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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.

+ OF Chad Born (Orange Lutheran HS) Miami. The underclass Brewers alum had a stand out day, and in my opinion, one of the better showings out of the two days combined. Born continues to impress with his effortless athleticism and ability to do everything well. His BP rounds were crisp and he squared up the ball consistently with more authority than I have seen in the past. Born was peppering balls all over the field which transferred into the game where he took multiple quality at-bats. The defense and his ability to track balls in the gaps are second to none. Born glides to the ball and covers a huge area. The arm is improving as well displaying accurate, online throws with carry often one hopping the mitt. Posted a 7.02 60-yard dash, and exhibited awareness and instincts on the base paths in the live session.

+ OF Jake Vogel (Huntington Beach HS) UCLA. Another underclass Brewers alum who is consistently a standout in every viewing. Vogel has multiple tools that will garner the attention of MLB scouts. He sits on a small, compact, strong athletic frame that has room to add muscle. I consider him one of the best pure hitters in the class. On a consistent basis he demonstrates that he has elite bat-to-ball skills and the ability to be a table setter that can hit at the top of any lineup. Flashes average raw power and will hit the ball over the fence occasionally. Vogel will produce high doubles totals until he adds more strength to his frame. Shows an above average arm tool with carry, accuracy and the ability to track balls down in the gap. The run tool is special, combined with instincts. He clocked a 6.45 60-yard dash to lead off the workout. Exhibited quick bursts, agility and is capable of stealing bases at will as he showed after leading the game off with a hit and taking second on the next pitch. 

+ C Paul Skenes (El Toro HS) Air Force. Another outstanding showing from the physical catcher who has a strong catchers frame, with ample room for additional good weight. Skenes continues to rise above the rest of the competition and separate himself as one of the top catching prospects in the 2020 class. Batting practice session was loud and he stood out in the catching portion showing his ability to receive with firm wrists and soft hands. Pop times were in the 1.9 – 2.1 range. Had an opposite field single in the live session seen below, then proceeded to steal second on the first pitch, demonstrating that he is not just a bat, but a well-rounded baseball player. Really excited to see his development going into his senior campaign.  

+ MIF Jordan Andrade (Yucaipa HS) Washington. 5-foot-11, 165lbs. Small/medium, proportional, athletic frame that seems to be making significant physical gains. Shows quick, strong hands with plus bat speed and the ability to drive balls in the gap with authority. Power tool is developing, but his game is to pound the ball into the gaps and get on base.  Andrade is a rangy defender that can make all the throws from all angles. He has the capacity to stay at shortstop into the college ranks, but see his future on the right side of the diamond at the pro level.

+ C Connor Burns (Don Lugo HS) Long Beach State. This is my first viewing of Burns, and I came away impressed. In a 2020 class with numerous catching prospects, Burns fits right in at the top and will now be in the discussion. At 6-foot-1, 185lbs. Burns is a solid, athletic catcher with excellent receiving and presentation skills. There is room for significant physical growth in the arms and chest.  He consistently found the barrel in his BP rounds and took mature at-bats in the live session. Pop times were consistent in the 2.0 range. Burns moves extremely well laterally and his athleticism really plays up behind the plate. Has upside potential of an all-around catcher, and is a solid defender with an above average bat relative to the position.

+ LHP Michael Flores (Corona HS) Long Beach State. Small, compact, athletic frame who has significant room to add weight and muscle. Flores was a late add to the tryout roster and had an admirable outing exhibiting his ability to command three pitches for strikes and work down in the zone. Displays clean arm action and a unique, high leg kick that adds to his deception. Fastball was located well and sat in the 84-86 range, while the CB & CH showed plus potential with excellent deception and late movement. Flores will go as far as his secondary offerings with take him. Pitchability is high due to the fact he can throw any pitch for a strike in any count. 

+ 2B Zachary Rodriguez (Vista Murrieta HS) UCSB. 6-feet, 185lbs. solid, athletic frame, high waist, with toned slender legs. Has room to add muscle. Showed ability to square up the ball consistently in his BP rounds and spray the ball to all fields. Displays gap-to-gap power presently, which will turn into over the fence power as he ages and matures physically.  Pounded a triple in the live session seen below. Rodriguez can really range to his left and right with an above average arm tool that displays quick, smooth actions.

+ INF Blake Pivaroff (Laguna Beach HS) Arizona State. 6-foot-1, 182lbs. Proportionally strong, large frame that has not fully developed yet. Pivaroff attends Laguna Beach HS, but did not play on the baseball team in the spring. The bat plays as he demonstrated the ability to take tough at-bats and hit the ball to all fields. Pivaroff has good actions in the infield and can make the routine play. I foresee a move to a corner infield position in the future. Good looking prospect with upside.

UPCOMING EVENTS

SHOWCASE	STATE	DATE	LOCATION
Inland Empire Top Prospect ID	CA	07/23	Santiago High School
Northern California Top Prospect ID	CA	07/24	St. Mary's College
Junior Future Games	NATIONAL	07/30	LakePoint
2019 PBR Future Games (California Invite)	CA	07/31	LakePoint - Cartersville, GA
California State Games	CA	08/17	Vanguard University
Kern County Prospect I.D.	CA	09/07	Cal State Bakersfield
SoCal Prospect Games	CA	09/14	JSerra High School
Rising Stars Showcase	CA	09/21	Santiago High School

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