On Saturday, April 11th, the Prep Baseball California team hosted the Central Coast Rising Stars ID at Buena High School in Ventura, Cal. This was an open event for all players in the rising stars classes of (2030-31), and gave our staff an ample look at some of the next wave of top players in the region. The players in attendance went through a pro-style workout, with many of these players attending their first showcase.

We’ve already posted an event analysis from the day, which featured write-ups on standout names as well as data leaderboards, found here.

Today, we’re taking a look at every player’s scouting report.

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PLAYER ANALYSIS

Bryce Gardia, Buena High (CA), 2030
Positional Profile: C/3B
Body: 5-4, 145 pounds.
Hit: RHH. Open setup with feet, crouch in knees, small hinge at hips, hands set deep beyond rear shoulder above ear height with a high back elbow Slight shift into back hip at load with hands staying back to separate from the body, short forward stride to launch, turns well through the hips with a taller posture at contact, direct hand/barrel path, LVG based bat path through the zone
Power: 74 mph max exit velocity (66.7 avg.); 241-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. C - 63 mph. Full arm path in the back with some present quickness, accuracy to ball flight with misses to 1B side of bag.
Defense: 2.40-2.51 pop time range; Solid present actions during receive, shows the foundation of pitch presentation and ability to track spin.
Run: 8.54 runner in the 60-yard dash.

West Gibson, Ventura (CA), 2031
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 5-2, 105 pounds.
Hit: RHH. Slightly closed foot setup, bend in knees with weight shifted towards back leg, vertical upper body posture with high hand set up above the ear, high back elbow with barrel tipped toward LF foul pole Small toe tap load with coil of the hips, hands separate back and up slightly from the body, rotates efficiently through his back knee/hip to stay behind the ball at contact, sequences well with upper body to drive rear shoulder through contact, barrel works behind and through the ball with leverage in the path
Power: 72 mph max exit velocity (64.9 avg.); 228-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 52 mph. Depth in the arm stroke behind the body and below the hip, small pause at the deepest point, throws uphill at present
Defense: Controlled mover with the ability to get behind the baseball, can improve his rhythm through the ball.
Run: 9.42 runner in the 60-yard dash.

Bradley Glaubitz, Ventura (CA), 2031
Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-2, 102 pounds.
Hit: RHH. Slightly open set up with feet, taller posture with small knee bend, hands set at ear height with lower back elbow and flat bat angle tipped towards 3B dugout Hinges into load with weight shifting towards the back leg, hands stay connected with the body dropping into the slot, small forward toe tap stride, back knee triggers the swing with effective turn of the hips, upper body stays behind contact effectively, hands/bat path are direct to the ball with a flatter barrel through the zone.
Power: 74 mph max exit velocity (65.7 avg.); 231-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 53 mph. Depth in the arm path below the hips, but stays behind the body in the arm circle.
Defense: Plays with tempo to the ball and has feel for his rhythm into the ball and into the throw.
Run: 9.30 runner in the 60-yard dash.

Kaleb Hardesty, Foothill Technology High (CA), 2030
Positional Profile: OF/LHP
Body: 5-0, 95 pounds.
Hit: LHH. Slightly open foot setup, crouch in knees with hinge at hips, balanced posture, hands are set below ear height at rear shoulder depth, low back elbow with flat bat angle tipped towards RF foul territory Shift of weight into the back hip starts the load with a medium leg kick, hands stay connected to the body in load but separate in the forward move, balanced at launch with a back knee trigger for sequencing, hips rotate effectively with upper body staying behind the ball at contact, hand/barrel path works directly to the ball with a flatter barrel path through the zone.
Power: 68 mph max exit velocity (59.6 avg.); 159-foot max batted distance.
Arm: LH. OF - 59 mph. Medium length arm path to hip height out of the glove, maintains solid rhythm with extension on his throws, can utilize the lower half more effectively to add carry, shows present accuracy.
Defense: Moves with body control and athleticism into the ball, confident with glove to field one-handed and in rhythm, solid foundation.
Run: 9.11 runner in the 60-yard dash.

Ryan Harris, Ventura (CA), 2030
Positional Profile: SS/OF
Body: 5-9, 130 pounds.
Hit: RHH. Wider base with slightly open foot setup, small back knee bend, more vertical posture, hands are set at ear height and rear shoulder depth off the body, lower back elbow, barrel tipped over head toward LF foul territory Weight shifts back with a coil of the front hip in the load, small toe tap stride towards the plate, hands stay connected to the body in the load but separate in the forward move, hips rotate effectively with small rear knee sink to trigger rotation relying on the hips/rear shoulder to drive through contact, some length to the bat path, but stays through the zone effectively with a high finish to produce leverage/loft
Power: 81 mph max exit velocity (75.1 avg.); 265-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 73 mph. OF - 72 mph. OF: medium length path out of the glove to hip height with tempo and looseness that shows solid present carry. INF: Similar tempo to the OF with slightly more length below the hips and behind the body, affecting the release point.
Defense: OF: quick feet with tempo into the ball and ability to restart his feet after field, athletic mover. INF: quick feet and flashes feel for his rhythm, but can improve. Confidence playing with one hand, plays with high hips.
Run: 8.48 runner in the 60-yard dash.

Dallas Knothe, San Marcos (CA), 2030
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-10, 140 pounds.
Hit: RHH. Vertical posture with a narrow base and slightly open foot setup, high back elbow with hands set at ear height near the head, barrel tipped over head with angle towards LF foul pole. Hinges at the hips to start load with coil of front shoulder, medium length forward move to launch, hands drop slightly, and rearward to separate from the body. Back knee trigger starts the swing with hips rotating aggressively through the turn, body holds a tilt position at contact with a small scissor of the rear foot. Barrel works inside and below the ball with quickness in the hands.
Power: 86 mph max exit velocity (80.5 avg.); 269-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 71 mph. Compact path with elbow leading the hand out of the glove, quickness in the path, can throw from different slots, strong present accuracy with flashes of carry to his throws.
Defense: Quick first step with ability to maintain quickness and showing body control, plays with low hips and rhythm, hands are smooth/soft with present feel for timing, more confident playing two-handed at present.
Run: 7.72 runner in the 60-yard dash.

ROMAN MARQUEZ, Buena High (CA), 2030
Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 5-8, 155 pounds.
Hit: RHH. Wider base with open foot setup, hinged extensively at the hip with shoulders past knees, and weight heavily towards the back leg. Low hand set with low back elbow with a more vertical bat angle. Coils with the shoulders while shifting weight toward the back side in the load, takes a medium-length forward stride to reach launch. The back elbow loads up to separate the hands from the body. Works with a rear knee trigger while sinking into the back leg to use the ground during the turn of the hips. The body stays behind contact effectively. Barrel works inside and below the ball to work uphill through the zone for leverage.
Power: 67 mph max exit velocity (57.1 avg.); 176-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 62 mph. Elbow leads out of the glove with a medium-length path and some quickness in the arm stroke. More comfortable throwing from ear height at present.
Defense: Quick first step with feel for rhythm into the ball and through the ball, plays with low hips and soft hands. Funnels well into the transfer with confidence playing two-handed.
Run: 8.20 runner in the 60-yard dash.

Positional Profile: RHP
Delivery: High knee lift to chest height in load with balance over the back leg. Small sink into the back hip in move down the mound with consistent direction. Controlled operation.
Arm Action: RH. Separates the hands early with a pause at chest height. Full clean arm path with depth below the hips while staying behind the body in circle. High 3/4 release point with minimal recoil after release.
FB: T72, 67-71 mph. Shows a straight shape with present carry. T1772, 1675 average rpm.
CB: 59-62 mph. Vertical breaking offering with present depth. Shows potential. T1830, 1728 average rpm.

Kellen Merkey, Dos Pueblos (CA), 2030
Positional Profile: RHP/1B
Body: 6-2, 190 pounds.
Hit: RHH. Wider base with slightly closed foot setup, weight heavier on back leg, high back elbow with hands set deeper than rear shoulder at similar height off the body. Barrel tipped overhead towards the LF foul pole. Weight shifts towards the backside further with hands pushing back to create separation from the body, front shoulder/hip coiled, small toe tap stride to a closed setup. Hips rotate with a taller posture in the turn while using the hands effectively to create bat speed. Uphill bat path geared towards loft to all fields.
Power: 90 mph max exit velocity (86.9 avg.); 331-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 75 mph. Elbow leads out of the glove with a medium-length path in the back stroke, lower slot release with present quickness and carry to his throws.
Defense: Good first step, plays with high hips, feel to arrive early to the ball with hands on time, comfortable playing two-handed, better moving laterally at present.
Run: 7.90 runner in the 60-yard dash.

Positional Profile: RHP
Delivery: Medium knee lift with slight coil of the hips. Small sink into the back hip as he moves down the mound. Length in the stride with body control to foot strike. Maintains direction to the ground, can pull off to the glove side in the finish.
Arm Action: RH. Shorter arm path with depth above the hips and taking a smaller circle behind the body. 3/4 release point with some extension out front, minimizes recoil after release.
FB: T80, 77-79 mph. Flashes sound present velocity with carry to the FB shape. T2049, 1940 average rpm.
CB: 63-65 mph. Shows some present spin traits with more of a slurve style shape, breaking harder horizontally than vertically. T2199, 2015 average rpm.

Graham Pender, TBD (CA), 2031
Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 5-11, 165 pounds.
Hit: RHH. Open stance with a small knee bend and a taller posture. Hands set high above ear height near the head. High back elbow with flat bat angled tipped towards 3B dugout. Hinges at hips to start the load with hands pushing back and down into launch position. Small toe tap, stride to even foot setup. Back knee triggers the turns with small sink into rear leg, hips turn fluidly with upper body staying behind the ball at contact. Hands/barrel path are both direct to the ball with quickness and the barrel shows leverage through the zone
Power: 85 mph max exit velocity (77.4 avg.); 292-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 65 mph. Fluid arm stroke with some length to it out of the glove. Throws flash carry with present quickness in the arm path.
Defense: Controlled mover who shows feel for his rhythm into the ball. Plays with higher present hips, confidence in using two-hands.
Run: 8.72 runner in the 60-yard dash.

Positional Profile: RHP
Delivery: Fluid operation with hands set at belly button height. Knee and hands sync in load with tempo. Stays taller in the move down the mound. Maintains direction to foot stirke and through release.
Arm Action: RH. Medium-length path with depth just below the hips while staying behind his body in the arm circle. 3/4 release point with whippy quickness. Minimizes recoil after release.
FB: T75, 73-74 mph. Strong present spin traits with arm side running life while showing sound velocity in shape. T2190, 2126 average rpm.
CB: 59-61 mph. Slurve style shape with more horizontal break at present with sound present spin traits. T2104, 2022 average rpm.
SL: 60-62 mph. Similar shape to the CB with more horizontal break at present. Flashes spin traits. T2158, 2109 average rpm.

L. Beckett Sanchez, Ventura (CA), 2031
Positional Profile: RHP/SS
Body: 5-4, 95 pounds.
Hit: RHH. Even foot setup with taller posture. Low back elbow with hands set deep beyond the rear shoulder and lower than shoulder height. Vertical bat angle. Hinges at the hips as he loads into lower 1/2, hands remain deep, but move with his body while using a medium-length forward move to launch. Back knee triggers the turn with quickness in the hips, upper body stays behind the ball at contact with rear shoulder drive into the finish. Hands lead the barrel both direct to the ball with leverage in the bat path.
Power: 71 mph max exit velocity (60.3 avg.); 218-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 61 mph. Glove tap after field before hand works to hip height with fluidity in the stroke. Sound accuracy with room to improve carry as he gains arm strength.
Defense: Sound first step with feel for angles playing laterally. Arrives at the ball early with soft hands. Hips play high at present. Feel to restart feet after field.
Run: 9.10 runner in the 60-yard dash.

Positional Profile: RHP
Delivery: Hands set at chest height, staying quiet while using a tempo'd knee lift to chest height. Works low into the back leg as he drives down the mound. Maintains direction with sound use of the lower half. Upper body pulls to glove side.
Arm Action: RH. Full arm path with depth below the hips with length behind the body and stays behind the body in path. Flashes quickness/intent in the path. 3/4 height release point with minimal recoil after release. Repeats well.
FB: T63, 60-62 mph. Straighter present shape FB with carry in the profile. T1465, 1378 average rpm.
CB: 50-51 mph. Shows some present vertical break with more of SLV shape working horizontally to glove side. T1449, 1418 average rpm.
SL: 53-54 mph. Consistent feel for offering with SLV style shape working to glove side well. T1502, 1403 average rpm.
CH: 51-54 mph. Has vertical separation off the FB shape, can improve the arm side fade as he adds arm speed. T1271, 1262 average rpm.

Caden Spahr, Ventura (CA), 2030
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 5-9, 150 pounds.
Hit: RHH. Open foot setup with vertical posture. Wider base. Low back elbow with hands set deeper than rear shoulder just above shoulder height. Flat bat angle tipped towards 3B dugout. Loads weight into back side with small bend of rear knee and medium leg sway stride to even. Hands load back to separate from the body. Back knee triggers the swing with hands following while the hips turn with quickness. Stays behind the ball at contact with a taller finish and rear shoulder drive through contact. Hands are direct with an uphill barrel path that works to generate leverage and loft at contact.
Power: 83 mph max exit velocity (71.1 avg.); 272-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 67 mph. Longer full-length arm path with depth down and behind the body, which produces present carry with accuracy to his throws. Can add arm speed as he matures.
Defense: Quick first step with athleticism moving to the ball, pauses in the field with ability to restart the lower 1/2 using a crow hop. Confident mover.
Run: 8.14 runner in the 60-yard dash.

Positional Profile: RHP
Delivery: Controlled mover with hands and knee syncing in the load. Works into the back leg as he moves down the mound. Upper body does tilt back slightly. Maintains direction into foot strike and through release.
Arm Action: RH. Deep arm path working below the hips and deep behind the body. Maintains a fluid stroke with looseness through the path. High 3/4 release with minimal recoil after release.
FB: T71, 67-70 mph. Sound present pitch with both ride/run will need to separate shapes as he develops. T1857, 1669 average rpm.
CB: 53-56 mph. SLV style offering with both present vertical depth and movement to the glove side. T1372, 1096 average rpm.
CH: 57-58 mph. Heavy fade to the arm side with separation vertically off the FB. Flashes potential. T1693, 1543 average rpm.

Cade Stiffler, St Bonaventure (CA), 2031
Positional Profile: C/OF
Body: 5-5, 90 pounds.
Hit: RHH. Even foot setup with balanced base, small hinge at hips with hands set low below shoulder height with low back elbow, barrel tipped towards the sky. Medium leg kick to start load with medium forward move, loads the hands with a barrel tip. Hips rotate effectively with more use of the hips/shoulders and hands, finishing with a forward lean. Direct hand/barrel path with low finish.
Power: 78 mph max exit velocity (70.8 avg.); 233-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. C - 54 mph. OF - 57 mph. OF: medium length arm path to the hips with quickness in the arm stroke, throws uphill with higher release point. C: Elbow leads hand out of glove with medium length path, shows some present quickness.
Defense: 2.58-2.83 pop time range; OF: controlled mover who focuses on securing baseball, can improve rhythm into and through field. C: shows present feel for receiving with some present softness to hand at catch.
Run: 9.51 runner in the 60-yard dash.

Pete Wendel, Ventura (CA), 2031
Positional Profile: LHP/1B
Body: 5-6, 130 pounds.
Hit: SH. Wider base with even foot setup, bend in the knees with slight hip hinge. Hands are set off the body around the center of his chest with low back elbow and barrel tipped rearward. Simple load with a toe tap stride and hands pushing back to launch position. Arrives early or on time consistently. Hands lead the swing with the knee trigger second. Stays behind contact well with direct hand/barrel path into the zone.
Power: 78 mph max exit velocity (71.6 avg.); 278-foot max batted distance.
Arm: LH. INF - 61 mph. Hand leads out of the glove with a medium-length path, shows some fluidness to the arm stroke, higher release point.
Defense: Controlled mover who is consistent with the glove, shows some feel for his footwork. Sound foundation.
Run: 9.06 runner in the 60-yard dash.

Positional Profile: LHP
Delivery: High hand set off the body with a small front leg lift in the load. Controlled move down the mound while staying taller in his posture. Maintains direction well with the lower half. Uses hips well can improve back leg drive. The upper body does pull to the glove side at times.
Arm Action: LH. Full arm circle with depth down below the hips while staying behind his body in the path. High 3/4 release point while minimizing recoil after release.
FB: T61, 57-60 mph. FB features present carry with arm side run. Separates the shapes well at present. T1509, 1429 average rpm.
CB: 47-48 mph. SLV style offering at present, with both vertical depth and action to the glove side. T1556, 1480 average rpm.

Wesley Williams, Ventura (CA), 2031
Positional Profile: OF/RHP
Body: 5-2, 93 pounds.
Hit: SH. Narrower base with slightly open foot setup. Crouched in the knees with hands set at ear height over the rear shoulder. Low back elbow with the barrel tipped towards 3B dugout. Small leg lift with a hover in the load before taking an athletic stride to launch. Hands load back quietly with separation from the body. Back knee trigger starts the swing with a well sequenced turn. Hands/barrel work inside the baseball with leverage through the zone.
Power: 76 mph max exit velocity (67.3 avg.); 236-foot max batted distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 62 mph. Fluid path out of the glove with a loose stroke, quick arm stroke that has fluidity. Throws uphill at present with accuracy to throws.
Defense: Athletic mover with quickness in the feet. Works through the ball with rhythm, shows body control and awareness.
Run: 8.60 runner in the 60-yard dash.

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