08/13/2023 - National Showcase - Bowie, MD
RJ continues to show as a prospect with improvements in his baseball abilities. Foot speed has improved as he ran his best 60 time to date, now a 7.25 runner. At the plate, is where he improved the most, now displaying excellent hitting abilities with near pro level power potential has improved through a tall, open setup. Hands are quick (91 mph exit velocity) and work through an aggressive swing path. He stays inside the ball, utilizing all fields with gap-to-gap pop. Power will increase as he utilizes his lower half more efficiently. At 1B, defensive abilities are now well above average as he shows smooth / fluid actions. He displays proper footwork around the bag and is a quality receiver. Feet are active as he attacks ball and plays through with his body. Hands are clean and presents out front. In the OF, he takes proper routes / angles in tracking down balls. He works to get behind balls and plays through with momentum to his target. He utilizes his foot quickness in covering a lot of ground. Throws are accurate but will benefit by building more arm strength through a long toss program.
04/10/2022 - Official College Recruiting Membership - Washington, DC
RJ is an OF/1B prospect who will graduate in 2025. Tall frame athletic build with strength present and room to fill throughout. Primary OF, he creates good fielding angles, with active/efficient footwork, and showed ability to cover ground in all directions. He works through the ball well with a clean transfer off his left foot. Has a loose arm stroke in back as he works into a high 3/4 release point coming forward. Creates good momentum towards target, with accurate/on-line throws into the infield, and an arm velocity up to 72mph. In the infield, he works to center the ball and showed ability to make routine plays. Creates good fielding angles and works behind the baseball with his eyes behind glove. Fields from an athletic fielding position, with ability to pick out hops, and fields out front with a clean transfer. Showed good bag awareness and ability to spin glove side on his throws to 2nd base. At the plate, he hits from an athletic and open stance. He hits into a firm front side, with the ability to keep barrel in the zone a long time, and has a fast barrel through the hitting zone. Hit balls hard to the pull side with a bat exit velocity up to 86mph. With 3 years of continued growth and development, we foresee this 2-way prospect making huge strides on the baseball field.
09/04/2020 - MS All-Region Tournament
RJ is an athletic 1B prospect who showcased his skills during the All-Region Tournament. In the field, RJ shows active footwork and takes good angles to the ball. He gets into a square position and fields the ball out in front of his body. His exchange is clean and he makes accurate throws to his target. At the plate, this RHH sets up in a tall stance with center balance. He gets into his load and drives through well with his lower half. He generates fast bat speed through the zone, producing good gap to gap power. With five more years to develop, RJ has the time and potential to further progress his skills on the field.
07/30/2020 - Summer Pro Training Experience - MD (HS)
RJ continues to shine on the diamond. In the OF, he takes proper routes / angles in tracking down balls. He needs to work to get behind balls more and play through with momentum to his target. Range will increase as he continues to improve foot quickness. Throws are accurate but will benefit by building more arm strength through a long toss program. At the plate, he shows a squared setup. Hands are quick and work through an aggressive swing path. He stays inside the ball, utilizing all fields through a line drive approach.
02/29/2020 - Baseball Factory Mid-Atlantic Offensive Skills Training - Columbia, MD (Ages 12-14)
RJ is a strong (5'9"/175) RHH who graduates in 2025. At the plate, he displays a square/athletic stands with centered balance and a solid base. He has smooth rhythm to load, whips the barrel through the zone and engages his lower 1/2. He squares the ball up and creates hard/consistent contact (exit velocity = 74 mph). Heller is a talented athlete who has a ton of upside.
01/17/2020 - Baseball Factory's Spring Training at Pirate City (Ages 12-14)
RJ continues to show a promising future on the diamond. Foot speed has improved as he ran his best 60 time to date. At the plate is where he continues to show best through a squared setup. Hands are quick and work through a level swing path. He stays inside the ball, utilizing all fields with strength in his swing with gap-to-gap pop. At 1B, he displays smooth / fluid actions. Feet are active as he shows proper footwork around the bag and is a quality receiver. Hands are clean but needs to present earlier and more out front. Range will increase as he continues to improve foot quickness. Throws are accurate, flashing carry but will benefit by building more arm strength through a long toss program. Mental makeup is a plus as he has a great personality, is very coachable and works hard to be the best player he can be.
07/28/2019 - Accelerated Interactive Video Program - Washington, DC
RJ is a 1B/OF prospect who will graduate in 2025. At 1B, RJ moves efficiently and fields in a square position with a firm glove. He makes a clean exchange and gains momentum well on his throws, keeping them consistent with carry through his target. In the OF, RJ shows efficient footwork and fields with a firm glove. He makes a clean exchange and keeps his throws accurate with carry through his target. At the plate, this RHH sets up in an athletic stance and takes a short stride. He gets into his load and produces fast bat speed through the and drives the ball to all fields. Overall abilities can improve with work on the following.
1B
1. Lateral range
2. Present hands out in front
OF
1. Lower fielding position
2. Stay directional when throwing
Hitting
1. Smoother rhythm
2. Level swing path