Jaxson
Bates

NorCal Preseason All-State:

6.88 60yd, DNT, 91 EV

5-9, 180 continues to show the frame strength, speed and agility to be a player at the next level. One of the top Uncommitted 2020 OF in the area. High back elbow, balanced stance getting into his lower half while maintaining posture as he uses a high foot/knee tuck to stay behind the baseball; easy effort and compact barrel continue to show the ability to keep the hands tight and turn the body with force. Bates maximizes his frame strength in every swing being able to easily drive the ball and showing leverage with over-the-fence power to his pullside. Did not throw as he works his way back into season shape, but we’ve seen Bates have the speed (6.88 60yd) and reactions to go get the ball in the middle of the OF with above-average arm strength for the position (up to 85 previously). Teams looking for a 2020 OF should have Bates high on their list.

Uncommitted Senior Games: 

6.89 60yd, 82 OF Velo, 91 Exit Velo
Small, strongly built frame with athleticism and footspeed that translates to the game (6.89 60yd). Weight over the back hip keeping hands high and high back elbow using small rock to get momentum into the swing; hands are quick and produce late barrel speed working on plane flashing some lift and leverage. During BP showed easy lift to the gaps and ended the round with some big HR’s to the pullside; pop has shown up previously and gets the most out of the frame (91 EV). CF profile with speed and burst in OF and using the loose arm to keep throws on the bag (82 OF MPH); showed the ability to close covering ground in CF during the games. Speed, strength and range fitting in CF for the next level.

BAWS 2019 - Compact frame with strength that really showed well during the testing portion of the event where he ran a 6.85 60-yd. During BP showed a very quick bat (93 EV) where he drove the middle of the field showing line drives with carry deep into the gaps. Defensively he’s got a strong arm (85 MPH) and moves athletically in the OF with quick feet; ability to keep strong throws on the bag as well. During games he showed those tools were very playable picking up three hits and putting together quality ABs; a long double over the LF head showed that bat speed and his other two 1B’s were on the barrel as well. Played strong defense as well tracking down balls including a sliding catch in RF showing that makeup speed.  One of the guys who battled for the MVP Award