Draft Preview: WWBA World Championship

2021 MLB Draft: Top 300

WWBA World Championship Pool Preview | WWBA World Championship Event Page

Braden Montgomery, of, East Coast Sox 2021 Founders Club (43)
Montgomery was well known coming into the 2020 summer, but his performance in terms of the development and consistency of his hit tool, in particular from the left side, saw him climbing boards throughout the circuit. Another big performance with the stick at WWBA could loft him even higher, into the first round range. (BS)

Malakhi Knight, of, Canes National/Mets Scout Team (39)
You’d be hard-pressed to find a prep outfielder who rose up in the way Knight did this summer, hitting in the middle of the Canes lineup and putting on big performances showing off his athleticism and power. It’s a pretty rare combo of potential power in centerfield, and with continued performance at WWBA, his stock could continue to rise. (BS)

Thatcher Hurd, rhp, FTB/SF Giants Scout Team 2021 (64)
Hurd jumped onto the national radar in a huge way back at PG National in June and continued ascending boards throughout the summer. As one of the top arms in attendance this weekend at WWBA, Hurd’s start will be as heavily attended by scouts as anyone’s, and he’ll have the opportunity to continue elevating himself towards the first round. (BS)

Camden Hayslip, of, Canes National/Mets Scout Team (76)
Hayslip’s impressive combination of left-handed raw power, physicality, and athleticism stood out for him in a big way over the course of the summer, but as is the case with every prep bat, he has to continue proving to scouts that he can hit. This weekend will provide no better opportunity for him to do just that, and if he has a loud weekend, that stock will continue to rise. (BS)

Casey Saucke II, ss/rhp, North East Baseball National (99)
Picked as a PG All-American after a strong PG National performance, Saucke had a solid summer but really jumped out to scouts with the power display he put on at the All-American Classic. With good peripheral tools and a chance to hit, if Saucke puts that power on display in game play this weekend, he’ll see his name continue to climb relevant draft boards. (BS)

Treylen "TJ" White, of/1b, FTB/SF Giants Scout Team 2021 (210)
White caught fire with the bat this summer, showing huge power from both sides of the plate and showing it off in game play, most importantly, hitting bombs at a few different stops on the circuit. He’s still a bit under-the-radar as far as the national draft radar, but hitting in the middle of the lineup for one of the best teams in attendance is yet another chance for him to show off and rise up. (BS)

Projection Picks

There are always sleepers in a draft class and while these players are obviously extremely talented, they’re prime candidates to break out at the WWBA World Championship. With big performances over the weekend these prospects can vault themselves into major high school draft candidates.

Caden Vire, lhp, Baseball Northwest 2021 (NR)
There is a good amount of talent out of the Pacific Northwest this draft year and Caden Vire was one of those impressive prospects. The athleticism, angle, and stuff make him a fascinating prospect with an upper-80s fastball and good breaking ball along with a very model-friendly age of just seventeen on draft day; with an uptick of stuff there will be no shortage of suiters for his services next summer. (VC)

Mason Guerra, ss, Baseball Northwest 2021 (127)
A big performer at Area Codes, Guerra is another Pacific Northwest draft prospect who’s drawn rave reviews for his ability to hit. Prospects from lesser-scouted parts of the country tend to get overlooked but this shouldn’t be the case with Guerra who has real tools along with bat speed and offensive upside to monitor this weekend. (VC)

Elijha Hammill, ss, Dallas Tigers 2021 Hernandez (202)
Hammill is a Canadian prospect who made his name as an underclassmen on the Canadian National Team and will look to be a shot in the arm for an already talented Dallas Tigers team. He’s got great athleticism as well as switch-hitting versatility to go along with a knack for the barrel which makes him an intriguing prospect to watch who can raise his stock with a big weekend. (VC) 

Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz, rhp, Team Mizuno Puerto Rico (NR)
These are our “picks to click”, so to speak, meaning players who are off or under the radar that we think could blow up in a big way. Rodriguez-Cruz is young for the grade with the kind of projectable body and loose, whippy arm that portends to velocity gains. With a strong showing at WWBA and some extra velocity, Rodriguez-Cruz could quickly find his way onto the national draft radar. (BS)

Drew Gray, lhp, St. Louis Pirates 2021 (136)
A talented two-way player as an outfielder and left-handed pitcher, Gray was selected to the PG All-American Classic on the strength of that ability. He had a good summer, obviously, but reports out of IMG this fall have him already gaining velocity and sharpness to his offspeed stuff. If he shows that level of improved stuff in his outing at WWBA, watch for his name to continue to rise up boards. (BS)

Peter Heubeck, rhp, Louisiana Knights 2021 (85)
Heubeck certainly can’t be considered under the radar given his lofty ranking on our draft board after what was a great summer, but he’s definitely among my picks to click this weekend. With a whippy arm, a fastball/breaking ball combination that passes both the eye and metric tests, and lots of projection remaining on his body, WWBA will be a big opportunity for him to continue rising up boards. (BS)

Daniel Brooks, rhp, Canes American/Dodgers Scout Team (121)
Brooks had a huge summer, establishing himself on the national draft scene as an extremely physical righthander with real stuff, and he performed every time he took the mound in various events. WWBA will be yet another test, and should Brooks continue to perform in a big way on the biggest stage in amateur baseball, it’ll go a long way towards continuing to raise that draft stock looking towards the spring. (BS)

The Road Less Traveled

There isn’t one tried-and-true way to approach a senior summer when it comes to your draft status, and these prospects have a chance to make a strong impression heading into their respective springs. Look for these prospects to be playing with an extra edge and earn themselves some rising stock heading into the winter.
 
Roc Riggio, of, Milwaukee Brewers Scout Team (225)
Riggio has been a well-known prospect since his days as a 14u prospect when he was a member of the PG Select Festival. The profile has changed since his younger days and now he’s a hit-first outfielder with real feel for the barrel and the requisite athleticism to project long term. The track record and changes in profile stand out for Riggio who will be looking to make his final stamp on his travel ball career with a strong WWBA World Championship. (VC)

Maxwell Muncy, ss, Milwaukee Brewers Scout Team (75)
We saw Muncy at the PG National over the summer and in the meantime he’s been steadily raising his stock. Muncy, a teammate of Riggio’s both on the travel circuit and in high school, has the potential to be one of the better pure hitters in the class, and with a strong performance this weekend he would have solidified that against the best competition in the country. (VC)

Drew Beam, rhp, VBA/Excel Blue Wave (292)
Beam is a notable dual-sport player who put forth one of the best performances during the 17u WWBA against the Dirtbags over at the East Cobb Complex. The start left scouts, and us specifically, craving more from the prep righthander who’s set to toe the rubber against the Canes in what could be another storied performance and one to continue to improve his draft stock, in the midst of football season no less. (VC)

Mitchell Bratt, lhp, Toronto Blue Jays Scout Team (NR)
One of the unexpected consequences of the COVID pandemic were travel restrictions put in place that made it much harder for our neighbors to the north to come down and participate in the summer circuit. For any myriad of reasons, we haven’t had looks at Bratt all year, who was wildly impressive both last Jupiter and this spring with the Canadian National Team, as this weekend will be a massively important start for the Canadian southpaw. (VC)

Tyler Whitaker, 3b, LVR 2021 (100)
Another West Coast prospect, Whitaker is a prospect who was a PG Select Festival Participant and has raised his stock over the course of the year. With COVID restrictions in place there added the element of uncertainty with regards to travel, but Whitaker performed at Arizona events this summer. The WWBA World Championship will be big for Whitaker, who was once thought to be an arm, as he’s established himself as a legitimate prospect offensively and will be looking to put the cherry atop his amateur travel ball career. (VC)

Jackson Baumeister, rhp, 5 Star National-Black (294)
Baumeister entered the summer having enjoyed a loud prep career to date, but a rough summer in terms of command definitely dropped his stock. Seemingly at full health heading into WWBA, Baumeister will have the opportunity to recoup that draft stock and rocket right back up boards with a strong performance. (BS)

Travis Smith, rhp, Louisiana Knights 2021 (214)
Smith had an eye-opening performance at PG National, showing good but raw stuff that he has to refine in order to really reach his ceiling. Uneven performances this summer left his stock a little in flux, and WWBA is a huge opportunity for him to re-establish himself as sort of a projection pick to click for scouts. (BS)

Caleb Logerwell, rhp, Team Elite/Atlanta Braves Scout Team (NR)
Logerwell is no stranger to PG events, and he’s always shown solid stuff and competed well in his showings. The stuff has taken a step forward this fall as his fastball velocity has creeped up towards the mid-90s, and WWBA is an opportunity for him to show off that uptick in stuff in front of decision makers as it pertains to the draft. (BS)

Crucial Looks

These prospects have flashed some massive potential in abbreviated looks throughout the summer and the pandemic has affected the amateur landscape in a way that makes it hard for families to travel. Whatever the reason, scouts are anxious to get extended looks at these prospects as some posit first round potential.

Calvin Ziegler, rhp, Ohio Warhawks (111)
A Canadian prospect who’s been on the national scene for his second year, Ziegler reclassified from the 2020 class due to the draft shrinking and will likely be preparing for the biggest start of his prep career. The Auburn commit was very impressive at East Coast Pro and he’ll be in front of the most scouts in a year as Ziegler’s start on Thursday is must-watch baseball, especially in terms of his draft stock. (VC)

Ben Kudrna, rhp, Reds Midwest Scout Team (108)
Kudrna established himself nicely as an uncommitted prospect to know at the 16u WWBA a year ago where you flash forward to today and Kudrna has made big strides in terms of stuff over the last few months. He was at PG National where he was undoubtedly impressive but the continued strides he’s made, along with the consistency of performance, set up his start this week as a potential boiling point in his draft stock where it may just shoot through the roof. (VC)

Micah Ottenbreit, rhp, North East Baseball National (157)
One of the best breaking balls in the class belongs to Ottenbreit, whose pure stuff has been close to unmatched this summer. This start will be crucial for Ottenbreit, who’s yet to be able to put all of it together as this looks like his resume is culminating in a potentially explosive performance. (VC)

Eric Silva, rhp, Canes National/Mets Scout Team (156)
Silva didn’t participate in any PG events this summer and was really only seen on the national radar once, so this will be a massive look for not only us at PG, but scouts in general. Silva’s athleticism and arm speed stand out, and his mid-90s velocity and quality secondary stuff showing out on a huge stage could do wonders for his draft stock. (BS)

Marcelo Mayer, ss, San Diego Show (10)
Mayer has long been on the national radar and is viewed as a potential top 10 pick, and was outstanding this summer at the PG All American Classic. This look will be a huge one for scouts as he performs at the WWBA, and we’re expecting nothing but loud things. (BS)

Tyree Reed, of, East Coast Sox Select Founders Club 2021 (44)
COVID forced a lot of travel difficulties for families this summer, and we just have not seen Reed at all in 2020. A super-talented performer on the underclass circuit a year ago, Reed’s left-handed swing portends huge power and his athleticism plays well in the outfield. This is a pivotal look for him, and he’s got a chance to reestablish himself atop prep boards. (BS)

Bransen Kuehl, rhp, Reds Midwest Scout Team (NR)
Kuehl, a native South Dakotan, will be making the journey to Fort Myers to play in his first Perfect Game event. An athletic right-hander, rumors have been swirling of Kuehl touching the mid-90s with his fastball and flashing a plus breaker, so this will be a massive outing for him in front of a bevy of scouts. (BS)

Sean Hard, rhp, Canes National/Mets Scout Team (NR)
Hard has been a longtime performer in PG events, including this June’s PG National. With excellent size and physicality, Hard has always had big arm talent, but some consistency and command concerns kept his stock in flux. The velocity has taken a step forward, and when he toes the slab for the Canes at WWBA, he’ll have a chance to really establish himself on the national draft radar. (BS)

Dennis Colleran, rhp, GBG Navy 2021 (195)
Colleran had a very good summer at a pair of national events in East Coast Pro and the Area Code Games, showing mid-90s velocity with good offspeed stuff and overall physicality. This will be another huge outing for him to continue establishing his draft stock, and his outing for GBG will be heavily attended by scouts. (BS)

All Americans in Action

The Perfect Game All-American Classic selects the best high school talent in the country and a large portion of those participants will be suiting up this weekend in Fort Myers. They represent elite talent for high school prospects and all should be followed closely as the events of this weekend unfold.

Jayden Melendez, c, FTB/Giants Scout Team 2021 (277)
Melendez, the son of FIU Coach Mervyl and  brother of Royals prospect MJ, has an outstanding record as a prep catcher, hitting at every stop over the course of his prep career and looking to put the finishing touches on a stellar prep record. He’s an advanced defender behind the plate with sneaky pop from the right side and Melendez will be seen a lot on the talented Giants Scout Team. (VC)

Edwin Arroyo, ss, FTB/Giants Scout Team 2021 (59)
Melendez’ teammate on the Giants Scout Team, Arroyo is the top prospect out of Puerto Rico for this year’s draft cycle and he’s got a ton to offer. He’ll bat near the top of the order to go along with plus tools across the card including his exceptional glove at short. He’s firmly in the top two rounds as of now and there’s no reason to expect anything different from Arroyo as he’s been a consistent performer who’s tapping into some newfound power. (VC)

Michael Braswell, ss, Padres Scout Team/ECB (102)
Braswell has been a touted two-way prospect since he was fourteen and he’s really blossomed into a legitimate position prospect this year and one of the top shortstops in the prep class to boot. He’s a lean, lanky infielder with excellent actions and a plus arm that might combine to make a plus third baseman down the line. He’ll attack with line drives and be an important cog in the East Cobb hitting machine this year. (VC)

Rob Gordon, ss, Team Elite/Atlanta Braves Scout Team (120)
Gordon is another Georgia shortstop coming off a strong summer, as toward the end of the summer Gordon was beginning to tap into that projectable power. He’s been instrumental in the Team Elite lineup this year and his well-rounded profile with contact traits and surehandedness defensively make him a relatively high floor draft prospect for next summer. (VC)

Carter Jensen, c, Royals Scout Team 2021 (96)
Jensen sometimes gets overlooked with the prep catching prospects but there’s absolutely real upside given his raw power, athleticism, and potential to stick behind the dish. This will be an important weekend in terms of showing his ability to translate behind the plate and barrel balls consistently, but given his performance last year at this event he should be right on cue come his draft year. (VC)

Christian Little, rhp, Team Elite/Atlanta Braves Scout Team (NR)
Little won’t be drafted in 2021 as he’s chosen to enroll early at Vanderbilt come next spring, but that doesn’t diminish the fact that he would have been a terrific prospect and posits some of the best upside in the class. His stuff features a low-90s fastball, an above average curveball, and some of the best prep pitching traits as Little will be enjoying a last hurrah of sorts before heading to Nashville next year. (VC)

Max McGwire, 1b, Trosky National 2021 (243)
McGwire has some of the best right-handed raw power in the class, with the ability to drive balls out of pro parks pull side and hit balls out to all fields. It’s a tough profile as a righthanded-hitting 1st baseman, but McGwire’s power and the potential to perform in terms of his hit tool this weekend make WWBA a huge opportunity for him. (BS)

Rene Lastres, c, Canes National/Mets Scout Team (109)
Lastres has some of the better arm talent of any catcher in the class, with the ability to shut down running games regardless of who is running. He had a very good WWBA 17u this past summer with the bat, showing off good power and performing at a high level, and this weekend in Fort Myers will be another great opportunity for him. (BS)

Drew Christo, rhp, Team Elite/Atlanta Braves Scout Team (140)
Christo had a big summer on the circuit, earning a PG All-American nod and performing well at every stop. With good projection on his frame, scouts are pretty universal in their belief in his upside long term, and a big performance at the WWBA will continue to grow his draft stock where he’ll likely have a decision to make next spring. (BS)

Thaddeus Ector, of, ECB/Padres Scout Team (190)
Ector, who is young for the class, has always performed well in PG events and rode that performance to a PG All-American nod this summer. A switch-hitter with good athleticism and very projectable power from both sides of the plate, expect Ector to continue to hit at WWBA and continue to grow that draft stock. (BS)

Luke Heefner, ss, Dallas Tigers 2021 Hernandez (89)
Heefner has done nothing but hit since we saw him at National back in June, and the strength of that hit tool earned him a nod to the PG All-American Classic in August. With tons of barrel skills from the left side of the plate along with good athleticism and defensive skills in the middle infield, Heefner has been heavily followed by scouts and will continue to be this week at WWBA. (BS)

Daylen Lile, of, Canes National/Mets Scout Team (107)
Lile’s hit tool has always shown up in a big way in PG events over the years, and as he’s aged he’s done an excellent job of improving his athleticism and peripheral tools. With lots to like about the hit tool long term and good extra base power now along with speed in the outfield, Lile’s performance this weekend at WWBA will be huge for his draft stock. (BS)

Underclassmen to Watch

Andruw Jones, of, 643 DP Cougars 18u
Jones is one of the most exciting athletes in the class with a chance for a multitude of plus tools including the run, throw, and glove which already might be 60 grade tools at present. He’s got an innate hittability to go along with plus bat speed that combined with his other tools makes him one of the most intriguing prospects in the class given the upside. (VC) 

Termarr Johnson, ss, Padres Scout Team/ECB
One of the more advanced underclass bats in recent memory, Johnson has been at the center of the national scene since his 14u days and he’s done nothing since then to dissuade his prospect status. With the potential for a plus-plus hit tool, his improved power and impact potential have made him a more complete bat who’s almost assuredly one of the most polished prep prospects. (VC)

Dylan Lesko, rhp, Padres Scout Team/ECB 
Speaking of polish, we might not have seen a prep right-hander with the advanced pitchability and stuff as well as being one of the most cerebral prospects as Lesko. The uncommitted right-hander doesn’t move backwards as he’s always finding ways to advance his game and he’s an early pick to join the hall of legends such as Austin Bergner, Hunter Barco, and Jason Groome to turn in statement starts as underclassmen as he cements his status as the top arm in the class. (VC)

Jayson Jones, ss, Dallas Tigers 2021 Hernandez
Jones had a monumental rise this summer, showing he not only belongs in discussion for top prep prospects in the class, but that he’s right there with the rest of his peers. He’ll be joining a Dallas Tigers club with championship aspirations, as he’s set to fill the role of underclass standout on a championship roster. (VC)

Noah Schultz, lhp, Cangelosi Sparks 2021 Black 
Schultz is a prospect with significant upside being that he took a major jump last year and posits massive upside. Cangelosi is one of the premier Midwest travel clubs as he’ll be a star to watch for sure given his ability to perform his operation so easily, and throw a low-90s heater to pair with a legitimate swing-and-miss breaking ball. (VC)

Elijah Green, of, FTB/SF Giants Scout Team 2021
Green would probably be the No. 1 player in the class of 2021 if he were a member of it, but we’ll wait another year before it’s his draft WWBA World Championship. Regardless, Green will be front and center playing center field for a favorite to win the whole thing, and his collection of all 5 loud tools will be on display every time he steps onto the field. (BS)

Cole Young, ss, Canes 17U Prospects
One of the top bats in the ’22 class, Young has always shown excellent hitting tools from the left side of the plate with loose, easy hands and a whippy stroke that always finds the barrel. He continues to come into power and plays a clean shortstop, and will be fun to watch among a lot of other talented underclassmen. (BS)

Tristan Smith, lhp, Canes 17U Prospects
One of the most talented left-handers in the whole class of 2022, it’s a good bet that Smith will be loud at the WWBA in Fort Myers. He reaches the mid-90s with good angle and a hammer slider, and while he’s continuing to hone his command and throw more strikes, it’s explosive stuff from the left side with first round upside. (BS)

Nolan Schubart, of/1b, Team Elite/Atlanta Braves Scout Team
The MVP of the 14U Select Festival last summer, Schubart has ascended to near the top of the ’22 class on the strength of huge left-handed power, insane power projection, and overall athleticism, not to mention he’s young for the class. He doesn’t need to do anything to keep his stock high as an underclassman, but he’ll have the opportunity to do so anyways. (BS)

Ian Ritchie Jr., rhp, Canes National/Mets Scout Team
Ritchie looks like a first rounder in terms of the 2022 draft, and he’s playing with the main Canes team at WWBA this weekend. With a mid-90s fastball at times and one of the best sliders in the ’22 class, Ritchie has monstrous upside, and he’ll look to put that on display this weekend as an underclassman in front of throngs of scouts. (BS)