Primed With Potential, Bats Make Impact at Futures West
While the pitchers at the Baseball Factory Futures West event had a great night, the position players were extremely impressive as well.
The catching position was particularly deep led by left-handed hitting Michael Carpentier, Jr. (TCU Commit). After a batting practice filled with hard barrel contact, Carpentier used a quick release to record a time of 1.88 seconds to second. He went 1-for-3 in the game with his hit being a hard line drive to right field on an 88 mph fastball up-and-in that followed a quality change-up away. Gabe Briones, committed to USC, is a physical 6’0”/200 lbs. who threw a 1.93 with 89 mph raw arm strength and an exit velocity of 90 mph off the bat. He showed loft pull power and solid receiving skills behind the plate. Also having a good event was Vanderbilt commit, CJ Rodriguez. He went 1-for-2 in the game including a ball that registered 92 mph off the bat. CJ also threw a 1.89 to second base during the workout and showed a good overall feel for the game.
A few other left-handed hitters also stood out in this talented group of prospects.
Infielder J.J. Cruz, committed to Cal State Fullerton, has a lean, wiry-strong frame with a loose, clean LH stroke. He barreled balls to all fields in batting practice with surprising pop, and he went 2-3 in the game. His pitch recognition seems to be advanced and he has not trouble handling velocity.
Another lefty who swung the bat with authority was 1B David Hays (University of Nevada-Reno Commit). At 6’4”, 225 pounds, he possessed the natural leverage you would expect with consistent loud contact in BP and present power. He went 1-for-2 with a walk including contact in game that was 100 mph off the bat. He has natural rhythm and an excellent feel for the barrel, not to mention an additional tool with 88 mph arm strength. Two-way player Spencer Jones, another Vanderbilt commit, finished the game on the mound, but not before running a 6.82 60-yard dash, showing an exit velocity of 97 mph and taking a quality BP.
Also standing out as both a pitcher and position player was Cal State Fullerton commit, Cameron Repetti. With an athletic frame and sure hands at third base, Repetti doubled to drive in two runs in the game before touching 88 mph on the mound. He is a complete all-around player. Also shining at third and at the plate was Keoni Cavaco. Headed to San Diego State, Keoni has present strength, went 2-for-3 with a double deep to left field and showed feel for the game throughout.
Rounding out the position players that caught the eye of our scouts at the Futures West event were a group of athletes.
UCLA commit Emanuel Dean, an outfielder from Servite HS, looked like a major leaguer when he walked on the field at a strong 6’3”, 200 pounds. The tools were just as impressive as the frame with a 99 mph exit velocity, 6.88 time in the 60 and 87 mph arm strength. Add in an extremely loud batting practice with easy power and a 1-for-3 showing in the game, and Dean made quite an impression.
Fellow outfielder Elias Rios is an impact wide receiver at Cypress HS in the midst of football, but still ran well and showed some of the upside he possesses on the baseball field. The fastest 60 time of the day came from University of Washington commit, Caiden Matheny. Caiden ran a 6.56 in the 60 while also showing other tools with a 91 mph exit velocity and 87 mph arm strength. He has present strength and plays hard. Fellow shortstop, and 2020 graduate, Sebastian Murillo (University of Arizona commit) fit right in with some of the top players in the 2019 class. His actions at SS were smooth and natural, while he generated surprising bat speed with a clean, coordinated stroke.
Finally, the versatile Andrew Devine (Texas Tech commit) moved all over the field flashing tools and the ability to use them in a variety of ways. His aggressive, high energy style combined with 6.71 speed and 89 mph arm strength allows him to play nearly any position on the field. He also flashed quick hands and made lots of hard contact with barrel whip through the zone.
It was no surprise that the Futures West event had lots of talent, both on the mound and in the batter’s box. As usual, the crop of prospects in Southern California is strong and will be an interesting group to follow over the next few years.