Prep Baseball Report

Fall Upperclass Showcase: Position Player Analysis


Shea Sbranti
Arizona Scouting Director

On Sunday, October 30th, the PBR Arizona Staff hosted the Upper Class Showcase at Grand Canyon University. The event featured 30 prospects and gave our scouting staff a quality look at players from all high school classes.

Today we continue the analysis of the event with a look at all of the position player's scouting reports from the day. 

POSITION PLAYER TOP STANDOUTS

Bobby Pierce Jr The 5-foot-8 155 pound shortstop and second baseman had a great showing at this weekend's Upper Class Showcase. Pierce has a smaller athletic build, that with added strength and size we will likely see more jump off the bat. At the plate Pierce showed a slightly open stance with a light leg lift load and repeatable swing that produced mature rounds of BP working the ball to the center of the field. In the field is where Pierce showed his strengths displaying soft athletic feet with quality side to side ability with an accurate 82 mph arm across the infield. As of right now Pierce profiles as a second baseman at the next level, however with added size, we would not be surprised to see him on the left side of the field.

Brody Jacobs The 6-foot-4 200 pound RHP and OF was one of the stand out performers at this weekend's Upper Class games. Showing a tall projectable frame with room for added strength. On the mound Jacobs had an event high 88 Mph FB that spun at 2350. Jacobs moves well down the mound with a High Three Quarter slot arm action and repeatable delivery. Jacobs looked to me more comfortable out of the stretch while in the wind up he did have some slight arm side miss. At the plate Jacobs has a wide stance, quiet toe lift load and a bat path that worked inside the ball well working the majority of his contact to the center of the field. The 2024 graduate will be a high follow for the Arizona staff this upcoming spring at SD O’Connor.

Jose Mendoza 5-foot-10 150 Pound Mendoza is currently the 95th ranked player in the state of Arizona for the 2023 class. Mendoza showed off the highest infield velocity of the day throwing it 86 MPH across the field. At the plate Mendoza put together one of the more polished rounds of the day, showcasing a tall stance and his hands close to the ear. With a middle of the field approach. Mendoza isn't the type of hitter that was going to wow you with power, he works to the middle part of the field with an above average contact tool and ability to drive line drives into the gaps. Mendoza is a high follow going into his senior season at Apollo.

Cooper Sobeck The 6-foot-1 175 pound, Sobeck was one of the standouts at this past fall's Valley Open. Once again Sobeck brought another gear to this year's Upper Class Showcase. Sobeck stands tall in the box, with a slightly open stance and simple short lift load, keeping his balance center. Sobeck showed he does not get cheated at the plate showcasing a heavy intent flat pathed swing that produced hard contact to both sides of the field averaging a 90.8 mph EV and maxing out at 97.1. We look forward to following Sobeck this spring as we predict with added strength will produce some big time extra base hit numbers for Desert Ridge.

David Galindo 5-foot-11 210 pounds, the 2-sport athlete is currently in his football season playing quarterback at Saint Mary’s High School. Galindo has a large frame, stocky build and strong lower half which translates to his success on the mound. This past weekend Galindo came in as a two-way prospect. This past Spring and Fall we have seen Galindo 85-87 while occasionally touching 88. On the mound this weekend Galindo continued to show us what he does best, a smooth action from the right side with an effortless FB ranging 84-86 with above average command. At the plate Galindo stands tall with a narrow base and slightly open stance. His hands work back in his stance and flat through the zone producing power to the pull side gap. We look forward to seeing Galindo this spring at Saint Mary’s high school.

Cody Newhart 6-foot-2 190 pound Newhart had the loudest rounds of BP for the Upperclassmen this past weekend showing off an event high 101.6 EV and a max distance of 394ft. The big righty showed to be relaxed in the box showing a flat path and high finish, with confidence in being able to pull the ball with ease. In the outfield Newhart showed an 80 mph arm with good feel for the glove. While Newhart is an Idaho native we look forward to following his progression as he goes into his senior season at Sandpoint high school.

position players

Cannon Albright, Basha (AZ), 2024
Positional Profile: 2B/3B
Body: 6-0, 185-pounds.
Hit:Feet set up just outside shoulder width, hands held just outside ear in athletic position. Creates good separation with the hands before engaging to the ball, Path works flat through the zone and generates quality contact to both sides of the field.
Power: 89 max exit velocity, averaged 68.1 mph. 305’ max distance.
Arm: RH.INF - 78.00 mph.Whippy arm action from short, uses lower half well when working through the throw.
Defense: Clean actions with the glove, feet tend to work heavy at times but does a good job of reading the correct hop and working through the baseball.
Run: 7.39 runner in the 60.

Elias Avila, Bradshaw Mountain (AZ), 2023
Positional Profile: 1B
Body: 6-2, 190-pounds.
Hit:Wide slightly open stance with lots of movement in the bat.  Hands work inside the ball well with some stiffness in the arms. produced a linedrive to fly ball profile.
Power: 96 max exit velocity, averaged 86 mph. 340’ max distance.
Arm: RH.INF - 78.00 mph.Strong whippy arm from a low slot, ball has some good run when throwing to bases.
Defense: Athletic and moves side to side well for size, has confidence in the glove.
Run: 7.13 runner in the 60.

Brylen Brown, Desert Vista  (AZ), 2024
Positional Profile: SS/3B
Body: 6-2, 170-pounds.
Hit:Wide stance with bat starting on the back shoulder. Not a lot of pre pitch movement, has short toe lift load and light separation.  Path works flat and direct to the ball, producing a line drive profile to both sides of the field with solid contact tool.
Power: 92 max exit velocity, averaged 84.8 mph. 281’ max distance.
Arm: RH.INF - 82.00 mph.Strong over the top action comes out of the hand well with good follow through after throw.
Defense: Tends to play tall in the field before fielding with some stiffness in the legs, Was able to get good reads on hops.
Run: 6.92 runner in the 60. Long strides with good form working down the line.

Hunter Clark, Peoria (AZ), 2024
Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 6-1, 160-pounds.
Hit:Slightly open stance with hands held just outside his body, Front foot tends to stay open through swing. Slightly uphill path that produced line drives and fly balls to the pullside.
Power: 89 max exit velocity, averaged 79.1 mph. 269’ max distance.
Arm: RH.INF - 80.00 mph.Long over the top arm action, did a good job of working through his throws with some carry.
Defense: Plays low to the ground and puts himself in a good position to field. Feet tend to work heavy at times moving side to side.
Run: 7.53 runner in the 60.

Devin Duque, Millennium (AZ), 2024
Positional Profile: OF/SS
Body: 5-9, 145-pounds.
Hit:Slightly open stance with good bend in the knees, hands held in an athletic position just outside the body. Path worked flat through the zone with a high finish producing line drives and fly balls with good pop to the pullside.
Power: 87 max exit velocity, averaged 80.7 mph. 319’ max distance.
Arm: RH.. OF - 78.00 mph. Good over the top arm action gets into legs well.
Defense: Aggressive to the ball with good breakdown and keeps his eyes behind the ball.
Run: 7.47 runner in the 60.

Felix Enriquez, Salpointe  (AZ), 2023
Positional Profile: 1B/RHP
Body: 6-2, 252-pounds.
Hit:Has Athletic set up with a wide base, with hands held just outside his shoulder.  Flat path that produces hard hit fly balls to the middle of the field.
Power: 92 max exit velocity, averaged 77.3 mph. 350’ max distance.
Arm: RH.INF - 75.00 mph.Over the top action with accuracy to the bases.
Defense: Moves well side to side, glove can get stiff at times.
Run: 7.71 runner in the 60.

Gihanny Fajardo, Benjamin Franklin (AZ), 2023
Positional Profile: 2B/SS
Body: 5-8, 120-pounds.
Hit:Tall slightly open stance, Hands start tall and work down below shoulder on load.  Flat path, has attendancy to cut swing off early at times would like to see work through longer, Produced ground ball and linedrive profile.
Power: 83 max exit velocity, averaged 74 mph. 268’ max distance.
Arm: RH.INF - 70.00 mph.Over the top action with added strength should see increase in INF velo.
Defense: Has good quick twitch when moving side to side, put himself in a good position to field and made accurate throws across.
Run: 7.37 runner in the 60.

James Feery, Hamilton (AZ), 2024
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-11, 160-pounds.
Hit:Slightly open stance with good bend in the knees, hands held in an athletic position just outside the body. Path worked flat through the zone with a high finish producing line drives and fly balls with good pop to the pullside.
Power: 88 max exit velocity, averaged 75.7 mph. 313’ max distance.
Arm: RH.INF - 77.00 mph.Lower slot with whippy arm action, for the slot the ball came out of the hand well with accuracy to the bases.
Defense: Has good quick twitch when moving side to side, put himself in a good position to field and made accurate throws across.
Run: 7.74 runner in the 60.

Kentaro Felton, Buckeye Union (AZ), 2023
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 6-0, 200-pounds.
Hit:Wide base with knees pointed inward, has low hands with good separation on load.  Flat swing path with high finish, produced line drives and fly balls to the gaps. Had one of the higher EV of the day.
Power: 98 max exit velocity, averaged 91.6 mph. 355’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 72.00 mph.. Over the top action behind the plate with some whip in the hand
Defense: 1.98-2.04 pop times. Clean Transfers with very accurate throws to 2B.
Run: 7.17 runner in the 60.

Paul Fernow Jr, Prescott (AZ), 2023
Positional Profile: RHP/OF
Body: 6-3, 190-pounds.
Hit:Wide base with weight in his back leg, hands held just outside shoulder width. Path worked flat through the zone with a high finish producing line drives and fly balls with good pop to the pullside.
Power: 97 max exit velocity, averaged 80 mph. 320’ max distance.
Arm: RH.. OF - 89.00 mph. Over the top action, comes out of the hand well with a max OF velocity of 89 mph.
Defense: Attacks the ball aggressively and breaks down with control producing accurate throws to the bases.
Run: 7.18 runner in the 60.

David Galindo, Saint Mary's (AZ), 2023
Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 5-11, 210-pounds.
Hit:Tall slightly open stance, Hands start tall and work down below shoulder on load.  Path worked flat through the zone with a high finish producing line drives and fly balls with good pop to the pullside.
Power: 99 max exit velocity, averaged 89.3 mph. 369’ max distance.
Arm: RH.INF - 81.00 mph.Over the top action with whippy finish.
Defense: Attacks the ball well from the middle of the field and was able to get the correct hops. Would like to see work through throws more when throwing to bases.
Run: 7.93 runner in the 60.

Lincoln Gough, Hamilton (AZ), 2024
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 6-2, 160-pounds.
Hit:Wide base with hands tight to his head, Creates good separation with his hands. Path works uphill through the zone, needs to get into legs to generate more power.
Power: 89 max exit velocity, averaged 74.7 mph. 310’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 71.00 mph.. Short tight arm action.
Defense: 2.10-2.15 pop times. Showed clean transfer with accurate arm to 2B. with added strength should see higher velocity on throw to 2B.
Run: 7.36 runner in the 60.

Cade Hall, Sandra Day O'Connor (AZ), 2024
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5-10, 170-pounds.
Hit:Wide base with weight in his back leg, hands held in athletic position with good separation on load. Path works flat through the zone with a high finish, produced line drives and fly balls to the middle part of the field.
Power: 84 max exit velocity, averaged 76.6 mph. 304’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 69.00 mph.. Clean over the top action, had attendancy to miss high on throws to 2B
Defense: 2.00-2.15 pop times. Clean quick transfer out of the glove.
Run:  runner in the 60.

JT Hardy, Queen Creek  (AZ), 2024
Positional Profile: C/1B
Body: 6-0, 205-pounds.
Hit:Wide athletic base with strong lower half. Hands held low with a flat bat. Rotational path that produced hard hit line drives and fly balls to the pullside.
Power: 101 max exit velocity, averaged 91.3 mph. 360’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 70.00 mph.. Short over the top arm with good carry.
Defense: 2.15-2.21 pop times. Made clean transfers behind the plate but would like to see ball release work quicker to speed up pop times.
Run: 7.76 runner in the 60.

Brody Jacobs, Sandra Day O'Connor  (AZ), 2024
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 6-4, 200-pounds.
Hit:Wide athletic base with weight in his back leg, hands held at shoulder width with slight bat wrap behind head. Path works flat through the zone with a low finish, has tendency to cut swing off at times with majority of contact working to the pullside.
Power: 95 max exit velocity, averaged 87.4 mph. 315’ max distance.
Arm: RH.. OF - 87.00 mph. Over the top action, comes out of the hand well with above avg velocity to the bases.
Defense: Very aggressive to the ball with good breakdown, does a good job of getting around the ball and putting himself in a good position to throw.
Run: 7.29 runner in the 60.

Carter Kelley, Hamilton  (AZ), 2024
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5-7, 155-pounds.
Hit:Wide open stance with low hands, Load works in two parts, Starts wide with a crossover load in the lower half. Path works down to up through the zone profiling a line drive to fly ball ratio.
Power: 90 max exit velocity, averaged 78.9 mph. 317’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 74.00 mph.OF - 82.00 mph. (C) Over the top action behind the plate, Ball had good carry with good accuracy to the bag. (OF) Over the top action with good carry.
Defense: 1.98-2.00 pop times. (C) Quick catch and release, has attendancy to open up early on throws causing some ASR to 2B. (OF) Aggressive to the ball, Would like to see exchange happen faster to get the ball out of the hand quicker.
Run: 7.17 runner in the 60.

Sam Lorgan, Chandler (AZ), 2024
Positional Profile: OF/LHP
Body: 6-1, 195-pounds.
Hit:Slightly open stance with a flat bat just outside his shoulders. Heavy weight transfer when driving to the ball, path works direct to the baseball and produced hard hit line drives and fly balls to the pullside.
Power: 95 max exit velocity, averaged 86.5 mph. 318’ max distance.
Arm: LH..Over the top action with quick arm.
Defense: Fielded everything cleanly, would get stiff with the glove at times when fielding. Worked through his throws well.
Run: 7.62 runner in the 60.

Jose Mendoza, Apollo (AZ), 2023
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-10, 150-pounds.
Hit:Tall stance with hands high and just outside his body. Swing works flat through the zone with above average hands, Produced line drives to both gaps.
Power: 88 max exit velocity, averaged 79.7 mph. 310’ max distance.
Arm: RH.INF - 86.00 mph.Over the top action with a quick arm.
Defense: Works with quiet quick feet in the field, moves very well side to side with above avg arm across the infield.
Run: 7.13 runner in the 60.

Zach Meza, Chino Hills (CA), 2023
Positional Profile: 1B
Body: 6-1, 185-pounds.
Hit:Slightly open stance with backfoot pointed slightly inwards. flat bat just outside his shoulders. Flat quick bat that works through the zone well with a high finish, would like to see get more extended at contact.
Power: 90 max exit velocity, averaged 86.6 mph. 330’ max distance.
Arm: RH.INF - 76.00 mph.Over the top action with quick exchange and arm.
Defense: Was clean in the field, Tended to get still with the glove when feilding. Would like to see more mobility side to side.
Run: 7.09 runner in the 60.

Cody Newhart, Sandpoint (ID), 2023
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 6-2, 190-pounds.
Hit:Squared off stance with feet just outside shoulder width, hands lay close to shoulder with a flat bat. Path works strong and flat through the zone with a high finish that produced big time power to the pullside gap.
Power: 102 max exit velocity, averaged 89.9 mph. 394’ max distance.
Arm: RH.. OF - 80.00 mph. MTQ slot with quick arm from the OF.
Defense: Clean actions in the outfield, fielded cleanly with the glove with good glove to throw actions.

Justin Payne, Sahuaro (AZ), 2024
Positional Profile: 1B/OF
Body: 6-1, 145-pounds.
Hit:Slightly open stance with hands held close to the head with slight bat movement. Hands work back with good separation, had a flat path through the zone with a shoulder height finish. With added strength will see increase in EV and bat speed.
Power: 86 max exit velocity, averaged 75.4 mph. 264’ max distance.
Arm: LH.INF - 65.00 mph.Over the top action.
Defense: Plays with a wide base and does a good job of staying down on the baseball. Has good feel going side to side and working through the ball when fielding.
Run:  runner in the 60.

Bobby Pierce Jr, Casteel High School (AZ), 2024
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-8, 155-pounds. Small athletic frame with room for added strength.
Hit: Shoulder width stance with good athletic bend in the knees. Path works strong and flat through the zone with a high finish that produced big time power to the pullside gap.
Power: 88 max exit velocity, averaged 83.2 mph. 309’ max distance.
Arm: RH.. Over the top arm action with strong arm across.
Defense: Athletic actions moving side to side with soft reliable glove and accurate throws across the infield.
Run: 7.11 runner in the 60.

Brady Plecity, Mountain Ridge (AZ), 2024
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 6-2, 170-pounds.
Hit:Slightly open stance with feet just outside shoulder width, hands start close to the body just below the shoulders. Path works flat through the zone with a flat finish producing a ground ball to line drive profile.
Power: 93 max exit velocity, averaged 81.7 mph. 299’ max distance.
Arm: RH.. OF - 82.00 mph. Loose long over the top arm action that translated into good carry from the OF.
Defense: Attacks ball well with good breakdown staying low and through the ball.
Run: 7.52 runner in the 60.

Caden Rosenbaugh, Eastmark (AZ), 2024
Positional Profile: C/1B
Body: 6-1, 175-pounds.
Hit:Tall slightly open stance with his hands working outside his body below the shoulders. Worked flat and stiff through the zone with a high finish.
Power: 97 max exit velocity, averaged 87 mph. 362’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 74.00 mph.. Over the top arm action from behind the plate, would like to see more carry.
Defense: 2.00-2.10 pop times. Does a good job with exchange, was able to make clean transitions and clean throws.
Run: 7.19 runner in the 60.

Jacob Samsing, Millenium (AZ), 2024
Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 6-2, 200-pounds.
Hit:Wide set up with weight on his back foot, hands start high in an athletic position. light load, hands work close to the body through the zone creating a more inside out swing producing line drives and fly balls to the middle part of the field.
Power: 84 max exit velocity, averaged 74.2 mph. 257’ max distance.
Arm: RH.INF - 85.00 mph.LTQ slot with good carry across.
Defense: Moves very well in the field for a big man, showed clean athletic actions with the glove. Profiles more as a 3B.
Run: 7.35 runner in the 60.

Cam Schmidt, Saguaro (AZ), 2024
Positional Profile: 1B/3B
Body: 6-4, 215-pounds.
Hit:Wide spread in the lower half with an open frontside, hands start low around chest high just outside the body. Path starts flat through the zone with a high finish, Produced line drive and flyball profile.
Power: 92 max exit velocity, averaged 83.2 mph. 276’ max distance.
Arm: RH.INF - 64.00 mph.Over the top arm action, tends to cut himself off after the throw.
Defense: Glove worked well, had attendancy to get heavy with the feet.
Run: 8.81 runner in the 60.

Cooper Sobeck, Desert Ridge  (AZ), 2024
Positional Profile: OF/3B
Body: 6-1, 175-pounds.
Hit:Stands tall in the box with a good bend in the knees, showed quick hands with an inside path. Flat swing with a high finish that produced line drives and flyballs to the gaps.
Power: 97 max exit velocity, averaged 90.8 mph. 358’ max distance.
Arm: RH.. OF - 77.00 mph. Increase in velocity from last event, HTQ slot.
Defense: Moves to the ball well with confidence in the glove.
Run: 7.26 runner in the 60.

Jacob Solis, Sahuaro (AZ), 2023
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 5-9, 155-pounds.
Hit:Wide base in his stance with knees working away from the body, hands are in an athletic position just outside shoulder width. Path works flat to slightly uphill through the zone, producing a line drive profile.
Power: 93 max exit velocity, averaged 88.5 mph. 346’ max distance.
Arm: RH.. OF - 84.00 mph. Over the top action in the OF with good follow through.
Defense: Aggressive to the ball with confidence in the glove.
Run: 7.14 runner in the 60.

FUTURE EVENTS

SHOWCASE STATE DATE LOCATION
Phoenix Preseason ID AZ 01/21 Apollo High School - Glendale, AZ
Tucson Preseason ID AZ 01/28 Kino Sports Complex - Tucson, AZ
Super 60 Pro Showcase NATIONAL 02/05 The MAX - McCook, IL