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Santa Ana, Calif. - The third annual SoCal Rising Stars Game once again returned to the beautiful campus of Mater Dei High School where over 30 players were invited to participate in a tryout for the 2025 Prep Baseball Junior Future Games. Players descended on Deadeaux Field looking for their opportunity to represent Team California at the 2025 Junior Future Games. 

Players were put through a pro-style workout before playing an 11 inning simulated game. For many players in the event 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 gameplay.

With Team California on the brink of being selected, below are some players that had standout days. 

Cole Grothues RHP / OF / SERVITE HIGH SCHOOL, CA / 2029 Grothues impressed at the IE Rising Stars ID in all facets of the game, whether switch hitting, switch pitching, or defensively in the outfield earning him an invitation to the gameplay event. Grothues picked up where he left off at the ID event showing off a high end swing from both sides of the plate and showing off his 83mph OF arm. But it was in the game where he really stood out throwing a clean inning that included a strikeout and no balls hit out of the infield. At the plate he reached on an error before ending the game with a loud home run that was 3/4 of the way up the 50-foot netting beyond the fence.

Alexander Scott OF / SS / SIERRA CANYON SCHOOL, CA / 2029 Scott catches your attention on first look with a long, lean 5-foot-10 147lb. frame that oozes projection. After posting a 7.15 60-yard laser timed run, Scott put up an event best 84 mph velocity from the outfield during the workout portion. In game he smoked a standup double in his first at-bat with a 4.89 time with a turn around first base. In his second at-bat he smoked a sharp line drive that appeared to have the centerfielder beat before he made a highlight type play for the out. It’s a simple yet aggressive swing that resulted in consistent barrels during batting practice and the game.

Rhett Lopez SS / RHP / Centennial High, CA / 2029 Lopez was a standout at the IE Rising Stars ID and nothing changed at the Rising Stars Game. A two-way standout, Lopez flashes legitimate shortstop tools with fast, soft hands with an above average arm (84 mph) with throws that flash carry. He also worked out in the outfield where the arm was just as good and accurate with a best throw at 82 mph. In the game he was 3-for-3 with a pair of doubles and a 2 RBI single. There’s sneaky power in his game overall, but at the dish it was loud contact where he flashes feel for the barrel while keeping it in the zone for a long time through to contact. On the mound he retired four of the five hitters he faced that included a strikeout on a nasty slider while also showing excellent instincts on a soft chopper in front of the plate where he called off the catcher and threw a dart to first to get the runner that ran a 4.52 home-to-first.

Hank Cho OF / RHP / CREAN LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL, CA / 2029 Cho once again impressed at this event with his two-way abilities. While he flashed an 81 mph outfield arm with accurate throws both during the workout and in the game, it was his dominance on the mound that caught everyone’s attention finishing with three strikeouts and a weak groundout. He flashes a two-plane curveball along with another sweepy slider to go with a fastball that flashes very good command. He works all quadrants of the zone while on the mound keeping hitters guessing. Hit the ball hard in the game with nothing to show for it other than advance (for his age) barrel control and feel.

Gavin Carcelen SS / RHP / Los Osos High, CA / 2029 Carcelen once again flashed tools that will make him a name to know as he matriculates through high school. A primary infielder, he showed soft hands with an excellent first step and instincts. Puts good swings on the ball with a simple setup and compact swing through the zone. Squared up two balls resulting in an E6 and deep lineout to left field. Showed the ability to roam the outfield with ease as his long frame glides from gap-to-gap. Intriguing prospect that plays the game with the type of joy that many kids his age don’t.

Daniel Gomez C / Damien, CA / 2029 Gomez was arguably the best catcher at the event, moving well behind the dish and showing a very high aptitude for blocking and recovering with ease. With a smaller, stronger frame, Gomez is a leader behind the dish, even in a showcase setting. Using a slight toe-tap trigger, he loads and explodes through the ball with present power resulting in consistent barrels both during BP and the gameplay portion. Had a single (5.14 turn) and a hard hit ground out to the backhand side of the shortstop who made a very good play. Arm is still developing, but throws showed accuracy on the bag at second base.

McKay Skarlanic RHP / 1B / Carlsbad, CA / 2029 Skarlanic showed his wares at the OC Rising Stars ID earning his invitation to this event where he continues to impress, particularly on the mound. At 6’3” 176lbs., Skarlanic’s frame is uber projectable while he continues to develop physically. Up to 87 mph with the fastball, he showed command of the pitch mixing locations and eye levels very well. His secondary stuff is very strong, particularly his changeup that flashes arm side fade with feel to kill spin and vertical depth. He’s a controlled mover on the mound where his tools are very projectable. At the plate he flashes present power with a high hand setup and an aggressive hip turn. Had nothing to show for three hard hit balls, but showed athleticism getting down the line in 4.62 while eating up ground with his long strides.

Upcoming Events

Showcase	State	Date	Location
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 - NorCal	CA	05/31	Cosumnes River College
2025 Future Games Tryout: Northern California	CA	06/01	Cosumnes River College - Sacramento, CA
2025 ProCase - West	CA	06/01	Pepperdine University - Malibu, CA
Orange County Summer ID	CA	06/04	Hart Park - Orange, CA
2025 Future Games Tryout: Central California	CA	06/07	Antelope Valley College - Lancaster, CA
Sacramento Summer ID	CA	06/10	Franklin High School - Elk Grove, CA
Ballplayers League Scout Day	CA	06/15	McBean Stadium
Bay Area Summer ID	CA	06/28	Ohlone College - Fremont, CA
San Diego Summer ID	CA	07/01	Maranatha Christian High School - San Diego, CA
Central California Summer ID	CA	07/08	Ventura College
Senior Future Games (Class of 2026)	NATIONAL	07/22	LakePoint Sports
Future Games (Class of 2027)	NATIONAL	07/23	LakePoint Sports
Junior Future Games (Class of 2029/30)	NATIONAL	07/24	LakePoint Sports
2025 California State Games (Invite-Only)	CA	07/30	Fullerton College - Fullerton, CA & Fullerton High School
2025 West Coast Super Sophomore Games (Invite-Only)	CA	09/26	University of Oregon / Bushnell University

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