Rodgers (AR) vs. Conifer, CO

Rogers (AR) High School showed a few guys with legitimate talent in their 12:30pm game at Sandra Day O’Connor High School.    Senior and Harding commit Sage White showed a high average approach while looking to hit the ball where it is pitched.  He uses a limited load and no leg lift staying very direct to the baseball not trying to do too much.

Arkansas commit, left-handed pitcher Harrison Heffley, showed off with the stick today rather than the glove going the other way with a hard ground ball for an RBI followed up with an RBI liner to left-center field.  Although it wasn’t the most orthodox of swings, Heffley showed great barrel control and a tough two strike approach.  His senior leadership was evident on the field and should continue to help his current and future ball clubs win games.

Thurston, OR vs. O’Connor, AZ

The Sandra Day O’Connor (AZ) Eagles took full advantage of the wind blowing out in today’s game, where the bats were live from inning one.

Senior right-fielder Bailin Markridge showed off his highly projectable toolset from the left side of plate.  Markridge has a smooth stroke with good bat speed while showing some natural lift through the point of contact.  He has currently been a dual sport athlete shining on the football field as well showing a very high ceiling now that is focus begins to harness completely into baseball as he has committed to continue his career at Cal Poly.

2017 Niko Burgarello flashed some high level leather on the diamond today showing an advanced feel for the game.  He showed smooth actions, clean transfers, and took away many hits with his next level defensive instincts.  He also scored twice in his two plate appearances.

University of Arizona commit, 2018 infielder Nolan Gorman went one for one at the dish with three RBIs including a double.  Gorman does not look the part of a sophomore on the field, looking very confident and relaxed. 

Marco Cotto stroked two doubles for O’Connor on his three hit day.  Cotto has the ability to lift balls low in the zone and drive them with good authority. 

Garrett Arthur continued the streak of hitting the ball hard for the Eagles.  His standup triple to right-center field over the center fielder and RBI liner to left-center field showed his ability to go gap-to-gap while driving the baseball. 

Senior Trey Patnoe and Tanner Baker also had very productive plate appearcens racking up three hits and five RBIs combined.  Patnoe showed a pull side approach that worked well for him.  He had great barrel turn on balls left over the plate, wearing out right field.

Colby Wyatt worked in the 84-86 range with his fastball while showing good feel for his off-speed pitches displaying the ability to throw them in any count.  Wyatt looks to get ahead on hitters getting on top of hitters with first pitch strikes through the first three innings of work.  Wyatt has some solid athleticism fielding his position nicely and can hold his velocity out of the stretch. 

Dakota Ridge, CO vs. Arcadia, AZ

A close game fought from both sides ending in a 6-4 win in favor of Arcadia, both squads showed a good core of players that has the chance to take them far in their perspective seasons.

One hitter who really stood out for Dakota Ridge was senior outfielder Bailey Collins.  His patient approach was very mature for such a hitter with higher level hit tools working the counts while only looking for pitches to drive early in counts.  Collins drove a ball deep to right field for a ground rule double in his second at bat that kept his team in the ball game for the following few innings.  His high leg lift while remaining quiet through his approach produced good bat speed and loud contact off the barrel.

Dante Tamez was a prototypical top of the order guy showing good speed, lots of hustle.  He consistently looked to take the extra base while also showing hard pull side contact on his double down the third base line.

Nick Dicarlo showed a more aggressive approach from the leadoff spot for Arcadia but was more impressive was his defensive actions in the field, showing clean actions and strong throws across.  Athletic instincts were also present as he was able to get great jumps on the ball in the field and on the base paths. 

Sam Huff uses his large build effectively in his simple swing.  The ball seems to fly off the barrel with ease, almost as if he isn’t putting anything behind it.  Huff has a middle field approach and great leverage in his swing taking a 2-0 pitch left over the plate over the center field fence to tie the game at three.  He also showed great leadership and a strong arm behind the plate constantly keeping runners in check.  Huff is committed to Grand Canyon University. 

2017 Louisiana State commit Matt Schroer didn’t pitch tonight but showed he can help the team with the stick too.  Schroer followed Sam Huff’s game tying home run with an absolute rope over the center fielders head and late scored on an RBI by Andrew Scheinert with his base hit up the middle.  Schroer has natural lift in his swing but does a nice job of keeping his barrel in the zone for an extended period of time.