The California Underclass always features many highly talented players and this year was no different. Here is an early look at the top prospects. A more complete list will be posted later on.
Rio Ruiz IF/RHP (2012, Covina, CA) Ruiz was very impressive at the Cal Under as expected. He showed a sweet left handed swing and launched one ball well over the fence in BP. He has good actions in the infield and can also play the outfield. His arm plays everywhere including on the mound where he sat 89-91 mph and is one of the top two way prospects in the 2012 class.
Tanner Rahier IF/RHP (2012, Indian Wells, CA) Rahier is another outstanding two way prospect. He looked very good defensively at SS and also mashed with the bat. He ran the fastest 60 time at the event (6.67) and also got on the mound and showed a 91 mph fastball. He hit all weekend and was very impressive.
CJ Saylor C (2012, West Covina, CA) Saylor is an outstanding all around player. He is one of the top defensive catchers in the country and also is very impressive with the bat. He plays other positions well and is also very good on the mound, but stands out the most behind the plate.
Kyle Twomey LHP (2012 Placentia, CA) Twomey is an outstanding LHP prospect. He has a loose easy arm action and the ball seems to jump at hitters. He was up to 88 mph this outing and we have seen him up to 90 mph in the past. He is very projectable and is one of the top LHP in the 2012 class.
Dominic Smith 1B/OF/LHP (2013 Los Angeles, CA) Smith has an easy, smooth left handed stroke and the ball jumps off his bat. He has a strong arm from the outfield and looked very good at first base defensively. He makes the game look easy and also was up to 86 mph on the mound.
Brooks Kriske 1B/3B/RHP (2012 LaQuinta, CA) Kriske is a good athlete who showed nice two way potential. He ran a 6.94 sixty time and showed good potential with the bat. He also showed a quality fastball that topped out at 90 mph.
Henry Omana RHP (2012, Walnut, CA) Omana is a very interesting big, strong RHP and worked his fastball up to 90 mph in the top prospect game.
John Paul Crawford MIF (2013, Lakewood, CA) Crawford showed very good actions in the infield and a smooth left handed swing. He ran one of the top 60 times at the event (6.85) and really projects as he continues to mature and add strength.
RJ Ybarra C (2012, Riverside, CA) Ybarra’s bat continued to standout and he also showed well in the workout with a 1.88 pop and a 81 mph velocity.
Nick Hynes 3B/RHP (2012, Covina, CA) Hynes looked very good at plate and in the field at third base. Another two way prospect as he was up to 88 mph on the mound.
Vahn Bozoian OF (2012, Chino Hills, CA) Bozoian has all the tools and while he is a little raw at this point he projects off the charts as he continues to develop. Very good potential with the bat and a strong arm from the outfield.
Andrew Pulin OF/RHP (2012, Centralia, WA) Pullin first stood out with his arm being gunned at 92 mph from the outfield. The ball jumped off his bat and he has very interesting all around tools to watch closely.
Devin Carter OF/RHP (2012, Temecula, CA) Carter is a very good athlete with nice tools. He ran one of the fastest 60 times (6.78) and showed one of the top outfield arms (88 mph). His bat might be his best tool though and he also got on the mound and was up to 88 mph.
Collin Yelich C (2012, Thousand Oaks, CA) Yelich is a very interesting left handed hitting catcher who continues to get better each time we see him.
Andrew Church RHP/IF (Las Vegas, NV) Church was another interesting two way talent. He showed well with the bat and was up to 87 mph on the mound.