PACIFIC WEST LEAGUE *
TOP 10 PROSPECTS
COMPILED BY ALLAN SIMPSON
In Association with League Managers and Scouts
Official League Website: www.pacificwestbaseball.com
Summer-league teams inCalifornia(particularly in the northern half of the state) are typically in a constant state of flux, and nothing may symbolize the steady transition of clubs from one league to another more than the Pacific West League.
The PWL began operations in 2012, pulling most of its 10-team membership from the rival Far West League, but it’s possible that league will be reduced to just four teams in 2013 after a turbulent inaugural season. The league’s most-successful club, Top Speed Baseball, has since aligned with the restructured and rapidly-improving Far West League, and as many as five other teams have spun off to form yet another proposed first-year league, the Golden State Collegiate League.
In its one season in the PWL, Petaluma-based Top Speed Baseball dominated in all phases by posting the best record overall (38-21), winning the league championship series and dominating the accompanying list of the league’s 10 best prospects, securing the top five positions.
FAST FACTS
Year League Established: 2012.
States Represented in League: California,Nevada.
No. of Teams in League: 10.
Regular-Season Champion: North—Top Speed Baseball (24-6; 38-21 overall). South—Atwater Aviators (23-7; 36-19 overall).
Post-Season Champion: Top Speed Baseball (Petaluma,Calif.).
Teams, PG CrossChecker Summer 50/Final Ranking: None.
Most Valuable Player: Roger Fonseca, util, San Francisco Seagulls.
Pitcher of the Year: Adam Bray, rhp, Top Speed Baseball.
Top Prospect (as selected by league): None selected.
BATTING LEADERS (all games)
Batting Average: Laz Vila, of,Fresno Cardinals (.417).
Home Runs: Steven Knudson, 1b, Top Speed Baseball (12).
RBIs: Joey Havrilak, of,Auburn Wildcats (48).
Stolen Bases: Quinn Bower, of, Top Speed Baseball (19).
PITCHING LEADERS (all games)
Wins: Adam Bray, rhp, Top Speed Baseball (8).
ERA: Adam Bray, rhp, Top Speed Baseball (1.37).
Saves: 3 tied at 5.
Strikeouts: Adam Bray, rhp, Top Speed Baseball (62).
BEST TOOLS
Best Athlete: Matt Pollock, of, Top Speed Baseball
Best Hitter: Roger Fonseca, util, San Francisco Seagulls
Best Power: Steven Knudson, of, Top Speed Baseball.
Fastest Base Runner: Quinn Bower, of, Top Speed Baseball
Best Defensive Player: Gordon Madej, ss,Atwater Aviators
Best Velocity: Grant McCoury, rhp, Top Speed Baseball
Best Breaking Ball: Adam Bray, rhp, Top Speed Baseball
Best Command: Adam Bray, rhp, Top Speed Baseball
TOP 10 PROSPECTS
1. MATT POLLOCK, of, Top Speed Baseball (Buffalo/SR in 2013)
SCOUTING PROFILE: Pollock earned all-Mid-American Conference honors as a junior atBuffalo by leading the Bulls in batting (.357), slugging (.638) and on-base percentage (.447), and finishing second in homers (12) and RBIs (44). In the process he upstaged teammate Tom Murphy, a third-round pick of the Colorado Rockies and the most significantBuffalo draft pick in more than two decades. Though Pollock went undrafted, the snub paved the way for him to spend his summer inCalifornia, get exposed to wood bats for the first time in his career and mature into a more-complete player. He hit .323-6-32 and played a pivotal role in all phases in leading Top Speed to a Pacific West championship in the league’s inaugural. In addition to being the best athlete in the league, Pollock was a sparkplug at the top of the lineup for Top Speed and excelled defensively in center field. His combination of 6.5-second speed and raw power made him a multi-purpose threat in his leadoff role, though his base-stealing prowess was compromised most of the summer because of a nagging case of shin splints and a sore Achilles heel that caused him to miss eight games. He swiped just nine bases. Pollock is capable of hitting balls extremely hard, especially to the gaps, but the one tool that may truly set him apart is his exceptional throwing arm. He has been clocked as high as 99 mph on his throws from the outfield in workouts, though he has shown a reluctance to cut loose in game conditions and was clocked at just 82 mph in a one-inning experiment on the mound. In the final analysis, Pollock projects as a power-hitting left fielder.
2. GRANT McCOURY, rhp, Top Speed Baseball (Wingate, N.C./SR in 2013)
SCOUTING PROFILE: Intriguing two-way talent, but didn’t distinguish himself as an OF (0-for-17) or RHP (0-1, 5.21, 19 IP) in limited looks as a JR at Elon, prompting his decision to transfer to D-II Wingate (N.C.) for SR year; flashed power arm with 90-93 FB as all-star closer for Top Speed, though lacks command of second pitch; also flashed power at plate (.253-6-22 in 79 AB).
3. ADAM BRAY, rhp, Top Speed Baseball (South Dakota State/SO in 2013)
SCOUTING PROFILE: League’s dominant pitcher, set pace in wins (8-1), ERA (1.37), strikeouts (62) on heels of 3-3, 4.31 freshman season (65 IP, 24 BB/48 SO) as starter at South Dakota State; CU is go-to pitch, also has excellent control/command of 3-pitch mix, knows how to pitch; FB in 86-89 range and he must add velo to become legit candidate in 2014 draft.
4. JAKE BUTLER, rhp, Top Speed Baseball (St. Francis, Ill./JR in 2013)
SCOUTING PROFILE: Tall, lanky (6-3/195) RHP has excelled in two seasons at NAIA level (combined 18-3, 2.59); went 4-2, 3.97 on summer (45 IP, 26 BB/43 SO), utilizing 87-89 mp FB with excellent movement, solid off-speed pitches; throws strikes, but struggles with inconsistent command; FB should top out in low-90s with added weight on lean frame.
5. STEVEN KNUDSON, 1b, Top Speed Baseball (Canada, Calif., JC/SO in 2013)
SCOUTING PROFILE: Pacific West HR leader with 12, while hitting .293 with 45 RBIs, also fanned 57 times; has legit power to all fields with extremely fast hands through zone; oversized frame, and may need to lose 20-30 pounds to develop into legit prospect; hit .303-8-41 as JC freshman, but sitting out fall with shoulder injury from swinging bat, should be good to go again by spring.
6. JOEY HAVRILAK, of, Auburn Wildcats (Akron/red-shirt SO in 2013)
SCOUTING PROFILE: Hit modest .280-1-11 (9 BB/35 SO) as red-shirt FR last spring for Akron, but made big strides at plate during all-star summer for Auburn, hitting .335, slugging eight homers (second in league), driving in league-best 48 runs; intriguing gap-to-gap power from left side, exhibits good bat control, but size (5-10, 175) may limit home-run production.
7. CASEY LEVY-TULLOCH, 3b, San Francisco Seagulls (JC of Marin, Calif./SO in 2013)
SCOUTING PROFILE: Upstaged on own team as hitter by league player of year Roger Fonseca (.401-1-27, 16 2B, 22 BB/12 SO), but younger Levy-Tulloch (.309-5-39) has good pitch selection at plate, more natural power in lefthanded swing, better raw upside generally in 6-1/200 frame; needs work on fielding/throwing to solidify future at hot corner.
8. ROBERT COVARRUBIAS, rhp, California Glory (Viterbo, Wis./JR in 2013)
SCOUTING PROFILE: Pitched sparingly for California JC power San Joaquin Delta as SO (0-0, 4.91, 15 IP, 10 BB/15 SO), but 6-3/200 RHP pumped FB steadily into 88-91 mph range during summer, went 4-2, 3.56 (56 IP, 21 BB/49 SO); has intriguing arm, but must work on commanding off-speed stuff as FB is only pitch he can consistently throw for strikes.
9. ANTHONY CARINGI, rhp, California Glory (Niagara/JR in 2013)
SCOUTING PROFILE: 6-2/180 RHP arrived with limited fanfare after 2-2, 5.68 sophomore season for Niagara, but immediately opened eyes with FB up to 91, off-speed pitch he threw consistently for strikes; velo eventually dipped to 86-88 mph with heavy summer workload, but posted 3-3, 2.64 record with 56 SO in 58 IP; needs to get stronger to maintain consistent arm speed.
10. MATT FONTAINE, rhp, California Glory (Cal State East Bay/SR in 2013)
SCOUTING PROFILE: Worked just 2 IP in spring as Fresno State JR, but impressed scouts in summer with heavy FB in 88-92 range, went unbeaten in seven appearances for Glory (4-0, 3.86, 28 IP, 15 BB/23 SO); 6-3/210 RHP has transferred to D-II Cal State East Bay for SR year, will need to continue to work on throwing off-speed stuff consistently for strikes.
