WEEK 12 GAMES
May 7, 2025
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The California Scout Blog provides insider information and scouting notes from the Prep Baseball Scouting Staff during the season. This running blog will feature information on underclass prospects, unsigned seniors, draft prospects, and anything else that is notable. We will provide a wide range of information, including player evaluations, velocities, pop times, home to first times, and more. Simply put, the California Scout Blog is loaded with information…
Tuesday, May 6th
By: Steven Hardesty, Associate Director SoCal
Newbury Park vs. Valencia
Justin Gaisford, 1B/LHP, Valencia, 2026
From the very first look at Gaisford in December of 2023 to this live look the LH hitter from Santa Clarita has embodied my favorite statement of “hitters hit.” But, as impressive as that first look was, the way Justin has continued to improve his already strong foundation of baseball tools, physicality, and athleticism over the past 18 months speaks to his future as a college level baseball player. Gaisford has continued to improve his body and athleticism looking more athletic with a leaner, stronger frame now that he is maturing with age and hard work off the baseball field he is moving better as a runner, showing increased range to go with an already impressive 1B defensive profile that could even play an OF corner with the improvements in his athleticism and in the box where his operation is smoother, more athletic and the bat speed has ticked up to provide increased impact at contact. Gaisford uses a relaxed posture in his set up in the box and then takes a smooth controlled forward move to get to the launch position with consistent feel for arriving on time to make high level swing decisions against all types of pitching (faced five different arms in five at bats). The swing has been geared for middle of the field leverage, but is now moving quicker through the zone which has translated to increased impact with barrel feel (doubled to dead CF in first AB just missing an HR and launched another deep drive about 10 feet short of the wall in RCF while adding a pair of rocket 1Bs to RF) to a disciplined approach which is willing to take walks (18 on the season). Gaisford profiles as a top of the order bat profile who can hit, get on base, impact the baseball, drive runs in and score runs while playing high level defense at either 1B or potentially an OF corner. Add in a quality LH pitching profile with strong command of a three pitch mix there is so much to like about Gaisford’s present profile and with the developments he has made in the last 18 months there is plenty of reason to project him to only continue to get better going forward. College programs would be well served to put eyes on Gaisford for their 2026 recruiting classes at all levels of the game.