Michael
Mugan

Vs Aptos: Santa Clara commit. Another name on the preseason lists, Mugan started on the hill and it sounds like Monterey will be using him as their #1 there. Athletic delivery with high front knee keeping hands at the chest and using a compact ¾ release; when the body was controlled he was able to dominate the plate, but he pitches with such passion (like everything he does) that there’s times the arm is playing catch-up. FB 81-83 heavy to the down-and-away spot. CB 64-66 short bender having some loop and times where he gets more SLD bend into it. CHG 70 straight with arm side sink. At the plate the stat line wouldn’t wow anyone (0-3, 2 SB, Run), but Mugan was right on pitches and showed his hitting prowess. His ability to stay on strong velocity was evident and utilized; he squared up a 85 MPH FB to the RF wall late in the day and fouled off a couple in his first AB before looking at a very good SLD for a K. In between those two AB’s he got out front a bit but still hit the ball hard into the 6 hole and the defense had no chance to turn a double play with him moving down the line (4.30 H-1st); then used that speed to take both 2nd and 3rd with ease.

NorCal Preseason All-State: Mugan has been on our radar for some time and he’s made small adjustments that have made great improvements to his overall game, but especially to his barrel path. He’s always been athletic (6.90 60yd) and utilizes it in his swing with a high hands/high front foot setup. The swing path has tightened up and allowed the upward barrel path to stay behind the baseball without some of the previous wasted load movement; balls were jumping off the bat and the easy swing produced HR to the pullside and deep into that gap (94 EV). In the OF he’s got a bright future with an above-average, compact arm that kept balls on the bag with life (87 OF); can play all three OF spots. At 3rd he showed good lateral reactions and some ability to open the hips while keeping strong posture and firm throws across the diamond (82 INF). A twitchy athlete that’s looking like a high-ceiling player.

At San Benito - Santa Clara Commit. Medium, athletic build with twitchy actions; frame is starting to add more strength while maintaining flexibility and quick actions. Started at 3B before moving to RF and finishing game on the hill. Defensively showed quick feet and lateral ability with loose hips that can drop step and cut angles while playing 3rd base. Same looseness in hips allow him to track the ball over his head in RF with strong reads off the bat. Arm is solid with compact release and ability to keep it on a line from all positions. At the plate keeps an open stance with bend in the knees and very high hands. Aggressive pulling his hands down and back into shoulder while using a front leg lift; was out in front on a lot of pitches during the game and with the added movement will have times where he is late getting barrel into hitting position. Quick arc with some feel for the barrel; showed ability to adjust the barrel to cover pitches in different locations. Gets out of the box hard with strong leg drive showing long stride and getting to full speed quickly (4.25 H-1st, 4.46T). Showed good arm strength getting last inning of work. Very high front leg lift and tuck with compact arm as elbow takes the ball out of the glove to M-3/4 release. Uses lower half to angle down hill with finish over stiff front leg. FB 82-84 T88 MPH with flashes of angle; times where the pitch will flatten up in the zone. CB 67-69 MPH showing 11/5 shape showing early hump before depth; feel for the pitch to the gloveside.

2/12/19 - Vs Aptos - Santa Clara commit continued to show why he’s one of our Top 2020 players with his athleticism translating all over the field. He took pregame in RF, his most likely spot for the season, before running over to 3B and showing he could open his hips and move well laterally. He barreled up a couple pitches in game, one for a knock off Eichhorn and the other a long liner to RF to drive in a run. He also drew a walk that he followed up by stealing 2nd base easily. He hopped on the hill to get an inning of work showing some feel of his offspeed pitches and attacking hitters. Fastball was 77-80 mph touching 81 with heaviness. The CB and SLD both worked in the 60-64 mph range with each having distinct shapes. The CB showed short depth from a 12/6 shape and the SLD flashed late cut gloveside. He threw a CHG once or twice at 68 mph with some fade. Coach Groves talked about how Mugan had approached him about wanting to pitch more and I loved the fact that he wanted to get up on the hill and compete to help his team win. That type of attitude is what teams on every level want to see.

1/27/19 - PBR N CA Preseason All-State - Santa Clara commit. Medium frame with high waist and length in legs and wide shoulders; starting to gain good strength and added weight as body is starting to fill in. Twitchy athlete with quick legs and ability to get moving quickly (6.91 60-yd). Wide, balanced stance with high hands and high back elbow; rocks into back hip with big knee tuck allowing hands to work directly back. Bat shows quick bat speed working on slightly upward path and driving through contact creating good extension; ability to drive balls gap-to-gap with deep gap power (91 exit velo). Controlled and easy swings with ball jumping off bat. Defensively moves well in outfield showing strong understanding of footwork for position; quick, compact arm with life on throws to both bags (82 MPH). Already a known and ranked player from 2020 class, Mugan continues to impress showing growth in his physical frame and with his baseball skills.

10/27-10/29/18 - NCTB Fall Classic - Medium frame with length in legs and high, tight waist; strength in legs is lean and built for speed. Tools rate with top uncommitted players in the 2020 class. Balanced, open stance with relaxed high hands; high front knee with compact stroke that shows off line drives to all parts of the field with pull side pop and feel for the barrel (87 exit velocity). Showed off swing in game with double down right field line then stole 3rd on next pitch with a left-handed hitter in the box and catcher didn’t have a chance. Speed is a plus (6.97 60 yd dash on a SLOW/SOFT track, 4.19-4.3 H-1st) and can be used on the bases and in the field. Rangy in centerfield with arm that can play all three outfield positions (82 online from RF).

10/7/18 - Central Coast Open - Uncommitted, 5-foot-11, 160-pounds, lithe lean body with fast twitch type actions and strength. One of California's top 2020 talents. Fastest runner at the event with 6.75 (handheld) 60 yd dash. At the plate utilizes a crouched, open stance with high hands and high elbows to match. Showed above average bat to ball skills (93 MPH exit velo) with ability to control barrel and drive balls deep into gaps. Swing shows balance with excellent weight transfer creating a very loud bat that explodes through the zone. From outfield showed a very quick and compact arm that regularly put the ball on a line to every base (84 MPH). The above average arm worked really well with the “pro-hop” athleticism he showed and his ability to stay behind the baseball through release.

2/20/18 - High waist on athletic looking 5-foot-10 170-pound body, shows lean muscle currently. Very athletic and projectable build that can mature. Quick-twitch athlete who shows a strong overall game. Open stance with high hand setup and lifted back elbow. Bat bounce prior to load, but gets into strong hitting position prior to contact. Strong plate discipline with ability to recognize pitches early and lay off off-speed pitches early in count. Utilizes strength in hands to drive ball into gaps; quick bat that stays in hitting zone for a long time. Line drive hitter currently, but showed some loft in bat angle. Plus runner (4.12), runs smooth at full speed and shows quickness out of box. Utilizes overall athleticism in outfield as well, tracking down balls over his head and moving to glove side. Average arm that shows flashes of more when needed.