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Mesa Preseason ID: Quick Hits

February 6, 2024
Shea Sbranti
Arizona Scouting Director

On Wednesday, January 31st, Prep Baseball Report Arizona hosted the Mesa Preseason ID at Desert Ridge High School in, Mesa AZ. The Mesa Preseason ID is an Open event held for prospects in the 2024-2027 classes in the state of Arizona. Giving the players the chance to showcase their skills in front of the PBR Arizona Staff using state-of-the-art technology on field. 

Today, we’ll start by giving you the Top Performers from the Mesa Preseason ID, which we like to call Quick Hits. In Quick Hits you will be able to see how these players tested and were evaluated by the PBR Arizona Staff throughout the showcase. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more post event coverage.

FULL EVENT COVERAGE

PJ Rafford RHP / OF / Seton Catholic, AZ / 2025

PJ Rafford, a 2025 graduate from Seton High School, made a statement on the mound during the event, displaying a notable command of the strike zone. Rafford, his above average pitching arsenal, featured a fastball consistently sitting in the 84-86 mph range, demonstrating lively movement. The standout pitch in his repertoire was a quality slider, registering between 74-77 mph and boasting an impressive 2290 spin rate. Notably, Rafford showcased the ability to locate his slider effectively for strikes, further enhancing his pitching proficiency.

 

 

Seth Nielson SS / RHP / ALA - Queen Creek, AZ / 2025

Seth Nielson, a 2025 graduate from ALA - Queen Creek High School, stood out as the top defender of the day, particularly in the middle of the field. Nielson's defensive prowess was evident in his quiet yet athletic actions, displaying a reliable glove and showcasing an impressive 84 mph arm across the infield. Additionally, Nielson demonstrated his offensive capabilities at the plate, wielding a fluid and compact swing from the left side. Notably, he marked the second-highest exit velocity of the day, reaching an impressive 95 mph. 

 

 

Giovanni Liburdi C / OF / Higley, AZ / 2025

Giovanni Liburdi, a 2025 graduate from Higley High School, made a strong impression during the defensive portion of the day, particularly showcasing his skills as a primary catcher. Liburdi exhibited a quick catch-and-release technique, complemented by an impressive 79 mph arm and consistently swift pop times ranging from 1.89 to 1.97. At the plate, his hitting style involved a hovering leg lift and a flat path transitioning to an uphill finish. As Liburdi continues to develop and gain strength, his hitting profile suggests the potential for balls to start jumping off the bat, adopting a line drive to fly ball trajectory.

 

 

Tlaloc Del Rosario C / 3B / Seton Catholic Prep, AZ / 2025

Tlaloc Del Rosario, a 2025 graduate from Seton Catholic High School, demonstrated an impressive all-around performance during the showcase, showcasing his skills both defensively and offensively. Behind the plate as a catcher, Rosario exhibited a 73 mph arm and displayed smooth transitions and accurate throws around the bag, with pop times ranging from 1.97 to 2.05. However, it was at the plate where he truly stood out, featuring a violent yet balanced swing that resulted in an impressive 92.4 mph exit velocity. As Del Rosario continues to develop and gains additional strength and size, there is a strong expectation for a significant boost in his exit velocity.

 

 

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