Prep Baseball Report

Norcal Upperclass ID: Shortstop Analysis


Blaine Clemmens
Northern CA Director of Scouting



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LATHROP, CALIF. - The Northern California Upperclass ID event took place at Islanders Field at River Islands on the morning of 10/10/20. There were 35 players in attendance, eight of whom showcased at shortstop.

TrackMan and Blast Motion were utilized during their batting practice round to gather data on exit velocity, hand speed, bat speed, rotational acceleration, fly ball %, on plane efficiency, and many other data points.

We are rolling out position reports this week and next (underclassmen focus next week). We have previous reports for the upperclass pitcherscatchersoutfielders, and 3rd basemen, as well as underclass pitchers.

(Click to individual player profiles for full stats and video)

Sorted in order of SS velocity:

Jack Brooks, Vanden (CA), 2022
Positional Profile: SS/2B - Earned invitation to ProCase Preview with this showing.
Body: 5-10, 160-pounds. Lean and quite trim with wiry strength, still pretty young body.
Hit: LHH. Athletic balanced set up, wide feet, slight bend, barrel tilts to get knob pointed to catcher, small load, hip triggers into small stride, 20.2 max rotational acceleration (14.72 avg). High two hand finish, top hand works above ball, balanced powerful swing for a modest body, 83.3% fly balls, 64% on plane.
Power: 94 mph exit velocity in live BP via TrackMan. Max hand speed 24.3 (21.94 avg), max bat speed 74.3 (70.73 avg).
Arm: RH. INF - 88 mph. Longer arm stroke, throws with on line carry, powerful arm, threw well on move on slow roller, length of arm stroke could shorten up and hopefully not lose much steam.
Defense: Gets below ball, plays low, sticks nose in there, makes adjustments to tough hops, first step quickness, tools to stay at SS.
Run: 7.01 runner in the 60.

Kyle Olimpia, California (CA), 2021
Positional Profile: SS/2B/3B
Body: 5-11, 180-pounds. Well-proportioned, streamlined body type, has some development in legs.
Hit: RHH. Tall set, feet shoulder width, slight bend, relaxed, long stride, good timing, balanced, aggressive attacking approach, loads hands in a position to fire with ease/strength, 10.22 avg rotational acceleration. Showed adjustability to different locations, strong top hand in two hand finish, stays above the ball, there is some power in his future, 50% LD, 37.5% fly balls, 74% on plane.
Power: 91 mph exit velocity in live BP via TrackMan. Max hand speed 21.4 (20.66 avg), max bat speed 68.8 (66.04 avg).
Arm: RH. INF - 86 mph. Confidence in his arm, loose and easy, fairly compact, snap finish, plenty of arm to play at SS.
Defense: Smooth feet, sure hands, sets up well, reads early, nothing flashy and very efficient, aside from 60 time that may not profile great at SS all the other abilities fit there.
Run: 7.44 runner in the 60.

Bode Joyner, St. Bernard's (CA), 2021
Positional Profile: SS
Body: 6-4, 185-pounds. Long legs, athletic proportions, highly projectable frame, lean lanky body type.
Hit: RHH. Wide open to start, deep in box off the plate, tall set up, hands pushed back early, small quiet hand load, strides back to even with what functions as a near no-stride swing, 43% on plane. Sweeps barrel into zone, shoulders/arms are dominant in swing, uphill attack through contact, timing and barrel control somewhat inconsistent resulting in 55.6% fly balls. 33.3% GBs
Power: 89 mph exit velocity in live BP via TrackMan. Max hand speed 20.1 (19.48 avg), max bat speed 69.3 (65.65 avg).
Arm: RH. INF - 81 mph. Longer loose arm action to near overhand release, showed carry to target, finishes throws with authority.
Defense: Confident fielder, agile gliding footwork, covers a lot of ground, hips play a bit high, soft sure hands.
Run: 6.98 runner in the 60.

Max Hippensteel, Salinas (CA), 2022
Positional Profile: SS
Body: 6-0, 158-pounds. Athletic body, strength in lower half, lanky rangy upper body proportions.
Hit: RHH. Feet shoulder width, wide elbows, bat relaxed early, long stride, has rhythm in hands, barrel in good position to fire, minimal backside load/energy gather, inconsistent timing, 16.3 max rotational acceleration (10.43 avg). Easy hands, has athleticism to compensate some timing flaws, heavy fly ball % (72.7) with 60% on plane.
Power: 92 mph exit velocity in live BP via TrackMan. Max hand speed 26.1 (avg 21.98), max bat speed 72.6 (65.46 avg).
Arm: RH. INF - 81 mph. Longer arm stroke for MIF, can throw from multiple angles, loose quick arm, projects favorably if the arm stroke shortens a bit.
Defense: Glides smoothly to the ball, soft hands, focuses on sweet-spotting the ball, tends to take extra step or two to get rid of ball.
Run: 7.05 runner in the 60.

Donovan Chriss, De La Salle (CA), 2022
Positional Profile: SS
Body: 5-11, 165-pounds. Lean upper body with strength through thighs and hip region, athletic build.
Hit: SH. Only took RHH swings; Open stance, deep in box, bent knees, high back elbow with early barrel tilt set, lifts to slight load over back leg, stays in legs during swing, maintains balance, quiet hand load with some barring of lead arm. Top hand is engaged, two hand finish, somewhat rotational and out of zone with barrel a bit early, swings easy, approach is contact oriented, 54% on plane, 50% fly balls.
Power: 86 mph exit velocity in live BP via TrackMan. Max hand speed 21.3 (19.77 avg), max bat speed 68.5 (66.03 avg).
Arm: RH. INF - 81 mph. Short arm action, quick snap throws, strong arm with carry, confident arm, playable at SS, uses lower body well in mechanics.
Defense: Quick feet, gets rid of ball well, range to both sides, balanced during set up, compact actions.
Run: 7.07 runner in the 60.

Casey Threats III, Pittsburg (CA), 2022
Positional Profile: SS/2B - Grambling State commit - Earned invitation to ProCase Preview with this showing.
Body: 5-10, 180-pounds. Lean strength with some leg development and muscularity
Hit: RHH. Balanced feet, slight bend, back foot/knee in position to fire back hip, hands relaxed off chest, gathers energy in load with slight tuck knee lift, hands move down and then back up before forward, controlled stride, 23.3 max rotational acceleration (18.98 avg). Powerful hip rotation, aggressive swing, has strength, core finishes power generated in lower half, 44.4% fly balls, 33.3% LDs, 68% on plane.
Power: 88 mph exit velocity in live BP via TrackMan. Max hand speed 19.6 (18.66 avg), max bat speed 66.5 (64.84 avg).
Arm: RH. INF - 79 mph. Short arm action to a snap throw release, uses legs well in throwing mechanics, showed arm angle versatility, arm can play at SS with a quick release.
Defense: Plays low to and through ball, wide base, eyes are good and level, plays with body control, tends to take an extra step to get throw off.
Run: 6.89 runner in the 60.

Joe Gonzales, Miramonte (CA), 2022
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-11, 135-pounds. Lithe and lanky, agile body, hints of leg strength.
Hit: RHH. Traditional lower body set up, slight pinch of knees, bat relaxed toward back of shoulder, off the plate, reverse small toe tap, minimal and quiet hand load, occasional barring of lead arm, max 12.5 rotational acceleration. Gets arms extended, two hand finish, slight upward attack angle, showed some swing adjustability, 50% fly balls, 20% LDs, 47% on plane.
Power: 87 mph exit velocity in live BP via TrackMan. Avg hand speed 20.03 (max 20.7), max bat speed 67.1 (64.36 avg).
Arm: RH. INF - 73 mph. Some depth on backside of arm stroke, loose arm, tends to pat glove before throw, calm thrower with accuracy.
Defense: Plays comfortably on the move, wide knees in set up to ball, strong set-up fundamentals with feet positioning.
Run: 7.31 runner in the 60.

Josh Elam, Live Oak (CA), 2021
Positional Profile: 2B
Body: 5-6, 140-pounds. Lean and smaller frame, has athletic proportions and some wiry strength.
Hit: RHH. Wide feet, tall, even weight, early barrel tilt, small stride, pushes hands back over knee, energy rolls outside lead foot,  Two hand finish, upward attack angle, heavy fly ball % with 61% on plane efficiency.
Power: 83 mph exit velocity in live BP via TrackMan. Max hand speed 20.1 (avg 18.85), max bat speed 66.3.
Arm: RH. INF - 71 mph. Gets it out quick with air under it which helps the raw arm strength play up and allows 1st baseman to make a play on the ball.
Defense: Plays low below the ball, sure hands, focused and disciplined mechanics, quick feet with range, solid 2B profile.
Run: 6.86 runner in the 60.

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UPCOMING EVENTS

SHOWCASE STATE DATE LOCATION
NorCal ProCase Preview (2022) CA 11/14 Islanders Field - Lathrop
NorCal Rising Stars (2024/2025) CA 11/15 Islanders Field - Lathrop


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