Norcal Underclass ID: Infielder Analysis

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LATHROP, CALIF. - The Northern California Underclass ID event took place at Islanders Field at River Islands on the morning of 10/10/20. There were 43 players in attendance, 17 of whom took reps at either SS (10), 3B (6), and 1B (1).

This INF report DOES NOT include two-way pitcher-infielders. All two-way players will be included in one report together. Players who showed their talents at another defensive position (OF for example) will also be in that position report.

TrackMan and Blast Motion were utilized during their batting practice round to gather data on exit velocity, hand speed, bat speed, rotational acceleration, fly ball %, on plane efficiency, and many other data points.

We are completing our roll out of the reports on the underclassmen this week, with one to two positions released each day. Here are the underclass catchers, outfielders, and underclass pitchers

Here are the completed reports for the upperclass pitchers, catchers, outfielders, 3rd basemen, and shortstops.

(Click to individual player profiles for full stats and video)

Listed in order of their peak INF throwing velocities:

Adam Reyes, Oakmont (CA), 2023
Positional Profile: SS
Body: 5-10, 140-pounds. Wiry frame, athletic, room to add mass.
Hit: SH. Compact set up in the box, hands held tight to body, leg lift and clean barrel turn.
Power: Topped 87 MPH Exit Velo via Trackman in BP. Power will come with added mass to that frame.
Arm: RH. INF - 80 mph. Short, compact arm action that will stick in the MIF, topped 80 MPH.
Defense: Clean actions in the MIF, bounced around with ease and had solid footwork.
Run: 7.51 runner in the 60.

Jacob Johnson, Monte Vista (CA), 2023
Positional Profile: 3B
Body: 5-11, 158-pounds. High waisted, solid frame, room to fill out.
Hit: RHH. Neutral start with a quiet load and level bat path through the zone.
Power: Toppeed 89 MPH via Trackman in BP. Power will come with added lean mass.
Arm: RH. INF - 78 mph. Semi long arm action at 3B that produced a 78 MPH velocity across the diamond.
Defense: Moved around well in the INF with everything under control and in rhythm.
Run: 7.56 runner in the 60.

Luke Shane, Branson (CA), 2023
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-9, 150-pounds. Athletic build, even throughout, room to put on mass.
Hit: RHH. Compact to start, preset into back hip with a small leg kick to initiate the swing.
Power: Topped 91 MPH Exit Velo via Trackman in BP. Power will come with development + added mass.
Arm: RH. C - 71 mph. INF - 78 mph. Short and compact arm action that produced 79 MPH across the diamond and 72 MPH from behind the plate.
Defense: Showcased clean  footwork in the IF and behind the plate, will need to improve quickness at the next level.
Run: 8.04 runner in the 60.

Benjamin Kim, Archbishop Mitty (CA), 2023
Positional Profile: C/SS
Body: 5-9, 145-pounds. Wiry, athletic, room to fill out.
Hit: RHH. Even stance with a small leg kick load. Hands work in sync to create tension.
Power: Topped 86 MPH Exit Velo via Trackman in BP. Power will come with mass.
Arm: RH. C - 70 mph. INF - 76 mph. Topped out at 76 MPH from the IF and 70 MPH from the OF, shorter arm action behind the plate than in the INF.
Defense: Wide base behind the plate, moved with quickness both in the INF and at C during defensive workout.
Run: 7.09 runner in the 60.

Matthew Cormier, Castro Valley (CA), 2023
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-11, 169-pounds. Sturdy base, medium overall build with room to grow.
Hit: RHH. Neutral set up with quick load and go, upward barrel path that produces some loft.
Power: Topped 82 MPH Exit Velo via Trackman in BP. Power will come with added lean mass.
Arm: RH. C - 73 mph. INF - 76 mph. Short and compact arm action behind the plate that topped at 73 MPH during defensive workout.
Defense: Moved around with some quickness behind the plate fielding bunts as well as in the infield during the defensive workout.
Run: 7.94 runner in the 60.

Brent Valentine, St. Francis (Mountain View, CA), 2024
Positional Profile: 3B/OF
Body: 5-10, 160-pounds. Athletic, even throughout, plenty of room to fill out.
Hit: RHH. Neutral start in the box, quiet head + load.
Power: Topped 82 MPH Exit Velo via Trackman in BP. Power will come with lean mass.
Arm: RH. INF - 74 mph. Semi short arm action that was 74 MPH across the diamond.
Defense: Moved well laterally fielding balls to both sides, showed the ability to throw on the run.
Run: 7.53 runner in the 60.

Jake Downing, Serra (San Mateo, CA), 2024
Positional Profile: 2B/SS
Body: 5-9, 140-pounds. Athletic, smaller build, room and time to fill out.
Hit: LHH. Open stance with large weight shift and load, upward barrel path.
Power: Topped 81 MPH Exit Velo via Trackman in BP, power will come with lean mass + size.
Arm: RH. INF - 72 mph. Shorter arm action in the INF that topped out at 72 MPH during the defensive workout.
Defense: Quality footwork in the INF, moved with some quickness, may need to improve urgency at next level.
Run: 7.39 runner in the 60.

Carter Johnstone, Los Gatos (CA), 2024
Positional Profile: 2B/SS
Body: 5-8, 140-pounds. Athletic, smaller frame, room and time to grow.
Hit: LHH. Slightly open to start with a quiet leg kick and level bat path.
Power: Topped 83 MPH Exit Velo via Trackman in BP. Power will come with size + mass.
Arm: RH. INF - 72 mph. Long, whippy arm in the INF that topped out at 72 MPH during defensive workout.
Defense: Quality movements around the IF showcasing solid footwork and rhythm.
Run: 7.59 runner in the 60.

Jaden Mingus, San Benito (CA), 2023
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-9, 152-pounds. Athletic frame with room to finish filling out.
Hit: RHH. Wide to start with a quick and level barrel path through the zone.
Power: Topped 80 MPH Exit Velo via Trackman in BP. Power will come with mass + size.
Arm: RH. INF - 72 mph. Shorter arm action from a lower slot that plays in the MIF.
Defense: Worked through the baseball showcasing quality footwork and smooth actions.
Run: 7.69 runner in the 60.

Makoa Sniffen, Los Gatos (CA), 2024
Positional Profile: 3B/OF
Body: 5-10, 150-pounds. Proportional throughout, room to fill out in all areas.
Hit: RHH. Slightly open to start, gets into lower half well, bat works upward through the zone.
Power: Topped 83 MPH Exit Velo via Trackman in BP. Power will come with added lean mass.
Arm: RH. INF - 71 mph. OF - 76 mph. Shorter arm action that was 71 MPH from the INF and 76 MPH from the OF during defensive workout.
Defense: Fielded balls well to both sides laterally in INF and attacked the ball in OF. INF footwork will need to improve at next level.
Run: 7.94 runner in the 60.

Landon Troutt, Rodriguez (CA), 2023
Positional Profile: 2B/SS
Body: 5-6, 130-pounds. Smaller frame, athletic, room for further development.
Hit: LHH. Open stance with leg kick trigger. Hands start low and work up through the zone.
Power: Topped 79 MPH Exit Velo via Trackman in BP. Power will come with size + lean mass.
Arm: RH. INF - 71 mph. Clean, short arm action in the INF, topped out at 71 MPH across the diamond.
Defense: Solid actions, moved around well with quality footwork.
Run: 8.15 runner in the 60.

John Micah Cervantes, Aptos (CA), 2024
Positional Profile: SS/OF
Body: 5-5, 130-pounds. Smaller frame, proportional, room and time to fill out.
Hit: SH. Slightly open to start with a leg kick and barrel that stays in the zone for a long time.
Power: Topped 78 MPH Exit Velo via Trackman in BP. Power will come with increase in strength.
Arm: RH. INF - 70 mph. OF - 79 mph. Topped 79 MPH from the OF and 70 MPH from the INF with a short and compact arm action.
Defense: Solid footwork both in the OF and INF that put him in solid positions to field the baseball.
Run: 7.57 runner in the 60.

Cooper Babb, Jesuit (CA), 2024
Positional Profile: 3B
Body: 5-11, 180-pounds. Sturdy base, solid build with room to add strength.
Hit: RHH. Open set up with a leg kick trigger and level barrel path through the zone.
Power: Topped 83 MPH Exit Velo via Trackman in BP. Power will come with mass and advanced approach.
Arm: RH. INF - 70 mph. Short arm action in the INF that topped out at 70 MPH during the defensive portion.
Defense: Showcased quality footwork and the ability to move laterally.
Run: 7.79 runner in the 60.

Xavier Mendez, Alisal (CA), 2024
Positional Profile: 1B/C
Body: 5-10, 175-pounds. Solid base, athletic build, room to grow.
Hit: RHH. Slightly open stance with a quiet head and leg lift load.
Power: Topped 87 MPH Exit Velo via Trackman in BP. Power will come with added mass and refined swing mechanics.
Arm: RH. INF - 67 mph. Short arm action at 1B that spirals out nicely and plays in the INF.
Defense: Moved around 1B with some fluidity, quick transfer skills when turning DP's.
Run: 8.34 runner in the 60.

Steven Todd III, Justin-Siena (CA), 2024
Positional Profile: SS
Body: 5-10, 135-pounds. Wiry build, room for further development.
Hit: RHH. Open to start, quiet leg lift load, level barrel path.
Power: Topped 79 MPH Exit Velo via Trackman  in BP. Power will come with development + added mass.
Arm: RH. INF - 66 mph. Short and compact arm action that plays in the MIF, topped at 66 MPH.
Defense: Attacked the baseball in the INF showcasing quality foot and glove work.
Run: 7.67 runner in the 60.

Adrian Ruiz, San Benito (CA), 2023
Positional Profile: OF/2B
Body: 5-4, 130-pounds. Smaller frame, proportional, room and time for physical development.
Hit: RHH. Slightly closed to start, quick leg lift to initiate the swing, level barrel path.
Power: Topped 82 MPH Exit Velo via Trackman in BP. Power will come with size + added mass.
Arm: RH. INF - 65 mph. OF - 71 mph. Semi short arm action that produced 71 MPH from the OF and 65 MPH from the IF during the defensive workout.
Defense: Moved with a sense of urgency around the diamond with quality footwork and actions.
Run: 7.72 runner in the 60.