Regional HS Preview: Southwest

Top Storylines

1. Streakin' in Vegas

Bishop Gorman's dominance in Nevada is not a new story by any means. The Gaels own a share of the state's record for longest consecutive winning streak, having captured No. 6 in 2011. And it doesn't appear that the streak is in much jeopardy as the 2012 season gets set to start either. Coming into 2011 there was hope for several other teams in the area, most notably rival Sierra Vista who was led by future first rounder Jake Hager and a veteran squad. Gorman went through a coaching change and their best player was a junior. That junior, 3B/RHP Joey Gallo, went on to smash 25 Home Runs and was named Perfect Game's 2011 Position Player of the Year and later earning MVP honors at the PG All-American Classic. It's not necessarily going to be a cakewalk for the Gaels, as a strong Palo Verde squad and a deep pitching staff at Centennial could challenge them, but at this point it would be unwise to bet against the Las Vegas powerhouse.

April 20, 21               Brophy Prep (AZ) vs Chaparral (AZ)

The top two traditional power in Scottsdale meet for a home and home rivalry matchup as the regular season winds down. Postseason implications are likely to be involved and both teams feature interesting prospects to watch. OF/RHP David Graybill and OF Chris Beall give Brophy a strong foundation of senior leadership while 2014 RHP/OF Ryan Castellani shows the makings of a future star. Defending state champs Chaparral is lead by a couple of big physical two-way LHP/1B in Dylan Cozens and Dillon Bigcrane Jackson.

Southwest High School Dream Team

*Based on present tools and current position

C             Kholeton Sanchez, Sr. Piedra Vista (NM)

Sanchez's high level defensive ability behind the plate will slow down just about any running game. His bat is solid, and while he's not a major threat in the lineup, he contributes plenty given his athleticism, arm strength and receiving skills. Offensive minded David Real of Boulder Creek (AZ) and 2013 grads Ryan Scott of Notre Dame Prep (AZ) and Bronson Larson of Davis (UT) are also strong candidates, while Alex Bregman also sees time behind the plate but makes the Dream Team at his current primary position of shortstop.

1B           Kayden Porter, Sr. Spanish Fork (UT)                            (2-time Southwest Dream Team Selection)

While the power armed Porter's future is likely on the mound, his power bat propels him to getting the nod at first base on the Southwest Dream Team. As a junior the 6-foot-5, 240 pound slugger hit .570/.632/1.209 in the middle of the 4A state champions' lineup.

2B           Andre Vigil, Jr. Volcano Vista (NM)

Vigil pulled off an impressive feat in 2011. The state's top prospect Blake Swihart put up a monster season that led to him becoming a first round pick of the Boston Red Sox. But Swihart had to share 5A Player of the Year honors with a sophomore; Andre Vigil.

SS           Alex Bregman, Sr. Albuquerque Academy (NM)            

Bregman's selection edges out several high level shortstops, but his polished defensive actions and highest level hitting tools make him an obvious choice. Other quality candidates include: Jared Meek of Carlsbad (NM), West Tunnell of Boulder Creek (AZ) and Michael Myers of Silverado (NV).

3B           Mitch Nay, Sr. Hamilton (AZ)                                           (2-time Southwest Dream Team Selection)

With the graduation of Kevin Cron, Nay ascends to the perch of top power hitter in the state of Arizona. Were it not for Gallo, Nay would be the top power hitter in the region as well. His solid defensive play at third base is an asset  for Hamilton as well, and they will need him to have a huge year to make a third consecutive trip to the state title game.

OF          Joey Curletta , Sr. Mountain Pointe (AZ)                      

OF          Shilo McCall, Sr. Piedra Vista (NM)                        

OF          Connor Williams, Sr. Bingham (UT)                             

Curletta's arm not only makes him a fit for right field, but also has some scouts interested in him as a pitcher. His power bat makes it likely that his future is as a position player though. He will be counted on to shoulder the load for the defending champs in Arizona. Shilo McCall's high end speed and range will give him a shot to stick in center, he combines his speed with a playable arm and power bat. Williams isn't quite as fast and athletic as McCall, but he is close. He also possesses a cannon for an arm that he is only beginning to learn to harness. Williams projects to hit for power and has started to fulfill some of that potential. Other notable outfielders: Cullen O'Dwyer (NM), Johnny Sewald (NV), Chris Beall and (AZ) and Zach Gibbons (AZ).

UTIL       Joey Gallo, Sr. 3B/RHP Bishop Gorman (NV)                 (2-time Southwest Dream Team Selection)

The top ranked third basemen in the class has pitches his way out of the third base spot on the Dream Team. His legitimate ability on the mound makes him an elite two-way prospect at this level. Gallo is the top prospect in the region, and it's really not that close. Kayden Porter (UT) and David Graybill (AZ) would have been a good fit for this spot had it not been for Gallo's mid 90s arm. 2013 grad Andrew Church (NV) and 2014 grad Bennett Bradford (UT) look to be likely candidates for the future.

P             Tony Blanford, Sr. RHP, Boulder Creek (AZ)

P             Zach Quintana, RHP, Sr. Arbor View (NV)                       (2-time Southwest Dream Team selection)

P             Brian Bonnell, RHP, Sr. LV Centennial (NV)

P             Tanner Draper, RHP, Jr. Riverton (UT)

P             Andrew Church, RHP, Jr. Palo Verde (NV)

Pitching is the strength of this year's class in Nevada, as they land a pair of seniors as well as the Uitlity player on the Dream Team. Junior Tanner Draper leads what should be a formidable pitching staff at Riverton (UT) for the next couple of years as he teams with fellow 2013 RHP Jared White. Tony Blanford edges out Quintana for top pitcher in the region, thanks to his low 90s fastball and hammer curveball. Top lefties in the region include: Cody Moffett (AZ), Dillon Bigcrane Jackson (AZ) and Riley Gates (UT).

Southwest Region Best Tools

Best Hitter For Average     Alex Bregman, SS, Sr. Albuquerque Academy (NM)   (2nd year in a row)

Bregman made headlines last year by breaking New Mexico's single season Home Run record. But his power production is simply icing on the cake, as he is the top pure hitter in the region and belongs on the short list for best pure hitter in the nation. Bregman's smooth and fluid swing with a direct path, good balance and off the charts hand-eye coordination allow him to consistently make hard contact.

Best Hitter For Power       Joey Gallo, 3B/RHP, Sr. Bishop Gorman (NV)  

To put it concisely: Gallo owns the 10th longest Home Run in the history of PetCo Park, home of the San Diego Padres, after having played exactly one game there (2011 Perfect Game All-American Classic).

Best Baserunner               Shilo McCall, OF, Sr. Piedra Vista (NM)

McCall's 6.62 60 yard dash time is a good indicator of his overall athleticism. But his baserunning ability goes beyond pure speed, McCall has a quick first step and makes good decisions on the basepaths.

Best Defensive Catcher    Alex Bregman, Sr. Albuquerque Academy (NM)

Currently a shortstop, Bregman has begun working on his honing his skills behind the plate. A tireless worker, the results are starting to pay off, and if he is able to develop into a high level defensive catcher it would make Bregman's high level bat very valuable. His athleticism and arm strength give him the raw tools to develop, but he's still relatively new to the position. While the jury is still out on his future defensive home, the thought of a sweet swingin' hitter like Bregman in the lineup as a catcher is an idea that has scouts salivating.

Best Defensive Infielder   Joey Gallo, 3B/RHP, Sr. Bishop Gorman (NV)

Usually this category goes to a shortstop. Gallo has seen time at short in the past, but his physical tools fit far better on the hot corner. While he doesn't posses great straight line speed, Gallo moves very well for his size (6-foot-5 and 220 pounds) with good lateral agility and fielding actions. His plus plus arm is a tremendous asset at the position as well.

Best Defensive Outfielder Connor Williams, Sr. Bingham (UT)

Williams combines athletic actions and 6.7 speed with an already impressive arm that projects well. While his instincts are not yet as highly polished as Shilo McCall''s, his tools are top notch and he is likely to become a very high level defender in the long term.

Best Infield Arm                Joey Gallo, 3B/RHP, Sr. Bishop Gorman (NV)           (2nd year in a row)

This category is the most obvious call of any in the region, if Gallo weren't a prodigious power hitter he would be an interesting RHP prospect.

Best Outfield Arm              Joey Curletta, Sr. Clear Creek (TX)

Curletta is seen by most as a position prospect (outfield or third base), but some scouts actually like him more on the mound where he has reportedly been up to 93 in the preseason. He also threw 93 during the outfield workout at the 2012 World Showcase. 

Best Fastball                      Joey Gallo, 3B/RHP, Sr. Bishop Gorman (NV)

The fact that a primary third baseman has the best fastball in the entire region is a testament to the plus-plus arm strength of Gallo. Used primarily as a relief ace for the six time defending state champions, Gallo routinely runs his fastball into the mid 90s with reports of him sitting 94-96 during the preseason.

Best Offspeed Stuff           Tony Blanford, RHP, Sr. Boulder Creek (AZ)

While his consistency still has a ways to go, Blanford's 12-6 curveball is a legitimate out pitch at its best. The pitch features tight rotation and sharp downer break with very good depth, the feel isn't always there but when he's locating it he is lights out. 

Best Command                  Tanner Draper, RHP, Jr. Riverton (UT)

Draper's performance at the 2011 EvoShield National Championship was highly impressive. He opened with a no-hitter in his first start, and then followed that with a six inning shutout in the semifinals. In total Draper allowed two hits and one walk while striking out 21 hitters over 13 extremely impressive innings. While his stuff is good, Draper did it by spotting up with plus command. He threw 67.2% of his pitches for strikes, including 66% first pitch strikes. Draper was topping out at 87 at the time, he's reportedly been flirting with 90 in the preseason and could become a high level pitching prospect.

Best Pitchability                Zach Quintana, RHP, Sr. Arbor View (NV)      

Quintana edges out Draper for top pitchability in the region thanks to his ability to locate and mix three quality pitches. Quintana's upper 80s/low 90s fastball gets heavy sink and run and his offspeed stuff shows good life. He manages to keep all three under control and put them where he wants them thanks to his advanced feel for each.

Southwest Top 25 Regional Rankings

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