Prep Baseball Report

Bakersfield Fall ID: Positional Analysis


Steven Hardesty
Associate Director SoCal

  

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BAKERSFIELD, CALIF. - Earlier this month on Saturday, December 6th, the Prep Baseball California team hosted our final Fall ID of the 2025 calendar with the Bakersfield Fall ID hosted at CSU-Bakersfield in Bakersfield, CA. This open event was for all high school classes (2026-2029), and provided our staff an opportunity to expand our knowledge on some of the area's top rising players.

Around 20 players made their way to Hardt Field on the campus of CSU-Bakersfield to participate in a pro-style workout, gathering unrivaled access to data through our state-of-the-art tech partners, as well as in-depth scouting analysis from our Prep Baseball California staff. This group featured some interesting underclass names to keep eyes on out of the region with some strong performances out of the upperclass products in attendance. 

Today, we will be looking at the analysis of the position players in attendance of the event, found below.

CATCHERS:

Jaiden Bliss, Ridgeview High (CA), 2028
Positional Profile: C/1B Solid overall toolset with foundation to build on
Body: 5-10, 171-pounds. Medium build with emerging strength in frame, room to polish
Hit: RHH. Vertical posture with slightly open set up, low back elbow, hands set near rear shoulder depth between shoulder/ear height, barrel tipped towards 3B dugout, loose waggle Small shift into back hip in load, short stride to even with feet before taking medium length forward move to launch, hands drop into lower slot position with barrel tip, stays taller in turn with quickness in hips, hands lead with uphill barrel path, 66.1 mph bat speed with 9 G's of rotational acceleration.
Power: 85 max exit velocity, averaged 78.2 mph. 302' max distance. Shows feel to elevate the baseball, swing flashes potential with added impact
Arm: RH. C-69 mph. Clean transfers at chest, releases at ear height, flashes accuracy to bag
Defense: 2.30-2.40 pop times. Strong wrists, flashes feel to present pitches, one knee down set up with sound posture
ATH: 7.81 runner in the 60. Taller run posture with quick short strides 

Owen DiMaggio, Liberty High (CA), 2027
Positional Profile: C/2B Shows solid present defensive profile at C
Body: 5-7, 174-pounds. Sturdy medium sized build with barrel chest and emerging strength
Hit: RHH. Slightly open stance, vertical posture, lower back elbow, hands set at shoulder height off rear shoulder, vertical bat angle Double toe tap load with weight shift into back hip, shorter forward move to launch, stays taller in posture during turn, aggressive hip rotation, taller posture at contact, quickness in hand path with direct route into zone, leveraged bat path through zone 67.5 mph bat speed with 10 G's of rotational acceleration.
Power: 74 max exit velocity, averaged 67.7 mph. 180' max distance. Flashes LD plane to middle of field, doubles power profile at present
Arm: RH. C-70 mph. Clean quick transfer at chest with shorter arm path out of glove to release, throws downhill, online to bag
Defense: 2.20-2.30 pop times. One knee set up with good posture, quick glove with feel to present pitches, strength in wrists, timing is sound at receive, solid profile
ATH: 7.59 runner in the 60. Burst with stride length, ability to maintain speed 

Rylan Graves, Highland High (CA), 2028
Positional Profile: C/RHP Interesting two-way profile which flashed sound tools with upside
Body: 5-10, 165-pounds. Athletically built with some emerging strength and room to fill
Hit: RHH. Wider base with even foot set up, crouched in knees with weight slightly towards back leg, lower back elbow, hands set just below ear height over back shoulder with slight back waggle Shifts weight to back side with front foot drawback, controlled forward move to launch with hands staying back to separate from body, turns effectively through hips, front ankle rolls over, rear shoulder drive through contact, hands are direct into the zone with compact barrel path showing leverage 60.4 mph bat speed with 9 G's of rotational acceleration.
Power: 89 max exit velocity, averaged 76.5 mph. 258' max distance. Plays to LD angles from middle to pull side with emerging top end EV
Arm: RH. C-73 mph. Clean transfer closer to belly button with length and quickness in arm path, ball flight shows carry with flashes of accuracy
Defense: 2.14-2.30 pop times. One knee set up with ability to get low into hips, quick glove action beats ball to spot, strength in wrists to stick velocity, flashes feel for handling spin
ATH: 7.75 runner in the 60. Vertical run posture with ability to maitnain stride length and direction 

David Trujillo, Frontier High (CA), 2027
Positional Profile: C/3B 
Body: 5-10, 161-pounds. Wiry athletic build with room to add strength
Hit: RHH. Open stance with small knee bend and hip hinge, high back elbow, hands set at shoulder height just beyond rear shoulder, barrel tipped towards sky Small load into back side, strides to even before taking short forward move to launch, small hand push back to separate from body, sequences efficiently in turn, uses ground through contact, quick hips, body stays behind contact, direct hand path with direct barrel path showing leverage through contact 64.8 mph bat speed with 8 G's of rotational acceleration.
Power: 92 max exit velocity, averaged 85.2 mph. 321' max distance. Sound feel hitting the ball in the air, plays to LD angle best, solid top end EV with doubles power to middle of field
Arm: RH. C-70 mph. Consistent transfer at chest, quick arm path, throws downhill, accurate to bag, uses long hop
Defense: 2.25-2.40 pop times. One knee down stance with taller set up in body, hand is on time at receive, can polish pull back into zone, handles spin effectively
ATH: 7.56 runner in the 60. Maintains stride length with tall run posture, stays on line 

INFIELDERS:

Ryan Birks, Frontier High (CA), 2027
Positional Profile: SS/2B Sound toolset with up the middle defensive profile and high quality switch hit tool
Body: 5-8, 141-pounds. Wiry, lean present build with broad shoulders and room to fill.
Hit: SH. RH: Vertical posture with knees under shoulders, low back elbow, hands set close to head at ear height, small hand waggle LH: crouched in lower half, wider base, higher back elbow, hands set near rear shoulder with barrel tipped to RF foul pole RH: Shifts weight into back hip, small leg lift with medium forward move, hands remain quiet in load, balanced at launch, stays taller in turn with well sequenced rotation, tilt in body at contact, hands are direct with leverage in barrel path. LH: Double toe tap load with small weight shift rear ward, coil of shoulders load hands, longer forward move, works into rear leg during his turn, uses ground through contact, direct hand path with leveraged barrel path through zone 61.4 mph bat speed with 9 G's of rotational acceleration.
Power: 90 max exit velocity, averaged 75.2 mph. 323' max distance. Flatter stroke geared towards LD angles at contact, middle of field approach with doubles impact
Arm: RH. INF-76 mph. medium length arm path, quickness in arm path, solid carry to throws, can throw from different slots
Defense: Sound mover with body control, consistent two hand fielder with clean transfers at hips, plays with fundamental rhythm, flashes ability to play on run
ATH: 7.04 runner in the 60. Athletic runner with burst, ability to maintain speed and line 

Mikal Castillo, Covina High (CA), 2026
Positional Profile: 2B/SS Interesing overall profile with solid up the middle defense and sneaky good offense
Body: 5-6, 154-pounds. Compact, athletic wiry build
Hit: RHH. Open stance with hip hinge and vertical lower half, higher back elbow, hands set near ear height with barrel waggle Leg kick load with weight shifting into back hip, front shoulder coil with barrel tip in hand load, sways in forward move, balanced at launch, hips rotate with quickness, stays taller in posture at contact, hands are direct with compact bat path showing leverage 63.2 mph bat speed with 8 G's of rotational acceleration.
Power: 88 max exit velocity, averaged 81.5 mph. 319' max distance. Feel to drive the ball with solid impact in the air, doubles profile from line to line
Arm: RH. INF-74 mph. Short arm path with whip in his arm path, can throw from different slots, accurate thrower 
Defense: Body control with sound footwork into and through ball, two handed comfort plays out front, consistent transfers, feet work in throwing motion, solid overall defender
ATH: 7.34 runner in the 60. Flashes quickness in run stride, ability to maintain line and speed 

Hunter Hansford, Frontier High (CA), 2027
Positional Profile: 3B/SS Corner profile defender with interesting upside in offensive profile
Body: 5-10, 174-pounds. Solid present build with broad shoulders and room to fill across frame
Hit: RHH. Balanced set up with vertical posture, high back elbow, hands sets above ear height over the rear shoulder, barrel tipped towards ground Barrel tip load of hands with small weight shift rearward, front knee coils while hands remain high to work to launch, works into rear leg during the turn with effective sequence, uses ground through contact, tilt in body at contact, uphill bat path with connecting in turn 58.9 mph bat speed with 9 G's of rotational acceleration.
Power: 93 max exit velocity, averaged 81.1 mph. 285' max distance. Uphill path works to elevate ball, can improve consistency, solid present top end EV shows power potential in future
Arm: RH. INF-75 mph. Elbow leads out of the glove with medium length path, small pause in path, ball has solid carry, comfortable with one release point, 3B potential
Defense: Controlled mover who plays with fundamental footwork, two handed comfort with timing out front, transfers clean at center of body, solid profile
ATH: 7.35 runner in the 60. Vertical runner with short quick strides, maintains direction 

Morgan Hester, Kingsburg High (CA), 2028
Positional Profile: 1B/LHP Flashes strength in profile as RHH while adding interesting profile on mound
Body: 6-0, 181-pounds. Broad shoulder build with emerging strength in lower 1/2, room to fill throughout
Hit: LHH. Narrower set up with knee bend and hinge at his hips, lower back elbow with hands set at shoulder height deeper than rear shoulder depth, barrel angled towards sky Coils in load with weight shifting towards back leg, small forward move with taller posture at launch, barrel tip to load hands with small separation from body, rotates aggressively through hips with tilt in body at contact, well connected turn with hands working inside baseball, uphill barrel path 66.3 mph bat speed with 13 G's of rotational acceleration.
Power: 90 max exit velocity, averaged 82.4 mph. 328' max distance. Flashes solid present top end EV with feel to elevate the baseball, shows power potential with polish
Arm: RH. INF-78 mph. Full arm path out of glove with high release point near ear, throws downhill
Defense: Hands present on time out front, comfort fielding two handed, controlled footwork
ATH: 7.38 runner in the 60. Maintains line well with short quick strides 

Isaiah Marquez, Ridgeview High (CA), 2026
Positional Profile: OF/3B Lean athlete with sound overall foundation
Body: 5-9, 141-pounds. Wiry lean build at present with room to add to athletic frame
Hit: RHH. Open stance with vertical lower body and small hip hinge, loose hands with waggle set below shoulder height, low back elbow Toe tap load works to even before taking short forward move, hands load with barrel tip, vertical posture in turn, uses hips effectively, rear shoulder drives through contact, direct hand path into zone, barrel leverages through the zone 57.9 mph bat speed with 12 G's of rotational acceleration.
Power: 84 max exit velocity, averaged 75.4 mph. 275' max distance. Flatter path produces LD/GB contact with high contact profile
Arm: RH. INF-69 mph. OF-75 mph. INF: short path out of glove, low slot release with some whip, uphill path to ball out of hand, 2B profile OF: Similar path to INF arm path, throws uphill from lower slot
Defense: INF: fundamental mover with sound footwork, hands present out front, two hand comfort, transfers consistently at center of body OF: footwork is sound, comfort with balls to different angles, plays with solid tempo
ATH: 7.44 runner in the 60. Drives well off the line, maintains stride length with quickness in stride 

Noah Martinez, Shafter High (CA), 2029
Positional Profile: SS/2B Strong foundation for age with overall tools that have present ability showing plenty of upside
Body: 5-11, 130-pounds. Lean build with broad shoulders and length to fill out 
Hit: RHH. Vertical set up with narrow feet, high back elbow, hands set above ear height close to head, barrel waggle Small leg lift with small sit into back hip, length in forward stride to reach launch, hands separate from body with stretch, effectively sequences in his turn, hips are quick, body stays behind contact with tilt and rear shoulder drive, direct hand path with barrel leveraged through the zone 56.7 mph bat speed with 3 G's of rotational acceleration.
Power: 79 max exit velocity, averaged 67.3 mph. 260' max distance. Flatter stroke produces low line drive/ground ball contact, sound barrel awareness, high contact profile
Arm: RH. INF-77 mph. Medium length path with quickness out of glove and in arm stroke, throws from lower release point, carry with accuracy on throws, flashes SS potential
Defense: Feet are quick with athleticism in his actions, plays with rhythm, angles are sound, hands present on time out front, transfers cleanly at center of body, solid present profile
ATH: 7.41 runner in the 60. Athletic runner with good posture, stride length and ability to maintain speed 

Adrian Sanchez, Ridgeview High (CA), 2026
Positional Profile: 2B/OF Sound overall foundation with some potential upside 
Body: 5-7, 154-pounds. Athletic build with wiry strength at present, room to add
Hit: RHH. Wider base with slightly open foot set up, bend in knees and hinge at hips, hands set beyond rear shoulder at same height, lower back elbow, barrel tipped towards LF Shifts weight into rear hip with small foot lift, short forward stride to reach launch, balanced and on time, hips rotate effectively with scissor kick of rear foot, rear shoulder drives through contact, hand/barrel path are compact and direct geared for contact 55.1 mph bat speed with 8 G's of rotational acceleration.
Power: 84 max exit velocity, averaged 74.2 mph. 286' max distance. Hits the ball in air consistently, but plays better at LD angles, doubles profile with bat to ball present
Arm: RH. INF-74 mph. OF-76 mph. INF: longer path out of glove with depth, small pause on back side, looseness through throw, shows carry, solid 2B profile OF: similar path to INF motion, shows more quickness in arm stroke, does throw uphill, LF profile
Defense: INF: fundamental mover with hands that work out front, comfortable with two hands, feet are on time, plays low, 2B profile OF: aggressive to the ball, plays with quickness into throw, confidence
ATH: 7.31 runner in the 60. Quickness early with ability to build speed, short quick strides throughout 

Ivan Valenzuela, Santa Paula (CA), 2029
Positional Profile: 2B/OF LHH tool shows sound foundation with upside, flashes up the middle INF def. actions
Body: 5-6, 140-pounds. Compact present frame with room to fill as he matures
Hit: LHH. Crouched set up with small hip hinge, balanced base with open stance, high back elbow, hands set above ear height off rear shoulder, flat barrel tipped towards 1B dugout Shifts weight slighlty rearward before making controlled forward move, lands balanced, hands load down and back to separate from body, stays taller in turn, body stays behind contact, hips work well in turn, hands are direct to the ball, barrel works with leverage through contact 57.3 mph bat speed with 6 G's of rotational acceleration.
Power: 76 max exit velocity, averaged 68.2 mph. 236' max distance. Consistent feel to hit the ball in air, plays best at LD angles, projects upside for power in future
Arm: RH. INF-65 mph. OF-66 mph. INF: depth out of the glove rearward, shows looseness to path, can vary release points, solid present carry OF: similar path to the INF arm action, throws uphill
Defense: INF: active feet with some quickness, maintains rhythm into and through the ball, plays with good hip height, hands get out front, comfort playing one or two handed, strong foundation OF: more controlled mover, fields cleanly with good angles, solid profile
ATH: 8.19 runner in the 60. Quick off the line, maintains posture, short quick strides 

Alejandro Villegas, Loyola High School (CA), 2028
Positional Profile: SS/2B Shows well rounded profile with sound tools, room to build
Body: 5-9, 159-pounds. Compact athletic build with some emerging wiry strength, room to add
Hit: LHH. Even set up with hip hinge and small knee bend, weight rests slightly towards back leg, lower back elbow, hands set beyond rear shoulder off the body at shoulder height, vertical bat angle Leg lift on a front side with small rearward weight shift, hands stay connected to body in forward move, hips rotate with quickness, scissor kick on back side, body stays behind contact, hands are compact with direct barrel path showing leverage through the zone 58.5 mph bat speed with 10 G's of rotational acceleration.
Power: 88 max exit velocity, averaged 76.7 mph. 263' max distance. Emerging top end EV shows doubles profile, flashes impact to middle of field, can polish profile
Arm: RH. INF-78 mph. Compact arm path out of the glove with quickness in arm path through the throw, can vary slots, shows carry
Defense: Quick first step, plays with rhythm in feet, shows feel to play one or two handed, hips can play low, shows up the middle profile
ATH: 7.56 runner in the 60. Quick off the line with early burst, maintains line 

OUTFIELDERS:

Bryson Lewis, Frontier High (CA), 2028
Positional Profile: OF/RHP Fluid mover with interesting present tools across the board that show high ceiling upside
Body: 5-11, 141-pounds. Wiry, athletic present build with plenty of room to dream on adding strength
Hit: RHH. Open set up with narrower base, bend in knees and hip hinge, low back elbow with hands set beyond rear shoulder and below shoulder depth, barrel tipped towards 3B dugout just above shoulder height Shifts weight towards back side as he strides to even, gathers and then makes longer forward move to a wide base at launch, hands stay back to separate from body, hips rotate aggressively with a scissor kick on back side, creates tilt with body at contact, rear shoulder drives through, whippy quick swing with hands and barrel working to and up through the ball 62.6 mph bat speed with 9 G's of rotational acceleration.
Power: 91 max exit velocity, averaged 75.2 mph. 310' max distance. Solid present top end EV with more to come, feel to hit the ball in the air, present doubles power, but projects for more as he matures
Arm: RH. OF-82 mph. Clean path out of glove with depth down and behind him, shows present arm speed with effective use of his body through release, athletic thrower with more to come
Defense: Controls his movements well with athletic actions, confidence in his glove work/foot work, projects CF/RF long term upside
ATH: 7.09 runner in the 60. Builds speed early, has athleticism in run stride, maintains length/quickness throughout 

Isaiah Marquez, Ridgeview High (CA), 2026
Positional Profile: OF/3B Lean athlete with sound overall foundation
Body: 5-9, 141-pounds. Wiry lean build at present with room to add to athletic frame
Hit: RHH. Open stance with vertical lower body and small hip hinge, loose hands with waggle set below shoulder height, low back elbow Toe tap load works to even before taking short forward move, hands load with barrel tip, vertical posture in turn, uses hips effectively, rear shoulder drives through contact, direct hand path into zone, barrel leverages through the zone 57.9 mph bat speed with 12 G's of rotational acceleration.
Power: 84 max exit velocity, averaged 75.4 mph. 275' max distance. Flatter path produces LD/GB contact with high contact profile
Arm: RH. INF-69 mph. OF-75 mph. INF: short path out of glove, low slot release with some whip, uphill path to ball out of hand, 2B profile OF: Similar path to INF arm path, throws uphill from lower slot
Defense: INF: fundamental mover with sound footwork, hands present out front, two hand comfort, transfers consistently at center of body OF: footwork is sound, comfort with balls to different angles, plays with solid tempo
ATH: 7.44 runner in the 60. Drives well off the line, maintains stride length with quickness in stride 

Madden Pasos, Exeter Union High (CA), 2027
Positional Profile: OF/RHP Tools with athleticism that show an interesting ceiling with continued development
Body: 6-2, 202-pounds. Strong present build with strength and room to polish
Hit: RHH. Narrower set up with slightly open feet, bend in knees with small hip hinge, higher back elbow, hands set at ear height near head, barrel tipped towards 3B dugout Small foot lift with short forward move to launch, minimal rearward move, small push back of hands in load, aggressive hip turn stays in back leg to create tilt at contact, hands are compact into the zone with an uphill bat path, shows solid present bat speed 67.8 mph bat speed with 15 G's of rotational acceleration.
Power: 93 max exit velocity, averaged 82.7 mph. 299' max distance. Uphill path with solid present top end EV projects power potential with refined approach/timing
Arm: RH. OF-82 mph. Full arm path out of glove with present arm strength, body cuts off after release, more in tank in future
Defense: Athletic mover with confidence in footwork, glove angle at field, CF/RF potential with athleticism
ATH: 6.90 runner in the 60. Strong runner with athleticism, drives to speed quickly with ability to maintain 

Adrian Sanchez, Ridgeview High (CA), 2026
Positional Profile: 2B/OF Sound overall foundation with some potential upside 
Body: 5-7, 154-pounds. Athletic build with wiry strength at present, room to add
Hit: RHH. Wider base with slightly open foot set up, bend in knees and hinge at hips, hands set beyond rear shoulder at same height, lower back elbow, barrel tipped towards LF Shifts weight into rear hip with small foot lift, short forward stride to reach launch, balanced and on time, hips rotate effectively with scissor kick of rear foot, rear shoulder drives through contact, hand/barrel path are compact and direct geared for contact 55.1 mph bat speed with 8 G's of rotational acceleration.
Power: 84 max exit velocity, averaged 74.2 mph. 286' max distance. Hits the ball in air consistently, but plays better at LD angles, doubles profile with bat to ball present
Arm: RH. INF-74 mph. OF-76 mph. INF: longer path out of glove with depth, small pause on back side, looseness through throw, shows carry, solid 2B profile OF: similar path to INF motion, shows more quickness in arm stroke, does throw uphill, LF profile
Defense: INF: fundamental mover with hands that work out front, comfortable with two hands, feet are on time, plays low, 2B profile OF: aggressive to the ball, plays with quickness into throw, confidence
ATH: 7.31 runner in the 60. Quickness early with ability to build speed, short quick strides throughout 

Ivan Valenzuela, Santa Paula (CA), 2029
Positional Profile: 2B/OF LHH tool shows sound foundation with upside, flashes up the middle INF def. actions
Body: 5-6, 140-pounds. Compact present frame with room to fill as he matures
Hit: LHH. Crouched set up with small hip hinge, balanced base with open stance, high back elbow, hands set above ear height off rear shoulder, flat barrel tipped towards 1B dugout Shifts weight slighlty rearward before making controlled forward move, lands balanced, hands load down and back to separate from body, stays taller in turn, body stays behind contact, hips work well in turn, hands are direct to the ball, barrel works with leverage through contact 57.3 mph bat speed with 6 G's of rotational acceleration.
Power: 76 max exit velocity, averaged 68.2 mph. 236' max distance. Consistent feel to hit the ball in air, plays best at LD angles, projects upside for power in future
Arm: RH. INF-65 mph. OF-66 mph. INF: depth out of the glove rearward, shows looseness to path, can vary release points, solid present carry OF: similar path to the INF arm action, throws uphill
Defense: INF: active feet with some quickness, maintains rhythm into and through the ball, plays with good hip height, hands get out front, comfort playing one or two handed, strong foundation OF: more controlled mover, fields cleanly with good angles, solid profile
ATH: 8.19 runner in the 60. Quick off the line, maintains posture, short quick strides 

Nicoli Zunino, Garces Memorial High School (CA), 2027
Positional Profile: OF/SS 
Body: 5-9, 155-pounds. Wiry lean present build with athleticism, room to fill
Hit: RHH. Slightly open feet with bend in knees and vertical upper body, balanced, high back elbow, hands set above ear height over rear shoulder, barrel tipped towards LF foul pole Small controlled load with a short forward move, lands taller in posture, hands load down into slot, well connected turn from a taller posture, hips rotate with quickness, compact direct hand/barrel path geared for contact 61.5 mph bat speed with 12 G's of rotational acceleration.
Power: 85 max exit velocity, averaged 71.2 mph. 266' max distance. Hits the ball in the air consistently with emering top end EVs, plays better to LD angles up the middle, flashes carry to pull side, upside here
Arm: RH. OF-78 mph. Full length circle with depth down and rearward, shows arm speed with quick path and extension on throws, uses lower 1/2 effectively
Defense: Easy mover who shows confidence in footwork/glove work, three position versatility with continued development
ATH: 7.28 runner in the 60. Builds speed quickly, maintains stride length/speed throughout 

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