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Hardy's Hit: CIF-SS Winter Baseball - Moorpark College Thanksgiving Tourney

December 3, 2024
Steven Hardesty
Assistant Scouting Director

  

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Ventura, Calif. -  With the Thanksgiving holiday providing an opportunity for an extended weekend, Moorpark College has hosted an annual 3-day Winter Baseball Tourney for high school programs along the Central Coast and North Los Angeles region. This year featured a six team field filled with interesting programs from the Marmonte, Mission, Coastal Canyon, Citrus Coast and Channel Leagues. I was able to get out to catch the first day of the event on Black Friday which consisted of an 8 am game between a pair of talented programs in Newbury Park and Chaminade, which was followed by a pairing of of two more talented programs in Westlake taking on a combination of Santa Paula/Pacifica (Oxnard) before the day capped with my second look at the Simi Valley program as they took on Rio Mesa who is coming off an impressive 2024 campaign.

Below you can check out my breakdown of the standouts of the day with video highlights and click the link to take you to each players Prep Baseball profile page.

(Players can click on their link below to claim their profile or if your profile is not listed below search the Prep Baseball database for your profile. Don't see your profile? You can create a free Prep Baseball profile here)

Chaminade:

+ '26 RHP Jackson Schroeder (Uncommitted)

Schroeder opened the game on the mound for Chaminade and came out with an intriguing look at his potential on the mound. A durable body with room to continue improving physically he moved well down the mound with length in his arm path, but plenty of arm speed to make it work. His control was a bit scattered at times, but when his stuff was in the zone he was able to collect whiffs with his FB that worked at 85-88 consistently showing sink to the arm side when down, but could ride to the arm side when up in the zone. He mixed a tight downward breaking SLD with more depth than horizontal movement giving it more of slurve like shape at present, but can miss bats in zone/induce chase from hitters. Schroeder should be in the mix to compete for a rotation spot for Chaminade in the spring and if he his in the zone consistently has a chance to be a very successful starter, but even if a move to the pen is necessary has the stuff to be a lockdown potential reliever.

+ '26 OF Isaiah Hearn (Uncommitted)

Hearn is amongst the most intriguing uncommitted players not only just in the Central Coast/Los Angeles area, but in the state. With athleticism packed into an impressive 6'4ish frame with strength at present he has made the move to focus full time on baseball this fall (previously was a standout WR in football) and the development he is showing in his intriguing toolset was apparent. While anytime you are getting just a one-game look at a player for the week results may not be loud which was the case for Hearn as he reached base via HBP/BBs and then lofted a fly ball out to LF in his other plate appearance. But, what stood out having seen Hearn in the spring time and followed him via social media video/reports coming in is the development of his swing. The bat path has shortened into a more direct path with better barrel accuracy (no swing/miss in 4 plate appearances) and his bat speed is coming from a more controlled load/rhythm in his operation in the box which allowed him to make good swing decisions on balls in the zone and staying off pitches out of the zone. Overall, the direction Hearn has trended on from the spring to this look in the fall with a specific focus now on baseball to develop his approah/timing/rhythm to hit in game will allow his loud toolset and athleticism to potentially show on an increased level making him one of the intriguing names that have plenty of eyes on him tracking those developments in the coming months.

+ '26 3B/OF Drew Kostich (Uncommitted)

Kostich popped on my radar during the summer portion of the year with an impressive showing at the Ventura County Summer ID where the 6'2 190 lbs. RH hitter with a 3B defensive profile flashed his tools and this was a chance to see how they played in game. Kostich took a trio of strong plate appearances including a hard hit double down the LF line while looking comfortable playing 3B in game action. His bat speed is solid with strength in the barrel as it moves through the zone where when he is on time with a pitch can impact the ball with authority. There is development needed to the overall approach/rhythm in the box, but that is common amongst most High School JR. baseball players who do not have extensive varsity experience, but the foundation is there with Kostich who looks to be in competition for a prominent spot in the Chaminade lineup come 2025 spring season.

+ '25 CF/2B Jackson Tyler (San Diego State Commit)

Tyler is a 2-sport standout who also excelled as a football player, but who is now back on the baseball diamond full time with the football season concluding. Jackson is coming off a strong JR. campaign for Chaminade who battled at the top of the Mission League and earned 1st team All-Mission League honors. He put together a strong showing on the summer circuit which culminated in a commitment to San Diego State where the RH hitter officially signed his letter of intent in November. Hitting in the leadoff spot with athleticism to his profile and playing the premium defensive spot in CF Tyler flashed all of his tablesetter profile on this day. Reaching base in each of his plate appearances including a leadoff double down the RF line to open the game, a pair of singles and reaching on an error while adding stolen bases with an aggressive approach to running the bases which puts pressure on opposing pitchers (some rawness as he was picked off 2nd later in game, but that will continue to develop as he focuses full time on baseball). He previously played 2B for Chaminade in the spring, but looked very comfortable moving around in CF which allows his strong run tool to be an asset covering ground on balls in front of him (still can improve going back on balls over his head) that looks to be a good fit for is profile. Tyler can continue to add impact to his offensive profile, but with feel to hit, an accurate barrel, good running ability and a strong chance to play CF he looks like a good pick up for the Aztecs in the 2025 class.

+ '28 RHP Kingston Monette (Uncommitted)

Maybe the most impressive look of the day Monette took the rubber later in the game for Chaminade and put together and interesting 2 inning look. A wiry athletic present build with a smooth delivery that shows low effort getting down the mound while adding a loose quick arm that brings strong present stuff out of a incoming FR. who looks like he can compete for a spot amongst the arms at Chaminade in year one. Monette works off a FB that sat at 84-86 MPH and touched 87 multiple times over the outing while dropping in a sweeping style 74-77 MPH SLD which he flashes comfort throwing. There is rawness to the overall package which is to be expected of a younger prep, but there is plenty to like about the present foundation, but also the upside to where his profile can go as he matures physically, athletically and with his feel for pitching to be a potential ace in the future at Chaminade. Monette throws strikes, but his command will need development as his FB lived more over the middle of the plate than the edges at present, but did feature life to the arm side with the running action to its movement pattern. Keep your eyes on this name going forward as Monette continues to develop.

Newbury Park:

+ '25 OF Owen Meli (Cal Poly SLO Commit)

Meli jumped on the radar when he took over a spot in the middle to top portion of the Panthers lineup while manning RF on a team that reached the CIF-SS D3 quarterfinals and earned himself All-Marmonte League honors on the strength of a loud offensive performance. Meli carried that into the summer continuing to hit a high level while showin intriguing athletic ability that eventually garnered him a commitment to Cal Poly SLO. On this day Meli started a bit slow missing some FBs early in the game, but working a BB to open the game before striking out in his second trip to the plate, but as any good hitter would do he was able to make an adjustment within the game to find his timing and smoked a pair of triples in his final two plate appearances on the day. The first one was a lofted fly ball that carried just short of the dead CF fence beating the Chaminade CF to the spot and then the second one was a laced line drive to the RCF gap where he showed off is improving speed that allowed him to push it into third base. Meli played CF in the game for the Panthers and looked solidly comfortable out there with enough athletic ability/running speed to potentially stay there long term, but his bat has consistently showed the impact ability to handle playing on an OF corner. 

+ '27 OF Carson Richter (Uncommitted)

Richter gained valuable experience in the 2024 spring season by being with the Panthers varsity team, but did not see significant playing time although he had caught my eye in Winter ball last year with a good showing during an MLK Tourney hosted by Newbury Park. I've followed his development via social media/reports coming in and this was my chance to get a look at the improved/developer version of the rising '27 RH hitter. The first thing I noticed with Richter was the strength he had added to his frame (6'4 195 lbs.) with his upper and lower bodies filling out, but even with the weight gain he has maintained his athletic ability. The strength gains have increased his present bat speed which when he is on the barrel creates hard contact (did not collect a hit for me on the day, but had a loud performance in a later game on the weekend including just missing a HR for a ground rule double). Richter has lift in the bat path which fits his potential profile as impactful corner bat for the Panthers which looks to be the role he is competing for in the 2025 spring.

Santa Paula/Pacifica (Oxnard):

+ '25 1B Devon Wilkes (CSU Bakersfield Commit)

Wilkes has been one of the most consistent performers for me now over 2+ years of seeing the LH hitter out of Pacifica play in games. An aggressive hitter who hunts baseballs in the zone to do damage on Wilkes does an impressive job of staying off pitches outside the zone and being willing to take his walks even against lower velocity pitchers who he could do damage against even on balls outside the zone which fits his high hit and high power profile at the plate. Wilkes impacts the ball as hard as any player I've seen in awhile (107.2 MPH max EV during the Ventura County Uncommitted Game event in Oct.) and while he didn't light up the results board he smoked a one hop hard grounder of the first basemen to reach base and then laced a hard line drive down the RF line for a double while also drawing multiple base on balls when pitchers stayed out of the zone against him. The bat speed Wilkes generates is impressive as he can peak above 80 MPH and the ease with which he gets to that bat speed should give this LH hitter not only a chance to crush the baseball again this spring for Pacifica High School, but once he steps on campus at Bakersfield in fall of 2025 to potentially compete for early playing time in the Roadrunners lineup. 

+ '25 C Ryan Reyes (Uncommitted)

Reyes is another member of the talented Pacifica High program who made a CIF-SS D5 semifinal run before claiming the CIF-Southern D3 State Regional title who has taken steps forward since the spring season. Reyes who saw time at C and DH for the Tritons during the spring has added strength to his frame looking physically well built both in his upper and lower body which parlayed itself into improved bat speed at the plate. He showed a patient approach to stay within the strike zone and uncorked on a pullside double to the LCF gap while drawing multiple walks on the day himself. Reyes is a solid receiver behind the plate who has the durability to handle the position long term with strength in his hand/wrist to present pitches well, but his arm is slighlty fringey and will need to polish his transfer to release to reach his potential as a thrower behind the plate, but if a move was needed out from behind the plate he looks to be able to handle potential 3B/1B or even LF to get his bat in the lineup. 

+ '25 OF Mekaeo Lualemana (Uncommitted)

Lualemana played a significant role in the OF and the lineup for the Tritons of Pacifica High School in spring and then showed well at the Ventura County Uncommitted Game in October. This was my 4th look at Lualemana in the 2024 calendar year and with each one the wiry athletic CF defender keeps growing on me. He doesn't possess one loud tool, but rather it's a collection of several solid tools and confidence to how he plays the game that make Lualemana profile as a college level player. On this day I got another look at the disciplined plate approach and accurate bat to ball approach that suits Lualemana to a top of the order table setter or back of the lineup depth piece to add length to a lineup. The RH hitter drew multiple walks which allowed him to create havoc on the bases with his athleticism. As well, he pulled a hard grounder to the backhand side of the SS who made at tremendous play to steal a hit from him at convert it into a fielders choice 6-4 putout and later in the game his ability to hit when fooled showed up as he got the bat on a outer half breaking ball that he punched through  the right side for a single. Take a solid offensive approach and mix it with a CF defensive profile that flashes impact with his feel for going to get the baseball in the air and Lualemana is one that should have some college coaches eyes on him for their '25 class.

+ '25 C Ruben Venegas (Uncommitted)

Venegas split time behind the plate with Reyes on this day, but is projected to be the primary backstop for the Santa Paula Cardinals while adding in versatility as a RHP/INF, as well. The RH hitter has a medium sized build with some wiry strength to him and is a solid receiver who looks comfortable behind the plate, but shows a present fringey arm that has accuracy to 2B on his throws, but needs to add further strength to stay behind the plate. Where Venegas caught my eye was in the box with a sound swing that has solid present bat speed with leverage from a direct path that can drive the baseball through the middle of the field. He was on the barrel in multiple at bats including being able to drive the ball to the opposite gap which if he can add additionl strength to his frame in the future gives him an interesting offensive profile. It was a brief look at the overall profile for Venegas, but enough to leave me interested in potential for him going forward and likely will require a trip out to see him play in the spring.

Westlake:

+ '25 OF/LHP Mason Berlinger (Uncommitted)

Berlinger is another standout from the Ventura County Uncommitted Game in October who was on the field with his Westlake High School program on this day. Berlinger flashed an interesting LH pitching profile at the Uncommitted Game, but his accurate LH bat with impact to the pull side was one that I wanted to see more of an this 4 at bat look has his offensive profile trending up for me to go with a solid showing as JR. for the Warriors he has a chance to be a good grab for a college program as both a LH hitter and LH pitcher. Berlinger was in CF for this game and looked solid out there, but his athleticism might be slightly stretched playing in the middle of the diamond, but what he showed at the plate will allow his bat to handle a future that is more likely in an OF corner. Berlinger turned on an early double down the RF line that even with some top spin to the ball flight carried well, but later he leveraged a hard drive to RCF for a double that one hopper the fence and on a warmer day may have gotten out of the park, plus he laced a hard line drive later in the game that he tried to push for his 3rd double of the game before being thrown out at 2nd. His lone out came in a 2K count when he got to a low breaking ball and hit a hard 2 hop grounder at the 2B. His approach was aggressive attacking pitches to hit and against lighter velocity his bat speed showed the ability to get the ball in the air to the pullside with authority. I was already very interested in the potential for Berlinger to add to a college program, but this look plus the reports that came from the final two days of the event where he continued to barrel the ball has me convinced that Berlinger can help a college lineup and college pitching staff.

+ '25 1B Mason Charles (Uncommitted)

Charles is a standout football player who was coming off a strong performance for the Westlake football program in the fall before coming out to the baseball diamond where his ability as a LH hitter should not be missed. A physially well built 6'4 240ish lbs. LH hitter Charles was the DH for the Westlake lineup on this day hitting in the 4 hole. His swing is compact and direct without a lot of wasted motion as he loads quietly with body control to get to the launch position, when he pulls the trigger to swing Charles has feel to hit through the middle of the field and was on the barrel during each of his at bats. In his first trip he laced a hard out to CF, then smoked a line drive single to RCF and just missed on a lofted out to the LF in his 3rd trip to the plate. There is impact potential for him as a LH hitter who looks like he is in the mix to take up a spot in the middle of the Warriors 2025 spring lineup as they look to replace a depth of NCAA D1 commits who have moved onto the next level.

+ '26 RHP/OF Caden Atkinson (Uncommitted)

Atkinson is another football standout who was coming back to the baseball field after a fall spent manning the QB1 spot for the Warriors football program. On this day I got a chance to see the position player profile for Atkinson who also looks to be in the mix to potentially front the rotation for the Warriors come the 2025 spring season. Playing LF the easy athletic ability for Atkinson was noticeable as he moves with smooth actions when running, has body control to his defensive profile and shows easy arm speed when playing catch/throwing from the OF. At the plate the operation is smooth and athletic with body control in his load he gets to launch comfortably and while there was some approach/timing rust potentially from a fall on the football field he was able to collect a pair of well hit baseballs on a hard grounder to LF and line drive to LCF in two plate appearances. Atkinson will be at the Central California Preseason All State where I will get a good chance to see his potential on the mound in addition to this look as a position player and for me the arrow on this 2-way/2-sport standout is pointed directly up.

Simi Valley:

+ '26 LHP Kyle Casey (Uncommitted)

This was my second chance to see Casey throw this fall after a brief look at him against a very talented Oaks Christian program where he intrigued me with with pitchability this time I had a better chance to bear down on what the southpaw from Simi Valley brings to the table on the mound. A wiry built 6 footish frame with wiry strength to his body he features a 3-pitch mix which at present has pitchability with potential to add life to his stuff as he adds strength to his body. Casey attacks the edges of the plate with a 80-83 MPH FB which when down in the zone has sinking life to get under the barrel and rack up ground ball contact plus the occasional whiff from hitters as it dives below the barrel. He can get to both the arm side and glove side for strikes with the FB which opens up the door for both of his offspeed offerings. Casey's CHG is at present the better of his two offerings which comes in at 74-76 MPH and features tumble plus fade to the arm side tunneling well off his FB and got soft contact plus chase from RH hitters with the deception in his ability to throw it with FB arm speed. His shorter tight SLD has almost a cutter like horizontal action to the break and comes at 68-71 MPH playing to the glove side to get in on RH hitters or off the barrel of a LH hitter, but he still is developing his feel to command the pitch as he left it over the plate a couple times. Overall, with a strike throwers potential, ability to work both halves of the plate with his FB, feel for a CHG and an emerging breaking ball I like the direction Casey is headed especially if he can add strength to his frame and life to his arsenal to be a solid LH pitching name to keep eyes on for college programs.

+ '26 SS Danny Pina (Uncommitted)

This was also my second look at Pina having saw him play for about half a game against Oaks Christian earlier in the fall and was able to get a full game look at the rising '26 SS for Simi Valley. In my first look I came away interested in his bat to ball ability as he was able to put the ball in play hard over multiple at bats, but lived mainly on the ground in that showing. This time around the bat to ball stayed consistent, but I was able to see his ability to get leverage after contact as he stung a couple balls to the middle of the field and then was able to get the barrel through on an inside pitch that he stung foul. A high contact profile with line to line levereage plus solid running ability should slot him towards the top of Simi's lineup and looks to have some room to continue adding impact as he matures to add more strength to his frame. His actions at SS are sound with good feet, solid hands, and instincts for his angles/rhythm through the ball that allow him to play SS at present, but will need to tick up slighlty with his arm strength and athleticism in the long term to stay there at the next level, but profiles to stay on the dirt at 2B should a move off SS be necessary for him. Overall, I like the collection of tools and the foundation I've seen from Pina and he should continue to trend upwards as he matures and is a name to keep eyes on in the future.

Rio Mesa:

+ '25 INF Damien Valdez (Uncommitted)

Valdez has been a consistent bat to ball RH hitter over the course of now 2+ years seeing him play on the varsity level for Rio Mesa. I first saw him as a Soph. where he was able to hit the ball from line to line with solid contact and then improved as a JR. with increased ability to get the baseball to the OF with authority. Now as he enters his SR. year he continues to show feel to find the barrel of his bat with quality contact. It's a hit over power profile, but the approach should give him the ability to add length/depth to a lineup at the next level with gap to gap doubles impact while showing sound actions on the INF dirt that is best suited to handle either 2B/3B longer there is a sound profile here for the Spartans SR. infielder and one that intrigues more for what a Junior College path could do for him should he chose to go that direction allowing him additional time to add strength to his frame and tick his athleticism upwards, either way Valdez looks the part of a college baseball player long term.

Names To Know:

In a one day look not all highlights are caught or players won’t always have their best results. With that in mind there were several other players who showed interesting tools/potential or futures. The names below are ones to keep an eye on going into the spring and going forward. 

Chaminade:

+ '26 OF/RHP Robby Morgan

+ '25 INF Maslin Bennett

+ '27 INF Bronson Jackson

+ '26 RHP/1B Eli Stephens

+ '26 C Caydin Wilson

Newbury Park:

+ '27 SS Cole Munyon

+ '27 INF/RHP Owen Gaida

+ '25 OF Andrew Vega

+ '26 C Nathaniel Nunez

Westlake:

+ '26 C Chase Stewart

+ '26 SS Rocco Cortell

Rio Mesa:

+ '26 1B/OF Alec Fontyn

+ '25 3B Josh Cardenas

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