SoCal Uncommitted Senior Games: Quick Hits

September 15, 2020
Les Lukach
State Scouting Director

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FULLERTON, CALIF. - The second annual SoCal Uncommitted Senior Games took place at Amerige Park home of the Hope International Royals. Over 50 players descended on the downtown Fullerton ballpark to participate in the event that was live streamed to over 100 coaches across the country with many Division II and Division III coaches in attendance since restrictions on their recruiting were lifted on September 1st.

Players were put through a traditional pro-style workout before playing in a live scout-ball style game in which pitchers faced 5-6 hitters apiece. For several players this was their first opportunity at live baseball action in some time which you would have never known based on their performances.

We will roll out position breakdowns in the coming days and weeks along with various leaderboards from data provided by our partners Trackman and Blast Motion. Until then we’ll take at some early standouts in this edition of Quick Hits.

(Click through to individual players profiles for full stats and video when available)

THE PLAYERS

David Lee RHP / 2B / San Juan Hills, CA / 2021

It’s hard to think of another player that left as lasting an impression on our team of scouts as Lee. With a 4.40 GPA and an ACT score of 31, Lee is certain to have ample opportunity to continue his playing days beyond high school based on what he did at the event. Showed athletic actions on defense during the showcase portion and in-game where he seemingly was one step ahead of the action. Instinctive player on the dirt, but it was on the mound where he really stood out. With a deliberate delivery that sees him take his hands/glove above his head before riffling down the mound with a fast arm, Lee pounded the zone with a fastball/curveball/changeup mix of pitches that resulted in three strikeouts, a 3-1 putout and an F5 in his clean inning of work. Touching 86, he lived comfortably 84-85 mph with the fastball, but it was his slider that was unhittable and left us wanting more. His 2616 rpm spin rate on the slider puts him in the top 25% of collegiate pitchers.

Victor Pico SS / 2B / Hart , CA / 2021

Our second viewing of Pico in a couple of months confirmed what we saw the first time, Pico is a player deserving of an opportunity to play collegiately. Working in both the outfield (81 mph velo) and infield (77 mph), Pico shows the type of desirable versatility college coaches, particularly in the D2, D3 level seek. With an 89 mph exit velo and an average rotational acceleration score of 29.9g (Blast Motion) there’s power in the compact yet strong frame. Reached base on an error in his first at-bat that he extended by taking an extra bag, all a result of his hustle out of the box.

Edwin Groff RHP / SS / Campbell Hall, CA / 2021

My first viewing of Groff was an impressive one. The righty from Campbell Hall HS showed very, very well for himself in his inning of work. Working 86-87 FB and touching 88 several times, Groff’s fastball had a max IVB of 23.4” showing life up in the zone and making it difficult for hitters to pick up and time the pitch. His average spin rate of 2159 rpm puts him in the top 12% of all high school pitchers collected by Trackman. Meanwhile his slider spin (2565 rpm) max velocity (80 mph) put him in the top 10% of all high school pitchers. Allowed only one hit to go with an F3 and three strikeouts - two of them looking.

Nathan Beckley C / SS / San Clemente, CA / 2021

We’ve seen Beckley now for a couple years at PBR events and outside of our events. What sticks out when watching Beckley is not only his versatility but his continued improvements whether within the game - the power is coming - or physically where he’s a solid 6-foot, 170-pounds. Showed a whippy barrel through the zone along with plenty of positional versatility - strong accurate arm behind the dish and made a very difficult play along the fence in foul territory look easy. His ability to adjust to pitches late and get the bat on the ball was impressive once again. Had a deep fly out to center field before smacking an opposite field double in his next at-bat. Quicker than he is fast, his instincts on the bases allow his speed to play up.

Nick Rocha SS / 2B / Eastlake , CA / 2021

It has been a while since I last saw Rocha in a game situation and he made the wait worthwhile. He’s filled out quite a bit - now 5-foot-11, 170-pounds - and that added strength is showing itself at the plate. Peppered the gaps during BP registering a 93mph exit velo with consistent loud line drives. His rotation acceleration (17.6g) and peak hand speed (21.2mph) are both above average for high school hitters and above the desired baselines for collegiate hitters. His footwork and overall athleticism has also improved, particularly on defense where he showed quick hands with clean exchanges and an 81mph infield velocity. Smacked a double to right-center in the last at-bat of the game. Stayed back on a breaking ball on the inner half before shooting it the other way.

Massimo Vega RHP / Hart, CA / 2021

With a true three-pitch mix, Vega was dominant in his outing inducing four fly-ball outs to go with a routine 4-3 groundout. Fastball worked 84-86 mph with max spin of 2414rpm and max IVB of 24.2”, both of which are top 10% for high school pitchers. His slider’s IVB of 2.5” also puts him in the top 10% for high school pitchers while showing average spin rates. His changeup is the perfect compliment for the two aforementioned pitches as he was able to command it for strikes and keep hitters off balance with the pitch that comes from the same tunnel as the fastball before fading and dropping away from righties. It’s a controlled delivery that he’s able to repeat. The arm is quick with clean mechanics.

Trevor Shepherd C / 3B / Paraclete, CA / 2021

The switch-hitting Shepherd continues to impress us with his ability to hit from both sides of the plate. With an average exit velocity of 94 mph and a line drive percentage of 57%, Shepherd is a guy who can impact the baseball from both sides. Factor in his 3.9 GPA and 1410 SAT score and he’s a player colleges should be looking into. Smoked a double in the gaps that would’ve been a triple were it not for a very good play by the outfielder to track it down. With a 77 mph catcher velocity and 2.01-2.16 pop times, Shepherd showed during the showcase portion of the event that he has the makings of a college level catcher. What he showed in the showcase was confirmed in the game action that saw him move easily behind the plate, particularly when recovering from balls in the dirt.

Andrew Stanley RHP / 1B / Pacifica, CA / 2021

At 6-foot-4, 180-pounds Stanley immediately catches your attention upon first sight. When he hops on the bump you are immediately drawn into the potential he flashes. Fastball worked 83-85 mph and touched 86 mph several times throughout his outing showing slightly above average spin (2334 rpm) and IVB (15”). Showed the ability to work the pitch around all quadrants of the zone while backing it up with a slider that was unhittable at 73-76 mph touching 77 mph several times. Stanley also flashed feel for a changeup with late, diving action into righties. You get the impression that Stanley is just getting started in his development and potential. Bounced back from a base hit by striking out the last three hitters he faced - two of them looking on sliders.

Khadim Diaw C / Notre Dame , CA / 2021

I saw Diaw in January in an MLK event and thought this kid definitely looks the part of a Division I catcher. After the transfer sitout period and the cancellation of the spring season cost him his junior season, Diaw is now playing catchup a bit. Despite the loss of the season, Diaw showed why he is a no doubt collegiate level player. Couple his talents with his 4.06 GPA and Diaw should have plenty of opportunities to play at the next level. Big and strong with a frame that can easily add more mass/strength, Diaw showed off his ability to pound balls to all fields with 73.9 mph bat speed and 24 mph peak hand speed. His rotational acceleration of 15.4g combined with those other factors gives an indication of his present and future potential power at the plate. Behind the dish he was equally impressive with 78 mph velocity and pops in the 1.94-2.03 range with accuracy to the bag. Hit a missile in-game for a single before instinctively taking second on a bobble. Shows the ability to adjust late and get the barrel on pitches.

Brandon Delgado RHP / Martin Luther King, CA / 2021

After seeing Delgado in a start in the spring and seeing the improvements he’d made from previous viewings there was little doubt that he was on his way to a college opportunity. Fast forward to the SoCal Uncommitted Senior Games and we saw even further improvements and gains. Working primarily 86-88 mph with the fastball, Delgado touched 89 mph a few times showing the type of command desired in a starter. He worked the pitch to all quadrants of the zone with an average IVB of 21.8” flashing rise through the zone with average spin rate of 1990 rpm. The slider was equally as good at 75-76 mph (T79 mph) flashing late depth with some bite. Showed the ability to start the pitch in and down the middle of the plate and run it out of the zone inducing swing-and-miss results. Flashed improved feel for the changeup at 79-80 mph with average spin of 1924 rpm. Both results put him in the top 10% for high school pitchers. Faced six hitters: 1B, K, FC, K, K (looking), F3.

UPCOMING EVENTS

SHOWCASE	STATE	DATE	LOCATION
Norcal Uncommitted Senior Games	CA	09/26	Islanders Field
Norcal Underclass ID Showcase	CA	10/10	Islanders Field - Lathrop
SoCal Underclass I.D. Camp	CA	10/10	Great Park
SoCal Upperclass I.D. Camp	CA	10/10	Great Park
SoCal Underclass I.D. Camp II	CA	10/11	Great Park
SoCal Upperclass I.D. Camp II	CA	10/11	Great Park