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Underclass Invitational Players to Watch

January 29, 2016

By John Cackowski
Director of Scouting

The Prep Baseball Report’s Underclass Invitational will take place this Sunday January 31st at the Slammers South Facility Englewood, Colorado. This will be the second year of the event. Over 60 Underclass prospects from the 2018 and 2019 classes will come together in a pro-style workout to strut their stuff in front of the PBR scouting staff. To look at entire roster Click Here

Let’s take a look at five 2018 players to keep an eye on this Sunday

Tanner O'Tremba, OF/RHP, Cherry Creek HS
6-foot, 210 pounds. Bats and throws right. O'Tremba is a very explosive player. Looks like a full back and plays the game extremely hard. O'tremba uses a slightly open stance and has an explosive swing. He can keeps his hands back, and also turn on a fastball. Has a big load, and uses leg kick to start a swing that is explosive on contact that generated an impressive 97 mph exit velocity off a tee. Has gap to gap power. In the outfield has a lot of speed for his size, and proved it with a 6.87 60 time. Strong arm at 84 mph. On the mound was consistently 85-86 mph with a high of 88, and he just chose to blow his fastball by the hitters this weekend. In games in the spring we have seen curve ball with 11/5 shape at 67 mph. Hides the ball well, and is square to the plate then falls off towards first base side after landing with strong leg drive. Very high player to follow.

Dalton Chandler, RHP, Lamar HS
6-foot-3, 180 pounds. Bats and throws right. Chandler is a big projectable body with a lot of potential. Chandler comes at you with a fast, herky, jerkey motion. He can throw even harder if he gets more out of his lower half. Arm wraps back behind back, but is very loose and works well with body at a high 3/4 arm slot.  Chandler throws a heavy fastball that sat at 84-85 mph and a lot of movement into right handers. Falls off to first after delivery. Curveball had 11/5 shape sitting at 70-72 mph with good tilt. We love Chandler's upside and has the frame to develop a fastball that sits in the low 90's.

Jordan Medina, C/RHP, Highlands Ranch
6-foot-0, 180-pound, RHP/C/MIF who ran a 7.29 60 at this event.  Medina showed well in all aspects of this ID with an event best 90 MPH exit velocity.  He hits from a 60/40 stance with most weight transferring forward on the swing.  He hit three balls out of left-center and center field during the evaluation round.  Behind the plate he looks very comfortable and does a nice job staying quiet on pitches.  He had a 1.99 pop-time with a 78 MPH arm velocity.  In the field he showed good movement to his glove side and getting back in throwing position.  He was 83 across the diamond from short.  On the mound he is max effort to the plate.  He delivers from a high ¾ arm slot and does a nice job of keeping the same arm speed on all pitches.  He showed an 83 MPH fastball with good command down and in.  He concluded his workout with a 68 MPH curve with sharp 11/5 break and a 75 MPH change with late sink.

Luke Ziegler, 3B/RHP, Valor Christian
6-foot-1, 165-pound, third base and right-handed pitcher. Was recognized as having the best swing in the 2018. Looks even more athletic then since we last saw him in January. Defensively, he shows good feet and a quick arm produced 82 mph velocity across the diamond which was way up from 66 at January event.  At the plate he hits from a straight balanced upright stance, gets his front foot down early with a long stride.  Has a level, line drive swing with long finish and good hands to the ball.  Exit velocity was 85 mph  Time will help Luke continue to grow and develop. Luke ran a 7.7 60 time. On the mound he looks very polished and smooth. Arm works well from high 3/4 slot. Has long legs so you can see he's going to fill out. Was consistently 80 mph touching 81, and a 66 mph curveball with 11/5 shape.

Nick Merone, MIF, Rock Canyon
5-foot-11, 165 pounds. Bats and throws right. Merone showed some real good skills over the weekend. At the plate hands start high with smooth load and slight leg kick. Hands are quick to the ball and generates good bat whip through the ball with one hand high finish. Bat is in the hitting zone a long time, producing gap to gap power. Had a 85 mph exit velo off the tee. On defense projects as a future shortstop. Very good range to both sides, and quick hands with release. Has arm strength and threw 81 mph across the diamond. Ran a 7.60 60.

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