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OC Preseason All-State: Infielders Analysis

January 22, 2020
PBR California Staff

                     

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SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CA. - The Road to the California State Games began at the second annual Orange County Preseason All-State held at JSerra High School. Players descended on St. Pierre Field to show their fall/winter progress in the leadup to the spring season just a few weeks away. The invitation only event drew over 200 requests which was narrowed down to the 80 participants selected.  

Players were put through a customary pro-style workout that included a laser-time 60-yard sprint, a round of batting practice, a defensive workout that includes double-play turns for infielders, and concluded with bullpen sessions for pitchers. We purposely did not include games because we didn’t want to put pitchers who aren’t ready to face live hitters in that situation.  

As we dive deeper into our notes and videos we will release more post-event content. Earlier we released our Quick Hits highlighting 20 early standouts, the Statistical Analysis, the catchers analysis, and now we'll take a look at the infielders from the event.

Also, this evaluation list doesn't include players listed in our Quick Hits piece earlier which includes several infielders.

(Note: For full notes of all viewings on players click into their profile where all videos have been uploaded.)


Scouting Report

OC Preseason All-State. This is our first look at Nunez in this type of setting and he was one of the top standouts on the day. Stands on a projectable, lean, athletic frame with plenty of room to add weight and muscle. Setup in the box is tall, narrow with low hands. Has a busy approach with a lot of moving parts to get to contact, however it works because he is rhythmic and athletic. Nunez gets the barrel to contact consistently and in the right position with whippy bat speed. Showed one of the cleanest and crisp ground ball rounds out of the whole group. Works around the ball and gets his feet in the right position. Moves well to both left and right. The glove is advanced and can turn a smooth double play.  Nunez makes all the throws from all the angles. 

Scouting Report

OC Preseason All-State. This is our second look at Critchett in this type of setting, but we have been following his development for two years now. Stands on a large, thick, durable frame with power in legs. Natural left-handed swing path with quick, strong hands that generate excellent bat speed. Displays a balanced, rotational swing with a quiet head. Has over the fence power potential.  Demonstrated the ability to handle the bat and use both sides of the field with excellent hand-eye coordination. Critchett participated in the infield and outfield portions of the workout where he displayed the ability to pick out the proper hops with good footwork at third base and outfield. The arm tool is average but accurate on all his throws from both positions. His ability to play multiple positions adds value to any lineup. 

Scouting Report

OC Preseason All-State. This is our first look Haller who stands on a small athletic frame with ample room to add weight and muscle. Led off the day with a solid 60-yard dash (7.35). Took a good BP round squaring up the ball consistently with an opposite field approach. Shows an open stance setup and uses a leg kick trigger with minimal hand load. Adding strength to his frame will allow Aidan to create more bat speed and turn on inside pitches. Defensively, Haller moves well to both left, right and is able to pick out short hops on his approach. Displays clean actions with an average, accurate arm on throws to first base. 

Pitching: Haller features a 4-pitch mix out of a balanced , athletic delivery. Was able to command all of his offerings which will keep him as a valuable asset on the mound. Physical maturity and age will add velocity to his pitches and strength to his overall game.  


Scouting Report

OC Preseason All-State. This is our first look at Rodriquez in this type of setting.  Stands on a long, athletic frame. Sets up from a narrow, open stance, high hands with a bat wrap. Has minimal hand load which didn’t allow him to get to the inside pitch in the BP round. Took a solid ground ball session displaying the ability to consistently pick up the routine ball and be accurate to first base with his throws. Arm-action is clean with proper mechanics. Envisioning a growth spurt which could potentially move him to a corner infield/outfield position in the future. There’s potential on the mound for Rodriguez with his arm-action and growth capacity. Added strength and twitchyness will bring merit to his overall game.

Scouting Report

OC Preseason All-State. This is our first look at Wyman. Started the day off with a respectable 60-yard dash. Has small/medium, lean, athletic frame. Long arms and legs that lack strength on build at current time but projects to put on muscle mass and all-around strength as he matures. Wyman displayed an aggressive approach at the plate with solid, loud contact and quick hands through the zone during his BP round. Gap PWR currently, but with added strength could possess over the fence power potentially. Had a solid ground ball round displaying clean, athletic actions and has the ability to make plays on the run. The arm is average but shows clean arm-action on his accurate throws to first base.

Scouting Report

OC Preseason All-State. This is our first look at Smaldino in this setting. Stands on a long, lean, wiry frame that has ample room for growth all around. Sets up in a crouched, balanced stance and uses a high leg kick load. Bat path and barrel are quick through the zone with a high finish. He consistently found the barrel in his BP round peppering balls to all fields. Adding strength and muscle mass will allow him to get to the inside pitch and drive the ball with authority. Displayed good actions during his ground ball session at third base and showed he is capable of making the routine play. Throws were accurate and online. As he matures and adds strength his overall game and tools will improve.

Scouting Report

OC Preseason All-State. This is our third look at Watkins in this setting. Visibly he has tightened up his overall frame and has become more muscular. He continues to demonstrate his ability to hit the ball with authority. Took one of the better BP rounds on the day consistently squaring up balls and driving them into gaps. Has gained a tic of agility since our last viewing which has allowed him to possess more range on defense. The arm tool is average, but accurate and online to throws to first base.

Scouting Report

OC Preseason All-State. This is our fourth look at Johnson. Started off the day with an average 60-yard dash. Showed well in his BP session hitting balls hard to all fields. Johnson is more physical than we have seen in the past and it shows. Setup is slightly open and balanced. Uses a leg kick load and foot strike is on time. Hands and barrel come through the zone on an upward angle. The glove and arm are his best tools where he showed well in his ground ball round. Makes the routine play with accurate firm throws to first base showing off his strong arm. 

Scouting Report

OC Preseason All-State. This is our first look at Haller in this setting. Has strong, muscular frame all around. Sloped shoulders to small, high waist. Sets up in an even, crouched, balanced stance with extreme low hands away from the body. Hand load is minimal with pick-up put-down foot strike. Swing path is going up through the zone with good bat speed. Showed an all-fields approach in his BP round squaring balls up consistently. Participated in both outfield/infield(3B) portions where he showed his ability to make the routine play. Arm tool is average at both positions. Having more flexibility will add value to his overall game.

Scouting Report

OC Preseason All-State. This is our first viewing of Kirk in this setting. Has medium, proportional, athletic build that could handle more size. Started the day with an average 60-yard dash. Moved into the BP round where he sets up slightly open, balanced stance, with hands positioned by ear and flat bat. Hand load is minimal with a short bat path down to contact and long through the ball to a high finish. Was squaring up balls regularly hitting line drives with backspin.  Took a solid ground ball round where he moves well and picked out the proper hops. Displayed a strong, accurate arm with some carry on his throws across the diamond and showed he is able to make throws on the run. 

Scouting Report

OC Preseason All-State. This is our third look at Sidebotham in this type of setting. His projectable frame is continuing to grow proportionally each viewing gaining size and strength while maintaining his athleticism. Took and all fields approach during his BP round.  At times got over rotational, but self corrected and made the adjustment quickly to get back on track. Had a quality ground ball round showing the ability to make the routine play and make strong accurate throws to first base. With clean arm action, athleticism coupled with his growing frame, we could potentially see him at a corner position or the mound

Scouting Report

OC Preseason All-State. This is our first look at Gonzalez in this setting. He participated in the infield and pitching portions of the workout. He stands on lean, wiry, projectable frame with high waist, long arms and legs. Started the day with an average 60-yard dash. Moved onto the BP round where he showed a classic left handed swing. Sets up with a tall, narrow, open stance and high hands resting the bat flat on his shoulders. Hand load is minimal, leg kick is a tic fast with a hard foot strike on his approach to contact. Showed good bat speed with the ability to hit the ball the other way. Profiles as a pitcher and first baseman. Added strength will improve his overall game.

Scouting Report

OC Preseason All-State. This is our second look at McClelland in this type of setting. Has large, tall frame, high waist with long arms and legs with significant physical projection remaining.  Proto-type first base body. Lacks strength in frame to do big damage now, but will be able to drive balls deep into gaps and will have a chance to drive over right field wall as he ages and grows stronger. Defensively, McClelland demonstrates soft hands, good footwork around the base, and the ability to turn the double play.

Scouting Report

OC Preseason All-State. This is our first look at Pelayo in this type of setting. Has medium, proportional, athletic, strong frame. Was one of the standouts showing multiple tools, all around twitchyness and athleticism. Started off the day with a fast 60-yard dash. Pelayo’s BP round was crisp demonstrating his ability to square the ball up consistently. Has excellent barrel control using the whole field. Had one of the best ground ball rounds on the day displaying quick feet, soft hands and a strong accurate arm. 

Scouting Report

OC Preseason All-State. Jaffe was one of the standouts in this workout. Has a projectable, large, tall, athletic frame with significant room for all around growth, Has made noticeable physical gains and has become more twitchy since our last viewing at the Future Games last July in Georgia. Exhibited a solid BP round punishing balls to all fields. Starts from a traditional, balance position, with high hands separated from body. Has a barrel load trigger with minimal hand movement. Approach to ball is violent with excellent bat speed and extension to high finish. As he adds weight and muscle, we will see him driving the inside pitch for high double totals and homeruns in the future. Defensively Jaffe moves extremely well for his length and makes the correct reads on ground balls with proper actions. Shows a strong accurate arm with carry and zip on throws across the diamond.

Scouting Report

OC Preseason All-State. This is our first look at Hill in this type of setting. Stands on a large, proportional, athletic frame, with room to add muscle. Started off the day with a good 60-yard dash. Hill’s BP round was loud and showed his ability to get the barrel through zone violently and drive the ball. Has excellent extension in the hitting zone, completing with a high finish. Hill has over the fence power potential.  Feet and hands were working well together in his ground ball round demonstrating his ability to make the routine play with clean transfers. Throws to first base were accurate with carry across diamond. Good looking prospect.

Scouting Report

OC Preseason All-State. This is our first look at Hampton in this type of setting. Has medium, proportional, stocky, strong frame. Started off the day with an average 60. Hampton showed well in his BP round demonstrating his ability to barrel up balls consistently and go the other way with authority. Has good bat speed and gap power currently.  Defensively he is able to move well to both left and right and make routine plays with good actions. Hampton would best served moving to third base or a corner outfield position.  

Scouting Report

OC Preseason All-State. This is our second look at Italia in this type of setting. Shows a large, proportional sized frame currently, but has made significant physical gains since our last viewing. Shoulders are more square, and legs are filling out. Sets up with a wide, open base, slightly hunched over. Use a toe-tap trigger and minimal stride as he approaches contact. Swing path has natural lift with a high finish. Singles/doubles hitter currently, but if he adds more strength, over the fence power potential is a possibility. Defensively, Italia participated in the infield and outfield portions of the workout. Demonstrated the ability to make routine plays at both positions with strong throws. He moves well to stay at third base in high school, but profiles at a corner outfield position at the next level.

Scouting Report

OC Preseason All-State. This is our second look at Landaas in this type of setting. Has a proto-type first baseman, tall, proportional frame, with long arms and legs. Landaas has some physical projection remaining even at current size. Sets up with a traditional, balanced stance with feet shoulder width apart. Hand load is minimal.  Has a pick-up-put-down foot strike on approach to contact with nominal travel. Really gets into his legs with through contact leading to a high finish. Demonstrates excellent bat speed that will possess over the fence power potential as he matures and adds muscle. Moves well laterally and can field the routine ground ball consistently. Looks comfortable around the bag using proper footwork and can turn the double play with ease. 

UPCOMING EVENTS

SHOWCASE STATE DATE LOCATION
NorCal Preseason All-State (Invite-Only) CA 01/25 Islanders Field at River Islands
Winter Update Series powered by Paradigm Sport CA 01/26 Paradigm Sport
Winter Update Series powered by EM Sports CA 01/27 EM Sports - Long Beach
Winter Update Series powered by EM Sports CA 01/28 EM Sports - San Diego
Winter Update Series powered by FBK1 CA 01/30 FBK1
Super 60 Pro Showcase NATIONAL 02/02 The MAX - McCook, IL
Winter Update Series powered by Mike Murphy Baseball CA 02/08 MMB - Walnut Creek
SoCal Underclass Games ID - Los Angeles CA 02/09 O'Malley Family Field
Winter Update Series powered by EM Sports CA 02/10 EM Sports - Rancho Cucamonga

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