3/22/2012 4:03:16 PM
One of the most interesting aspects of a true national invitational tournament like Coach Bob is getting to see different teams from all over the country play against one another. When watching Moorpark it really drives home the point of just how competitive the high school baseball in SoCal is.
The Musketeers are a solid team in the Southern California baseball scene, one of the better teams in the Miramonte League this year, and we keep an eye on them for consideration in the Pacific Region Top 25 rankings, which are updated each Friday. But they are not confused with being a powerhouse in their area this year as a junior heavy squad, and have yet to crack the top 25. And they likely won't do so this year, in spite of being a talented team, which is a testament to just how strong the competition is in California.
Yet their schedule at the Coach Bob Invitational has them consistently matching up with powerhouses of other regions. Yesterday 2013 RHP Sean Barry took a no-hitter into the 6th inning against defending Oklahoma 6A state champion Broken Arrow, settling for a W against previously undefeated Broken Arrow.
Today they shutout back-to-back defending New Mexico 4A state champions Piedra Vista 4-0 in the first game of a doubleheader. In the second game they matched up against Mullen (CO), a senior-laden team that is expected to be one of the better teams in Colorado. As you might expect from the preceeding paragraphs, Moorpark cruised to victory.
Mullen's 2012 shortstop Sam Haggerty, a New Mexico commit, showed well in the loss. His quick fluid defensive actions and strong arm were evident, as was his raw bat speed swinging the bat from the left side. He's a switch hitter who swung the bat from the left side each time at the plate, the raw tools are there though his swing lacks polish, I suspect he is better from the right side as he is a right handed thrower. Either way he's an interesting prospect who has some upside. The other Mullen player who caught my eye in this game was 2012 RF Austin Lundeen, who hit the ball hard all three times up, including a scorching grounder that the radar gun picked up at 92 mph off the bat. He's got a tall slender frame that projects well.
For Moorpark we got a chance to see 2015 C Griffin Mazur make a spot start in the second game of the doubleheader. Mazur is young, but he doesn't play like it. He's a polished receiver behind the plate for his age and has an advanced approach at the plate relatvie to his experience level. He also flashed good bat speed and arm strength behind the plate, he's a player to watch develop over the next few years and has a chance to become a very good catcher. The starter he is stuck behind, 2013 C Taylor Ready showed well with the bat, we'll get to see him defensively tomorrow against Boulder Creek (AZ).
Leadoff hitting CF Bradley Fullerton hammered a ball deep to CF that burned the center fielder, and also had a perfectly placed bunt for a hit. He runs well and covers good ground in the outfield, he ran a 4.22 home-to-first from the right side on the bunt single, in spite of pulling up early as there was no throw, he also was timed at 4.55 on the turn when he hit the double.
The top position prospect of the game was 2013 OF Austin Cole. He is a strong bodied athletic outfielder who would play center on most teams, but Fullerton's speed forced him to a corner spot. His bat speed stood out and he likely drives the ball with authority, hitting a line drive opposite field Home Run to left center today.
RF Jordan Guerrero showed well today also, he has a long lanky projectable body and showed good arm strength in the outfield. At the plate he hit a towering popup that hung in the air for 5.88 seconds, which suggest his bat speed rates as a 45 on the 20-80 scale (just a bit below MLB average) and he ran 4.13 home to first on a bunt from the left side, which is solid for a HS corner outfielder. He is a primary left handed pitcher and we are interested in finding out what he can do on the mound.
Finally, as is standard in SoCal the defensive middle infield play was good, both Anthony Carbone and Blake Chiaramonte showed polished defensive actions that would stand out in most parts of the country.
Moorpark will take on Southwest Region Top 25 staple Boulder Creek (AZ) tomorrow on the Jaguars' home field. Boulder Creek made a deep run in the playoffs in 2011 and returned their star player this year and are playing in the National Game of the Week tonight, but as the results this week suggest that none of that will matter tomorrow. Stay tuned...