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Tournaments  | Story  | 7/13/2017

17u BCS Day 3 Scout Notes

Photo: Perfect Game

Daily Leaders | Player Stats | Day 1 Notes | Day 2 Notes

Brett Steel (2018, Jupiter, Fla.) opened some eyes with his two-way potential. He worked one inning from the mound and resolutely impressed. His fastball won’t light up any radar guns, but it has enough run that it will consistently miss barrels. The fastball is his predominant pitch, but his long, loose arm action will help develop his off speed pitches as he matures. Steel’s thick 6-foot, 185-pound frame helps him at the plate, too. He sets up to hit from a wide, open stance with a high hand-set. He begins his swing with a solid leg lift. His line drive swing suggests more gap-to-gap power than homeruns. He possesses present power with more projected. Steel is an interesting player worth following.

There have been a number of stud third basemen and Peyton Powell (2019, Robinson, Texas) followed in that trend. He’s a lean but sturdy 6-foot-1, 185-pounds with a good feel for hitting. His lefthanded swing starts from an open stance with a high back elbow set. His quick hands lead his bat consistently under pitches to get natural loft. He occasionally engages his lower half well, and when he does, he gets plenty of power. In the field he has a quick transfer from the glove to his throwing hand. His arm strength is plenty to keep him on the left side of the diamond or behind the plate. Powell has good potential already, and his talent could blossom in a hurry.

Robert Villa (2019, Waco, Texas) is a much smaller 5-foot-8, 145-pounds. His smaller but athletic build enables him to be nimble behind the plate and block some tricky pitches in the dirt. His arm is also plenty to get would-be base stealers. Villa has an impressive bat, too. He starts from a wide base with a high hand and back elbow set. With the pitch on the way Villa performs a small toe tap as a timing mechanism. His swing is short and geared toward making a lot of contact. He works the ball to all fields, and that will allow Villa to hit for good average. He can drive the ball too, and his power should only grow as he does. Villa finished the day going 2-for-2 with two RBI and a run scored.

Bryce Yosko (2019, Spring, Texas) is yet another impressive third baseman. His athletic 6-foot, 170-pound frame is highly projectable and he has the talent and quickness to play shortstop if needed. He has a great arm and fantastic footwork. At the plate, Yosko has a short swing with impressive ability to get the barrel to the ball. Yosko hits lots of line drives, and he shows good power to the pull side. Reports also indicate that Yosko has hit 86 mph from the mound. There’s tremendous potential in Yosko, and there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic about his future.

Rakim Jones (2018, Boyce, La.) is a lanky 5-foot-8, 150-pound outfielder with present tools. His swing starts from a wide stance with a deeper hand set. He takes a short, quick stride to the ball. His hands are direct to the ball, and his barrel is exceptionally level when making contact. Jones will continue to hit plenty of line drives, and his middle of the field approach will allow him to hit for average. His immense physical projection will only make his hitting more potent. Jones is also a fantastic runner. He covers plenty of ground out in centerfield, and he gets down the line in a hurry. There’s a lot to like about Jones’ game, and he’ll only get better as he continues to fill out his athletic frame.

Nation Elite Goodrich has an impressive, young team that’s having a great start to the tournament with three runs. Hunter Fornari (2018, Ponce Inlet, Fla.) has been a big part of that. Fornari is a slick-fielding shortstop with clean actions in the field. He works through groundballs effectively, and his arm strength is already impressive. He absolutely has the ability to stay at the defensive premium position. Fornari sets up to hit from an open stance with a leg lift that puts his body in motion. He does a fantastic job of engaging his lower half to maximize the output from his 6-foot-1, 165-pound frame. He hits balls on a line and to all fields. Fornari should be able to hit plenty to keep him in lineups. Fornari has a verbal commitment to the College of Charleston.

Trejen Fox-Birdwell (2018, Rockledge, Fla.) certain possesses one of the best names in the entire tournament. Beyond that, he has plenty of talent to keep being a fantastic ball player. Fox-Birdwell is a tall and athletic 6-foot-2, 190-pound two-way player with good potential. At the plate, he starts from an even stance with most of his weight resting in his back leg. The rest of his swing is simple and easily repeated. He transfers his weight to his front side well at the point of contact, and he shows good extension through the ball. Fox-Birdwell will make lots of contact, and he showed the ability to spray the ball across the diamond. He finished the day at the plate with one hit and two RBI.

Josh Morales (2018, Cape Coral, Fla.) is a lanky but athletic 5-foot-11, 150-pounds with plenty of physical projection remaining. His work in center field is worth keeping an eye on. Morales only possesses average speed, and that may hinder his ability to stay in center field, but he gets early reads on fly balls and does well to get quick first steps. At the place, Morales gathers his weight on his back leg before taking a small leg lift. He gets good hip rotation to supplement his present strength. His solid uppercut should also help his power numbers as he fills out his frame. Morales is definitely worth watching.

Daniel Caylor (2017, Lehigh Acres, Fla.) is one of the older players in this tournament, but regardless of his age, Caylor can definitely play. His righthanded swing is started with a big leg kick. He possesses excellent bat speed, and his hands are quick through the zone leading to his bat tailing behind like a whip. His line drive swing plane is often met with a strong lower half that is seemingly always on time. As he grows into his 5-foot-11, 155-pound frame Caylor should be able to hit the ball hard to anywhere the outfield. Caylor’s actions at shortstop are also impressive. He is smooth and fluid with his feet, and his hands are soft and adaptable. He showed solid arm strength as well.

Andrew Curtin (2018, Flowery Branch, Ga.) is another projectable player with plenty of room to grow. He steps up to the plate listed at 5-foot-11, 170-pounds. Curtin’s swing is started by a small toe tap mainly used as a timing mechanism. He then shifts his weight to his back leg and coils his front side. His hips release the tension and pull his hands and bat quickly through the zone. Curtin showed the ability to spray the ball to all fields. His line drive swing plane should consistently pepper balls. He served as the designated hitter in Wednesday’s game.

Hogan Scoggins (2018, Dacula, Ga.) has a big, strong build at 6-foot-1, 195-pounds. There’s lots of present strength in his body currently. He hits from a tall, narrow stance. Scoggins’ short line drive swing features good bat speed. He has a great feel for the barrel, and he can control his swing consistently. He demonstrated good extension through the ball. Scoggins showed he can hit the ball to all fields, but it’s clear he has most of his power to pull. Scoggins is defensively sound at first base as well. He picked a couple balls to make a nice play, and he showed good footwork around the bag. Scoggins is an interesting follow.

Brendan Ryan (2018, Leawood, Kan.) is yet another projectable, young shortstop. He’s a solid 6-feet, 170-pounds with good athleticism. In the field Ryan showed good range to his left and right, with quick, short steps that provided efficient routes to groundballs. He threw cleanly and accurately to first with no issues. At the plate, Ryan starts from a straight stance. He works into a short leg lift before striding to the pitcher. He does well to rotate his hips quickly providing extra torque to his swing. Ryan showed good control of the barrel too. Although he presently doesn’t possess incredible power, he has plenty to hit rockets to the gaps. More power should come as he matures physically. Ryan also had impressive plate discipline, and he earned three walks by the end of the game.

– Kyle Zweng


Jakob Hines (2018, Tampa, Fla.), SCORE International 17u Bama’s energetic catcher, is a very capable two-way player. The 5-foot-10, 180-pound Hines hits in the leadoff spot for SCORE, which is far from the ordinary for catchers. He swings from a slightly open stance and uses a short quick approach and a middle-of-the field swing path to consistently get his barrel on plane. He is also a solid receiver and moves smoothly and confidently behind the plate. He has soft hands and a quick throwing set up. He gains ground well and has a quick release. His throws have carry and accuracy.

Six-foot-1, 175-pound, Duncan Pastore (Tampa, Fla.) is the SCORE righthanded swinging, two-hole hitter and third baseman. The rising senior at Wharton HS hits from a slightly open stance and works counts like a veteran. He has a short quick approach and his barrel stays on path throughout his swing. He showed a gap-to-gap power. Pastore has plus speed and really flashed advanced base-running ability. Defensively, he has a very quick first step and soft hands. He has a strong and accurate arm that has a true third baseman’s carry.

SCORE’s three-hole hitter is Justice Thompson (2018, Tampa, Fla.). The 6-foot-4, 175-pound and very athletic Thompson swings a powerful bat out of a slightly open stance. He has a longer swing path with a slugger’s lift at contact. He gets his barrel to the ball consistently and shows plus, gap-to-gap power. He covers a lot of ground in center field and understands his position as the ballhawk of the outfield. He has a strong and accurate arm that he is not afraid to use.

The SCORE first baseman is powerful, 5-foot-8, 200-pound Jamarcus Lyons (2018, Tampa, Fla.). The rising senior at King High School is a broad-shouldered thumper who doesn’t get cheated with a bat in his hands. He swings out of a slightly open stance, keeps his hands inside the ball well, sees each pitch deep in the zone, and lets it fly. He consistently gets his barrel to the ball and has the power that would certainly carry to the next level. He is also a quite capable first baseman. He is agile and quick footed. His hands work well and he is an accomplished fielder.

Columbia University commit Jacob Phelps (2018, Valrico, Fla.) is the SCORE International Bama’s very accomplished shortstop. The 6-foot-1, 190-pound athletic Phelps is a rising senior at Newsome High School. He has all the tools to play the middle infield at the Division I level. He has very quick feet and excellent lateral movement. His hands are outstanding and he has a plus arm that is very accurate. Offensively, he has a great approach that maximizes his speed and baserunning ability. He has a very quiet setup and is patiently aggressive. He has a middle-of-the field swing path and he gets his barrel to the ball with each pass.

Carter Andersen (2018, Tampa, Fla.) is another SCORE hitter who has advanced skills at the plate. He is a tough out. The 5-foot-11, 180-pound righthanded swinger has outstanding plate discipline and uses an inside-out swing path and a middle-of-the-field approach. He consistently gets his barrel to pitches and has some pop in his swing.

Performance Baseball 17u is a very competitive club out of Longview, Texas. The east Texas group brought some talented players to Florida and that ability was on display at City of Palms Park against a very solid Broward Baseball Academy Club.

Landon Dorman (2018, New Diana, Texas) is a 6-foot-3, 170-pound righthanded power pitcher. The McLennan County College commit is a fastball first pitcher. His four seamer was consistently clocked in the 86-89 mph range and he pounded both sides of the plate with his riding fastball. His tight spinning curveball, that had an 11-to-5 break was a very solid secondary pitch. There is much more in this tall Texan’s right arm and his future looks very bright.

Lefthanded first baseman and designated hitter Keylon Mack (2018, Gladewater, Texas) is a bundle of muscle and a gifted athlete. He stands on top of the plate and looks to drive pitches to his pull side. He has extremely quick hands and at contact he has a slight lift that projects to plus power as his career continues. At 5-foot-10, 200-pounds, Mack has a college level body that will certainly enable him to be a productive, middle-of-the-order hitter at the next level.

The Performance third baseman, Alex Bruce (2018, Hughes Springs, Texas), is a solid defender with quick feet, smooth hands and an above average arm that has both carry and accuracy. The 5-foot-10, 180-pound Bruce is also a very capable hitter. He has gap-to-gap power and gets his barrel to each pitch.

Ethan Snow (2018, Malakoff, Texas) is the dynamo that holds down the catching position for Performance. The 5-foot-7, 150-pound bundle of energy is unquestionably a team leader and the take-charge player for Performance. He is a very sound catcher with easy movements and a confident receiving style. He has a very quick, strong, and accurate throwing motion. At the plate, he is knowledgeable and understanding of his ability. He hits from a slightly open stance, sees each pitch deep, and has a middle-of-the-field swing path.

George Washington University commit, Cade Fergus (2018, Plantation, Fla.), is the Broward Baseball Academy center fielder. The 6-foot-2, 175-pound, athletically gifted Fergus hits leadoff for BBA and has the disposition and baseball knowledge to handle this spot in the lineup. He is patient and sees a lot of pitches. He has a great understanding of the strike zone and his hitting approach is perfectly fit for hitting first in the order. He has extremely quick hands and has a short, quick bat path. He has a middle-of-the-field mentality and gets his barrel to the ball. Defensively Fergus is very instinctive and is athletic enough to play a little shallower than most. He also has a very strong and accurate arm.

Cheyn Bartels (2017, Pembroke Pines, Fla.) is bound for Robert Morris College in Illinois and the Charles W. Flanagan High School grad is ready for the transition to the collegiate level. He handles the hot corner with confidence and a gifted ability. He has excellent lateral quickness and a very strong and accurate arm. Bartels is very accomplished with a bat in his hands with quick hands and a short, compact and direct path with slight lift at contact.

Andrew Williamson (2018, St. Augustine, Fla.), is an advanced yet uncommitted rigththanded pitcher for 5-Star National Dobbs, with a three-pitch mix that appears to be ready for NCAA Division I baseball. His high three-quarters arm angle and consistently smooth mechanics helps him repeat his delivery with every pitch. His fastball was consistently in the 88-89 mph range. The 6-foot-4, 195-pound Williamson, commanded both sides of the plate with a lively four seamer and pitched effectively down in the zone. His curveball, that showed consistent tight spin and late break, was clocked at 68 mph, and his deceptive changeup, which was thrown out of the same arm slot as his fastball, was clocked at 79 mph.

Mercer University commit, Leyton Pinckney (2018, Kathleen, Ga.) is a strong righthanded power hitter for 5-Star National Dobbs who will be a senior at Veterans High School this year. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound Pinckney hits with a narrow base and stands fairly tall in the box. He has a slight leg lift when he loads and has some dynamic bat speed that generates plus power.

Six-foot-1, 178-pound, Max Ferguson (2018, Atlantic Beach, Fla.) is a tall, athletic middle infielder for 5-Star National Dobbs who is committed to the University of Tennessee. The rising senior at The Bolles School is a gifted infielder with an excellent first step, outstanding lateral movement and a quick, strong and accurate arm. He is a smooth lefthanded hitter who swings out of a square stance. He is short and direct to the ball and creates pro-like momentum through his swing.

– Jerry Miller
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