Prep Baseball Report

Top Performer Spotlight: 2020 OF Chase Davis


Ryan Ozella
NorCal Scout

As we head into the fall/winter season we will be highlighting "Top Performer Spotlights" on players who really stood out at past events and seasons. In this edition we'll take a look at 2020 OF Chase Davis of Franklin HS, the 12th ranked player in the recently updated PBR California Class of 2020 rankings.

After several viewings during the season, we were able to get eyes on Chase Davis again at the Area Code Underclass Games. What really stood out was the consistency of barreled balls he hit over the course of the weekend. There were plenty more things to get excited about with him too.

NOTE: Be sure to click on Chase's profile to see recent video we have of him.


TOP PERFORMER SPOTLIGHT

QUICK TAKE

My first viewing of Davis occurred this summer at the Underclass Area Code Games down in Long Beach where he put an immediate impression on me. The body already looks the part, showing a strong upper half with current muscle throughout. The lefty utilizes an open stance with high hands having the bat bounce off his back pre-pitch before his foot lift gets him to start coiling into the back hip. Davis has plus bat speed right now with easy loft to the pull side and barrel control to drive balls into the oppo gap. Defensively he shows up with great first step reactions in the outfield and the ability to use his short and quick stride to make plays in any position in the OF while also showing an above average arm. Uncommitted now, but won't be for long as the Area Code Games showed why he belongs as one of our Top players for the 2020 class.

SCOUTING REPORT

8/10/18 - 8/12/18 - Large frame showing strong upper half with current muscle in sloped, wide shoulders and long arms/legs; mature build with limited projection, but very strong and physical body. Open stance with high hands and bat bouncing off his back; swing has a lot of similarities to Carlos Gonzales (COL) in way he sets up and loads pre-pitch. Uses a foot lift/hang to keep hands/hip back behind the ball; regularly on time while moving hands into back shoulder and staying behind ball and driving to full extension at contact. Showed off plus bat speed with ability to create easy loft from his pull side approach; during BP showed off current raw power as bat has an extra ability to barrel balls and get them to carry to deepest parts of field. Bat showed off all weekend with multiple extra-base hits into pull gap. Short quick stride plays up in all facets of the game; regularly 4.2, 4.3 home-to-first with ability to score from first, put pressure on defense and take bases as needed. Showed off instincts on the bases with a ball that hopped one/two feet away from catcher and score standing from 3rd base; first step is very quick and explosive both on bases and in OF. Defensively showed off CF glove in both CF and RF; easy range to both sides of the field and ability to track down balls that should be hits. Above average arm showing life through cut man and extra carry from both CF/RF; compact arm with above average footwork and quick release. One of the top 2020 players in NorCal.

3/28/18 at Boras Classic - Uncommitted. Saw a few games at 2018 Boras Classic. One of Northern California's top 2020 players and also rates well on a national scale. Big, strong, fast, athletic 6-foot-1 205-pound young athlete, will be common for him to be the best athlete on the baseball field throughout his high school career. Excellent speed and range in CF with a strong arm, with lots of upside as he continues to mature. His bat has electric pop, he hit a home run into right field that left the yard quickly with loud contact. Consistent hard contact will come in time as he develops understanding of his own fundamental approach, particularly learning how to use his lower half better. For now, electric fast hands and lots of athleticism allow him to have success. The ceiling is HIGH! 4.4 runner down the line.


UPCOMING EVENTS

SHOWCASE STATE DATE LOCATION
Rising Stars Showcase CA 09/23 Corona Santiago HS
Central Coast Open CA 10/07 Cabrillo College
Senior Games (Invite Only) CA 10/13 JSerra High School
Los Angeles Open CA 10/20 Maverick Field

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