Prep Baseball Report

SoCal Underclass Games Scouting Reports: Infielders


PBR CA Scouting Staff

SAN DIEGO, CALIF. - The annual SoCal Underclass Games descended onto beautiful Fowler Park on the picturesque campus of the University of San Diego. The event annually draws the top rising sophomores and freshman from around SoCal for an event that has proven to be a launching pad for players as they head into their fall seasons.

The 2021 version of the event was similar to past events that saw limited roster sizes in order to maximize playing opportunities during the 12-inning scout ball style game in which pitchers faced five hitters per inning. The roster size gave hitters at least four at-bats to show their wares in front of the PBR staff and the college recruiters in attendance. 

As customary to most PBR California events, scouting reports complete the post-event content rollout. TrackMan and Blast Motion provide necessary data needed to analyze and understand player capabilities but the written eye test remains undefeated and an integral part in scouting. Today we take a look at infielders. 

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SCOUTING REPORTS

Ethan Porter, Huntington Beach  (CA), 2025
Positional Profile: 3B/OF
Body: 6-1, 195-pounds. Mature build for his age. Thick and strong lower half when some sturdiness in the upperhalf.
Hit: RHH. Athletic stance as he sets up wide and straight. Slight rock into backside that starts slow and early and uses a toe tap trigger. Hands work into a lower launch position. Hands/barrel works on a clean uphill path that stays connected throughout. The backside comes through with an extended barrel finish. Pounded the middle of the field throughout his round. 2 hits during game action which included an HR over the left-field fence and an oppo LD single to RF. 
Power: 94.00 max exit velocity. Pullside power is present with a HR over the LF fence in game. Bat speed average of 68.4 mph and rotational acceleration average of 19.1 gs are considerably above average for his level.
Arm: RH. INF - 83.00 mph. Above-average arm strength for level. 4/6 accurate throws during defensive workout. Shorter arm action most of the time but will load up with a longer arm action when taken to the backhand side. Higher effort. Decent carry out the hand.
Defense: Athletic defender. Lateral quickness is present. Plays through the ball. Soft hands and is quick in setting up his feet for strong throws. Can throw on the run and change slots if needed. Makings of an elite corner infielder.

 

Ian Fisher, Carlsbad (CA), 2025
Positional Profile: LHP/1B
Body: 5-10, 150-pounds. Long and lanky, high waist, projectable pitchers build. Lower half showing some power and stamina for down-the-line starters projection.
Hit: RHH. Wide stance with athletic bend, step and go load, two-hand finish. Some inside and out to the swing path, best swings were line drives to right-centerfield.  Blast Motion scores of 41-46-57. Average across the board with no glaring weakness. Rotation scoring the highest is a good sign for next level power projection.
Power: 80.00 max exit velocity
Arm: LH. INF - 73.00 mph. Shorter arm action than seen on mound, accurate with throws 5/5, able to make throws from different angles.
Defense: Limited feel around the bag, did a good job on the transfer, fielding developing.

 

Carter Bennett, Chaminade (CA), 2024
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 5-9, 140-pounds. Proportional build, some present strength with room for more, middle-infield profile.
Hit: SH. Switch-hitter, wide stance from both sides, step and go to hitting position, no batting gloves, two-hand finish. Sits on back leg and looks as if he swings uphill at times, hands stay low and help keep his bat through the zone, very similar from both sides of the plate. Blast Motion scores of 51-65-57. Graded out well showing that his swing stays consistent on both sides of the plate and is above-average when it comes to getting into a hitting position and alignment, giving reason to stick with switch-hitting.
Power: 82.00 max exit velocity
Arm: INF - 73.00 mph. Medium arm swing, showed he can make throws from different spots on the field, arm strength development needed, projectable.
Defense: Showed some feel and comfort, glove down approach needed - cannot rely on jabbing at the ball, mature feet around the bag.

Thomas Maher, Torrey Pines (CA), 2024
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-9, 145-pounds. Athletic build, proportional throughout, slightly undersized, some strength, room for more.
Hit: RHH. Athletic setup, relaxed in the box, simple lift and go to hitting position, displayed some pop, two hand finish. Blast Motion scores of 51-67-44. Above-average connection score comes as no surprise with the swing alignment and ability to get in a good hitting position extremely clear via the eye test. Consistent swing path and barrel through the zone make this a projectable swing with power likely.
Power: 91.00 max exit velocity
Arm: INF - 84.00 mph. OF - 86.00 mph. Smooth arm path, consistent throws, overall above-average arm strength that shows pro potential down the line.
Defense: Fielded cleanly, good fundamentals, average laterally, arm strength might profile best at third base.

Nathan Castro, Chadwick School (CA), 2025
Positional Profile: SS
Body: 5-8, 150-pounds. Slim frame, proportional throughout, young, plenty of room for growth and strength gains.
Hit: RHH. Simple setup: feet just outside shoulders, hands relaxed at shoulder height, weight rocks back while front foot lifts and lands into hitting position. Short swing, allows for high contact rate, majority of hits to the opposite field, two-hand finish. Blast Motion scores of 39-41-34. Blast shows room for improvement across the board, with current strength being swing alignment and ability to get in a consistent hitting position.
Power: 80.00 max exit velocity
Arm: INF - 71.00 mph. Quick release, repeatable arm path, uphill at times, able to make throws from different spots on the field.
Defense: Showed feel and comfort in the infield, smooth fielding and transfers project well anywhere in the infield. Arm strength gains will determine his future on the left-side. 

 

Matthew McCliman, Elite Charter (CA), 2025
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 6-0, 150-pounds. Tall and lean, room for growth, lanky limbs.
Hit: RHH. Wide base, low hands, leg kick to landing, uphill in swing, launch angle type, two-hand finish. Blast Motion scores of 30-32-37. Improvement needed across the board, scores show inconsistencies swing to swing which could derive from his big hacks. When on time and extended, swing shows projection.
Power: 79.00 max exit velocity
Arm:  INF - 73.00 mph. Short arm swing, looks like he is pitching when throwing across the diamond, footwork puts him in a good throwing position.
Defense: Quality first step, positioned himself well when fielding, slow to the ball and release, utility position at play.

 

Jordan Marian, JSerra Catholic  (CA), 2025
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 6-0, 175-pounds. Long limbs, broad shoulders, projectable build both on the mound and on the field.
Hit: SH. Athletic and compact setup from the right and left side. Hands start and stay low throughout the swing, emphasizes keeping the back elbow tucked and driving the ball. Front side clears well helping his bat and hand speed.  Blast Motion scores of 39-37-49. Plane and connection improvement needed, switch-hitting results can be misleading though, swing consistency from both sides of the plate needed but takes time. Rotation score grading the highest highlights his Blast data as it shows power projectability and overall quality swing projection.
Power: 89.00 max exit velocity
Arm: INF - 76.00 mph. Above-average arm across the diamond for class, consistent release point, size and strength play at third.
Defense: Raw feel but looks the part, stays low and balanced, two-way player projection.

 

Bradyn Chang, Chaminade (CA), 2024
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-9, 130-pounds. Small and lean build with plenty of room to fill out.
Hit: RHH. Sets up upright and slightly open instance. Switched off between a leg kick and toe-tap trigger that starts early and hands load into a higher elbow with a slight barrel tip. Longer swing that works on a level path. Balanced. Middle-oppo approach throughout the round. 
Power: 79.00 max exit velocity. Current LD singles power. Bat speed and rotational acceleration upticks are needed.
Arm: RH. INF - 72.00 mph. Shorter arm action. Slight upward arc on throws. Average arm strength for level. 5/6 accurate throws during the workout. Average quickness to release.
Defense: Fundamentally sound fielder with confident glove actions. Feet work well and play through the ball. Glove out front and displays early.

 

Jordan Rocha, Rancho Bernardo (CA), 2024
Positional Profile: 2B/SS
Body: 5-10, 140-pounds. Smaller frame with a leaner build. Plenty of room to add mass and strength.
Hit: RHH. Wider base with tight set hands in stance. Uses a simple forward stride as hands work back into a good early connection position. Longer swing with a barrel path that is steep-level. The contact point was deeper which resulted in plenty of GB's to the opposite field. 
Power: 79.00 max exit velocity. Current singles hitter. Bat speed and rotational acceleration need to increase.
Arm: RH. INF - 67.00 mph. Longer arm action with a slightly lower elbow let some balls sail on him at times. 4/6 accurate throws. Average arm strength.
Defense: Showed solid actions in the INF. Takes good angles but can get lower to the ball earlier and when fielding. Moved well to the backhand side. Fielding with glove out in front.

 

Noah Libed, Eastlake (CA), 2024
Positional Profile: OF/LHP
Body: 5-11, 160-pounds. Lean medium build. Projectable. Long limbs, higher waist, room to fill out.
Hit: LHH. Even and straight with legs in stance with higher set hands. Slight rock onto backside into a leg kick trigger. Hands pull back and high during load with steeper shoulders. Compact swing. Flattens out later in the swing so is steeper when he lets the ball get deep. Pull side approach during BP. 
Power: 86.00 max exit velocity. Flashes of above-average bat speed at times with 69.1 mph max.
Arm: LH. INF - 77.00 mph. In the OF he allowed his arm to work long. Accurate higher arcing throws that were either 1/2 hops. Slight above-average arm strength for level. At 1B arm action was shorter and quicker to release. 3/5 accurate.
Defense: Showed athletic actions at both spots. In the OF he displayed his glove early and got down early. Played through the ball without breaking momentum. Needed to regather/reset feet after fielding. Showed quick feet and soft hands at 1B especially on DPs. Also solid footwork around the bag. 

 

Jordan Green, Scripps Ranch (CA), 2024
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-10, 165-pounds. Medium size. Developing upper half with some thickness and strength in the lower half.
Hit: RHH. Sets up tall and open in stance. Not much negative movement. Glides forward using a simple forward stride as hands stay neutral throughout. Strong hands in the swing. Compact stroke that works level through the zone. Balanced throughout. Pounded RC throughout his round. 
Power: 84.00 max exit velocity. Current gap to gap power. Above-average bat speed and rotational acceleration for level.
Arm: RH. INF - 82.00 mph. Above-average arm strength for level. 4/6 accurate during the defensive workout. Full loose arm action. Can throw on the run and change up slots if need be.
Defense: Athletic and aggressive actions. Played low and quick. Low chest and out in front. Lateral quickness especially to backhand side. Ability to stay at SS.

 

Gavin Hottle, N/A (CA), 2026
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-11, 170-pounds. Highly projectable body. High-waisted with longer limbs. Should fill out nicely.
Hit: RHH. Tall and upright with feet slightly open in stance. Load starts early with a slow buildup. Smaller leg lift trigger that gets good separation. Backside comes through nice and is balanced at finish. Smooth stroke with a clean hand path that works through the middle. LD filled BP round that pounded that middle of the field. 
Power: 84.00 max exit velocity. 67.3 mph max bat speed and 18.7 gs rotational acceleration for his age/level are above average and look to tick up as he gets stronger. Will be hitting the ball to the wall and over sooner rather than later.
Arm: RH. INF - 76.00 mph. Above average arm strength for his level. 5/6 accurate during the defensive workout. Slightly low 3/4 slot on most throws but showed the ability to mix up slots when needed. Comfortable throwing on the run.
Defense: Rhythmic fielder. Sets up body well with chest down and glove out in front early. Heel to toe. Advanced actions for his age.

 

Anthony Perritano, Cathedral Catholic (CA), 2024
Positional Profile: SS/2B
Body: 6-0, 175-pounds. Maturing frame. Strength in the upper half with longer limbs. Growing into a corner infield build.
Hit: RHH. Relaxed in stance with low hands. Smaller leg lift trigger that works into his backside. Creates some good coil. Glides towards the baseball and at times gets onto his frontside. Hand/barrel path is slightly uphill. Good extension at finish. Pullside approach during BP and had a LD single to left during game action.
Power: 92.00 max exit velocity. Gap to gap power. Above-average bat speed for his level.
Arm: RH. INF - 79.00 mph. Present arm strength as he has been up to 87 mph at past events. Shorter arm action with easy effort. Slight head wack at times. 6/6 accurate throws during the defensive workout. 
Defense: Advanced actions. Light feet with good pre-field movements. Gets to the side of the ball to read the hop and works right to left and heel to toe to set his throws up to 1st. Sets up low to the ball with soft hands and quick exchanges.

 


UPCOMING EVENTS

SHOWCASE STATE DATE LOCATION
Northern California Academic Games CA 10/16 Menlo College
Unsigned Senior Games CA 10/17 Hart Park

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