9/28/2019 8:13:17 PM
Sam Canales (2020 C, Corpus Christi, TX) has nice quick hands at the plate from the right side and made consistent hard line drive contact. He starts his hands low and on plane and stays on plane for a long time while working the middle of the field.
Gabriel Flores (2022 OF, Longview, TX) has a young athletic build and does a very good job of using his hips and lower half to help generate bat speed. He's got to get stronger to have real impact on the ball but it's a good swing and he's been a very good hitter at PG age group events this summer and fall.
Tanner Dieleman (2020 3B, Krum, TX) is a present strong 6-1/190 switch-hitter with bat speed and strength at contact from both sides of the plate. His left handed swing is a bit smoother but he might have more strength when he squares it up from the right side.
Matthew Houston (2022 C, Longview, TX) is very strong for a 2022 at 6-1/200 and really gets into his hips well to generate bat speed. His shift into contact is simple and repeatable and he made consistent hard pull contact with lots of carry up the left centerfield gap.
Jason Hawkins (2021 C, Allen, TX) was very well timed up from the first pitch and got to show his bat speed and ability to drive the ball well. There weren't any home runs hit at Olson Field during BP but Hawkins came close with a long drive off the top of the left field fence.
Christopher Kean (2020 C, Harlingen, TX) was another of the many catchers who showed well in batting practice and at 6-4/190 the right handed hitter has lots of natural leverage in his swing that produces power and carry off the barrel.
Creed Willems (2021 C, Aledo, TX) probably hit the ball harder than anyone at the event when you combine batting practice and the games. The big and burly left handed hitter squared up just about everything and he showed both power and swing balance/flexibility.
Robert (Chase) Shores (2022 RHP, Midland, TX) didn't pitch on Saturday but the long 6-6/190 right hander did show ability with the bat. He has a significantly short and direct swing for his size and his leverage and extension give him big carry when he gets the ball in the air.
Kevin Duran (2021 MIF, Cleburne, TX) has a very aggressive approach at the plate and really swings the bat with intent and present bat speed. It's easy to wonder if such an aggressive swing will work in games but Duran took some really good swings with hard contact in the games as well.