Gavin
Tonkel

Body: Greyhound type body structure built for future power and speed. 

Hit: Quick hands, quiet, short stroke that has a straight path through zone. Tick above average bat speed with ability to pull hands in or extend and go the other way. Demonstrates bat control, and keeps feet balanced with mild load. Hit tool will play at any outfield position.

Power: Slight lift in swing, quick hands and tic above average bat speed allow for power to play. Barrels a lot of pitches but does not have a true power swing currently. Average raw power right now with more to come in the future

Field: Good instincts, routes are fine.  Has an understanding that he is not a speed demon and shifts his routes in moderation. Footwork was impressive and has a noticeable rhythm in approach to the ball.

Arm: Easy and accurate looking like a future plus arm for RF with the ability to keep throws firm all the way to the bag.

Summary - Consistency will be a key factor in Tonkel’s overall development moving forward. Finding his identity and using the tools he has been possessed with will determine if he will be in the discussion come June 2021. From an analytical and technical point of view, we have found Tonkel checks a lot of the boxes when it comes to Blast Motion Swing Metrics.  Blast data confirms that his Plane, Connection, and Rotational data analysis screams projection, with average to above average metrics to come as he grows, matures and gets stronger with age; something to be excited about.  Moving forward, like all young projectable athletes, he must be diligent in improving his tools and focus on attaining more overall strength.  

vs College Park - Sacramento State commit; Lean and athletic, he has an abundance of tools, and even though he had a tough day at the plate (0-for-3, BB, 2 K, R), the raw talent to hit and impact the game with his speed is present. He was aggressive early with a pull-side approach, hunting fastballs and looking to do some damage but also seems to know when to be patient (BB). Did a good job of pulling hands in on a tough pitch for long foul ball in later at-bat. Had some trouble identifying CB/SL, which is going to have to improve. The strikeout in the first inning was on slider and he was fooled on a CB in his last at-bat. Made a critical error at the time in the field, when he dropped a fairly routine fly ball that led to two runs in that long 1st inning. Finding consistency, both offensively and defensively will take Tonkel from being a talent to being a player.

NorCal Preseason All-State: Tonkel has been progressing with his tools every time I’ve seen him over the last year plus, but this showing might have been his big coming out party as the tools have made major jumps as the body has started to mature with still more projection available. Fastest run on the day with an easy long stride that made all scouts take notice (6.66 60yd). At the plate the tall, even hand stance works the hands deep before firing directly to the baseball allowing his strength in the arms/shoulders to come out. He worked the quick barrel on plane from deep and through the zone peppering the middle and pullside of the field with hard contact before he showed some pull pop to finish the round; more power is coming as the frame adds mass. In the OF that athleticism was regularly on display and plays with very controlled effort that looks easy. The arm is easy and accurate looking like a future plus arm for RF with the ability to keep throws firm all the way to the bag. Should be a big riser on lots of boards.

vs Freedom in NCS D1 playoff - Uncommitted; lean wiry with runner body type, DH in this game and hit in 9-hole, showed plus speed down line on 4-3 out that he nearly beat out (4.31) and later in game put pressure on D with a bunt that caused pitcher to make a poor decision, play went home and he never broke stride which allowed him to get to 2nd base. Speed tool has a chance to be impact tool.

Upperclass Tourney - Noticeable and projectable abilities on both offense and defense. On offense he consistently found a way to produce quality at-bats. Smart in the box and is good pitch discipline. Consistently put barrel on the ball and has some pop, to go with plus speed. On defense he gave it all he had when in the outfield and tracked the ball down well.

6/1/18-6/3/18 - BAWS 2018 - Long greyhound body type, highly projectable athletic frame and build. Tall balanced set up with high hands, small load allows hands to track ball before hitting over stiff front leg. Balanced finish allows for consistent hard contact. Average arm in outfield with straight accurate throws through cut man. Aggressive out of box with longer gait and quickness in feet. Plus runner underway, can track it down and put pressure on a defense with his speed. On mound showed a tall set up with wide hands away from body. Average arm speed with 3/4 release; lots of movement in delivery. Fastball 75-79 with small arm side run; was over the plate and up but worked through control issues getting early in count outs.