While California has long reigned as the nation’s top producer of future Major League Baseball talent—standing tall alongside Florida, Georgia, and Texas in the vaunted “Big Four”—even splitting the Golden State in two would not diminish its value to the scouting world. Northern California, distinct from its southern counterpart with a cooler climate, later start to the season, and a more dispersed population base, still produces a prideful crop of future big leaguers. In many ways, NorCal has carved out its own identity—one that could justifiably earn it the title of the “Fifth Major” scouting region. Below, Prep Baseball’s Vice President of Scouting, Shooter Hunt, breaks down the Major League Draft talent, impact juniors, and a deep list of underclassmen to know from his latest swing through Northern California.


SS Tyler Spangler (De La Salle HS, CA), an unmistakable 6-foot-3, 190-pounder with broad shoulders and defined, athletic strength stole the show amongst a host of MLB Draft prospects who descended on the Army Depot Ballfields in Sacramento. The Stanford recruit immediately jumped out for his pro-ready, yet youthful, frame, and reinforced that notion with crisp, fluid actions in pregame. Ranging with grace to both sides and utilizing a confident glove, Spangler demonstrated clear signs of sticking at shortstop longterm thanks to a strong arm and advanced glove-to-hand capability. More under control than twitchy in the field, there was an assuring maturity to the way he captained the diamond on the defensive side.

‘𝟚𝟞 𝕊𝕊 𝕋𝕪𝕝𝕖𝕣 𝕊𝕡𝕒𝕟𝕘𝕝𝕖𝕣 (ℂ𝔸)

Stellar look at the 6’3” 190 lbs. LHH who amplified his place as a must-follow name for next summer.

Crisp, mature actions at short w/ hit+power profile that puts him in elite company. Swing decisions & keen zone awareness.

👍👍 pic.twitter.com/eTqZft776H

— Shooter Hunt (@ShooterHunt) April 19, 2025

However, it was his left-handed stick that provided the eye-opening experience as he went 5-12 with a triple and two home runs across four games. An imposing presence in the box, there is a taller setup with the hands flowing to a power position as the weight slightly loads up on the back leg with a short stride that provides fluid movement patterns. From there, strong hands and wrists provide plenty of bat speed with top end lag and plate coverage as the barrel remains endlessly in the zone through contact. The ability to lift was innately on display as he belted balls to the pull side, but the mechanics of the swing, balance, and bat-to-ball capability promise significant hope of a high level hitter. Beyond the physicality and hitterish look, it was the pitch recognition, zone awareness, and swing decisions that were undeniable. Excusing himself from close pitches just off the plate, Spangler tracked with ease and slowed things down in the box before delivering a chance for electricity with each swing. These attributes should help drive significant value in looking ahead towards the summer of ‘26.

In closing, this look put the northern California native on a short list of prospects in the junior class who will kick off the summer on a Tier 1 level, and while there is still much time to go and development needed, Tyler Spangler holds the upside and high ceiling to become the top prospect in the class.

DRAFT BUZZ:

+ LHP Joey Lorenzini (Rocklin HS, CA)
Arkansas recruit. A true 6-foot-5 frame with long limbs and impressive athleticism