SoCal Area Code Tryouts: Day Two Notebook

SANTA BARBARA, CA. - Close to 100 rising seniors descended on Westmont College for Day Two of the Brewers team Area Code Tryouts. The focus was primarily San Diego, Orange and Riverside county players vying for an opportunity to represent the team in the prestigious Area Code Games in a few weeks. 

Players were put through a pro-style workout starting with a 60 yard dash before going into their batting practice, defensive workout and concluding with live at-bats against the pitchers at the event. 

Below are some notes on players who stood out to us today. All players are in the 2020 class.

+ SS Jacob Gonzalez (Glendora HS) was as impressive as I’ve seen the Ole Miss commit. The two-sport standout (QB on football team) put together one of, if not the, best rounds of batting practice that saw him launch several balls out of the yard and pepper the outfield fence a few times. He showed the ability to go the other way during both BP and in-game. It’s a smooth, relaxed, effortless swing with excellent barrel control through the zone. Defensively his present tools all grade at average to above. His footwork and glovework were impressive, but it’s his range and arm strength that set him apart from the others. At 6-foot-2, 180-pounds, there’s plenty of physical projection remaining as he’ll undoubtedly continue to add strength/mass. 

+ OF Nathan Nankil (Bonita Vista HS) is a big, athletic 6-foot-3, 180-pound outfielder who has several present tools that caught our attention. After running a 7.02 sixty to start the day, the Cal State Fullerton commit showed off his hit tool during BP that saw him spraying balls to all fields on a line. Keeps his weight back and incorporate the lower half well in the swing. The fast hands and developing power allow him to get balls on the inside and put a charge into them - as demonstrated in-game when he pulled a ball down the line for a standup double. Defensively he showed a strong, accurate arm during the workout and didn’t have a chance in game. 

+ OF Corbin Ellis (El Dorado HS) immediately catches your attention with his physical 6-foot-4, 195-pound frame that looks a lot like a safety in football. Ran a 7.12 sixty before moving into the BP rounds where his strength really shines. Flashes present pull side power with the ability to pepper gaps on a line. You get the impression that Ellis is still pretty raw in the game when watching him hit - can be a little stiff - but there’s no denying the power. Defensively he made every throw on the bag and on a line while demonstrating proper footwork and excellent body control. 

+ OF Kyle Casper (Valhalla HS) is an impressive athlete at 6-foot-2, 195-pounds. The Arizona commit showed off his sweet swing both in-game and during his BP rounds where he drilled line drives to all fields - several going off the fence. It’s a simple swing without many moving parts. He’s able to get the barrel on plane and keep it there through the hitting zone repeatedly. Took two very good in-game at-bats. Defensively the arm is strong and accurate. He works around balls with proper footwork and is always under control. 

+ Coby Morales (St. John Bosco HS) put on a show during batting practice that left onlookers very interested. The left-handed hitting Morales showed big power to the pull side where he cleared the fence a few times, but he also showed the ability to hit balls hard the other way. It was a sight to see.  Defensively he showed very good footwork during the workout, but it really showed in-game where he made a play to his left and one to his backhand showing some range while the arm strength continues to be a strong tool in his arsenal. 

+ INF Hudson Lehnertz (Foothill HS) opened eyes after starting things off with a 6.75 sixty time which tied him for the fifth best time on the day. Long, lean, and rangy at 6-foot-1, 175-pounds, the uncommitted Lehnertz showed off a strong round of BP that saw him hitting balls to gap-to-gap boding well for the future after strength gains occur. Defensively he shows very good footwork and his long frame allows him to get to balls others couldn’t. Has range to both sides and the arm is strong and accurate. A very intriguing uncommitted player to keep an on eye moving forward. 

+ INF D’Andre Smith (San Dimas HS) has improved his overall game so much since a year ago at this time. The athletic, rangy, and very strong MIF shows great hands, footwork and glovework to go with a strong, accurate arm. Many believe he has the tools to play shortstop, but may profile best at second base. Shows his power at the plate in the form of hard hit line drives to the gaps. There’s sneaky power in there too. The USC commit started the day running a 6.89 sixty. 

+ INF Ryan Ball (Trabuco Hills HS) showed very well for himself on the day. There’s serious hand speed at the plate that allows him to get and keep the barrel in the zone through the swing. Uses a slight toe-tap/leg lift timing mechanism that he seems to have down. Flashes some pull side power presently. Defensively the feet and the arm work although he may profile best at second or third base. However, there’s no need to give up on shortstop now because he handled the position well during the workout portion. 

+ INF Alberto Rios (St. John Bosco HS) has improved his physical conditioning considerably since the spring season. He looks stronger, thicker, and leaner all at the same time. The work is paying off at the plate where showed off a significant amount of power during batting practice. His consistency with his barrel has improved - meaning it’s on plane more regularly now - allowing him square balls up more frequently. Defensively he had one of the stronger arms on the day. The footwork is above average and the glovework continues to be consistent. Stanford commit. 

+ INF TK Parker (Granite Hills HS) was a guy that did something that caught our eye seemingly every time he was around the ball or in the box. Flashes some present power to the pull side with a few balls banging off the fence in left center field. Showed good feel for the barrel and the ability to maintain it on plane through the zone. Had a very good in-game at-bat that resulted in fly out, but he showed his ability protect the zone and fight off pitches. Defensively he made two spectacular plays at third base in-game after showing a strong, accurate arm during the workout. Made a play on a short-hopped ball he charged from third and was able to make the throw and get the runner. The other was a backhand play on the line where he nailed the runner. 

+ C Emilio Morales (La Mirada HS) is coming off a bit of a down high school season but he’s definitely making up for it this summer. The buzz coming into the event was he’s been catching/throwing very well and that certainly was the case here. With pop-times in the 1.97-2.01 range - he flashed a 1.98 in-game - the USC commits’ arm appears to be fully healthy once again. Throws were on the bag too. Swung the bat well during BP showing some of his sneaky pop which could become a bigger part of his game as his 6-foot-3, 186-pound frame continues to fill out. A very strong showing for Morales here. 

+ C Connor Burns (Don Lugo HS) was arguably the best catcher we saw over the two-day tryout. Burns is an athletic 6-foot-1, 185-pound catcher who sets deep and showed the best transfers/throws we’ve seen maybe all year. Pop times during the workout were 1.91 - 2.01 on the bag on a downhill plane. It’s a fluid process from catch to release without any wasted motions. Burn’s athleticism really stands out when watching his throws. At the plate he showed some flashes of gap power, but maintained more of a doubles hitter approach. The Long Beach State commit should be in the running for making this team. 

+ RHP Ryan Sveningson (JSerra HS) was arguably the most intriguing pitcher on the day thanks in part to his lack of college commitment, but more so due to his 92 mph fastball that comes from a loose, whippy, clean arm working from a repeatable 3/4 slot. At the 6-foot-4, 180-pounds there’s plenty of physical projection remaining as well for the rising senior. Showed the ability to work the fastball from black-to-black while the slider shows some changeup tendencies with sharp, late break. 

+ RHP Tim Scarlett (Capo Valley HS) was as good as we’ve seen him in a long time in terms of command and velocity. Working the fastball up to 88, the San Diego State commit lived comfortably in the 86-87 range. Scarlett was seemingly cutting every pitch he threw making the actions on the fastball difficult to pick up for hitters. His slider was on point as well at 75-78 resulting in at least five swing-and-miss attempts. At 6-foot-6, 210-pounds, Scarlett has some room in his frame for development and strength gains.