Prep Baseball Report

Fall Scout Notebook: 2018 Class



By Toby Bicknell
Texas Scouting Director

Our staff at Prep Baseball Report Texas spent a lot of time on the road evaluating teams and players this fall. Here, we present you with an updated list of the top juniors we saw. Be sure to follow us on Twitter: @PBR_Texas and stay tuned for daily news.

COMMITTED PITCHERS

Grayson Rodriguez, RHP/1B, Nacogdoches Central HS, 2018
Texas A&M commit. 6-foot-5, 220-pound strong frame. Works from a ¾ slot with a power fastball ranging from 92-94 mph with some arm-side life. His slider had good depth from 78-79 mph and he spun one curveball at 73 mph. The left-handed hitter put on a display with light-tower power in batting practice launching four home runs. The junior added three hits during the game, two of the hits were to left field and smashing a double that one-hopped the wall in center field.

Derrick Cherry, SS/RHP, Goose Creek Memorial HS, 2018
Houston commit. The 6-foot-1, 185-pound, two-way player has a live arm. The young 2018 right-hander utilized a short, quick arm with a fastball that sat 87-91 with late life, and a hard 75-78 slider with tight spin and big break. Cherry got through his slider very well with a short stroke and high ¾ slot. The two-way player shows athletic, fast- twitch actions on defense. Threw very well from the outfield with a solid transfer and very good arm speed with carry on the ball. Showed the ability to handle off speed and takes good swings against velocity.

Bo Blessie RHP, Midland Lee HS
Nebraska commit. 6-foot-3,155-pound lean, athletic frame with long limbs and plenty of room for continued physical development. Works from a high-¾ slot with long loose arm action. His fastball was 88-90 mph in the 1st inning with good life. He threw his slider 74-76 mph showing good feel and repeatability.

Ty Madden, RHP, Cy Ranch HS, 2018
Rice commit. flashed premium present velocity with, it seams, more to dream on as he begins to fill into his 6-foot-3, 175-pound frame. Madden came in relief for Indians Scout Team, working from a high-¾ arm slot with short arm action, the projectable right-hander was bumping 90-92 mph on his fastball. His curveball had sharp, late, downward action at 82-83 mph.

Adam Kloffenstein, RHP, Magnolia HS, 2018
TCU commit. 6-foot-5, 200-pounds with a strong frame, working up-tempo between pitches. He throws from a high-¾ arm slot with a smooth, quick arm swing, clean, aggressive delivery allowing him to get down the mound. His fastball ranged from 87-90 mph with life. He threw one cutter at 83 mph and his slider had very good 11-5 shape from 77-79 mph.

Marcelo Perez, RHP, Laredo Alexander HS, 2018
TCU commit. 5-foot-11, 158-pound, frame. Works from a ¾ slot with quick, slinger-type arm action with an athletic delivery. Perez had great life on his fastball sitting 88-90 mph in the first inning. Has great feel for his slider keeping his hand on top and showing good 10-4 action at 75-77 mph.

Luke Trahan, RHP/3B, College Park HS
Dallas Baptist commit. 6-foot-1, 195-pounds, Trahan has all-around athletic strength with broad shoulders. He works from a high-¾ slot with long arm action. Fastball ranged from 87-90 mph in two innings and showed some heavy action at the bottom of the zone. His slider is a plus pitch with sharp, late life at 83-84 mph. The two-way player also shows strong offensive tools. A right-handed hitter, Trahan has a simple set-up, good rhythm, relaxed hand path and loose finish. He has shown the ability to square up balls with strength in the barrel.

Ty Abraham, 3B/RHP, George Ranch HS, 2018
Houston commit. 6-foot-2, 182-pound strong frame. The right-hander works from a high slot with long arm swing and aggressive delivery. He filled up the zone with his fastball at 88-91 mph. His curveball has good downward action at 76 mph. He threw one changeup at 77 mph. The two-way player also shows strong, advanced offensive skills. The right-handed hitter starts with a slow, early load, shows good leverage at contact with real power to the middle of the field. He hammered ball to center field during batting practice. During the game he smoked a line-drive to right field.

Ryan Segner, RHP, Fredericksburg HS, 2018
The Baylor commit stands 6-foot-2, 195-pounds, working from a high-¾ arm slot with a fast, long, whippy arm action that gets good extension out front on release. The first three fastballs out of his hand were 88 mph, while his curveball sat 73-74 mph.

Michael Fitzpatrick, RHP/SS, LaPorte HS, 2018
Houston commit. 6-foot-1, 170-pound athletic frame. Works from a ¾ slot with a long loose arm action. His fastball ranged from 86-88 mph, slider was 70-72 with good depth. He will drop down to a side-arm slot and throw his fastball 82-84 mph and a slider with slurvey action at 67 mph. Shows great feel for the strike zone with both arm slots.

Jack Neely, RHP, Churchill HS, 2018
Texas commit. 6-foot-8, 210-pound, lean, wiry, projectable frame. The right-hander works from a high slot with long arm action and an up-tempo delivery wasting no time between pitches. With the projectable frame and high slot he creates good angle on his fastball at 84-86 mph. He threw his curveball from 75-77 mph.

Kaden Krowka, LHP, Rockwall Heath HS, 2018
Oklahoma State recruit. 6-foot-1, 170-pound frame with strong, lean build. Throws from ¾ slot. His fastball is 83-84 mph with good arm- side run. He threw his slider 70-73 mph with slurvey action. Showed ability to move fastball around zone with command. Pitched on both sides of the plate and was able to locate slider at bottom of the zone.

Carlos Flores, RHP, Churchill HS 2018
Houston commit. 6-foot-3, 195-pound, strong frame with long limbs. Works from an over-the-top slot. His fastball ranged from 86-88 mph, hitting 88 multiple times. He spins his curveball 73-75 mph early in the count for strikes, and has a slider he flashed at 77 mph with good depth at times. He threw one changeup at 76 mph. Although he doesn't repeat his delivery consistently, he could make jumps because of his strong frame and arm speed.

Owen Meaney, RHP, St. Thomas HS, 2018
Louisiana State commit. 6-foot-5, 220-pound frame, broad shoulders and long arms. Works from a high-¾ slot scattering his fastball around the zone 84-88 mph with some depth on his arm side. His curveball was 69-73 mph with loose spin.

Chase Van Dyk, LHP, Reedy HS, 2018
Oklahoma commit. 6-foot, 150-pound wiry frame. The left-hander works from a high-¾ slot, smooth delivery and whippy arm action. He scattered his fastball around the zone in the first inning 83-84 mph.

UNCOMMITTED PITCHERS

Mason Cooper, RHP, Robinson HS, 2018
6-foot-2, 194-pound frame. Works from a high-¾ slot with a strong, compact arm. His fastball ranged from 87-90 mph in his first inning of work. In the second inning he worked from the stretch at 83-87 mph. His curveball was 67 mph with loose spin. He also threw what appeared to be a cutter at 75 mph.

Blake Brogdon, RHP, Cypress Woods HS, 2018
6-foot-2, 185-pound strong, athletic frame. We had the chance to see him on two occassions. Works from a high-¾ slot with a short quick arm action. The first time we saw him his fastball ranged from 86-88 mph, topping out at 89 mph. His curveball has a 12-6 action with great depth at 72 mph. The second outing we saw in Jupiter, his fastball ranged from 84-86 mph, with the same 12-6 curveball at 72 mph. His changeup was 77-78 mph with good depth.

Isaiah Alvarenga, SS/RHP, Colleyville Heritage HS, 2018
5-foot-7, 155-pound frame. The two-way player came in relief for the Dallas Patriots Stout team and made his presence known, shutting down the inning with 2 quick outs. The right-hander has a ¾ arm slot with good arm-action and an up-tempo, deceptive delivery. The fastball was only 83-85 mph but he commanded it on both sides of the plate at the bottom of the zone. The slider was a plus pitch at 72-74 with slurvey, lateral action.

Tanner Green, RHP/OF, Hudson HS
6-foot-2, 185-pound projectable frame. Works from a ¾ slot with an easy, whip-like arm action. His fastball was 84-86 mph in the first inning with some arm-side run. In the second inning he touched 87 mph once with his fastball sitting 81-85. The slider has cutter-type action ranging from 76-78 mph. The changeup was 77 mph.

Nick Hill, RHP, RHP, Stephen F. Austin HS
6-foot-5, 205-pound, projectable frame with long arms and legs. Hill works with long, loose arm action from a ¾ slot and smooth delivery. His fastball ranges from 81-84 mph, topping out once at 86 mph. The fastball has arm-side run at times. The changeup was his best offspeed pitch at 75-77 mph. The slider was 75-76 mph.

Hunter Mayo, RHP/3B, Hudson HS
6-foot-1, 165-pound, athletic frame with broad shoulders and long arms. Works from a high-¾ slot with clean arm action. He repeats his athletic delivery showing great command of his fastball that ranges from 84-88 mph. The fastball has cutter like action to his glove side. His slider is a good pitch at 71-74 mph. The two-way player took good swings during the games hitting balls on the barrel with a loose finish.

Jared Mack, RHP/SS, Ridge Point HS
6-foot-1, 180-pound athletic frame. Works from a high-¾ slot with short, quick arm action. His fastball ranges from 84-87 mph with good downward angle topping out once at 88 mph. His 12-6 curveball has good depth at 73-75 mph. The two-way player also has a balanced swing with good rhythm and loose finish. He hit a couple of balls on the barrel. Ran a 4.32 home-to-first with long strides.

Anthony "A.J." Ozorio-Brace, RHP/OF, Cinco Ranch HS
5-foot-11, 172-pound frame. Works from a high-¾ slot with quick arm action. He scattered his fastball around the zone at 84-87 mph. The slider started out 70-72 mph and got better in the second inning, settling at 71-74 mph with 11-5 shape. The two-way talent also swung the bat well from the left side. He has a good set-up and although he did not have much to show for it, the swing appears to work well.

Ryan Brashier, RHP/C/3B, Tompkins HS
6-foot-1, 175-pound frame. Works from a ¾ slot with a bit of a max-effort delivery. The fastball has heavy action as he stays on top of the ball at 83-87 mph. His changeup is his best offspeed pitch at 75 mph, while the slider was 63 mph. The two-way player has good arm strength behind the dish with a 1.96-2.1 pop time.

Alberto Gonzalez, RHP, Laredo Alexander HS
6-foot-1, 180-pound strong, athletic build. Works from a high-¾ slot, advanced arm speed with his fastball ranging from 89-90 mph, topping out once at 92 mph. He threw one curveball at 71 mph and one good slider at 79 mph. Gonzalez has a slow, deliberate delivery, then gets very aggressive at foot-strike. Could be a really good sign for someone with improved command.

Brandon Deskins, LHP, Friendswood HS, 2018
6-foot, 150-pound, wiry frame, long arms and legs. The young-looking, projectable junior works from a ¾ slot with long, slinger-type arm action. From the windup his fastball ranged from 85-87 mph. His slider has slurvey 2-8 action ranging from 70-72. When he stays on top of the slurve it is a solid pitch with downward action.

Matthew Foster, LHP, Plano Senior HS
6-foot-4, 198-pound frame. Works from a ¾ arm slot with a long, loose delivery. He sat at 83 mph with his fastball and also threw his changeup for strikes at 74 mph. Foster showed real presence handling some defensive miscues by keeping his poise and continuing to throw strikes.

Duke Jordan, LHP/1B, Hudson HS
6-foot-2, 215-pound strong frame. The left-hander works from a ¾ slot with a max-effort delivery that has a different look. He scattered his fastball around the zone from 81-84 mph, topping out once at 86 mph. His curveball was sharp at times ranging from 67-69 mph, while his changeup was 66 mph. The right-handed hitter had two hits on the day, one on a curveball to center field and triple to left-center and was a 4.88 on the turn.

COMMITTED INFIELDERS

Jordan Groshans, SS, Magnolia HS, 2018
Kansas commit. 6-foot-4, 190-pound frame. The slick fielding shortstop has athletic range with long strides, clean arm action with good carry, solid glove action and exchange. The right handed, middle-of-the-order hitter, has good rhythm, advanced bat speed, and solid barrel awareness. He crushed a couple of balls into a stiff breeze on sunday, one for a double, the other was caught in left field. Most recently we saw Groshans the Under Armour Tryout, where he launched a home run to left field on an inside fastball thrown 90 mph.

Ty Coleman, SS, Midland Lee HS
Texas A&M recruit. 5-foot-9, 160-pound frame. Strong body with well-defined lower half, shows strength in the hands and quick twitch on defense and base paths. Defensive actions are advanced for his age, makes the play to back hand side and shows arm strength with carry. Makes the slow run thru play with athletic actions and ability to throw from different arm slots. Showed good speed on base paths stealing second and third. Offensively shows a balanced swing with level path and strength in his hands. In game 1 he had three hits, two of which were off of curveballs he hit crisply through the six 6-hole.

Hayden Ebrecht, SS, Katy HS
Dallas Baptist commit. 5-foot-11, 165-pound frame. The left-handed hitter has a relaxed set-up in the box and with rhythm, barrel stays in the zone with strength in the hands and a loose finish. Ebrecht was 2-for-5 on the day with 2 balls hit on the barrel. Defensively, the shortstop has solid footwork with a quick exchange and good carry in the arm. During infield/outfield he ranged to his right to start the double play at second with slick-fielding actions.

Jose Gutierrez, 1B/C, Lamar HS, 2018
Dallas Baptist commit. Strong left-handed hitter works with good rhythm and a leg kick to get started, with a hand-cock that moves the barrel to point nearly at the right hand batter's box. His quick hands are able to rip through the zone with ease, and apply powerful contact to the ball with good lower-half transfer. He takes good cuts during games with plenty of bat speed and strength in his hands. He has a feel for offspeed pitches that will continue to improve.

Diego Muniz, SS, Rockwall HS
Oklahoma recruit. 5-foot-7, 150-pound strong frame with well defined lower half. Played most of his innings at shortstop showing good range. Offensively he was 2-for-4 in the first two games with two base hits, one of which was a crisp line drive to centerfield. Hard-nosed, gamer.

Brett Brown SS, Godley HS, 2018
Texas A&M recruit. 6-foot-1, 185-pound athletic frame. The right-handed hitter took good swings during his six at-bats, coming away with a base hit on an infield single and two walks. The infielder has good feet, long strides, solid range and a longer arm action. His best home-to-first time was a 4.37.

COMMITTED OUTFIELDERS

Korey Holland, CF, Langham Creek HS, 2018
Texas commit. 5-foot-11, 165-pound, athletic frame. Shows good actions in the outfield with clean exchange into his throwing motion. He has a shorter, quick arms swing that creates good carry in his throws. Offensively, the right-handed hitter has a good set-up and bat speed with a short hand-path showing a strong top-hand punch to square up balls. Holland was 1-for-3 in the game that followed the workout. He had a sharp base-hit ground ball to centerfield, hammered a fly ball to right field, walked, and grounded out to shortstop running a 4.26 down the line.

David VanVooren, OF, Covenant Christian Academy, 2018
Wichita State commit. 6-foot-2, 180-pound frame. Fast twitch, lean, athletic body. Made a nice diving play in center field on a soft liner. Took solid swings in batting practice showing the ability to backspin balls in the middle of the field.

Avery Chatman, OF, Mansfield HS 2018
Oklahoma recruit. 5-foot-8, 160-pound strong, fast- twitch body. Ran a 4.32 home-to-first time on a base hit chopper to third base. Proceeded to steal second and third base in the same inning.

COMMITTED CATCHERS

Cole Moore, C, Georgetown HS, 2018
Texas Tech commit. 6-foot-2, 220-pound, strong frame. Defensively he has good carry in the arm with good arm action, clean exchange and release. His pop times were 1.94, 1.96, and 2.03. Received well during games handling some high velocity arms, showed good lower half mobility for such a strong player. The left-handed hitter has a tall set-up in the box with rhythm and balance. Shows good pop in the bat with two home runs to right field during batting practice. During the game he flew out to deep left-centerfield on the barrel.

Cole Stilwell, C, Rockwall Heath HS
Texas A&M Corpus Christi recruit. 5-foot-11, 190-pound frame. Behind the plate he showed a 2.2 pop time and good situational awareness back picking a runner off 3B. Offensively he has a tall, relaxed set up with a quick leg kick, generates gap-to-gap power. Showed advanced hitting skills all weekend getting the barrel on both fastballs and offspeed pitches. He flew out to center field on the barrel in game 1. Then in game two he exploded for four 4 RBIs on two doubles, both to the opposite field and both on offspeed pitches. In Jupiter, Stilwell took great swings all weekend, showing again the ability to handle both velocity, and offspeed pitches.

Treet Williams, C, Homeschool, 2018
Dallas Baptist commit. 5-foot-10, 178-pound, strong, stocky frame. The junior catcher has a clean, quick exchange with a pop time ranging from 2.02-2.08. The switch-hitting Williams has a good swing and strong hands from both sides of the plate. Left-handed he starts from a taller set-up with smooth rhythm, a gliding stride to land and throw the barrel. Right-handed, he has a small, quick leg-kick and is strong at contact hitting balls from gap-to-gap.

Jacob Navejas, C, Elgin HS, 2018
Rice commit. 6-foot, 190-pound frame. Defensively had good pop times ranging from 2.0-2.13, quick feet, clean exchange, accurate arm, little hesitation in the back. Offensively, the right-handed hitter has an inside-out swing, using the middle of the field, hitting a lot of line drives. Shows good feel for the strike zone as he walked twice during the game, laying off border-line pitches.

Zach Brown, C, Cinco Ranch HS
Harvard commit. 6-foot-2, 185-pounds. The long frame catcher appears to be taller than his listed height of 6-foot-2. Brown is a solid receiver behind the dish and he flashes arm strength on his throws between innings posting his best time of a 1.96 pop time. He threw a runner out at second base in-game with a 2.0 pop. The Right-handed hitter has a wide, bent, quiet set-up in the box. With his long arms and legs he has good leverage, he has a short compact swing with a compact finish.

UNCOMMITTED INFIELDERS

Mateo Gil, SS, Timber Creek HS, 2018
6-foot-1, 175-pound athletic frame. He showed off quick twitch, athletic movements at shortstop along with a strong throwing arm. He ranged to both sides with grace, and has a nice set-up at the plate with a short, line drive stroke.

Reed Spenrath, 1B/OF, El Campo HS, 2018
6-foot-5, 210-pound strong frame. The left-handed hitter starts from a simple stance with a slight bend in the hips. He generates good bat speed with a short, compact swing. Even though he didn't have much to show for it, the uncommitted senior had good at bats all weekend. He hit multiple balls on the barrel and shows the ability to use the middle of the field. A four sport high school athlete (Football/Basketball/Baseball/Track), Spenrath is a long stride, athletic runner, his best home-to-first time was a 4.38.

Carson Bradley, SS, 2018
5-foot-10, 170-pound strong frame, well defined lower-half. The uncommitted junior, who started at shortstop last year for The Jags, plays fast and attacks ground balls. He shows great footwork and enough arm strength and range to make all of the routine plays. The right-handed hitter has a simple set-up, fluid swing, barrel awareness and real strength at contact. He had two hits on the day, both hit sharply, one to center field and another to right field.

Hilton Brown, IF, Reagan HS
6-foot-1, 180-pound frame. Athletic build with broad shoulders, long arms, proportional strength. The right-handed hitter starts from a slightly wide stance with a simple load. Flat swing with strong hands that produces line drives in the middle of the field. Moves well defensively showing the ability to play low with solid glove actions. Ran a 7.2 60-yard dash.

Westley Schields, IF, Cypress Ranch HS
5-foot-10, 150-pound frame. Athletic, live body player with well defined lower half and strong hands. The switch hitter has a quite rhythm and a small leg kick from both sides of plate and shows a loose finish of the barrel with a solid lower-half transfer. Defensively has a short quick arm with solid arm action, quick transfer, good hands and glove action and can throw on the run. Ran a 7.2 60-yard dash. This uncommitted, slick fielding, middle infielder has fast twitch actions and sneaky-bat speed. He made a nice play up the middle ranging toward the bag from his second base position and getting the runner by a step at first.

Gavin LaBruyere, IF/OF, Montgomery HS
6-foot-2, 175-pound wiry, strong frame. The right-handed hitter had a great day at the plate putting a barrel on the ball all four plate appearances. LaBruyere shows the ability to keep the barrel in the zone a long time with a short, compact hand path that produces good strength at contact. He was 2-for-4 on the day with two base hits, a fly out and a ground ball to second base that was scorched on a one-hop.

Cannon Sims, IF/RHP, The Woodlands HS
6-foot-2, 168-pound wiry frame. The rangy shortstop not only has a good frame, but he has solid footwork and good arm strength across the diamond. Hitting in the 2-hole, Sims put the ball in play every at-bat, with his lone hit of the day coming on a base hit in the six hole.

Jacob Cornell, SS, Midlothian HS
6-foot-0, 155-pound frame with lean build. Shows good arm strength and solid athleticism during in-and-out. Long stride runner. Hit a double down left field line and was a 4.87 on the turn.

Travis Washburn, SS, College Park HS
Listed at 5-foot-8, 165-pounds. The left-handed hitter, who was injured on the day so all he did was bunt, registered advanced home-to-first running times of 3.77, 3.7, 3.76 and 3.84.

UNCOMMITTED OUTFIELDERS

Brad Burckel, OF/IF, Lindale HS, 2018
Listed at 5-foot-9, 160-pounds. The left-handed hitter can really handle the bat and posted impressive home-to-first times (4.17, 4.19). In a separate game he registered home-to-first times of 3.71 (bunt) and 4.19 on a hard hit ground ball to shortstop. Burckel gets to full speed at an elite level, making every ball he puts on the ground a challenge for the defense. Once on base, it is a matter of time before he steals second and/or third base.

Kendall Foster, OF/LHP, Prosper HS, 2018
5-foot-9, 160-pound frame. The left-handed hitter has a tall set-up in the box with relaxed rhythm and control. He took really good hacks against velocity at the Under Armour tryout going 1-for-2 with a two missiles, one for a base hit to right field, the other a deep fly ball to left field. An above average runner with a 4.27 home-to-first time, Foster looks the part of an athletic all-around baseball player with long strides, good acceleration and clean exchanges in the outfield. He tracked down a would-be double to left-centerfield and threw out a base runner at second on a would-be double off the wall.

Brandon Uhse, OF, Lake Ridge HS
6-foot-2, 180-pound, strong, rangy frame. The right-handed hitter starts with a slightly open stance and shows some pull-side pop during batting practice with strength at contact. Took good hacks during the game. Athletic outfielder with a clean exchange and good arm action showing carry in the arm.

Scooter Adams, OF/IF, Hallettsville HS, 2018
6-foot, 185-pound frame. The high school quarterback showed up less than 24 hours after playing football and ran a 6.65 60-yard dash and threw 83 from the outfield. The left-handed hitter has an athletic setup at the plate with a flat swing. Barrel stays in the zone a long time. All around athlete.

Bennett Laurence, OF, Rockwall HS, 2018
5-foot-9, 170-pounds, strong, muscular frame. Played for DBAT in Jupiter. Showed a good set-up at the plate with strength in his hands and ability to barrel up velocity with a couple of base hits.

UNCOMMITTED CATCHERS

Preston Hoffart, C, Magnolia HS, 2018
5-foot-11, 190-pound frame. Has all around physical strength, well defined lower half, broad shoulders and strong hands. Defensively posted 2.01-2.15 pop times between innings, quick exchange on the transfer, efficient footwork, accurate throws, he also threw out a would-be base stealer on a 2.12 in-game pop time. Hits from a tall stance with a quick leg kick, short hand path with solid contact in the middle of the field.

Schuyler Thibodaux, C, Bridge City HS 2018
5-foot-11, 170-pound, strong frame. The right-handed hitter works from a balanced set-up with good rhythm, leg-kick to get started, shows strength at contact. Defensively receives well and shows quick, easy arm action.

Brett Kittay, C, John Paul II, 2018
6-foot-1, 195-pound strong frame. Pop times between innings were 2.12-2.2. Solid target behind the plate with good receiving skills and good arm strength. Has the present tools and strength needed at the position.

RECENT NEWS