The Story
Jake had a strong spring season, showing consistent contact at the plate and excellent range at shortstop. His glove work continues to be a standout tool — quick first step, clean exchanges, and accurate throws across the diamond. At the plate he made meaningful adjustments mid-season, shortening up with two strikes and driving the ball the other way against velocity.
Power is the next area of growth. Jake's swing path is on plane, but he's still learning to turn on inside fastballs. Added strength and intent in BP this offseason will unlock the next gear.
Strengths
Elite defensive instincts at shortstop with plus range to both sides
Consistent quality at-bats — rarely gives away a plate appearance
Plus runner with strong baserunning IQ and good reads off the bat
Vocal leader who sets the tone in the dugout and on the field
To Develop
Pull-side power. Work on hip-shoulder separation drills to generate more bat speed against inside fastballs.
Two-strike approach vs offspeed. Add weighted-bat drills and front-toss recognition work to cut down on chase rate against breaking balls.
Throwing accuracy on the run. Daily long-toss progression plus footwork work on the slow-roller to improve carry and accuracy.