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Tournaments | Story | 6/11/2025

Midwest Elite Scout Notes

Perfect Game Staff

Dante Gianino (2028, Columbia, IL) turned in one of the most complete two-way performances of the event, flashing polish, poise, and projection on both sides of the ball. The long and lean 6-foot-2, 175-pound left-hander was dominant on the mound during his 6.0-inning outing against GTS 15U, allowing just 3 hits and 1 walk while striking out 8 in a shutout effort. He worked primarily in the 78–82 mph range with his fastball, commanding it to all four quadrants and attacking hitters with confidence. Gianino consistently got ahead in counts and finished with a sharp breaking ball that had late depth and swing-and-miss qualities. His delivery was clean and repeatable with balanced tempo and smooth arm action that projects. At the plate, he was just as effective, finishing 4-for-8 with a double, 3 RBI, and 2 walks. The left-handed bat featured a simple, leveraged stroke with the ability to stay on plane and drive the ball to all fields.

Grant Young (2026, Ballwin, MO) delivered a breakout showing for STL Legacy 17U Kessler, emerging as one of the most productive offensive performers of the event. Across seven games, the right-handed hitter went 11-for-24 (.458) with 5 doubles, 3 triples, 10 RBI, and 11 runs scored, while also drawing 4 walks. He worked from a simple, athletic setup with loose hands, showing advanced rhythm and a quick, efficient swing path. Young generated consistent hard contact to all parts of the field and showed a mature approach by adjusting to off-speed while still being able to turn around firm velocity. One of his biggest games came against P2P Millers 17U White, where he went 3-for-3 with two doubles and 3 RBI. The combination of offensive consistency, athleticism, and game-impact tools makes him an uncommitted 2026 follow in Missouri.

Eli Miller (2026, Weldon Spring, MO) caught fire down the stretch at the 17U PG Midwest Elite Championship. Flashing impact potential at the plate and elite production on the final day. The right-handed hitting infielder finished 6-for-21 with 4 doubles, a home run, and 13 RBI. After a slower start, he erupted in his final three games, going 6-for-10 with 4 extra-base hits and 11 RBI. Including a 3-hit, 7-RBI performance against STL Legacy 17U Hunt and a 2-for-4 game with two doubles and 3 runs scored against P2P Millers 17U White. Miller works from a compact setup and stays short to the ball with clean extension out front. He showed quality pitch recognition, quick hands, and the ability to punish mistakes with authority. The strong finish, combined with consistent in-game production, makes Miller a high-upside uncommitted 2026 bat from Missouri.

TJ Bolen (2026, Jackson, MO) brought a confident, steady presence to the box throughout the weekend for STL Legacy 17U Kessler. The 6-foot, 165-pound left-handed hitter finished 10-for-27 (.370) with a home run, triple, 6 RBI, 5 runs, and 5 stolen bases. Bolen showed a compact, efficient swing with excellent rotation through contact, staying balanced and consistently getting the barrel out front. He posted a 3-for-3 game against Elite Baseball Training 17U and followed it up with a home run the next day. His ability to square up quality velocity and make in-at-bat adjustments stood out. TJ was equally effective on the base paths, showcasing both instincts and burst. Bolen’s all-around performance and projectable left-handed bat make him an intriguing uncommitted 2026 follow.

Nicholas Firle (2026, Franklin, WI) turned in a well-rounded and productive showing at the 17U PG Midwest Elite Championship. The 5-foot-8, 150-pound left-handed hitter finished 7-for-15 (.467) across six games, including a 4-for-4 effort against Wow Factor DTA Chicago West with 2 RBI and 2 runs scored. He collected both a double and a triple over the weekend, driving in 6 runs in total. Firle worked from a quiet, balanced setup and utilized a compact, controlled swing to consistently square balls up. He displayed great plate discipline, drawing 7 walks to just 2 strikeouts, while showing strong pitch recognition and feel for the strike zone. His ability to control at-bats and make consistent contact makes Firle a polished uncommitted 2026 follow out of Wisconsin.

Blake Yankowski (2027, Elmhurst, IL) turned in one of the most dominant pitching outings of the event. Tossing 6.0 shutout innings against Sanford Sports Academy 16U Red with 10 strikeouts and just 3 hits allowed. The 6-foot-1 right-hander worked efficiently through a 96-pitch outing, attacking hitters with a fastball in the 78–82 mph range that showed riding life through the zone. He paired it with a quality curveball in the 64–68 mph range that had depth and shape, working as an effective secondary pitch to generate weak contact and whiffs. Yankowski established tempo early and showed a clean, repeatable delivery with solid pitch sequencing. He filled the zone at a 61% clip and worked both edges with intent, commanding the game from start to finish.

Owen Wilde (2028, St. Elizabeth, MO) delivered one of the most electric mound performances of the weekend for STL Legacy 15U Gianino, striking out 8 over 3 no-hit innings. The 6-foot right-hander needed just 52 pitches to cruise through the lineup, flashing an advanced mound presence and clean mechanics. He sat 83–86 mph with the fastball, touching 90 mph with riding life and late carry through the zone. Wilde worked the corners effectively and elevated when needed, keeping hitters off balance. He also showed a sharp 66 mph curveball and a late-breaking 74 mph slider that played as a legitimate out pitch. With a live arm, projectable frame, and the ability to command three quality pitches, Wilde has immense long-term upside and is firmly on the radar as a premier 2028 arm.

- Brayden Powell

Grant Pollard (2027, Omaha, Neb.) delivered his biggest performance of the weekend in a high-leverage moment for the Nebraska Prospects. The right-handed hitter continues to prove reliable out of the top of the order and showed off traits that really stood out in this past weekend's showing. Pollard finished the championship game 2-for-3 with a double and two RBI, including the game-winning swing — a shot off the top of the fence in right field that plated both runs. He starts with a wide base and transfers weight well through contact, showcasing quick hands and impressive bat speed. The swing was compact with good direction and barrel control, allowing him to do damage to all fields. Pollard’s feel for the barrel and ability to produce in big moments were clear in this look. The hit tool is already dependable at a young age, and there’s projection ahead as he continues to develop physically. Strong all-around showing from the uncommitted '27 who continues to trend up early this summer.

Adrian Contreras (2027, Wayne, Neb.) showcased a composed presence on the mound and stood out with a polished two-pitch mix. The right-hander worked in the 78–81 mph range, topping out at 82 mph with his fastball, showing good feel for the corners and the ability to get ahead in counts consistently. He creates tough angles with his delivery and used his fastball to generate weak contact early in counts, keeping hitters off balance. The command and tempo stood out, as he was able to work efficiently while attacking the zone. Contreras also flashed a breaking ball in the low 70s that showed solid depth and late tilt. The pitch offered a quality change of pace and helped him miss barrels with regularity. With clean mechanics, poise, and a sharp fastball-curveball combo, Contreras continues to show upside and pitchability as a right-handed arm to follow in the 2027 class.

Vince Lato (2027, St. Louis, Mo.) impressed with a mature approach at the plate and delivered a quality showing out of the middle of the St. Louis Naturals lineup. The right-handed hitter went 2-for-3 Saturday with a double and showed the ability to produce in key moments. Lato stays calm and collected in the box, showing a quiet load and the ability to keep his weight back while staying short to the ball. He gets the barrel out front with quick hands and drives the ball with authority through the middle of the field. The swing is compact and repeatable, with present bat speed and a solid feel for timing. Lato showed an ability to do damage when he gets pitches in his zone, with gap-to-gap power beginning to emerge. With a strong presence in the box and a hit tool that continues to trend upward, Lato is a right-handed bat to watch closely in the 2027 class.

Adrian Norris (2027, Omaha, Neb.) stood out with one of the more electric arms of the weekend, showing advanced velocity and physicality on the mound. The 6-foot-3, 203-pound right-hander has a highly projectable frame with strength already present and more likely to come. Norris ran his fastball up to 87 mph, sitting consistently in the 83–86 mph range with late life through the zone. He showed the ability to command the pitch to both sides of the plate and worked aggressively ahead in counts. The velocity played well up in the zone, generating frequent swings and misses. He also mixed in a breaking ball in the 62–67 mph range that showed moderate depth and developing shape. The pitch gave hitters a contrasting look and helped him maintain unpredictability throughout his outing. With size, arm strength, and a developing secondary mix, Norris offers considerable upside on the mound and is one of the more physically impressive arms in the 2027 class to follow closely this summer.

Jackson Elliot (2028, St. Charles, Mo.) showcased advanced pitchability and presence on the mound, standing out as one of the more dominant arms of the weekend for STL Legacy. The right-hander worked consistently in the 78–82 mph range with his fastball, attacking the zone with intent and showing the ability to locate all four quadrants. Elliot established early command, using his fastball to get ahead in counts and induce a steady mix of swing-and-miss results and weak contact. The pitch played with sneaky life and was effective both up in the zone and on the edges. He paired the fastball with a breaking ball in the 65–70 mph range that showed promising depth and shape. The pitch served as an effective change of pace, helping him keep hitters off balance and expand the zone when ahead. With a clean, repeatable delivery, advanced command, and feel for sequencing, Elliot continues to trend upward as a polished right-handed arm in the 2028 class with plenty of long-term upside.

Max Epple (2027, Chaska, Minn.) showed advanced offensive tools during his look this weekend and was one of the more impactful right-handed bats in the lineup. He went 2-for-3 with a double and a triple Sunday, flashing extra-base ability and run-producing potential. Epple presents the barrel early and stays connected through the zone with quick hands and strong bat speed. The swing is compact and repeatable, with the ability to drive the ball to all fields. He showed gap-to-gap strength and the ability to elevate when he gets extended. There’s a solid blend of barrel accuracy and impact potential in his offensive profile, and his ability to square up velocity and find extra bases makes him a bat to watch in the 2027 class. Epple continues to trend upward with a confident, aggressive approach at the plate.

Henry Beuligmann (2027, Saint Louis, Mo.) delivered one of the more impressive offensive performances of the day, showcasing advanced barrel feel and extra-base impact out of the right-handed box. The third baseman went 3-for-3 with two triples and an RBI Saturday, flashing both consistency and power potential. Beuligmann presents the barrel early and works through the zone with a clean, efficient path. He maintains a strong swing plane that allows him to lift the ball with intent and drive it to all fields. There’s clear bat speed and strength behind the swing, with the ability to find the barrel in multiple zones. His balance and approach in the box stood out, and the ability to turn around velocity while spraying line drives with carry adds upside to his offensive profile. With impact contact and projectable traits, Beuligmann is a right-handed bat to follow closely in the 2027 class.

Breylin Burgos Concepcion (2025, Charlotte, N.C.) put together a strong offensive showing, standing out with advanced bat speed and run-producing ability from the right side. He went 2-for-3 Saturday with a double and drove in three runs, flashing impact traits in the middle of the order. Concepcion generates serious whip through the zone, creating loud contact with a fast, leveraged stroke. He presents the bat early and stays through the ball well, allowing him to drive it with authority into both gaps. The swing shows intent and adjustability, with good rotation and balance through contact. There’s present strength and explosiveness in the box, and his ability to find barrels with consistency makes him a dangerous bat in RBI situations. Concepcion’s combination of bat speed, impact potential, and mature approach makes him a name to follow closely among uncommitted '25s.

- Jake Terrill

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