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CORONA, CALIF. - The third annual Inland Empire Rising Stars ID took  to beautiful Lyle Wilkerson Field, home of the defending Prep Baseball National Champions, Corona Panthers, 

Over 35 players took to the field in a showcase setting with their eyes set on earning an invitation to the Rising Stars Games from which Team California will be selected for the prestigious Prep Baseball Junior Future Games that will take place in July at the beautiful LakePoint Sports Complex in Emerson, Georgia just north of Atlanta.

For many players in the event this was their first experience with a showcase, but for several others this was their second, and sometimes third, event with Prep Baseball California. Players were put through a pro-style workout that included a sixty-yard laser timed sprint, a defensive workout, batting practice, and finishing with bullpens. 

While many of the attendees earned an opportunity to participate in the Rising Stars Game in May, the players listed below stood out for a bevy of reasons. 

*PLAYERS LISTED IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER

Cole Grothues RHP / OF / SERVITE HIGH SCHOOL, CA / 2029 Arguably the top performer at the event, Grothues led the outfield group in velocity (83mph) with strong, accurate throws to all bags. He started his day with a 7.5 60-yard sprint showing athleticism. When it was time to hit, he showed what may be his carrying tool in the future. A switch hitter, Grothues pounded balls to the tune of 89.7 mph (RHH) while peppering the gaps with line drives with a max distance of 314 feet. When hitting from the left side it was more of the same as he showed some pull side pop in his second round from a simple, rhythmic stroke. Where he opened eyes was on the mound as the ambidextrous Grothues threw from both sides and was effective from both sides. He topped at 80 mph from the right side and 78 mph from the left.

Daniel Gomez C / Damien, CA / 2029 Gomez has a smaller, strong frame that resulted in a loud two rounds of BP that featured line drives to all fields showing off his hit tool. Uses a slight toe-tap trigger to load-and-explode through the ball using his strong lower half to drive the hands/barrel into the ball. Remains balanced through contact and finish. Behind the plate he showed soft hands and a quick exchange. Arm strength is developing (as it should for an 8th grader) but throws were accurate and on the bag with a 66 mph arm strength and 2.26 best pop time.

Cameron Walters C / OF / Ruben S. Ayala, CA / 2029 The future Ayala Bulldog showed that he could be the next one behind the dish for head coach Brad McGuire. At 5’8” 153lbs., there’s some physicality to the frame, particularly in the lower half. Took very good routes to the ball in the outfield during the workout portion with accurate throws to all bags at 80 mph. The R/R catcher then had one of the best performances behind the plate during the workout where he moved incredibly well for a player his age and blocked/recovered quickly. Showed fast exchanges with accurate throws in the 2.01-2.16 range at 73 mph. At the plate he shows a fluid swing that uses the lower half very well after a leg lift trigger.

Nathan Englander OF / RHP / Sierra Canyon, CA / 2029 At 6-foot-1 182lbs, Englander stands out with his physicality for an eighth grader. In the outfield he moved well with direct routes to where the ball is going to end up and showing a strong, accurate arm at 79 mph. Throws were on the bag to all bases using the long hop well. At first base the arm really plays up with throws across the diamond. Footwork was a pleasant surprise for a young player his size showing strong body control. On the mound he works downhill with all pitches with the fastball touching 83 mph and remaining consistently at 82 mph. Changeup was a get-me-over pitch presently but effective down in the zone. Took two strong rounds of BP where he showed his ability to use all fields peppering mainly the right side in his first round and showing some pull side power to the left side.

Gavin Carcelen SS / RHP / Los Osos High, CA / 2029 Long and lean at 5-foot-11 and 149lbs., Carcelen showed himself to be an athletic MINF type with soft hands and a strong (76 mph), accurate arms showing the ability to make throws from all angles. Plays light on his feet and moves very well in all directions while funneling the ball out front. At the plate he starts upright up with high hands before getting the barrel into the zone consistently. Favors the pullside to the middle of the field with a max exit velo of 86.9 mph while focusing on hitting the ball on a line without a lot of loft.

Mason Nolan SS / 2B / Mesa View Middle, CA / 2029 At 5-foot-9 125lbs., you might look past Nolan which would be a mistake as he proved to be a player that has really worked on and developed his game after participating in the Rising Stars Game last year. At the plate the gains were the most noticeable as he showed a quiet, balanced setup with hands at the shoulder on a flat angle. With a slight rearward load he incorporates the lower half very well as he takes the knob to the ball with consistent barrel contact out front with a max exit velocity of 85.8 mph. Defensively he was one of the best shortstops in attendance, funnelling balls out front with quick feet and a strong (80 mph), accurate arm showing the ability to make throws from every angle.

Ethan Nigbor SS / 2B / Norco High, CA / 2029 Nigbor proved to be one of the most consistent players in attendance with a second-best 60 at 7.38, a 74 mph infield arm, and a barrel filled two rounds of BP to the tune of a 83.8 mph max exit velocity. Moved very well on the dirt showing soft hands while staying behind the ball and working through it when needed. Throws were accurate and on the bag each-and-every time. At the plate he starts with a slight knee bend with his hands high-and-close to the shoulder and the barrel almost directly perpendicular to the ground. Has a small leg lift trigger where he gets all his weight onto his backside before driving the hands into the ball. Gets the barrel on plane and shows the ability to manipulate its plane through the zone.

Upcoming Events

Showcase	State	Date	Location
Los Angeles Rising Stars ID (2029-2030 Grads)	CA	04/27	O'Malley Field - Sepulveda Basin, CA
2025 Future Games Tryout: Fullerton	CA	05/31	Fullerton College
2025 Future Games Tryout: Los Angeles	CA	05/31	Loyola Marymount University
2025 Future Games Tryout: Malibu	CA	05/31	Pepperdine University - Malibu, CA
2025 ProCase - West	CA	06/01	Loyola Marymount University - Los Angeles, CA
2025 Future Games Tryout: Central California	CA	06/07	Antelope Valley College - Lancaster, CA
2025 Future Games Tryout: Northern California	CA	06/14	Consumnes River College - Sacramento, CA

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