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AIA Scout Blog: 5/16 Playoffs

May 17, 2025
Antonio Torres
Arizona Director

The Arizona Scout Blog shifts into playoff mode as the AIA State Tournament gets underway. Throughout each round, the Prep Baseball Arizona staff will be on the ground covering matchups across all classifications, highlighting standout performances and key prospect evaluations. From impact underclassmen to uncommitted seniors and draft follow arms, this running blog will feature detailed scouting notes, game insights, and data-driven breakdowns from the state’s top postseason action. Expect player evaluations, velocities, offensive metrics, and more as we follow the road to the championship.

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May 16th

Game 1 Player Notes:

(No. 1) Corona del Sol HS vs (No. 4) Red Mountain HS

*Ben Jacobus, 2028 OF, Corona del Sol, Uncommitted

Wiry and lean with quick twitch athleticism, Jacobus continues to show flashes of advanced tools and instincts well beyond his age. The L/L freshman turned heads with a hustle double to right field, showing an explosive first step and excellent feel for when to push the envelope on the bases. There's an ease to how he moves, light on his feet with high end body awareness and natural rhythm in his actions. Plays the game with maturity, showing a high baseball IQ and competitive edge that stands out in pressure situations. Early signs point to a top of the order profile with speed, instincts, and a projectable frame that should add strength as he matures.

*Connor Long, 2027 INF, Corona del Sol, Uncommitted

Advanced offensive approach for his age with a knack for putting the ball in play and pressuring the defense. Long stays grounded in his legs at the plate, using a solid base and quiet actions to generate consistent barrel contact. He shows a disciplined approach with minimal swing and misses, routinely putting the ball in play with intent. His seventh inning double down the left field line capped off a big rally and highlighted his ability to compete in big spots. Plays with grit and confidence, showing early signs of a contact driven profile with bat control and toughness that should translate well as he continues to develop physically. One of the more intriguing 2027 bats in the class to follow.

Jaiden Lo Re, 2025 SS, Corona del Sol, BYU Commit

Polished and poised in all phases, LoRe brings a mature presence to the field with a well rounded skill set. At the plate, he showed a compact swing and a short path to contact, driving a ball the other way to plate the go-ahead run in the third. There's a quiet confidence in his approach, balanced, controlled, and efficient with the barrel. Defensively, LoRe is smooth on the dirt with clean footwork, soft hands, and the internal clock to handle the position long term. He runs well and flashes above average athleticism, with room to grow physically and continue refining his game at BYU. 

Cooper Clouser, 2025 C, Corona del Sol, ASU Commit

Clutch performer with a strong, imposing frame who brings a commanding presence behind the plate and in the batter’s box. Clouser’s leadership on the field is evident in the way he controls the pitching staff with authority and poise, communicating well and setting the tone defensively. At the plate, he uses a front foot that hovers slightly as he loads, showing good balance in the box. His opposite field double in the seventh inning showcased both his ability to stay inside the ball and deliver in pressure moments. A polished backstop with a mix of strength, game IQ, and clutch timing, Clouser profiles as a potential high impact catcher with power and leadership tools suited for the next level.

Game Recap:

In a close game, Corona del Sol defeated Red Mountain 3-1 due to clutch hitting and a complete game from Zane Burns. Preston Peebles started strong for Red Mountain, giving up only one run in 4.2 innings before the bullpen took over. The score was tied 1-1 until the top of the seventh when Corona del Sol's Cooper Clouser and Connor Long hit consecutive RBI doubles. Red Mountain's offense was led by Keith Price, who went 2-2, and Hagen Wright, who contributed an RBI single. Both teams played well defensively, each recording a double play, but Corona del Sol's execution in the final inning secured their victory.

Game 2 Player Notes:

(No. 3) Casteel HS vs. (No. 2) Hamilton HS

*Sammy Garcia, 2028 SS/RHP, Hamilton, Uncommitted

One of the top 2028s in the state, Garcia continues to shine as a two way threat with advanced instincts and athletic ability well beyond his years. The freshman showed off his all-around impact in a dominant performance, going 3-4 with 2 RBIs at the plate and throwing a complete game shutout to force a decisive game two for Hamilton. Offensively, Garcia hits from a short, compact setup and gets the barrel to the ball quickly with fast hands and a direct path. He’s aggressive early in counts and plays the game with an edge. He is confident and quick out of the box and always looking to make something happen.

On the mound, he may not have had swing and miss stuff on this outing, but his ability to pitch to contact and trust his defense was mature beyond his age. Working from a clean, repeatable 3/4 arm slot, Garcia pounded the zone with a fastball sitting 85–86 and touching 89. The slider showed flashes of bite at 75–76, though it was inconsistent, and the changeup sat 79–80 with some feel. Despite not recording a strikeout, he limited Hamilton’s opponent to just two hits across seven scoreless frames. There’s still plenty of growth ahead, both physically and in terms of polish, but Garcia plays with grit, feel, and confidence. Long term, the skill set leans more toward a middle infield profile, but his two way upside makes him one of the more exciting young players in Arizona.

*Baylor Denny, 2027 SS/RHP, Casteel, Uncommitted

One of the premier 2027 prospects in Arizona, Denny continues to show why he’s a name to circle in the class. The lean framed, athletic middle infielder came through with one of just two hits for Casteel, driving a double in the second to spark some life for the Colts. Offensively, Denny features a calm, balanced approach with a tall, slightly open setup and a simple gather into launch. He stays quiet through the load, allowing his natural bat speed and feel for the zone to shine. There’s polish to his game already, and as he continues to grow into his frame and gain reps against high end arms, the ceiling becomes even more intriguing. Legit two way upside with poise, body control, and high baseball IQ.

*Blake Gonzales, 2027 3B/RHP, Hamilton, Uncommitted

One of the top 2027s in Arizona, Gonzales continues to prove himself as a high upside two way prospect with projection on both sides of the ball. A lean, athletic frame with room to add strength, he delivered in the fifth inning with a 2 RBI single up the middle to stretch Hamilton’s lead. Offensively, he starts tall in the box with a confident posture and simple rhythm. As he continues to develop, maintaining that posture through the swing will allow for more consistent barrel control and better use of his lower half. There’s already some power in the frame, and with added strength, it projects to become a real threat. On the mound, he shows promise with clean mechanics and a loose arm. Still early in his development, but the physical tools and competitive edge make Gonzales one of the more intriguing 2027s to follow in the state.

*Boston Kellner, 2025 SS/RHP, Hamilton, Texas A&M Commit

Explosive athlete with quick twitch strength and a high motor style that sets the tone from the first pitch. Kellner wasted no time getting the Huskies rolling, roping a leadoff double in the first to spark the offense. He plays the game with controlled aggression, fast, focused, and always in attack mode. At the plate, he shows a smooth, direct swing with advanced bat speed and feel for the barrel. The actions are clean and athletic on both sides of the ball, and he carries himself like a leader with a competitive edge that elevates those around him. With his physical tools, makeup, and consistent performance, Kellner has the traits of a high level college contributor at Texas A&M and potential draft interest down the line.

*Ben Ball, 2026 OF, Hamilton, Arizona Commit

Strong, physical athlete with explosive traits and a high-energy presence on the field. Ball delivered early for the Huskies with a sharp RBI single in the first, showing off his ability to impact the game offensively from the jump. The strength plays in the box with a quick, compact swing, though he projects for even more efficiency and power as he continues to refine his hand positioning and sequencing. There’s still some streakiness in the bat, but when he’s locked in, the ball jumps off the barrel. Defensively, he shows a good arm from the outfield with carry and consistent accuracy. A high upside player who’s already committed to Arizona, Ball has the raw tools and energy to be a dynamic presence as he rounds out his offensive approach.

Game Recap:

Hamilton beat Casteel with a 10-0 victory, showcasing strong offense and pitching. Blake Gonzales led Hamilton's offense, going 2-3 with three RBIs, while Sammy Garcia pitched six scoreless innings, allowing only two hits. Despite hits from Baylor Denny and Ryan Harwood, Casteel's offense couldn't overcome Hamilton's solid defense, which played error-free. Hamilton took an early lead and maintained control throughout the game.

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