued me. The heater was up to 86 that day, impressive for late January. Also showed a 76-78 mph CB and with that velocity, he's got a chance to develop a power breaking ball. There were some mechanical tweaks to work on and from recent video I've seen, he's made improvements and I've seen touches of 90-91 mph recently.

+ C Logan Mock - Granada - Another player who attended the preseason event, Mock quickly grabbed my attention in the BP round, when on a cool/damp morning he was sending deep fly balls that disappeared in the dense fog. Posted a 92 mph EV and a low pop-time of 1.94 (ranged up to 2.12) with a 77 mph top velocity. High level receiving skills showed up in the bullpen sessions, as well a strong ability to block BIDs. Very excited to see him in game action down the road.

+ MIF Kobe Rolling - Wood - A multi-sport talent (he's a scholarship caliber soccer player), Rolling is a player I've seen a few times but here's the thing... he's got such good pitch rec and a discerning eye, that he's walked much more often than not when I've seen him. He's a LHH and can scoot on the bases, with range at 2nd base and athleticism around the bag. Obviously the ability to control the zone is a great trait, but I'd still like to see more and see him get pitches to hit.

+ OF Noah Young - Justin-Siena - Having been around him in the dugout at BAWS, Young is one of those players who other players are drawn to. His make-up for the game is outstanding. Add to that his physical body, offensive tools (90+ EV), LHH profile, and ability to control the zone that I saw in the showcase with game play, it whet my appetite to see him in spring high school action. His presence at the plate is hitter-ish. Talented football player too and brings that presence.

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