Ruben
Vera III

Defense: Quality feel at shortstop, went 3/3 at balls hit his way during the competitive simulation. Active feet, proper prep step, head down and glove out in front. Lacks elite lateral quickness but has the ability to play throughout the infield.
Arm: RH.  INF - 84 mph. Two-way arm strength, 84 mph from short to first, able to make throws from multiple angles. 
Hit: RHH. Relaxed even stance, slight athletic bend, hands rest at shoulder height, high back elbow, hands have soft lift, small stride towards contact. Barrel shows ideal on-plane efficiency through the zone at 69%. Works through the ball with a high two-hand finish, able to show some pop with a 89 mph exit velocity. 
Power: 89 mph exit velocity from the tee. 
Run: 7.80 runner in the 60. 

Delivery: Compact delivery, engages lower half, repeatable, clean follow through. 
Arm Action: RH. Short arm path, repeatable release point helps him command the zone, offspeed arm action same as fastball. 
FB: T84, 81-83 mph. Quality high school fastball with the ability to locate side-to-side and up-and-down. 
CB: 67-69 mph. Struck out five of seven batters with four of the strikeouts by way of the curveball. Commands the pitch well, flipping over early in the count for strikes and able to bury ahead in the count. 
CH: 73-75 mph. Changeup compliments his curveball and fastball, arm side fade with late diving action, able to throw for strikes. 

NorCal Preseason All-State: 

7.55 60yd, 85 INF, 78 EV

5-10, 155 long, wiry frame has started to add more strength in it and still has space for more. Even stance with slight bend in the knees keeping high back elbow and hands at back shoulder; hands have quiet, soft lift with small stride to baseball. Barrel has quick arc through the zone with high finish over the back shoulder; shows ability to get top hand to take over late in swing allowing him to pull through the left side line-drives. Contact oriented approach and able to show some bat speed on his pitches (78 EV). Active feet showing ability to react to hops and push range laterally; advanced understanding of timing and rhythm moving through the ball. Showed soft hands with glove out and athletic action for the position; arm has full swing showing his arm strength and ability to manipulate posture on throws (85 INF). With his advanced defense he can work at any spot in the infield and the bat has continued to improve its consistency.

BAWS 2019 - Slender, athletic build on small frame with some athletic actions for the middle infield (7.69 60yd). Another player that you have to watch in games instead of just in workouts as he plays with anticipation and timing. At SS plays quickly with an open glove showing quick feet and some body control; took good angles to the baseball and a compact arm with good hand speed (83 MPH). Defense was very strong during the games turning double plays and making athletic plays. At the plate uses a slightly open crouched stance where his compact bat can spray line drives through the middle of the field (81 EV). Lots of hard contact during the weekend including a 3B into RCF that carried off the bat allowing Vera to use his wheels (4.69T); a lot of the hard contact seemed to be right at defenders with multiple linedrive outs. The frame is slight and will need some strength, but his actions were strong and his motor was consistent all weekend.

1/27/19 - PBR N CA Preseason All-State - Compact build on medium frame showing long legs and lean muscle. Quick runner with short stride; slipped during 60-yd dash posting time not indicative of playing speed. Narrow, slightly opened stance with high hands keeping bat flat on back shoulder; short sway back with slight lift of front foot as hands show slight move back and turning barrel to pitcher. Quick bat with lag through the zone showing short lift upon contact; strong usage of the backside to line balls through middle (80 exit velo). Smooth fielder with easy controlled footwork; arm has some length in swing, but gets to ear quickly and flashes more as he matures (80 MPH). Projectable 2021. 

6/1/18-6/3/18 BAWS 2018 - Lean and wiry 5-foot-9 140-pound two way player. Balanced stance with high hands and high back elbow. Uses lean into back hip rather than load; compact bat with pull approach currently. Ability to stay loaded and drive ball to pull side during games for extra bases. Average arm that shows carry on balls from deep hole and very quick release that can lead to some arm side run going across the field. Athletic stride, will gain more foot speed as he physically matures and adds lower body muscle. On mound, simple delivery with slight lift of hands on knee; 3/4 arm with compact shape of arm stroke. Fastball 78-79 mph with angle to glove side. Curveball 62-65 mph with small loopy bend; used mainly glove side. Change-up 71 mph with small sink; limited usage/feel now with flashes of depth. Attack type presence on the mound, good feel for pitching and good energy.