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Grant and Will's SoCal Scout Notes (June 9-12)
06/15/2022

Grant and Will’s SoCal Scout Notes (June 9-12)

Over the course of the 2022 Five Tool California Summer Season, staff members Grant Carver and Will Bonn will be at select games to provide extra scouting coverage for select games. Scout notes have no bias and players of note in no particular order from the Five Tool California SoCal events will be highlighted.

There will be a wide variety of players in these notes from uncommitted players to Division 1 commits to Division 3 commits and to junior college commits. Some games may have a few players noted while others may have a plethora, all dependent upon performances during the games and events.

Listed below is the Five Tool Scouting Staff Notes from the Five Tool California SoCal Regional.

California

Jake Valenzuela, EBC-McDonalds 16U:

EBC-McDonalds 16U’s Jake Valenzuela was impressive on both the mound and at the dish, throwing five innings while only allowing one hit, one run, and striking out six. At the plate, he helped his own cause with a three run homer. On the mound, Valenzuela showed excellent composure and repeatable mechanics. The 2024 uncommitted stud went back and forth between his fastball and curveball while using the fastball as his out pitch. His fastball ranged from 82-86 MPH and the curve sat between 74-79 MPH. At the plate, the Ramona High School (CA) product went one for one with a towering home run to left field and a walk. The right-handed hitter showed a very simple approach and a compact swing that generated hefty pull-side power. Valenzuela will look to continue to impress over the summer both on the mound and at the plate.

— Will Bonn, Five Tool California

Bobby Bangs, Top Speed Navy 17U:

Top Speed Navy 17U’s Bobby Bangs put on a show on the mound this weekend. Bangs went for three innings and allowed just one run while striking out six batters. The 2023 uncommitted righty from Northwood High School (CA) was cruising through the lineup with his fastball while mixing in a curve to keep hitters honest. His fastball was sitting 84-85 MPH consistently, and it touched 87 a few times as well. The mechanics were smooth and repeatable, helping Bangs locate the ball wherever he wanted to. The impressive velocity helped Bangs curveball, which sat 69-70 MPH, buckle hitters knees and get strikes. The Navy had a big lead and Bangs was pulled to save his arm some juice, but he was dominating on that mound and should be a player draws attention.

— Grant Carver, Five Tool California

Bryce Irvine, MVP Hustle 16U:

MVP Hustle 16U Black’s Bryce Irvine stood out on the bump this weekend. Irvine was living in the zone while getting swings and misses when doing it. The 2024 uncommitted right-hander from Chaminade High School (CA) sat 83-85 MPH with the fastball. Perhaps the most impressive pitch was his curveball, which sat 68-71 MPH and was breaking quite a bit.  Irvine looked really comfortable when snapping off his curve, and it was effective. The young stud also mixed in a changeup at 75-77 MPH that he located low in the zone. This guy looked poised and was on cruise control on the mound, so keep an eye out for him as the year goes on.

— Will Bonn, Five Tool California

Hunter Long, Trombly Tribe 2023:

Trombly Tribe 2023 Red’s Hunter Long was a force this past weekend. The Michigan State commit from Capistrano Valley Christian (CA) struck out eleven batters in his six innings pitched. Long is listed at 6’7 and 245 pounds, and he used that powerful lower body well. His fastball was in the 82-86 MPH range with legitimate run and late life. The curveball sat around 74 MPH and had sharp movement, which allowed him to drop it in for strikes. This stud was locked in the whole game and showed why he is going to the Big Ten.

— Grant Carver, Five Tool California

Joseph Norris, PFA Matadors 2023:

PFA Matadors 2023 Joseph Norris was another impressive arm on the mound this weekend. This right hander has a tall, lanky frame and an impressive three pitch arsenal. The 2023 uncommitted player from Notre Dame (CA) was sitting 86-88 MPH with the fastball and located it well. His curveball was sitting at about 67 MPH with a sharp break. The changeup was also a very impressive part of his arsenal, sitting at 72 MPH with a late drop. All three of his pitches tunnel well and his mechanics are smooth. Norris was an entertaining watch and impressed on the mound.

— Grant Carver, Five Tool California

Nick Williams, CBA Titans.

CBA Titans Nick Williams is the type of fun arm that everyone loves to watch. The 2023 lefty out of La Serna (CA) throws across his body and utilizes a high leg kick as well. A lot of young prospects struggle to pull those mechanics off, but Williams looked real good doing it this weekend while striking out ten in four and two thirds innings. His fastball sat 81-83 MPH and touched 85 MPH. Williams had great feel for his 74 MPH slider and used it effectively in every scenario he could, including as a strikeout pitch. This prospect can do unique stuff that not a lot of kids his age can do, and it will be interesting to see him continue it this summer.

— Grant Carver, Five Tool California

Addison Klepsch, Force Sports CA 16U:

Force Baseball Club 16U Prime’s Addison Klepsch did what he’s known for doing on the bump this weekend. The 2024 ASU commit out of Poway (CA) struck out five hitters in three innings and showed impressive control of the zone. His fastball sat 84-87 and was so electric that he barely had to rely on anything else. The pitch was working with late movement on it and being located well, which is a dangerous combo. Klepsch also flashed a 74 MPH curve and a 78 MPH slider. The right hander is one to keep an eye on.

— Grant Carver, Five Tool California

Sven Chuppa, Canes SD Black 15U:

Canes SD Black 15U Sven Chuppa was an impact player that stood out during this event. Chuppa has quick hands that he just throws at the ball, and his natural power does the rest. He hit a bomb to left field and was constantly getting on base. The 2025 uncommitted stud out of Cathedral Catholic (CA) was also impressive behind the plate, especially with balls in the dirt. Chuppa was extremely impressive on both sides of the ball at a premium position, and that deserves eyes going forward.

— Grant Carver, Five Tool California

Kibru Pam, Birds Baseball Academy 15U :

Birds Baseball Academy 15U Kibru Pam had a very successful weekend at the dish. Pam showed advanced bat to ball skills while also making hard contact more often than not. The 2025 uncommitted righty out of ST Francis (CA) was a double machine each time I saw him. He also flashed those contact skills on a  check swing single after a great pitch. Pam covered all parts of the zone and has a swing that should add power as he continues to grow. His bat was impressive and it showed.

— Grant Carver, Five Tool California

Phoenix Call, PFA Matadors 2023:

PFA Matadors 2023 Phoenix Call stood out right away this weekend. The 2023 uncommitted right-hander out of Calabasas High School (CA) was comfortable at the plate and his approach was consistently working. He is a toolsy and athletic player, and made a couple nice plays at shortstop. He also flashed impressive speed on the bases. Call was clearly one of the better players every time he stepped on the field this past weekend and that should continue this summer.

— Grant Carver, Five Tool California

Chad Gurnea, Trombly Tribe Red 2023:

Trombly Tribe Red 2023’s Chad Gurnea was solid through 4 innings of work on the bump while striking out four and only allowing one run. The right-hander attacked the strike zone all game with a fastball, curveball, and changeup pitch mix. Gurnea’s fastball was up to 88 MPH early in the game and consistently sat 84-87 MPH. The Pacifica High School (CA) product attacked early with his fastball, going to his curve and changeup when ahead in the count, and then back to his fastball for his out pitch.  The curve sat between 73-75 MPH and the changeup was at 77-80 MPH. The Cal State Fullerton commit filled up the zone and will look to continue producing quality starts over the summer.

— Will Bonn, Five Tool California

Evan Rolibiecki, Trombly Tribe Red 2023:

Trombly Tribe Red 2023’s Evan Rolibiecki had quite an impressive weekend collecting six hits, a home run, and a double. He also scored six runs and drove two more in as well. Rolibiecki showed control of the zone and was able to draw three walks as well. The uncommitted 2023 senior showed a very simple approach and utilized a toe tap stride rather than a leg kick. Thanks to this approach, he can spray the ball gap to gap and use his loud pull side power. The El Dorado High School (CA) product looks to build upon this performance and continue to impress over the summer. 

— Will Bonn, Five Tool California

Wylan Moss, Saddleback Cowboys 2024:

Saddleback Cowboys 2024’s Wylan Moss was another player that caught the eye this past weekend on the bump. The uncommitted 2024 junior went four innings without allowing a run, allowed one hit, and struck out eight batters. Moss mixed up the usage of his pitches extremely well, and it was effective in getting both weak contact and misses. His fastball ranged from 81-85 MPH while touching 86 MPH, and his curve sat between 68-73 MPH. The difference in velocity between the fastball and curveball was making it a difficult at bat for hitters. The Mater Dei High School (CA) product showed a smooth, repeatable delivery and good command of the zone. Moss looks to continue this impressive pitching performance throughout the summer. 

— Will Bonn, Five Tool California

Ryan Iveson, Saddleback Cowboys 2024:

Saddleback Cowboys 2024’s Ryan Iveson pitched a complete game shutout over the weekend while racking up six strikeouts, allowing two hits, and not allowing a run. The 6’4 right-handed pitcher went back and forth between the fastball and curveball, with the curveball being his main out pitch. The fastball ranged from 80-84 MPH and touched 85, while the curveball sat between 71-75 MPH. The Mater Dei High School (CA) product used his tall frame to produce a good drive off the mound, making the fastball jump out of his hand. The uncommitted 2024 junior flashed a 12-6 curveball that had a good late downward break. Iveson impressed over the weekend and is someone to pay attention to moving forward.

— Will Bonn, Five Tool California

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