Junior Future Games: Day 1
July 30, 2020
The 2020 Junior Future Games is off and running at the LakePoint Sports Complex in Emerson, GA. The event features some future prospects from around the country in the 2024 & 2025 grad classes. Team Arizona brought 13 players on this year's roster that will all be looking to show off their talent to the rest of the nation & PBR scouting staff. All games are live streamed through Playsight on the Junior Future Games homepage.
On Wednesday, July 29th Team Arizona started off their schedule with a pro-style workout where they showed off some of their individuals tools and recorded measurable statistics. These sessions were videotaped and will go on individual PBR profile pages along with showcase data and scouting notes throughout the week. After the showcases complete, teams spend the next three days competing in tournament play versus the other PBR select teams from around the country. Team Arizona started it's tournament play off this morning with a doubleheader against Team Alabama & Mid-Atlantic.
Below you will find some highlights from Game #1 & #2, including some players that stood out on the day:
GAME #1 RECAP
Team Arizona jumped to an early lead versus Team Alabama with some timely situational hitting from Oscar Rocha (Salpointe Catholic), Matthew Storck (Hamilton) and Gavin Short (Sunnyslope). Solid starting pitching from 2024 RHP Andres Castro (Pusch Ridge) keeping them at bay for 3 innings with help from strong defense from 2025 CF Bode Acton (Verrado) & 2024 3B Gavin Darling (MI). Team Alabama didn't quit scoring 4 runs in the 2nd half the game to take the victory. The game could have very well gone either way. Arizona squared up several balls right at the opposing defense forcing Alabama to make defensive plays. Hats off to Alabama for a good game.
GAME #2 RECAP
After a late rally, Team Arizona suffers a loss to Mid-Atlantic by a score of 7-4. Offense struggled a bit early with quality pitching & defense from quality Mid-Atlantic team. Arizona kept the game within reach with strong defensive play from behind the plate from 2024 Kade Thompson (Casteel). 2024 C/RHP Wryker House got the rally started in the 7th with a single up the middle. Gavin Short then squared up a double down the RF line. Gavin Darling followed it up, hitting a double on a flyball to LCF to score two, putting Arizona within striking distance. Unfortunately, the rally came up just short. Team Arizona finished the game strong.
PROSPECT NOTES:
2024 RHP Andres Castro (Pusch Ridge)- 5-foot-11 180-pounds, above average strength with plenty of maturity left. Started on the mound Game #1, showing some upside. Simple, repeatable delivery, threw with short arm action. FB was 75-76mph, topping out at 78mph with some heaviness when working down in the zone. Shows feel for off-speed but didn't get ahead enough on the day to use it. CV worked 64-65mph. CH was 67-68mph. Shows ability as a two-way player. Hit a deep fly ball early in game 1, finding the barrel & showing some power potential. Hits from a spread out stance with simple pick up, repeating the swing easily.
2024 2B Oscar Rocha (Salpointe Catholic)- 5-foot-9 165-pounds, strength & durability to build off, still maturing. Left-handed hitting infielder. Hits from a spread out stance with small leg lift & little forward movement. Advanced approach with above average hit tool. 90mph exit velocity at our showcase yesterday. We the other way, hitting a triple down the LF line with two strikes in game 1 while barreling up some other balls. Deceiving quickness & mobility to his actions in the infield, showing body awareness. Upside as a left-handed hitter.
2024 3B/SS Gavin Short (Sunnyslope)- 6-foot 168-pounds, present strength, some athleticism. Arguably had one the best days at the plate throughout the day, hitting in the 3-hole. Showed some natural pop during our showcase workout yesterday with a pull approach. Hit from a narrow upright base, using a controlled forward move. In our live game action, he hit with a slightly more spread out base getting started a bit late at times, creating an opposite field approach. Continued to show natural pop and ability to barrel up the baseball. Played shortstop showing average quickness with a strong arm across the diamond & sure hands.
2024 C Kade Thompson (Casteel)- 5-foot-7 135-pounds, young body, still maturing physically. Shows above average athleticism for a player of that size. Stood out for his defensive play on the day. Threw out at least 4 runners trying to steal with good accuracy to the bag and a quick release. Arm strength should improve with physical maturity. Above average blocking skills showing above average mobility while having feel for position. Athletic setup and actions at the plate with minimal power. Should improve across the board as he gets bigger and stronger.