On Sunday, February 9th, PBR Arizona wrapped up its preseason schedule in Mesa, Arizona with our Preseason Identification showcase. This event was slated to be the last event until the spring high school season concluded. We began our post-event analysis with our Statistical Analysis, taking a look at the top statistical performers in each category. We also posted a Quick Hits: Part One and Part Two of instant reactions from the event. This identification event gave us some good knowledge into some players that we haven't seen before. We also had the chance to see a couple of players we haven't seen in a couple months. 

Today, we continue our coverage with some positional analysis from the Preseason ID, starting with the backstops that attend this open event. Listed in alphabetical order:

Thomas DeChesaro 3B / C / Saguaro, AZ / 2022 5-foot-10 160-pounds, lean athletic build, some present athleticism. Ran a 7.18 60-yard dash. Versatile player that showed some decent actions at 3 positions. Average hitter currently that had some trouble timing his movements. Hits from a narrow base with toes pointed towards the catcher, using leg kick to generate leverage. Mid/oppo approach with ok contact at 84mph. Overall quick arm and some natural arm strength. Quick Releases behind the plate, popping up out of his crouch. Solid footwork in the INF. Fields ball cleanly, funneling baseball to belt buckle. Carry on throws at 81mph. Showed Quick, long arm action on the mound with some effort. Straight FB sat 80-82mph from L 3/4 slot. Inconsistent CV at 67-68mph with varying shape, missing up. He threw a good one or two. CH cuts at 71-73mph. Interesting player to monitor going forward.

Carter Flood C / 3B / Boulder Creek, AZ / 2022 6-foot 175-pounds, sloped shoulders, some strength in legs and forearms, average athleticism. Hits from a narrow open stance with back toe pointed inward. Rides a leg kick, landing open. Rotational swinger that spins through contact. Pull approach with some flyball contact. 81mph exit velocity. Average footwork & quickness behind the plate, catching from a staggered stance with raised backside. Makes transfers on the side of the body, throwing with long arm action. 2.12-2.31 pop times with 76mph arm strength.

Carsen Kane C / RHP / Casteel, AZ / 2023 5-foot-11 140-pound build, thin athletic build, limited strength currently, young body, still physically maturing. Hits with slightly open stance with feet shoulder width apart. Used small leg kick trigger, landing slightly closed with some weight on frontside. Loads hands slightly up and back, turning barrel early at the start of the swing at times. LD approach with 78mph exit velocity. Wide straight up secondary stance defensively with raised backside. Hand just behind glove. Flexible and mobile in primary stance. Showed some quick feet defensively. Short arm action with minimal extension to 2B, standing up at times. 2.15-2.30 pop times with 67mph arm strength. Good glove control when receiving. Showed some versatility in the INF. Solid footwork with some quickness. Fielded ball slightly out in front, funneling ball to belt buckle. Stabbed at backhand. 69mph arm strength across the diamond.

Logan Miller C / 3B / Salpointe Catholic, AZ / 2023 5-foot-8 135-pounds, young frame, high waisted with long legs, minimal strength & average athleticism currently, still maturing. Young raw approach offensively. Starts in a spread out base, using heel lift. Very minimal forward movement. Barrel starts pointing towards the middle of the field, externally rotating into swing. 70mph exit velocity. Spread out secondary stance. Minimal direction and momentum to bag, creating some offline throws. Low ¾ arm action with 65mph arm strength. 2.29-2.32 pop times.

Kade Thompson C / 2B / Casteel, AZ / 2024 5-foot-5 125-pounds, young frame, proportional athleticism, some strength in forearms, plenty of maturing to come. Ran a 7.98 60-yard dash. Starts in a slightly open stance with a spread out base. Uses a knee turn leg kick to create leverage. Raw swing with mid/pull approach. Above average contact for age at 71mph. Starts in a staggered secondary stance, leaning on his right leg. Quick arm with some direction. 2.14-2.27 pop times at 68mph arm strength. Good pre-pitch movement in infield. Creates angles rounding the baseball. Choppy footwork will improve with time. Plays through the baseball. 70mph arm strength across the diamond.

Marshall Williams SS / C / Sunnyslope, AZ / 2021 Rankings  StateRank: 93 / POS: 21 5-foot-9 170-pounds, compact build, present strength especially in the lower half, some durability to build off, showed some athleticism running a 7.28 60-yard dash. Switch Hitter with some raw actions. Worked out at SS/C/P, ambidextrous on the mound. Hard for a player to be more versatile than that. Hits from a relaxed squared base from both sides, using a leg kick trigger.  Mid/pull approach from LH side with natural loft. LD pull approach from RH side. Solid pop from both sides of the plate, 85mph exit velocity. Showed some quickness and flexibility behind the plate. Some extra movement when receiving. Consistent arm up the middle & behind the plate, turning in consistent pop times around 2.0. 81mph arm strength across the diamond. On the mound, his RH side is more natural. LH side is softer but smooth. FB worked 76-78mph from RH with a decent knuckleball. Development should be followed.

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