SoCal Rising Stars Game: Preview
May 16, 2025
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This Sunday, May 18th, the Prep Baseball California team is hosting the SoCal Rising Stars Game at Mater Dei HS in Santa Ana, CA. This is an invite-only event for all Rising Stars classes (2029-2030), and gives our staff an ample look at the area's top players.
For a closer look at the showcase details and the technologies we'll have on-site to assist our in-person evaluation for all in attendance, click here.
RISING STARS EVENTS
This event has a dual function. For most participants, this will be their first showcase event - an initial step toward achieving a player’s baseball goals. Part of this event is educational: there will be a lecture about what scouts look for, how to comport themselves, what to expect in the recruiting process, and the overall landscape of playing at the next level. The second function of the event is to identify young talent, and at the same time getting valuable coaching in the showcase process. As the preeminent scouting service across our 40+ state coverage area, Prep Baseball is looking to identify promising young prospects at an earlier age so we can more accurately track their progress through their career.
This event will also serve as an identifier for invitations to the Junior Future Games in July. The Junior Future Games will run in conjunction with the Prep Baseball's Future Games and Senior Future Games. The Future Games features the top High School players in the Class of 2027 from across Prep Baseball's 40+ state coverage area. It is one of the most highly recruited events of the summer and attracts more than 400 college coaches from across the country each year.
The Junior Future Games, an Invitation-Only event, will feature the best identified prospects from across the country in a four-day event at Lake Point in Cartersville, GA. This state-of-the-art facility features 8 all-turf fields. Participants will compete against other top-level players while representing their respective state.
2025 ROSTER
This year's roster is already shaping up nicely, with plenty of names making their way to a Prep Baseball showcase for the first time.
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Cole Grothues RHP / OF / SERVITE HIGH SCHOOL, CA / 2029From 3/30/25: “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.” |
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Ethan Nigbor SS / 2B / Norco High, CA / 2029From 3/30/25: “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.” |
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McKay Skarlanic RHP / 1B / Carlsbad, CA / 2029From 3/2/25: “While size does not guarantee success in baseball the impressive frame that Skarlanic cuts catches your eye quickly checking in at 6'3 and 183 lbs. with a wiry present build that has room to add plenty of strength as he matures. Skarlanic is much more than just an impressive physical presence as a rising 8th grader which he displayed with a strong overall two-way performance. As a position player his rounds of batting practice stood out for the raw power he displayed. Using an uphill swing which is geared to try and elevate the baseball for loft/carry to the middle-pull side of the diamond he posted an impressive max exit velocity of 94.5 while averaging 84.5 MPH during his batting practice rounds with a 368' max distance on a deep fly ball HR to straight away LF. There is some inconsistency to his ability to get the ball in the air, but as he polishes his approach/timing the upside for his RH power is intriguing. As good as what the San Diego product did at the plate was it may have been his turn on the mound that impressed even more. With an easy operation getting down the mound showing a loose quick arm that has almost no recoil after release he does an impressive job of maintaining his direction and pitching with body control/minimal effort. The delivery in and of itself would earn him a spot here, but the pitching metrics gathered on Trackman were just as impressive. Skarlanic showed a present 81-83 MPH with both ride and run in the shape. He backs it up with an intriguing 73-75 MPH CHG with deception in his arm speed and arm side fade with some tumble. The righthander uses a SLD and a CB to produce spin with both pitches showing solid present ability coming in at 66-70 MPH, but he might eventually be best served to pick one offering. While he still has plenty of time before he will grace a high school baseball field the profile for this San Diego based product is one to follow.” |
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Dylan Hendon C / OF / Mater Dei, CA / 2029From 3/2/25: “The potential future Mater Dei Monarch baseball product Hendon put together an interesting day on what likely one day will be his varsity baseball field. Checking in with a solid present 6'1 177.9 lbs. frame and quality present athletic ability including a 7.69 60 yard time with a high quality foundation at a premium defensive position there was plenty to like about this Orange County Rising Stars product. Hendon showed an aggressive high intent RH swing with an approach that looked to elevate the baseball with authority and when he connected on the barrel produced strong present Trackman data including: 90.2 MPH max EV, 84 MPH avg EV, 341' max distance on a homer to LF with a 45% sweet spot rate and 9% hard hit rate. He added to his overall profile by showing his potential behind the plate with a solid showing during bullpen work with a quality receive and during the defensive workout posting a 70 MPH C arm velocity with pop times in the 2.14-2.26 range showing online accuracy, but can improve the carry on his throws as he continues to mature. Another high quality name to follow in the future.” |
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Ezra Camacho SS / OF / Woodbridge High, CA / 2029From 3/30/25: Positional Profile: SS/OF |
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Ace Aguilar SS / 2B / Bonita High, CA / 2029From 3/30/25: Positional Profile: SS/2B |
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Matthew Martinez 1B / LHP / Santa Margarita Catholic, CA / 2029From 3/30/25: Positional Profile: LHP |
ITINERARY
CHECK-IN TIMES:
- All Players: 8:15-8:45 AM
MORE EVENT DETAILS
Click here to learn more about our tech partners that have enhanced our players showcase experience. Partners like TrackMan, Vizual Edge, and Blast Motion have helped both our in-event evaluation process, as well the compilation of our post-event scouting reports – and they're also a tool for our players to learn more about their measured and collected data, that can be applied to improve upon their game.