LATEST PG SHOWCASE REPORT
2006 California Showcase-Aug 26 & 27
Ryan Dent is a 2007 MIF with a 6'0'', 185 lb. frame from Long Beach CA, who attends Woodrow Wilson HS. Selected as the Top Prospect in this event. Dent has a pure athlete body type, with lean, sinewy strength, twitchiness, and explosiveness. He is a plus runner and can get to top speed in just a couple of steps. Pick a sport and he is probably exceptional. At the plate Dent was impressive with not only his tools, but his approach as well. He has plus bat speed and hits from a very quiet approach. He was willing to hit where he was pitched and banged hard line drives from the right field line to the six-hole. Dent has some steepness in his swing plane that creates a lot of spin off the bat and in time will result in a lot of carry. He is short to the ball and with his penchant for hitting hard line drives and ground balls, combined with his plus speed, he can put big time pressure on the defense. In time he will learn to lift the ball a little more, and when to pick his spots to do so. Defensively he has nice actions and light feet. He has range and foot speed that certainly belongs in the middle of the diamond. His hands are good and he sets-up to the ball well. Dent has plus body control and with his athleticism, he should overcome a tendency to lay back too much on ground balls, particularly when at shortstop. In any case, he committed to UCLA and now will be in the list of crosscheckers this spring.