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Seattle Elite Scout Day - Quick Hits from 2/15 (Pt. 1)

February 24, 2020
Dan Jurik
Scouting Director - Pacific Northwest

Puyallup, WA - Our 2nd session of Scout Day events for members of the Seattle Elite and Seattle Premier League was another successful event for several uncommitted players across varying graduating years. 

Pre-season events allow players to build their profile with up-to-date information before the spring season begins as well as improve upon past performances. This first installment of Quick Hits from our event on Feb. 15th focuses on the Upperclassman who were in attendance. 

With that being said, let’s take a look at some of our initial impressions....

quick hits - Upperclassmen

2020

1B/LHP Ben Vierra (Kennedy Catholic) taking a gap-year after graduating in 2019. The big bodied 2-way player is looking for a spot next season. Hits from a wide, balanced stance in the box. Simple set-up with a flat barrel path thru the zone. Moves well around the bag with clean footwork. On the mound, used a controlled, repeatable delivery with high ¾ slot. Worked downhill with all of his offerings. Occasionally dropped down to side-arm delivery for some FBs. OF Zaia Acklus (Cascade) impressed throughout the workout with his strong, lean frame and quick actions. Pulled down 80 mph from the OF with high, over the top release. Light on his feet while moving laterally. Starts out in the box with tall, upright posture before hovering on his backside into forward stride. Hands stay back until landing, creating separation and allowing him to generate easy bat speed. 

 C Aaron Clogston (Monroe) has imposing size at 6-foot, 235 pounds behind the dish. Showed some present strength in the box with an 86 mph exit velocity. Stays tall with a high, uphill finish thru contact. Quiet receiver behind the plate. Keeps chest upright while allowing hips to sink low. Popped a 2.15 on his best throw down to 2nd. 

2021

SS Rylen Bayne (South Kitsap) has always flashed promising defensive ability on our in-game looks we’ve had. Combines quick, active feet with control of a soft glove hand and clean, whippy arm action.  At the plate, hands start high before loading into a stronger hitting position near his rear shoulder. Shows some rhythm and tempo with his movements as he gets into swing. 3B/C Connor Beatty (Woodinville) showed some defensive versatility while handing both 3B and C. Widens out stance and sinks hips to get glove beneath the ball at the hot corner. Posture stays upright as he exchanges into throwing motion. Sizeable target behind the plate but with noticeable mobility in his lower half. Stays low/compact before coming out of crouch. Accurate arm with true carry on the ball. Polished approach in the box offensively. Simple, balanced set-up with no wasted movement. Hands really let the barrel work and repeatedly produced hard contact with easy effort. SS/RHP Josh Flaugher (Central Kitsap) had a well-rounded performance both as an INF and RHP. Offensively he has quick hands in the box with a short, direct swing to the ball. Has some leverage in his set-up with gap-to-gap power potential. Stays under control defensively while ranging laterally. Quickly realigns feet with target and funnels ball into a short, compact arm action. On the mound, FB peaked at 81 with easy, starter-type effort. Full arm path with ¾ release point. CB/CH combo gives him a quality 3 pitch arsenal. Another 2-way prospect, 1B/LHP Davis Franklin (Bellevue Christian) profiles well with his size and L/L skill set. At the plate, showed a classic uphill LH swing with plenty of lift. Stays tall thru contact while holding his posture. 85 mph exit velocity. Moves well at 1B defensively with sound footwork and the ability to handle all the throws. On the mound, has some slight hesitation in delivery but it creates deception and doesn’t prevent him from repeating his release point. Finishes with controlled intent and quick hand speed thru release.

We first saw LHP Dominic Gray (Lake Stevens) back in the Fall with Laces Baseball Academy at our PBR #FallChampPNW Tournament. The long, lanky lefty has shown consistent pitchability and an understanding how how to manipulate the baseball around the zone. Uses an up, down and out delivery as he gets down the mound. Throws from a low ¾ slot with a full arm path. Whippy finish thru release. FB has sneaky life into the zone. CB/CH both are quality secondary offerings. OF/3B Todd Gouy Jr. (Arlington) took consistent rounds of BP with line-drive contact throughout. Uses a slightly open set-up before getting into landing. Hands stay tight to the body & keep swing compact. In the OF he took aggressive routes thru the ball with plenty of momentum behind his throws. Stays in a wide, balanced stance at 3B while keeping ball centered in front of him. High ¾ release from both positions. 6-foot-4, 240 pounds, 1B Mason Gronewald (Mercer Island) took some of the more aggressive, violent hacks we saw on the day. Stays crouched with knee bend in his stance at the plate. Subtle load with hands as he takes a leg kick into his forward move. Strong at point of contact. Defensively, keeps the ball high on the exchange and throws from an over the top release. Showed a reliable glove hand with clean actions. 1B/3B Andrew Kaltsounis (North Creek) was dialed in throughout BP. Showing a tight, compact swing and exceptional feel for keeping the barrel inside of the ball. Controls his weight shift forward and hits against a firm front leg. Clean actions at both 1B/3B. Has some smoothness to his game despite his strong, stocky frame. Maintains control of his glove hand while working thru the ball. Clean, loose arm action. SS/C Michael Lee (Mercer Island) gave us the top exit velocity on the day with 93 off the tee. At the plate, he syncs everything up with a consistent load while staying athletic at landing. Barrel works thru the zone with ease.  Keeps the hands back at landing and avoids letting his momentum get too far out in front. Stays balanced in his legs after contact. Impressive accuracy on throws down to 2nd during C workout. Popped between 2.07 - 2.20. Has plenty of arm strength from both C & SS with the ability to manipulate arm slot. Clean footwork for the INF with a soft glove hand. SS/2B John Lucarelli (North Creek) sets-up with a slightly open stance at the plate before using a subtle leg lift load to get into his swing. Effectively loads with his hands, creating considerable stretch/ separation between his lower half and the barrel. Head stays down thru contact. On defense, he has some bounce in his step while moving laterally. Stays behind the ball on his throws across the diamond. Does a solid job of working low & thru the ball. Quick am action with an easy exchange into this throwing motion. Strong, lean frame at 6-foot-1, 195 pounds. 3B Jake Niemann (Eastside Cathloic) looks poised for a strong campaign in 2020. Produces bat speed easily with a loose, whippy barrel. Swing gets on plane early before finishing with some lift after contact. Defensively, arm action stays tight/bent as he works from an over the top release. Actions should allow him to stay in the INF long-term. Size/power combination with some field ability makes him an intriguing prospect. 

‘21 C Michael Parkman (Woodinville) uses a narrow, tall set-up at the plate before landing in a wider, more athletic hitting position. Keeps barrel flat into the zone, working behind the ball & showing his best contact to the middle of the field. Gets out of his stance quickly as he realigns feet for throws down to 2nd. High exchange after he receives ball. Arm action profiles well behind the plate. Lastly, SS/2B Mason Persons (White River) stays tall in the box with his lower half but uses a slight hip hinge at the plate to get barrel on plane with the ball. Short forward stride works in tandem with quick hand load before he initiates his clean, fluid swing. Defensively he starts with deliberate tempo but accelerates to a quicker speed as he works thru the ball. Shows some feel for the speed of the game with his smooth actions.