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Draft  | Story | 12/10/2025

PG Draft: Post-Lottery Draft Targets

Photo: Roch Cholowsky (Ross Turteltaub/UCLA Baseball)
On Tuesday night, the MLB Draft Lottery took place, and the draft order has officially been set for July. With draft slots finalized, teams can now begin narrowing in on the prospects most likely to be available when they are on the clock. From polished college players to high-upside preps, several potential targets are already emerging as ideal fits based on past draft philosophy and finalized draft position. Let’s take a look at potential targets for the six teams that were awarded a lottery pick. 

1. Chicago White Sox

Potential Targets: 
-Roch Cholowsky, SS, UCLA
-Grady Emerson, SS, Fort Worth Christian HS (Tex.)
-Gio Rojas, LHP, Marjory Stoneman Douglas HS (Fla.)



The White Sox took home the top spot at the MLB Draft Lottery, staying true to their spot, with the highest odds to earn the first-overall draft pick amongst lottery-eligible teams this year. This will only be the third time in the entire White Sox franchise history that they will make a first overall pick. The other two instances came when the White Sox selected Danny Goodwin in 1971 and Harold Baines in 1977. While Goodwin did not sign with the White Sox, Baines went on to spend parts of 14 seasons on the southside before being elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. They will get to make their third first-overall selection next summer, and while there’s still plenty of time for things to change, it feels that UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky is the frontrunner to be the 1:1 name. He’s been deemed the best amateur prospect by many and is the early favorite to be college baseball’s best player. If it is not Cholowsky, it’s likely to be prep standout Grady Emerson, who could wind up being selected by the White Sox. Emerson is one of the most toolsed up prep profiles with sky-high upside. Southpaw Gio Rojas may be sixth on the initial PG Draft Board, but it's not out of the question for the lefty to make a move up the draft board. Time will tell, but it’s hard not to believe the White Sox will not take who they believe is the best talent on the board, putting any positional needs aside.

2. Tampa Bay Rays

Potential Targets: 
-Grady Emerson, SS, Fort Worth Christian HS (Tex.)
-Jacob Lombard, SS, Gulliver Schools (Fla.)
-Gio Rojas, LHP, Marjory Stoneman Douglas HS (Fla.)

The Rays haven't had a pick this high since they selected BJ Upton with the 2nd overall pick in 2002. The organization has leaned toward the prep side with their first round selections in recent years and should be in a good spot to get a quality prep here. A pair of high school shortstops in Grady Emerson out of Texas and Jacob Lombard out of Florida are the two that appear at the top of the board currently. Both are potential high caliber players with tools on both sides of the ball. Emerson may have the better hit tool, while Lombard may have more power long term. If the Rays were to sway away from the position player side, prep left-hander Gio Rojas may be a target. While it is rare for prep arms to go this high, Rojas has the profile that may make a team do it. The fastball can overpower hitters, there is feel for secondaries, and the athleticism is obvious. Obviously picking second the Rays should have a bundle of talented players to pick from with plenty of prep targets that fit their mold. 

3. Minnesota Twins

Potential Targets: 
-Drew Burress, OF, Georgia Tech
-AJ Gracia, OF, Virginia
-Jacob Lombard, SS, Gulliver Prep (Fla.)

The Twins dropped one spot, holding the second-highest chances to land the first overall draft pick in the 2026 MLB Draft Lottery. They will choose third, which will be the highest draft choice since they selected Royce Lewis with the 1st overall draft pick in 2017. The Twins have gone college the last two seasons, but selected Walker Jenkins with the fifth overall pick in 2023. The Twins could land a perennial collegiate performer in Drew Burress, especially if he posts another year of gaudy performance. AJ Gracia could be poised for a big year in his new home in Charlottesville. Gracia could move his way up the board as the spring plays out. If the Twins wanted to focus in on a prep talent that could fit their mold, Jacob Lombard could be a potential target at three. Lombard is arguably neck and neck with Grady Emerson, while Emerson will likely be off the board first, there’s no denying that Lombard has plenty of tools and athleticism. 

4. San Francisco Giants

Potential Targets: 
-Drew Burress, OF, Georgia Tech
-AJ Gracia, OF, Virginia 
-Liam Peterson, RHP, Florida

The Giants were one of the big winners of the lottery, jumping all the way up to 4th overall. Outside of Bryce Eldridge in 2023, San Francisco has consistently selected a college player with their first overall selection. If they choose to go the same route here, there could be a few high-end options. Drew Burress might not be available at this point, but if he is, the Giants are sure to be interested. The Georgia Tech outfielder has put up monster numbers throughout his collegiate career and could see a quick path to the big leagues. AJ Gracia is another college outfielder that could be a target. The big left-handed hitter has feel for the zone with a high on-base ability and intriguing power potential. While they have not selected a pitcher with their first pick since 2021, Liam Peterson out of Florida will be a potential option. The big righthander has all the tools to be a successful starter at the pro level and could be the first arm off the board. I expect them to go the college route here and they should have a quality pool of players to select from. This will be the highest selection that Giants have had since they took Joey Bart 2nd overall in 2018.

5. Pittsburgh Pirates

Potential Targets: 
-Derek Curiel, OF, Louisiana State
-Gio Rojas, LHP, Marjory Stoneman Douglas HS (Fla.)
-Jacob Lombard, SS, Gulliver Prep (Fla.)

The Pirates have had a Top-10 pick in each of the last four seasons, and two first overall selections in the last six seasons. The Pirates' M.O. the last few years has been heavy on the prep stars, outside of Paul Skenes, which felt like a no-brainer after his season with LSU. It’s not out of the question for the Pirates to take a college standout, and if they do, it could very well be Derek Curiel, the draft-eligible sophomore with plenty of tools and a top-of-the-order type skillset, with some added juice as of late. If the Pirates stick to their narrative of prep talent, it would be a steal for them to walk away with Lombard or Rojas at this spot. Being able to snatch up Lombard at fifth overall should be viewed as an incredible get for them, even after selecting Konnor Griffin in 2024. It’s hard not to think that Rojas could be on the Pirates' radar as well, with plenty of upside on the mound and a unique operation with bat-missing stuff. It’ll be interesting to see how the board progresses, to get a better feel for who the Pirates could be in the market for come draft day.

6. Kansas City Royals

Potential Targets: 
-Gio Rojas, LHP, Marjory Stoneman Douglas HS (Fla.)
-Caden Sorrell, OF, Texas A&M
-Derek Curiel, OF, LSU

The Royals were another winner of the lottery, jumping up 10 spots to 6th overall. This will be their 5th Top-10 selection since 2020 with an iffy success rate so far. While the organization is usually tied to athletic prep players nearly every cycle, the ones that would be worthy of a Top-6 pick may be off the board already by this selection. Prep left-hander Gio Rojas may not be available either, but if he is, the Royals would be jumping for joy. He is the best prep arm in the class and would be a great selection here. Look out for Caden Sorrell out of Texas A&M and Derek Curiel out of LSU as two potential college bats here. Both have been strong performers at the college level and could be a quicker rise to help an already competitive big league roster. With a successful selection, the Royals could use their lottery luck to boost them into World Series contention for years to come. 

Draft | Story | 12/4/2025

PG All-Americans: Where are they now?

Tyler Kotila
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PG All-Americans - Where are they now? Every year, Perfect Game hosts its All-American Classic, one of the most prestigious honors for high school players across the country. It’s a storied event with 23 years of rich history — between the countless big leaguers who have gone on to produce incredible big-league careers, to future World Series champions, and players from more recent years who still have a whole road ahead of themselves. This week, our PG Draft Team has decided to take a look back at the history of this event over the years. Our scouts on the draft team went through and selected a PG All-American Classic from the past to discuss across three different eras. Over its 23-year history, we have divided it into three eras: the 2000s, the 2010s, and the 2020s. Our Scouts take a look at some of the noteworthy performers from the years they chose, and give a little...
Tournaments | Story | 12/17/2025

15u Tourney All-American Team

Jason Phillips
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Hitter of the Year: Landon Bonner The 2028 class saw many players from across the country take the next step in their development as they entered the High School ranks. There were huge performances from highly ranked players on the PG circuit as well as some under-the-radar guys who burst onto the scene. Landon Bonner came into Sophomore National as a Top 500 ranked player and after an impressive showing, left with all eyes on him as a rankings riser in the class. The left-handed hitting shortstop from The Colony, Texas, had a summer to remember with All-Tournament Team selections in three of his next four events culminating with a historic performance at the 2025 PG 15U WWBA National Championship. The Hebron High School prep went 20-for-24 in nine games for 5 Star Mafia 15U Black with four homeruns and 12 runs batted in. He also scored 17 runs and finished with a mind-boggling 2.500...
Tournaments | Story | 12/16/2025

16u Tourney All-American Team

AJ Denny
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Hitter of the Year: Koa Romero is the Hitter of the Year for the 16u group, as he would come to every premier event of the summer and earn All-Tournament honors (Beast of the East, 16/17u WWBA, Jupiter) in every single one. Over 82 plate appearances, Romero would pump ten homeruns with forty two RBI and sixteen walks, good for a .378 average and 1.339 OPS. The performance on volume at the best events of the year pushed Romero over the edge here, as he’d hit a pair of homeruns in Jupiter (one of them at 112 EV) as an underclassmen and collect double digit hits in BOTH WWBA events with a combined six jacks over the two tournaments. It was a summer that combined performance and winning on the biggest stages for Romero. It’s a quiet left-handed swing that packs a punch. He would reap the benefits of his performances, earning a commitment to LSU and jumping to the #74 prospect in...
College | Recruiting | 12/15/2025

Recruiting Notebook: December 15

John McAdams
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Tucker Rice (27 MS) bumping up to 91; living hi-80s from real fast arm. Good SL @ 77-79 w/ depth & sold w/ intent. Loads of traits & strikes. #WWBA @PG_Uncommitted @PG_DeepSouth pic.twitter.com/DEjFqRcsIY — Perfect Game Scout (@PG_Scouting) July 6, 2025 Tucker Rice, RHP, Class of 2027 Commitment: Alabama Alabama has continued to stay red hot in the recruiting trail ever since August 1st rolled around on the calendar and have continued to stack major pieces in their ’27 class. They dip into Mississippi to land one of the premier arms and one that’s stood out on the circuit for quite some time. It’s a fast arm and the athleticism certainly shines working down the slope. The velocity has continued to tick up over the last calendar year and reached into the low-90s towards the end of the summer. He’s confident in his changeup and the breaking ball is...
Tournaments | Story | 12/15/2025

17u Tourney All-American Team

Vincent Cervino
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There’s a lot of talent throughout this 2026 class, filled with the big-name stars, to talent that spreads across the nation. It’s been a lot of fun seeing these prospects grow and develop over the years, from the days of watching some of these guys at the 13/14u days at events on the circuit, to now where they are all graduating seniors in 2026. There’s been new faces who have popped along the way over the years, even in 2026, where some players who were relatively undiscovered, have come out and made a name for themselves with a statement performance. Between the familiar and the new, there’s a lot of names on this list that are going to be quite regularly talked about on the circuit, and for good reason.  Whether it’s PG All-Americans or not, there’s a lot of names with superstar potential at the next level. We’ve got 14 PG All-Americans...
Tournaments | Story | 12/13/2025

Finest in the Field: Class of 2029

Tyler Russo
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Finest in the Field: Class of 2026 | Class of 2027 | Class of 2028 These guys might just be entering high school, but they've certainly already made a name for themselves on the national circuit, especially with their abilities on the defensive side of things.  C: Xavier Rodriguez (Logansville, GA) Rodriguez is a polished defender with real arm strength behind the dish, while showcasing the ability to impact the baseball with authority to all fields evident by thirty of his sixty-five hits going for extra-bases including seven bombs. He handles high-level pitching extremely well, commands his staff and his offensive prowess makes him a true two-way asset. 1B: Cooper Knight (Buda, TX) Knight is a smooth operator at first base with plenty of range, fluidity and agility in his footwork around the bag. Add-in a rocket for an arm, the ability to change slots and to...
Tournaments | Story | 12/12/2025

Scout Stories: Part 5

AJ Denny
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Best Game I Saw: The Dream NTL 18U vs. MBA Scout Team Murphy Jupiter always brings out the best, and we got fireworks from the jump. Turner Marshall gave The Dream an outstanding 4+ innings of work on the mound, holding a lethal MBA team at bay with Chance Dixon, Derrick Carter, and Ellis Appling providing an offensive spark out of the gate for the Georgia based boys. However, it was only a matter of time before the talent on the other side got going, as MBA erased a 3-run deficit in the 5th to take a 4-3 lead led by a Parker Loew HR. The Dream then took command again in the Top of the 6th, before MBA punched right back with a huge 5-run inning in the bottom half capped off by a clutch RBI single from Matthew Kerrigan, ending a wild sequence with tons of notable performances from two very competitive rosters. Best Tournament Performance I Saw: Surely someone has already brought this...
College | Story | 12/12/2025

College Notebook: December 12

Craig Cozart
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Nebraska Cornhuskers 2025 Highlights: The Cornhuskers were a difficult team to figure in ’25 as they finished with 33 wins, played just .500 (15-15) in the Big Ten but had some big wins at various times during the season and got hot at the right time. They knocked off then #16 Vanderbilt in the second game of the year, beat #5 Oregon State 2-out-of-3 at home in late March and then got hot at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha to win the Big Ten Tournament. They beat Michigan State in a 10-inning thriller before taking care of #4 Oregon, knocking off Penn State and then shutout #13 UCLA to punch their ticket to the Chapel Hill Regional. Head coach Will Bolt has now led his alma mater to three conference titles and three NCAA Regional appearances during his six years in Lincoln. No different than when he was a player, Bolt’s teams play with passion and toughness, this was never more...
Tournaments | Story | 12/12/2025

Finest in the Field: Class of 2028

Troy Sutherland
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Finest in the Field: Class of 2026 | Class of 2027 You like athletes? You like defenders who can impact a game at any given point? Look not further than this class as it's loaded from coast-to-coast with elite defenders all over the diamond.  C: Brogan Witcher, Bakersfield, CA Our scouting staff got several strong looks at Witcher whether that was at the Summer Kickoff, Sophomore National or the Underclass All American Games where he showcased his strong overall skillset and especially his advanced ability behind the plate. His 6-foot-3,180 pound build looks like one that will fill in quite nicely and be that big and physical catcher’s frame. His arm talent is undeniable where he gets it out quick and runs it up to 79 mph on throwdowns to 2nd (1.84 pop). Besides the standout catch/throw ability, we’ve seen him frame/receive strong arms and block it well during...
Softball | Softball Tournament | 12/11/2025

PG Softball "Toys 4 Tots" Fundraiser 18U division

Dave Durbala
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BURLINGTON, IA - 2025 Perfect Game Softball Toys 4 Tots Fundraiser One Day, December 7, 2025. Kicking off the holiday season, six teams participated in this one day, 3 game guarantee tournament in the 18u Division. We would like to thank those that donated a toy, and know that they will be distributed to area underprivileged children through a local charity organization. Following are some of the top performers from the weekend. Earning Tournament MV-Pitcher was Jolee Strohmeyer (2026 Dubuque, IA), a RHP/UTIL with tournament champion Lady Expos Blue. Strohmeyer shows hitters a consistent and repeatable motion and delivery with good use of the legs in the drive phase, and a quick and aggressive arm whip. Working with a six pitch mix of fastball, change-up, rise, drop, curve and screw, Strohmeyer topped out at 60 mph, and showed good movement  as she worked her rise and curve just out...
Tournaments | Story | 12/11/2025

Scout Stories: Part 4

Tyler Henninger
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Scout Notes: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 Best Game I Saw: Hudson Reed (‘26, GA) torches this ball to deep CF for a solo 💣. Generates easy power that plays to the big part of the yard. Middle of the order traits #UBCWest @PG_Georgia @PG_Uncommitted pic.twitter.com/UXqDVFmUBx — Perfect Game California (@California_PG) June 18, 2025 I was fortunate enough to see a lot of highly competitive games with loads of talent on the field, the game that sticks out to me the most was Alpha Prime 2026 vs. ZT National Prospects at the UBC West. The game was an efficiently played affair with arms dominating on both sides. Graham Schlicht was masterful for Alpha, striking out 12 hitters over 5 dominant innings. PG All-American Julian Cazares came out of the pen blowing smoke, touching 97 mph with the fastball. On the other side, Jake Carbaugh surrendered just one hit and...
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