3/24/2012 12:52:07 AM
With a lighter schedule in the Open Section of the Coach Bob National Invitational the action was concentrated at host school Boulder Creek in Anthem, AZ.
The opening game of the morning on Field 1 pitted Edmond Santa Fe (OK), a 2011 6A state semifinalist who is expected to be a legitimate contender for the state title in 2012, against defending back-to-back New Mexico 4A state champions Piedra Vista.
Both teams used wood bats, as New Mexico has required all teams use wood bats in 2012. Piedra Vista has played well in the Coach Bob National Invitational while at a disadvantage swinging wood bats against oponenents with aluminum. Today in Santa Fe's final game of the tourney they agreed to even the playing field.
It was getaway day for the Wolves who left star RHP/Util Ty Hensley out of the lineup and moved their lineup around. Piedra Vista was without one of their top players as well, as C Kholeton Sanchez was forced to sit out a game after a controversial ejection on Thursday for wearing jewelery.
Piedra Vista's lineup continued to impress at the Coach Bob Invitational. Leadoff hitting RF Shane Woodson not only had an impressive diving catch but showed good all-around tools. He posted a 4.38 home to first time this morning, hit a ball that registered at 88 mph off the bat and showed an above average arm in right field.
PV centerfielder Shilo McCall made the highlight throw of the day, showing that his arm is more than playable for center of left, and playable for right field at the next level. He also continued to show off impressive hitting tools, which clearly was noticed by the Edmond Santa Fe coaching staff, who elected to intentionally walk him with first base open at one point, much to the chagrin of the group of MLB scouts clustered along the fence along the first base line to watch the front side of his right handed swing.
2012 MIF Cody Scaggari showed surprising pop for his size, lifting a popup that hung in the air for 6.15 seconds and continued to show solid defensive middle infield actions that should make him a more than serviceable defender at the next level.
Piedra Vista knocked off Edmond Santa Fe, but the Wolves showed off a very interesting prospect in 2014 SS Quin Walbergh. Walbergh ran a 4.24 home to first from the right side for the second time this week (MLB average) to go with a smooth low effort swing and a projectable bat. Walbergh also shows solid and projectable defensive tools beyond his overall athleticism and has a chance to develop into an interesting prospect.
In the middle game of the day Liberty Christian (TX) took on host Boulder Creek (AZ).
In our first look at Liberty Christian several players stood out:
2012 Util Kyle Metzger continued to show the solid, well rounded skill set he's shown at several events with the Houston Banditos in the past and has progressed well, he should be a successful player at the next level.
2013 OF Carson Dowdle is a projectable 6-foot and 165 pounds but already flashes good bat speed and good carry off the bat.
2014 3B/OF Connor McMann showed highly projectable raw tools and a strong athletic body that suggest he also has a bright future.
Liberty Christian took on host Boulder Creek, who played in a doubleheader. The Jaguars will play a total of nine games at the Coach Bob Invitational, plus playoffs. While we've already gotten a good feel for several of their players, we will continue to get a better idea of their capabilities as the tournament rolls along.
The thing that continues to stand out about the Jaguars is the overall feel for the game that 2012 SS West Tunnell continues to show. The kid just knows what he's doing in every phase of the game. Not only does he work the count well, anticipate plays well in the field and get good jumps on the basepaths, the game just seems to come slower to him than it does for everyone else. His quality left handed bat and high level ability at shortstop seems to go a bit underappreciated by MLB scouts, which is something that should make the Baylor coaching staff very happy, as they have a good chance at landing a high caliber player with an obvious passion for the game that suggest he is likely to reach his upside.
In the finale Boulder Creek picked up a sweep of the day's doubleheader, ending the undefeated run of Moorpark (CA). The Musketeers were unable to maintain their dominance after falling short in an intense battle that saw Boulder Creek hang on by the skin of their teeth at 4-2.
Moorpark started 2012 LHP Jordan Guerrrero, a tall skinny, physically immature pitcher who is raw for a SoCal product. But his fast, loose arm suggests that there is a bright future that lies ahead. Guerrero sat 85-88, touching 89 mph with his fastball. He showed confidence in both of his offspeed pitches, a 12-6 curveball that sat 71-73 flashing bite with consistent downer shape, and a 76-78 changeup with tailing life. While he is far less polished than most prospects from Southern California, he is a multi-sport athlete who has yet to focus on pitching and could make a jump should he choose to focus all of his attention to it. His long loose arm action and tall thin body both project well, and while he may be a player who is best suited going to college and making a jump there, he could also represent a saavy lottery ticket draft pick for a team that likes his potential in the draft come June. We heard reports that he frequently throws harder than he did today, and his arm speed and arm action suggest that there is some validity to these claims, as does the turnout of MLB scouts.
This was PG's first look at Guerrero, and we are interested in following his progress going forward, as he is a player who is likely to make a lot of progress in the future.