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Tournaments  | Story  | 1/20/2020

West MLK Day 3 Scout Notes

Connor Spencer      Jerry Miller      Nate Schweers     
Photo: Micah Ottenbreit (Perfect Game)

PG West MLK Championship: Day 1 Scout Notes | Day 2 Scout Notes



Nathan Deschryver (2021, Silverdale, Wash.) and Ian Ritchie Jr. (2022, Bainbridge Island, Wash.) combined for a no-hitter in a PNW Underclass Royal victory in the Round of 16, striking out a combined 10 batters and walking just a pair of hitters.

Deschryver tossed the first 2 2/3 innings, pitching in the upper-80s with a lively fastball and running it all the way up to 91mph. The tall right-hander flashes some arm-side run when locating that way and also flashed the ability to spin a slider with true shape and tilt at 79-82mph. At 6-foot-2, 185-pounds, Deschryver works down the hill with ease, getting good extension over front side and creating a tough angle at times from the three-quarter slot. A Gonzaga commit, Deschryver ran into command issues before exiting the game with two outs in the third; however, those command issues should clear as the junior learns how to repeat the delivery with more consistency. The future is bright here and is also a potential name to follow in the 2021 MLB Draft class.

Coming in relief for PNW was highly-touted right-handed Ian Ritchie Jr. The Oregon State commit dazzled over 4 1/3 innings of work Sunday, striking out five and overpowering hitters with a lively fastball. Ritchie Jr. ran the fastball up to 94mph on a couple occasions in the outing, pitching at 89-92 and showing an advanced ability to go in and out while also changing eye levels. Ranked as Perfect Game’ No. 15 player in the 2022 class, the right-hander has an ultra-athletic and projectable frame with a short and compact arm stroke and clean path through. Complimenting the fastball was a pair of secondary pitches on Sunday, with the best one being a late-fading changeup that falls off the table with late depth. Ritchie Jr. showed the ability to attack both right and left-handed hitters with the pitch on Sunday and it really flashes the ability to be an excellent pitch in the future. The Washington native also flashed his tight-spinning slider on Sunday; however, the pitch was inconsistently in the zone at times through today’s outing. When all three pitches are on for strikes, look out.

Gavin Huffman (2021, East Alton, Ill.) was solid for the North East Baseball National Team on Sunday, allowing just one run over three innings of work. Huffman was on the attack with the fastball, topping at 88mph before sitting in the mid-80s. Huffman has a long and slender frame at 6-foot-3, 170-pounds, getting good extension over the front side and creating steep downward plane to the running fastball. The Illinois native and uncommitted member of the 2021 class showed some feel to spin a low-70s curveball with 11-5 shape and late depth through the zone. The two-pitch mix was enough to keep hitters guessing and off-balance.



Gabriel Nard (2022, Shaker Heights, Ohio) was a standout performer on a loaded Tri State Arsenal 2022 Scout Team, finishing Sunday’s playoff contest 2-for-2 with a pair of well-struck doubles. A Duke commit, Nard shows good jump off the barrel with power to and through both gaps, and the primary shortstop swings with intent to do damage and drive the baseball. Nard has quick hands and an aggressive approach at the plate while showing the ability to get his hands extended and catch the fastball out front. With plenty of room to fill out and add strength, the Shaker Heights native should continue to improve the power element to his game as the frame continues to mature.

The morning time slot brought a noteworthy offensive performance from under-the-radar prospect Logan Corthell (2021, La Verne, Calif.). Corthell finished 2-for-3 in a PFA Matadors win, collecting a pair of RBI and showing the ability to impact the ball to the pull-side. Corthell has plenty of room to add strength in the 6-foot-3 frame, and the uncommitted junior shows the arm strength defensively to play the left-side of the infield at the next level. With a linear path to contact and a developing shift to contact in the lower half, some adjustments in the swing is the next step to tapping in to what power potential is presently there.

Though Trosky National 2022’s run at the West MLK Championship came to an end on Sunday, Ethan Watson (2022, Newport Beach, Calif.) put a pair of swings on the ball over two games that really stood out. Watson’s best swing of the day came in game one, when the California native drove a ball deep to the wall in left field for a double. Watson has quick hands at the plate and looks to lift the ball with some jump to the pull-side. On the base paths, Watson plays with a high motor, constantly looking to take the extra base and make things happen. Ranked as the No. 482 player in Perfect Game’s 2022 class, Watson will be a name to follow as his high school career presses on.

On the mound, Dillon Orr (2022, Waddell, Ariz.) put together a strong outing for Trosky National 2022 on Sunday, striking out four and running the fastball up to 88mph. Orr pitched off the fastball on Sunday, sitting in the mid-80s and showing the ability to locate to both sides of the dish. Orr has good feel to spin a low-70s curveball with late depth through the zone, and the right-hander shows the ability land the pitch for strikes as well as generate some swing-and-miss below the zone. Uncommitted in the 2022 class, Orr will be a name to follow as he continues to develop and pitch at a high-level.

Victor Gil (2023, Scottsdale, Ariz.) put together the performance of the night in the Freshman division, going 3-for-5 with a triple, homerun, and six RBI. Gil shows advanced bat speed for the class and can really impact the ball to the pull-side. With a big leg lift trigger and direct path to contact, Gil is a constant extra-base threat and should continue to hit for more power as the frame matures. The Arizona native’s speed and athleticism jump out at you, and Gil is certainly a special player that has the present tools to compete at a high-level. A naturally lifted barrel plane and intent to the swing makes Gil a dangerous weapon in the middle of the Dirtbags’ order.

Thought the LA Rockstars found themselves on the losing end of this quarterfinal matchup, Jamaal Dean (2023, El Mirage, Ariz.) stood out in the four-hole and played a really good shortstop. Dean turned heads early in the game with a loud double to the wall in left field, flashing the ability to impact the ball with some jump off the barrel. At shortstop, Dean has athletic actions with good range to the glove side. The Arizona freshman plays through the ball and is able to make strong throws across the diamond as well.

-Nate Schweers

Day three in the desert marked the start of the playoff rounds for all three divisions. In the morning slot, the upper-class division still had pool play games remaining and North East Baseball National finished their pool play perfect defeating Big League Experience Scout Team 4-3. Florida International commit Demetrius Vizcarra (2020, Compton, Calif.) led North East on the mound with a grind of an outing that went six full innings, allowing five hits, one earned while fanning seven. Vizscarra didn’t have his best stuff today as he sat mid-80’s while topping out at 88, however, he moved the ball to both sides of the plate well, stayed away from left-handed bats, and made big pitches when he needed to. His low 11-to-5 shaped curveball sat around 66 mph on the day, and still flashed plus ability at times. There’s still a lot left to be unlocked in his frame and whippy arm action, and it’s great to see him compete through an outing like this where his stuff wasn’t quite in the greatest form.

Boston College commit Patrick Roche (2020, Milton, Mass.) went 2-for-3 with a booming opposite field triple for North East. Roche has put on some nice size over the past two years and looks primed to make the jump to the collegiate level. He uses a very conventional and slightly hunched stance with a low hanging leg kick trigger. He has great rhythm with the pitcher and finds himself on time consistently. He did great job of using his lower half and keeping his hands inside the ball to shoot a back spun shot into the right center gap. The fact that he was able to keep his hands above the ball and stay through the high and outside fastball was impressive. Roche still looks fluid and strong up the middle and Boston College will have multiple ways that they can use him. Expect him to have an excellent senior season at Boston College High School and expect him to make an immediate impact for the Eagles next season.



Big League Experience threw an interesting uncommitted right-hander out of British Columbia Canada with a fastball up to 88 mph. Gavin Pringle (2020, Duncan, BC.) was efficient in his 4 1/3 innings pitched, allowing just two hits while striking out six. Pringle has a very short and compact arm action that comes up to a high three-quarters slot. His motion as a whole works quickly and stays compact, and it helps his mid-80’s fastball to get in on hitters. His arm action feels a little funky at times and his sweeping motion down the mound doesn’t utilize his lower half to its full extent suggesting that there’s more to be left unlocked in his arm. He mixes in a straight 88 mph off-speed that shows promise but he still needs to develop a feel for the pitch. His breaking ball is a high 10-to-4 to low 11-to-5 shaped slider that possesses great horizontal break and at times can be a plus out pitch. When he’s able to get it out in front and across body, he’s able to snap the pitch off late and away from right-handed bats. He threw a lot fastballs throughout his outing and he could benefit from mixing in his breaking ball more. There’s deception in his delivery, and the stuff shows great potential, Pringle could absolutely be a steal of a late 2020 pickup for a college staff in need.



In the underclass division, 3n2 Sticks Baseball National Team got another win and No.72-overall ranked 2021 Keegan Allen (2021, Rogers, Ark.) struggled to find the zone early, but settled in and finished strong. It’s been somewhat of a tough weekend for the big names here at the MLK West championship, and in the first few batters of Allen’s outing, it felt as though he was going to fall victim to the same fate. However, after walking a few batters as well as walking in a run, Allen settled in, found the zone, and eventually struck out three batters to get himself out of a first inning jam. Allen has a short arm action and the ball jumps out of his hand to the plate. Today he was up to 92 mph and sat around 88-91. He likes to use his fastball and establish it early and after he was able to settle into the zone, it was smooth sailing for the rest of his outing. When Allen is at his best he pitches with a quick and effective tempo and keeps hitters uncomfortable by getting right on the mound and pitching. Allen feels a lot like Yankees right-hander Chance Adams with his medium frame, quick arm action, and easy velocity. He’s a player whose draft stock has the potential to skyrocket or stall out come this season and upcoming summer.



No.5-overall ranked 2021 Braylon Bishop (2021, Ashdown, Ark.) has had a tough tournament at the plate but broke out with a nice 2-for-2 day with a walk and an RBI. The highly regarded prospect ooses athleticism and it looks like he was just dealing with a slight timing issue towards the beginning of the tournament at the plate. He’s got great hands with a strong whip to his barrel and when on time has the ability to drive the ball to all fields with ease. His barrel gets on plane quickly and works hard down to the hitting zone. When he’s not on time with his mid leg kick trigger he cuts his lower half off from activating in his swing and he tends to spin his lower half in the box. Expect for his rhythm and flow with the pitcher to continue to improve and his consistency at the plate will improve along with it. Bishop also has the ability to make something out of nothing on the base paths and he’s got elite quickness in the outfield. His ceiling is very high and he’s on track to having his name called early come June 2021.

Tri State Arsenal 2021 Scout Team advanced behind a strong outing by Michigan State commit Micah Ottenbreit (2021, Trenton, Mich.). Ottenbreit has a projectable long and lengthy 6-foot-4, 180-pound frame that he should fill into nicely, and his length helps to generate some downward angle on his fastball. Today he sat 85-89 mph while touching 90 and he was effectively changing the eye levels of hitters with the pitch. He has a longer arm action from a true three-quarters slot and the window is actually pretty tough for right-handed hitters. He mixes in a good 11-to-5 shaped curveball that shows good depth and bite and has more vertical break than it does horizontal. Ottenbreit competes with every pitch, understands his stuff, and projects to be a work horse at the next level. He’s currently listed at No.500 in the 2021 class, however, he’s now officially on the radar. He finished going five full innings giving up three hits, no runs while fanning seven.

-Connor Spencer

Sunday found qualifying teams in all three age groups starting playoff action across many venues in the Greater Phoenix area.

First round playoff games in the Underclass division were played at Camelback Ranch. On the White Sox side, two solid clubs, NorCal Baseball 2022 – Blue and CCB Underclass – White – both from the Bay Area in California, tangled in a well-played and very exciting contest. Will Pires (2021, Atherton, Calif.), a 5-foot-11, 135-pound, long and lean right-handed pitcher was sterling during his four-inning stint on the hill as the starting and winning hurler for the CCB Underclass-White squad. The Junipero Serra HS sophomore is a command and control artist who works the edges and pitches with poise and presence. His fastball velocity that sat between 72-75 mph is made better by the natural cut in his heater. His ability to hide the baseball with his repeatable mechanics helps well in and with deception. The ball appears to jump from his shoulder and opponents have a tough time getting a consistent barrel to the ball. The cut in his fastball is short and late. He compliments his active fastball with an advanced, 66-68 mph 12-to-6, sharp breaking curveball that shows excellent depth at the plate.

Supplying the offensive punch for the victorious CCB squad was Aaron Parker (2021, Los Gatos, Calif.). The 5-foot-11, 185-pound athletically gifted and solidly built third baseman uses a short, compact, and direct swing path and an advanced ability to consistently get his barrel to the baseball. His three-for-four day was highlighted by a ringing, two rbi double to deep left centerfield in the first inning, which gave his CCB club an early lead that they would never relinquish. The Los Gatos HS sophomore is also a solid third baseman who shows a sound glove and an extremely strong and accurate throwing arm.

NorCal’s Sebastian David (2023, Medina, Wash.) is a stout and strong, 6-foot, 181-pound, Lakeside HS freshman who played up in competition this weekend. He certainly did not disappoint. The right-handed hitting slugger drove in a run and went 2-for-3 on the day. His hits included two noteworthy shots; a ringing double and a loud triple to the deepest part of the ballpark. The future is bright for this very talented high school frosh from the Pacific Northwest.

The Upperclass Quarterfinals were played in Peoria at the Padres spring home. All eight teams involved in afternoon play, were capable of winning the championship. Dominating their game, in run-rule fashion, was Northeast Baseball. There is talent up and down the NEB line-up. Their offense is matched by fundamentally sound, airtight defense, and a pitching staff that is deep and gifted.

Pacing the 12-run outburst for NEB was their leadoff hitter and TCU commit, Elijah Nunez (2020, Arlington, Texas). The athletic, left-handed hitting, Arlington Martin HS senior, has a great understanding of the strike zone and rarely chases. His short, compact, and direct swing path and his middle-of-the-field mentality allows him to drive the ball with authority from gap-to-gap. His 2-for-3 day was highlighted by his deep triple to the base of the centerfield wall, that gave the speedster a chance to show all in attendance his advanced speed and aggressive running style.

University of Tennessee commit, Charlie Taylor (2020, Dunwoody, Ga.) gave the fans a thrill when he ambushed a first pitch fastball early in the ball game and drove it into the parking lot well over the left field fence. The right-handed hitting, Wesleyan HS senior, also added a double later in the game, as his offensive ability has really shown well this weekend.

Michigan commit Q Phillips (2021, Elk Grove, Wisc.) continued his impressive weekend with another solid performance for NEB. The switch-hitting outfielder is a quick twitch athlete who shows strength in his hands and a lightening quick swing path. His offensive ability is enhanced by advanced speed and a daring base running style. The Marquette HS junior is also a skilled outfielder who shows great footwork and a solid and accurate throwing arm.

Pitcher Chase Hampton (2020, Kilgore, Texas) is a classic, big bodied, Texas right-hander. His powerful mechanics allow him to pitch down the slope consistently. He pitched off an impressive four-seam fastball that sat in the 91-93 mph range and showed advanced riding life. The Texas Tech commit also shows an impressive, 12-to-6 breaking, tight spinning, curveball. The Kilgore HS senior pitches with pace and shows a grit that is usually reserved for a more veteran pitcher.

Trosky National 2023 and 3n2 Sticks 15U National squared off in the Freshman quarterfinals at Desert Edge HS in Goodyear on Sunday afternoon. The Sticks jumped out to an early lead behind the thunderous bat of Ty Waid (2023, Texarkana, Ark.). The 6-foot, 185-pound Arkansas HS freshman, shows a power hitter’s swing path and an advanced ability to drive the ball with authority to the pull side gap.

Trailing 3-0, the Trosky club turned to the right arm of Garren Rizzo (2023, Ranch Palos Verdes, Calif.). The 5-foot-11, 160-pound right-handed pitcher, stopped the bleeding and held the aggressive swinging Sticks club down over the final four innings of play and allowed his Trosky teammates to rally for a well-earned 6-3 victory. The stylish RHP, who is a freshman at Palos Verdes HS, mixed and matched a well-commanded and impressive 80-83 mph fastball that he kept down in the zone and off the heart of the plate and a solid, 70-72 mph curveball that showed sound break and depth at the dish.

The offensive hero of the game for Trosky was Tristan Russell (2023, Cypress, Texas). The 6-foot, 165-pound Florida State commit is a gifted athlete, an advanced hitter from both sides of the plate, and a steady and sure defender. The Cy-Woods HS freshman is strong and sure with his actions and plays with poise and presence. His drive to deep right centerfield, late in the game, broke open a tight contest as his ringing double plated two key runs and allowed his Trosky club to secure a big, come-from-behind win.

-Jerry Miller
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