Prep Baseball Report

St. Francis at De La Salle (CA)


Blaine Clemmens
Northern CA Director of Scouting

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CONCORD, CA. - One of the Central Coast Section's traditional powers traveled to the East Bay to take on the premier North Coast Section program on Tuesday as the St. Francis Lancers and De La Salle Spartans both continued with their challenging early season schedules. The Spartans won the game 5-1, behind an outstanding outing by 2020 LHP Kyle Harrison, our #7 ranked player in the entire 2020 class and the top ranked LHP. St. Francis got a gutty effort from uncommitted senior LHP Gianluca Shinn, who kept the Lancers in the game but ultimately, they just couldn't muster much offense vs Harrison and two senior right-handers.

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QUICK HITS

2020 3B Charles McAdoo of De La Salle (SJSU signee) had his typical day for the Spartans, multiple quality at-bats, pressure on the defense with his speed, and a constant hitterish threat at the plate. Singled twice in three at-bats and the second knock helped contribute to the inning that put a dagger in the Lancers. Pay attention to him when the 2023 draft comes around, that bat has a chance to impact the game.... 2021 OF/1B Blake Burke of De La Salle (Tennessee commit), who we've reported on multiple times went 2-for-4 though was limited in the damage he did. It's still clear that when he comes to the plate the opposing team's pitching plan is very specific.... 2022 1B/C Joey Donnelly of DLS is a player I continue to be drawn to. He's a big bodied LHH and the approach continues to show up as very good, rarely chasing (not sure I've seen him swing at a ball yet) and the ability to drive in runs. Went 1-for-1 with an RBI and 2 BB. As he learns when to hunt in certain counts and get to his power he should emerge as a legitimate power prospect among 2022 players.... Another 2022 at De La Salle to keep an eye on is 1B/C Anthony Martinez. There are some lower body hitting mechanics that can improve (back knee drive and back hip rotation) but the hands and timing are very good. Flat stroke, good barrel control, couple of very good plate appearances vs a good HS LHP throwing in mid-upper 80s, showing that left on left doesn't bother him. That's a great sign for a sophomore hitter who was in the 3-spot in the line-up for a top team in the state.... 2022 CF Wyatt King (R/R, 5-foot-9, 170-pounds) of St. Francis didn't have the box score results (0-for-3, 2 K) but his first AB vs Harrison was long and tenacious and he fouled off multiple fastballs, displaying good timing and a direct hand path. He later got caught guessing slider in a 2-strike count and took a heater down the middle but he's young and clearly not intimated. Showed off what can be graded as a present day average arm from CF and nearly threw out a runner at the plate. To the eyes of those of us in the stands, he got the runner, but the ump disagreed. Third AB ended with well struck F8 on an 87 mph fastball.... 2020 LF Steven Dong provided all the offense for SFHS, ending the day with two hard hit balls, including a ball scored as a double that was misplayed by the RF and then in his third AB a line drive home over the short RF fence.... DLS 2020 RHP Cameron Barger threw the 6th inning, sitting at 87 mph and topping out at 89 mph. Didn't show a curveball, but we've seen it 70-71 mph in previous looks. Big strong 6-foot-2 200+ pounds with a wide squarish frame. The velocity is not done climbing as his arm stroke is clean. There is some sink on the arm side. Those on the hunt for a 2020 RHP with a ceiling should look into him.... 

Anthony Martinez at-bats in this video clip...

THE BREAKDOWN

2020 LHP Kyle Harrison; UCLA signee; Nation's top prep LHP went 5 IP, 71 pitches, 11 K, 0 BB, 2 hits (one on a misplay in RF), 12 swing and misses. Sat 90-93, T94, SL 77-79, one CHG at 83. Was still up to 93 a few times in the 5th inning. Had to be 25+ of the MLB clubs in attendance, including numerous scouts from out of the area as clubs sent in as many available eyes as they could. For good measure played a good 1st base after coming out and drove in a run with a F8 sac-fly. Hits in the 4-spot.

2020 LHP Gianluca ShinnUncommitted; Sturdy 6-foot-1 190-pounds, high-3/4 slot, calm depth on backside, good arm speed, there is some effort in the arm stroke and momentum starts to work back up the mound as he finishes. Shinn appears to be a highly competitive pitcher as he rose to the challenge of being opposite the nation's top HS LHP (Kyle Harrison) and facing a good line-up he kept his team in the game. Went 4+ IP, 3 K, 2 ER, 3 BB, 13 first pitch strikes. Fastball steady at 86-87 and got 88 pretty regularly when he wanted it. Slurvy slider 75-77 mph, occasionally pulls the fastball to the glove side. This is a talented and uncommitted LHP.. maybe not committed for much longer.

2022 CF Zeke Berry; Uncommitted; The 6-foot-0 180-pound Berry (R/R) continues to intrigue me due to the hand speed and footspeed, both are impact talents. He's going to have to work to incorporate his bottom hand better on the way to contact and when he can get more on plane and not let the top hand dominate on the way to the ball, he's going to start lacing line drives all over.  When that happens the plus speed will be on display around the bags vs just down the line. He didn't have a full out time as he hit into a couple of FCs and then a 1-3 put-out and even pulling up a bit he was 4.32 and floating down the line. Watching him warm-up in CF and during pre-game gave a look at what appears to be an above average arm. Not yet had a chance really see him have to go and get a ball.

UPCOMING EVENTS

SHOWCASE STATE DATE LOCATION
Norcal Underclass Games ID CA 04/25 Santa Rosa JC
Norcal Underclass Games (INVITE-ONLY) CA 06/06 Islanders Field - Lathrop
Northern California ProCase (INVITE ONLY) CA 06/13 Folsom Lake College
SoCal Underclass Games (INVITE ONLY) CA 06/13 Hart Park
SoCal ProCase (INVITE ONLY) CA 06/14 Hart Park
CA State Games ID (Norcal) CA 06/16 Islanders Field - Lathrop
2020 PBR Future Games (California Invite) CA 07/29 LakePoint Sports


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