Class of 2012 shortstop Max Dutto is committed to Cal

Max Dutto, a class of 2012 shortstop from San Ramon Valley High School, has committed to play baseball for the California Golden Bears. Dutto is from Danville, California, and is a rare left handed hitter from a middle infield position.

Dutto hit .422 last year for the Wolves, with a .506 OBP and hitting one home run. He did show solid doubles power, with 7 of them on the year. He also saw playing time as a sophomore, as he hit two home runs for them that year. In terms of batting average and OBP, his stats compare to current Bear shortstop Marcus Semien’s junior stats, as both hit over .400 with an OBP in the .500s. Semien had way more power and was higher in both categories, but if Dutto is a left handed lesser version of Semien, the Bears are still getting a fine player. If he even has an impact close to Semien, then the Bears are blessed.

The scouting report on Dutto is that he’s a plus defender with good range, a good arm, and can make routine and tough plays. He’s also versatile, with the ability to play short along with second base and third base. His speed and ability on the base paths is nothing to write home about, but it’s solid nonetheless. While hitting, he has a quick bat that sprays line drives to all fields and doesn’t make easy pop outs. His swing isn’t going to result in massive power, but he’ll hit for a high average. He has a real overall package of skills; I’d say he has 3 quality tools (baserunning, fielding, arm), one standout tool (hit for average) and one tool that lags behind (power). It’s still the type of player that Esquer and the staff should be going after, even if he lacks power.

With all high school players, there’s the question of if they’re going to go to school, or if they’re going to go straight to the minor leagues. Max is a fine student, and while he’ll probably get drafted it won’t be in the first or second round. Those two usually lead to the player attending their school of choice, and I’m going to guess that Dotto will find his way to Berkeley. The only way he doesn’t, barring unforseen circumstances, is if he’s a first (or second) round pick or gets paid money in that neighborhood.

This is the first commitment that Cal has received since the announcement that the program would meet its demise (and then was reinstated). While we may not reach the level of high quality recruiting we have seen in recent years for a long time, this commitment is a step in the right direction. Hopefully the Bears see plenty more of these commits in the near future. Go Bears!