Prep Baseball Report

Marucci Classic: Quick Hits




Trey Sofio
Louisiana Scouting Director

Follow us on Twitter: @PBR_Louisiana

This past weekend, south Louisiana was hammered with constant rain storms. Amazingly, the vast majority of the Marucci Classic, which was held in New Orleans starting Thursday, went off on schedule. Along with dozens of college coaches, Prep Baseball Report Louisiana was on-hand to catch the 86 team tournament.

Obviously, there was a lot to see, here are few nuggets of what we had the opportunity to catch over the weekend, as we were bouncing from game to game.

+ Mississippi State recruit, the No. 3 ranked player in Louisiana’s 2017 class, and No. 16 overall, Jacob Pearson, was in attendance over the weekend. His premium run tool was on clear display as he gave consistent hard 90 times at 4.00 to 4.10 seconds. Pearson has also shown massive improvement in his throwing arm over the past few months, shortening up the arm action and improving arm strength. In addition, Pearson also showed a looser swing with explosive bat speed, making loud contact on multiple occasions.

+ The Louisiana Knights 16U squad sported numerous intriguing, young prospects. 1B Cade Beloso (TX) had an eye-opening weekend. The left-handed hitter showed rhythm, and advanced strength at contact, making consistent hard contact, swinging and missing rarely, and pounded out multiple extra-base hits. SS/RHP Will Ripoll (TX) was 85-86 mph with sharp secondary stuff, and showed a simple right-handed stroke with bat speed. INF Jordin LaBruzza (LA) showed advanced actions defensively, improving arm strength, and strength at contact from the right-side with rhythm to the swing. A pair of L/L outfielders, Nick Vitale (LA) and Jacob Bernard (LA), showed compact left-handed swings and advanced athleticism with tracking instincts in the outfield.

+ Louisiana State recruit, Blayne Enlow, was sharp in his outing as well. Sitting 88-90 mph with a plus breaking ball, flashing quality feel for changeup as well. Enlow consistently threw quality strikes, attacking hitters with his fastball, and looks to be continuing on his upward trend.

+ We had heard rumors about a big time prospect 2018 prospect from Mississippi, Joe Gray. A 6-foot-2, 185-pound infielder with a wiry, projectable frame and clear fast-twitch actions, we caught two at-bats on Thursday from the rising junior. Right-handed hitter with loose, athletic rhythm, explosive bat speed, quality bat path, creates outstanding leverage and advanced hand-eye coordination. Hit a towering triple off centerfield wall, and then followed with a towering homer to left field in his next at-bat.

+ Marucci Elite Black 16U is another club with loads of young, talented prospects. 2018 C/OF Slade Bolden (LA) homered during the weekend, and showed advanced bat speed from his right-handed stance. 2018 OF Zane Zeppuhar (LA) showed a loose left-handed swing with advanced bat speed, as well as a quality throwing arm, and athleticism in the outfield. Utility guy, 2018 Chance Stone (LA) showed a simple left-handed stroke with bat speed, as well as showing a mid-80s fastball with tight spinning slider on the mound. Marucci Elite Red 16U was also a solid club, 2018 OF Bailey Hendon (MS), showed bat speed, strength, and leverage from a left-handed stroke.

Related Content