Now that the fall season is in the rear-view mirror, colleges at all levels are assessing their rosters. Players could be on the move out while recruiting priorities continue to shift as programs continue adding to their 2024 classes and plan for the future. Additionally, colleges of all levels continue to host camps because that’s the only way many programs will be able to see high school players in person for months. For colleges still looking to add to their 2024 class, we’ve collected some names of players – many of whom are JUCO-level prospects - who stood out during the spring and/or summer and fall. We’ll continue with position player prospects from California as well as some other states, like Utah, Arizona, Washington, Oklahoma and Nevada. 

CALIFORNIA

Wyatt Miyamoto – C – Benicia

At the Arizona Fall Classic, Miyamoto kept doing what he did all summer – collect hits. A solid athlete with some skill behind the dish, Miyamoto showed very little whiff in his hitting profile and a swing capable of smacking line drives around the field in any count against various pitch types. 

Jackson Haney – C – Crean Lutheran

Haney caught our eye during the spring with some impressive defensive clips controlling the running game and receiving pitches while working with quality arms. Since then, he’s continued to perform all-around while also showing his projection as someone who could stick at catcher at the next level is warranted.

Dmitri Susidko – 2B/OF – JSerra Catholic

Hit the walk-off winner to clinch a state title for a powerhouse program and carried that momentum into a solid summer. Susidko has a compact, physical frame with short arms that he leverages in his swing to create barrel control and a line drive swing and a direct path. A good runner, he likely profiles as a second baseman or outfielder at the next level. Gamer.

Brady Rea – OF/RHP – Oak Ridge

A true two-way talent who is interesting on the mound with a repeatable, easy delivery. I think I like him most long-term as an outfielder, though. Rea is a well-built 6-1, 190-pound right-handed hitter and I think there’s more to tap into at the next level swing-wise. A good runner, we’ve timed Rea at 4.3 on a short turn and he moves with athletic actions while also possessing a good outfield arm. 

Joaquin Stuart – 3B/1B – Albany

Stuart had an excellent fall and creates good timing and rhythm in the batter’s box as he tracks pitches before often unleashing a swing that can do some real pull-side damage in the air. Although he carries a bat-first profile as a corner infielder prospect, Stuart has shown his bat can speak loudly. 

Jay Benedict Dalumpines – 3B – Birmingham Community Charter

All Dalumpines did during 2023 was win impressive awards. He was named 2023 CIF LA City Section Player of the Year and then was named MVP of the AZFC Academic Showcase for his class. He made a name for himself as a highly productive right-handed hitter who can naturally create some loft/extra-base impact and should continue growing into more power and physicality. 

Jake Haruki – C/OF – Woodbridge

Haruki could end up in the outfield at the next level, but he’s interesting as a catcher, especially with a physical, 6-1 frame already. He performed at a high level during the fall and showed some pop from the right side, which included a mammoth homer at the Arizona Fall Classic. There’s a lot to like about the rhythm he creates and his swing. 

Ryan Villanueva – C – Servite

During the Arizona Fall Classic, Villanueva threw out seven of the 10 runners who tried to steal on him, an extremely impressive number. Consistently, he produced pop times in the 2.00-2.10-second range with a quick transfer/release and accurate arm. At around 5-11, 190 pounds, Villanueva has a solid catcher’s build and also impacted the baseball when he was able to pull it. 

Luke Duncan – C - Dougherty Valley 

Another talented backstop, Duncan has produced pop times in the 1.90-second range thanks in large part to his strong arm that boosts his quick transfer/release. In the batter’s box, he shows quick hands and hits with a lot of confidence. 

MORE PROSPECTS FROM OTHER STATES... 

Jacob Freer – INF/RHP – Newport (Washington)

We didn’t see every single player in the Arizona Fall Classic, but it’s hard to imagine many left-handed hitters who looked better than Freer in the batter’s box. Hitting seemingly comes natural to him whether it’s smacking a pitch the opposite way or pulling a home run high in the air. Defensively, he showed calm middle infield actions, and he was also up to 88 MPH on the mound with a lot of strike-throwing traits. 

Peyton Adams – SS – Copper Hills (Utah)

Granted, I haven’t seen Adams a ton, but from what I have seen he appears to be a hidden gem. Although his high-elbow right-handed setup is a bit unorthodox, it didn’t prevent him from consistently making quality contact and he showed promising hand-eye coordination. He doesn’t project to hit for impact power, even though I think his frame carries some projection and he turns on pitches for damage occasionally. But that’s okay because it does look he has the ingredients to project as a shortstop with impressive feet, hands and actions, which help him get the most out of his average arm. Granted, you don’t really know for sure if a guy can truly play shortstop unless you sit on multiple games, but watching the way Adams takes grounders and how easily he’s able to use his feet to get into good position and easily bend with a very steady head… I’d be surprised if he can’t. 

Cole Rogers – 2B/OF – Mountain Pointe (Arizona)

Following a strong spring where he made highlight-reel plays at second base and produced for one of the nation’s best teams, Rogers did much of the same in the summer and fall. He’s a good athlete and it translates to impact both offensively and defensively. As a right-handed hitter, Rogers swings a heavy barrel with strong hands and is an exciting hitting prospect because I think there’s still lot he could tap into to get more out of his physical gifts. For example, we saw him hit a grand slam in a game despite being ahead of the pitch with his timing and losing some of his energy in his transfer. He hits with an easy, steady operation and if he makes it to the spring uncommitted, he should have the attention of a lot of the region’s colleges looking for an infielder or someone who could profile in the outfield.

Ben Lovering – OF – Faith Lutheran (Nevada)

An injury in the spring halted his growth, but Lovering isn’t one to sleep on. His combination of projectable frame, swing and intriguing all-around tools make him a guy colleges should be tracking. 

Drake Fittro – OF/LHP – Choctaw (Oklahoma)

Fittro is a very athletic, twitchy two-sport standout – his football film is a lot of fun - who likely profiles best as an outfielder. He does whiff at an elevated rate but part of that is because he’s unafraid to unleash impact bat speed; so, when he does make contact, chances are he hits it hard and his wheels can boost his on-base profile. There’s a lot to work with and the makeup reviews are stellar. 

Gavin Smith – SS/INF - Valley Christian Schools (Arizona)

Smith is simply a ballplayer. From the way he tracks pitches to his actions on the dirt, the game comes naturally to him, and he produced impressively during the summer and fall. With a good frame, Smith should grow into some more pull-side pop off the bat and exudes a lot of traits that help teams win games. 

Jesse Aguirre – INF/OF – Queen Creek (Arizona)

A key piece for one of Arizona’s strongest teams, Aguirre plays the game with infectious energy and fluid, athletic actions. He hits with relaxed, quick hands that can do damage and appear capable of timing good velocity. Defensively, he can profile all around the diamond as a super utility-type of player and Aguirre can consistently impact the game on the bases with his athleticism and motor.

Dustin McComas
Senior Editor