INF Adrian Santana, Doral Academy
Stats: 3/11, 2 RBI, 1 SB, 1 K
Santana has been one of the biggest risers on the prep side of the 2023 draft class. After a solid summer showcase circuit, he’s begun to add more power into his profile, which was already filled with upside prior, and it’s likely that he ends up being selected on Day 1 in July.
He recorded three hits on the week, all of which were singles. His first was of the infield single variety, followed by a line drive up the middle and ending with a bunt single in Game 3. Santana knows how to utilize his top-of-the-scale speed to his advantage. From the right side, he had a home-to-first time between 3.95-4.00 seconds, which is absolutely unheard of from the right side of the plate. It’s truly special. He’s a switch-hitter who looks more like a line drive sprayer from the right side, but his left-handed swing has more of the pop. He nearly went yard from the left side on Friday, sending a ball to the warning track in right field. For reference, the ball does not carry much at any fields at the USA National Training Complex. He does need to iron out his plate discipline and approach a bit, but it’s legitimate bat speed with a solid hit tool from both sides.
In the dirt, Santana is a surefire shortstop with above-average defense, with some scouts even going up to a plus grade. He had some hiccups throughout the week, but he’s got solid range and quick hands with a smooth transfer, as well as solid athleticism. The arm is solid, as well, though there were some plays where it felt like his throws were a bit off-line. Nonetheless, it’s an enticing profile with burgeoning power and insane speed, something you don’t find too often at the prep level. Santana holds a college commitment to the University of Miami.
C/1B Raffaele Velazquez, Huntington Beach
Stats: 6/13, 6 RBI, 1 2B, 1 3B, 3 BB, 1 K
Velazquez was the most well-known bat to show up in Cary and he absolutely delivered, becoming a key cog for Huntington Beach's run to the NHSI title.
His bat is about as advanced as it gets for a prep prospect. While he didn’t display any of his big over-the-fence power, he smoked numerous balls to his pull-side with ease. It’s big time bat speed from the left side with advanced plate discipline, as well as natural feel for the barrel. It's a relatively quiet load before he explodes through the zone. He finished the week with six hits, including a double and a triple. He only struck out once while working three walks. Ultimately, the bat will be what gets Velazquez paid.
With that said, there's some reservations on the rest of his profile. As his frame suggests, he’s not a great runner down the line. But as catchers go, this is to be expected. My main concern is whether he sticks behind the plate or not. He’s not very athletic back there and I have some reservations on his blocking and receiving. I’d imagine a team will let him stay behind the plate to start, but ultimately this is a profile that moves to first base in due time. The bat will need to perform as a result, but given how good the bat already is, I don’t think this should end up being an issue. All in all, he’s a great player that will likely hear his name early in the draft. He’s currently committed to Arizona State.
INF Levi Jones, Jesuit
Stats: 4/11, 0 RBI, 1 2B, 3 BB, 2 K
Not only did Jesuit have the best arm in the event, they also had one of the best bats. Levi Jones is one of the better bats in the Pacific Northwest in this year’s cycle and there was a ton to like about him from last week’s event.
Jones has a sweet swing from the left side of the plate that is primarily oriented for line drives to all fields more than it is power. It’s a flatter bat path with little loft, but the projectable nature of his frame, there’s a good likelihood that with added loft, there’s a solid power potential in the bat. However, as of now, it’s a hit-over-power profile. He showcases solid speed down the line, as well as a good approach at the plate. The double he had at the event was off a tough lefty-lefty matchup against Calvary Christian’s Hunter Dietz, sending a ball to the opposite field gap early in the first inning.
Defensively, it’s tough to judge where he ends up. He played third base and had some good range and footwork, though it seemed as if he tried to rush a couple of plays and that proved costly at times. It would not be a shock to see him move elsewhere in the future, mainly to a corner outfield spot. Jones’ college commitment belongs to Oregon State.
INF Trent Caraway, JSerra Catholic
Stats: 7/16, 1 RBI, 2 2B, 1 3B, 2 K
Much like Velazquez, Caraway was a key piece in JSerra’s championship game run. Tearing pitching apart throughout the week, Caraway made himself quite a bit of money at NHSI.
A physical specimen, Caraway has the body to man the hot corner at the pro level. He stays short to the ball with a longer follow through after contact and all he did was lace balls around the left side of the field. His power potential is substantial and will play to all fields. His swing is naturally built with loft and he had numerous balls hit over 100 MPH. This includes a ball that came within five feet of leaving Coleman Field that most everyone in the ball park thought was getting out. He limited strikeouts throughout the week and there’s very good plate discipline to work with here. There’s a chance to be a special, special bat here.
He’s got the range and footwork to play at third base down the line, though there’s some that believe he could end up in a corner spot. It’s a solid arm across the diamond, too, with good speed for someone as physical as Caraway. Time will ultimately tell where he ends up, but there’s a good chance a professional organization starts him off at the hot corner. If Caraway ends up making it to campus, he’d end up in Corvallis at Oregon State.
C Burke mabeus, Bishop gorman
Stats: 4/10, 3 RBI, 2 2B, 4 BB, 0 K
Mabeus isn’t part of this draft cycle, he’s part of the 2024 class. That said, he may have been the best underclassmen at this event.
A switch-hitting catcher, Mabeus is a force at the plate. He features a very mature approach for his age and there’s a ton of bat speed from both sides of the plate. His barrel stays in the zone for a long time and he’s got the potential to hit for both average and power. There’s more explosiveness from the left side, showcasing good loft. He hit two doubles on the week while also working four walks and never striking out. He’s got good athleticism too and has a good run tool for now, though that’ll likely show a decline once he gets older.
At this point, it’s hard not to envision him staying behind the plate defensively. He’s got the body for the position with a thicker lower half, but still has solid blocking skills and good receiving, which can get better. The arm is there, as well. He’ll be a big time follow for the 2024 class with the performances he has put up at Bishop Gorman. He’s currently committed to Oregon.
Honorable Mentions: INF Dean Carpentier, Huntington Beach; 1B Easton Shelton, Bishop Gorman; OF Drew Burress, Houston County; C Blake Balsz, Santa Margarita Catholic; INF Eric Bitonti, Aquinas; OF Bradley Navarro, Huntington Beach