Prep Baseball Report

Central California Preseason All State: Quick Hits


Steven Hardesty
Assistant Scouting Director

 

  

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Lancaster, Ca. - 

With the beginning of the new year and the CIF High School baseball season coming baseball never really stops in the Golden State and the Prep Baseball California staff was in full force this past weekend. For the 7th year in a row, the Preseason All-State Event platform went off throughout Southern/Central California to showcase some of the top talent from around the state. This year Prep Baseball California will be running 4 versions of the Preseason All-State to cover the state and bring 200+ players together across these events. Events were hosted this past weekend on January 4th, 2025 in San Diego and the next day January 5th in the Inland Empire and Central California, with the final event of the Preseason All State series to be held on January 26th in Northern California. 

Players attending the Central California underwent a Pro-Style workout  beginning with official measurements for their height, weight and grip strength. From there they were run through athletic testing on the VALD platforms (60 yard dash and Jump testing). As well, all position players underwent a defensive workout/evaluation (OF/Corner INF/Middle INF/1B/Catcher) to showcase their defensive actions with video and arm strength recorded. The workout concluded with On-Field Batting Practice with Trackman Technologies and Blast Motion providing data feedback on the player's offensive tools with video. As well, all pitchers who took the mound were on Trackman Technologies to gather data on their pitches from velocity, spin rates, movement patterns and more. 

Today, we take a look at some of the top players from the Central California Preseason All State event held at Antelope Valley College in Lancaster, CA.

For all information on the players in attendance please click here: Central California Preseason All State

CENTRAL CALIFORNIA PRESEASON ALL STATE QUICK HITS:

PITCHERS:

Holden Newhouse RHP / Notre Dame High School, CA / 2026

6’3 righthander out of the Notre Dame was outstanding in his 5 hitter look punching out 3 hitters while flashing a starter profile 3 pitch mix with control of the zone & ability to miss bats with each pitch. FB was at 87-88 has been up to 91 but mixed in a devastating SLD/CHG duo that confused hitters. Newhouse started 2025 right where he left off in 2024 with his arrow pointed straight up!

Osvaldo Nunez RHP / Notre Dame High School, CA / 2026

Nunez entered the event as one of the most highly regarded arms in attendance at the Notre Dame righthander did not disappoint whatsoever. In fact, he reached a new personal best hitting 92 MPH with his FB while mixing in an ever improving SLD which is starting to gain velocity and life as he gains improved feel for it. Plus, like Newhouse above Nunez throws a highly intriguing CHG which he turns over with deception to get swing/miss - chase - soft contact from hitters. Nunez was touched for a hit after a deep count by Oregon Commit Brady Hewitt who went down and got a 3-2 SLD low away for a single and missed with a SLD for HBP, but picked up multiple Ks and showed once again why he is on the rise in Southern California and the entire state.

Kyle Casey LHP / Simi Valley High, CA / 2026

Casey may not light up a radar gun like our first two arms on this list, but the polished southpaw out of Simi Valley High School displayed likely the best pithability of any arm to take the mound (23 total pitchers). It's a legitimate 3 pitch mix which he fronts with a FB that works consistently at 81-83 MPH and bumped 84 in the outing which generates run/sink to the arm side. Then he comes at hitters with a wicked CHG that he throws with FB arm speed and plenty of decepting raking of whiffs from RH hitters and showed confidence to throw it left on left. His third offering is a short tight breaking SLD almost like a cutter with it's shape but comes in the low 70's that he used to run in on the hands of RH hitters opening up the outer half for his FB/CHG combo. Keep your eyes on Casey going forward because as the velocity trends up to go with his polished operation on the mound he is going to be a great grab for a college program.

Brandon Jung LHP / Vista Murrieta, CA / 2026

Jung made the trip up the state from the Inland Empire to join the Central California Preseason All State and the interesting lefthander had the best overall results of any arm to take the mound. Jung featured a predominant two pitch mix, but threw in a CHG during warmups even if not used in game. The delivery was sound with solid feel for the strike zone, but the FB/CB duo he utilized was confounding for hitters as Jung punched out 4 of the 5 hitters he faced. His CB is his best pitch which is not a sharp breaking version, but more of a softer/depther curve that dives down and away from LH hitters and in on the back foot of RH hitters to get both in zone whiff and out of zone chase. If he can continue to increase the life on both his FB and CHG while maintaining their present shapes and bring his CHG along there is potential for him to start, but the two pitch mix should make for a intriguing reliever option for Vista Murrieta in the spring.

CLICK HERE FOR ALL EVENT DATA

TWO-WAY PLAYERS:

Brady Hewitt SS / RHP / Royal High, CA / 2025

The uber talented Hewitt missed his JR spring/summer and nearly all the fall with an injury. Back healthy Hewitt took the high desert by storm throughout the day. Running a 6.8 60 and throwing 88 MPH across the INF with left side of dirt actions. Then during BP launched 95+ EVs throughout including a trio over 100 MPH with a 105.1 MPH 385’ bomb to LF. During the game he collected a hit, walked, stole 3 bases and for good measure took the bump sitting 89-92 MPH with a 2500+ rpm SLD. Hewitt is primed for a potential monster spring at Royal.

Jacob Madrid C / RHP / Notre Dame High School, CA / 2026

Madrid catches your eyes immediately when you see him checking in at 6’4 210 lbs with athletic build that still has room to add strength to present physicality. A solid athlete for size who runs a 7.3 60 and has good body control throughout his tools. On defense it’s an impressive profile with easy actions receiving and good mobility to move in his lower 1/2 to set up and block. The arm is real with 83 mph C velocity and 1.9 - 2.0 pops and on the bag with throws. He is confident in game with everything he does behind the dish. But, when the RH hitter steps to the dish it’s an intriguing profile. With present bat speed to an uphill path it’s easy to dream on his power and Madrid hits the ball hard with authority often reaching 100 MPH and in game rocketed a ball off the LF wall for a double. Plus the talented ‘26 got in the bump reaching 87  mph on his FB while attacking the zone and flashing an interesting SLD. 

Caden Atkinson RHP / OF / Westlake High, CA / 2026

Atkinson came into the event as another highly regarded arm who is on the rise in Southern California, but don't discount what the Westlake Warriors two-sport athlete can do as a RH hitting OF on top of his work on the bump. Atkinson showed well during the position player workout posting a 7.3 60 with an 82 MPH OF arm with an easy operation to both showing plenty of potential for development. As well, he comes with an athletic quick RH swing that posted 72 MPH bat speed and EVs up to 95+ MPH from a line drive path. Working to 5 hitters he showed his easy clean delivery to control his FB within the strike zone at 84-86 MPH and collected multiple Ks. He didn't have his best feel for the CB, but when executed it shows promise with nearly 2500 RPMs of spin and late break it's easy to see why he is generating plenty of buzz as a talented RHP who has some rawness to present profile projecting an interesting ceiling for his potential.

Justin Gaisford LHP / 1B / Valencia High, CA / 2026

Gaisford doesn't light up the metrics board with his tools, but he is strong across the board. It's what he can do with all of his sound toolset to perform in game that makes him an interesting college potential player. Yet, again Gaisford comes to a Prep Baseball California event and leaves as a top performer which goes in line with all of my live looks at him. The difference at the Preseason All State event was that usually we are raving about his pitching and while he put together yet another solid performance pounding the zone with his offerings (was undone a bit by 3 errors behind him on defense) it was what Gaisford did with the bat that bested his high quality LH pitching ability. Continuing to develop and improve all over Gaisford posted personal bests across all of his Trackman data including a 92.8 MPH max EV and 342' max distance during BP as he wore out the middle to opposite side of the field with hard contact. In addition he ran a personal best 60 time. Then during the gameplay portion Gaisford collected a pair of extra base hits, first rocketing a line drive to LCF that two hopped the wall for a standup triple and later laced a line drive to RF that went for a double.

Mason Crang SS / RHP / San Marcos Senior High, CA / 2026

Crang made the trip down from the Central Coast to the High Desert and showed that his talented 2-way profile travels very well. The top offensive performer as a Soph. at San Marcos High School in Santa Barbara Crang opened the day by putting together a loud performance during the Showcase Workout. Crang more than looks capable of staying at the hot corner with the athletic ability to handle 2B, as well including a 7.3 60 and 82 MPH INF arm velocity. But, the RH hitter showed conistent loud impact off the bat during BP from an aggressive, but balanced RH swing. Posting a Max EV at 97.9 MPH with an Avg EV of 93.6 MPH and a Max Distance of 360' on a drive to LCF. The BP performance translated into game as he turned on a hard line drive to LF for a hit off Newhouse (the lone hit Newhouse gave up) on an upper 80's FB. Yet, as good as what Crang did as a position player he was able to match it with his outing on the mound. Flashing a 84-87 MPH FB that is backed up by a 81-82 MPH CHG and 75-76 MPH curveball which all 3 he can throw for strikes to put together a strong showing on the bump.

Ty Diaz SS / 2B / West Ranch High, CA / 2026

Diaz is coming off a solid Soph. campaign at West Ranch High School where he manned the SS position full time. Making the short 30+ minute drive to Lancaster allowed Diaz to show why not only is a college level INF prospect, but flashes real potential with what he can do on the bump. Putting together a strong overall workout posting personal bests for himself across almost all of his offensive metrics including a 93 MPH max EV, 361' max distance and an 85 MPH INF arm velocity from SS that has accuracy and carry to his throws. Diaz opened the gameplay portion by dropping a single into CF and maintained a strong showing throughout as a position player. As well, Diaz has added pitching to his profile this fall looking to be a prominent reliever for the West Ranch program in spring his shows a 84-87 MPH FB with running life to the arm side that can jam RH hitters when he gets executes it. Backing up the FB with a low 70's CB the two pitch mix and operation is a bit raw at present, but there is definitely something to the upside for Diaz on the bump in the future.

Isaiah Tillman LHP / OF / Royal High, CA / 2026

Tillman is a bundle of energy who from the moment he entered the field at Antelope Valley College made it readily apparent how much he enjoys playing baseball. Then you add in the fact he is quite a talented two-way player who can perform and there is a lot to like about the rising '26 at Royal High School. Wiry athletic in his build with solid athleticism he looks the part of a CF/LF defender including making a pair of really good catches highlighted by covering a wide swath of turf to run down a tailing fly ball in foul territory down the LF line. Tillman demonstrated interesting impact from the LH side for his size and ability to use his body/hands to get the barrel to the baseball with authority. He peaked at 94.6 MPH on EV while posting a 71% sweet spot rate during BP. I'm a believer in the LH bat/OF profile for Tillman, but getting to stand behind him during his outing on the mound there is so much to like about what he does there. Tillman showed a FB in the 85-87 MPH range which he controls for strikes with a delivery that has intent and arm speed. I'm torn on whether I like his vertical breaking CB that he throws at 72-75 MPH and has bite downward coming out of the hand with a FB shape or his 77-78 MPH CHG which he kills spin on (1300 RPM range) that tumbles down in the zone. Tillman throws with confidence and competitiveness on the mound, but in reality he shows confidence/competitiveness across everything he does on a baseball field and is a name coaches need to be keeping close eyes on for the '26 class.

+ '28 1B/OF/RHP Oliver Dauskurdas - Oaks Christian High School

Ranked: State: 14 Pos: 2 National: 96 Pos: 8

The top ranked ‘28 in attendance at Central CA PSAS showed just why with his impressive day. Checking in at 6’3 185 lbs he ran a 7.0 60 with easy athletic actions. He showed very well with his actions both in the OF looking like a potential RF maybe even CF profile if he maintains or increases athleticism and is impact potential at 1B. But, as good as the D shows what the RH hitter did in the box jumped off the page during BP with multiple over 95 EVs and narrowly missing a pair of HRs to straightaway CF and LCF with a clean explosive swing. In game he put together multiple good ABs and then was up to 82 on the bump retiring his first 3 hitters with an easy delivery before an error and a BB to close out. One of youngest players in attendance his ceiling looks as high as any player at the event.

CLICK HERE FOR ALL EVENT DATA

CATCHERS:

Carson Sheffer C / 1B / Oaks Christian, CA / 2026

The 2024 Prep Baseball Future Games alum and Oklahoma State Commit came into the event as the highest ranked player in attendance and once again he showed why. Wiry athletic in his build Sheffer is starting to add more strength as he is maturing. Widely regarded as maybe the best arm behind the plate in the '26 class both in California and potentially nationally Sheffer took the profile to another level by reaching 86 MPH on his C throws (new personal best) and was as low at 1.86 during the workout (another personal best), plus for good measure made an outstanding backhand pick on a spiked FB into a clean quick transfer to hose a runner at 2B during the game play portion. The added strength to his frame comes with increases in the quality of his RH swing/contact during batting practice as he was up to 22.5 MPH on his hand speed and 85.6 MPH on his bat speed (both personal bests) while posting both a 63% sweet spot/hard hit rate during batting practice. 

Gavin Williams C / SS / Garces Memorial High School, CA / 2027

Uber intriguing Williams is fresh off a fall playing QB for Garces but showed up to Antelope Valley College and showed his upside across the board. Checking in just under 6’4 at 6’3.8” and weighing 190 lbs. Williams ran a 7.2 60 while looking the part both behind the plate with a 79 MPH C velo and 1.9 - 2.0 pop times, plus looking more than comfortable moving around at SS and the OF! During BP he put on a loud display from each side of the plate from a smooth explosive operation that went 100+ EV on RH side and just under 100 EV from LH side. He showed well in game still needing to fully get game timing back but the potential Williams shows plus his energy playing the game makes for a very bright future.

Elijah Garcia C / RHP / Buena, CA / 2025

Garcia rivals Sheffer as maybe the best defensive catcher in teh Ventura County/Central Coast region I cover specifically. Both are top level throwers from behind the dish, but get there in different fashions. Garcia is lightning quick in his transfer to throw and with a compact/quick arm stroke that reaches 78 MPH C velocities he lives at 1.94 on his pop times while being right on the bag. Garcia is a smooth clean receiver who handles velocity/spin/movement with ease to make his pitchers look good through his pitch presentation. Where Garcia continues to grow and was on display during the Central California Preseason All State event was th growth he is making with his bat. He attended the 2024 SoCal Preseason All State Upperclass and VTA County Uncommitted Games, but during BP at AVC Garcia posted personal best in: bat speed 72.3 MPH, hard hit rate at 75%, max EV at 96.6 MPH, and avg EV at 91.9 MPH. Already a top level defender if the bat developments that Garcia showed off at AVC perform this spring he is going to be a very good land for a college program as an uncommitted '25.

CLICK HERE FOR ALL EVENT DATA

INFIELDERS:

Elijah Sim SS / OF / Notre Dame, CA / 2027

Sim is looking at a potential full time starting role as a Soph. on a Notre Dame High School squad which is loaded with talent and he showed why in the High Desert. Sim has started to grow and fill out his frame which now stands 5'10 and just over 170 lbs. that maturity/strength gained has helped his solid overall toolset take steps forward which included an event best 89 MPH arm velocity on the INF (plus the actions in his hands/feet/accuracy to profile as a SS long term). Sim posted a 7.0 60 time which is fringey for a SS, but when you consider he is just a Soph. there is plenty of time to improve that again showing his projection as a SS. What jumped out beyond just his defensive acumen was the quality of his RH hitting profile which showed very well both during BP and in game. Sim posted a max EV at 95.8 MPH while averaging 89 MPH during BP from a swing that found the sweet spot 67% of the time. During the game he smoked a single up the middle and played solid defense. 

Brady Bickham SS / Damien, CA / 2027

Another Inland Empire product who made the trek out to the High Desert to showcase his stuff the talented rising '27 out of the Damien program was uber-interesting with the quality of his performance. Bickham checks in as a present 6' 176.4 lbs. prospect with a 7.1 60, 86 MPH INF arm velocity/consistent accuracy from SS and the actions in his hands/feet to profile a long term SS/3B defender. But, when he stepped in the box for BP that was really where Bickham opened my eyes with a slightly uphill swing that generates lift with impact the metrics a rising '27 like Bickham can produce are going to catch plenty of eyes beyond just mine. Reaching 98.5 MPH on his max EV while averaging 95.3 MPH that produced a 100% hard hit rate plus a 370' max distance on a ball that one hopped the wall in deep LCF. Bickham gets to his impact from a quick turn that produces 25.3 G's of rotational acceleration and 73.5 MPH of bat speed with 21.9 MPH of hand speed. The tools for Bickham are very loud and while in a showcase setting you might not always post the strongest results even without those Bickham left the event as one of the most intriguing names to know for the 2025 spring season and going forward.

Connor Clayton SS / RHP / West Ranch High, CA / 2026

Clayton is the other half of the West Ranch middle infield duo who made the trip out to AVC, but don't let that make you think he isn't just as talented as his counterpart Ty Diaz. Clayton is a switch hitter who has a clean smooth operation from each side of the plate that produces hard contact at a high rate evidenced by the 63% hard hit rate in BP, 88% sweet spot rate while peaking at 95.3 MPH on his EV and averaging 89.7 MPH. Clayton hits the ball hard from both sides of the plate, but looks to have a cleaner higher contact swing on the LH side, but slightly more impact from the RH side making for a good overall switch hitting profile. Clayton has plenty of arm strength to handle the left side of the INF tying for the event best velocity at 89 MPH, but it does come with occasional inaccuracy on that side making 2B probably a better present spot for him where his arm can play at an impact level, plus he shows clean footwork/soft hands/range to be really good at 2B. Keep your eyes on Clayton come the spring time as he looks to be a full-time starter for the West Ranch program for the first time this spring and could potentially put up a big spring of performance.

 

 

Noah Schneir SS / 3B / PARACLETE HIGH SCHOOL, CA / 2026

Schneir was a local product who made his way to the Central California Preseason All State event and showed why the talent in the High Desert is routinely very solid. The uncommitted '26 out of Paraclete is more compact and athletic than imposing checking in at 5'8 150 lbs. presently that can improve as he matures. But, the tools he showed during the workout were very intriguing including what he does in the RH batters box. His best defensive home is likely at 2B/3B though his arm will need to tick up a bit to handle 3B. Schneir has present bat speed in his RH swing that gets up to 81.5 MPH while showing the ability to use his hands with 20.4 MPH of hand speed. Both of those metrics combined with his feel for the barrel to be on time generated 57% hard hit/sweet spot rates and a peak EV of 96.3 MPH. As well, Schneir showed how his swing plays in game by drilling an extra base hit during game play. Schneir will be on my follow list for the spring to get back out as see during CIF-Southern Section spring season play.

CLICK HERE FOR ALL EVENT DATA

OUTFIELDERS:

Joshua Brown 3B / C / Oaks Christian, CA / 2025

Brown is a super versatile defender who shows the ability to play multiple spots on the field, but I personally like him the best as a OF who can produce high offensive production. Brown has been very good across his Prep Baseball California attendance and during my live looks on the scouting trail which he again backed up with his performance in the High Desert. Brown checked in at 5'11 178.5 lbs to go with a another sub 7.0 60 time while adding 83 MPH OF arm velocity that would allow him to potentially play all 3 OF spots. At the plate during BP he produced personal bests in all of his Blast motion categories including 83 MPH of bat speed at the peak, 23.2 MPH of hand speed at the peak with 13.6 Gs of rotational acceleration. The upward trending of his swing metrics combined with his consistent feel for the barrel produced a personal best 100.3 MPH max EV, 90.6 MPH avg EV and 50% sweet spot/hard hit rates. Brown is going to be a strong land for a college program who can bring impact potential as RH hitter to a lineup.

Erick Barron OF / 1B / Buena High, CA / 2026

Barron is another player who may not light up the metrics board during the workout with his tools, but is sound across the board. What the 2024 Prep Baseball Future Games alum does when the game starts is simply perform and play high level baseball. Barron is more of a high contact hitter who wears out the OF grass/turf with hard line drives from line to line from simple operation in the box. What Barron showed in the High Desert was the his continued development to his approach, physical strength and ability to get the ball in the air with authority is starting to tap into his impact potential as a hitter. He reached new personal bests in bat speed which is up to 65.2 MPH with consistent accuracy on the barrel to ball which helped him reach 91.5 MPH on max EV another personal best to go with a few other upward ticks in his tools. As noted those numbers may not jump of the plate, but the play at a very high level in games which despite not getting a hit came with a pair of hard hit line drives to CF that showed improved carry to his contact quality through the middle of the field. The arrow on Barron continues to point up as he is a strong consistent performer whose tools/strength/athleticism all continue to trend upwards.

Sam Stoller OF / C / SIERRA SCHOOL, CA / 2026

Stoller is a part of what is shaping up to be a very intriguing Sierra Canyon varsity baseball squad for the 2025 season. The RH hitting OF made his way out to the High Desert and put on a strong overall performance which backs up a strong Soph. campaign and Future Games Tryout: VTA County in 2024. Stoller is compactly built with athleticism/explosiveness to his operation as a defender/hitter. Running a 6.89 60 time on VALD while flashing 84 MPH OF arm velocity with carry to his throws Stoller has the look of a CF profile defender who is going to bring offensive impact. Already having posted really good offensive metrics/performances Stoller took another step at AVC  by posting personal bests in hand speed at 21.1 MPH, bat speed at 82 MPH, hard hit rate at 50%, Max EV at 96.4 MPH, Avg EV at 85.5 MPH, Max Distance at 351' and sweet spot rate at 83%. All of those gains turned in a strong in game performance with multiple very good plate appearances and looking very comfortable moving around in CF including an impressive catch with the sun right in his face later in the day. 

CLICK HERE FOR ALL EVENT DATA

Upcoming Events

Showcase State Date Location
North Bay Preseason ID CA 01/25/25 Novato High School
Inland Empire Preseason ID CA 01/26/25 Ganesha High School
East Bay Preseason ID CA 02/01/25 Pittsburg High School
Sacramento Preseason ID CA 02/09/25 McBean Park
Orange County Rising Stars ID CA 03/02/25 Mater Dei High School
Inland Empire Rising Stars ID CA 03/30/25 Corona High School
Los Angeles Rising Stars ID CA 04/27/25 O'Malley Field

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