Marietta , GA. , July 16-21, 2002

  Naming a top ten from the loaded field is next to impossible.  Many of the nation’s top ranked players are not listed below, even though they played in the tournament.  A top 100 would still miss many of the exceptional prospects on hand at the new East Cobb Complex.  The following list of pitchers and position players received the most votes from Perfect Game scouts and staff.  Over-all talent and tools combined with performance during the week-long tourney were considered in making this list.

    1.     Micah Owings                  6’5/210               P/3B      East Cobb Yankees

Micah wowed the crowd by touching 97 mph the first night of the tournament. He was mostly anywhere from 94-96 mph, several 96s.  In his second outing he was mostly 91-94. He also showed off a powerful bat, which comes as no surprise. A recent high draft pick, Owings will decide between pro ball and Georgia Tech.

    2.     Chris Lubanski                6’3/185                OF          PG Royal

Lubanski ran, hit and hustled his way to the top of this list.  One of the top hitters and base stealers in Marietta .  Playing on the PG Royal team with 6 Team USA team-mates, he put on a show for scouts.  His speed was most evident when he scored somewhat easily from 3^rd base on a wild pitch that was blocked by the catcher with the ball no more than 6 feet in front of home plate.

    3.     Jeff Allison                       6’2/195               RHP        PG Royal

This is the 4^th time we have seen Allison this summer with the same results each time.  Fastball with good life anywhere from 91-96 mph.  Outstanding breaking ball and change up.  Not afraid to throw any pitch in any count.  He was mostly 92-95, lots of 94’s in Georgia .  Jeff is a good athlete and will probably be Team USA ’s #1 pitcher in the upcoming World Championship.

    4.     Matt Manship                  6’1/160               RHP      Ohio Thunder

Manship put on one of the most dominating displays of pitching we have seen this year.  He threw a one hitter, could have been ruled a no-hitter against a powerful East Cobb Yankee line-up.  Micah Owings hit a long fly ball in deep right center that could have been caught.  Manship has one of the best curve balls we have seen in a high school pitcher.  Perhaps he throws too many of them, but he also lived in the 90-93 range with his fastball.  Outstanding command of both pitches.

    5.     Ross Lewis                       6’8/200               RHP        Ohio Warhawks

We have always liked Lewis and he has progressed to the point that we can’t understand what he’s doing in amateur baseball.  He throws from a low ¾ angle with some of the best stuff in the country… Pro or college ball included.  He has three plus pitches with command.  We see him as a future star closer.  His fastball sets in the low 90s up to 94 or better at times, it’s a bat breaker.  His slider is dominating and just plain untouchable at the amateur level.

    6.     Camilo Vasquez             6’0/175               LHP/OF      Florida Bombers

Camilo was drafted this year as one of the many top lefties in high school baseball.  He throws easily in the 90+ range with an outstanding breaking ball.  In Georgia he was named the MVP, but mostly because of his bat.  Vasquez can really hit and he has some serious power.  His future is on the mound, but if anything happens to his arm, the bat could keep him a top prospect.

    7.     Gaby Sanchez                  6’2/185               3B              Florida Bombers

A recent draft pick, Gaby put on an MVP like performance both at the plate and in the field.  He looks more and more like a potential star professional player.  We think he swings the wood just as well as he swings the metal.  His arm is plus-plus, he has soft hands and he seems to be gaining more agility each time we see him.  He hits with plus power and has great makeup.

    8.     Ryan Harvey                   6’5/190               OF/P           PG Royal

Harvey is hard to ignore on any top prospect list.  He made a couple of the most impressive throws we’ve seen, including one while playing centerfield where he went into deep right center, caught the ball over his shoulder, wheeled and threw a dart on a line, in the air, to third base.  We’ve seen him hit better, but he did crush a couple, including one line drive that was still going up when it departed the stadium.  He’s also a plus runner and an outstanding athlete who we’ve seen  throw 94 from the mound.

    9.     Lastings Milledge            6’0/180               OF              PG Royal

Lastings is the #1 ranked “03” player in the nation.  He only played in about half the games in this tournament or he might have been ranked at the top.  He has all the tools and plays the game with a rare combination of grace and power.  When asked for comparisons and though it seems very unfair… We think of Willie Mays.  He has that kind of talent!

   10.    Jimmy Barthmaier           6’4/210               P/OF           East Cobb Yankees

Barthmaier showed his outstanding ability both at the plate and especially on the mound.  An impressive looking 6’4 RHP who lives in the 90s, topping at 94 mph gets everyone’s attention.  He pitches out of a semi stretch position with very little waste in his delivery.  Jimmy also swings a powerful bat and compares favorably to Micah Owings in over-all ability.