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PBR Future Games: Game 3 Standouts

July 31, 2022
PBR California Staff

New Episode LIVE now! - At The Yard Podcast

EMERSON, GA. - The PBR Future Games concluded on Saturday with Team California taking on a talented Team Indiana squad. Team California lost a tough one 8-6 committing four throwing errors that ended up being the difference in the game. Either way, the three arms that threw for Team California in '24 Stunner Gonzales, '24 Paul Wheeler, and '25 Grayson Boles all showed good stuff and some bats also impressed. 

Below are the 5 standouts from the game with some quick scouting notes:

'24 Stunner Gonzales - La Costa Canyon HS

Gonzales got the start against Indiana and worked through some command trouble but still showed strikeout stuff as he K’d 5 through his 3 innings of work. The 6-7 190lb RHP was 87-90 T91 with his FB garnering plenty of swing and miss with it especially up in the zone displaying good late life. He had a tendency to miss up with the FB but even when missing location, it proved hard to barrel. Gonzales mixed in a 69-72 slurvy breaking ball that flashed good shape but he is still gaining feel for. He sequences body well in his delivery with a clean/continuous arm action that allows his FB to come out effortlessly. With how fast he is developing from when we saw him to begin the year, Stunner has turned himself into quite the prized uncommitted ‘24 arm.

'24 Paul Wheeler - Bellarmine College Prep

Wheeler had one of the more effective outings of all our Future Games pitchers. Went 3 innings and gave up 2R/0ER and K’d 5. Wheeler used a solid 3-pitch that tunneled well off each other in east/west fashion as well as keep opposing hitters off balance. His FB was 84-86 T87 with a ton of armside run which missed barrels and got whiffs. He mixed in a fading CH and a slurvy CB with 1/7 shape that he could land for strikes. There is an easy repeatability with his delivery/arm-action and with his feel for all three pitches we think he has shown that he can be an effective starter at the next level.

'25 Grayson Boles - St. Augustine

Boles closed it out again in Game 3 and all he did was strike out the side. He went a solid 2-6 at the plate with 4BBs in his three games but what he showed on the mound really opened some eyes. After closing out Game 1, his stuff still held two days later. He lived on the corners with his 86-88 T89 FB not leaving anything middle and worked in a breaking ball at 72-76 and a fading CH at 77-80. It’s an under control delivery where he keeps his head quiet and everything tunnels well out of a lower ¾ slot. He also keeps consistent arm speed on all his pitches which makes it hard for hitters to pick up. After his week at Futures we think Boles has put himself in the discussion as one of the top 2-way 25s in the country. 

'24 Jake Downing - Serra HS

Downing found two barrels on Sunday. One was a two strike barrel where he got into his legs and pounded it to 1B that allowed a run to score and also had an opposite field 2B down the LF line to score another. Downing put together good hacks all Futures. He loads early and in rhythm with hands that work into a solid hitting position. The swing is efficient as the barrel works in the zone on a smooth on-plane path with good extension through and above average bat speed. Downing was also solid defensively throughout the week and showed good instincts on the basepaths. 

 

'26 James Tronstein - Harvard Westlake 

Tronstein had his second loud barrel of Futures on Sunday, ripping a ball into left for a single. We mentioned it after Game 1 but the bat speed that he generates is ridiculous for a ‘26 to be doing and it is allowing him to play up and compete against high quality arms. Tronstein showed defensive versatility all week as well playing both up the middle in the INF and at all 3 OF spots and on Sunday he made a tough diving play coming in on a ball in RF to save a run. Stanford quickly picked up on his complete skillset as he made his commitment there soon after the event. We are excited to watch him grow at a top HS program in Harvard Westlake that has a knack for player development.

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

SHOWCASE STATE DATE LOCATION
PBR Junior Future Games NATIONAL 07/26 LakePoint
2022 PBR Future Games (California Invite) CA 07/27 LakePoint Sports
California State Games CA 07/30 Hart Park
West Coast Games (California Invite) CA 08/12 Las Vegas, NV (UNLV/CSN)
NorCal Rising Stars Game CA 09/10 Islanders Field

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