Utah Diamond Notes: Week 4

2022 PBR Future Games

The #1 ranked ‘25 in the class and for good reason, the lean wiry athletic Park, has the makings of a really good player moving forward, as he took his turns through the workout, but kept things in check, as he is still preparing for the 3A State Football playoffs for the undefeated 10-0 Juab Wasps. A WR on the gridiron, and an uber projectable SS/CF on the diamond, Park is a 2022 PBR Future Games alum and already has some D1 offers on the table, but is in no hurry to make a decision, as he has 3 years at the HS level. Park had a great workout and the actions remained abv avg and looked very similar to that of his Future Games performances, however his data took some leaps forward over the last 3 months since LakePoint. He achieved his best tools marks of hand speed, 23.5, EV of 93.3, Avg EV 87.9, Max Distance 339, 7.01/60 on grass (soft track) vs. a 7.07 on turf in GA. He also fired off 83-84 mph easy accurate throws across the diamond from SS. Looking forward to seeing Austin next spring and the considerable gains and momentum he’s creating. 

The top 2025 Position player in the state in this scouts opinion, regardless of others that may have committed and played for team USA. The upside of this kid is that of a HIGHLY athletic, lean long and twitchy 3 sport star with abv avg movement patterns. Park was first spotted at the Fall Prospect ID last November at Snow Canyon HS, and I’ve been squarely in this kids corner since. Was seen by every school in the state at the Top Prospect Games, July 12th at Pleasant Grove HS. Austin is skinny w/lean wiry strength and pound for pound strong, while oozing projection w/added weight/strength to come. The setup is semi wide w/a slight crouch and his bat held at a 45-degree angle. He shows hand and bat speed and the ability to sit back and recognize off speed mistakes and flashes HR power to the pull side now. Defensively he can play SS/CF and make each position look very natural. At SS he shows glove and athletic actions with soft hands and plays through the baseball. His arm is strong and accurate with 83 mph throws across the diamond and 85 from the OF. The arm is very loose and fluid and I can see upper 80’s across the INF and 90 from the OF over the next 2-3 years. Already has 2 D1 offers!

The Dixie State commit is one of, if not the smoothest defender in the state, regardless of class. Have seen him play since he was 10 years old. Gifted with dancy, educated feet and plus movement patterns to allow for his glove to be in the right place at the right time. Also can play CF, and shows off a avg arm at 86 from the OF and 77 from the INF, though he doesn’t sell out for metrics, but just plays catch and throws K’s in all directions. Able to throw from multiple arm slots and do it EZ. From the plate, Soto has a quick twitch well synced up hitting stroke with good use of his lower ½ and looks the part of a young Francisco Lindor. An fringe to avg runner at 7.06 in the 60, yet his lateral quickness at SS, belies a player that moves within a circle of range, rather than a straight line runner. With an additional 15-20 lbs at maturity, this kid has a very high ceiling. 

A slick fielding INF at 5-9 145, has a lean, even proportion frame with abv avg athleticism and can play all 9 spots on the Diamond. Soto can handle 3 INF spots along with CF and makes all look as if it’s his primary spot. A quick twitch live lower allows for graceful defensive actions and his feet/hands have a chance to play abv avg in time. His hands are smooth/quick and he plays from the ground up, while syncing his hands and feet, in getting off strong accurate throws across the diamond. The arm is avg by MLB standards now and will definitely be plus in the near future. A 60 yard dash time of 6.94 should improve even more over the next few years, as he fills out and continues to add size and leg strength. The bat has some Latin type flair in that he can be a free swinger and then also grind out an AB and spray LD’s to all fields. With a young immature body now, Soto can lift it out to the pull side when he squares it up. A conventional RH even props square stance, he gets quality separation and takes an aggressive, but lengthy pass at the baseball, with a fast bat. It will be fun to see where the versatile, athletic, flashy INF takes his game in the future.

A Future Games participant who is as athletic and bouncy as they come. A sleeper type candidate that draws attention with his movement patterns, quick twitch athleticism, soft flashy hands and his arm strength. A thin wiry strength type that has the dance needed for SS, and his actions attract your attention. Also worked out in the OF, and I’ve seen him play CF live and he he better there. He gets good reads and jumps and glides under balls with ease. He can run down balls in all directions and his hands are fluid and look the part out front when fielding the baseball in gathering to throw. An avg big league arm that flashes solid avg and has the makings of plus down the road as he continues to fill out and mature. Fun to watch!