Prep Baseball Report

Utah Player and Pitcher of the Week: Penland, Nielsen


Jeff Scholzen
Utah Scouting Director

Throughout the spring season, PBR Utah will announce a player and pitcher of the week, every Tuesday, from the previous week. Coaches are sent emails to recommend players for the awards weekly. The awards are based on what kind of statistical week the player had, and it will be subjective, based on my evaluation of the player. Also you do not have to have attended a PBR event to earn the award, but I will lean towards the player I know more thoroughly and also what kind of collegiate prospect that player is. So it isn't only stats, but that is where it starts, with the other criteria as separators in case of a close call. In the event of two performance's in the each category, that could go either way, as to which gets the nod, two awards for that category may be given.. 

We also highlight those that just fell short within our weekly 'Diamond Notes' article, where you can learn more about the standout names across the UHSAA. 

NOTE: These submissions were provided from high school coaches from around our state.

If you are a coach and interested in nominating a player, please contact Jeff Scholzen ([email protected]).

Player of the Week

Logan Penland SS / OF / Fremont, UT / 2024

 

Uncommitted

Week 8 (April 24-30) Stat Line:

G 4 AB 16 R 7 H 9 HR 1 RBI 5 2B 1

2/15/22

A medium framed lean athletic build with high chiseled calves, that shows present twitch and explosiveness on the bases and defensively. One of the better 60’s posted at the All-State Games at 6.81 as he has a quick active lower 1/2 that translates into side to side agility and range defensively on the dirt. Ran a 3.92 H-1B on a sac bunt at the Preseason ID and is a solid avg runner overall. Showed some educated feet and was aggressive in his approach to the baseball. His hands play underneath the ball and from the ground up. His feet are quick and get synced up to get his throws off quickly and showed arm strength up to 81 mph, which should only continue to improve with age. Shows some advanced actions for a 15 yr old kid and the makings of staying in the middle of the diamond. The bat shows potential with the metrics you look for on paper. With hand and bat speeds of 26.5 and 76.7, resulted in an EV max of 91. The swing can be a little choppy and is upright through his swing pattern.  Some adjs needed to get into his legs and be on line with the swing plane, which can improve with recognition of this. Tends to swing around his body, instead of through the baseball. Hard work and dedication suggest with his athleticism that this can be remedied. What is apparent is the base tools of hand and bat speed coupled with the run tool and actions on defense, lends to improving in all facets of the game. Would like to see where his off season takes him as he’s been invited to the Preseason All-State event as well. 

 

11/21/21

A medium framed lean athletic build with high chiseled calves, that shows present twitch and explosiveness on the bases and defensively. One of the better 60’s posted at 6.81 as he has a quick active lower 1/2 that translates into side to side agility and range defensively on the dirt. Showed some educated feet and was aggressive in his approach to the baseball. His hands play underneath the ball and from the ground up. His feet are quick and get synced up to get his throws off quickly and showed arm strength up to 77 mph, which should only continue to improve with age. Shows some advanced actions for a 15 yr old kid and the makings of staying in the middle of the diamond. The bat shows potential with the metrics you look for on paper. With hand and bat speeds of 26.5 and 76.7, resulted in an EV max of 91. The swing can be a little choppy and is upright through his swing pattern.  Some adjs needed to get into his legs and be on line with the swing plane, which can improve with recognition of this. Tends to swing around his body, instead of through the baseball. Hard work and dedication suggest with his athleticism that this can be remedied. What is apparent is the base tools of hand and bat speed coupled with the run tool and actions on defense, lends to improving in all facets of the game. Would like to see where his off season takes him as he’s been invited to the Preseason All-State event as well. 

 

Pitcher of the Week

Andrew Nielsen RHP / 3B / Mountain Crest, UT / 2023

 

Uncommitted

Week 8 (April 24-30) Stat Line:

IP 7 H 0 R 0 ER 0 BB 0 SO 15

NO-HITTER!

9/17/22

Positional Profile: RHP/3B Smaller compact muscled look with a strong lower half and has athletic flexibility. FB touches the mid 80's and if he can find that next gear into the 87-88 range, Drew profiles as a relief type arm, at the JUCO level.
 
Body: 5-10, 183-pounds. Small compact RHP w/a strong defined lower 1/2 and overall muscled look.
 
Delivery: Compact, tucked high flexible kick to his delivery. Lands sound and arm is up at foot strike
 
Arm Action: RH. Loose, long and fluid HTQ arm slot with avg ext out front. Ball exits his hand clean, yet needs to build his arm strength
 
FB: T84.9, 83-85 mph. FB plays avg w/downward plane at times from a 5-10 frame. Flashes arm side run w/sink T2153, 2035 average rpm.
 
CB: 68-69 mph. T2316, 2252 average rpm.
CH: 79-82 mph. Kills spin w/fading life and avg sink below the zone. Needs to command better and find the mitt. Works around the edges of the plate T1548, 1498 average rpm.

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

SHOWCASE STATE DATE LOCATION
2023 PBR CA-NV-AZ-UT ProCase (Invite Only) UT 06/04 University of Southern California - Dedeaux Field
Utah Rising Stars ID UT 06/07 The Hive - Juab High School Fieldhouse
2023 PBR Scout Day: NorCal Valley Utah UT 06/12 Snow Canyon HS
2023 PBR Scout Day: CBA Summit UT 06/17 Snow Canyon HS
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

RELATED 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 1991-1992.