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SoCal Preseason All-State Upperclass: Quick Hits

January 12, 2022
Joey Cohen
SoCal Area Scout

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SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CALIF. - The Annual Preseason All State Upperclass showcase once again returned to JSerra High School for what has become the best preseason opportunity for players in the region to showcase their fall/winter gains. Since its inception in 2019 the event has seen over 130 players commit to college after their appearance in the event, and based on the roster from 2022 that number is certain to grow to well over 150 players in the coming months. 

Players were put through a traditional pro-style workout with a 60 yard dash, batting practice, defensive workout, with bullpens closing things out. 

Over the coming days and weeks we’ll continue to break down the standouts in the event in the form of leaderboards, positional breakdowns, and scouting reports. Until then we highlight 10 early standouts from the event. 

EARLY STANDOUTS

Will Burns SS / 3B / Trabuco Hills , CA / 2023

Rankings  StateRank: 3 / POS: 2 OverallRank: 18 / POS: 5

The #18 ranked player in the ‘23 class, Burns, had one of the best overall workouts on Sunday. It started with the 2nd fastest 60-yard dash time of 6.67. Then it was a barrel-filled round of BP with just about every ball being hit hard and his last two balls leaving the yard by an easy 30-40 ft. Trackman metrics tell a similar story where he posted a 100% hard-hit rate, an average EV of 97 mph, and a top EV of the showcase of 101 mph. His swing is loose and whippy and he generates bat speed without having to make big moves in his swing. He’s also an athletic SS that gets to his spots with ease with some good hands and an 85 mph arm. Burns is an impressive overall athlete that shouldn’t be uncommitted for much longer and should make an immediate impact with a Trabuco Hills team that is now in Division 1.

Adrian Lopez SS / Maranatha, CA / 2023

Rankings  StateRank: 133 / POS: 32

The 6-3, 210 pound Long Beach State commit put on a loud pullside display of BP on Sunday. Trackman metrics show consistent barrels with a 91 mph average exit velocity and 98 mph max. He starts his load early with noticeable rhythm which helps him get on time. He creates some high-level bat speed (78 mph avg.) with easy effort. His swing path is uphill shown with every ball in his round being a line drive or flyball. Defensively, I was surprised at how well he moved for his size as he has some light and quick feet that get him to his spots as well as some good glove actions. Arm strength is present too as he was 84 mph from SS. It wouldn’t shock me if he was still able to play SS down the line. It’s quite a left side of the infield with both him and CSUF commit Angelo Aleman at Maranatha as they should make some noise in Division 2 this season. 

Luke Scherrer C / RHP / Yucaipa, CA / 2023

Rankings  StateRank: 80 / POS: 10

The Cal Poly Mustangs commit and Future Games Alum Luke Scherrer probably had the best BP of the day on Sunday. Scherrer has a physical presence at 6-2, 205 pounds that is noticeable with his squared shoulders and strength present throughout the build. His swing pairs some high-level bat speed with an uphill path that creates some present pullside HR pop. Blast metrics show an advanced power profile with 79 mph average bat speed at 21 gs average rotational acceleration. The swing is also repeatable due to his simple load and how he gets his barrel into a good early connection position to which he can then manipulate easily into the zone. Also looks the part of an athletic D1 catcher with a strong 79 mph arm and pop times ranging from 1.97-2.02. Expecting a big junior season and wouldn’t be surprised if the Mustangs got worried heading into his senior year. 

Shane Dougherty SS / 3B / Fountain Valley , CA / 2022

Got my first look at Shane Dougherty at our Uncommitted Senior games and he came out on Sunday and was easily one of the better SS’s there. At the plate, the swing is simple and easy with 70 mph bat speed. The hands and barrel stay neutral throughout the load and he delivers the barrel on a good path that stays in the zone long through extension (74% on-plane efficiency). At SS he has smooth actions and showed he is a multidimensional fielder that can make all the different types of difficult plays. The arm plays as well and can operate from different angles. Look for him to stand out this year at Fountain Valley. 

Noah Williams OF / OF / Redondo Union , CA / 2022

Rankings  StateRank: 83 / POS: 15

We have had several looks at Noah Williams in the past year and he is a consistent performer. Starts with the 60-yard dash where he usually sits around a 6.8. Then in BP, he is a switch hitter with a swing that is real pretty from the left side. It’s a quick compact stroke that works on an uphill path. Bat speed looks to have ticked up since our last viewing as it now sits at a 71 mph average. Balls come off his bat with good natural carry and backspin which shows some power projection. Defensively he shows the athleticism and arm strength to be able to make difficult plays in the OF. He also has a smile and personality that can light up a dugout. In total, he has tons of raw ability and a high ceiling that will have whatever college program that picks him up happy.

Ryan Skjonsby 3B / 1B / Long Beach Poly, CA / 2022

Rankings  StateRank: 153 / POS: 15

Skjonsby is simply one of the best power bats left on the uncommitted market. The 6-3, 195 pound 3B/1B always puts on a show in BP where balls explode from his bat in a way that is just different than other hitters. Skjonsby loads slow and early using a mild leg lift trigger and slowly glides forward holding tension with his backside. His swing path is level through the zone and he maintains balance in his swing with a firm and straight front leg which allows good energy transfer up the chain. Skjonsby also looked good at 3B showing good glove work and soft hands. I believe that with some added quickness he might be able to stay there down the line. 

Harrison Bodendorf LHP / LHP / Temecula Valley, CA / 2022

Bodendorf is one of the intriguing LHP’s I have seen in the last few months. A long and lanky build at 6-5 165 pounds with a unique and deceptive delivery. Starts in the middle of the rubber and lands slightly closed making for uncomfortable LH at-bats. Jumps down the mound towards home which creates some extension and in turn some extra perceived velocity. FB was 83-85 and we have seen him in the past up to 86. He showed good feel for his breaking ball and CH as well throwing both of them at an 80% strike clip. The CB has a decent movement profile with an average of 10 inches of vertical and 8 inches of horizontal break and the CH has some nice horizontal fade of about 14 inches. Very interested to see the year he puts up at Temecula Valley HS this spring.

Cooper Whitton OF / 1B / Santa Fe Christian, CA / 2022

Rankings  StateRank: 147 / POS: 31

After a collarbone injury that sidelined him during this past fall football season, Whitton showed no lingering ill effects on Sunday. The 6-3, 200 pound physical OF already looks the part of an impact college player as he has athleticism for days. Ran a 6.7 60-yard dash and put on a whole-fields display in BP. The swing is simple and compact with the barrel taking a direct path towards the baseball. Also has a mid 80s arm from the OF where he consistently makes accurate on a line one-hop throws. If things go right for Whitton this spring, he is a name that could get some draft helium.

Owen Eisen RHP / 1B / Ocean View, CA / 2023

Last time I saw Eisen was last September where he showed some nice upside on the mound. Eisen stands at 6-6, 190-pounds with a high-waisted build with some present athleticism and he showed some noticeable improvements on Sunday. The FB has ticked up a little as he was 79-81 last fall he was 82-83 T84 on Sunday which he located at a 57% strike clip. Has both a 4-seam and 2-seam FB where his 2-seam generates some good HB break at up to 19 inches. His breaking ball profiles different now than it did a few months ago as he is throwing it harder and sharper up to 78 mph. His delivery is clean and easy and his arm action is loose and generates good armspeed with easy effort. Eisen is a name that could surprise some this spring.

Cooper Hansen OF / 1B / Notre Dame , CA / 2023

On a deep and loaded Sherman Oaks Notre Dame team, a player to look out for is Cooper Hansen. He seems to get bigger and stronger after each look as he has a current physical build at 6-2 175 pounds. Hansen had a quality BP round finding many barrels. Bat works on a good path as he turns the barrel tight and early into the hitting zone on a slightly uphill path with a high finish. He uses a quick toe-tap trigger with a rather large forward move where his backfoot moves forward. Also liked what I saw from him in the OF where he showed athletic actions getting around and through the ball with good momentum. Uses a short and quick arm action on his throws which were made on a line for accurate one-hops. If he continues his upward trend, there is a lot to like by the time he’s a senior. 

Brian Trujillo 2B / 3B / Huntington Beach , CA / 2023

Rankings  StateRank: 124 / POS: 2

Got to see Huntington Beach at a game this fall, and was impressed with Trujillo’s overall game and he put together a solid showcase performance on Sunday. At the plate, he showed a balanced and smooth swing that works on a flat path (79% on-plane efficiency) that led to 50% LDs during his round and an 88 mph avg. exit velocity. He took his defensive reps at SS where he was one of the better defenders of the day. Liked how he stayed low to the ball while aligning his body into a good position towards 1st to make accurate throws which he was 6/6 at. Looking for him to make an impact as a junior this year on a CIF SS title-contending team.

UPCOMING EVENTS

SHOWCASE STATE DATE LOCATION
East Bay Preseason ID CA 01/16 Ohlone College
Central Coast Preseason ID CA 01/22 Hartnell College
Sacramento/Delta Preseason ID CA 01/23 McBean Stadium
Peninsula/South Bay Preseason ID CA 01/30 Canada College
Super 60 Pro Showcase NATIONAL 02/06 The MAX - McCook, Ill.


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