Area Code Games: Matt Bush Stands Out

Previous: Day Two Report

By Josh Boyd
August 7, 2003

LONG BEACH--It's amazing how long days in the sun can make players start to run together after you've watched three or four games in a row. That's why scouts are always looking for a player to separate himself from the rest of the draft pack.

The moment of separation at the East Coast showcase in Wilmington, N.C., last week came when Jay Rainville and Mark Rogers lit up the radar gun with mid-90s heat. Two years ago in Long Beach, a pack of stars including Scott Kazmir, Clint Everts, B.J. Upton, Delmon Young and Sergio Santos stood out. Last year, no one was above the rest, according to most accounts.

This year's crop was getting the same rap--until yesterday. Already considered the top position player at the Area Code Games, Mission Bay (Calif.) High's Matt Bush took the mound after playing six innings at shortstop. His first pitch was 94 mph and he sat at 93-94 in his one-inning stint. With an ultra-quick arm out of a compact delivery, Bush also broke off a plus curveball, one of the best of the week.

Bush's two-way ability will draw a lot of attention from colleges, where he could come in to close games out after starting at shortstop just at Jesse Crain did at Houston. (Crain is now a top Twins prospect on the verge of a callup Triple-A).

Pro scouts won't rule out drafting Bush as a pitcher because his fastball grades out at 70 on the 20-80 scouting scale and his breaking ball gets a 60 as a 17-year-old. But his height, and his ability to hit for average with a little pop, will have the majority of teams taking a longer look at his bat.

At 5-foot-10, he isn't the ideal size for a shortstop, and he doesn't even run average down the line. That has not been a concern because his first-step quickness in the middle of the diamond makes up for his lack of pure speed. He has soft hands and a well above-average arm.

Double Trouble

Bush isn't the only two-way stud who will stir debate in the scouting community. Serra (Calif.) High's Chuck Lofgren is starting to earn comparisons to last year's Area Code Games standout, Ryan Sweeney.

Sweeney, who was drafted in the second round by the White Sox in June and signed as an outfielder, had a 91 mph fastball and good breaking ball from the left side. Most scouts favor Lofgren's powerful left arm over his power-hitting potential from the left side of the plate, but if he stumbles at all on the hill, he too could have a future as an outfielder. Lofgren displayed tremendous raw power with natural loft in his stroke in Wednesday's batting practice. On Tuesday, he hit 90-91 mph and spun a tight, 72 mph curveball for strikes.

On The Offensive

Kennewick (Wash.) High infielder Steve Marquardt has been stinging the ball so far. A righthanded hitter, Marquardt comes from a baseball family that has produced two other brothers who were drafted. He profiles for third base and already has plenty of pull power. He has a quick bat and strong hands and showed the ability to make adjustments and stay back on offspeed stuff.

While Clear Creek (Texas) High third baseman J.P. Padron is still the only one to hit a home run in a game, Villa Park (Calif.) High's Mark Trumbo and Chandler (Ariz.) High's Jonathan Poterson hit balls over the fence during BP. Trumbo had been better known for his live arm than his bat.

Buchanan (Calif.) High catcher Dominick Foster and Arlington (Calif.) High first baseman Lucas Duda flashed as much raw power as any sluggers in the showcase.

Injury Update

• Righthander Homer Bailey, who had been the top-rated pitcher in the Area Codes, reportedly returned home to Texas to have his knee examined by doctors at Texas A&M. Bailey left his only appearance after tweaking his right knee on his fourth pitch.

• Hickory (Va.) High shortstop Justin Upton, B.J. Upton's younger brother, left Wednesday's game after twisting his ankle trying to hold up his feet-first slide into third base. Upton, who had struggled defensively at shortstop, started the game in center field.

• Magnolia (Texas) High righthander Ryan Mitchell, who like Upton is a rising junior not eligible for the draft until 2005, watched his stock soar when he pumped 92-93 mph heat with ease. A big, physical pitcher, the ball comes out of his hand easy and his curveball shows plus potential.