Steven
Zobac

at St. Francis - Cal Commit. XL Frame with length in limbs and strength throughout; projectable and physical. Started on the mound for Valley Christian while also hitting in the 3-hole showing his future two-way abilities. On the mound worked from stretch only with controlled effort showing arm strength and quick hand with extension out front after 3/4 release with small wrist wrap in back. FB showed late life at the plate being able to locate to all quadrants with flashes of run. 89-90 T91 MPH and tough for hitters to lay off when going up the ladder. As the game progressed switched sequence and used SLD earlier in counts to great effect. SLD 75-78 MPH with hard late bite; showed feel for pitch and ability to manipulate the shape with early depth for strikes and a late back-foot variant to LHHs. Showed a CHG 80-81 MPH in warmups and a couple of times in the game. 6 IP, 2R, 7H, 7K, 1BB. At the plate Zobac was on base 4 times with an INF 1B to right side, 2 intentional walks and HBP. Teams have seen his strength and decided to pitch around him in situations where he could do damage. Very patient at the plate and willing to take his walks. Continues to show his two-way ability and overall athleticism and baseball abilities.

Vs Jesuit - Cal Commit. XL frame that is strong with more projection available. Continues to show athletic ability with excellent OF skills and strong arm with bat continuing to put together quality AB’s. At the plate stands open with relaxed elbows keeping bat on back shoulder. Hands lift off shoulder starting to have barrel turn and slot back arm. Swing works on an upwards path showing late barrel speed through the zone; when on time bat creates loft and has the strength to drive the ball all around the field. Took low pitch and turned it down the first base line for a double during game showing athletic gait and long stride with ability to turn it up as needed (4.4-4.56 H-1st). Instinctive base runner as he took 3rd base when pitcher looked at him once getting great jump; type of instincts and athleticism to be a threat without needing to steal a lot of bases. Defense continues to show well in RF with range to arm side and in and ability to open hips and track ball over his head. Teams know scouting report on arm and stopped trying to take extra bases knowing that it’s a weapon. A guy in the 2019 class that I enjoy watching play.  

2/21-23/19 3 Games - Zobac looks the part of a future RF at the next level with a power bat and power arm combo on a wide and strong XL Frame. Over the weekend he showed a very patient approach staying within himself and driving pitches through the infield. He just missed a long 2B on the RF line off Max Rajcic and Orange Lutheran and showed he can handle velocity and good breaking balls well. At the plate he stands open with relaxed, even hands that lift on a controlled front foot and maintains good posture throughout the swing. The swing shows bat speed with the ability to create leverage and future pop having the hands and lower half work in time together. He’s instinctual on the bases and aggressive, sometimes to a fault like when he got picked trying a walking lead looking to steal 3rd base, running well enough to stick in RF (4.45 H-1st). His arm stands out in RF and he regularly put on a show with pre-game throws having carry and easy life. Zobac shows average range in RF with ability to come get the ball and move well to his glove side. The arm strength shows up on the mound where he attacks from a 3/4 release with the delivery having effort while using a high front knee. FB was 85-88 MPH with short cut at the plate and being able to really work the glove side and up in the zone. He came in on Thursday against Carroll during a very cold night and was at the lower end of the velocity with the FB still having late life at the plate getting the swing and miss. His SLD is short with flashes of bite in it’s 11/5 action mainly staying glove side and showing some off plate work when ahead. During his 2/3 of an inning against Orange Lutheran he broke out a hard CHG that showed some arm-side sink and keeps LHH’s honest. He could be a future 2-way guy at Cal with the arm working in short inning stints while being a force in the middle of the lineup. Don’t be surprised if he ends up working his name into Draft considerations as well.

2/16/19 vs De La Salle - Cal commit and #36 in the 2019 class, got two innings while also hitting in the heart of the order. At the plate, he showed a smooth swing from the left side while keeping strong posture. He didn’t have much happen when I was there walking in his first AB, but the swing projects well from the left side. He’s a large frame with present strength and still some space to keep growing. Arm strength was evident during pre-game and showed up when he was on the hill having some length out of the glove with a compact swing up to ¾ release point. The delivery shows effort in it with a high front knee before getting drive down the hill with his back leg. The effort creates some head whack and times of recoil over the front leg which made his command spotty during the outing seeing him walk two and striking out one. FB was 84-86 T87 MPH working to the upper half of the zone and glove side. He showed a short SLD that was flat with some limited bite at 70-72 MPH. Look for him to be a short inning option for Valley Christian this season while playing a solid RF and hitting in the middle of the lineup.

2/21/18 - Long, lean and presently strong with plenty of room in his 6-foot-3 185-pound frame to add size and strength, Zobac is uncommitted but on a team with plenty of D1 talent, his raw talent and tools still show up. He's got a ton of offensive upside, with a loose whippy swing that also produces some present day pop and the promise of much more, particularly from centerfield to right field. His swing is flat and stays in the zone, allowing him to utilize the whole field and spoil tough pitches on the outer half. He takes an aggressive swing but maintains his ability to control the barrel. A pop-up to shortstop with 6.67 hangtime gives an indication of his power potential. Zobac is playing left field for his team, though also has catching and 1st base and pitching in his background. His arm is strong and throws track while staying online. Hard to see him staying uncommitted for long.