WA Pre-Season ID - 2023 grads (pt. 2)

May 11, 2020
Dan Jurik
Scouting Director - Pacific Northwest

On the verge of releasing our updated and expanded 2023 national rankings, we go back to our Washington Pre-Season ID event this past February to check out the participating players from that class. A strong group of 2023 grads were in attendance that day.

Last week, we covered the first half of the group. Today, we will conclude with the remaining '23 prospects from the event.

Click on their name to be taken to their profile page. Each profile page will have all stats from the event.

2023 GRADS

Sax Matson OF / LHP / Olympia, WA / 2023

Lean build at 5-foot-11, 160 pounds with a high waisted frame. Sets up with a wide, narrowly open stance in the box. Shows some slight bend on his back leg to begin. Uses a quick toe tap into a forward stride to create separation. Hands stay in hitting position at back shoulder. Keeps flexion in his lead arm which allows him to accelerate his barrel into the zone quickly. Hands stay tight and allow swing to stay inside of the ball. Produced line-drive contact throughout BP. Projectable actions in the OF. Athletic footwork and controlled strides while approaching the ball. Receives ball just outside of his glove-side leg and quickly exchanges at chest height. Long, clean arm path into a high ¾ release. Aggressive release thru the ball. On the mound, uses a mechanically sound and consistent delivery. Maintains tempo throughout. Slight inward turn at leg lift while keeping eyes on target. Uses some bend in back leg while getting into short forward stride. Hides ball well after hand break before getting into quick, compact arm action. Works from ¾ release with length out front in his finish. Braces up with front leg into balanced, upright finish.

Marcel Mercado LHP / 1B / Stadium , WA / 2023

Projectable frame with a lean, proportional build at 6-foot-1, 165 pounds. Starts in a wide, balanced stance in the box with bend on his back leg. Uses a short forward stride that syncs up with a subtle hand load. Lands in an athletic base with weight centered and front side closed. Hands stay level with shoulders and get barrel on plane with the ball quickly. Easy, low effort swing with an abbreviated finish after contact. Defensively, showed consistent footwork around the bag at 1b. His L/L profile fits the position. Keeps a controlled, deliberate pace while funneling ball in and getting into throwing motion. Showed an easy, fluid exchange on 3-6-3 opportunities. Clean, whippy arm action with the ability to adjust his slot as needed. On the mound, showed an impressive feel for his mechanics with some enticing potential. Works from the far, 3rd base side of the rubber. Stays tall at leg lift with some slight coil in his hips. Center mass drifts forward with a controlled move as he breaks his hands over the rubber. Has some cross action in his landing. Clean, whippy arm action. Creates some deception by staying compact and hiding the ball. Gets extension from his upper half out front at release. Spin comes out of hand easily. One of the more impressive arm talents we’ve seen in our early looks at the ‘23 class.

Jay O'Neill SS / OF / Stadium , WA / 2023

Athletic frame with a wide set upper half and wiry build at 5-foot-11, 155 pounds. Sets up in a narrow, open stance with relaxed posture. Uses a low leg kick to shift weight and get into forward stride. Hands stay relaxed below rear shoulder with a very short push back to load. Creates bat speed easily with few moving parts. Uphill barrel path into contact with a high, lofted finish. Stays tall in his lower half and creates plenty of leverage in his finish. Defensively, uses short, quick footwork in the OF to stay active as ball approaches. Lengthens out his strides while he comes thru the ball. Gets momentum into his throws with aggressive side shuffle. Long, continuous arm path with clean arm action and high ¾ release. At SS, shows the ability to adjust his footwork and tempo to fit the INF. Remains an active defender, avoids getting flat footed. Flashed solid feel for his glove hand while receiving. Gets rid of ball quickly and tightens up arm action. Adjusts slot while on the move and with double play feeds. Overall, versatile defender with quality skills on the diamond.

Jevin Patterson SS / RHP / Puyallup, WA / 2023

5-foot-10, 160 pounds with a compact build and athletic frame. Uses an open, narrow stance in the box with upright posture. Shows a knee-knock type of load to gather weight back and get into forward stride. Limited movement in hands as they stay back in hitting position. Level barrel path thru the zone. Shows some quickness in his hands with a lower finish thru contact. Stays in legs throughout and braces up against a strong front side. Defensively, agile defender on the INF. Keeps feet moving with steady tempo to allow him to keep momentum going thru the ball. Has the actions and athleticism to play low to the ground while moving laterally. Short, compact arm action with low ¾ release. Fluid turn on 6-4-3 from a lower arm slot. On the mound, pitches with a simple, low effort delivery. Maintains a deliberate tempo throughout. Stays tall at leg lift then creates some flexion on back leg as he gets begins stride down the mound. Slight cross action in lower half with a closed glove-side at landing. Arm action remains compact as he gets into high ¾ release. Tall, upright finish with eyes on target. Backside comes thru after release.

Cooper Renfroe LHP / OF / Eastlake, WA / 2023

5-foot-8, 145 pounds with a high waisted frame and lean build. Simple, balanced set up in the box with feet square to pitcher. Shows some movement with hands to create rhythm prior to stride. Creates a subtle stretch as he loads barrel and gets into landing. Lower and placement near back shoulder allows swing to get behind the ball early and remain on a flat path thru the zone. High, 2-handed finish. Defensively, uses long, lengthy strides in the OF when coming thru the ball. Gets glove hand down to the ball with a hip hinge. Head and chest stay down and over glove hand while he funnels in. Full, continuous arm path with ¾ release. Worked exclusively out of the stretch during his bullpen. Hands come set at waist then raise to shoulder height as he gets into leg lift. Creates some shoulder tilt with a high glove side at hand break. Clean direction towards catcher at landing. Arm action has some deception from ¾ release point. Hides ball well with short, clean arm path. Showed some extension out front at finish.

Tyler Stevens 2B / SS / Olympia , WA / 2023

Lean, wiry frame at 5-foot-9, 150 pounds. Open set-up in the box with feet just outside of shoulder width. Closes off alignment as he takes long forward stride. Hands stay above rear shoulder with short load to initiate swing. Flashed a level swing plane into contact with a lower finish. Gets full hip rotation against a strong front side. Head stays quiet throughout. Defensively in the INF, stays active with some pre-pitch movement in his set-up. Stays wide as he funnels ball in. High exchange with a side shuffle to get momentum behind throw. Athletic, easy footwork while moving laterally to the ball. Arm stays bent with short arm action into ¾ release. Flashed quick hands on double play feed opportunities.

Dylon Veley 3B / RHP / Olympia, WA / 2023

Strong framed at 6-foot, 185 pounds with a developed build. Narrow, open stance with upright posture in the box. Low leg lift to get weight onto back-side prior to beginning forward move. Hands stay relaxed with a subtle load to get into hitting position. Shows an easy swing with some natural quickness in his wrists. Barrel gets into the zone early and stays on plane thru contact. Holds posture thru finish. Defensively, size and strength profile well to the hot corner. Subtle movement with his footwork prior to contact. Stays under control with deliberate tempo as ball approaches. Showed a soft glove hand while funneling ball in. Low exchange as he gets into shuffle to help carry the ball across the diamond. Full arm path with a lower ¾ slot. Momentum stays behind throws after release.