High Desert Summer ID: Deeper Data Dives

July 8, 2026
Steven Hardesty with Oliver Schaack and Max Warlick
Assistant Director & Prep Baseball California Contributors

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LANCASTER, CALIF. - On Wednesday, June 17th, the Prep Baseball California team hosted the High Desert Summer ID at Antelope Valley College in Lancaster, Cal. This was an open event for all high school classes (2027-2030), and gave our staff an ample look at some of that area's and surrounding areas' top players.

Around 35 players made their way to Antelope Valley College and participated 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. For a closer look at the showcase details and the technologies we had on-site to assist our in-person evaluation for all in attendance, click here.

To start the day, all position players in attendance were electronically measured for height, weighed in, and recorded grip strength readings. From there, they ran a 60-yard sprint with all split times being gathered using VALD Technologies' laser timing system. Upon completion of the athletic and body testing portion of the day, the players went into offensive evaluations with multiple rounds of batting practice, where Trackman Technologies and Blast Motion swing trackers were in use to gather batted ball and swing data on players in attendance, in addition under going Vizual Edge testing and VALD Jump testing. Which was then followed by defensive evaluations at their primary and secondary position (OF, C, SS, 1B) with arm strength being measured via a Stalker Radar gun and skill evaluations by our staff on hand. Once the batting practice portion of the event was completed, we shifted into the pitching portion of the day with pitchers throwing bullpens from the main mound with Trackman Technologies running to gather pitch data.

Today, we will be looking at four data-based standout performers from the event, found below. For all of the event information, please click here.

OLIVER SCHAACK STANDOUTS:

Jayden Ross OF / RHP / Citrus Valley High, CA / 2027

Beyond hitting home runs north of 400 feet with triple-digit exit velocities peaking at 104 MPH off the bat, the quality of contact was as impressive as anything. With a line-drive percentage (43%), exceeding both his GB% and FB%, it’s clear the quality of his bat path isn’t sacrificed for his high-level power profile.

The home run power was predominantly to the pull side in BP, but in-game vs. live pitching who will eventually have to adjust, and he will have opportunities to drive the ball the other way with authority. His being able to maintain a clean path through the zone will prove immensely valuable as he advances to the next level.

While continuing to refine his approach, his 6’5 210 LB frame will have time to fully catch up to his swing in the process. He already moves well for his size and ran well with a 7.11 60-yard dash time to start the event, giving him realistic three-position OF potential. This number, like all his metrics at the plate, can continue improve as he matures physically. Once that happens, posting numbers as he did at Antelope Valley College will be nothing short of routine for Ross.

James Tomlin, IV OF / RHP / St. John Bosco, CA / 2029

Tomlin IV tested well above what the average 5’10 150-pound incoming sophomore typically does, on both sides of the ball. He clocked in at 7.05 for the 60 with the potential to improve that time as his frame matures and he adds explosiveness through strength training in the weight room.

The potential with the bat is apparent through posting a max exit velocity of 92 MPH. His best swings presently result in hard contact on the ground. As he physically matures with added strength in his lower half, he can transition that contact into balls in the air. Nevertheless, the ability to get the ball in the air with the bat showed up, posting the same rate of fly-balls as ground-balls in his BP rounds at 40% for both.

His arm also tested towards the higher end metrically from the outfield, topping at 89 MPH on the gun. Tomlin showed a loose arm action that’s quick and efficiently gets the ball out. Being still an underclassman with plenty of time to physically grow, the tools impressed, but his best baseball is still ahead of him as he progresses through his high school career.

MAX WARLICK STANDOUTS:

Player Analysis Header

Izayah Najera C / 3B / Norco High, CA / 2028

Najera had one of the most well-rounded BP performances of the day, with the metrics to support it. His 93.7 mph average exit velocity was the fourth highest of the event, which he paired with an impressive 98 mph max exit velocity. Particularly noteworthy is Najera’s 70% sweet spot percentage, meaning the majority of balls he put in play left his bat within the optimal launch angle range (8-32 degrees)–a sign that he is generating hard contact without sacrificing quality or selling out for power. Najera also showcased a very sound batted-ball profile, with 40% line drives and 30% fly balls. A 40% line drive rate highlights his advanced ability to consistently square the ball up on a line, while his 30% fly ball rate shows he can generate loft that will complement his raw power. As Najera continues to develop physically, he already has a strong offensive foundation to build on. His combination of power and barrel control makes him an intriguing name to know in the 2028 class.

Matthew Daines SS / OF / Glendora High, CA / 2028

Daines put on an impressive performance during BP. His 100 mph max exit velocity made him one of only five hitters to reach that mark, establishing him as one of the most powerful hitters in attendance. Daines backed this up with a 93.4 mph average exit velocity, confirming that his hard contact is not limited to just his best swings, but rather a consistent trait throughout his rounds. His 50% sweet spot percentage means that half of his batted balls were hit at productive launch angles, where the most damaging contact tends to occur. Daines’ 38% line drive rate echoes this and demonstrates his ability to square the ball up at a high rate, which pairs well with his already elite exit velocity numbers. At 5’9 163 lbs, Daines has plenty of room to grow and fill out physically. This only makes his current metrics more impressive. As he adds strength and size, the power he already possesses figures to keep increasing. Overall, Daines put up a strong showing and is a name worth keeping tabs on in the 2028 class.

For all of the event information, please click here.