THE WORLD'S LARGEST AND MOST COMPREHENSIVE SCOUTING ORGANIZATION
| 2,631 MLB PLAYERS | 16,402 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
2,631 MLB PLAYERS | 16,402 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
Sign in Create Account
Sign in Create Account
High School  | General | 2/11/2016

Regional HS Preview: Pacific

David Rawnsley
Photo: Perfect Game




For all of Perfect Game's regional previews as part of the 2016 high school baseball preview content, the Dream Team is available for free. The region top tools can be viewed with an Insider subscription. To learn more about Perfect Game's subscription packages and to sign up today please visit this link.




2016 Perfect Game High School Preview Index

Pacific Region: California, Hawaii

California has fallen a bit short of its own lofty standards of high-level talent the past few years.  But that natural ebb and flow has turned the other direction.

In addition to having the nation's top ranked high school team in the Huntington Beach Oilers, the state's 2016 class also features 10 Perfect Game All-Americans, including six who are ranked among the top 14 players in the class by Perfect Game and will surely get first round consideration at some point this spring leading up to the June draft.

Those six are outfielder Blake Rutherford (ranked 2nd nationally), righthanded pitcher Matt Manning (6th), outfielder Mickey Moniak (7th), righthanded pitcher Reggie Lawson (9th), righthanded pitcher Kevin Gowdy (11th) and outfielder Avery Tuck (14th).

And, if anything, California's 2017 class is even stronger than the 2016 class.  Four juniors made this elite team, including infielders Nick Allen and Jayson Gonzalez, utility standout Hagan Danner and righthanded pitcher Hans Crouse. Overall, eight California high school players are ranked in the top 20 nationally in the 2017 class and 15 are among the top 50.

Hawaii is also part of Pacific region but did not have a player make the list.  The top players on the island are 2016 outfielder Kingsley Ballao from Maui High School, a Fresno State signee, and 2017 righthanded pitcher Markus Ramos from James Campbell High School, an Oregon commit.


Pacific Region High School Dream Team

C – Nicholas Kahle, Sr., Chaminade Prep        
Kahle has been a consistent high-level performer offensively and defensively for both Chaminade Prep and the No. 1 ranked 17u travel team in the country, CBA Marucci.  He's a polished receiver behind the plate with a strong arm and high-level leadership skills and has nice righthanded gap power at the plate.  Kahle hit .421-2-23 last year in high school and teams with outfielder Blake Rutherford to give Chaminade two first team All-Pacific players. He has committed to Washington.

1B – Andrew Daschbach, Sr. Sacred Heart Prep
 Except for his arm strength, which limits him to first base, Daschbach would probably be at home all over the field.  He's a very strong 6-foot-3, 210-pound athlete who runs a 6.5 in the 60-yard dash and is a four-sport athlete who especially excels as a wide receiver in football.  A rare Northern California prospect on the team, Daschbach is a righthanded hitter with outstanding bat speed and big pull power potential. He is signed with nearby Stanford.

MIF – Will Proctor, Sr., Mira Costa
Proctor was one of the most improved players nationally on the showcase/tournament circuit last summer and is geared up for a big senior season.  He's played all over the infield at various times but his mature actions and strong arm profile him best at shortstop in the future.  The big improvement in Proctor's game since his last high school season is much better raw bat speed from the right side, especially when pulling the ball, which has resulted in a big boost in his overall power and his ability to create runs.   He has signed to go across the country to attend Georgia.

MIF – Nick Allen, Jr., Francis Parker
There are many junior middle infielders in this region worthy of mention but Allen has been a nationally known player since he was in eighth grade and may be the best defensive middle infielder in the country. Listed at a generous 5-foot-9, 150-pounds, Allen has solid tools on both sides of the ball that are elevated by his quick-twitch athleticism and his outstanding instincts for the game.  A starter since the beginning of his freshman year, Allen has a .361 career average and has stolen 52 bases in 63 high school games.  He has a verbal commitment to Southern California.

3B – Jayson Gonzalez, Jr., Bishop Amat
Gonzalez is one of the strongest players in the 2017 class and was a dominant hitter at Perfect Game tournaments throughout last summer.  At 6-foot-2, 205-pounds, the righthanded hitter has a balanced middle-of-the-field approach but sometimes simply overpowers the ball and can leave the yard to all fields.  He hit .415-2-17 as a sophomore at Bishop Amat, a power total that is sure to go up this spring.  Gonzalez is a 6.9 runner with good athleticism and arm strength in the field defensively. He has a verbal commitment to Vanderbilt.

OF – Mickey Moniak, Sr., La Costa Canyon
The 6-foot-2, 185-pound Moniak still has plenty of growing to do and but he's already an accomplished lefthanded hitter who has hit .461-2-27 and .426-0-28 the past two years for La Costa Canyon High School. He's a prototype center field/leadoff type of player who has the 6.5 speed to both steal bases and to show plus range in the outfield. Moniak is committed to UCLA.

OF – Blake Rutherford, Sr., Chaminade Prep
Rutherford has been a well known player and prospect since he entered high school but really blossomed over the course of last summer and fall and saw his stock rise to the point where he is now considered the top position prospect in the 2016 class.  He has a smooth and easy lefthanded swing that produces loud contact and big middle-of-the-field power and is a polished hitter who sees the ball well and rarely takes a bad swing. A 6.6 runner in the 60-yard dash who may be able to stay in center field as he physically matures, Rutherford hit .435-4-14 as a junior with 25 walks and only seven strikeouts. He's signed with UCLA.

OF – Avery Tuck, Sr., Steele Canyon
Tuck hit only .286-3-11 as a high school junior last spring but exploded on the national scene last summer with his tools and tremendous projection and capped his summer with a spot in the Perfect Game All-American Classic.  Tuck is a 6-foot-5, 195-pound lefthanded hitter with a smooth and easy swing that packs big leverage and power.  He also runs a 6.8 60-yard dash and throws 93 mph from the outfield, giving him a very high ceiling collection of tools. Tuck is signed with San Diego State.

UT – Hagen Danner, Jr., Huntington Beach
Danner and Mater Dei High School first baseman/lefthanded pitcher Nick Pratto, the other top consideration for this Utility spot, were teammates on the Huntington Beach Little League team that won the 2011 Little League World Series.  Danner's future likely lies on the mound, where his fastball can reach the mid-90s and his upper-70s curveball is a second potential plus pitch.  But Danner is also a strong righthanded hitter who catches and plays the corner infield spots. He has a verbal commitment to UCLA.

P – Matt Manning, Sr. Sheldon  
The 6-foot-6, 190-pound Manning is a two-sport star who is better known at present for his basketball ability, where he averages close to 20 points and six rebounds per game and is the son of former NBA player Rich Manning.  However, the younger Manning has a much higher athletic ceiling on the mound and went from being a virtual unknown to national scouts at the beginning of last summer to a potential first round draft choice this June.  Manning features a still very projectable low- to mid-90s fastball as his best pitch and was dominant against high level hitters all summer and fall. He is signed with Loyola Marymount.

P – Reggie Lawson, Sr., Victor Valley
Lawson is a long-armed and very athletic 6-foot-4, 190-pound righthander with outstanding present stuff and plenty of physical projection remaining. He throw his fastball in the 91-93 mph range and will occasionally touch higher and also throws a big-breaking mid-70s curveball and a developing changeup.  Lawson is a very good athlete as he hit .461-4-26 along with going 6-4, 2.25 on the mound last year, and his smooth delivery gives him outstanding control of his pitches. He is signed with Arizona State.

P – Kevin Gowdy, Sr., Santa Barbara
Of all the pitchers on this All-Region Dream Team, the 6-foot-4, 175-pound Gowdy might be the most projectable.  He is very young physically and facially but already pitches at a very high level. Gowdy works generally in the 88-90 mph range with his fastball but will bump it up into the low-90s at times and works down in the strike zone with the pitch extremely well. His fastball is arguably his third-best pitch, though, as his slider and changeup are both outstanding offerings.  Gowdy went 3-0 with a 0.27 ERA in 26 innings as a junior and was a key starter for the USA 18u National Team during the summer and fall.

P – Hans Crouse, Jr., Dana Hills
Crouse would likely be at or near the top of the list for least comfortable at-bats for any hitter in the country. The 6-foot-4, 170-pound junior's delivery is very deceptive with lots of long arms and legs coming at you, and his stuff is equally nasty, with a fastball that will reach 95 mph and a very sharp breaking slider that makes hitters flinch and bail. Crouse only walked 22 hitters in 50 innings as a sophomore while going 6-1 with a 1.80 ERA, so his command is already pretty solid.  Crouse's older brother, Marrick, was the Toronto Blue Jays 11th round pick in 2015 and will play at Southern California this spring. Crouse also has a verbal commitment to Southern California.

P – Nick Lodolo, Sr., Damian
A very loose and projectable 6-foot-6, 180-pound athlete, Lodolo bumped his velocity up from the low-80's as a sophomore to 88-92 mph as a junior and became a top prospect pitcher in addition to a Perfect Game All-American.  His build and funky delivery from a somewhat lower slot will likely cause scouts to make comparisons to the White Sox’ Chris Sale, although Lodolo's velocity and feel for pitching at the same age are better than Sale's were.  He is signed with Texas Christian.


Pacific Region Top Tools

This is PG 'DiamondKast' Level content.
You must be either an DiamondKast, Crosschecker Rankings & Scouting Reports, or Scout subscriber to read the rest.
Sign in Subscribe Now
Give us your feedback
High School | General | 8/17/2026

Scott Wins MVP Two Ways
Jim Salisbury
Article Image
PHILADELPHIA – When the folks at Perfect Game reached out to invite him to pitch in the 2026 PG All-Star Game for rising sophomores and juniors, Cullen Scott had one request. “You mind if I get a couple of at-bats, too?” Along with his dad, Scott traveled from the family’s home in Texas to Citizens Bank Park. The trip proved to be a huge success as he starred on the mound and at the plate and was named the game’s Most Valuable Player. Scott, 16, pitched a scoreless first inning and struck out two. In the fourth inning, he belted a grand slam six rows up into the left-field seats to lead the National team’s 6-1 win over the American team. “He showed us why he’s here as a pitcher and a hitter,” said Greg Sabers, PG’s vice president of scouting and showcases. "He’s one of the top pitchers here, but he’s too good a...
Read More
Draft | Prospect Scouting Reports | 10/15/2026

Beyond the Board: C/UTL Gavin Kelly

Tyler Henninger
Article Image
Beyond the Board: SS Dylan Seward As the 2027 draft cycle moves through the fall and into the offseason, we kick off a new series called Beyond The Board. With each installment, we will provide an in-depth scouting report for some of the top players in the class, breaking down their tools, strengths, question marks, and overall projection. This week we are diving in West Virginia’s Gavin Kelly. The Mountaineer backstop posted a .382/.477/.725 slash line with 19 home runs, 44 extra-base hits, and helped lead WVU to Omaha in ‘26. Let’s dive in.  Player: Gavin Kelly  Position: C/UTL B/T: R/R Height: 6-foot-0 Weight: 175-pounds School: West Virginia Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pen. Physical Description: 6-0/175. Lean, athletic build. Sneaky strength throughout. Frame has room to fill out and get stronger.    Slo-mo look at the HR by Gavin Kelly (@WVUBaseball)....
Read More
Tournaments | Story | 10/15/2026

Big Offense Propels TBT/FTB to Title

Hannah Jo Groves
Article Image
Big Offense Wins TBT/FTB Phillies Scout WWBA Freshman Title Runs scoring in every inning led to the TBT/FTB Phillies Scout Team taking home the 2026 PG WWBA Freshman World Championship - winning over Canes National 15U 10-5. It had been a long week in West Palm Beach for the freshmen coming in from around the country to go up against the best of the best. While they had gotten to play on the backfields during the whole tournament, the players who made it to the championship game got to play it in the CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches Stadium. TBT/FTB showed their defensive strength right away - executing quickly to retire each of the first three batters. With the bats in their hands, they also showed speed to deliver - with Luca Briggs batting Trey Vandergriff in for the first run of the game and Kingston George quickly plating Briggs with a double in the next at-bat. In the first at-bat of...
Read More
Tournaments | Story | 10/14/2026

Beast of the East Scout Notes

Perfect Game Staff
Article Image
‘31 Ryan Spann (GA) obliterates this ball for a solo HR 💣. Ball jumps off barrel & shows the juice and & PS impact. 3x @PGSelectFest alum. #BeastOfTheEast @PG_Georgia https://t.co/TgVGPfDRYc — Perfect Game Youth (@PGYouthBB) October 10, 2026 Ryan Spann (2031, Warner Robins, Ga.) took home MVP honors after a standout weekend and finishing as the number one player on the top performers list. The top player from Georgia and number two player in the country led all performers in home runs (2) and tallied 7 RBIs on his way to a .400 average. The overall profile on Spann is super advanced for the age with electric offensive upside and one of if not the prettiest swing in the class. This will be a fun follow for years to come and I am all in. Carlo Rivero (2031, Apopka, Fla.) checks in as the number one overall player in the class and it’s easy to see why at...
Read More
Press Release | Press Release | 10/14/2026

Perfect Game Extends Turtlebox Deal

Article Image
  667 Progress Way | Sanford, FL 32771 | 319-298-2923 www.perfectgame.org | facebook.com/perfectgameusa | @PerfectGameUSA     FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   PERFECT GAME EXTENDS PARTNERSHIP WITH TURTLEBOX AS OFFICIAL BLUETOOTH SPEAKER AND AUDIO PROVIDER   Sanford, Florida (Wednesday, October 14, 2026) - Perfect Game, the world’s largest youth baseball and softball platform and scouting service, today announced that Turtlebox has extended its partnership as the Official Bluetooth Speaker and Audio Provider of Perfect Game. The relationship, which began in 2023, expands to include original content, player recognition and a larger presence at Perfect Game's marquee events. At the center of the extension is "Turtlebox Cage Sessions," a new series produced and distributed by Perfect Game across all its social media platforms. The 12 short-form episodes will feature...
Read More
Tournaments | Story | 10/13/2026

East Cobb/Padres Explode Late for Jupiter Win

Hannah Jo Groves
Article Image
East Cobb/SD Padres ST Explode Late for WWBA Worlds Win A hard-fought, crazy ending resulted in the East Cobb/SD Padres scout team coming back and winning the 2026 PG WWBA World Championship over the SBA/Marlins Scout Team 2028. The score was 8-7 after the championship was won with a walk-off balk. After going against some of the most talented, highly-ranked players in the country for the past couple days, it was finally time for the championship game at Roger Dean Complex Stadium in Jupiter, FL. The WWBA World Championship, or, as it’s more commonly and lovingly referred to as, “Jupiter,” has become a favorite for all who have been part of its iconic, golf-cart infested, electric atmosphere. This championship game was sure to entertain. The first two innings were scoreless for both teams as they got settled. Both defenses were making plays - SBA/Marlins executed a...
Read More
Tournaments | Story | 10/12/2026

WWBA Freshman Scout Notes: Day 4

Marcus Thomas
Article Image
WWBA Freshman Scout Notes: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 James Watson (2030, Canton, Ga.) showed the two-way upside to start bracket play for East Cobb Astros 15u. On the mound the right-handed pitcher went three innings and with three strikeouts and spread five hits and two walks for three runs. Watson works from a hybrid windup from the middle-of-the-rubber into a small heel-turn and an around-the-belt leg lift before using drop-and-drive back leg mechanics into a longer, in-line stride down the mound. Showed some feel to get extension down the mound. The hands separate into a moderate arm action before accelerating through from an over-the-top arm angle. The fastball ran up to 86 with arm-side run and life. Paired it with a curveball with 11-5 shape and solid two-plane break. Mixed in a change-up in the upper- 70s with some vertical depth. Competed at the top of the zone well. Athletic...
Read More
Tournaments | Story | 10/12/2026

WWBA World Champ. Scout Notes: Day 4

AJ Denny
Article Image
WWBA World Championship Notes: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 ‘27 Mark Susa (WI) picked up 3 Ks thru 2 inn of work. 4SFB topped at 90 mph early on; 2S lived 85-86 w/ good run & sink down in the zone. Spun a 2600 rpm SLV w/ sharp traits (clip). Got up to 7’1” of extension. 6’4/200lb frame w/ more to come. #IUBase #WWBAWorlds @PG_WiscMinn https://t.co/uXfjVSSSZF — Perfect Game Scout (@PG_Scouting) October 11, 2026 Mark Susa (2027, Hudson, Wisc.) put together a quality outing on Sunday, striking out three batters over 2.1 innings of work. The 6-foot-4 200-pound left-hander ran his fastball up to 90 mph, pairing it with a two-seamer that lived in the 85-86 mph range with heavy sink and arm-side run. He also showed great feel for spinning and locating his slurvy breaking ball, which read spin up to 2600 rpm. Susa utilizes his length to his advantage, creating...
Read More
Tournaments | Story | 10/11/2026

WWBA World Champ. Scout Notes: Day 3

Kyler Peterson
Article Image
WWBA World Championship Notes: Day 1 | Day 2 ‘28 Alan Zimmerman (FL) racked up 5 Ks w/ just 1 H allowed thru 3 shutout frames. Lived 89-90 T91 w/ lots of life thru the zone & some ASR. Dropped in a 12/6 breaker for Ks (clip). Projectable 6’3” mold. #Uncommitted @PG_Uncommitted #WWBAWorlds @Florida_PG https://t.co/KTDFpGK49y — Perfect Game Scout (@PG_Scouting) October 10, 2026 Alan Zimmerman (2028, Winter Garden, Fla.) was dominant in his start on Saturday, collecting five strikeouts through three shutout innings while allowing just one hit. The uncommitted 6-foot-3 right-hander showed out in front of a lot of scouts, running his fastball up to 91 mph. The heater plays up with lots of life through the zone and short arm-side run. Zimmerman sat comfortably in the 88-90 mph range, pairing his fastball with a late-acting 12/6 curveball that was landed...
Read More
Tournaments | Story | 10/11/2026

WWBA Freshman Scout Notes: Day 3

Jheremy Brown
Article Image
WWBA Freshman Scout Notes: Day 1 | Day 2 Carson Garzaniti (2029, Jupiter, Fla.) showed the barrel feel all game for West Boynton Cobras. The right-handed hitter starts from a spread stance with his weight shifted forward and in-line feet with a high handset and an even back elbow, utilizes a heel lift weight transfer trigger. Creates some separation in the back shoulder and uncoils the lower half with a short, direct hand path and extension out front from a slightly uphill bat plane. Good bat speed in the swing with some feel to impact. The catcher has shown the barrel accuracy all event with three hits, including a double and triple, to drive in four RBI and has come around to score five runs. Lean, athletic 5-foot-11, 170-pound frame with feel to generate power working ground up from the back leg. Exciting player that has been swinging a hot stick through pool play.  ...
Read More
Tournaments | Story | 10/10/2026

WWBA World Champ. Scout Notes: Day 2

Perfect Game Staff
Article Image
WWBA World Championship Notes: Day 1 ‘27 C Joshua Digulio (TX) opened the morning in Cacti Park with a bang. In his first at-bat of the morning, Digulio crushed an 0-2 fastball. The right-handed hitter powered a fly-ball through the Florida morning humidity off the back wall of the left field bullpen for a no-doubt solo shot. Everybody in the stadium knew it was gone as soon as he made contact. The catcher also worked a walk in his only other plate appearance. His home run was the only hit in the game, providing Texas Brigade 2027 a 1-0 win.  ‘27 MIF Xavier Martin (IL) woke up the stadium with an electric swing. The right-handed hitter was sitting dead-red on a 2-0 heater, got it, and torched it. Martin scorched a line drive all the way over the left field bullpen, as the ball cleared a near 20-foot wall and bounced onto the concourse. It was a two-run shot for the...
Read More
Loading more articles...
About Perfect Game :: Contact us :: Terms of Use :: Privacy Policy :: Testimonials :: Job Opportunities
Copyright 1994-2026 by Perfect Game. All rights reserved. No portion of this information may be reprinted or reproduced without the written consent of Perfect Game.