Uncommitted Spotlights: 2019's from San Diego
May 14, 2019
CIF-SDS PLAYOFF PREVIEW PODCAST
The San Diego Section playoff seedings and brackets are set and have created great matchups throughout the county. Similar to all levels of ameteur sports, senior leadership is relied on heavily and these four uncommitted seniors have displayed skill sets worthy of a roster spot at the next level. Especially when three of the four players possess power bats in an age where the long ball is so heavily valued. With the MLB draft right around the corner and uncertainty surrounding many college and high school players, late season senior uncommits can see their stock increase with good late season showings as colleges often find themselves with holes in their rosters post-draft.
QUICK TAKE: Left-handed power bat who passes the eye test and has good size. Underwent Tommy-John surgery and missed the 2018 season. Late bloomer with room to improve and has the potential to be a late season recruiting steal.
5/2/19- 2019 Point Loma (San Diego, CA) first-baseman is listed at 6-foot-3 195 pounds and is currently uncommitted. Throws left and hits left. Strong-athletic build, broad shoulders, long arms and legs, projectable with room for added strength. Underwent Tommy-John surgery and missed the 2018 season. Runs at an average clip for size and position. Showed good fielding technique and ability to pick at first base. Ranges well and looks the part. Arm strength looks average and could improve as he strengthens and moves on post-surgery. Sets up upright with his front foot slightly open and hands held low. Pre-pitch load is relatively quiet with a front leg lift and plant. Fires his hands straight to the ball and creates bat speed with fluid hip drive and strong upper half. Currently hitting 357 with a 1.150 OPS 11 2B 2 3B 4 HR. Swing path and hitting approach has shown a heavy pull emphasis. Struggles with pitches away showing a tendency to lean and pull pitches away which have resulted in ground balls to second base. Opposite-field hitting ability will need to be developed in order to make the next step. Hands are quick enough to catch up on pitches in and has punished fastballs located on the inside part of the plate. Current and future power potential, left-handed, defensively and athleticism are adequate at the next level making for an interesting 2019 uncommit and name to watch down the line.
QUICK TAKE: Country strong power bat with a home run swing. Linemen athleticism that will need to tone up at the next level in order to excel. Second in the state in Home Runs.
5/3/19- 2019 Steel Canyon (Jamul, CA) first-baseman is listed at 6-foot-3 235 pounds and is currently uncommitted. Hits left and throws right. Mature bulky-build with some sneaky athleticism. On-field leader, confident and vocal teammate. Started 39 games on the offensive and defensive line for the Varsity football team, won the 2017 Division 3-A State championship. Leading the San Diego section with 10 HR. Adequately adept first-baseman showing willingness to body up balls when necessary. Sets up in the box relaxed with a wide base and relaxed hands. Uses his lower half well driving his hips and using his body to create power. Showed hand quickness and strength with the upper half. Barrell travels long through the zone with a level swing plane with lift through the finish. Aggressive swinger and not afraid to go after off-speed pitches. Swing path and hitting approach create swing and miss. Has a tendency to chase pitches down in the zone early in the count. Power hitter with current and future plus-power potential. Lineman athleticism and home run capability will help someones lineup down the line.
QUICK TAKE: Strong football player build who looks the part on the field. Plays aggressively and shows versatility. Needs to settle on a position but looks like a great college depth piece.
4/2/19- 2019 infielder and right-handed pitcher Zay Pena is listed at 6-foot-2 200 pounds for the University City Centurions and is currently uncommitted with reported offers to play either football or baseball. Big strong build with athleticism and potential for more. Productive football player and utility player on the baseball field that moves well for his size. Showed high bat speed through the zone with good sound off the bat. Barrell to ball is quick with little launch angle. Overall body strength and hip drive present current and future power potential. Currently is slashing 444 BA 1.229 OPS and has thrown 17 ⅓ INN 19 K 2.02 ERA 1.32 WHIP. Started on the mound with a 4-seam fastball ranging from 83-86 mph from an over-the-top arm angle. Breaking ball broke on a 12/6 plane at 72-74 mph with feel for the strike zone but lacking swing and miss bite. Mechanically looked stiff and lacks action with his lower half, making up for it with his arm. Pena has the body type, athleticism and power potential to warrant himself a spot on a D1 roster.
QUICK TAKE: Finished the season 8-3, 2.57 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 8.75 K per 7. Projectability on the mound and good makeup open the door for a quality college arm down the line.
4/2/19- 2019 infielder and right-handed pitcher Christian Wood is listed at 6-foot-2 175 pounds for the University City Centurions and is currently uncommitted. Wood and Zay Pena have split time at shortstop this season depending on whom of the two is pitching. Tall and lanky with broad shoulders and room to fill out. Defensively can play shortstop, third base and first base as he has the size and current skill set to be a viable defensive player. Lateral movement and glove work are below average as he does not possess elite quickness but made up for it with good reads and footwork. Showed a good eye at the plate as he waited for his pitch and walked twice in four at-bats. Swing path does not produce significant power but shows high contact rate ability. Currently slashing 298 with a 824 OPS. Wood’s pitching is what is really standing out as his control and statistical line are exceptional as he has thrown 37 ⅔ INN 55 K 1.86 ERA and 0.98 WHIP. True two-way high school player contributing on both sides of the ball as he has the ability to play multiple positions in the infield and dominate on the high school mound, current and future ability may grade out best on the mound.
UPCOMING EVENTS
| SHOWCASE | STATE | DATE | LOCATION |
| South Bay Junior Future Games Trials | CA | 04/14 | Archbishop Mitty HS |
| North Bay Junior Future Games Trials | CA | 04/28 | Clyde P. Smith Field - Cardinal Newman HS |
| Northern California Future Games Trials | CA | 05/26 | Islanders Field |
| Inland Empire Futures Games Trials | CA | 06/01 | Norco High School |
| SoCal ProCase | CA | 06/08 | Hart Park |
| Northern California ProCase | CA | 06/09 | Delta College - Nick Cecchetti Field |
| Bay Area Open Showcase | CA | 06/26 | Laney College |
| Inland Empire Top Prospect ID | CA | 07/23 | Santiago High School |
| Norcal Top Prospect ID | CA | 07/24 | St. Mary's College |
| Junior Future Games | NATIONAL | 07/30 | LakePoint |
| Rising Stars Showcase | CA | 09/21 | Santiago High School |