Baseball Beginnings

By John Klima
January 29, 2010

Jake Jelmini isn’t a player that is very well known, but he’s the kind of guy we like to shed some light on here at Baseball Beginnings. A defensive lineman for a football team that won a Southern Section championship, Jelmini reminds me of another South Bay (California) prospect who wasn’t on any prospect lists out of high school.

Jelmini is from Mira Costa HS, which is in Manhattan Beach, better known for its volleyball, surfing and football than it is for baseball. But this is an area I’m familiar with.

Conventional wisdom among area scouts is that the territory is devoid of high school talent.

I disagree with that. I think the talent that comes from here isn’t ready out of high school, because few South Bay baseball players play outside the area throughout their four-year careers. They also, in many cases, play multiple sports.

As a result, the baseball development isn’t as rapid as it is elsewhere in single-sport Southern California. Many South Bay players catch up in college baseball, and there are a few collegians who are prospects with some skills.

This is where scouting mistakes are made. Too many scouts without the experience forget that projection, not performance, is what the job is about. It’s the scout’s job to tell the team who to like, but too many teams tell scouts who to like. The end result is players who have promise but may not be ready out of high school are overlooked.

Of course, the player has to have something. Jelmini provides an interesting case. I think Jelmini got better this Fall. I saw him hit in September, a little unsure of himself. In December, I saw him pole one out of Angel Stadium with wood. That gives you a hint of left-handed power. Now, Jelmini is still raw and needs plenty of innings and at-bats. He’s an incomplete young hitter. He is probably going to be best suited for college baseball. But flashing raw left-handed power isn’t something you find every day, so you have to watch for it when you find it. Just ask Ryan Wheeler. 

Jake Jelmini, 1B
6-4, 205
L-L
Mira Costa HS (Calif.)

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Tall, strong features, long arms and legs, still growing into body and coordination, much physical projection.

STRENGTHS: Raw left-handed power, strong hands and forearms, ability to drive the ball.

WEAKNESSES: Needs to develop consistent approach and shorten stroke. Needs at-bats with wood against good competition. Below-average runner and arm.

SUMMARY: Could develop into LHH first baseman with plus power and physicality. Very raw and inexperienced with wood and against fast pitching, has more athleticism in the tank. Probably won’t be ready to sign in 2010, follow in college. Would like to see on the Cape with wood in a few years. Grades could change with development.

GRADES (Present/Future):
Hit       30/50
Power  30/70
Run      40/40
Arm     40/40
Field    40/50

Overall Future Potential: 50

What the Grades Mean

Categories: '10 Scouting Reports
Tags: Jake Jelmini