Prep Baseball Report

Scout Blog - Emerald Ridge vs Curtis (4/5/21)


Dan Jurik
Scouting Director - Pacific Northwest

Yesterday we had the chance to get out and see HS baseball action for the first time in over a year. With leagues across the state all starting at various times in the spring, it will be a hectic sprint as we get out and try to cover as much action as possible.

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Let’s take a look at some of the action we were able to see yesterday…

Curtis

We started our day off with a 4pm match-up between visiting Emerald Ridge vs the home squad Curtis. Curtis ended up locking in a 5-3 victory after 7 complete innings. 

Curtis starting pitcher ‘22 RHP Zach Thomas went 5 scoreless while only surrendering 2 hits and punching out 6. Showcasing a consistent 3 pitch mix throughout, Thomas worked mostly 77-78 with his FB and topped at 79 when we were gunning. CB ranged between 62-67 showing mostly 10/4 shape as it crossed the zone. Also worked in a CH at 70-72 with some late arm-side run. Did a solid job working out of some trouble with runners on early and then kept the offense subdued the rest of the way. Avoided the middle of the plate and consistently worked all of his offerings to the outer edge of the zone. Continued to attack with his secondary pitches in order to keep hitters off balance. 

Offensively Curtis was paced by ‘23 1B/LHP Tyler Logan. The Washington State commit delivered a big 2-run double in the bottom half of the first to get the scoring started for Curtis. He would eventually come on in the 7th inning to close out the game in a save situation. Although Emerald Ridge was able to get the tying run to 1st base, Logan sealed the deal with a K to end the threat. FB was mostly 80-81 on this look and the CB showed horizontal break at 69-71.

The left side of the infield looks like it’s in good hands for the next few years with ‘23 SS Gavin Brubaker and ‘24 3B Vayden Lawrence handling those duties. Brubaker had an outstanding day offensively from the leadoff spot with 2 hits, BB and 1 run scored. Takes a balanced, control swing at the plate with easy bat speed. Defensively he’s sure-handed on the dirt and understands the speed of the game. 


Lawrence wasn’t rewarded with any hits on his look but he showed a clean, fluid swing from the left side and was on the barrel all day. Hitting from a tall, relaxed stance, there’s rhythm in the hands and it translates to a quick, whippy barrel into contact. Hits with poise for a youngster and should do more damage at the plate as he continues to physically mature. 

Although they had a quiet day offensively, Senior outfielders Josiah O’Bannon and Zion Williams have an imposing presence in the middle of the line-up and do a solid job handling OF duties. O’Bannon showed well in OF during pre-game and had a disciplined approach at the plate, drawing 2 BB in the game. Also has been solid on the mound to start the early season. Williams is as physical as they come at about 6’2, 195 with defined strength throughout. Consistently put the ball in play but timing was just a bit off on this look. The offensive upside and tools are prevalent though. 

emerald ridge

Opposing Curtis was an Emerald Ridge squad that had a solid mix of both older and younger prospects. 

Hits were tough to come by in this match-up but ‘22 INF Tanner Nimmich did what he could as he led the way with a multi-hit game. In his first AB, Nimmich ripped a double into the LCF gap that nearly cleared the fence. With a smaller, compact build, his short levers help him stay quick to the ball and give him consistent barrel control. There’s some rhythm in his set-up that syncs up well with his forward move before beginning his swing. Later on in the game he did a solid job of muscling a ball that got in on him a bit into right field.


Seniors Justin Stransky and Wyatt Crommes each added a base knock for themselves and showed some of the strength/athleticism that you would expect to see from guys who will play beyond HS. Lower Columbia commit Stransky has a lean, wiry body and length in his frame. The arm strength from the catching position is impressive and he was routinely a 1.95 - 2.00 on his pop times between innings. Crommes, a Pacific Lutheran commit, is a strong bodied outfielder who does everything well and doesn’t waste ABs offensively. 

 

Although he had a quiet day at the plate, ‘22 SS Cody Vandaam really showed well in pre-game with his actions and energy. Plays the game with noticeable bounce in his step and attacks the ball with confidence defensively. 

‘24 OF Zeus Zimmerman joined us in the fall for one of our Scout day events and looks like he’s well on his way to becoming a name-to-know in the Freshman class. At 6’2, 185 pounds, the size and strength project well for OF and he moves easily for a big-bodied youngster. The swing has length at times but given his athleticism and coordination it should add refinement as he gets more reps. Takes aggressive hacks in game and showed aptitude for squaring up the ball when he put it in play. Intriguing prospect to keep an eye on.

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

SHOWCASE STATE DATE LOCATION
Underclass Summer Showcase (2024 - 2026) WA 06/12 Bellevue College
Upperclass Summer Showcase (2022-2023) WA 06/12 Bellevue College
2021 PNW ProCase WA 06/13 Bellevue College - Courter Field