MANDEVILLE, LA – The rain finally let up enough in south Louisiana, and the Prep Baseball Report scouting staff was able to hit the road and take in some early season action.

On Friday, we traveled over to Central high school to catch the defending class 5A state champs in double-header action with Lafayette HS and West Ouachita HS. Game one saw Southeastern Louisiana recruit, 2019 RHP Dalton Aspholm (Central(BR) HS, LA) take the mound, and although affective, the Lafayette Lions would pick up the 3-2 win over the Wildcats. In the nightcap, West Ouachita sent Louisiana State recruit, 2019 RHP Thomas Wilhite to the mound. Although Wilhite was dominant at times, touching 92 mph and striking out nine, he would only toss 3 and 2/3 innings, and Central(BR) would ultimately be victorious, claiming a 5-1 win.

On Saturday we headed down to Mike Miley Stadium in Metairie, LA, catching another double header featuring St. Paul’s HS, Westminster Academy, and Jesuit HS. Game one saw the St. Paul’s offense explode for 14 runs, as the Wolves defeated Westminster Academy 14-0 in 5 innings. The backend of the double header didn’t see much offense, as the Jesuit Blue Jays got an outstanding start from their junior right-hander, Will Helmers, who tossed a complete game shut-out, allowing only three hits in a 2-0 win. Although coming up short, the St. Paul’s Wolves got a quality start of their own from 2019 RHP Jacob Scherer, who allowed only two runs in 5 and 1/3 innings of work, while striking out six.

Below are some scouting notes and video of some prospects that stood out over the weekend.

+ Dalton Aspholm, RHP, Central(BR) HS, 2019
Southeastern Louisiana recruit, currently ranked No. 26 in Louisiana’s 2019 class. Athletic 6-foot, 180-pound frame with lean build and room to add strength. The senior right-hander was solid in his 5-inning outing on Friday night, giving up two earned runs on four hits, while striking out six in five innings of work. Athletic, polished delivery with fluid rhythm and in-line direction. Clean, loose arm action into high-3/4 release with quick arm speed and normal effort. Pitched 86-90 mph with his fastball, showing late life to the arm side, and added quality secondary stuff with a sharp breaking ball at 73-76 mph.

+ Thomas Wilhite, RHP, West Ouachita HS, 2019
Louisiana State recruit, currently ranked No. 2 in Louisiana’s 2019 class and No. 65 Overall. Physical 6-foot-4, 210-pound frame with strong, durable build and athleticism. He flashed electric stuff at times in his Friday night start, pitching 88-91 mph, touching 92 mph with his fastball. His pitch count ran up quickly as he struggled to fully get in a rhythm, but he overmatched hitters when he was in the strike zone, striking out nine in 3 and 2/3 innings of work. Athletic delivery with fluid rhythm and in-line direction. Medium, clean arm stroke into high-3/4 release with easy, quick arm speed and normal effort.

+ Christopher Battaglia, OF, Lafayette HS, 2019
Currently ranked No. 95 in Louisiana's 2019 class. Medium 5-foot-11, 171-pound frame, athletic build. Right-handed hitter that hits from tall, balanced setup, and hands held high. Works backwards in load with subtle leg lift, short stride and solid balance. Gap-to-gap type approach with flat to slightly uphill path, fluid rhythm and quality bat speed with strength at contact. Stood out offensively on Friday, driving the baseball with authority, finishing the day 3-for-3 with two doubles, one RBI, and a run scored.

+ Will Helmers, RHP, Jesuit HS, 2020
Lean 6-foot-3, 185-pound frame with athletic build, long levers and room to add strength. Polished, athletic delivery with rhythm and in-line direction. Long, clean arm action into high-3/4 release with quick arm speed and regular effort. Tossed a complete game, 7-inning shutout, allowing only three hits, while striking out nine and walking none. Pitched 84-86 mph with his fastball, showing late life to the arm side and command to both sides of the plate. Also showed feel for quality secondary stuff including a breaking ball with 11/5 shape with solid rotation, and depth at 70-73 mph.

+ Jacob Scherer, RHP, St. Paul’s HS, 2019
Strong, developed 6-foot-2, 210-pound frame with athletic build. Strike thrower that works fast. Athletic delivery with smooth rhythm and quality direction. Medium arm stroke into high-3/4 release with quick arm speed and normal effort. Pitched 84-86 mph, touching 87 mph with his fastball, showing late life and carry through the zone. Solid secondary stuff including breaking ball with solid rotation and depth at 70-72 mph, as well as quality feel for changeup with fastball arm speed, depth, and late fading action at 74-76 mph. Also showed ability to elevate the fastball late in counts, consistently beating bats when executed. Allowed two runs on six hits in 5 and 1/3 innings, striking out six, and walking one.

+ Parker Serio, C, Jesuit HS, 2020
Lean 6-foot-2, 165-pound frame, athletic build with room to add strength. Quality defender that showed off soft hands and fluid footwork with quick, clean exchanges on Saturday. Flashed above average arm strength with short arm action into high-3/4 release with carry and accuracy on throws to second. Offensively, the right-handed hitter finished the day 1-for-3 with a run scored, including a loud double down the left-field line.

+ Zack Casebonne, C, Jesuit HS, 2021
Currently ranked No. 13 in Louisiana's 2021 class. Developed 5-foot-10, 185-pound frame, with strong build, and clear strength in wrists and forearms. Right-handed hitter that hits from balanced, athletic setup, smooth load, subtle leg lift load, short stride and balance throughout the swing. Gap-to-gap type approach with fluid rhythm, slightly uphill path, quality bat speed, and explosive strength at contact. Finished the day 1-for-2.

+ Tripp Haddad, IF, Jesuit HS, 2021
Physical 6-foot, 190-pound frame with strong, athletic build. Right-handed hitter that hits from balanced, athletic setup with clear present strength, finished the day 1-for-2 with a RBI, and made loud contact in both at-bats.

Related Content