Uncommitted Spring Standouts
April 28, 2023
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Los Angeles, CA - As we approach the Southern Section playoffs as well as the tail end of league play in the San Diego Section, I wanted to highlight several uncommitted players that have had standout spring seasons. The fun part of making this list was that some of these players were unknown to me before this year and with their consistent performance have made themselves names to know in their own right. Below are the 11 standout players along with some quick scouting notes and video on each.
STANDOUTS
‘24 LHP Dylan Volantis - Westlake HS
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Dylan has been on my radar since last fall and the improvements he has made since have been substantial. The 6-6/200lb LHP is now into the upper 80s with the FB while starting to show more consistent feel for his downer 12/6 CB that generated a ton of swing/miss this spring. It’s also a more athletic operation that is allowing him to be more repeatable and generate force down the mound. The arm also looks to be working more free with easier whip at release. There's been a lot of recruiting interest building of late and I don't expect him to be uncommitted for much longer.
Best I’ve ever seen ‘24 @DylanVolantis yesterday.
— Joey Cohen? (@JoeyCohen20) March 11, 2023
10Ks in 5 innings.
6-6/200lb XL frame he controls well down the mound. Loose/quick AA that works to an over the top slot.
Commanded the FB (84-87 T88) well to the arm side. Sharp/downer CB (74-77) induced a lot of chase/whiff. pic.twitter.com/05eY17ElYs
‘24 RHP Duncan Marsten - Harvard Westlake
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You wouldn’t think that Marsten had any past injury struggles with how he has pitched so far this spring. It's some of the easiest effort gas in the '24 class where his FB has been up to 94 in my two looks which he has shown consistent command of. Marsten also has feel for two quality secondaries in a shorter/depthy SL that tunnels well off the FB and a quality downward fading CH he'll mix in to LHHs. The operation itself is refined and efficient where he is able to utilize all of his 6-4/210lb frame to his advantage.
Took in @PBR_Uncommitted ‘24 @MarstenDuncan’s 1st spring outing yesterday.
— Joey Cohen? (@JoeyCohen20) March 19, 2023
Came in relief for 1.2 innings. Some of the easiest gas in the class. Simple/low-effort mover. Clean AA.
FB was T94, sitting 90-92 w/ heavy downward ASR. Mixed in a 80-81 short/tight SL.@PBR_California pic.twitter.com/BqJhG7AoP5
‘24 LHP Talin Gardini - Patrick Henry
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Gardini had one of the more eye-opening starts I’ve taken in this spring where he dominated a tough Torrey Pines lineup for 5 innings. He attacked up in the zone with conviction getting over barrels with a carry FB up to 88 that lived 84-86. He also showed feel for a slurvy breaking ball at 73-75 he flipped over at any time for strike that day. The arm action which is more compact in the back has gotten noticeably quicker and it looks like he fine-tuned some things in his delivery which has allowed him to repeat more consistently. There's not many better uncommitted LH arms in the '24 class.
Solid outing for @PBR_Uncommitted ‘24 LHP Talin Gardini.
— ??? ?????????? (@PBR_California) March 5, 2023
5 innings, 2H/2R/1BB/11K
Mature/strong build with present athleticism.
Balanced delivery, compact upper 3/4 AA with FB up to 88 (84-86) that got over barrels.
Slurvy CB (73-75) located w/ ease to outer half vs. RHHs. pic.twitter.com/xkR7LUrDdS
‘24 RHP Sean Cannon - Coronado HS
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Sean exploded onto the scene this spring with standout velocity gains that he made throughout last fall/winter and into the spring. The 5-10 RHP has a physical lower half which he uses well to move aggressively down the mound and with force into block. The arm works loose in the back with some present hand speed and whip to release. The FB is now up to 92, sitting 88-91 consistently throughout his outings this spring. Due to the lower release height the FB tends to play well up in the zone with decent carry. He also has a developing mid-70s slurvy breaking ball. There's a lot of effort in the operation but there's no denying that the arm will play.
Got my 1st look at @PBR_Uncommitted ‘24 RHP @sean41795533 of @coronadobase on Sat.
— Joey Cohen? (@JoeyCohen20) March 7, 2023
Present strength within a smaller 5-10 frame. Works aggressive down the mound. Quick/loose AA.
FB was 90-92 early, settled 88-90. Effective up in the zone. Mixed in a slurvy CB in the mid 70s. pic.twitter.com/exMnq2c0RU
‘24 INF Vincent Van der Wel - Chaminade
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Vinny has been a steady performer throughout the entire spring. He slashed a loud .448/.525/.712, doing this against quality arms/competition. At the plate, it's a loose/smooth LH stroke where he has always had innate feel to hit but has tapped into some sneaky power this spring due to some added strength and an improved ability to backspin to the pullside which has helped lead to his 5 HRs. There’s some continued development to be had with his defensive abilities and athleticism but he played solid defensively all over the infield for the Eagles and it sure looks like the bat will play at the next level.
‘24 @VinnyVanderWel is off to a hot start through 3Gs. 6/11 at the plate w/ 4 2Bs.
— Joey Cohen? (@JoeyCohen20) February 25, 2023
Took in 2 of those hits on Wednesday, both times sending an 88 FB oppo.
Easy/rhythmic load. Loose swing w/ a barrel that works on a clean path through.
Quality @PBR_Uncommitted INF for @NadeBsbl pic.twitter.com/V6VuyorNld
‘24 SS Jack Circuit - La Jolla Country Day
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I checked in on Circuit once and he continues to grab my attention with his sustained success at the plate this spring. Currently slashing .365/.512/.746 (6 HRs) he can certainly impact the baseball with power. There’s a bit of swing/miss in the profile but he has taken his walks as well which is encouraging. In my look, he showed some athleticism/quickness whether that was how he got out the box or how he defended at SS making a couple difficult ranging plays and exhibiting a solid arm. When I make my way back down to SD he’s certainly a player I will keep tabs on.
An interesting @PBR_Uncommitted ‘24 to keep an eye on this spring is @JackCircuit9 of @TorreyBaseball.
— Joey Cohen? (@JoeyCohen20) March 3, 2023
Physical MINF. Moved well at SS yesterday making a couple tough ranging plays. Two barrels at the plate as well showing some present bat/hand speed.@PBR_California @LesLukach pic.twitter.com/cbA0MFM39P
‘25 3B Matthew Witkow - Calabasas
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Witkow was a standout from our Preseason All-State back in January and this spring he played a huge role on a Calabasas squad that won the Marmonte League. Witkow is a longer/lanky CINF that has shown this spring that he can defend at 3B. The bat has some intriguing upside where presently it's a high-contact offensive profile. It's simple swing that works short and direct to the baseball and doesn’t have a lot of moving parts. Because of that I think there's some untapped power in the profile that you'll start to see him tap into this summer and into next year.
Here’s a hit from one of my personal @PBR_Uncommitted favorites in the ‘25 class in @MatthewWitkow4.
— Joey Cohen? (@JoeyCohen20) April 8, 2023
Sure-handed 3B. 6-2/175 frame that should continue to add strength.
Compact swing that gets on-plane early. Present bat-to-ball skills showing minimal chase/whiff in my looks. pic.twitter.com/G6RpI8W5Iy
‘24 1B/3B Aidan Buntich - West Ranch
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I have gotten a few looks at Buntich the past couple of months dating back to last winter. The body/bat stood out immediately. It’s a longer/lengthy build with some present physicality that shows with his presence in the box. The swing is one of my personal favorites. It’s a slow/early load that creates some quality separation into landing. The bat works on a clean path with above avg. bat speed through the zone with intent to catch the baseball out front. He slashed a strong .411/.574/.616 this spring. Defensively, he played a majority of reps at 1B but the athleticism and arm look to also be able to play at 3B.
Doubling down on ‘24 @AidanBuntich06 of @wrbaseball. Kid can really hit. Caught 3 barrels on Wednesday against 2 quality Hart arms.
— Joey Cohen? (@JoeyCohen20) April 15, 2023
Tracks well. Swing works with rhythm, on time and consistently finds barrel.
Easy @PBR_Uncommitted follow for me entering the summer. https://t.co/y8H3H6o4x5 pic.twitter.com/bhwSVhGTZZ
‘24 CF Dillon Marrisett - Westlake
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Marissett is a high-energy/high-motor player who hits leadoff and plays a strong CF for a talented Westlake squad. He hit a solid .328 this spring with a swing that shows some rawness but has the right ingredients where there's loose quickness to the hands that throw the barrel at the baseball with accuracy more often than not. There is also present speed/athleticism to his game that shows on the base paths and out in CF tracking down balls. With his performance this spring he's gonna get his fair share of looks as we head towards the summer.
Got my 1st ? at @PBR_Uncommitted ‘24 @dillonmarrisett out of Westlake HS.
— Joey Cohen? (@JoeyCohen20) March 11, 2023
Athletic CF that is off to a hot start this spring at the plate. Hitting .393 (11/28). Present bat speed. Found 3 barrels last night (2 below).
Intriguing player I’m gonna check in on again this spring. pic.twitter.com/d5JcpBDveT
‘24 OF Mike Yechan Lee - Gahr
- Lee was an All-Tournament team selection at our Preseason Invitational back in February and since then he has continued to put together a solid spring season. It’s a physical corner OF profile that has really stood out with the bat. His left-handed swing brings balance, adjustability, and at times some whippy hand/bat speed through the zone when he really impacts the baseball. The current offensive skillset is advanced and is showing signs of being a middle of the order type bat at the next level.
Quick look at a couple of ABs from @PBR_Uncommitted ‘24 Yechan “Mike” Lee. He got off several good hacks throughout our Invitational.
— Joey Cohen? (@JoeyCohen20) February 24, 2023
Showed barrel feel and adjustability. Also flashed some present bat speed.
Middle of the order bat for @GahrBaseballl to go watch this spring. pic.twitter.com/X54293frCz
‘23 C Colin Brown - Notre Dame
- I have taken in a couple Notre Dame games this spring and in each game Colin Brown seems to do something to help the team win. Brown doesn’t have your typical catcher's build but he brings a strong framing/receiving skillset to the table along with solid catch/throw ability. There’s no doubt he has played a huge role in how dominant ND’s pitching staff has been. Then at the plate, he's been sneaky good with bat slashing .362/.422/.412. The swing works where there's some quality rhythm to the hands that work loose and direct to the baseball where he tends to find barrel more often than not with minimal swing/miss.
UPCOMING EVENTS
SHOWCASE | STATE | DATE | LOCATION |
Rising Stars ID: Sacramento | CA | 05/07 | McBean Stadium - Lincoln |
SoCal Rising Stars Game | CA | 05/21 | Cerritos College |
CA FUTURE GAMES TRYOUT | CA | 06/03 | Fullerton College |
NorCal ProCase | CA | 06/04 | Chabot College - Hayward |
SoCal-NV-AZ-ProCase | CA | 06/04 | University of Southern California - Dedeaux Field |
NorCal Rising Stars Game | CA | 06/06 | Islanders Field (morning) |
Team CA Future Games ID | CA | 06/06 | Islanders Field (afternoon/early evening) |
Bay Area State Gamess Open ID | CA | 06/14 | College of San Mateo |
OC State Games Open ID | CA | 07/11 | Hart Park |
MORE PREP BASEBALL NEWS
- CA Uncommitted Spotlight: '26 C Derrick Robertson 8/26/24
- CA Future Games Spotlight: RHP Dustin Dunwoody 8/22/24
- CA CA State Games: TrackMan Pitching Leaderboards 8/22/24
- CA Uncommitted Spotlight: '26 INF Greyson Gullage 8/21/24
- CA CA State Games: TrackMan Hitting Leaderboards 8/21/24
- CA Future Games Spotlight: OF Camden Goetz 8/21/24
- CA Uncommitted Spotlight: '26 OF Alex Mestman 8/20/24
- CA CA State Games: '27/'28 Top Performers from Game Action 8/19/24
- CA CA State Games: Positional Leaderboards 8/19/24
- CA CA State Games: '26 Top Performers from Game Action 8/16/24