Banning
Sheff

Banning Sheff, Saugus High (CA), 2027
Positional Profile: SS Projectable INF with athletic traits, clean defensive actions, and an offensive profile that should continue trending upward with added strength.
Body: 5-6, 163-pounds. Athletic with some present strength in the compact frame.
Hit: RHH. Slightly open setup with weight preset into the back leg and hands starting higher behind the ear. Loads with a small toe-tap and noticeable coil into the rear hip, creating separation early. Hands work back with some depth before firing, producing a whippy barrel through the zone. Swing works on a flatter-to-slightly uphill path with intent to drive the baseball 66.4 mph bat speed with 21 G's of rotational acceleration.
Power: 93 max exit velocity, averaged 89.8 mph. 330' max distance.
Arm: RH. INF-76 mph. Shows clean, compact action with a quick release. Throws come out with carry and accuracy from a high three-quarter slot. Arm strength profiles well for the left side of the infield.
Defense: Light feet and natural instincts on the dirt. Works low to the ball with soft hands and smooth exchanges. Maintains body control through the play and shows the ability to throw from multiple platforms.
ATH: 7.13 runner in the 60. 1.73 and 3.98 in the 10 and 30 yard splits. 21.10 max vertical.
Vizual Edge: 61.17 Edge Score

Sheff caught my eye on opening day of the spring 2025 season with a solid look against Ventura HS. This trip out gave me an extended second look with more focus on the compact, wiry athletic shortstop. He is a bouncing mover on defense who shows the ability to play laterally/downhill with quickness and body control. His feet play with rhythm and his hands are soft, smooth With a quick transfer in the ability to throw from multiple angles and on the run. Those actions translate into the game where he shows solid present instincts with his first step and ability to consistently field and accurately throw the baseball. His present arm strength is fringe for shortstop, but with plenty of time to add strength to a smaller present frame, he should make the necessary gains to stay at shortstop long-term. At the plate it’s an aggressive load and forward move that could cause some concern, but the RH hitter has displayed over nearly ten at bats now consistent feel for his rhythm/timing. He gets to the launch position on time with a sound base and a strong feel for bat to ball. I’ve seen him face quality, velocity, and quality spin And he has handled both with intriguing comfort for a 2027 grad. Profile will long-term be hit over power, but with the polish too as approach and swing/feel to hit I like the potential for him as a long-term table setter profile.

Smaller framed Soph. Who shows quickness in his actions on defense with clean footwork, smooth hands and a solid arm at present from SS (showed ability to go into the 6-hole/backhand side and make the throw with solid carry to 1B & with accuracy). At the plate it’s a handsy swing, but those hands work well with consistent feel for bat to ball seeing upper 80s velocity into the low 90s he was able to control his at bats and find solid contact. It’s an interesting profile that has solid present tools with upside as he continues to major physically while developing his already strong baseball profile. Collected a 2K single and BB in his three at bats.