Preseason ID: Outfield Analysis

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 outfielders 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:

Lucas Cardy RHP / OF / Canyon del Oro, AZ / 2022 6-foot-2 175-pound, proportional strength to frame, good make-up. Showed sneaky raw athleticism running a 6.99 60-yard dash, upright runner. Showed some overall toolsy skills on the day. Two-way player. Hits from a squared athletic base using a small forward move. Loads the barrel vertically. Upper Body dominant swing, pull approach. Loud contact & above average pop to LF at 86mph with minimal separation. Hit a HR to LF in BP session. Used a crow up in the OF with some direction to target, 82mph arm from OF.  On the mound, throws from a H3/4 slot, slightly quick arm speed with smooth rhythm. Short loose arm action. Sat 83-85mph with his FB that showed some late run at times. Erratic CV showed glimpses of being a plus pitch with more command, varying shape with late sharp break in bullpen. Two-way player that should be monitored closely.

Caedin Craft LHP / 1B / Trivium Preparatory, AZ / 2022 6-foot 180-pounds, narrow shoulders, some strength to frame, average athleticism. Ran a 7.98 60-yard dash. Left-handed hitter. Starts from a narrow open stance. Pre-loads before pitch landing square on his front toe. Heel comes down to start longer swing. Sprays the ball to fall fields with a level swing. Average pop at 83mph exit velocity. Average effort and footwork in the OF. Long arm action with 74mph arm strength from OF. One the mound, he showed some rhythm to his delivery with some effort. Throws from a H ¾ arm slot, opening up his front side early. FB was 73-76mph with varying action. CV was above average showing 12/6 shape at 62-64mph. CH was straight and thrown a bit hard at 69-71mph.

Matthew D'Amato OF / 2B / Desert Ridge, AZ / 2022 Rankings  StateRank: 124 / POS: 21 5-foot-11 145-pounds, thin frame, long limbs, plenty of room to hold more strength, still maturing. Average athleticism currently. Hits from an open stance, using a leg lift with some forward movement, landing square. Above average hands. Quiet approach yet showing some aggressiveness with a middle approach. Hard LD contact at 82mph. Upright footwork in the OF, Ran a 7.91 60-yard dash. Steps in front to create direction to target. Showed some carry and accuracy on throws at 79mph arm strength.

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.

Kaden Major OF / RHP / Desert Ridge, AZ / 2024 5-foot-8 130-pounds, thin high waisted, physically immature, room to hold significant more strength. Two-way player. Raw approach, starting from a slightly narrow & upright base. Uses a toe tap trigger into a leg lift. Downward path to the baseball. Little separation of stiff hands. Mid/pull approach with soft LD contact at 71mph. Throws with a slight step behind from L ¾ arm slot on throws from OF, 76mph arm strength. Momentum going off to glove side. On the mound, throws from a ¾ arm slot with short arm action. Young raw mechanically. Some effort & rhythm to the delivery, downward tilt of the shoulders. Finishes upright with minimal backside. Straight FB sat 72-74mph, throwing to arm side. Slows down arm speed on offspeed. CV was 54-58mph up in zone. CH was thrown at 55-60mph.

Brody Matcuk OF / RHP / Chandler, AZ / 2024 6-foot 150-pounds, thin body, long limbs, plenty of room to hold more weight, looked older. Ran a 7.42 60-yard dash with chest leaning forward. Hits from squared slightly spread out base, weight on heels. Uses forward move with minimal weight transfer. Starts with hands slightly above shoulder, loading slightly down and back. Oppo approach working from underneath baseball. Average contact at 81mph. Raw footwork in the OF. Approaches the ball hunched over. Created some direction with a small crow hop. Accurate throws from the OF, 73mph arm strength.

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.

Cayden Musgrove RHP / OF / Basha, AZ / 2021 Rankings  StateRank: 89 / POS: 18 6-foot-3 190-pounds, some strength & durability to frame, strong legs, looks noticeably leaner than back in mid December. Hits from upright base using a leg kick to generate leverage. Minimal stretch in long swing with some extra movement. Had some trouble getting off his backside, back foot stays connected to ground. Turns the barrel early, creating a pull dominant approach.  Average contact, some pop to LF at 88mph. Heavy footwork in the OF, ran a 7.81 60-yard dash. Some natural arm strength from position at 81mph. Future is likely on the mound. Pitches from tall/fall delivery with some effort. Straight FB from H ¾ slot sat 78-80mph with slight occasional run. Dropped arm angle slightly on breaking ball’s. Threw a SL & CV that were similar in shape. BB was thrown at L ¾ arm slot at 62-66mph.

Mike Pumo, JR OF / 2B / Shadow Ridge, AZ / 2022 5-foot-7 125-pounds, small build, balance frame, immature physically. Starts from a relaxed upright position pre-pitch. Sinks into back leg as pitch is coming with small leg lift. Inconsistent footwork, dipping backside. Barrel first swing mentality. Pull approach. Average contact at 75mph. Flat footwork in the OF, ran a 8.13 60-yard dash. Lets the ball get to him in the OF taking away from his momentum & direction. 71mph arm strength.

Christian Roncal OF / 3B / Sunrise Mountain, AZ / 2023 5-foot-10 165-pounds, broad shoulders, above average athleticism & strength for age, balanced frame. Hits from an athletic squared stance, spread out. Used a controlled toe tap trigger, showing balance. Loud with his hands pre-pitch. Middle/ pull approach with good pop for age, 88mph exit velocity. Slight upward swing path, clipping bottom of ball at times. Out of zone quickly. Easy footwork in the OF, ran 7.00 60-yard dash. Created angles with quickness. Rushed off backside on some throws. Some natural arm strength with carry at 80mph. 2023 OF prospect to follow.

Matthew Storck LHP / OF / Hamilton , AZ / 2024 5-foot-7 145-pounds, young body that hasn't begun maturing, some definition in arms & legs. Two-way player, liked his future projection on the mound. Left-handed hitter. Hts from narrow upright base, staying tall through swing. Uses slight toe tap into small forward move, upper body dominant. Long steep swing plane. Mid/oppo approach. 68mph exit velocity. On the mound, Threw from H ¾ slot with short arm action and easy effort. Direction coming down the mound, finishing athletic with a short stride. Straight FB sat 69-72mph with slight sink on a couple pitches. Mixed in some above average off-speed for age. Threw a late SL with 2/8 shape at 65-66mph. ASR CH had some sink at 67-68mph. Ball came out clean with smooth rhythm. Monitor as he starts physically maturing and getting stronger.

Jake Terry OF / SS / Valley Christian , AZ / 2021 Rankings  StateRank: 38 / POS: 4 5-foot-11 163-pounds, lean body, athleticism stood out. Plenty of room to add strength and size. Some fast twitch in his movements. Arguably had one of the best showings of the day across the board. Starts in an athletic base, slightly open. Uses knee turn leg kick to transfer energy. Level/ slightly downward swing plane, finishing low. Short to the baseball. Good round of BP with a mid pull approach, hitting a ball over the LF fence. Consistent solid contact with 89mph exit velocity. Had the top OF arm at 83mph with good actions and athleticism. Ran an event high 6.79 60-yard dash. Should be a solid follow in the OF going into the summer.

Damien Tipton LHP / OF / Betty H. Fairfax, AZ / 2021 Rankings  StateRank: 107 / POS: 17 5-foot-10 155-pounds, small with strong legs, some projectability. Two-way player. Left-handed hitter that hit from an athletic setup. Raw middle/away approach. Small leg kick trigger. Level swing path with consistent contact, 81mph exit velocity. Average footwork with low effort. Ran a 7.88 60-yard dash. Arm played in the OF with carry on throws at 82mph, showed accuracy. On the mound, threw with a drop & drive delivery. Close to max effort from ¾ arm slot with quick arm action. FB was thrown for strikes at 79-81mph with late run. Varying shape on his CV at 70-74mph, showed above average on a couple pitches. CH was a better pitch that had some high spin, thrown down in zone with some sinking action.

Wyatt Wingstad OF / 1B / Cienega, AZ / 2020 6-foot-3 190-pounds, uncommitted, tall with long legs & arms, some strength in frame, rounded shoulders. Left-handed hitter. Power potential with some swing adjustments. Starts from athletic base with feet shoulder width apart. Uses forward leg lift, landing with some weight on backside. Hands started high just behind head, dropping with minimal load. Steep swing path, looking for backspin. Consistent hard contact, 86mph exit velocity. Used opposite field well before turning on a ball and hitting it over the fence in BP. Low intensity fielder with capable footwork. Ran a 7.53 60-yard dash. Over-top arm action with minimal extension to the target. 80 mph arm strength. Potential should make for a follow for college coaches.

Related Content