Prep Baseball Report

Central Coast/North LA December Notebook: Week 2


Steven Hardesty
Central Coast/North LA Area Scout

   

Ventura, Calif.-

With the winter baseball schedule wrapping up for ‘23 season the month of December provided me with good looks at a few strong Central Coast/North Los Angeles high school programs. My in person looks included some of the best committed prospects in the region, but additionally plenty of uncommitted players across the '24, '25, '26 and '27 classes.

The second weekend of December took me out to Camarillo, where I got an early look at what should be a strong contender for the Coastal Canyon League title in the Scorpions. Headlined by three '24 D1 commits including PBR California #5/Nationally #17 ranked ‘24 LHP Boston Batemen (LSU). Unfortunately, there was no sasquatch sightings on this day. But, I will be back to see Camarillo again in the spring who have a good squad and are under the guidance of first year Head Coach TJ Foreman. 

The Scorpions took on an interesting Valencia Vikings squad lead by head coach Brad Meza out of the Foothill League. The Vikings are coming off a league title in '23 and are looking to repeat in one of the better leagues in the region. The Vikings mixed in some young talent early before playing their more established varsity players in the later portion of the scrimmage. Based on the play from this quick look the Vikings look to be in good shape for the present year, but the cupboard will be restocked with some talented younger players coming up next.

Below you can check out my notes/videos on the committed and uncommitted talent from the day. Be sure to click on the players name to get access to their PBR profile/video.

Valencia:

Uncommitted:

'24 LHP Dylan Summers with a lean and projectable 6’4 180ish lbs. frame Summers looks the part of a high upside uncommitted arm. Once he toes the rubber the intrigue to his profile rises quickly. Working with a short quick arm action, an athletic delivery that uses his lower 1/2 to move down the mound. His FB touches 88, but works comfortably in the mid 80’s range with life through the hitting zone making it difficult to square up.  Summers uses aCB/CHG combo which each flash potential with the CB showing swing/miss action. He will need additional polish to improve the control of his FB, but the overall package is going to be a good pickup for a college program.

2025 OF/RHP Noah Jaquez another intriguing frame at 6’3 180 lbs. with high hips and broad shoulders and room to add strength to go with his athletic actions on the field. With high winds blowing through the day Jaquez looked very comfortable in RF with easy an running stride and the arm strength to stick as a CF/RF profile. Picked up a 2K single in his only at bat of the day. Uses a quiet approach with a small leg lift in load, the swing features good use of his hands he demonstrated by driving a hard line to RF. I'm interested to see how much of his lower ½ gets used in an advantage count where he can look to do damage because there is power in the profile. Jaquez also threw 1 inning and it was an interesting look. Delivery features a high ¾ almost over the top release with good arm speed, body control and athleticism. He attacks the zone well with his FB (did not get a radar reading on him) and flashed a CB with depth that picked up a looking strikeout. There is slight stab in the backswing of his arm action that can be cleaned up to help him tap into his full potential on the mound.

2024 C Aiden Voyles compact strong frame at around 5’9 175 lbs. with strength in his lower ½. He is a solid receiver who has a good feel for how to present pitches. Shows the ability to block on balls in dirt within his shoulders from a 1KD set up, but can improve his lateral agility to block balls outside the shoulders. Throws well with a quick arm action and accuracy. Showed low 2.0 to sub 2.0 pop times (between innings). Voyles also shows a good offensive profile with a compact RH swing and strength through contact. Approach stays up the middle, but can drive the ball to the pull side. Collected a double and a single on a brutal day to hit (consistent 20 MPH winds with gusts up to 40 MPH). This was my 2nd look at Voyles (spring ‘23 HS season) and he is going to be a good backstop pick up for a college program.

'26 LHP/1B Justin Gaisford the young southpaw showed very well in a 3 inning look at him. His delivery features a smooth arm action with good use of lower ½ and without much effort. Velocity is currently on the lower end, high 70’s will touch the low 80’s, but has good control of the FB to both sides of the plate. I liked the action on his CB which he showed control of by spotting it down in the zone or below consistently. Mixed in what appeared like a fringey CHG with some fade to the arm side which shows potential to tick up as he adds arm speed and velo. Looked solid at 1B in INF/OF and during the game with a good approach at the plate (did not capture video). Good name to follow over the course of spring ‘24 season and into the summer ahead of Aug. 1 contact date.

Camarillo:

Committed:

The Scorpions have three big time D1 commits on their ‘24 roster: Bateman (LSU) and '24 OF/INF Tommy Goodin (Vanderbilt), but on this day ‘24 SS Trotter Enright (Long Beach State) took center stage as the only one in the lineup. This was my first time seeing Enright, his physicality, athleticism and tools were readily apparent showing why he is committed to play in the Big West Conference. Took a very good INF/OF displaying quick feet, range, good hands and the arm strength to handle SS. All of these tools play in game defensively where he flashed his range and athleticism on several plays. At the plate he uses a small leg kick with good balance throughout the swing., lower ½ gets involved and there is strength through the zone. Showed a good approach (staying with in the strike zone for all swings). Barreled two hard groundballs in game.

Enright

Uncommitted:

‘24 RHP Nick Tostado smaller framed pitcher at 5’10 and about 165 lbs., but is a very good athlete who started at QB for the football team. The arm action is loose and quick with good tempo in his delivery, not max effort but there is some which affects his control at times. He sat 83-86 and has been up to 90 in the past. Mostly a reliever profile, but the life on his FB when paired with his above average potential SLD make him a solid late pick up for a college program. With some polish to the delivery, added strength to the frame there could be potential for him to start in the future.

‘25 C Blaise Meylemans is an interesting look. An athletic loose 6’3 170 lbs. frame with room to continue adding strength as he matures will allow him handle the rigors of catching long term. A smooth receiver who shows feel for presenting pitches with a quiet hand. Blocked well from a 1KD stance with mobility in his hips and agility. Arm shows average to above average strength (evidenced on a clean 5-2-3 double play turn) but the footwork/transfer need some refining to reach his potential as a thrower. At the plate uses a quick stroke geared to use the middle/oppo part of the field (picked up a double in game). Swing has some whip to the path when he lets it go. As he adds strength should tap into pull side HR power with ability to use the middle of the field. Good name to follow for coaches who have a need at catcher in the '25 class.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Showcase State  Date  Location
Orange County Preseason ID CA 01/04 JSerra High School - San Juan Capistrano
SoCal Preseason All-State: Underclass (Invite-Only) CA 01/06 Temescal Canyon HS - Lake Elsinore, CA
SoCal Preseason All-State: Upperclass (Invite-Only) CA 01/07 Temescal Canyon HS- Lake Elsinore, CA
Fresno Preseason ID CA 01/14 Fresno Pacific University - Fresno, CA
Bay Area Preseason ID CA 01/21 College of San Mateo - San Mateo, CA
Inland Empire Preseason ID CA 01/21 Santiago High School - Corona, CA
NorCal Preseason All-State (Invite-Only) CA 01/27 Mission College - Santa Clara, CA
Sacramento Preseason ID CA 01/28 William Jessup University - Rocklin, CA
East Bay Preseason ID CA 02/04 Chabot College - Hayward, CA

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