Oakland A's Area Code Underclass Tryout

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