Prep Baseball Report

CLASS OF 2021

SS
3B

Zander
Darby

UC Santa Barbara
Palo Alto (HS) • CA
6' 3" • 205LBS
L/R • 22yr
Travel Team: CCB Elite

Rankings

2021 National

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2021 State

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Commitment

2024 DRAFT Giants ROUND 12 PICK 358

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Best of Snapshot
Positional Tools Velos / Pop
TrackMan Hitting
News
Comments
Contact

Best Of Stats

Hitting
-
Hand Speed (max)
-
Bat Speed (max)
-
Rot. Acc (max)
60
Hard Hit %
6/28/20
Power
99.9
Exit Velocity (max)
6/28/20
91
Exit Velocity (avg)
6/28/20
378
Distance (max)
6/28/20
73
Sweet Spot %
6/28/20
Run
6.88
60
6/28/20
-
30-yd
-
10-yd
-
Run speed (max)
Defense
82
INF Velo
6/28/20
-
OF Velo
-
C Velo
-
Pop Time

Positional Tools

2020
60 Yard Dash
6.88
Infield Velocity
82.0
Power / Speed Score
14.5
Northern California ProCase (INVITE ONLY)
Jun 28, 2020
Position
6.88
60-yard
82
INF Velo
100
Exit Velo
Power Speed Score

Hitting

2020
Exit Velocity Max
99.9
Exit Velocity Avg
91.0
Distance Max
378
Distance Avg
229
Launch Angle Avg
19.5
Hard Hit %
Sweet Spot %
Line Drive %
Fly Ball %
Ground Ball %
Northern California ProCase (INVITE ONLY)
Jun 28, 2020
Trackman - Hitting
99.9
Exit Velocity (max)
91.0
Exit Velocity (avg)
229
Distance (avg)
378
Distance (max)
Hard Hit %
Sweet Spot %
Line Drive %
Fly Ball %
Ground Ball %

Hitting

Pitching

Pitch Scores

Pitching Velos

Game Performance

Visual Edge

Pitch Ai

Notes

Comments

8/01/23

Cape CodA physical third baseman who stands 6-foot-3 and 205 pounds, Darby had a strong summer with the Red Sox, batting .292 during the regular season with three home runs, which tied for second on the club (yes, the gap between Hines and the rest of the team was that wide). With 27 strikeouts and 24 walks, he also showed better plate discipline than he’s shown in his two seasons at UCSB. He has an upright setup and low hands at the plate, and he starts his swing with a pronounced front leg kick. Though his five errors were tied for the most on the club this summer, Darby is a good athlete who moves well at the hot corner and he has a track record as a solid defensive player. 

6/28/20

Norcal ProCase

Body: 6-foot-2, 187-pounds. Strong and lean, rangy frame that projects to be able to develop more size, muscularity and strength in his adult years.

Hit: LH - The 90% on plane efficiency in his BP rounds (courtesy of Blast Motion) is a ridiculously high number. The ideal range, published by Blast, shows 70% or higher, with a range of 65%-85%. He's 5% above the desired range. That was over two rounds, with over 50 sets of eyes of MLB personnel on him. Impressive. 33.3% line drive % (TrackMan). Average rotational acceleration of 18.01 (g) (max 20.2). All of those numbers support what the eyes see. Flat efficient swing, lots of barrel contact. The swing happens easily and fluidly. He's going to hit.

Power: 100 EV (avg 91 mph) in live BP (courtesy of TrackMan) using a wood bat. Further numbers to support his power potential are average bat speed (Blast) of 69 mph (high of 71.4) (ideal range 66-78 mph for the pro level) and max hand speed of 22.6. The hand speed number is interesting in that he doesn't attempt to swing hard and he still produces hard and consistent contact. As he gains strength and CHOOSES to swing harder, that hand speed number will go up significantly. I think of how easily a player like Robinson Cano swings when considering that great hitters generally don't swing as hard as they can.

Field: One thing I'd been repeatedly told by those who have seen Darby the most, is that he may not stick at SS and likely would move to 3B. That's basically the line given about about just about ALL bigger shortstops and sort of a CYA statement. There are big shortstops, there always have been. Darby showed soft hands, he got rid of the ball quickly and efficiently when the play called for it, he has little wasted movements, worked around the bag well and has more range than the eyes might suggest. At 6-foot-2 w/6.88 speed, he's covering large chunks of ground with each step. Will he be a gold glover like Brandon Crawford? Who knows. Will he be a fielder comparable to Corey Seager? All remains to be seen. I'm not ready to shove him to 3B just yet.

Arm: SS mph - 82 - Now, this number is one that can be picked at a bit because generally speaking, professional shortstops throw harder across the diamond. Among the SS we had at the event, Darby's 82 mph was the low end of the range. The average of the other five SS in attendance was 87.2 mph. Efficiency and angles and range and accuracy all help an arm play up, but the raw velocity number will stick in scout's minds. I'd be willing to bet that he's going to increase his raw arm strength and give himself every shot to stay at SS in college and then beyond. Of course, that remains to be seen.

Run: 6.88 in the 60 yard on a turf surface. He runs easy with graceful strides and good body control.

Summary: The profile of a LHH with above average speed, power potential, present hit tools, physical size and strength, all show that Darby should be considered an elite high school prospect and in the mix for the 2021 draft. It can't be overstated how valued LHH with his size and his athleticism are. Ultimately what is valued more than anything at the pro level, is what a player can do with the bat. Positions can be changed, defensive tools and skills can be developed. The hit tool? It's the hardest to come by and Darby looks to have it.
2/22/20

At San Benito: UC Santa Barbara commit. Darby caught my attention last season where he played multiple positions as a Sophomore and the frame has made big strength leaps since last season. The physicality in the long limbed frame includes added strength in the shoulders and chest which have helped the arm push above-average. The footspeed may end up pushing him off the SS position in the long-term, but he played defense very well in his range especially when attacking the ball; made a diving play getting up and throwing a strike across. His bat-to-ball skills continue to show well as he was right on mid 80’s FB’s for a 2 RBI 1B to RF and another hard hit ball that kept carrying into LCF for an easy 2B. Stands balanced at the plate with the hands at the back shoulder and high back elbow; hands have a tight half-circle lift with knee tuck staying behind the baseball very well and keeping balance through contact. The hands stay tight through the quick turns and it’s a compact barrel turn allowing him to get contact out front; can push the hands a bit but with his strength he makes up for it. Another top 2021 in the section.

5/22/19

CCS Playoffs - Long and lanky large frame that shows a high waist with some projection still available in the frame. Played SS with regular SS on the mound and showed fair range and footwork. Arm is solid with strength and hand speed leading to balls on the line across the diamond. Has room for development with his SS skills as he’s been mainly at 3rd base most of the season. Threw one away that led to runs in the 2nd popping up after fielding and causing the ball to take off. Have seen him play in RF/3rd/1st in previous game this season and he’s definitely athletic with good range and foot speed. Really liked his aggressive approach at the plate putting together three strong AB’s getting on base with each. 1st AB got a first pitch FB and drove it to LCF showing off his foot speed and athleticism getting to 3rd base when the ball got past the OF. 2nd AB hooked a ball at the 1st baseman but ran hard out of the box reaching on an error and when the ball was dropped on the toss to the bag. In his 3rd AB fell behind but battled and showed discipline taking close pitches to draw the walk. Bat has barrel adjustability and as he continues to strengthen will lead to more extra-base power. Showed he could handle velocity and take good off-speed pitches. A 2021 to watch.

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