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Top Prospect Games: First Base Analysis

December 4, 2014

By Sammy Serrano
Director of Scouting

On the weekend of November 8 and 9, Prep Baseball Report hosted the 2014 Top Prospect Games at Davenport Field on the campus of the University of Virginia for members of the 2016 and 2017 classes. Over 65 players participated, with some of the best talent from all corners of the Commonwealth showing off their ability on the field over the weekend. Here is our analysis of the First Baseman. (Listed Alphabetically)

Hunter Cochrane, 1B, Glen Allen, 2017
Cochrane is a 5-foot-11, 190-pound, First Baseman that hit from a tall/balanced stance with good vertical stacking.  Set up with high hands, long/smooth load back, balance, rhythm, and short stride.  Attacked the baseball.  Explosive hands. Good hand path to the ball.  Didn’t fully engage the lower half.  Has more in the tank.  Had an exit velocity of 84 mph.  In the field, Cochrane was able to move around the bag.  Showed average range and had soft hands.  Was able to get rid of the ball quickly and throws were accurate.  Had a positional velocity of 70 mph.

Cole Grinde, 1B, Caroline, 2016
Grinde is a 6-foot, 220-pound, First Baseman that hit from an athletic/balanced stance.  Grinde had a smooth stroke that was very polished.  Smooth load back, vertical stacking, balance throughout, short stride, and outstanding extension.  Had a feel for the barrel, linear path to the ball, leverage, backspin, gap-to-gap approach.  Had a exit velocity of 86 mph off of the tee.  In the field, Grinde moved very well. Had feel for the position, instinctual, used feet well.  Above average lateral movement. Soft hands, good transitions, and actions.  Had a positional velocity of 77 mph.

Tanner Heltibridle,1B, Patriot, 2016
Heltibridle is a 6-foot, 190-pound, First baseman that from a tall/balanced stance.  Long load back with body and hands, explosive lower half, good extension.  Really drove the back hip through the ball.  Stays behind the ball well.  Line drive stroke with raw power.  Has an exit velocity of 90 mph off of the tee. In the field, Heltibridle had slightly above average hands.  Moved to the ball well, had average range, and showed awareness around the bag. Hands were soft and used feet to create angles.  Had a positional velocity of 79 mph.

Matthew Holt, 1B, Nansemond River, 2016
Holt is a 6-foot-2, 225-pound, First Baseman that hit from an athletic/balanced stance. Quiet rhythm, smooth load back with the hands, controlled movements throughout.  Good weight shift, short stride, explosive lower half and explosive hands.  Short stroke that styed in the middle of the field, gap-to-gap approach.  Raw power, plus potential.  Had an exit velocity of 95 mph off of the tee.  In the field, Holt showed the ability to move.  Had soft hands, long arm action, and average feet.  Showed lateral movement with average range for the position.  Was quick and accurate with all throws.

Robert Riddick, 1B, Paul VI, 2016
Riddick is a 6-foot-4, 210-pound, First Baseman that hit from a tall stance.  Very compact load with little rhythm.  Stayed behind the ball well.  Small leg kick, balance in the swing, uphill at times, short stroke.  Has some raw power with a slight-pull approach.  Had an exit velocity of 84 mph.  In the field, Riddick moved well for his size.  Feet worked well around the bag and in his approach.  Had average hands and lateral movement.  Had a very strong arm with a positional velocity of 85 mph.

Louis Testa, 1B, Neumann Goretti (NJ), 2016
Testa is a 6-foot-2, 235-pound, First Baseman that hit from a tall/athletic stance.  Hit with his hands high, slight bat wrap, and slightly closed hips.  Electric hands, fast twitch, quick load, and a small leg kick. Had an explosive lower hand that got through the baseball well.  Has a ton of raw power with a line drive stroke.  Had an exit velocity of 95 mph off of the tee.  In the field, Testa was athletic.  Moved to the ball well. Showed the ability to move around the back and laterally.  Soft hands, smooth movements, good feet. Can really use the glove.  Had a positional velocity of 74 mph.

Rafi Vazquez, 1B, Bishop O’Connell, 2016
Vazquez is a 6-foot-2, 195-pound, First Baseman that hit from balanced stance with high hands.  He had a short/compact load back, slight hitch, with an inward turn of the knee, and a very short stride. Leverage in the swing, raw power, backspin, gap-to-gap approach.  Ability to mishit a baseball and hit it out of the ballpark.  Had an exit velocity of 86 mph off of the tee.  In the field, Vazquez had feel around the bag.  Showed average lateral movement and hands.  Had a slightly above arm with a positional velocity of 78 mph.

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