NW Futures - 2023 Grads (pt. 1)

May 18, 2020
Dan Jurik
Scouting Director - Pacific Northwest

Now that our 2023 rankings have been updated and expanded, we're continuing to take a look at the 2023 players we saw at our events this past February. Below are some of the '23 prospects from our Scout Day with the NW Futures.

Today we cover the first half of the group. We will conclude with the remaining '23 prospects later this week.

For more info on each prospect. Click on their name to be taken to their profile page. Each profile page will have all stats from the event.

2023 grads

Luke Anzellotti C / OF / Skyview , WA / 2023

5-foot-9, 170 pounds with a proportional frame. In the box, gets set in a wide, balanced stance. Gathers weight back with a subtle toe-tap before taking forward stride. Upper half stays relaxed with barrel resting at a flat angle. Hands launch swing from just beyond back shoulder. Barrel gets into the zone early and stays flat thru contact. Level/rotational finish with plenty of intent from his lower half. Defensively, shows mobility behind the dish and presents a compact target. Allows hips to sink while keeping tall posture in his upper half. Stays low while receiving before getting out of crouch into throwing motion. Easy exchange into quick, tight arm action. Gets extension thru release to create accurate ball fight/carry.

Cody Blackhurst RHP / 3B / Skyview , WA / 2023

Impressive frame at 6-foot-2, 190 pounds with some present strength and projectability. Slightly open stance with bend in lower half. Hands set up away from body with loose, relaxed rhythm. Low leg kick to gather on back-side as barrel pulls back into hitting position. Takes a controlled swing with easy bat speed. Hands work quickly into the zone and keep barrel on a flat path into contact. Strength allows him to hold posture thru contact while keeping a posted front leg to help create leverage. Defensively, has quality size/strength combination for corner INF. Currently shows sound footwork and actions at 3b. Presents glove early while moving to the ball. Shorter levers in upper half allow for quick exchange into throws. Tight, compact arm action from ¾ slot. On the mound, worked exclusively out of the stretch during bullpen. Comes set with low hand placement and some weight pre-shifted onto back leg. Has some controlled movement with center mass down the slope as he gets to leg lift. Hips coil back towards rear shoulder. Slight shoulder tilt at hand break. Front side opens up to give clean direction towards target. Clean arm path with same action as INF. High ¾ release.

Max Fraser LHP / 1B / Camas, WA / 2023

5-foot-10, 160 pounds with a high waisted frame and average build. Sets up with a tall stance in the box, keeping upright posture while lower half starts slightly open. Hands begin away from body before loading back as he takes a subtle forward stride. At landing, hands work from just below back shoulder and get swing on plane early, creating some barrel depth thru the zone. Level, rotation finish thru contact. Defensively, handles footwork around the bag at 1b with consistent tempo and body control. Feet stay active while working thru the ball. Showed a clean exchange while coming off the bag on 3-6-3 double play feed. Short arm action with a high takeaway. Adjusts arm slot as needed based on the play. On the mound, pitches with a deliberate tempo and smooth throwing actions. Repeats his delivery with sustainable effort. Slight bend on back-side after leg lift and hand break. Subtle shoulder tilt as he gets down the mound. Smooth takeaway into continuous arm path. Throws from ¾ release while getting extension from his upper half out front. Backside comes thru after finish.

Michael Gordon SS / 2B / Mountain View, WA / 2023

Lean, wiry frame at 5-foot-9, 135 pounds. Feet start just outside of shoulder width in a narrowly open stance. Slight movement in hands to create rhythm as barrel starts flat above back shoulder. Uses a scap load to get hands into hitting position. Syncs up load with low leg lift. ‘Handsy’ type of swing. Barrel shows quickness getting into contact. Short, abbreviated finish. Stays tall in stance throughout. Defensively, keeps feet moving in pre-pitch set up from SS. Takes a slight move laterally to get around the ball and then carries momentum thru as he funnels in. Quick release in throwing motion. Minimal footwork to get rid of ball. Understands the speed of the play. Compact, bent arm action with whippy finish after release. Should stick on the dirt long-term as he continues to develop.

Boston Jensen 3B / RHP / Camas, WA / 2023

Strong, physically mature frame at 6-foot-3, 190 pounds. Offensively, sets up in the box with a crouched, open stance and slight bend at the waist. Takes a low leg kick into forward stride. Hands stay loaded near back shoulder with a quick, subtle move prior to launching swing. Keeps everything tight/compact as barrel works into the zone. Creates bat speed easily with few moving parts. High finish thru contact. Big bodied defender at 3b. Starts in a wide base with active feet during pre-pitch set up. Moves with a controlled, deliberate pace as he gets to the ball. Showed control of a soft glove hand. Consistent side shuffle that syncs up with his exchange into throwing motion. Low ¾ slot with clean arm action. On the mound, pitches with a simple, clean delivery. Repeats his tempo throughout, working at a sustainable pace with starter type effort. Hands stay high at leg lift with a glove-tap after separation to help create rhythm. Stays tall on back-side as he gets down the mound. Lands with direction towards target. Clean arm path with a high ¾ release. Eyes stay on target thru a balanced finish.

Jacob Martin OF / RHP / Mountain View, WA / 2023

Lean frame with a lengthy build at 6-foot, 160 pounds. Slightly open stance in the box with upright posture and some knee bend in his lower half. Front foot steps back into a toe-tap load before he hovers into forward stride. Hands show a steady, rhythmic load that syncs up with lower half. Quick, easy swing with an uphill barrel path thru contact. Stays balanced while generating bat speed. High, 2-handed finish against a posted front leg. Defensively, long strides work well in the OF and give him projectable actions to stick there long-term. Does a solid job keeping momentum behind the ball as he funnels in. Showed 2 variations of footwork, using both an inside-shuffle and crow hop to get more carry into his throws. High ¾ arm slot with an aggressive, upright finish after release. On the mound, pitches with a deliberate, mechanically sound motion. Stays tall as he uses a high leg lift to gather on back-side. Slight drop and drive action with lower half as he gets down the slope. Shoulders stay level as he extends glove side out at hand break. Long stride with direction towards catcher. Clean arm path with a high ¾ release.