It’s always good to get back to Oklahoma.
Sandlot Scout Day in Tulsa took place on May 27, and while the baseball was top-tier, the journey there was no easy ride. Spring storms across Texas and Oklahoma gave us another travel headache — just like last year, when weather canceled the trip altogether. This year, I pushed through, staying overnight in a hotel and finally arriving about 20 minutes after the workout had started. It was worth every bit of the fight to get there.
Sandlot is a class organization, full of good baseball people. These are folks who’ve played the game, who know the rhythm and grind, and who truly compete for their players. It’s always a strong match with what we do: we’re not about over-showing or sugar-coating. We don’t lie about players or overhype them — we help them. And helping means being honest. It means committing time to the kids and the program, and doing right by the game.
That’s the connection here. Every time we’re on the field together—whether in a tournament, an event, or when players move into our Signature Events—it feels right. This was no exception. The respect shown in Tulsa was appreciated, and I’m personally fired up about Gunner Glad and what this group is building in the Midwest. They’re a cornerstone for us moving forward.
The workout itself was tight. That’s intentional. We don’t roll out 150+ kids — we keep it focused. We zero in on the players in the organization. That’s known industry-wide. And what we saw in Tulsa was no exception: a talented group with upside, character, and plenty of ceiling.
Veteran Returners
Jax Van Valkenburg (2027)
Jax continues to physically mature and show polish at the plate. He might be a 70-grade defender at first base, which is likely his best position long-term. He’s playable behind the plate and passable at third, but his future is with the bat. Jax can flat-out hit. He reminds me of a young Scott Hatteberg — underappreciated now, but a guy who’s going to keep moving forward. His 8-foot-4 broad jump set a personal record, showing strides in explosiveness.
Ryan Angell (2027)
Ryan looks like he belongs on a surfboard in SoCal—but make no mistake, he’s a gamer. He’s shot up four to five inches since the Underclass Premier last September. Long-limbed, athletic, corner infielder who probably fits best at third but can handle second. He competes—tried to pitch through a hairline fracture last year in Connecticut (I didn’t let him). Always smiling, always learning. He’s a sponge with tools and character.
Fresh Faces
Tristan Tomlin (2027)
Brother of Taylor Tomlin (now at Oakland after a strong JUCO career), Tristan has the goods. Athletic, can run, throw, and has real juice in the bat. The body still has projection, and the athleticism stands out. He might be a Drew Stubbs-type with a bit more offensive polish. Obvious pro tools.
Beau Davis (2027)
Two-way guy but a pitcher all the way. Football player, mound presence, and upside for days. Easy fastball with clean delivery. Reminds me a bit of Justin Lange at this stage — maybe ahead of him. All business. Barely said five words all day, but they were all focused on getting better. 80 makeup with real now stuff.
Parker Hayes (2026)
Big body, mature frame, and the arm works. Showed feel for spin and kept the changeup around the zone. There’s a little Dan Plesac in him — old-school presence, lots of years of future value if it comes together. Looks the part and performs like he belongs.
Athletes
Kaysen “The Croc” Fredieu (2027)
Spelled F-R-E-D-I-E-U, but you’ll know him as “The Croc” forever. Forgot his turfs, hit in Crocs in the cage — and raked. Can run, play center, steal bags, and has a real feel to hit. Electric personality, big upside, and a nickname that’ll stick.
Easton Selden (2027)
Athlete through and through. Tested extremely well. Metrics popped, and there’s baseball instinct to go with it. Plays with a presence and will be a fun one to track.
Tommy Lord (2027)
Intriguing bat. Offensively, he’s one of the most exciting hitters I’ve seen all year. Power, consistency, extra-base ability — it’s all there. Reminds me of others in the program who went on to do damage. One to keep a close eye on.
Young Guns
John Tedesco (2029)
Pure upside. Nothing over-refined yet, but everything works. Athleticism is there, and the actions are clean. Perfect developmental profile for a young player with runway.
Jasper Reid (2028)
Another power-upside bat who can throw. May develop some swing-and-miss, but it’s early. Projectable and has the right pieces to keep advancing.
Alexis Monasterio (2028)
This guy kept drawing my eyes—everywhere I turned, there he was, doing something right. Whether it was picking it, throwing, or swinging it, Monasterio stood out. That’s always a great sign. Big upside and feel.
Hidden Gem
Hunter McElhannon (2027)
Small-town kid from Oklahoma. Two-way guy, caught, hit, and then asked if he could pitch. Once he stepped on the mound, it was obvious — this is what he does. Delivery works, the body is in sync, and there’s natural execution without much refinement. The most intriguing guy I walked away thinking about. If he channels it, fall could be very real for him. Long-haul development piece with big potential.
Conclusion
This was a focused, meaningful workout—exactly what we aim for in the Future Stars Series. Sandlot continues to be a true partner, led by people who do things the right way. The Midwest is in good hands with Gunner Glad and the rest of the organization.
The talent is there. The structure is there. And the future looks bright.
Let’s get to work.
- MLB Draft Combine: Tools, comps, and future stars - July 3, 2025
- JUNE: Four countries, 13 cities, and a whole lot of baseball - July 2, 2025
- BOOTH: Sandlot Scout Day Recap - May 31, 2025
