LATEST PG SHOWCASE REPORT
2006 08 National Showcase
Mason Morioka is a 2008 right hand hitting catcher (UTL) from West Torrance HS, residing in Torrance, CA. He has a 5'11" 178 lb. frame and a compact, athletic body that is both strong and quite lively. Morioka is a gamer. He plays with good energy and is fun to watch play. He exudes confidence and seems to have some innate traits of a leader. Offensively he showed that he has good bat speed and good hands for hitting. He is a spray hitter with a gap to gap approach. Because his hands work so well and with the way he battles in each at-bat, Morioka has the look of a quality two-hole type hitter, sort of in the Jason Kendall mold. Behind the plate he has quick feet and a quick arm. He is presently a good thrower and will continue to improve as he learns to slow the game down, which will come with experience. His workout pop times were in the 2.02-2.11 range. His exchange is good too. Morioka is a quality receiver, with soft, strong hands and good agility, which allows him to sit low and present a good target. He appears to see the ball well out of the pitcher's hand and showed that he can stick and hold a stiff fastball, even one down in the zone. His agility and his energy also work well for him to block balls in the dirt. Morioka is a quality D1 caliber player and brings the style of play that you find on winning clubs.