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. 

We continue our coverage with some positional analysis from the Preseason ID. Today, we will be looking at the infielders that attended this open event. There was talent across the board with some young 2024s starting to make some appearances. Here are the reports from the day, listed in alphabetical order:

Tommy Chiappetti SS / OF / Verrado, AZ / 2023 5-foot-8 130-pounds, young immature build, small balanced frame. Two-way player. Hits from squared average base, using a rock back load while picking up his front foot slightly. Starts with hands shoulder height, dropping hand in load. Pushes the ball to the right side of the field. Soft contact at 77mph exit velocity. Decent footwork with average quickness. Sure hands with some whipy arm action across the diamond at 80mph. On the mound, threw across his body with long ¾ arm action. Some looseness with average arm speed after breaking hands early. Regular effort with some rhythm. FB sat 73-76mph, thrown for strikes. Showed some feel for his off speed. Threw a gradual sweeping BB with 10/4 shape. CH had some varying movement, down in the zone.

Thomas DeChesaro 3B / C / Saguaro, AZ / 2022 Rankings  StateRank: 48 / POS: 3 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.

Jorge Febres 3B / 1B / Red Mountain , AZ / 2022 Rankings  StateRank: 78 / POS: 9 5-foot-11 200-pounds, broad shoulders, thick build, present strength with some durability to build off. Showed some hit ability. Aggressive swinger with middle approach, some body control. Starts from athletic squared base, using average knee turn leg lift. Starts with barrel flat, loading vertically. Hands come forward a little early at times. Showed some pop with lofted flyballs, 85mph exit velocity. Confident fielder. Moves better in the infield than 7.97 60-yard dash time would suggest. Fields ball underneath body on the right side. Created some direction to the bag using a shuffle, 79mph arm strength.

Roberto Gallego 2B / SS / Nogales, AZ / 2022 Rankings  StateRank: 92 / POS: 3 5-foot-6 150-pounds, small athletic body, lean build, still maturing. Plays the game with some energy. Switch hitter, showing some fluid swings. Mid/opp approach from left-handed side. Mid/pull approach from right-handed side. Starts from a slightly open spread out base from both sides. Slight front foot pickup landing square, small weight transfer. Short to the baseball with slightly downward swing plane. 77mph exit velocity. Raw action fielder with some hop in his step. Some quickness to hands. Upright thrower across the diamond, 77mph arm strength.

Brock Gardner 2B / RHP / Sunrise Mountain , AZ / 2023 5-foot-8 150-pounds, high waisted with some length to limbs, average build for age. Starts from a squared spread out base with some weight on the front leg. Rocks into back leg with smaller leg lift. Hands start back, loading down & deep past his back foot. Drops hands a bit into contact with level line drive swing. Short to the baseball with a middle/ oppo approach. 73mph exit velocity. Ran an 8.32 60-yard dash with some stiffness, growing into body. Starts in low fielders position with the glove touching the ground. Keeps glove down in front of him while moving to the baseball. Waited for the baseball to get to him with flat feet. 66mph arm strength across the diamond.

Monty Gibson 2B / OF / Chaparral , AZ / 2021 5-foot-11 160-pounds, medium frame, average build, some definition to lower half. Left handed-hitter. Hitting from a squared spread out base. Used knee turn leg lift, gaining some ground. Hands start high loading back. Some extra movement in swing. Some effort to stay balanced with the backside collapsing. Upper-cut swing plane, getting some extension. Average contact with fly ball approach at 74mph exit velocity. Aggressive fielder with choppy footwork in INF & OF. Rushed air mailed throws in the OF. More accuracy throwing from the INF. 75mph arm strength.

Michael J. Gorgia Jr. 3B / 1B / Perry, AZ / 2022 6-foot 170-pounds, sloped shoulders, high waisted, thick limbs, some strength in legs. Switch-hitter. Similar approaches from both sides. Gets started a little later from the left-handed side, creating a more mid/oppo approach. Pull approach form right-handed side. Starts from a strong squared base, using a gathered leg lift to create leverage. Minimal forward move. Line drive & fly ball contact with a steep swing plane at times. Ok pop at 81mph exit velocity. Heavy footwork with some stiffness to actions in the infield. Ran a 7.74 60-yard dash. Upper-body dominant throws across the diamond at 73mph arm strength.

Austin Graffius RHP / 3B / Casa Grande Union, AZ / 2023 5-foot-10 135-pounds, thin immature body, room to hold more weight. Two-way player. Starts from a tall upright base, narrow slightly open stance. Uses leg kick with forward movement, landing with some weight on the front leg. Hands starts low, loading deep into an arm bar at times. Pull approach with raw upward swing. 69mph exit velocity. Raw actions in the infield. Flips glove to field balls underneath body. Momentum going off to glove side on throws at 68mph. On the mound, throws from a H ¾ arm slot with slightly quick arm speed. Some effort to delivery, rotating off to 1B side & finishing upright. Straight FB sat 73-76mph. Some feel for CV that was thrown at slower arm speed at 61-66mph with 11/5 shape.

Jacob Hardin 3B / 2B / Campo Verde, AZ / 2020 5-foot-9 180-pound, broad shoulders, compact build, raw strength & durability in lower half. Hits from a wide straight up stance, rocking into back leg with heel lift trigger. Not much extra movement. Flat swing plane, finishing low with strength at contact. Mid/ pull approach. Hard contact with forward spin at times at 92 mph exit velocity. Stiffness to actions in the infield. Ran a 7.67 60-yard dash. Fields ball in low base underneath body with two hands. Throws from different arm angles with short arm action. 76mph arm strength across the diamond.

Kyle Jeffries SS / 3B / Gilbert, AZ / 2023 5-foot-8 130-pounds, young body, broad shoulders, thin frame, still maturing, big feet. Starts in an athletic slightly open stance, knees inside his toes. Uses knee to knee trigger, landing out front on his toe. Short load with flat barrel entry into the zone. Pushes baseball to the opposite field. LD contact at 69mph exit velocity. Flat footwork in the infield. Ran a 7.83 60-yard dash. Fields in low spread out position, making exchange at waist. Average hands. 75mph arm strength across the diamond.

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.

Sean Jeffries SS / OF / Gilbert High School, AZ / 2022 5-foot-11 140-pounds, high waisted with long limbs, skinny frame, room to hold significantly more weight. Squared base with balanced setup. Hands start high with vertical barrel, loading slightly down & back. Toe tap trigger, getting tall at contact. Balance through finish. Middle approach with a flat swing plane. Above average contact at 79mph exit velocity. Above average footwork showing some sneaky fluidity. Ran a 7.23 60-yard dash. Short arm action across the diamond at 76mph. Plays through the ball. Should improve across the board as he starts to fill out physically.

Isaiah Lopez SS / 2B / Campo Verde, AZ / 2020 6-foot 140-pounds, lean athletic body, balanced frame, sloped shoulders, room to add strength. Starts from balanced setup, using a small knee turn leg lift. Some weight in the back leg at foot strike. Short to the baseball with some extension through the zone. Early rotation of the front shoulder at times. Pull approach with consistent contact. 80mph exit velocity. Some fluidity actions in the infield. Ran a 7.60 60-yard dash but plays a bit quicker. Clean exchanges, getting rid of the ball with short arm action at 74mph across the diamond.

Dhane Meyers SS / OF / Casteel, AZ / 2024 5-foot-4 125-pounds, young body, balanced athleticism, hasn’t started physically maturing yet. Left-handed hitter that will gain more pop with time and maturity. Hits from a squared spread out base, using a knee turn trigger. Starts with a flat barrel, minimal separation to start swing. Middle approach, slightly downward swing path. Consistent contact, 58mph exit velocity. Worked out in OF & INF. Confident actions at both positions. Good footwork in the infield with soft hands. Short arm action in OF throwing from ¾ slot at 66mph, using a small step toward target. Early glove hand separation in the infield. Sure hands. 64mph arm strength across the diamond. Arm strength & range will improve as he gets faster and stronger.

Christian Perez 3B / 1B / Sunnyslope, AZ / 2022 Rankings  StateRank: 27 / POS: 2 6-foot-1 215-pounds, strength & durability in frame to work with, moves well for size. Arm and continued athleticism development will determine if he stays at 3B or moves to the other side of the diamond. Also came to our Preseason All-State Games a couple weeks back. His round of BP was much smoother this time out with a cleaner load. Better in game player. Left handed hitter that continued to use leg kick trigger with middle/pull approach. Power bat with loud contact at 91mph. Good glove and accurate arm. Should be followed as a left handed bat with power potential. Has the body to build significant strength.

Jacob Miller 3B / 1B / Sandra Day O'Connor, AZ / 2022 Rankings  StateRank: 75 / POS: 8 6-foot-2 225-pounds, broad shoulders, thick frame, strength & durability to build off. Stars from narrow upright base, slightly open stance with back toe inside knee. Uses gathered leg lift, reaching into heel plant. Some strength through contact at 87mph. Steep swing plane at times. Worked underneath the baseball creating loft. Gap to gap approach. Showed some body control at plate. Heavy footwork with decent first step. Ran a 7.91 60-yard dash. Long exchanges with short arm action. Minimal momentum to the bag, 70mph arm strength across the diamond. Athleticism plays better at first base in future.

Jack Minhinnick 1B / RHP / Desert Vista, AZ / 2022 Rankings  StateRank: 89 / POS: 2 6-foot-3 2020-pounds, big body with some present strength & durability. Hits from a slightly open stance in relaxed upright position with barrel resting flat on his shoulder. Loads his hands down and back. Throws his barrel early, getting around the baseball. Uses leg lift landing hard on front side. Some natural pop when he connects to pull-side. 84mph exit velocity. Heavy footwork in the infield. Plays on his heels. Knocked baseballs down. Also pitches on the day, throwing from a L ¾ arm slot with slower arm speed. Some effort in balanced delivery. Lands tall in finish. FB sat 72-76mph, thrown for strikes. CV was the better off-speed pitch thrown with gradual 10/4 shape.

Christian Ramos 1B / 3B / Yuma Catholic , AZ / 2022 6-foot 240-pounds, broad shoulders, big body, strength & durability to frame. Left-handed hitter. Hits from a squared up base. Starts with a flat barrel, loading vertically before working into an inverted bat path. Uses leg lift with minimal forward movement to create leverage. Pull approach working from underneath the baseball. Looks to elevate. 81mph exit velocity. Moves around the bag ok for a player of that size with heavy footwork. Ran a 8.91 60-yard dash. Average hands. 72mph arm strength.

Matthew Olson 2B / RHP / Northwest Christian, AZ / 2022 5-foot-7 135-pounds, sloped shoulders, proportional frame, immature body, room to get stronger. Hits from relaxed upright base, feet shoulder width apart. Used slow leg kick trigger, landing late at times. Short to baseball with slightly downward swing plane. Middle approach with soft line drive contact at 76mph. Fields baseball cleanly with hunched over posture. Average footwork at higher effort. Ran an 8.20 60-yard dash. Sure hands, long exchanges, kept feet moving to target. 69mph arm strength across the diamond.

Malachi Santiago SS / 2B / Campo Verde, AZ / 2021 Rankings  StateRank: 110 / POS: 24 5-foot-8 150-pounds, medium compact build, some present athleticism and strength in the lower half. Hits from a squared athletic base with some kneed bend. Uses a small leg kick, gaining little ground. Minimal separation of the hands. Showed good balance through swing. Short to the baseball, staying side. Middle approach. Above average pop from level swing at 78mph exit velocity, showing consistency. Quick footwork with clean exchanges. Ran a 7.48 60-yard dash. Got rid of the ball quickly with shorter arm action. 78mp arm strength across the diamond. Development should be followed.

Kade Thompson C / SS / 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.

Dante Turgeon 3B / 1B / Benjamin Franklin , AZ / 2022 Rankings  StateRank: 49 / POS: 4 6-foot-2 188-pounds, some strength with average athleticism & mobility. Hits from tall upright base with medium leg lift, getting tall in back leg. Natural bad speed and whip through the zone. Throws his hands at the baseball, cutting himself off at times. Good pop in bat, recording the highest exit velocity of the event at 94mph. Looks to elevate the baseball with a slight uppercut. Middle approach with balance. Average feet with some stiffness to actions in the infield. Little momentum & direction to the bag. 77mph arm strength across the diamond. Athleticism could play better at first base in the future. Power potential should be followed.

Stephen Veres SS / RHP / Millennium, AZ / 2023 6-foot-1 145-pounds, long limbs, thin lanky build, plenty of room to add size. Two-way player. Hits from relaxed upright base, using leg kick trigger. Starts with the bat resting on his shoulder, lifting slightly back in load. Flat barrel entry into the zone. Turns barrel slightly early creating a pull approach. Line drive & ground ball contact at 73mph exit velocity. On the mound, threw from a higher arm slot with slower arm speed. FB sat 69-72mph with occasional cut, throwing strikes up in the zone. Developing a feel for his off speed. Mixed in a 10/4 spinner at 63-65mph and a gradual CH at 62-65mph.

Marshall Williams SS / C / Sunnyslope, AZ / 2021 Rankings  StateRank: 94 / POS: 22 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.

Steven Vasquez LHP / 1B / Odyssey Prep, AZ / 2021 Rankings  StateRank: 47 / POS: 6 6-foot-4 200-pounds, long limbs with strength in legs, body really stood out. Two-way player that was one of the more interesting follows of the day.  Hit from a wide closed off stance, cutting himself off at times. Natural pop at 93mph with a middle approach. Showed some ability to lift baseball. On the mound, showed a smooth delivery with some body control, landing athletic. Flat footwork in the infield, slowing his body down. Raw when it comes to reads and taking angles. 67mph arm strength across the diamond. Threw strikes down in the zone from a H ¾  arm slot with a quick arm. Showed some feel for 3 pitches. Ball jumped out of the hand on straight FB, sitting 80-83mph with occasional late run. CV showed above average potential at 62-66mph with 1/7 shape. High spin CH showed some sink down.  His body & overall potential should make for a good follow over course of the spring & summer.

Xavier Zagerman 2B / 3B / Hamilton, AZ / 2023 5-foot-3 107-pounds, young immature frame, still developing physically. Hits from tall upright base with hands starting above shoulder. Used slow toe tap trigger, lowering himself into back leg. Hands started high above the shoulder, loading them back. Drops hands as he goes to the baseball. Drags barrel through the zone. Middle approach with inconsistent contact at 64mph exit velocity. Raw footwork, stopping his feet to field the baseball. Ran a 7.96 60-yard dash. Fielded the baseball in a low athletic position in the center of his body. Stands up out of legs to throw the baseball with little direction, 66mph arm strength across the diamond.

Related Content