OC State Games ID: Quick Hits
June 14, 2022
California Staff
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ORANGE, CALIF. - The annual State Games ID showcase took place over the weekend and hosted several talented players from all classes in the one-day showcase. Players were put through a traditional pro style workout that included a laser timed 60 yard dash, two rounds of batting practice, and an extended defensive workout.
The event annually attracts plenty of talent as players look to earn an invitation to the prestigious California State Games that will be held at the end of July at Hart Park in Orange. With many talented players on hand in this edition of Quick Hits we’ll highlight some of the early standouts.
For full data metrics and video, please be sure to click into each player's profile.
We will continue to break down the top performers in multiple categories as we review notes/data, until then here are some early standouts in this edition of Quick Hits.
The UW commit easily had the best overall workouts on Saturday. Started when he ran one of the fastest 60s of the day. Then he had a loud round of BP with EVs consistently over 90 mph (90.1 avg. 97.3 max). Wilson generates these exit velos due to his bat speed of 73.1 avg and rotational acceleration average of 23.1gs which are both well above average for his level. His swing uses a simple/easy trigger while his hands load into a good early connection position that allows him to get in the zone early and stay in the zone (83.4% on-plane efficiency). During the defensive workout he showed off his two-sport athleticism in both the OF and INF showing solid actions from both spots with a strong arm throwing it 92 mph from RF and 90 mph from SS.
Thomas in his workout showed a skillset very similar to his brother Franklin Carney who is headed to UC Irvine this fall. Carney had one of the better BPs of the day spraying LDs to the middle of the field with ease showing barrel accuracy within a flat on-plane stroke (81% on-plane efficiency via Blast). During his defensive workout he showed off his athleticism with his light quick feet and above-average 84 mph accurate arm across the diamond. With the Saints losing their 2B and SS, Thomas should fill in nicely up the middle there next spring.
Eisen is one of the more intriguing ‘23 uncommitted RHPs on the market. Starts with his projectable high waisted build at 6-6 190. Eisen pitches exclusively from the stretch and for his size repeats his delivery quite well. He works in good direction with his lower half through home and lands in a quality fielding position. His arm works within a medium arm path in the back that gets up to a ¾ slot. He maintains consistent armspeed/slots on all pitch types. FB was 84-85 T86 that day and he commanded it to all quadrants. CH was his best secondary, killing spin on it down to about 1350 rpm and it sat 74-76. His SL was of the shorter variety almost CT shape and he showed the ability to throw it for strikes at an 80% clip. With the potential upside in the frame and his current skillet on the mound, there’s a lot to like.
Stewart was an easy standout because of his loud BP rounds. His high level of bat speed of 78.2 mph via Blast produced an event high max exit velo of 100.3 mph. Finnegan generates this bat speed without having to make big moves in his swing. Foot gets down early and he maintains balance throughout the swing. His hands work into a lower launch position to work uphill towards the baseball. Consistently out front contact points throughout the round produced a lot of pullside LDs. Defensively he showed solid OF actions coming through the ball with aggressiveness without needed to slow down momentum. Showed average arm strength at 80 mph but every throw was an accurate one hop to the base. Standing currently at a strong 6-1 185 there was a lot to like in this first look.
Martinez was a instrumental piece for a D1 SoCal State Regional winning Huntington Beach team this spring hitting a solid .353 and starting a majority of games at 3B and on Saturday he put together a solid showcase. He had one of the more professional rounds of BP we saw that day. He stayed gap to gap with LDs with ease. He uses a controlled leg kick trigger where he consistently lands balanced. Hands/barrel stay connected throughout the load/swing with a path that works slightly uphill through the zone. He showed the ability to stay inside the ball when beat on the inside while still being able to drive it up the middle or to the RC gap. He worked out at 3B and looked the part. Fundamental actions with decent lateral footwork and an average accurate arm. Also showed a clean exchange that allowed for a quick release on most his throws. Martinez doesn’t flash crazy tools at you but there are present skills to his game that will play at the next level.
Sagan threw one of the better bullpens of he day and showed some of the advancements he’s made within the last year. First is that he’s grown to a stronger 6-1 180lb build. Second is that the FB was 82-85 T86 which is about a 4-5 mph jump from last year. The arm showed easy quickness, present layback and continuous action throughout the path. He showed quality feel for his SL/CH throughout the pen. SL had slurvy shape and he showed a tendency to front door it. CH was more of a straight CH and he killed spin on it down to 1100 rpm while maintaining consistent armspeed. There is reason to believe there is more in the velo department and should be an arm to keep an eye on throughout this summer.
We have seen Hansen in a showcase and game setting several times over the years and he continues to impress with his ability to hit from the left side. His spray chart looked almost like an “I” up the middle of the field. With exit velocities ranging from 81-91 mph, Hansen packs a punch at the plate where he shows quick hands (21 mph) with present bat speed and a consistent swing path. Incorporates the lower half well using a left lift trigger as a timing mechanism. Middle/middle approach with the ability to pull the ball with some power. Line drive hitter that keeps the ball out of the air more often than not. Defensively he shows enough arm strength (86mph) in the outfield to go with good routes to the ball with quickness in the first step. At first base his athleticism plays up with footwork that really plays. Can pick it with clean transfers.
A multiple year varsity starter, Faulkner was a first time participant in our showcase events and didn’t disappoint. Defensively he’s an athletic outfielder that glides to balls in open space with proper footwork while funneling the ball out front and flashing a strong, accurate arm (82 mph) from the outfield. Takes good angles to the ball and arrives under control and in position to come up throwing. Flashes clean, quick transfers. At the plate he does a good job of keeping his hands inside the ball with enough hand speed (22 mph) to whip the barrel through the zone on-plane. Consistent line drive hitter who can elevate at times, Faulkner possesses a powerful stroke with a max exit velo of 92.7 mph and an average of 81.6 mph. From an upright stance he uses a slight toe tap trigger to initiate his swing in which he incorporates the lower half very well leading to a rotational acceleration of 19.8g’s which is above average for a high school senior-to-be.
Last we saw Witt he was dominating at the Fresno Easter Classic and he seems to be on a fast rising trajectory both defensively and with the bat. Working exclusively in the outfield at this event, Witt flashed a big, strong arm (81 mph) with throws that flash carry and were accurate to all bags. Quick footwork allows him to get to balls to both sides while funneling out front and through the throw with clean/quick transfers. At the plate he shows a simple approach with a short, compact swing that stays connected well allowing hands to get out to contact in front of the body. Consistently drives balls to the opposite field and up the middle while staying inside the ball. Hands and feet are quiet throughout the swing while his head stays on the plate with good posture. As we’ve seen in game action, he’s a good mistake pitch hitter.
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