Prep Baseball Report

West Coast Super Sophomore Games: Bushnell University Quick Hits


By: Vinnie Alfino
Manager, Content & Operations

 

   

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SAN DIEGO, CALIF. - This year, we introduced the first-ever West Coast Super Sophomore Games at the University of Oregon and Bushnell University. This event is the premier scouting event for Class of 2028 prospects.

Players went through a pro-style showcase workout on Friday, September 26th, and then were seperated into teams (selected by Prep Baseball staff) for the gameplay portion of the event.

Today, we're taking a look at some of the standout performances from the six games played at Bushnell University over the final two days of the event. Each player from Prep Baseball California played at least one game at the University of Oregon while some also played one or multiple games at Bushnell to round out their weekend. We are specifically looking at the Bushnell in-game performers in this piece.

For all the information, stats, players in attendance and more you can visit here.

Top In-Game Performers: Bushnell University

Six games played over two days at Hamlin Sports Complex (Bushnell University)

Quinn Melton C / 1B / San Marcos High, CA / 2028

Melton stood out as one of the most advanced bats at Bushnell, showing the ability to impact the baseball consistently in all situations. The LHH collected three hits across two games while producing five barrels, including a pair of loud foul balls down the right field line. He showed an aggressive approach in early counts while also flashing poise and competitiveness in two-strike situations. With a strong build and a heavy barrel, Melton profiles as a future middle-of-the-order power bat at the next level. Defensively, he brings a physical presence behind the plate with a 2.05–2.12 game pop time, keeping throws accurate to the bag despite average carry. Long term, he could also slot into a corner OF or 1B role, but no matter where he lands defensively, the bat is going to carry the profile.

Trenton Lira RHP / 1B / El Diamante High, CA / 2028

Lira impressed over a strong 3-inning outing, showing a physical presence on the mound at 6-0, 214 pounds with starter traits. He worked his fastball at 79-82 MPH, touching 83, and showed the ability to get whiffs in the zone. The secondary mix was effective with a 65-68 MPH curveball that he landed for strikes and a 77 MPH changeup that gave hitters a different look. The delivery was effortless and repeatable, and he maintained his velocity throughout the appearance. The looseness and strong frame give reason to indicate that the fastball velocity will continue to climb alongside his solid secondaries. The strong showing has me convinced that Lira can project well as a true starting option in the future.

Griffin Arnold C / 3B / Santa Barbara High School, CA / 2028

Arnold made a loud impression at Bushnell, showcasing one of the more fluid left-handed swings in the two days of gameplay at Bushnell. In the final game of the event, Arnold jumped on the first pitch he saw for an opposite-field double and followed it up in his next at-bat with a roped single into right field—one of the hardest hit balls put in play in the contest. The swing projects well, featuring a smooth, rhythmic path with slight uphill lift and extended barrel time in the hitting zone. His athleticism stood out both at the plate and defensively, with the present tools to catch but the long-term projection likely fitting at 3B given his body type and the room left to fill out physically. The bat will carry the profile, with early signs of pullside power developing alongside an already advanced hit tool. A breakout weekend makes Arnold a must-follow name in California’s 2028 class.

Oliver Dauskurdas OF / RHP / Oaks Christian, CA / 2028

Dauskurdas showed off continued offensive improvement as a RHH this past weekend at Bushnell, playing now as an updated 6-3, 200-pound frame with present strength and plenty of future projection. Offensively, he demonstrated quick hands and advanced movement patterns, with a smooth load that kept him on time throughout the weekend. He barreled a line drive up the middle on night one and followed with a smoked base hit to left field the next afternoon, flashing his ability to impact the baseball off of fastball offerings. The makeup and physical profile point to a high-ceiling OF bat with developing power/speed traits that will only continue to rise. On the mound, he hopped on late and worked 81-83, topping at 84.2 MPH, showing athletic, easy downhill movement that mirrors the same athleticism making him so intriguing as a long-term outfield prospect. A name to circle in California’s 2028 class with huge potential.


Ryan Sheffer SS / 2B / Oaks Christian, CA / 2028

Sheffer put together a strong showing both offensively and defensively, flashing the athleticism and polish that make him one of the more complete 2028 prospects in the class. At the plate, he barreled a line drive to deep left that was caught at the wall and later legged out an infield single, showing off the sub-7.0 speed he posted during the workout. His swing is athletic and loose, and he consistently worked quality at-bats, hunting pitches in the zone with intent. Defensively, while projecting best as a SS long term, he made an impressive play at 2B on a slow chopper—charging and throwing on the run—which showcased his advanced glove skills and drew plenty of attention despite the runner beating the throw. Sheffer’s defensive ability already stands out as a separator, and as the bat continues to develop, his profile projects as a high-level SS with polish on both sides of the ball.

Cooper Cantrell C / OF / Martin Luther King Jr., CA / 2028

Cantrell played well in his single game at Bushnell, under the lights, smashing an RBI triple into the left-center gap and flashing well-above-average speed for a catcher, getting to third with ease. Offensively, he features a balanced swing that works gap-to-gap, showing a patient approach and ability to work into good counts. Behind the dish, Cantrell impressed as a reliable backstop—posting average 2.0 pop times with carry on throws to 2B, showing he has the arm strength to control the run game. He blocks well, plays with toughness, and brings a hard-nosed mentality that stands out at the position. Despite a compact frame, Cantrell plays bigger than his size, and even in just one game at Bushnell, he left a strong impression as a backstop with both offensive impact and defensive reliability.

Alex Noble 3B / RHP / Bishop Alemany High School, CA / 2028

After flashing well in both the workout and bullpen setting at the Central CA Summer ID, Noble was one of the players I had circled heading into Bushnell—and he did not disappoint. On the mound, the right-hander sat 82-83 mph, touching 85, with a full mix of secondaries (CB 67-68, SL 70-73, CH 74-76). He turned in a strong three inning outing with five strikeouts, showing improved stuff as the game went on and inducing consistent swing-and-miss. His changeup stood out in particular, flashing late dive and giving him a legitimate out pitch. At the plate, Noble collected a line-drive single to center and later barreled an opposite-field double, showing strength to all fields and a confident approach. The combination of his performance on both sides of the ball made him one of the bigger standouts on the weekend at Bushnell.


Kylen Gravely OF / LHP / Santa Margarita Catholic High School, CA / 2028

The athleticism and versatility were flashed throughout the weekend from Gravely. At the plate, he showcased his speed tool immediately, turning in a 4.28 down the line on a 2-out, 2-strike RBI single. The 6-1, 170-pound frame carries natural strength with room for more, and his ability to stay behind the ball allows him to use the whole field effectively. Defensively, he profiles well in the outfield long-term, with an accurate arm that also translated on the mound. On the bump, Gravely worked 78-79 mph (T81) with a CB at 71 and a CH at 67. He mixed his arsenal well, pitching primarily backwards with heavy off-speed usage, keeping hitters off balance and generating weak contact while attacking all four quadrants. A well-rounded athlete with tools that should project well with maturity.


Jonathan Torres 1B / LHP / Chaparral High, CA / 2028

The Chaparral product carried momentum from PK Park into Bushnell. After showing a few barrels early at Oregon, he followed up with multiple strong at-bats, including a smoked line-drive single to center at Bushnell. The first baseman brings a confident presence in the box and a physical, intimidating look that stood out in live game play. His balanced, powerful left-handed swing allows him to consistently impact the baseball, and across both venues he tallied 4 hits, showcasing a present hit tool that should project well moving forward. Torres gave a lot to like and is a name to follow after flying a bit under the radar coming into the event.

Zach Uhler OF / 2B / Granite Bay High, CA / 2028

Uhler hit a 2-out RBI double tucked inside the right-field line, flashing quick hands and a strong lower-half foundation. His physicality stands out immediately, already showing strength throughout the frame with room for more development. At the plate, he works from a wide setup with a heavy hand load, and when everything syncs, the barrel is loud — something he showcased during BP to open the event. Across the weekend, Uhler collected multiple barrels, proving he’s in a pretty good spot offensively while still holding plenty of projection. Long term, he fits as a physical corner outfielder with the potential to handle 2B/3B, and the bat will be the carrying tool.

Other Names to Know:

+ Grayson Thomas

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