Day 2: Today, I decided to check out the 14U-16U teams. I spent five years coaching at the Division I level and recruiting players was one of my favorite parts about my job. So consider me to be your assistant, here are are my recruiting notes:

Texas Blaze 14U 
NUMBER | NAME | POSITION(s) | BATS/THROWS
2019

• #41 Nicolette Ramirez | 2B/SS | R/R: Nicolette hit a a stand up double to left center driving in a run. Spark plug, high energy, always moving, and covering or backing up with runners on. Her eyes are up on defense. Positive presence on the field. Seems like a player that the other players know they can depend on to get the job done. I see leadership qualities in the making.
• ​#4 Taylor Bachmeyer | Pitcher | R/R:  She's like a little Taryne Mowatt. Athletic pitcher, strong presence, energy and compete factor. Good velocity with visible internal drive to get the batter out. Mostly up and down pitcher. Her curve tends to stay flat. I would recommend that she focus on spinning the ball and hitting her spots over and over and over again. I can see Taylor becoming a dominant pitcher in the Texas Blaze organization.

2020

• #00 Ariana Villa | 2B/SS | L/R: Solid left handed hitter with above average speed. Hit a triple to left. Ariana hitting frame in the box is strong. Bat speed is above average. Needs to polish throwing mechanics. She tends to push the ball.

St. Louis Chaos 14U
2019

• ​#33 Gabi Deters | C/SS | R/R: Gabi was the first player I noticed when I saw Chaos playing. Strong, muscular build, in a text book catcher's squat. When she squats, she gets her butt low just above ground. Smooth throwing mechanics with quick snap throw. Gabi has a relaxed presence behind the plate. Frames well and she is not afraid to throw and pick off from the knees. Her swing path is good. I would like to see her firm up her front side a little more in her swing. She has potential to be a power hitter. One of the best uncommitted all-around catchers I saw in 2019.
• #13 Rylea Smith | OF/2B/SS | L/R: Rylea is the player that will make something happen when she's on the bases. Small in stature but is electric on offense. She is super quick and gets great reads on the ball on the bases. I see her looking for every opportunity to take the next base. One of the best baserunners I saw among a lot of bad baserunning. 
• #21 Emma Nichols | P/1B/OF | L/L: True lefty, one of the strongest hitters on Chaos. Disciplined at the plate with a great swing path. On the mound, I would recommend she focus on gaining tighter spin on her pitches. Her pitches were a little flat.

Virginia Legends 16U
2018

• ​#00 Kendra Allen | SS/3B/OF | R/R: Kendra is flying under the radar. She has solid swing mechanics and a strong athletic build. She was 2-3 against Chaos hitting hard line drives. Need to keep watching this one. 

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Jersey Intensity 14U National
2019

• ​#1 Leea Hanks | CF/LF | L/R: Leea has great speed and quickness. Very light on her feet. First at-bat she got on by drag bunt and then stole second. I envision her being a solid two hole or nine-hole hitter. Some of you may be saying, "9-Hole?" Yes, the 9-hole is a very important part of the lineup. Ask any college coach. The 9-hole is like having another lead off hitter who can turnover your offense. 

2020​

• #18 Jayda Kearney | CF/1B | R/R: Jayda ran down a ball in center field that I thought was going to fly over her for sure, but she ran it down making an amazing diving catch. She is still growing and has a strong athletic physique. Jayda hit a double in the left center gap. 
• #11 Karina Gaskins | 3B/OF | R/R: Karina can straight up bomb the ball to all sides of the field. She is quiet and controlled in her load. Karina's first move on defense is with her upper body, which limits her lateral movement and range. If she can gain better reads and push off, she could be a better third baseman. May want to get her working at first base if her footwork doesn't improve. Basketball would be a great alternative for working on improving footwork. 

Firecrackers - Young 14U
2019

• #29 ​Gisele Tapia | 2B/OF | L/R: I asked if it were the 7th inning, tied game, bases loaded, with two outs, "Who would be the hitter you want to be up?" Gisele was the one. A lefty hitter, she was 2-3 with a single and a homerun over the ESPN Field #1 fence. This kid can swing it and is a gamer. Her hitting coach is Robert Young. Solid second baseman who you need to start watching today.

2020​

• ​#12 Thessa Malauulu | 3B/SS | L/R: Quick first step on defense and solid throwing mechanics. Very athletic. I would recommend that she focus on hitting for power. Her barrel tends to lay too flat at launch position which generates less bat speed and power. I recommend at launch she get to a 45 degree angle with her barrel. See picture below. 

Photo: USSSA Pride

​Team to Watch: Jacksonville Storm - Davis
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Videos coming soon...