EVENT DATE: 9/25/05

LOCATION: Hornet Field, Sacramento State University

This day featured the best depth of talent we have seen all year – which is why you will see nine players featured below. I decided to go away from the usual three or five top prospects, something to look for more of in the future in select events.

Top Prospects

The Top Prospects were selected by Andy Ferguson (Director of Scouting) with input from Rick Sofield (VP, Exclusive Program and Player Personnel) based on their performance at the event. The ranking is based on their status as college prospects, and is relative to the entire group of players we saw on the day – we now consider underclassmen in our selection process.

IMPORTANT – We list players at the position(s) where we feel they are prospects. This may result in a player being listed at a position they did not play for us, or having a position they did play for us go unlisted. As usual, all references to “average” are based on high school standards.

1. Daniel Wolford, RHP/3B, 2006 – Roseville, CA (Woodcreek HS), 6-2, 205, R/R. Certainly a prospect on the mound, and possibly as a 2-way player. His fastball was 86-91 mph from the windup, and 88-93 mph from the stretch. He flashed a sharp 10 to 4 shaped breaking ball, along with a strong average change-up. Arm speed and arm strength stood out, arm action in general was well above average – good stroke with whip out front. Solid mechanically with a strong lower half. Showed a loose, quick stroke at the plate. Ball left bat with occasional plus life. Strong average defender at 3B. 7.36 60 yard dash.

2. Daniel Stith, OF/1B, 2006 – Grass Valley, CA (Nevada Union HS), 6-4, 215, L/L. Featured a plus body and a projectable bat. Frame was long and wide, and was filled out – he has spent his time in the weight room. Was naturally short to the ball, and drove it even when he didn’t quite catch all of it. Created great backspin, drove the ball through the right center gap. Hands were quick, stroke used strength and leverage. Didn’t have much rhythm to his prep, approach and stroke in general were raw. Ran 6.93 in the 60 yard dash. Worked out at 1B, where he was adequate. Probably better suited to the OF. Great upside potential.

3. Dane James, LHP, 2006 – Byron, CA (Freedom HS), 6-6, 195, L/L. A tall and lanky LHP, fastball was 81-87 mph (84-87 mph from the stretch) with great down plane. Arm action was strong out front on the fastball, wrist was loose and he showed good arm speed. Stride was slightly closed, hid ball from lefties well. Backside arm action was a little sticky and short, result of late break of hands. Offspeed stuff was not thrown with fastball arm speed. Curveball was a big downer with loopy action, slider was a little flatter and more across the zone. Both were slightly above average, and have potential to be far better. A 7.28 runner, with an outside chance as a 2-way player.

4. Thain Simon, 3B/RHP, 2007 – El Dorado Hills, CA (Jesuit HS), 6-3, 185, R/R. Has a body to project on, good length and width. Solid 2-way prospect, equally talented both ways. Showed a good right handed stroke, made hard contact to all fields with backspin. Flashed bat speed and ability to drive the gaps. No stride approach may cause a little trouble. Slightly above average defender, 7.89 runner. Fastball was 84-85 mph from a three quarter slot, had plus arm side life. Breaking ball was 10 to 4 with tight spin and good depth. CH had plus movement, sink with tail, and was thrown with good feel. Balance and tempo were very good, allowing arm to work well on backside and with loose and whippy action out front.

5. Dominic Hernandez, RHP, 2007 – Los Banos, CA (Los Banos HS), 5-11, 170, R/R. A college game ready right hander – delivery was polished, showed three quality pitches and had good feel for the ball. Fastball was 86-87 mph, had pop but was a little straight. Slider type breaking ball (74-80 mph), had late action across the zone with good depth. Change-up was thrown with FB arm speed, and had plus sink action. Delivery featured great balance and body control, along with great sequence and direction. Arm was loose and whippy out front. All of this from a young man that just turned 16 years old in early August. Not a ton of upside, but ability is advanced and he is talented.

6. Matt Lujan, LHP/1B, 2007 – Stockton, CA (St. Mary’s HS), 6-0, 196, L/L. Featured an 84-86 mph fastball with plus arm side movement. Pitched from a high three quarters angle, arm was loose and quick out front. Breaking ball had good downward action and life across the zone as well, spin was tight and action was solid. Third pitch was a knuckle CB, pushed fingers out to create overspin – action was good at times, may be best used as a CH. There was some violence in his delivery, front side came open near landing – has some room to improve here, improved control should follow. Also showed a solid left handed stroke. Hands had good life through the zone and the ball left his bat well, hit the ball well the other way.

7. Alan Oines, RHP, 2006 – Fairbanks, AK (North Pole HS), 6-3, 195, R/R. Has a sturdy frame with potential for added size and strength. Fastball was 82-85 mph with very good down plane and slight arm side life. Breaking ball was 11 to 5 shape with solid rotation, flashed good depth but had mostly quality rolling action. Change-up is in developmental stage, choked it a little but the good ones had down plane like fastball. The ball left his hand well, arm strength stood out as biggest strength. Hips drifted in delivery and shoulders got uphill at break of hands, can improve mechanically – giving him more upside, already can project body and because he is from cold weather in Alaska.

8. Thomas Lee, C/OF, 2007 – Lafayette, CA (Acalanes HS), 5-8, 195, R/R. His compact frame had strength and good overall life, athletic ability was present. Power to the pull side was also present, jolted a ball deep down the left side line and drove several to left center along with one to right center – the ball got off the barrel very well. Hands were quick, got to the zone well. Hit from a closed stance, first move was slight cast. Arm strength showed behind the plate and from the OF – first few from the OF were on a string. Was able to maintain short arm stroke from behind the plate, along with quick and compact release – resulting in 1.96 – 2.05 release times. Receiving and blocking skills were solid. A 7.34 runner, capable both behind the plate and in the OF, giving bat more value.

9. Parker Mayo, C, 2007 – Sacramento, CA (Sheldon HS), 6-2, 175, R/R. A strong armed catcher, arm was lively and created throws with great plane and carry. Release times 2.15 – 2.25, actions were a little big – has plenty to work with, expect to see him quicken up. Blocking showed quickness in actions, moved well and showed great lateral range. A solid receiver with good hands. Hit the ball well the other way, kept hands and barrel inside the ball very well. Line drive spray hitter. Smooth stroke, good weight transfer. Bat speed and power contact can improve, has a great foundation (body and ability) to build on as he matures. A very well rounded catcher, has offensive and defensive potential.

Top Prospects ARCHIVE

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