IRVINE, Calif. – The California Collegiate League (CCL) announced the participants for the 2024 CCL Showcase scheduled for Wednesday, July 17 at 7 pm pacific time at the MLB Academy Complex in Compton Calif..The CCL selection committee tabbed five Riptide players and one alternate to represent the South Division.
Every year, the league gathers the top prospects from both the North and South divisions to compete in a showcase event at the MLB Academy facility. There, the top prospects from each team participate in agility drills, throwing and batting work outs for all 30 MLB scouts in attendance prior to the game. The day culminates with a home run derby and a North vs. South all-star-style game.
This season, position players Patrick Hackworth (University of California San Diego), Ace Reese (Mississippi State University), Matt Spear (University of Michigan), Rocco Gump (Northwestern State University), along with pitchers Luis Becerra (California Baptist University) and Andrew Parker (Cal State Northridge) will make the short trip north to the MLB Academy.
The definition of consistency at the plate and in the field, Patrick Hackworth will participate in his first CCL Showcase game.
(Photo Courtesy Dingers Photography)
Patrick Hackworth
After a stellar summer with Riptide in 2023, returner Patrick Hackworth’s (University of California San Diego) consistency for OC this season earned him a spot in the CCL Showcase. At the plate, he maintains a simple approach that allows him to constantly find the base paths. The middle infielder boasts an impressive .446 on-base percentage to pair with a .353 batting average, ranking second behind team leader and CCL Showcase invitee, Ace Reese .
“I just focus on the process and try to have a simple approach,” Hackworth said. “I know who I am. I’m not going to be the guy that hits 450-foot home runs, so I just try to get consistent barrels, go gap-to-gap and stay true to who I am.”
Defensively, Hackworth brings versatility and strong defense to the lineup playing both middle infield spots.
Additionally, his insertion into the starting lineup has led to more team success for the Riptide. Since joining the team on June 18, the Riptide has won 12 of 17 games when Hackworth has started.
Hackworth expressed his excitement getting his first crack at the CCL showcase in his second season with the Riptide.
“I’ve been working hard this season and it’s cool to see all my effort rewarded,” Hackworth said. “It’ll be fun to play some of the guys here too.”
Ace Reese has been a force for the Riptide at the plate this season with a team-high in batting average. (Photo courtesy BJF Media)
Ace Reese
Star infielder Ace Reese (Mississippi State University) has lit up the stat sheet all season long for the Riptide this summer. As a highly coveted player in the transfer portal, Reese missed some time with the Riptide due to college visits. However, the recently committed MSU Bulldog still sits near the top of multiple stat categories despite missing eight games.
Reese leads the Riptide in batting average (.364) and sits tied with Hackworth in total hits (24). His batting average ranks third in the CCL South division behind Conejo Oaks players Justin Rubin and Tommy Kendlinger, also selected to the CCL Showcase game.
Additionally, Reese leads the team in RBI (18) and ranks second on the team in slugging percentage (.500).
Reese, a native of Canton, Texas, arrived in California intent on focusing on his consistency. He has honed in on those small details that put together a successful season with Riptide so far.
“I’ve been focusing on just being consistent in my routine and stacking good days,” Reese said.
Despite joining the Riptide after the season started, Matt Spear’s instant impact behind the plate earned him a spot in the CCL Showcase.
(Photo courtesy Joey Gray Media)
Matt Spear
One of the last players to join the Riptide this season, catcher Matt Spear (University of Michigan) made an immediate impact behind the dish for Orange County.
In the box, Spear has shown a knack for getting on base in his short time with the team. He ranks third on the squad in both batting average (.333) and on-base percentage (.462).
In addition, he has provided strong defense for the Riptide behind the plate. The catcher has not only shown the ability to throw out potential base stealers but also has blocked and caught balls in the dirt from the OC Riptide poitches.
Spear relishes the opportunity to play in the CCL Showcase game and sharing the field with other top players in the CCL.
“It feels good, I have never played in an all-star type of game before, but I’m super excited.” Spear said. “I’m excited to meet a lot of great players at the showcase, so it should be a really good experience.”
Rocco Gump delivered the game-winning hit against the Walnut Creek Crawdads on June 12. (Photo Courtesy Joey Gray Media)
Rocco Gump
Sitting in the heart of the line-up, infielder Rocco Gump (Northwestern State University) sits tied for second (Jake Brown) on the team in hits (20). Gump started a team-high 22 of 26 games for OC.
Gump’s 17 RBI ranks second behind his host family roommate Ace Reese’s 18. His ability to drive in runners in scoring position has played a key role in the Riptide’s success this summer.
“The biggest thing for me is not trying to do too much [with runners on base],” Gump said. “Luckily, I’ve gotten the opportunity to come up with runners in scoring position a lot. I’ve just tried to put the ball in play and let everything else take care of itself.”
Coming from a Southland Conference university with perhaps less attention, Gump invites the opportunity to play in front of Major League Baseball scouts at the CCL showcase.
“It’ll be a great opportunity to showcase my skill set in front of different teams,” Gump said.
Luis Becerra’s reliability as a starter earned him a spot in the 2024 CCL Showcase.
(Photo courtesy Rachael Patin Photography)
Luis Becerra
Right-hander Luis Becerra (Cal Baptist University) established himself as the dominant starter for the Riptide with a 2-0 record thus far.
The starter ranks second on the team in innings pitched (25 ⅓) and stands third in strikeouts (22).
Despite having the second-most innings on the squad, Becerra ranks near the bottom of the team in walks allowed. The Cal Baptist product has issued five walks across his six starts, the lowest among regular Riptide starters. This has helped contribute to a notable 1.22 WHIP.
Team success tends to follow a Becerra appearance. Orange County has won four of the six games he’s appeared in, five of them starts.
Becerra has impressed Orange County Pitching Coach Bryan Evans in the short time the two have worked together this summer.
“He came in pretty mature and knowing how his stuff plays,” Evans said. “He also mixes his pitches up well and he attacks hitters. He’s making the other team put pressure on him and so far they haven’t been able to get to him for the most part.”
Andrew Parker’s outings for the Riptide earned him a spot as an alternate in the 2024 CCL Showcase.
(Photo courtesy Joey Gray Media)
Andrew Parker
Now a month into the season, Right-Hander Andrew Parker (Cal State Northridge) has established himself as one of the top arms on the Riptide pitching staff.
Parker ranks first on the team in innings pitched (30) with seven starts so far this season. In those starts, the Riptide recorded a 5-2 record with Parker surrendering four earned runs across the five wins.
Parker has also found immense success in the strikeout category. The Riptide starter has racked up 32 strikeouts, which not only ranks first on the team but also ranks first among all CCL South pitchers.
The pitcher instills confidence in himself before every start and maintains strong mental fortitude during his outings.
“I just gotta believe that you’re the best guy on the field every time you go out there,” Parker said. “There’s always going to be guys more talented than you, but if you go out there and believe you’re the best and that no one can touch you. So I just have confidence in myself and stay calm.”
Parker will serve as an alternate for the South team and rounds out the Riptide players participating in the showcase.
CCL Showcase Details
To learn more about the 2024 CCL Showcase, which players from the North and South will play and details on where and how to watch, visit the CCL Official Website.
