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High School  | General  | 5/20/2021

Summer Preview: 2025 LHP

Jheremy Brown     
Photo: Jack Armijo (Perfect Game)
As high school baseball is starting to get going across the country in most regions, with some states actually heading into the playoffs, it all means the summer circuit is right around the corner. Over the past several weeks we have taken a look at the top-ranked players at each position, in each class, while also taking a look at some gut-feel players that could be big risers. With players having more access to individual development, things will undoubtably change at a rapid pace in the early months of the Perfect Game schedule. This provides a good look at some of the top performers coming into 2021 who look primed to continue dominance or make their mark on a national level. 

Class of 2022: Catchers | Corner Infield | Middle Infield | Outfielders | RHP | LHP
Class of 2023: Catchers | Corner Infield | Middle Infield | Outfielders | RHP | LHP
Class of 2024: Catchers | Corner Infield | Middle Infield | Outfielders | RHP | LHP
Class of 2025: Catchers | Corner Infield | Middle Infield | Outfielders | RHP



 


Luke Pappano (Ohio)
 6-0/165, L-L
PG Events: 16
Key Stats: 53 K in 39 2/3 career IP

Short Story: Pappano was working into the low-80s as a 13u arm, peaking around 80-81 mph, but with the flip of the calendar, we’ve seen pretty consistent mid-80s from the young Ohioan and there’s very little reason to think he won’t continue to add throughout the summer. A lean and athletic 6-foot, 165 pounds, Pappano has moving parts to his delivery and some effort at release, but when everything is on, his stuff can rival any as we saw during his outing at the Florida Elite Championships where he struck out seven in four innings of work, surrendering just three base hits. On top of his pitching prowess, he’s also an accomplished prospect with the bat as his .410-1-18 line in 2021 suggests, showing a nice combo of bat speed and fluidity in his left-handed swing.

Big Moment: The 2020 Fall Atlantic Coast Showcase served as Pappano’s coming out party of sorts on the national scene as he was shortly thereafter ranked as one of the top prospects in the country. His fastball was up to 82 mph in the look, though the depth and feel of his curveball was equally impressive before showing quickness to his hands and lift in his swing, driving the ball to his pull side just in case the scouts on hand weren’t already impressed enough. 

Bold Prediction: The command will continue to refine for the young southpaw and as it does, he’ll only be that much more dominant on the mound. He’s off to a hot start this spring with the bat too, so don’t sleep on his impact as a potential two-way prospect down the road. 

Jack Armijo (Calif.)
 6-1/150, L-L
PG Events: 5
Key Stats: PG 8.5 at Cali Workout Camp

Short Story: Still 13 years old for another couple of months, Armijo doesn’t look like your typical 13u level arm at a long-limbed 6-foot-1, 150 pounds, nor does he throw like one, showing intriguing stuff for an arm who was playing on the smaller field less than a year ago. He was a standout last year at the 12u Select Festival where he recorded all three outs via strikeout, making a name for himself, before taking his game to the next level during his showing at the California Workout Camp. Armijo’s fastball already works comfortably in the low-80s, peaking at 83 mph, thanks in part to the looseness and fluidity of his operation, showing advanced mechanics and a present feel for already spinning the ball. 

Big Moment: The aforementioned California Workout Camp was an eye-opener in regard to Armijo’s skill, not only for what he brought to the mound, but for the potential two-way ability that needs to be closely monitored moving forward. Like the arm action, his swing is fluid and smooth, showing present quickness to his hands and strength at the point of impact as evidenced by his 87 mph exit velocity. 

Bold Prediction: Armijo further establishes himself as one of the top left-handers not only in-state, but in the entire country as he’s just starting to scratch the surface of his high ceiling potential. 


Jack McKernan (Texas)
 6-0/165, L-L
PG Events: 12
Key Stats: 86 mph FB, 1:1 K/IP in '21

Short Story: McKernan is on the younger side for the 2025 class, having just turning 14 years old a couple months back, but don’t mistake that for a youthful arsenal on the mound as the Texas southpaw made as much of a jump as any player in the last calendar year. Peaking at 75 mph with his heater last summer, McKernan came out early this spring showing a 10 mph jump, bumping 85 mph in his 2021 debut before touching 86 mph in each of his last two outings. He has struck out 13 batters in 13 innings pitched thus far in ‘21 and even more impressive than the velocity is the life he generates on the pitch, showing some late running life to his arm side that he complements nicely with a sharper breaking ball. 

Big Moment: The South Spring Elite Championship was the first event McKernan threw in this 2021 season and it was the debut of his newly-gained velocity as he worked comfortably in the 81-85 mph range, throwing both a curveball and changeup for strikes. Named the MV-Pitcher for his performance, McKernan threw five innings of two-hit baseball, a span in which he struck out six and walked just a single batter, setting the tone for what’s to come the rest of the summer. 

Bold Prediction: Already ranked as one of the top left-handers in the country as he’s currently No. 36 overall in the class, expect McKernan to continue lighting up the radar guns as he’s rostered for several events throughout the summer. 


David Shields (Pa.)
 6-0/180, S-L
PG Events: 6 
Key Stats: 12 K/2 BB in 9 IP at WWBA Freshman 

Short Story: Shields may not light up the radar guns YET, but it’s only a matter of time before the heater jumps given just how smooth and low effort the operation is. A strong and athletic 6-foot, 180 pounds, Shields comes out attacking hitters on the mound and maintains his velocity especially well into a deep pitch count, a key part of what makes him successful on the mound. Up to 81 mph this past fall, there are reports of the velocity already ticking up early this spring, which’ll pose problems for opposing hitters given his ability to pump the strike zone from a lower slot, generating natural life to his fastball while working to both sides of the plate and landing a breaking ball for strikes.

Big Moment: The WWBA 14u World Championship this past fall at Panama City Beach saw Shields take the mound twice, the second of which was a near complete game performance in the playoffs. Finishing just one out shy of completing the feat, Shields was in complete control from the first pitch as he struck out 11 batters and walked just one, helping set the stage for what should be a big summer for the Pennsylvania lefty. 

Bold Prediction: Shields will come out this summer and not only show an uptick in velocity, but deliver several high-end performances for his club, whether it be in pool play or the playoffs, opening plenty of eyes throughout. 


Sam Michel (Va.)
 5-11/150, L-L
PG Events: 2
Key Stats: 3 IP at Main Event, 6 K

Short Story: Michel doesn’t have the extensive track record at Perfect Game events like other arms featured, having appeared in just two events, but his performance at the 14u Main Event Showcase helped put his name on the national map. A lean and projectable 5-foot-11, 150 pounds, Michel already offers plenty of arm speed through the back and does a nice job of creating angle with his release point, living in the low-80s, though there’s undoubtably more in the tank that we’ll likely see this summer. There’s a sense of ease to Michel’s overall operation and when everything is right, he spins a quality breaker with 1-7 shape and tight spin. 

Big Moment: The 2020 14u Main Event Showcase saw the young Virginia native punch out six in his three innings of work, scattering three hits while running his fastball up to 83 mph. He maintained his velocity well and showed the ability to reach back for more when he needed it, showing a repertoire and mechanical operation that project very nicely moving forward. 

Bold Prediction: Michel will team up with Shields in the same rotation this summer and like Shields, will show a jump in his stuff while intriguing the slew of college coaches who’ll finally be back out on the road recruiting this summer. 

Additional Names to Know
Jaxon Baker (Calif.)
 6-4/160, R-L
As one might expect with a long and athletic 6-foot-4, 160-pound frame, Baker continues to find velocity in almost every outing we’ve seen from the young California native. Up to 85 mph as part of a three-pitch mix, the arm action and overall ease of his operation stand out, as does his ability to miss bats, as evidenced by his ability to pick up strikeouts by the handful. Keep close eyes on Baker as the summer unfolds as he’s just starting to scratch the surface of his potential. 


Rivers Kurland (Fla.)
5-11/175, R-L
Kurland may not yet have begun his high school career, but he’s already carved out a reputation of performing in big spots, averaging roughly a strikeout per inning over the last three years. The fastball currently bumps into the low-80s for the young Floridian, but it’s his overall feel on the mound that stands out, from filling the zone to manipulating the shape of the breaking ball, all of which help him perform on the national circuit. 


Emery Coleman (Fla.)
 5-11/160, R-L
Coleman is coming off a big 2020 season in which he showed off his two-way potential, hitting .444-2-55 while punching out 48 in 40 2/3 innings. It’s been more of the same for Coleman on the mound this spring, already racking up 46 strikeouts in 39 2/3 innings, in part due to his feel for a complete three-pitch mix which includes a low-80s fastball with short running life and a late-fading changeup. 
 

Patrick Dudley (Va.)
 6-3/186, R-L, College Commitment: South Carolina
It’s easy to see why the Gamecocks pulled the trigger on the long limbed 6-foot-3 left-hander out of Virginia, as it’s only a matter of time before the stuff starts to jump in a big way. Despite his size, his delivery is coordinated and free flowing, as is his arm action, which has produced a top fastball of 81 mph, though there’s undoubtedly more in the tank.


Hunter Richardson (Ohio)
 6-1/175, S-L
Richardson is a strongly-built southpaw out of Ohio who has already put together some impressive performances early this spring, striking out 22 in 20 innings of work. While he’ll continue to refine things moving forward, the arm speed stands out as he has already run his fastball up to 84 mph, routinely working in the low-80s from an extended slot which generates nice running life to the pitch. 


Trey Morris (Calif.)
 6-0/170, L-L
Morris already has some physical strength to his frame and he knows how to utilize it on both sides of the ball. His left-handed swing is short and simple, yet powerful, showing jump to all parts of the field, though his fastball has already begun to make a jump. Up to 84 mph in his most recent Perfect Game outing, Morris does a nice job of hiding the ball and creating deception, allowing his changeup to play very nicely off of his heater. 


Avery Shiflett (Ga.)
 6-3/180, L-L
Shiflett is no stranger to delivering a big performance as his most recent, during the Southeast World Series, saw the 6-foot-3 Georgia native throw a complete game shutout on just 84 pitches. The top ranked in-state southpaw, Shiflett has already been up to 82 mph with his fastball and over the course of 25 2/3 innings this spring he has struck out 27 while walking just 11, showing a feel for spinning the ball and pounding the zone. 


Taylor Tracey (Texas)
6-3/175, R-L
Tracey oozes physical projection with a long-limbed 6-foot-3, 175-pound frame, though he already shows intriguing stuff on the mound right now. His arm action is both loose and quick, producing a top velocity of 81 mph, showing nice life to his arm side while showing quality depth to his breaking ball when working on top and finishing the pitch. 

Bobby Crane (Mich.)
6-2/175, R-L
Crane made a name for himself during the Great Lakes Indoor Showcase and will be an arm to follow up on throughout the summer. Already sporting good size with a long and athletic 6-foot-2 frame, Crane attacks hitters from a low and uncomfortable slot on the mound, running his fastball up to 80 mph with some crossfire action at release while showing the makings of a solid slider. 
 
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