Quick Hits: Rising Stars ID: Bay Area

Follow @PBRCaliforniaFollow @LesLukachFollow@Clemmens_PBRFollow @JoeyCohen20

New Episode LIVE now! - At The Yard Podcast

SAN MATEO, CA - The Rising Stars ID: Bay Area event this past Sunday had some outstanding up and coming players, a handful of whom certainly look like future major college talents. The group of catchers was particularly strong and there were some left-handed hitters who project to be heavy hitters as they develop.

This July, PBR California will be taking a team to the Jr. Future Games for the first time. This unique event is run in conjunction with, and at the same facility as, the Future Games which last year hosted over 360 college coaches. Adding to the spectacle is the uniqueness of the event being open to uncommitted players only. 

The Rising Stars ID series serves as the springboard for players looking to be a part of the best event in the country for uncommitted players, and the Bay Area event had numerous players who are now firmly on the radar for potential invitation to not only the NorCal Rising Stars Game on 6/6/23, but also for Jr. Future Games.

Players were put through the traditional showcase workout that included the 60-yard dash, BP, and a defensive workout using Trackman, Swift Technologies, and more to measure every movement. 

In the coming days and weeks we will continue to roll out content, but in this post we’ll break down some early standouts from the Rising Stars ID: Bay Area. The schools listed are where the players intend to attend high school, per their registration for the event.

‘27 C Giovanni Castaing, Petaluma HS

• Physical young backstop has a strong 5-foot-10 165-lb body. Showed ability to make impact contact with a max EV of 85.7 which to the eye, wasn't what he can and will do on another day. Primary position is catcher, though worked out at MIF (78 mph arm) too, while also throwing a pen session (77.5 mph max FB). Catcher tools/skills are good, 72 mph max throw, pops 2.06-2.15, received and blocked well. As a catcher with defensive tools and power in the bat, he checks some of the most important boxes as a catcher.

‘27 SS Takoda Jones, Pleasant Grove HS

• Best runner on the day and as he grows into his body, there is potentially impact speed in his future as he matures beyond his present 5-foot-5, 131-lb body (does have lean strength). Arm across the diamond registered at 75 mph for his high, moved fluidly to the ball. Consistent stroke during BP round, displayed balance and good barrel control. Run speeds were 1.73 10-yard, 4.01 30-yard, 7.22 60-yard, 19.2 run speed max. Demeanor and spirt about him exuded confidence, while enjoying the game and competition. 

‘27 1B/LHP Adrian Lee, TBD

• Immediately noticed him during BP round as the left-handed hitting Lee drove the ball with a loose, lively swing that projects to be quite impactful as he gains strength. The raw power numbers, relative to TrackMan, will not show his potential without the context of seeing him swing the bat. Moved deftly in the defensive workout, accurate thrower, 75 mph max throw. On mound flashed a sneaky slider and potential for a plus CHG in the future. Focused demeanor, quiet confidence. 

‘27 RHP Christopher McCune, Inderkum HS

• Given the modest body size at 5-foot-8, 130-lbs, the immediate expectation when he stepped on the mound was NOT reflective of his arm talent. Clean arm action, fluid mechanics, he ran the faseball up to 79.2 mph, which was the second highest of the day. During the defensive portion he worked out in the OF, with a peak velocity of 81.4 mph. 2060 max spin is a good number given his present age and strength. The slider also projects quite nicely, with a max spin of 2285, max velo of 68 mph.

‘27 C/P Logan Mull, Bellarmine College Prep

• Catching profile is quite advanced for the age. Lean athletic body, sinewy strength on 5-foot-8, 150-lb frame. Athleticism showed with foot quickness, 1.72 10-yard and 4.05 30-yard. The quickness being an indicator of his athleticism behind the plate. Showed good receiving and blocking skill and technique. Strong arm with on the bag accuracy, 74 mph max throw, 2.08-2.18 pops. Got on mound and was up to 80 mph with a quick arm and lively arm side movemen and a quick slider with 2098 max spin, 70 mph max velo.

‘28 1B/RHP Siale Tulua, TBD

• Noticeable body, lean strength, long body at 5-foot-11, 185-lbs. The left-hand hitting 1st baseman worked the ball around the field like a season vet, crisp line drives, quiet and fluid in the box both in pre-pitch prep throughout the swing and the finish. Took easy swings, nothing forced. As he gets stronger with age, there will be ample bat speed and impact contact (87.4 max EV) while getting to that with consistent bat control and all field hit-ability. Sounds defensive skills at 1B while on the mound his FB peaked at 76 mph on the last pitch after cruising along in the low-70s in the early part of the session. 

‘28 C/P Sione Tulua, TBD

• At 5-foot-11, 160-lbs, he's a bit leaner than his brother, with both having similar length and frames. He's a right-handed hitter and is seemingly the mirror of his brother's left-hand swing. Worked the ball to all field, consistent line drives (86.2 max EV) with carry, projects to have gap to gap power and hit-ability, with outstanding barrel control, and balance. Now, BP rounds only show a bit of the profile of a hitter, but what he showed, the simplicity of it, the cleanliness of his mechanics, it's an awful good place to start. 68 mph catcher arm, pops 2.18-2.19 on three of his throws, showed feel for the strike zone on the mound.

‘27 SS Lance Westbrook, Vacaville HS

• Strong showing as a potentially tooled up middle infielder. Best arm strength among the position players (79 mph from SS) and at a young 5-foot-7, 125-lbs, that's a lot of zip for his size. There are the same hints of twitchiness at the plate, with a quick and lively stroke, 81 mph max EV. Gut feel is that his footspeed will quickly trend up as he gains muscle mass, with the 18.2 max speed being a stronger indicator of his future than the split times and 60 time. There is a seriousness and intensity about him that could certainly serve him well as he works to develop.