Mason
Oakley

Norcal ProCase

Body: 6-foot-0, 175-pounds. He's strong, wide shoulders, chiseled body type, certainly looks more physical than his listed size would indicate.

Delivery: All from the stretch in this outing, simple lift, does decent job working over the rubber, hands stay tucked tight to body at waist prior to separation, circular backside without hiccups, gets to overhand slot, opens front hip a bit early getting to the plant foot which lands slightly open. There are some adjustments to make which would presumably allow for more consistent control. Consistent release height among his three offerings (5.0-5.1).

FB: Sat 86-88 mph, have on occasion seen a little higher (89), feels heavy when he's down in the zone with the type of late break that can blow up LHH bats. The TrackMan numbers also show a high induced vertical break of 18.7, which is very good. His average was 14.3. Average horizontal break was -10" (TM measures LHPs in negative numbers and RHPs in positive numbers), with a max of -13. Average spin rate of 1885 and max of 2071 and it's those lower spin rates that align with the heavy action the eyes see.

CB: At 75-79 mph his CB can be one of the harder thrown ones in the area, certainly among LHPs. From his overhand slot this pitch can be a downer CB, though the break is smaller than traditional overhand CBs. Average spin rate of 1665 is obviously on the low range and that can account for the lack of depth and/or size of the break. With his delivery and arm action it can at times be a challenge for his fingers to get to the front of the CB and impart the spin necessary for more break and bite (spin). 

CHG: This pitch was better in this outing than I'd previously seen. Only threw two of them (80-82 mph) but both were solid. Average spin of 1925, which is basically the same as his FB spin. That will create more run than depth on this pitch. The horizontal break of his CHG was -13, which is more than his FB and reflects the run that can be expected given his spin rate.

Summary: As stated in the opening paragraph, there is a lot to like and also enough to pick at with Oakley to acknowledge that he's a work in progress. There will be ample development at the college level in an outstanding pitching development environment. The ability to throw consistent strikes with the FB and then the development of the CHG will dictate whether he's a rotation piece or a bullpen weapon. I'd expect to see him almost entirely in the pen as a freshman as he develops and tinkers. From there, we shall see. For those into comps, I suppose with the overhand slot and potential to develop a downer breaking ball, Ted Lilly would be an apt comp.

vs Vacaville HS - St. Mary's commit; One of the area's top LHP pitching prospects. He's physical at 6-foot-0, 175-pounds and with his muscularity he looks a little bigger than that. High overhand slot, long arm action, fastball with heavy life at 87-89, big late tight curveball 77-79 mph. Came in to face Brown and got that ground ball to 2nd base on the curveball. The delivery and arm action occasionally get out of whack in terms of timing, but when he's in sync his stuff is awfully good.

Fall scrimmage vs Cardinal Newman - St. Mary's commit; Strong body, noticeably physical lower half, strong fast arm, long aggressively fast arm stroke, fastball up to 88 mph was best we've seen to this point, has morphed his breaking ball from curveball to a slider (75-77 mph) as it's likely easier to be consistent with given the length of the arm stroke and violence of the delivery. Some fastballs painted to the glove side and numerous fastballs lost way up on the arm side, certainly not a comfortable at-bat for any hitter no matter the side of the plate. There will be sniffs of 90 mph in the spring, the question for pro scouts during his senior season will be control of the stuff and consistency of the breaking ball.

Area Code Tryouts - Under Class Notebook

Summer Scout - Long strong frame with length in limbs. 2nd viewing this summer and the stuff continues to flash plus potential. From a stretch only look, long arm gets to high 3/4 release cleanly with high front knee; delivery creates steep angle to the plate when in time and very tough AB’s for hitters. This outing showed the potential and the work he has to reach it. First inning was fantastic as hips stayed in line and pitches exploded at the plate (K, 2 weak GBs); second inning he started to open the hips early and the arm was late to sync creating issue getting the ball into the zone (2 BB, 3 H). FB 83-85 T86 with run and life up through the zone; also showed angle to the arm side. CB flashes plus potential with deep late 1/7 shape from tight spin (74-75); also flashed some sweep on the pitch when needing a new shape.

BAWS 2019 - Oakley is a long strong frame with length in the limbs and shows athleticism from his delivery. The lefty pitches only from the stretch using a high front leg matching the long arm swing with it. He showed a strong ability to ride his back hip down the hill and when keeping his front hip in line creates explosive actions out of the hand; the mechanics have times where the hip opens early creating a delay in the arm sync. Control will be a work in progress, but the action on his pitches is not something that can be taught to pitchers especially from the left side. The H-3/4 release creates steep angle to the plate with all three pitches. FB 84-86 T87 being able to utilize on both sides of the plate with flashes of angle and the life jumping on hitters. CB 73-74 flashes plus with late tight break in 12/6 shape; very sharp and explosive actions out of the break. CHG 77 showed late bottom and arm-side run off that FB look. First inning struggled with his mechanics but made an adjustment late that led to him striking out his final four batters with 2 looking at the FB. High ceiling with the frame to work on the mechanics and be a late inning weapon.

Uncommitted; pitched with an effortless and easy delivery sitting 80-83 T84 MPH and mixing in a slow, loopy 12/6 curveball. Long, deliberate arm action makes his fastball sneak up on hitters. Plenty of room to grow and add strength to this young kid.