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Utah Rising Stars ID: Quick Hits

June 20, 2023
Jeff Scholzen
Utah Scouting Director

Quick Hits: Player Profiles and Scouting Reports

Our annual look at the rising 8th and 9th graders around the state, as we create our database of portfolios for the classes of 2027-2028. These players will be the bulk of talent, that will become the young men that will comprise the 2024 Jr. Future Games roster, while also being considered as the select group of freshman, that will be considered for the Future Games roster, representing the #SwarmingBees and #TeamUtah! 

The Rising Stars ID, saw 40+ young 14-15 year old talented young men, as we tracked their tools, by measuring with the industries leading ball tracking software in Trackman Baseball and laser graded 60 yard dashes. Hitters and pitchers had their ball tracking data captured with metrics, such as exit velocity, launch angle, batted ball distance and sweet spot contact. Pitchers were captured with FB/CB/SL/CH spin rates, overall pitching velocity ranges, max velocities and Inverted/horizontal break. 

We take a look at some of the players that captured my attention, and this is not a complete list, but a snapshot of top players from just one day, as others will continue to get in front of me and show their tools, and improve to the point, where my interest will peak, others could pass top players up, as improvements are fluid and ever changing over time.  

2027

Player Analysis 

Trent Chris LHP / 1B / Snow Canyon, UT / 2027

 

6/20/23

Rising Stars ID 

A tall long limbed LHP with a loose arm and clean fluid arm stroke to project physicality and added velocity. The delivery is flexible and features a med to high knee kick and does leak with his delivery out front a bit, yet staying back and getting down and into his legs a bit more, should unlock some added velocity. The cleanness to the arm stroke and ext out front, lends itself to getting better faster. The FB 77-78 is on par for his current class and wouldn’t be surprised to see 81-82 by next spring. The FB is a little straight at the present time, but with grip changes and instruction, life can be added. The CB 66-67 has abv avg spin (2268) with a feel to spin the ball through release and create depth and bottom in the zone for K’s in a bullpen setting. The CH 72 features almost 9 inches of arm sods horizontal run w/mild sink. The CH shows kill spin and fade on approach to the hitting zone and shows some deception with FB arm speed. Intriguing LHP with upside to throw harder w/the ability to spin the baseball

 

 

Ryder Huntsman SS / RHP / Pleasant Grove , UT / 2027

 

6/13/23

Rising Stars ID 

Huntsman comes from bloodlines, as his father is former minor league RHP Brandon Huntsman, a former 6th Rd draft pick out of Pleasant Grove HS in 1994. His father was 6-4 195 and is built similar with a high waisted and long legged look. Ryder showed athletic actions, with solid movement patterns and moved side to side at SS with educated feet and bends deep to receive and field the baseball. Funnels the ball well and brings to his chest and gets rid of the baseball quick and with a clean arm stroke and throws were on the money. The bat is fluid and quick from a very spread out square stance to hit. The heel comes up and sets down, as he spins thru contact with a handsy approach to drive his hands inside the baseball and whips his hands out front after barrel release, into a two hand finish around back. On the mound, he shows real potential, as he does rush his delivery and slightly land across his body, yet the arm is clean and quick thru the slot with natural God given arm speed and strength. The FB topped at 83.2, which was an event best and it's firm for a 15 year old, and portends to be a low to mid 90's arm to dream on in 3-4 years. The CB has shape and definition, while spinning the baseball out front, in creating depth through the zone and below the contact point for hitters. Feel for the game as a position player and especially on the mound, yet does show intriguing potential both ways right now. Will be a freshman at Pleasant Grove HS this coming fall, and will be getting further invites to special PBR Utah events this coming fall for the Utah State Games. 

 

 

Beckham Rowley LHP / 1B / Stansbury, UT / 2027

 

Rising Stars ID 

Rowley was one of the better revelations, with his loose long arm action, and how the baseball comes out of his hand. The FB 75 can be thrown harder and with more conviction, due to his ability to throw K's and control the K zone. The CB though low in overall velocity at 60-61, was the event leader in spin rate at 2536, which is above MLB avg and something to hang his hat on, and give promise for bigger things to come in relation to velocity and even greater spin, as he continues to grow, fill out and develop. With the added velocity over time, and the ability and feel to create spin with its accompanying depth in the zone, gives added promise of a plus CB in time. One to definitely keep and eye on! 

 

 

Sam Dart LHP / 1B / Spanish Fork, UT / 2027

 

6/13/23

Risings Stars ID 

The younger brother of two D1 recruits, with his oldest brother Zac a former 5A MVP and BYU recruit, along with his second oldest brother Will, a Arizona State commit, Zac has that type of potential as well on the mound as a LHP. Sam features an athletic delivery that does leak forward a tad, and with his elbow up, into a short HTQ arm stroke, it can leave his arm behind, and not catch up, resulting getting underneath the baseball and his misses are high and to his arm side. Yet the physicality and proportioned build w/solid movement patterns, to make the type of adjustments, that could see really quick results, because Sam possesses the type of deception in his closed front side and shorter arm stroke, to use the FB in making it appear as if it jumps a the plate with carry and keeps its plane at times. The breaking ball has solid shape and definition, with the ability to get on top of the baseball and spin the ball, so depth in the zone is added. As Dart continues to develop and mature physically with tweaks to his delivery, this could be an arm that pops really quick and will be getting future invites to more prestigious events and "looks" from the social media and college coaching world in short order.

 

 

Kayden Lambson RHP / 3B / Spanish Fork, UT / 2027

 

6/20/23

Rising Stars ID 

Tall high waisted look w/long arms and legs. The type to continue to grow and fill out with age and natural maturity. Intriguing drop and drive high flexible kick to his delivery. Features a low set to his hands in his address and maintains the set and glove/hand break. Creates a shorter low to med arm stroke out of the glove. With a higher set and break, this will create a more full circle arm stroke. Yet does have arm speed and natural arm strength, created with solid use of his legs and good ext out front at release. The wrist/forearms and fingers have whip and strength to power the ball out of the hand w/a FB that touched 81.4, which is slightly abv avg for his class. The FB is firm w/sone carry at times from a downhill plane of attack. His best pitch is a hard TQ tilted downer CB 65-66 that can be thrown harder, yet has solid shape and definition and can create spin (2352) to feature depth and late controlled bottom in the zone. The spin for his age and class is abv to slightly abv avg and with the feel to land the breaking ball for K’s, gives promise for added spin and velo over the next couple of years. The CH 72 fades with late mild sink and arm side life. With added use and development, this pitch will complement a slightly abv avg FB/CB combo, to give him 3 pitches in a lead HS starters role and the sky's the limit from here. 

 

 

Tosh Schneider SS / 2B / Pleasant Grove, UT / 2027

 

6/11/23

Rising Stars ID  

Tosh has as a young player attended the PBR Utah State Games last October, as the only 2027 in attendance. Advanced actions and movement patterns portend well as he makes the jump to the HS level this coming fall. Tosh has the work ethic and passion/drive to be good and wants success. A bouncy lower 1/2, that is still going thru that physically awkward stage of coordinating his actions and footwork on defense, yet shows the educated feet and lateral agility to stick at either 2B/3B moving forward for his level of play. The hands are soft and plays out front, the arm needs to strengthen and get more carry on the ball, but I have seen him throw better last fall. The bat was sound and he took a quality BP and stung line drives consistently throughout his round, with a repeatable stroke to hit. The instincts are there in the box, with the know how to release the barrel on time and allow the ball to jump off his barrel. Was a solid day overall for Schneider and I  look forward to seeing him once again at the Utah State Games in late October at Snow Canyon HS. 

 

 

2028

Player Analysis 

James Rex C / SS / Lehi, UT / 2028

 

6/15/23

Rising Stars ID 

An athletic mover with lower 1/2 twitch behind the plate and at SS. Showed quick, active lower 1/2 glove actions in the middle of the diamond, with lateral quickness and solid range to his glove side, in making a ranging play w/a spin and a throw on the money. Shows soft hands and educated feet and works from the ground up and out front. Behind the plate, much of the same, with lower 1/2 twitch and a quick exchange w/fast feet for a 14 year old. The arm is short right now from the catcher position, but that's expected at this age, as he is just beginning the jump to the big fields now. The bat is fast and quick w/a short direct big fields approach to hit. Stays behind and through the baseball at contact, and shows timed up barrel release to make the ball jump on a line. Really was impressed by what I saw and look forward to following James' progress over the next 4-5 years!

 

 

Boston Hatch LHP / OF / Riverton, UT / 2028

 

6/11/23

Rising Stars ID  

Hatch is the younger brother of former Bingham HS star 3B Jonny Hatch, who currently is on a 2 year church mission, yet will return in the fall of 2024 and play on scholarship at JUCO World Series qualifier Salt Lake CC. The younger Hatch, Boston is a tall projectable athletic build, that shows that gangly awkwardness to the naked eye at present, but oozes physical maturation and has the tools to develop into baseball skills. Currently and OF/LHP that shows potential both ways, however being LH'ed and showing some advanced for his age tendencies on the mound right now, that is where I'm leaning. Touching 81 mph as a 14 year old with a flexible high kick to his delivery from a loose EZ HTQ arm slot. Features a up tempo delivery, that can be slowed down and controlled to a degree, to control his movement patterns more efficiently. The CB shows TQ tilt and shape, with the ability create spin and depth. The CH also shows some feel and is more of a choked circle-CH that fades coming out of a stiff wrist and has some turnover arm side run. 

As a hitter, he is young and tall, which creates leverage to hit balls deep on intermediate and big fields at a young age, thus making it more difficult to judge and evaluate as it takes time to piece a bat together. But there is lift from a tad bit longer swing and has some sweep thru the zone with the barrel, which creates some pull tendencies. Right now for me, the pitching and being LH'ed is the leader in the clubhouse for me right now. 

 

 

Austin Brown OF / LHP / Wasatch, UT / 2028

 

6/13/23

Rising Stars ID 

First look at Austin, and came away impressed and was as advertised by some coaches and father's that recommended him highly. A two way threat, that is a little better right now with the bat, but shows solid potential on the mound, and being LH'ed, those type of arms have to prove they are not prospects. The setup to hit and physicality for a 14 year old right now, looks the part of a ballplayer, and he's solidly built, while being long and lean. With a slight lean back and lift of the front foot, in setting it down softly, the barrel turns into a 45 degree launch phase and the swing plane is flat through the zone w/some loft angled approach as well. Can drive the baseball and is strong for his age, and advanced at that, by his EV of 93.2, which was the event high mark. From the OF, the approach is online and fields out front, and gets into a solid position to throw, with a clean and pure arm stroke w/good ext. out front in finishing his throws. 

Pitching

On the mound, there is potential with a conventional flexible knee lift and gets down the slope with better momentum and use of his legs needed. The arm is a little shorter thru the HTQ slot, than his full clean arm circle from the OF. Does cut off somewhat, and could use better reach and ext. out front. The FB in the mid 70's should be 80 by next year and put him in line for a age specific velocity of a next level type player. The CB has some shape and angle at times, though he does slow his delivery somewhat to shorten his stride and get on top of the pitch, to create spin and depth. 

Overall potential is very good with the bat and leaves me excited for his future w/invite events in his future against much older players, and I believe he will hold his own and even have success.

 

 

Trigg Cloward C / SS / Salem Hills, UT / 2028

 

6/15/23

Rising Stars ID 

Cloward comes from college baseball bloodlines, as his father Casey was a catcher for the BYU Cougars for 4 years in the early to mid 2000’s. You can see in Trigg’s game the influence of a D1 college level father with his athletic movement patterns and overall baseball actions. A catcher and a MIF’er, Trigg caught my attention with his actions up the middle. Trigg shows advanced sequencing of his movements, as shows the pre-pitch hop in landing his feet as the bat meets ball, which allows his timing to move in any direction to the ball. There is some educated foot patterns as he sequences his steps and address to the ball, to get into a solid position to play with his left foot forward and planting his left heel into the ground to soften his momentum moving forward. He shows soft hands and receives out front and works from the ground up and gets rid of the ball quick with K’s to 1B. As a hitter, all that is needed is age and physical maturity with his pre-pitch setup conventional and balanced. He rocks back for timing and lifts into a medium knee kick and at foot strike, fires his lower 1/2 and whole body into traditional spinning contact. The bat path is short and direct and produced hard LD’s with backspin through the big part of the field and didn’t look to pull. He stayed on balls and stayed middle-middle with a whippy quick bat for his age and maturation level. With age, maturity and physical growth with the strength component coming in the next couple of years, this kid has the makings of a really good player moving forward. The base is there to build into a very good HS baseball player, that listens and soaks up instruction to go beyond the HS level. It will be fun to follow his journey and see where it ends up!

 

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

SHOWCASE STATE DATE LOCATION
2023 PBR Scout Day: Rawlings Tigers UT 06/29 Skyline High School
Top Prospect Games (Invite-Only) UT 07/11 Salt Lake Community College
PBR Junior Future Games NATIONAL 07/25 LakePoint
2023 PBR Future Games (Utah Invite) UT 07/26 LakePoint Sports - Cartersville, GA
2023 PBR West Coast Games UT 08/04 UNLV & College of Southern Nevada
Northern Utah Open UT 09/16 Ridgeline High School
2023 PBR Scout Day: GBG Utah UT 09/30 The Hive - Juab High School Fieldhouse
Utah State Games (Invite-Only) UT 10/29 Snow Canyon High School

 

RECENT NEWS

 

JEFF SCHOLZEN (BIO)

Scholzen was brought on as the Utah Scouting Director for Prep Baseball Report after serving 9 years as the Four Corners Scouting Supervisor with the Milwaukee Brewers (2011-2020). Prior to his run with the Brewers, Scholzen worked for the Los Angeles Angels for 11 years (1999-2010), serving in a similar capacity as the Four Corners Scouting Supervisor. In all, Scholzen served as a full-time scout for 20 years. Scholzen also received a 2002 World Series ring for his contributions as a scout. 

With the Angels, Scholzen created an Angels Scout Team, in which he coached the likes of current and former major league players: Kris Bryant, Kevin Gausman, Greg Bird, Tyler Wagner, Aaron Blair, Joey Rickard, Donn Roach, Johnny Field, Taylor Cole and Paul Sewald to name a few. During his run with the the Angels, Scholzen served as the hitting coach for the Angels rookie ball affiliate with the Pioneer League Orem Owlz, helping guide the Owlz to the 2005 and 2007 Pioneer League titles.

Prior to becoming a professional scout, Scholzen served as the head coach at Southern Utah University between 1993-1997. At the time, Scholzen was the youngest Division I head coach when he was first hired at 24 years old. The Southern Utah baseball program was dropped after the 2012 season. While coaching at Southern Utah, Scholzen served as the hitting coach for the Alaska Goldpanners in 1995, as they won the Alaska League Championship. 

A native of Utah, Scholzen played at Hurricane HS and was twice named 1st team All-State and an AAU HM All-American, before moving on to Utah Valley CC and Eastern Oregon University, earning All-Conference honors on three separate occasions. Scholzen played in the Angels’ organization from 1991-1999.