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Tournaments  | Story  | 10/7/2018

Ways to Play West Day 1 Notes

Britt Smith     
Photo: Daylen Reyes (Steve Fiorindo)

2018 Ways to Play West Powered by MLB & PG: Daily Leaders

Javi Espinoza (2019, Lynwood, Calif.) might be slight in physical stature at 5-foot-10 and 145-pounds, but he more than makes up for the perceived lack in size with a gritty approach to the game. After producing a 2-for-6 day at the plate, including an RBI and a pair of walks, he showed that he has a comfort level with a bat in his hands. Hitting from the two-spot in the batting order, he fits the prototypical model of a player in that spot in the lineup. He shows solid pitch recognition and a feel for swinging at pitches he can handle. Plate discipline and awareness of game situations are evident tools he utilizes to make the top of the extremely dangerous CBA lineup work. He showed good range in the field with light feet and quick lateral movements to compliment his soft hands and more than adequate arm strength. The Saint Mary’s commit will be a solid follow throughout his collegiate career.

Jordan Brown (2019, Inglewood, Calif.) possesses all of the tools to be able to stick in the middle of diamond at the next level. The Fresno State commit, who stands 6-foot-4 and 180-pounds, shows range with solid lateral movements, reads hops well and can throw from angles when on the move. His quick first step and anticipation were evident on multiple plays in both games on Saturday during the Ways to Play – West event in Compton, California. Brown shows tools at the plate with solid bat speed and flashes the ability to leverage the ball at contact quite well. Although he did not have the statistical results that most would look for in a future prospect, he does show the physical abilities that will produce those results moving forward.

Marcus Johnson (2019, Fontana, Calif.) turned in a stellar outing on Saturday working five innings without allowing a hit or run. The Duke commit, who stands 6-foot-6 and 180-pounds, used a well-located fastball to both sides of the plate, that rarely was found more than a ball above the knees to keep hitters honest at the plate. Sitting in the mid-80s, topping at 87-mph, it was the location of his fastball that made his 72-76 mph breaking ball with late-biting action more effective. With the tilt created by his fastball and the command of these two primary offerings, Johnson showed that with some added strength to his already projectable frame, he will certainly stay on scouts’ radars moving forward.

Daylen Reyes (2020, Northridge, Calif.)showed the barrel-to -ball skills on Saturday that have the 2020 grad already committed to UCLA for his collegiate career. Turning in a 3-for-8 effort on the day with three walks, Reyes also displayed a high level of athletic ability with quick-twitch actions on the field to complement his abilities at the plate. The 6-foot, 170-pound middle infielder has plenty of range and his athletic ability allows him to make plays in both directions, as well as throw from multiple angles while on the move.

Tyler Stromsborg (2020, Newport Beach, Calif.) worked an effective five innings to open the event on Saturday with a fastball that reached 88 mph. The 2020 graduate, who is committed to USC, showed a short and sharp breaking ball with 11-to-5 shape that kept hitters off balance throughout his outing. Surrendering only one hit and a single run, Stromsborg displayed the type of stuff that will project well moving forward and on into the next level.

Brett McCauley (2020, Redondo Beach, Calif.) punished the baseball consistently on Saturday. In a doubleheader, he posted a 4-for-7 day at the plate that included a double, three RBI, two runs scored and a pair of walks. The 6-foot, 180-pound outfielder, who is committed to the University of Oregon, showed there is not much he can’t do with a bat in his hand. With a short and compact swing, McCauley shows high levels of strength in his hands. He has a good feel for centering the ball in his barrel creating consistently hard contact at the plate.

Tyler Whitaker (2021, Las Vegas, Nev.) showed the tools that have him held in such high regard in his class. Ranked 39th nationally in the class of 2021, Whitaker showed plus bat speed and the ability to leverage the ball at contact with a fluid and quick swing. Future power is easily projectable with his bat speed and size. Standing 6-foot-4 and 180-pounds, his frame can easily hold more size and strength as he continues to mature. The University of Arizona commit has the tools that should continue to develop and lend to him maturing into another impact freshman at the collegiate level.

Osvaldo Alex Sardina (2019, Tustin, Calif.)turned in a solid day at the plate in a doubleheader. Combining to go 2-for-5 with a triple, an RBI, a run scored and a pair of base-on-balls, the UNLV commit showed plenty of quick-twitch athletic ability. Displaying good bat speed and a solid feel for finding the barrel of the bat, plus the foot speed to produce hits on balls that are not centered perfectly, makes Sardina a difficult proposition for opposing pitchers to handle. His athletic ability is on display in the field as well with a quick first step and sure hands he makes difficult plays with less than maximum effort.

Mike Campagna (2019, La Jolla, Calif.) can easily get lost in the shuffle of the San Diego Show lineup but he is the glue in the middle of the lineup and the leader on the field that makes the Show go on. The 6-foot-3, 215-pound catcher has tremendous glove skills behind the plate. He receives and blocks with the best of them, not to mention his throwing ability behind the plate. With above average arm strength and solid footwork, Campagna can virtually eliminate the running game from the opposition. Combining for a 2-for-6 day at the plate in a doubleheader, he scored five runs, recorded three walks and tallied an RBI, showing the UC Davis commit is more than just a defensive presence on the field.



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