The Five Tool scouting department returned from the 36th annual Area Code games in San Diego with tans you shouldn’t be envious of. But the baseball experience? You should be envious of that. 

Long baseball days began with early mornings that quickly turned into picturesque, perfect nights at the University of San Diego’s Fowler Park thanks to the nation’s best high school baseball talent putting on an entertaining show each game. We didn’t see every pitch of every upperclass and underclass game, but we came pretty dang close to seeing every game. Now, it’s time to share what we saw. 

Since we’re based in Texas and made the trip primarily to see how the Lone Star State performed on the biggest scouting stage in prep baseball, we began our written coverage - don’t forget to check out the podcasts, YouTube recap, interviews with select players and all our Twitter/Instagram/TikTok videos of game action - with the Texas Rangers upperclass and underclass teams. 

We’ll continue our written coverage with national notes on the upperclass team. Before we get into the reports, the notes won’t be as extensive and as detailed for a couple reasons: we didn’t see every single pitch, and this is especially true for the underclass event; we don’t want to find out how long it took to write War and Peace. 

That said, Five Tool continues to expand its coverage beyond Texas and is excited about its success and rapidly increasing popularity in states like California, Arizona, Oklahoma, Colorado and more. Some of the players discussed below have appeared in Five Tool events or been covered by Five Tool during the high school season, which made seeing them at Area Code even more exciting. Let’s begin with the excellent collection of Northern California talent, the Oakland Athletics:

Oakland Athletics

Arkansas fans need to get ready to call the hogs because catcher Ryder Helfrick (Clayton Valley; California) and right-handed pitcher Gabe Gaeckle (Aptos; California) were two of the best prospects I saw. Helfrick is the total package as a catching prospect with impressive catch-and-throw skill, athleticism and agility that shows in all areas and he took some of the best right-handed swings and at-bats in the event while also running 4.25 seconds down the line. He looked like a day one MLB Draft prospect. 

As for Gaeckle, he was up to 97 MPH with an explosive heater and one of the best, highest-spin breaking balls I saw during the event. For Rangers hitters, it was a cruel introduction to Area Code. For an evaluator like me, it was an exciting look at a plus-plus fastball, a curveball that makes you wonder if you should throw a future 70 on it and one of the quickest arms I’d see. Shortly after Area Code, Gaeckle flipped his commitment from UCLA to Arkansas. But like Helfrick, his battery mate in San Diego, he looked like a day one MLB Draft talent. 

Speaking of A’s catchers, I was impressed with Hideki Prather (Campolindo; California). The Clemson commit took quality at-bats and looked like a future standout defensively behind the dish. On the mound, the A’s featured a few right-handed pitchers who grabbed my attention: Landon Stump (Live Oak; California), Reece Bueno (Redwood; California), and Jake Fields (Oak Ridge; California). 

Stump, a UCLA commitment, commanded his fastball to both sides of the plate and used a slider that looked like a future plus pitch to strike out six across 3.0 innings of one-run baseball. Tall and lean, Stump looked like he’ll continue to fill out and add strength at the next level. Cal Poly landed a good one in Bueno, who sat 88-90 MPH with his fastball and showed some of the sharpest, best breaking stuff in the event with a slider (80-82 MPH) and curveball (77-80 MPH) that both missed bats (six strikeouts in 2.1 innings). Fields had one of the most explosive heaters I saw and looked like a future backend bulldog at Long Beach State. 

Sticking with Long Beach State commitments, JP Acosta (Buchanan; California) was a lot of fun to watch. His skillful joy on the diamond and confident, slick actions made him a must-watch attraction. A switch-hitter who has a glove that can stick at short for the Dirtbags, Acosta plays faster than the stopwatch, exudes instincts and leadership intangibles and finds ways to impact the game.

Physical, left-handed hitter and two-way talent Nolan Stevens (Franklin; California) looked like he was going to hammer one over the fence before his time in San Diego ended. On the last day, he did exactly that. If he is able to tap into his impressive power more consistently, the Mississippi State commitment could be a feared, middle-of-the-order presence at the next level. Cam Schneider, a Fresno State commit from Bullard High School, should be that type of hitter at the next level, too. A physical third baseman, Schneider was tough to beat with good fastballs, showed some ability to get on time, and unleashed aggressive, powerful yet under control hacks. 

With some funk and a bit of an unorthodox look from the left side, Sebastian Gonzalez was one of the best strike-throwers I saw. And despite a fastball that didn’t light up the radar gun, Gonzalez threw 4.0 perfect innings with six strikeouts. A St. Mary’s commitment, Gonzalez rotated his shoulder impressively and his quick arm showed noticeably good “layback” near foot plant with a steady head. His three-pitch mix, which featured a big curveball and a changeup, baffled hitters and he easily threw strikes with all his pitches. Immediate contributor in college? Absolutely. 

Milwaukee Brewers

Let’s stick in California and move south to the Milwaukee Brewers and I’ll start with one of my picks as the best pure hitter in the event, Huntington Beach’s Ralphy Velasquez. I’m a big believer in how much can be learned about a hitter by watching how they take and track pitches. Velasquez, committed to Arizona State, took several tough, pitcher’s pitches, tracked the ball as well or better than anyone I saw and had one of my favorite left-handed swings with a feel getting the barrel to the baseball quickly and efficiently. Although he catches some currently, I think he ends up at first base and hits for a long, long time and makes a lot of money doing it.

Coaching Cameron Kim, a UCLA commitment from Norco High School, must be an absolute treat. The right-handed hitting shortstop thinks the game at a very, very high level and is often a step ahead of the action. In a game I saw, Kim backed up an off-script play at third base, started calling for the baseball and nearly stole an out on a bang-bang play. 

With high hands in the batter’s box, Kim gets the barrel into the zone quickly, and showed promising hand quickness when he pulled his hands in front of a hard fastball and pulled, with a short swing, a hard liner into left field for a single. Listed at 6-4, 200 pounds, Kim moved with the type of athleticism, ease and twitch to stick on the dirt and looked like one of the best all-around shortstop prospects in the nation. 

Another physical infielder who stood out was Arkansas commitment and Hawaii prospect Nolan Souza. In the first at-bat I saw, Souza, a left-handed hitter, hooked a homer around the right field foul pole in a two-strike count and it definitely wasn’t his best swing. But it spoke to his strength and ability to get the barrel to the baseball. 

Souza’s swing is a tad unorthodox because it features his left elbow raising up as a timing mechanism, but he doesn’t have issues creating quality bat paths because his hands are so quick and strong. An extremely polished interview, Souza calmly moved around the diamond and his demeanor never got too high or too low. The Brewers were probably the 'toolsiest' team in the event and Souza was a big part of that because he’s a plus runner who might be able to stick at short and could have future 50 or better hit and power grades. 

Since I mentioned tools, it only makes sense to immediately transition to Eric Bitonti (Aquinas; California). A left-handed hitter who could end up a solid-or-better defender at third base or even better in the outfield, Bitonti just missed several pitches. Despite basically being a year younger than pretty much every 2023 prospect, Bitonti possesses some of the more impressive raw power and physicality. And it shows in the batter’s box with his bat speed and potential. 

A few other position players whose tools really stood out: middle infielder and UCLA commitment Roman Martin IV (Servite; California) timed fastballs well and had some bright defensive moments; infielder and Oregon State commitment Trent Carraway (JSerra Catholic; California) played with noteworthy skill and was a well-built 6-2, 205 pounds with twitch and explosiveness, a plus arm and promising hit and power tools; 6-6 outfielder and Texas commitment Will Gasparino covered ground and tracked the ball well in the outfield with a strong arm and a right-handed swing worth betting on. 

On the mound, Santa Margarita Catholic left-handed pitcher Sammy Cova, an Oregon commitment, showed one of my favorite curveballs of the event. He’s probably not going to beat hitters with velocity in the future, but he can pitch and spin it. Right-handed pitcher Garren Rizzo (Palos Verdes; California) touched 92 MPH with good spin to his breaking stuff, but his command got him in trouble versus the Rangers. He entered Area Code a Washington commitment but has since decommitted. Chris Hernandez (Independence; California) flashed one of the best changeups I saw and when his stuff was in or near the zone, it played well. Mature, hard-throwing right-hander Evan Miranda, a Texas commitment, was up to 93 MPH with confidence in a sharp slider.

Washington Nationals

A collection from talent all over the southeast and in a couple cases beyond, the Nationals had the feel of a loaded all-star team and that was especially true on the mound with a long list of major talents:

Mikhai Grant - RHP - Georgia Premier (Georgia)

Athletic with a great frame and quick arm, Grant, committed to Mississippi State, touched 94 MPH with a fastball that could beat hitters in the zone and executed it to his glove side, and had one of the event’s best sliders, a sharp, short-breaking offering up to 84 MPH. With a starter’s delivery and arsenal, Grant is one of the top pitching prospects in the nation. 

Jake Brown - LHP - Sulphur (Louisiana)

A strike-throwing machine that dominated with his fastball-slider combo and also showed a true changeup, Brown struck out five across 2.0 innings and gave up just one unearned run on one hit with one walk. Hitters had major issues with his slider. 

Christian Lim - LHP - Montgomery Bell Academy (Tennessee)

Lim was one of the best pitchers in the event and his 87-91 MPH fastball helped set up maybe the event’s best changeup, a swing-and-miss weapon at 78-79 MPH that made more than one right-handed hitter look overmatched. The Stanford commitment also threw a promising 75-77 MPH curveball for a strike and gave up just one hit, walked one and struck out five over 3.0 scoreless frames. 

Charlee Soto - RHP - Reborn Christian Academy (Florida)

Up to 96 MPH during his 2.0-inning appearance, I immediately thought of Edison Volquez when I watched the delivery and the stuff. 

Aidan Knaak - RHP - Bishop Verot (Florida)

With a short arm action and delivery that kind of reminded me of Shane Bieber’s movements and four true offerings, Knaak was up to 94 MPH with a changeup that flashed as a difference-maker. Although he was a little too amped up during the inning I saw, Knaak, committed to Clemson, did strike out three batters and his breaking stuff showed a lot of promise when he didn’t overthrow it. In the outing I didn’t see, Knaak threw 2.0 no-hit innings with one walk and five strikeouts. 

Cam Johnson - LHP - IMG Academy (Florida)

It’s rare to see a 6-5, 230-pound young lefty move as efficiently and effortlessly as Johnson did on the mound. With a very quiet head and easy, repeatable delivery, Johnson, a LSU commitment, fired his fastball up to 95 MPH with a 76-80 MPH breaking ball that bounced between slurve and a slider with late sweep (struck out Max Clark with that offering) and an 81 MPH changeup. Strong with thick legs and broad shoulders, Johnson’s fastball could play up in the future because he attacks hitters from a low three-quarters slot out of his big frame. 

As impressive as Johnson was physically, he wasn’t the most impressive physical athlete on the roster. That honor goes to all-everything, five-star tight end prospect and stud outfielder Duce Robinson (Pinnacle; Arizona). At 6-6 and 221 pounds, Robinson moved very well, as you’d expect someone with his football pedigree too. 

But he also played with a quality baseball clock, too. He was often in the right position defensively, anticipated when to back up plays, ran the bases well and showed good swing-take decisions. Unafraid to unleash his bat speed in a hitter’s count, Robinson proved one of the toughest hitters to retire and reached base seven times in the four games he played. Robinson is without question talented enough to play major D1 baseball and if his swing continues to progress, he’ll land on pro scouts’ radar, too. 

No one enjoyed playing games more than South Carolina commitment and middle infielder Ariel Antigua. A skilled wizard with the glove, Antigua (Trinity Christian Academy; Florida) picked a couple of throws at second base like Javier Baez; he made it look really cool to snag a tough short hop. At 5-7, 180 pounds, Antigua’s excellent instincts and ability to get on time to the baseball allow him to get the most out of his ability. There were other infielders with more tools and who were more physically impressive, but I’m not sure anyone understood how to and played the game with more confident joy than Antigua. 

Antigua wasn’t the only energetic personality on the dirt because first baseman Tre Phelps (Georgia Premier Academy; Georgia) always made his voice heard and was a stud defensively at first base with some loud moments as a hitter, too. The Georgia commitment punished a few pitches with a short, quick swing and will add more strength in the future. 

A few other notes: Home Run Derby champ Daniel Cuvet showed his power in game with a bomb before the event’s concluision; uncommitted Texan Michael Mayhugh timed some fastballs for base hits and has impressive raw power; 6-4 left-handed hitter Sam Parker’s swing and hitting ability grabbed my attention multiple times. 

Cincinnati Reds

My vote for most productive position player who helped himself the most at Area Code would go to left-handed hitting outfielder Zach Wadas. A TCU commitment from powerhouse Hamilton High School (Arizona), Wadas showed his plus, maybe plus-plus power by smashing two bombs, including one estimated to have traveled 431 feet. He nearly hit a third, too. 

In one of the first games we saw, Wadas drove a ball he thought was gone to the wall in right field. So, next at-bat the 6-4 power hitter smashed one over that same fence. With physical projection remaining and room to pack on some mass to his frame, Wadas also made a standout defensive play, too. High school and Area Code teammate Ryan Kucherek, a LSU commitment, moved smoothly around the diamond with quality actions. 

Speaking of bombs from the left side, Arkansas commitment and Eaton (Colorado) prospect Walker Martin ended his Area Code session with a bang in his final game. The  middle infielder whipped a dangerous barrel quickly through the hitting zone with good bat paths and finished 5-for-12 with some extra-base damage. 

Centennial (New Mexico) middle infielder and LSU commitment Steven ‘Monster’ Milam played in all five games and reached base in all five games. A phenomenal baseball player with excellent instincts and slick, confident actions on the dirt, Milam packs some surprising punch in the batter’s box despite being listed at 5-8, 165 pounds. Give me a bunch of Steven Milams and Ariel Antiguas and I’ll win a lot of baseball games. 

On the mound, right-handed pitcher JD DeCremer, an Oregon State commitment from Brophy Prep (Arizona) had one of the most impressive outings and stuff profiles I watched. In 2.0 innings, DeCremer struck out six thanks to a lively heater up to 95 MPH, a sharp, swing and miss slider up to 84 MPH and he threw one changeup that was maybe the best individual changeup I saw. 

Right-hander Derek Schaefer touched 93 MPH with a firm changeup that played well in the bottom of the zone and 6-0 right-hander and Hawaii commitment Brayden Marx was up to 94 MPH with his fastball. 

Kansas City Royals

The Pacific Northwest provided the talent for the Royals, and I left San Diego with an appreciation for the Royals’ catching trio. Kooper Jones, a Washington State commitment from Richland High School (Washington), put the barrel on the baseball as often as anyone not named Cal Fisher. Olathe South (Kansas) prospect Nick English was one of the best receivers I saw behind the dish and Washington commitment Carson Ohland (Tahoma; Washington) swung a very loud barrel. 

Big right-handed fireballer Noble Meyer received one of my FOMO awards because he pitched before my flight arrived on day one. I did get to see hard-throwing lefty Paul Wilson twice, though. Owner of some of the most absurd - I think he struck out something like 22 batters per 9.0 innings last season - stat lines in the nation last season, the Oregon State commitment was up to 95 MPH but his fastball control was inconsistent with loose command in both appearances. However, Wilson’s hard, sharp slider flashed as one of the event’s best and will eventually perform even better as Wilson works his heater into the zone more consistently. 

Lincoln (Washington) lefty Bjorn Johnson was among my favorite left-handed pitchers in the event and gave up two runs on three hits with no walks and six strikeouts in 3.0 innings. Against a loaded Nationals lineup, Johnson, committed to Auburn, displayed some of the best pitchability of the event and at one point he struck out a left-handed hitter with three-straight sliders (81-82 MPH) executed to perfection. Johnson’s four-seamer showed some weight when it made contact with bats and his 78 MPH changeup was a difference-maker against right-handers. 

Shout out to the UTSA staff for pulling a gem all the way from Idaho because right-handed pitcher Robert Orloski was up to 93 MPH on the mound and didn’t lack intriguing projection. A quick worker on the mound, Orloski showed a sharp curveball capable of missing bats and once he settled in and calmed his energy, the strike-throwing increased. 

Any discussion about most productive and consistent performers in the event must include West Valley (Washington) prospect Tommy Meluskey. An Oregon commitment, Meluskey pulled a homer in the first Royals game we saw and proceeded to display one of the most consistent, easiest left-handed swings of Area Code. Making contact wasn’t an issue for the high-level player. A two-way prospect who is also a switch-hitter, Meluskey moved well around the outfield, which included a couple games in center field. 

Meluskey wasn’t the only outfielder who stood out with a promising left-handed swing because Max Martin (Southridge; Washington) was an on-base machine thanks to his feel for making quality contact consistently and creating quick, direct bat paths. Against the Rangers, Martin, committed to Oregon, smacked a liner the opposite way over the left field fence, showcasing impressive hand strength and bat speed; he has very active hands in his pre-swing but that’s probably because his hands are so quick it keeps him on time, which he was often. 

In the infield, I left San Diego a fan of Addison Smith, a switch-hitter committed to Oklahoma State from Liberty High School in Missouri. From the left side, Smith ran 4.29 seconds down the line and covered the strike zone with impressive bat control. At 6-1, 175 pounds, Smith has a loose frame with some projection ahead and the twitch and athleticism to stick at shortstop long-term. He played the game with impressive instincts, which included taking extra bases, tracking pitches and showing solid all-around skill. 

Chicago White Sox 

True to form, the Midwest team at Area Code included the most big, physical pitchers. Parker Detmers (6-4), Ryan Harrahill (6-4), Mitchell Dean (6-7), and Weston Rouse (6-7) all had a couple of lines in my notebook. Spinning a swing-and-miss curveball must run in the family because Detmers, the younger brother of first-round pick and current Angels left-handed pitcher Reid, spun one of the best breakers of the event and looked excellent across 3.0 shutout innings. He gave up just one hit, walked one and struck out three. The Louisville commit touched 94 MPH with his fastball.

In that game, the White Sox followed Detmers with Rouse and Harrahill. The former worked down in the zone well with a changeup that flashed and helped his fastball play up and a curveball that really frustrated hitters. 

As for Harrahill, a Nebraska commitment, he settled in nicely after a couple of early walks to strike out the side in his first of two dominant frames on the mound. The big righty’s fastball, up to 94 MPH, beat hitters in fastball counts and his changeup and slider both looked like they had a chance to be future average or better offerings. Additionally, Harrahill looked like he might not be done growing and will certainly add more strength in the future. 

Dean touched 93 MPH and struck out seven across 3.0 strong innings. His slow curveball kept hitters from being balanced and timing his lively fastball consistently. Throw right-hander Dylan Questad into the FOMO group with Noble Meyer. In fact, the two squared off to open Area Code. Questad threw 3.0 perfect innings with six strikeouts. 

At 6-0, 192 pounds, righty Cole Selvig was one of the ‘smallest’ pitchers on the White Sox roster, which speaks to how physically impressive the group was. Selvig, a Texas commitment, showed a ton of confidence in his sharp slider, which was up to 83 MPH. 

Blair Oaks (Missouri) left-handed pitcher Will Libbert had one of the best fastballs I saw at Area Code and 6-3 right-hander Tate McGuire (Liberty North; Missouri) was up to 93 MPH with a true swing-and-miss slider and promising changeup. 

Offensively, the list starts with phenom Max Clark, one of the most famous prep players in the country. A physical, twitchy and explosive outfielder who is also a standout on the gridiron, Clark routinely put the ball in play and used his plus wheels (multiple 4.1 run times) to beat out base hits. With very quick, strong hands that show in his bat speed, Clark handled a wooden bat impressively; on a couple of instances when some other guys would probably have their bats broken, Clark was able to fight off pitches for hits. 

The left-handed hitter had productive box scores, but he only had one really ‘wow’ moment, which came when he smacked a line drive so hard that it just missed creating a terrifying moment by hitting the shortstop, whose view was partially blocked by the umpire and bouncing off second base to hold a runner, in the face. Barely off the ground, the ball went screaming through the infield and quickly to the left-center wall for an easy triple. It was an extremely bright flash and a glimpse of what makes Clark such a special talent.

Clemson commitment and toolsy left-handed hitting outfielder Dillon Head ran 3.86 seconds from home-to-first, tracked the ball instinctively in center field and was one of the most exciting prospects I saw. If he puts it all together consistently during his high school season, I could see him being a day one MLB Draft talent. 

The catching duo of Zion Rose (Brother Rice; Illinois) and Colin Barczi (Naperville Central; Illinois) was outstanding. Rose had one of the best individual games I saw, going 4-for-5 with very hard contact. A very physical and strong right-handed hitter, Rose could really take off as a pro prospect if his catching skill continues to progress. As for Barczi, he smashed a no-doubt homer, but that wasn’t the most impressive thing the 6-2, 205-pound catcher did. He caught Kendall George stealing at second base and is now on the very, very small list of catchers to do so. 

Oklahoma commitment and switch-hitting infielder Jaxon Willits has been a longtime Five Tool favorite going back to his days playing with Stix Scout in the summer. All areas of the game came relatively easy to Willits, and on the big stage, his all-around skill and excellent instincts stood out noticeably. Fellow Oklahoman and Oklahoma State commitment Avery Ortiz settled in after a rocky start to Area Code and was thriving as a hitter as the event ended. Bat-first first baseman Max Knight caught my eye with his hitting ability. 

New York Yankees

Entering Area Code, I knew who Auburn commitment Kevin McGonigle was. The left-handed hitter from Monsigner Bonner in Pennsylvania was one of the biggest names on any roster. It’s always fun to see if those guys meet the hype. 

McGonigle introduced himself to the Five Tool staff by leading off with a rocket over the right-center wall. The home run alone was very impressive. But what made it even more impressive was it came against hard-throwing Royals lefty Paul Wilson. From there, McGonigle didn’t post gaudy statistics, but he took high-quality at-bats and made hard contact at an impressive rate. 

In addition to his hitting ability, the middle infielder impressed me with the way he carried himself. He played the game with a very competitive, loud yet under control energy that kind of reminded me of a football player on the baseball diamond. He was a top-step teammate who was always engaged in the game whether he was on the dirt, in the batter’s box, on the bases or in the dugout. When challenged defensively, McGonigle showed quality hands and a quick transfer and he’s the type of player who is locked in from the first pitch. 

I didn’t see him enough on defense to have a great feel for whether he could play shortstop long-term, but at worst he’s a stud hitter with power as a second baseman who would play that position average at worst. 

As impressive of a prospect as McGonigle is, he wasn’t the best hitter on the Yankees roster during Area Code. That honor belonged to Notre Dame commitment and infielder Cal Fisher. No one hit the ball on the barrel more consistently than Fisher (Deerfield; Wisconsin), who hammered the baseball all over Cunningham Field at Fowler Park. From the right side, Fisher showed the ability to hit for power and average. He also covered the zone and his homer was actually a pitch down that he still managed to hit on a line over the left-center wall. After starting the event 0-for-2, Fisher hit 6-for-8 with a walk and four of those hits went for extra bases. 

In addition to outstanding production as a hitter, Fisher played with good actions, a calm heartbeat and quick actions on the dirt, which allowed him to bounce around the diamond with agility and play faster than his run times. Joining Fisher and McGonigle as advanced hitters to bet on long-term was Myles Naylor. 

Baseball fans should recognize the last name and he’s the younger brother of current Guardians hitter Josh Naylor and Bo Naylor, who is in AAA in the Cleveland system. The youngest Naylor, an Ontario, Canada native committed to Texas Tech, handled third base with ease and smacked liners into the gaps routinely while also timing good heaters and recognizing spin. Sharing some time at third base with Naylor was Dean Curely, a projectable 6-3 right-handed hitter with intriguing pop. 

I left Area Code an enormous fan of Clemson commitment Sam Stafura. He ran 4.26 seconds down the line from the right side and reminded me a ton of Jaxon Willits defensively. Stafura is a skilled gamer who also bounced around center field, although I think his future is on the dirt because he handled the baseball easily with soft hands and quick transfers. 

Speaking of center field and defense, left-handed hitter Javar Williams was maybe the best defensive center fielder I saw. A big-time two-sport talent who is a star running back at Tabor Academy in Massachusetts, Williams is committed to Wake Forest and showed all the ingredients to emerge as an impact player in all areas of the game. Also in the outfield, left-handed hitter Luca Reyes took some of the most aggressive, uppercut hacks of the event, but didn’t come up empty often, which included pulling a homer. Chris Diaz, another left-handed hitting outfielder, also hit a homer and scored or drove in a run every game. Matt Conte was one of the few 2024 players who played up and the right-handed hitting catcher didn't look at all out of place. In fact, he was one of the most impressive catching prospects I saw and I wouldn't have known he was a 2024 player if I didn't look. Big upside.

Big is a good way to describe Cranford (New Jersey) right-handed corner infielder Ryan Jaros. Big size, big power, big moment. Listed at 6-4, 205 pounds, Jaros obliterated a pitch in the Yankees final game and sent a liner screaming into the trees beyond left field; it was an impressive display of timing a fastball up in the hitting zone. A physical prospect committed to Georgia Tech, Jaros reminded me some of former Texas slugger Zach Zubia, who had plus-plus raw power. I don't think Jaros is done growing/filling out and he likely has some of the loudest power in the 2023 class.

Jack Crooper, a right-handed pitcher, touched 93 MPH and attacked hitters with a sinker-slider profile that also featured a swing-and-miss changeup. He threw 2.0 scoreless, no-hit innings. DBU commitment James Ellwanger struck out four across 2.0 innings and showed his changeup is a part of his arsenal, which so often only featured a fastball and two breaking balls. 

Texas A&M commitment and right-hander Brett Antolick features a knuckleball in his arsenal, but only showed it in warmups. The future Aggie ran his fastball up to 91 MPH with some downward life and showed impressive competitiveness by pitching out of a big fifth-inning jam.  

Really liked the long-term outlook of right-hander Zach Konstantinovsky, a Rutgers commitment from North Brunswick Township in New Jersey. With an easy delivery and a fastball that played up at 87-89 MPH, Konstantinovsky used a swing-and-miss changeup with fade to frustrate hitters and executed his slider for strikes. The ball came out of his hand easily and he looks like an impact starter at the collegiate level who will undoubtedly add more velocity. 

Dustin McComas
Senior Editor
Five Tool Baseball

Drew Bishop contributed to this report