Prep Baseball Report

Orange County Preseason ID: Preview Story


By: Gavin Smith
California Staff

  

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This Thursday, January 2nd, the Prep Baseball California team is hosting the Orange County Preseason ID at JSerra High School in San Juan Capistrano, CA. This is an open event for all high school classes (2025-28), and gives our staff an ample look at the area's top players.

For a closer look at the showcase details and the technologies we'll have on-site to assist our in-person evaluation for all in attendance, click here. For a complete look at those registered to attend this event, view the most up-to-date version of the roster by clicking here.

2025 ROSTER

This year's roster is already shaping up nicely, just like in years past.

A pair of committed prospects are making their way to our first event of 2025 in San Diego commit, INF Diego Gonzalez (El Dorado, 2025), and Loyala Marymount commit, OF Jacob Wicker (Santa Margarita, 2026). Gonzalez is a left-handed hitter that's currently ranked No. 86 in the state's senior class. He's posted exit velocites up to 96.5 mph, and h'es also shown well on the infield with clean actions and a strong arm across the diamond (T89 mph). Wicker is ranked No. 133 in the state's sophomore class, and he's making his Prep Baseball California event debut on Thursday.

C/OF Leonard Knapp-Schwarznegger (Loyola, 2028) was a member of Team California at last summer's Prep Baseball Junior Future Games. A 7.08 runner, the right-handed hitter has a simple swing that produced a max exit velocity of 85.1 mph with quality bat speed to pair (77.8 mph). He's quick-to-release from behind the plate with accurate throws in-line with the bag.

RHP Luke Stone (Los Alamitos High, 2026) is an intriuging upside arm at 6-foot-5, 185-pounds. We last saw Stone during the fall where he showed a fastball up to 85.7 mph. He also mixed in two different low-70s breaking balls, and rounded out his four-pitch mix with a change up that sat 75-79 mph with an average horiztonal movement of 18.9 inches.

C/OF Julian Suarez (Woodcrest Christian, 2028) is currently slotted at No. 26 in the state's freshman class. A Junior Future Gamer this past summer, Suarez checks in at 5-foot-6, 145-pounds with a strong, athletic frame. He's a fluid right-handed hitter that's produced a max exit velocity of 88.8 mph. Suarez is athletic behind the dish with a strong, accurate arm, producing a pop time of 1.99.

C/OF Justin Torres (La Mirada, 2026) owns an upside, athletic frame at 6-foot-1, 167-pounds. Ranked No. 187 in the state's junior class, Torres is a right-handed hitter at the plate that produced a max exit velocity of 93.8 mph back in October. He's a clean, easy mover behind the plate and we're excited to get another look at him this week.

INF Brody Williams (JSerra Catholic, 2026) is a physical right-handed hitter that stands in a 6-foot-4, 200-pound frame with clear strength throughout. He posted an impressive 102 mph max exit velocity at one of our events in October, and we're eager to see the strides he's made the past couple of months.

Perusing the event roster, we’re set to meet a majority of players who’ve not yet attended a Prep Baseball showcase, and we’re eager to add more names to our follow lists.

EVENT CHECK-IN PROCESS

Because of the high number of prospects set to attend Thursday's event, it is imperative that you read our adjusted showcase itinerary below, which will allow our staff to swiftly and efficiently educate and evaluate the players set to attend.

Additionally, in an effort to continue and develop contactless check-in strategies, upon arrival, players will scan a QR Code with their smart phone camera that will lead them to a Google Form. On that Form, players will enter their name (matching the spelling on their Prep Baseball profile) and hit submit. Upon submission, players will be prompted to click a link that will direct them to their jersey color and number, located next to their registered name.

ITINERARY

Check-In Times:

  • All Position Players: 8:30 - 9:00 AM
  • All Pitchers-only: 11:00 - 11:30 AM
  • Catchers will stay for both sessions.

MORE EVENT DETAILS

Click here to learn more about our tech partners that have enhanced our players showcase experience. Partners like TrackMan, Vizual Edge, and Blast Motion have helped both our in-event evaluation process, as well the compilation of our post-event scouting reports – and they're also a tool for our players to learn more about their measured and collected data, that can be applied to improve upon their game.

Upcoming Events

Showcase State Date Location
San Diego Preseason All State (Invite Only) CA 1/04 Maranatha Christian High School
Central California Preseason All State (Invite Only) CA 1/05 Antelope Valley College
Central California Preseason ID CA 1/12 Ventura College
North Bay Preseason ID CA 1/25 Novato High School
Northern California Preseason All State (Invite Only) CA 1/26 Ohlone College
East Bay Preseason ID CA 2/01 Pittsburg High School


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