In preparation of this weekend’s Future Star Series International week, Michael Marino and myself will preview the rosters for both the National and International squads giving you a brief overview of what to expect from each of these athletes over the weekend. Top end players across the board on both squads as well as some less heralded up and comers who are worth your attention. We’ll go position group by position group previewing the talents on both squads.
Today we’ll start with the position players on the National squad, highlighted by top talents like Ian Moller, Braden Montgomery, Cam Collier, and Josh Pearson. With two days of looks coming we’ll keep the notes brief and save the deeper analysis for the forthcoming live looks.
Future Stars Series: International Week - National Team Position Players
Christopher Bernal, C | McAllen HS | McAllen, TX | Commitment: Texas State | Class 2021 - Prospects Live 200 Rank: N/R
A catcher with a compact frame, and good strength throughout, Bernal is a classic catching prospect. Strong, athletic, and stout behind the plate, Bernal has displayed above average pop times and a strong, accurate throwing arm over the summer. Committed to Texas State, Bernal deploys a simple swing from an open setup. A longer bat path Bernal looks to elevate and smack balls to the gap. Not the quickest bat, but compact strength that should translate to over the fence power at some point.
Blake Burke, 1B | De La Salle | Brentwood, CA | Commitment: Tennessee | Class 2021 - Prospects Live 200 Rank: N/R
Bid bodied, left-handed hitting first base man with reverse physical projection. Burke’s game is predicated on the ability for his barrel to eat. Burke takes big daddy hacks with his rotational upper half, but does a good job of tipping into his lower half with a leg lift timing mechanism. Lofty bat path with the ability to generate big power with his natural physical strength.
Brady Christensen, OF | Elkhorn South HS | Elkhorn, NE | Commitment: Iowa Western CC | Class 2021 - Prospects Live 200 Rank: N/R
A tall outfielder with average skills across the board, and some untapped potential power in the barrel. Christiensen shows average outfield skills and a strong arm. Strong swing geared for flyball contact, and a frame that should add good strength in the coming years. An unheralded prospect with underrated tools.
Cam Collier, 3B | Mt. Paran HS | Austell, GA | Commitment: Louisville | Class 2023 - Prospects Live Rank: No 2023 Ranks
Arguably the most talented at International Week, Collier is the top position player in the 2023 class and has shown he can hang with older talents all summer. A strong physical presence at a listed 6-foot-1 210 pounds, Collier shows juice from the left side. He doesn’t have to swing out of his shoes either, taking free and easy strokes looking to feed the barrel. Primarily a third baseman Collier shows clean actions, soft hands, and a strong throwing arm across the diamond. A high watch this weekend.
Carson Crawford, INF | Cardinal Newman | Rohnert Park, CA | Commitment: Cal | Class 2021 - Prospects Live Rank: N/R
A strong-armed infield prospect from California, Crawford has a swing geared toward flyball contact. He sets up from a slightly open stance, getting into his back hip in his setup, he employs a slight leg lift before a compact swing with a lofty upright finish. Should be a fun showing Friday at Fenway if Crawford puts a few off the Monster in left.
Josh Heath, OF | Lewisburg High School | Lewisburg, PA | Commitment: West Virginia | Class 2021 - Prospects Live Rank: N/R
A physically mature 6-foot-2, Heath has a quick bat and can get to his power on his best contact. Still learning to fully deploy his power to his pull-side. The best of Heath’s contact is up to middle and to the opposite field. It’s a quick bat and there’s already plenty of present strength. A good athlete and above average runner Heath shows the ability to handle an outfield corner long term.
Ian Moller, C | Wahlert Catholic | Dubuque, IA | Commitment: LSU | Class 2021 - Prospects Live Rank: 13th
The most well known position player at Future Star Series International Week, Moller is one of the most highly ranked position players in the 2021 draft, that’s college or prep. He’s one of the best, if not the best defensive catcher in the class, with strong catch and throw skills and an advanced understanding of the game. At the plate Moller has shown well in BP and in game, displaying a patient approach with the ability to mash fastballs into oblivion. One of the top takes this weekend.
Braden Montgomery, OF | Madison Central | Madison, MS | Commitment: Stanford | Class 2021 - Prospects Live Rank: 68th
A switch-hitting outfielder, with legitimate two-way ability as he’s up to 93 mph on the mound. In the outfield the arm plays even louder topping out at 97 mph. Quick-twitch athlete with projection still remaining in his frame. Interested to see the quality of contact Montgomery makes from each side of the plate. He’s shown good pop in the past with exit velocities in the mid to high 90s.
Josh Pearson, OF | West Monroe | Downsville, LA | Commitment: Stanford | Class 2021 - Prospects Live Rank: 88th
One of the top outfield bats in the 2021 prep class, Pearson can best be described as compact athleticism. Pearson’s a plus runner with whippy bat speed and the ability to turn on a pitch and drive it to his pull-side. He generates power and bat speed from a simple trigger that then explodes through his swing. A quiet setup abruptly finished off by a massive follow through, showcasing the torque Pearson easily generates with his excellent timing.
Roc Riggio, INF/OF | Thousand Oaks HS | Simi Valley, CA | Commitment: Oklahoma State | Class 2021 - Prospects Live Rank: 92nd
A So-Cal prep talent with some juice in the bat, and one of the draft’s best names. Riggio’s compact swing is easy to fall in love with. He struggled early at a few events but he brings with him a track record of performance. His setup is geared toward power and he will get to it in games. Plays an average to above average outfield corner and has flashed good instincts at second base.
Eddie Saldivar, INF | San Joaquin Memorial | Clovis, CA | Commitment: Long Beach State | Class 2021 - Prospects Live Rank: N/R
The Prospect Live team is yet to have any looks on Saldivar this summer, so he’ll be on the high follow list. He’s a middle infielder with a good reported 60 times, and a history of hitting in game. Another left-handed hitter with good contact skills, that does a good job of getting into his lower half.
Joey Spence, C | West Bend East | West Bend, WI | Commitment: Notre Dame | Class 2021 - Prospects Live Rank: N/R
A catcher from the Midwest, Spence shows good catch and throw skills, and present power. Spence has a clean and easy swing at the plate with quick hands and good strength to generate bat speed without much effort. High leg lift timing mechanism sets up a compact and lofty swing. Should get to his power and continue to hit as he progresses, due to the succinct operation at the plate. Another interesting prep catcher from the 2021 draft class.
Ryan Spikes, INF | Parkview | Lilburn, GA | Commitment: Tennessee | Class 2021 - Prospects Live Rank: 108
One of the best athletes in the class, Spikes is up to 93 mph on the mound with a slider that will show in flashes. Despite the skills on the bump Spikes is primarily viewed as a position prospect with a variety of skills. It’s a simple stroke that produces power as Spikes looks to go gap to gap and put pressure on fielders with his elite speed. Thats not to say there isn’t really power that shows up in games there is, but his ability to laser line drives to the gaps speaks to more potential power in the future. On defense he’s shown a good first step and natural infield actions. His strong arm plays on the left side of the infield and he looks like a natural shortstop.
Aidan Stewart, INF | Next Level Academy | Flossmoor, IL | Commitment: Missouri | Class 2021 - Prospects Live Rank: N/R
It’s not too often you come across a 6-foot-5 switch-hitting shortstop but the Mizzou commit is just that. A violent swing with a big follow through from each side of the plate, Stewart oozes projection long term as he adds strength to his lean frame. One of the more intriguing athletes in the class with a sky high ceiling.