2016 West Academic Showcase Blogs

7/24/2016 4:46:14 PM

Logan Wensley (2018 LHP, Bakersfield, CA) Worked exclusive from the stretch showing a loose, smooth arm action from a high three-quarters slot. Changed speed with fastball offering, ranging in the upper 70's to low 80's while topping at 84 mph. Wensley completed four shutout innings, allowing two hits and striking out two batters as well.

Carter Kessinger (2019 RHP, Burbank, CA) Shows a full arm action while releasing from a mid three-quarters arm slot that produces solid arm side run. Consistently located his fastball down in the mid 80's, topped at 84 mph. Kessinger completed four innings allowing three hits and striking out two.

Benny Casillas (2019 SS, Culver City, CA) Consistently squared up contact all day with a quick, compact path to contact. Showed off his strength and bat speed as well doubling twice in game two Sunday.

David Richards (2018 RHP, Edmonton, AB) Showed a rotational swing path with solid extension through contact. Swing plane stays through the hitting zone well allowing for all fields contact. Singled in his first two at bats of the day.

Parvinder Ghumman (2017 RHP, Poway, CA) Ghumman has a large, projectable frame with long limbs. Showed a simple side step delivery with a loose arm action that creates good downhill angle. Fastball sat in the upper 70's while topping at 81 mph. Changeup had solid sinking actions down in the zone in the upper 60's. Kept hitters off balance well by mixing and matching all pitches. Parvinder did not give up any runs while allowing two hits.

Brandon Todd (2018 C, Gilbert, AZ) Primarily catcher, but showed good arm speed and whip on the mound as well. Fastball has solid arm side run in the low 80's, topping at 81 mph. Showed good balance and flashed solid bat speed on a single in the sixth inning.

7/24/2016 3:29:48 PM

Loyal Martin (2019 1B, Los Angeles, CA) Showed a mature approach at the plate for a 2019. Has present strength with a compact plane. Created solid contact each at bat producing two singles.

Donte Valdez (2018 OF, Visalia, CA) Has loose actions while in the box with a mid-field approach. Hands launched on a direct path to contact with solid fast twitch actions. Controlled the barrel well singling to right field and back up the middle in game one.

Al Aguero (2018 MIF, Stevenson Ranch, CA) Al showed a simple, repeatable swing path that leads to consistent contact. Recorded an RBI single to the opposite field in his last at bat. Also pitched, showing a high energy delivery with a quick arm action. Fastball comes out of hand cleanly jumping on hitter at 84 mph. Aguero allowed on one hit over two innings while striking out two batters.

Ryan Potthoff (2017 RHP, Chesterfield, MO) Potthoff pounded the zone early and often, producing weak ground ball contact. Has a clean arm stroke from a high three-quarters slot that produces solid downhill angle to the plate. Fastball has heavy actions to the plate, topping at 82 mph. Ryan allowed only one hit over three innings and struck out four batters.

Casey Curow (2017 2B, Moreno Valley, CA) Primary second baseman, but also pitched in game one. Casey effectively located on the inner half of the plate with a fastball that topped at 84 mph. Curow's also flashed a curveball that has 11/5 shape with good depth as well. Casey threw a scoreless frame allowing only one hit.

Niko Diaz (2018 OF, Murrieta, CA) Niko has a smooth, repeatable swing that produces a high contact rate. Diaz has present bat speed and hand quickness that allows for solid contact throughout the zone. Recorded a single in his first at bat, and finished his offensive day with a double. While on the mound Niko has a smooth, loose arm action. Located fastball and curveball down in the zone creating a lot of weak contact. Over his three innings of work, Niko allowed one run on two hits and stuck out four.

7/30/2016 2:40:13 PM

7/23/2016 9:13:05 PM

Eli Larson (2019 SS, Mill Valley, CA) Showed a loose athletic swing in BP and game play. Solid barrel control to all fields recording two single and a stolen base in game two.

Tyler Weiner (2019 OF, Murrieta, CA) Compact, direct swing plane that resulted in consistent contact. Flashed good bat speed throughout the zone. Also recorded two hits and a stolen base for Royal in game two.

Garren Bui (2017 MIF, Stevenson Ranch, CA) Created good torque and hip action to contact. Singled in his first at bat of game two, then showed off his sub seven speed by stealing second base.\

Michael Barker (2017 LHP, Ridgecrest, CA) Showed that his present strength at contact can play in games. Connected for a triple in the last inning of game two, driving in a runner. Michael also impressed while on the mound showing a live arm that had occasional running action. Fastball sat in the low 80's, topped at 85 mph.

Joshua Bae (2018 RHP, Chino Hills, CA) Bae has a loose arm action with good whip. Baseball really jumps out of hand creating heaviness at the plate. Fastball topped at 89 mph while sitting 83-87 mph. Joshua struck out five hitters over three innings while only allowing one hit.

Tyler Cobb (2017 LHP, Cypress, CA) Showed a deceptive set up and arm action, effectively hiding the baseball from hitters. Fastball sat in the low 80's and topped at 84 mph. Tyler was able to miss many barrels, striking out six hitters over three innings of work.

Eddie Kutt (2017 RHP, Westlake Village, CA) Eddie's 6-3, 215-pound frame is an intimidating presence on the mound. Kutt's effectively changed speeds with all three pitches. The most effective was the fastball that sat in the mid 80's and topped at 87 mph. Primarily went to the curveball as off speed pitch showing good spin with solid depth down in the zone.

7/23/2016 7:01:55 PM

Mark Scheble (2017 OF, Carlsbad, CA) Scheble drove a double down the left field line in his last at bat of the day. Mark showed a consistent, balanced approach in batting practice and game play. Squared up contact for two loud outs in his previous at bats.

Logan Wensley (2018 LHP, Bakersfield, CA) Showed a straight balanced stance with a line drive swing plane. Turned the barrel well to contact, doubling down the right field line in the sixth inning.

Evan Katz (2017 RHP, Del Mar, CA) Evan went four innings, allowing two hits, zero earned runs and struck out three batters. Evan shows a three-quarters arm slot that produces some running with a fastball when located down in the zone, topping at 78 mph. Mixed and matched fastball and curveball well, keeping hitters off balance.

Roman Angelo (2018 RHP, Bakersfield, CA) Showed a full delivery with a long, smooth arm action. Produces good arm speed on a fastball that topped at 81 mph. Roman allowed one run over three innings, allowed two hits while striking out three batters.

Harrison Smith (2018 RHP, Mesa, AZ)  Harrison has a lean, projectable frame with plenty of room to fill. Smooth, balanced delivery while creating solid extension through release. Fastball came out of hand cleanly topping at 80 mph. Smith allowed only one run, giving up two hits and striking out two in his three innings of work.

Raleigh Pigg (2017 SS, Anchorage, AK) Pigg used a line drive swing plane that produces occasional leverage through extension. Singled in the sixth inning showing quick, compact hands to contact. Pigg is also a big threat on the bases, stealing second and third base after singling. 

Donte Valdez (2018 OF, Visalia, CA) Doubled in his first at bat showing a compact, inside swing plane. Has present bat speed through the hitting zone with good strength at contact. Also collected an RBI sac fly to left field in the sixth inning.

Connor Montgomery (2017 OF, Anaheim Hills, CA) Very good athlete with developing strength. Patient presence at the plate showing a mature approach. Swing plane allows for all fields contact, turned the barrel on a double to the pull side gap in the sixth inning of game one.

DJ Ackley (2018 RHP, Poway, CA) Showed a high three-quarters arm slot on a fastball that topped at 83 mph. Fastball had solid arm side run. Ackley will change is arm slot at times producing more run on his fastball. DJ allowed only one hit over three innings while striking out two.

David Richards (2018 RHP, Edmonton, AB) Showed a three-quarters arm slot while on the mound. Fastball has good arm side run, topping at 80 mph. Flashed a curveball with good spin and late depth. David did not allow a single hit or run over his three innings of work in game one.

7/23/2016 6:07:55 PM

Ben David (2017 IF, Tacoma, WA) The 2019 grad showed good strength and balance at contact with leverage. The baseball will jump off the barrel when squared creating good carry into the gaps.

Mark Scheble (2017 OF, Carlsbad, CA) The 6-1, 185-pound outfielder showed very good hands and barrel skills in the zone. Flashed the ability to work all fields, consistently squaring up contact throughout batting practice.

Trevor Smith (2017 2B, Coronado, CA) The Coronado native has present bat speed with good pop to the pull side gap. Trevor’s naturally lofted swing plane allows for good carry into the gap when squared.

David Marcano (2017 MIF, Katy, TX) The Katy, Texas native showed good shift into contact with a linear lower half.  Generated solid raw bat speed through the zone, looking to lift the baseball deep into the gaps. Baseball jumped off the barrel when front side trigger was on time.

Donte Valdez (2018 OF, Visalia, CA) Donte is a 2018 grad who creates solid torque with a slightly coiled front side. Produces solid hip action to contact creating good bat speed through the zone. Turns the barrel well to pitches middle-in resulting in hard contact to pull side.

Eddie Kutt (2017 RHP, Westlake Village, CA) Kutt is listed as a primary right handed pitcher, put showed some impressive tools while at the plate. Kutt’s 6-3 frame supplies plenty of strength at contact produces loud, line drive contact. Creates good shift into contact while swinging with intent to drive the baseball deep into the gaps.

Tyler Weiner (2019 OF, Murrieta, CA) Weiner, a 2019 grad showed raw bat speed through the zone. Launches to contact on a compact path with a line drive plane. Baseball will jump off the barrel into the gaps when squared.

Niko Diaz (2018 OF, Murrieta, CA) Diaz showed a balanced approach with solid linear actions to contact. Attacks the baseball out front producing good extension through the baseball. Worked to all fields, consistently finding the barrel throughout batting practice.

Michael Barker (2017 LHP, Ridgecrest, CA) Barker is a primary left handed pitcher, but showed why he is a two-way prospect during batting practice. Michael has present bat speed with strength at contact that generates loud contact. Consistently delivered the barrel to baseball with smooth actions and rhythm.

Garren Bui (2017 MIF, Stevenson Ranch, CA) Garren showed a balanced, rotational swing with quick hands. Squared contact well throughout the zone, effectively using all fields. Swing mechanics projects for a high contact rate as he continues to mature.

7/23/2016 5:59:10 PM

7/23/2016 5:08:15 PM

7/23/2016 5:06:39 PM

7/23/2016 5:04:36 PM

7/23/2016 5:01:35 PM

7/23/2016 4:59:49 PM

7/23/2016 4:57:37 PM

7/23/2016 4:54:21 PM