Dallas Preseason ID: Quick Hits
January 4, 2024
TEXAS - On January 3rd, we kicked off the 2024 Preseason with the Dallas Preseason ID at East Field College. The day started off by the players running a 60, then throwing from their defensive positions, followed by each player a round of batting practice. Following BP, Pitchers threw bullpens, where TrackMan data was recorded. Today, we take a look at some of the standouts from the day.
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Carson Allen SS / RHP / Canyon, TX / 2026
Rankings StateRank: 102 / POS: 32
The 2022 Jr. Future Game member showed up on Wednesday and looked significantly more physical since the last time we saw him, and he continues to show some impressive tools. Allen showed off his big arm with velos of 92 from the outfield and 90 across the diamond. Then he ended his day on the mound where he also showed well. His fastball topped out at 84.5 mph, and I expect that number to continue to climb as we get into the High School season. He mixed in a quality slider as well, showing good command of it. At the plate, Allen showed off electric bat speed from the left side. He had a max bat speed of 89 mph. He starts slightly open and really loads up on his back side before getting off a violent swing. He had multiple mid 90 exit velo readings, showing the ability to impact the baseball. Overall, it was a really good day for the West Texas sophomore.
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Bronco Helmuth C / 2B / Fort Worth Christian, TX / 2024The physical senior catcher continues to show the ability to really impact the baseball at the plate. Helmuth has good bat speed to go with some present strength and he has the ability to impact the baseball to all fields. He had the highest exit velo on the day, topping out at 98.8 mph. Helmuth has impressive blast numbers as well, as he has well above average in bat speed and rotational acceleration. Behind the plate, Helmuth showed a quick transfer and with a solid arm and consistently was around 2.0 for his pop time. Bronco is at a new High School for his senior season, and I am excited to see him play, as he poised for a big senior season.
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Damian Montanez OF / Shoemaker, TX / 2025
Rankings StateRank: 165 / POS: 39
Probably the best all around day belonged to Montanez. The Killen product started his day by running an impressive 6.84 60, which was the best on the day. He then went out to the outfield and had the best OF velo on the day, with an impressive 95 mph. Montanez looks like someone that could be an asset in CF at the next level. Montanez also showed off his twitchiness in the box, where he showed plus bat speed and had a max exit velo north of 95 mph. It is a short, compact swing that is geared to drive the ball with authority to all fields. Montanez showed off a loud tool set on Wednesday, and he should be on coaches radar for this spring.
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Colby Fowler OF / LHP / Lago Vista, TX / 2025
Rankings StateRank: 129 / POS: 27
Fowler looked more physical since we last saw him, and it carried over to his numbers. Fowler is an average runner, but he moves well and plays the game with some bounce. He has an above average arm in the outfield and I think he could handle all 3 spots out there. He topped out at 88 mph from the outfield. At the plate, Fowler does a lot of good things. He has good bat speed and rotational acceleration He had a max exit velo of 95.5 and drove the ball with authority to all fields. He stays focused in the big part of the field, making him a tough out. Fowler also hopped on the mound yesterday, and was very impressive. The lefty showed good command of his fastball that topped out at 84. But what really stood out were the two breaking balls he threw. He threw a late breaking slider that had tight spin with late life. He could throw it for a strike or bury it for a swing and miss pitch. He had a slower, bigger breaking ball that was equally impressive. It had a big late break to it with plenty of depth. Overall, a really good day.
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Kayden Mansell RHP / OF / Lake Ridge, TX / 2026It was my first time seeing Mansell, and I was really impressed with him on both sides of the ball. On the mound, Mansell showed an impressive two pitch mix. The fastball/slider combo really played nicely. His fastball, that he consistently was in the mid 80’s with, had some sink to it and he was able to keep it at the bottom of the zone. The slider paired nicely with it, as he threw it out of the same window. It has a late, short break to it and he could throw it for strikes. Mansell was also impressive at the plate, he showed some big power to the pull side. He had an impressive 95.1 mph exit velo, as he consistently drove the ball deep into the left center gap. He has a strong lower half, and he really uses it to generate some power. I expect big things for Mansell this spring at Mansfield Lake Ridge.
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Nicholas Smith SS / 3B / Mansfield Timberview, TX / 2026
Rankings StateRank: 74 / POS: 25
Smith may have had the best BP of the day. The RHH from Mansfield Timberview has really good barrel to ball skills with a short, strong swing. He gets a good load on his back side and then shows off his plus bat speed to make loud contact. He isn’t the biggest player, but there is some power in the swing. Smith is also a good defender on the dirt. He shows good actions to each direction and could handle either position up the middle in high school. I think Smith is poised to have a break out sophomore campaign.
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Reese Ogden C / 1B / Lovejoy , TX / 2025
Rankings StateRank: 100 / POS: 13
Ogden has always been a favorite of mine. A big, physical LHH catcher that plays the game with a high IQ. Ogden has the ability to drive the ball out of the ballpark to all fields. He is slightly open to start with a wide base and does a good job of driving the ball with authority in the big part of the field. He is a consistent performer in game as well, and just has a lot of offensive upside. He is also good behind the plate, even though he is a bigger catcher. He is quiet back there and does a good job receiving. He is consistently in the 2.0-2.05 with his pop times with an accurate arm. Ogden is one of the top uncommitted players in the 25 class in north Texas, and I expect a big spring from him.
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Gramm Davis C / OF / Waxahachie, TX / 2027
Rankings StateRank: 34 / POS: 5
The Switch Hitting catcher from Waxahachie was a Jr. Future Game member last summer, so I was excited to see him on Wednesday. Davis has an ultra projectable frame that he is going to stack a lot of good weight on. He has good bat speed from both sides of the plate and shows some power potential from both sides of the plate. He will have to shorten it up a little, but Davis is going to hit. He also looks good behind the plate. He is a calm receiver and moves well. He will have to continue to work to keep the throwing motion tight, but he has all the tools to be a good defender behind the plate. I am excited to see what Davis has in store for us this spring.
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Chace Robbins 2B / 3B / Dallas Christian, TX / 2027Another Jr. Future Game member from last year was Robbins. Robbins can do a little bit of everything on the field and do it well. He is also a switch hitter and has great bat to ball skills. He has a plan at the plate, and uses the whole field well. He has put on some good weight and as he continues to get more physical, the power will start to come as well. Defensively, Robbins can play all over the dirt. He has good actions and a good feel for the game and it really shows on the infield. We will see where his frame ultimately takes him, but for now Robbins can play all over the dirt.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
| SHOWCASE | STATE | DATE | LOCATION |
| San Antonio Preseason ID | TX | 01/06 | Cornerstone Christian HS |
| North Houston Preseason ID | TX | 01/07 | The John Cooper School |
| Waco Preseason ID | TX | 01/13 | McLennan CC |
| North Dallas Preseason ID | TX | 01/14 | Lake Dallas High School |
| Houston Preseason ID | TX | 01/15 | Rice University - Reckling Park |
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