Oakland A's Area Code Underclass Tryout
June 22, 2023
Follow @PBRCaliforniaFollow @LesLukachFollow@Clemmens_PBR
New Episode LIVE now! - At The Yard Podcast
LATHROP, CALIF. - By my count there were roughly 91 participants at the Underclass Area Code tryout on June 13th at Islanders Field in Lathrop (CA). It was a mix of 2025 and 2026 grads. Given the performances of the players, there will be tough choices as to who makes the team. As is always the case with players this young, their year over year development can in some cases be quite notable.
The pitchers all threw a pen session on the main mound. Position players then ran 60s, followed by BP w/two rounds for each player, then came the defensive workout, finally with field coach/scout throwing from about 45' behind L screen, the 'scrimmage' consistented of each player having two at-bats. In some ways it was like the old-school 2-pitch drill, where scouts/coaches are looking to see players on the defensive side, as well as their baserunning prowess, and also which players could take their BP approach into the scrimmage. There is also a fitness and condititioning component to a drill like this.
For what it's worth, because a pen session is just a pen session and BP is just BP, these players were particularly (IMO) impressive (the environment does matter so that does change slightly a pen session and a BP session). Please note, these listed players are certainly not the only good and highly talented players who were there, but it's a good chance the ACGU team will have quite a few of these kids on the roster, from my perspective.
*Stats (60, position MPH, pops) from A's Area Code Underclas Tryout
*pretty soft surface for runners, also w/some headwind
PITCHERS
2026 RHP Dax Hardcastle, St. Mary's (Stockton) - FB 86-88 T89, SL 76-77, CHG 75-78; On top of having one of the best arms on the mound, along with good spin to the SL and feel of the CHG, he was also one of the most physical RHH at the tryout (plays 3B/1B)
2026 RHP Jensen Hirschkorn, Kingsburg - FB 84-88, CB 70-71, CHG 74-75; Gut feel here is that this 6-foot-5 170-lb young hurler is going to throw HARD in the not too distant future, super easy arm, looked like he was just playing catch but radar gun said otherwise, couple flashes of above AVG CB, feel for CHG, looked very comfortable in the environment
2025 RHP John Kasten, Clovis - FB 86-89, CB 72-74, CHG 80-81; One of most complete repertoires relative to stuff and feel, overhand slot, strong arm seems able to hold velocity, tight 12/6 type CB while CHG had life and was thrown with feel
2025 RHP Erik Rico, Redwood (Visalia) - FB 86-88 T89, CB 73-74, CHG 79-80; Was a standout at the NorCal ProCase which resulted in his invitation to this tryout and he didn't disappoint, quick arm, aggressive thrower, snappy breaking ball, lively stuff
2025 RHP Trenton Roach, Hollister, Cal commit - FB 87-90, CB 74-76, CHG 77-78, SPLT 80; Top peak velo, showed most consistent top velo, CB with 11/5 shape and quick change of direction, late diving CHG while thrown w/feel, showed a split late in the session
2025 RHP Landon Schutte, Oakdale - FB 85-87 T89, SL 75-77, CHG 77-80; Clearly has a good arm, seemed to be getting comfortable as the session went on and higher velos and more life on the SL started to show up, should be at least an avg SL as he evolves, along with above avg CHG
2025 RHP Jerod "Bubba" Smith, Fowler - FB 85-87 T88, CB 73-74, CHG 75-76; Strong body, also tried out at 3B and punished some baseballs in BP, overhand slot, steep angle, power 11/5 shape CB, CHG flashed well-above average, lots of talent and confidence here
2025 RHP David Wiser, Bradshaw Christian - FB 84-86 T87, CB 67-69, CHG 77-79; Sturdy build, all pitches have life and complement each other, run on the FB stood out, shapely CB with feel, with best pitch appearing to be the CHG, which was noted with a couple of + marks in my notes
2025 RHP Dylan Wood, Franklin (Elk Grove), Arizona commit - FB 86-89, CB 68-73, CHG 65-69; Easy arm, more velos in upper 80s than not, big shape to CB with some slurve action at higher velos, bugs-type CHG, comes out with big velo reduction like it hits a wall
POSITION PLAYERS
- OUTFIELD
2025 Alec Blair, De La Salle - L/L, 87 mph, 7.21; Long and lithe, wiry strong, ceiling is as high as just about any OF in the class in NorCal. Kyle Tucker comes to mind when watching him hit, the physical projection for him as a hitter is HIGH
2025 Brennan Johnson, Buchanan - R/R, 87 mph, 7.14; One of more toolsy players in the class, strong w/short stroke, stays above ball, should be ample extra base hit production in his future
2025 Emmett Johnson, St. Ignatius - R/R, 88 mph, 7.08; Wiry strong, twitchy, contact oriented stroke with plenty of hand quickness, short swing, quick bat, ready early, showed range in OF with diving catch in the scrimmage
2025 Marco Jones, San Ramon Valley - R/R, 85 mph, 7.69; Big presence in box, first couple swings grabbed immediate attention, ball jumps, can mis-hit ball & still punish to oppo field, real juice, played outstanding defense in the scrimmage
2025 Brock Ketelsen, Valley Christian - L/L, 92 mph, 7.28; Presently looks like the top OF in the class in the region, hit tool is advanced, sprays hard line drives to all fields, also good on the mound
- 3B & 1B
2025 Chase Bentley, Granite Bay - 1B, R/R, FB T88; Texas A&M commit, already well-renowned as a pitcher, his BP rounds were LOUD while showing raw power to all fields, certainly impressive rounds
2025 Julian Cambra, San Ramon Valley - 1B, R/R; Big body, known to be an outstanding football player, + bat speed, excellent hands, compact stroke with ability to get to his power, hitterish punisher of the baseball
2025 Austin Williams, Rocklin - 3B, L/R; Long lanky body projects to develop significant size and strength, whippy lively swing, long finish through contact, wristy, showed significant pull-side power potential
- MIDDLE INFIELD
2025 Evan Bradshaw, Serra - R/R, 84 mph; Quick bat, balanced with excellent timing, some lightning in the hands, took impressive BP round into scrimmage and showed all field line drive approach, smooth clean stroke
2025 Brady Errecart, St. Mary's (Stockton) - R/R, 78 mph; Saw in spring & was glad he was at tryout, high level defender, easy accurate arm, hands work easily at plate, all fields, pretty swing, Longoria came to mind
2026 Sammy Kane, Jesuit - R/R, 87 mph; LSU commit, top MIF velo, smooth fielder and known to be very good on mound (didn't pitch at tryout), it's the bat for me, easy, quiet, + hands, flicks bat and ball jumps
2025 Brock Sell, Lodi - L/R, 90 mph OF, 86 mph SS, 6.93; Stanford commit, fast hands, direct to ball, all fields, balanced and excellent timing, has look of a future professional hitter, pair of doubles to CF/RCF in scrimmage
2025 Bo Smith, St. Patrick-St. Vincent - R/R, 85 mph OF, 83 mph SS, 7.12; Utility profile w/above avg defensive chops in OF and INF, strong showing in CF, BP showed aggressive uphill attack angle in BP, double down RF line in scrimmage
- CATCHER
2026 Mason Belding, Del Oro - L/R, 76 mph; Texas A&M commit, showed ability to get off pops below 2.0, arm has more raw velo coming in future, bat shines brightly now, present pull-side power w/ability to drive ball to LF, young physical hitter
2025 Brayden Jaksa, Irvington - R/R, 80 mph, 7.29, Oregon commit, one of top overall prospects in the class, tools rate very high (in a pro sense) across board, PHYSICAL bat, all field ability, crazy hand speed, could have light tower power in future, popped below and around 2.0
2025 Kyle Petterson, Roseville - R/R, 77 mph, 7.35; Showed sub-2.0 pop ability, strong arm, moves well, athletic, BP round was excellent, short & balanced, outstanding on-plane attack angle, full backside finish, pair of scrimmage doubles (one to RCF, one to LCF)
UPCOMING EVENTS
SHOWCASE | STATE | DATE | LOCATION |
OC State Games Open ID | CA | 07/11 | Hart Park |
MORE PREP BASEBALL NEWS
- CA CA State Games: '26 Top Performers from Game Action 8/16/24
- CA CA State Games: '25 Top Performers from Game Action 8/15/24
- CA Uncommitted Spotlight: '26 C Jaden Liu 8/14/24
- CA CA State Games: Quick Hits Workout Wonders 8/13/24
- CA Uncommitted Spotlight: '26 C/RHP Nyte Teeter 8/08/24
- CA CA State Games Preview 8/07/24
- CA Uncommitted Spotlight: '26 LHP Brayden Charness 8/07/24
- CA Uncommitted Spotlight: '26 RHP/1B Jacob Oropeza 8/06/24
- CA Uncommitted Spotlight: '26 OF/INF Rock Akahi 8/05/24
- CA Prep Baseball Junior Future Games Bracket Play Recap 7/31/24