SoCal Rising Stars Game: Preview

May 1, 2026
By: Gavin Smith
Manager, Content & Operations

This Sunday, May 3rd, the Prep Baseball California team is hosting the SoCal Rising Stars Games at the Corona High School in Corona, Cal. This is an invite-only event for all rising stars classes (2030-31), 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.

ROSTER PREVIEW

Caden Spahr OF / RHP / Ventura, CA / 2030

Spahr is the younger brother of three-time Prep Baseball California event standout (FGT: Malibu 2025, 2025 California State Games, 2026 La Mirada Preseason All State) Liam Spahr and OF/C at Ventura High School. Caden quickly catches your eyes with a solid present frame showing some early development, standing 5'9 and with emerging strength, but there is plenty of future projection to add size/strength as he keeps maturing. The early development of his frame, combined with solid to strong present tools across the board, all add up to a well-rounded profile as a two-way product. A quality present athlete who runs with body control and some quickness off the line that will speed up as he keeps maturing, adding strength to his frame. His arm peaked at 67 MPH from the OF with a loose, longer arm path that has low carry and accuracy on his throws. How much speed and future arm strength Spahr develops will ultimately determine which OF spot he is best suited for, but at present, he shows potential for all three OF spots. At the plate, there is loose quickness with his hands in the swing and solid use of his lower 1/2 to help produce some loud present contact, peaking at 83.3 with a 270+ max batted ball distance on a drive to LCF, plus he laced a line drive right back up the middle that startled me, feeding the machine with how quickly it got there. There is some rawness to the hit tool, but the foundation shows plenty of upside as he matures and continues to develop his overall offensive profile. On the mound, the loose, easy arm action combines with a low-effort athletic move down the mound that has interesting future upside. Spahr doesn't produce high present velocity (max FB velocity of 70.5), but he moves with the type of operation that evokes intrigue as he learns to add intent, arm strength/speed, and fills out the frame that he could present a high-quality righthanded pitching profile in the coming years. Much like his older brother Liam, Caden will make the Spahr name one to follow for the coming years on the Central Coast.

Dallas Knothe SS / RHP / San Marcos Senior High, CA / 2030

Knothe is bound for high school to be a part of the San Marcos Royals program, and after a well-rounded showing of athletic ability, INF defensive upside with offensive potential, the Royals are getting a talented young player in the 2030 class. Posting a sound present 7.7 60-yard sprint time, there is quickness off the line for Knothe, which showed up in his defensive workout as he takes a quick first step, showing rhythm into the ball and the ability to play downhill. His hands are sound at present with some confidence to play one-handed, and the arm has present strength (71 MPH INF velocity) for his age, with carry/accuracy from different angles on the field and arm slots. The swing for Knothe is well connected with an uphill path that flashes impact/carry to the pull side of the field when he gets to the bottom half of the baseball. The ball comes off the bat with present authority peaking at 86.4 MPH on the day and averaging over 80 MPH of EV, but he was on top of the baseball more consistently than under or through the ball for carry. The upside is present in the offensive profile as he continues to polish his approach, contact points, and timing to produce his batted-ball angles. With a long-term SS potential profile and a bat that flashes middle to top of the order impact, Knothe is amongst the better names to know of the group entering high school baseball next year on the Central Coast.

ITINERARY

POSITION GROUPS

+ Check-in times:

Position Players: 8:15-8:45 AM
Start Time: 9:00 AM
Pitcher Only's: 11:15-11:45 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.

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