HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA. - The CIF Southern Section Baseball Opening Day was this past Saturday with action all across the Southland. With so many games to choose from, I wanted to get looks on a couple different programs that we anticipate will be in the mix to make strong runs toward their respective conference titles.   

The Cerritos Dons out of the 605 League went on the road to Huntington Beach and took on a young and talented Edison Chargers ball club representing the tough Sunset-Surf League. 2022 RHP/OF Tyler Prystajko (Edison HS), a University of Washington recruit got the nod Opening Day for the Chargers; and the sophomore showed why he was coveted by numerous Division I power schools this past summer.  Moreover, I was pleasantly surprised with my first look at 2020 RHP Demetrius Vizcarra (Cerritos HS), a Florida International University signee. He’s certainly got enough on the mound to put his team on his back, and with a young, hungry supporting cast around him, the Dons will win their fair share of ball games this season.

With that said, let’s take a look at the standouts from Opening Day of the 2020 baseball season and a few uncommitted players on both teams to keep tabs on this year.

(Players: if you don’t see your name linked to your profile, you can create a free one here)

+ 2022 RHP/OF Tyler Prystajko (Edison HS) Standing six-foot-two, 180lbs and having a long, lean, muscular frame as a sophomore, physical projectability is easy. Prystajko has current physical tools that you can dream on.  His competitiveness stands out as well, and is a bulldog on the mound. Today he featured a three-pitch mix with his fastball 86-88, topping 89. Slider sat 81-83 and the changeup at 80MPH. This kid is going to be fun to watch the next three seasons, and in my opinion will be in the draft discussion in 2022 if overall progress occurs.

+ 2020 RHP Demetrius Vizcarra (Cerritos HS) At six-foot-one, 210lbs, Vizcarra has a sturdy pitchers frame with a filled out lower half.  Has easy, repeatable delivery coming from a three-quarter slot. Hides the ball well and has excellent deception with a  semi-long stride to home and hips rotate in coordination with shoulders. Ball comes out of his hand fluently and creates good plane. Features a four-pitch mix, only using two in this outing. He throws a no-seam fastball that darts, dives, and runs through the zone at 85-88, topping 89. Uses his sweeping curveball as his out pitch at 68-70. He will be counted on to log the majority of the innings for the Dons this season.

+ 2020 INF Tyler Weaver (Edison HS) The uncommitted senior stole the show on this day, Weaver has been a fast riser, and in the the discussion as one of the best uncommitted 2020 infielders in the area. Weaver has been on a hot streak for a couple months now, and continued terrorizing every pitcher he faced this afternoon. Here he is squaring up this ball for a no doubt homerun to put the game out of reach. Made a big league, full-extension diving play at shortstop as well. Kid is going to make some college coach happy. Run to go see Weaver. 

+ 2021 3B Nick Hill (Cerritos HS) Uncommitted. An athletic, physical six-foot-three, 190lb with ample room to add weight and muscle. Hill is a virtual unknown, and is a recruit college coaches need to start paying attention to immediately. Shows the ability to control the barrel with good bat speed, and spray the ball to all fields with authority.  The power tool is developing and foresee him growing into it. Hill does a lot of things right and holds down third base exceptionally well demonstrating quick feet and moving laterally with ease. I feel he can stay at third base and continue to play there at the next level. High follow.

+ 2021 INF Cade Liefer (Edison HS) Uncommitted.  Five-foot-ten, 170lbs, athletic, strong, well built, medium-sized frame with room to grow. Liefer is a true baseball player in every sense of the word. Shows the ability to do everything well on the baseball field and now has added more strength to his overall game since the summertime. Has high baseball acumen and is always in the right position. Takes quality at-bats every-time and always has a plan and a solid approach at the plate. Possesses impressive bat-to-ball ability and both his power and approach will develop over the course of the season. Can play every position on the field which adds to his value. Has MLB bloodline.

+ 2021 C Kannon Morgan  (Edison HS) The uncommitted junior is six-feet, 205lbs. Morgan has a strong, durable catchers frame that can withstand the rigors of the catching position. Demonstrates excellent catch and throw skills with the ability to move laterally and keep the ball in the dirt in front of him. The bat plays from the left side and hits in the middle of the lineup. Has excellent plate coverage and squares the ball up consistently. The above average catch and throw ability combined with the left-handed bat, Morgan is a valuable asset to any college program looking for that coveted blend. Here he is producing for the Chargers. 

follows

Here's a list of players, in no particular order you need to pay attention to this year and beyond.

+ 2021 RHP/OF Luke Serven - Edison HS (Uncommitted)

+ 2020 LHP Zach Garber - Edison HS (Uncommitted)

+ 2022 C Owen Gott - Cerritos HS (Uncommitted)

+ 2022 INF Nico Brown - Edison HS (Uncommitted)

UPCOMING EVENTS

SHOWCASE	STATE	DATE	LOCATION
Norcal Underclass Games (INVITE-ONLY)	CA	06/06	Islanders Field - Lathrop
Northern California ProCase (INVITE ONLY)	CA	06/13	Folsom Lake College
SoCal Underclass Games (INVITE ONLY)	CA	06/13	Hart Park
SoCal ProCase (INVITE ONLY)	CA	06/14	Hart Park
2020 PBR Future Games (California Invite)	CA	07/29	LakePoint Sports

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