2017 PG High School Showdown Event Page | Schedule
Bishop McLaughlin Catholic Hurricanes (Spring Hill, Fla.)
Top Prospects (Position, Class, PG National Rank)
- Dillon Morton (SS/C, 2017, Top 1000)
- Dominic Diaz (LHP, 2017, High Follow)
- Paul Coumoulos (OF/RHP, 2017, High Follow)
- Cam Diaz (OF, 2018, NA)
Pitching
Senior lefthander and College of Central Florida signee Dominic Diaz will lead the rotation in 2017 as he did in 2016. Diaz can bump a fastball in the mid-80s and was the staff ace last season finishing with a 7-4 record and 1.76 ERA with 67 strikeouts as well.
Hitting
The Hurricanes are led again by a senior in this category by Dillon Morton. The Winthrop signee has impressive raw power from the left side of the plate and hit .438 with five home runs last season. Coumoulos and Cam Diaz are also regular contributors to a lineup that has experience.
Synopsis
Bishop McLaughlin certainly has senior heavy talent but will need the depth of both the pitching staff and lineup to make it deep into this tournament. Coumoulos provides value both at the plate and on the mound but Morton and Dominic Diaz will need to lead this team and have big weekends.
Blessed Trinity Titans (Roswell, Ga.)
Top Prospects (Position, Class, PG National Rank)
- Cole McNamee (1B, 2017, 289)
- Peyton Glavine (LHP, 2017, 413)
- Colin Davis (OF, 2017, Top 500
- David Dunn (MIF, 2017, Top 1000)
- Patrick McNamara (LHP, 2017, Top 1000)
- CJ Abrams (SS, 2019, 11)
Pitching
The Titans are led by their two top senior lefthanders in Peyton Glavine and Patrick McNamara. Glavine, the son of HOF lefthander Tom Glavine, is committed to Auburn and can run his fastball up to 87 mph with a good breaking pitch. McNamara, a Presbyterian signee, is more of a deceptive and pitchability pitcher on the mound but he provides a nice 1-2 punch with Glavine at the top of the rotation.
Hitting
This lineup is deep with hitters including a number of talented seniors in Cole McNamee, Colin Davis, and David Dunn. Davis and Dunn are perhaps the most productive hitters in the lineup but McNamee may have the highest offensive ceiling. Talented sophomore CJ Abrams is also one of the most dynamic players in the state with quick twitch athleticism and solid feel for both hitting tools and defensively at shortstop.
Synopsis
There isn’t necessarily a ton of star-power on this team but overall they are extremely deep. The Showdown is notorious at testing the depth of teams who hope to go deep into the playoffs and the Titans certainly have enough pitching, and hitting, to keep them in every game they play.
Brookwood Broncos (Snellville, Ga.)
Top Prospects (Position, Class, PG National Rank)
- Spencer Lewis (OF, 2017, Top 500)
- Austin Hohm (RHP, 2017, Top 1000)
- Davis Tovey (1B, 2017, High Follow)
- Chad Williamson (RHP, 2017, High Follow)
- Will Banfield (C, 2018, 6)
- Tim Martin (OF, 2018, Top 500)
- Angelo Dispigna (3B, 2018, Top 500)
- Kameron Guidry (MIF, 2019, 271)
Pitching
A pair of seniors lead the rotation for the Broncos in Austin Hohm and Chad Williamson. Both pitchers live in the mid- to upper 80s with their fastballs and Hohm is committed to Georgia Southern. Williamson had a very strong junior campaign that saw him go 7-2 with a 1.58 ERA and struck out 94 batters in 53.1 innings pitched.
Hitting
The underclassmen will look to lead the way for the Broncos on the offensive side. Led by the no. 6 ranked player nationally in Will Banfield, the offense offers very dynamic athletes such as sophomore South Carolina commit Kameron Guidry and brother of Cubs minor leaguer Trey Martin, Tim Martin. Georgia Highlands signee Spencer Lewis is the big-name senior for this group and he hit .382 last season for the Broncos.
Synopsis
Banfield is the top name to watch for the Broncos during this event, as his top level defensive tools should allow the pitching staff to thrive. He continues to add size to his frame which adds a power element to his game as well. The depth of this team is also impressive and the Broncos are expecting contributions from up and down the lineup in order to make it deep into the Showdown.
Buford Wolves (Buford, Ga.)
Top Prospects (Position, Class, PG National Rank)
- Noah Ledford (1B, 2017, Top 500)
- Zach Fordham (LHP, 2017, Top 1000)
- Akira Mitchell (1B/3B, 2017, Top 1000)
- Nathan Haines (C, 2017, High Follow)
- Frank Brashaw (LHP/UT, 2017, High Follow)
- Austin Turner (OF/LHP, 2019, High Follow)
Pitching
The Wolves are led by senior Zach Fordham on the mound. The Georgia Southern signee is one of the holdovers from the 2015 state championship team and will be relied on heavily this season for the Wolves. What will determine how far the Wolves will make it into the Showdown will be how much they can get out of their pitching staff. Expect guys like Frank Bradshaw and Austin Turner to see time on the mound and probably a few surprise arms as well.
Hitting
One of the top offensive threats in this lineup belongs to the large bat of Noah Ledford. The switch-hitter committed to Georgia Southern has big power from both sides of the plate and is a prototypical middle of the order bat. Bradshaw, a two-way player, is also a big offensive asset for the Wolves and along with other players such as Akira Mitchell, Nathan Haines, and Turner provides a respectably deep lineup heading into the Showdown.
Synopsis
Overall, the Wolves have lost a lot over the past two years but have been a top program in the state of Georgia for a long time and that’s reflected in their no. 46 ranking in the Perfect Game Preseason HS Top 50. Head coach Tony Wolfe will have his team prepared for the talent level of this event and will look to shake off the rust of some early season struggles. The Wolves always bring a competitive team to the Showdown and 2017 looks to be no different, however with this shaping up to be one of the more competitive fields in recent memory the Wolves will have a full plate.
Cartersville Hurricanes (Cartersville, Ga.)
Top Prospects (Position, Class, PG National Rank)
- Jacob Fowler (1B/RHP, 2017, High Follow)
- Noah Daniel (OF, 2017, Follow)
- Devin Warner (SS/3B, 2018, 36)
- Anthony Seigler (2B/C/BHP, 2018, 54)
- Jonathan “J.P.” Martin (C/RHP, 2019, 190)
- Mason Barnett (RHP/2B, 2019, 401)
Pitching
Any discussion of pitchers with the Hurricanes has to begin with matchup nightmare and closer Anthony Seigler. The both-handed pitcher can bump his fastball up to 90 mph from the right side and sit in the mid-80s from the left and has already collected three saves this year. Mason Barnett is another starter for Cartersville and has two wins thus far. The Hurricanes have a lot of players on their team who can pitch and thus creates a lot of depth in their pitching staff. Guys like Jacob Fowler and JP Martin will be relied upon to provide quality innings.
Hitting
Seigler is a high-level hitter as well with a smooth stroke from both sides of the plate and has the positional versatility to play almost anywhere on the field. Shortstop Devin Warner is one of the most dangerous juniors in the country with tremendous power from the left side and excellent hitting tools from both sides of the plate. Martin has been one of the hottest hitters on the team to start the 2017 campaign as he is slugging .933 through the early part of the schedule.
Synopsis
The Cartersville Hurricanes are one of the few teams to be led by a core of underclassmen and still be extremely successful. The most interesting aspects of this team are with regards to their versatility. Most of their top players hit and pitch and most of those hitters hit from both sides of the plate. And then, of course, there is Seigler who pitches and hits from both sides in an effort to be completely unmoved by matchup decisions.
Central Red Devils (Phenix City, Ala.)
Top Prospects (Position, Class, PG National Rank)
- Evan Baber (RHP/SS, 2017, Top 500)
- Tanner Belcher (UT/RHP, 2017, Top 500)
- Gage Dollar (RHP/3B, 2017, Top 1000)
- Dalton Wilder (RHP, 2017, Top 1000)
- Dayton Edmonds (OF, 2017, High Follow)
- Brant Knox (OF, 2017, NA)
- Slade Gorman (C/OF, 2018, NA)
Pitching
The Red Devils boast a collection of righthanders that give them some of the most pitching depth in this tournament. Evan Baber leads the way and he brings a very impressive two-pitch mix of a fastball up to 90 mph with good arm side run and a hard biting slider in the low-80s. Dalton Wilder and Gage Dollar are a couple of Alabama State commits who each can run their fastballs into the mid- to high 80s with good breaking balls as secondary pitches.
Hitting
Coming into the showdown a trio of hitters are leading the way for the Red Devils by batting over .400 to start the season. Baber, Tanner Belcher, and Slade Gorman are all above .400 and will bat near the top of the order to set the tone for the offense. Dayton Edmonds, Brant Knox, and Slade Gorman are some more hitters who should fill out the depth of the Red Devils’ lineup and add depth 1-9 in the order.
Synopsis
Pitching is key at the high school level and the Showdown is ordinarily no different. The Red Devils enter the 2017 field with a leg up due to the depth and talent of their rotation and will look for their hitting to be good enough to keep them in games early on. Tis squad has a lot of talent and senior experience and both of those assets are going to be key in the Red Devils advancing deep into the Showdown.
Cullman Bearcats (Cullman, Ala.)
Top Prospects (Position, Class, PG National Rank)
- Jacob Heatherly (LHP, 2017, 15)
- Owen Lovell (OF, 2017, 147)
- Carter Bowen (2B/RHP, 2017, Top 500)
- Noah Fondren (3B, 2017, Top 1000)
- Levi Thomas (RHP/UT, 2017, Top 1000)
- Caleb Lipsey (OF/DH, 2017, NA)
- Will Morrison (RHP, 2018, Top 500)
Pitching
It’s not often that a pitching staff has four career no-hitters to their resume, and it’s even rarer for one of those no-hitters to be completed just last weekend. Perfect Game All-American Jacob Heatherly twirled a masterpiece the last time he was on the mound and after being selected for the All-American Classic, his potential is well known. The potential first-round draft pick will certainly have a lot of scouts on display when he takes the mound. Heatherly will be joined by Levi Thomas and Mississippi State commit Will Morrison in the rotation that looks to go toe-to-toe with any other staff in the tournament.
Hitting
The Bearcats are lead offensively by power-hitting outfielder Owen Lovell. The 6-foot-4, 225-pound Mississippi State commit can anchor the middle of the lineup and can affect the game on the base paths with his athleticism. The rest of the lineup will be led by SEC commits as well as third baseman Noah Fondren, an Alabama commit, and second baseman, Carter Bowen, an Auburn commit, will also add depth and athleticism to the lineup.
Synopsis
On paper, Cullman should be one of the early favorites to come away with the Showdown title. They are ranked no. 19 in the Perfect Game Preseason HS Rankings and have depth to their lineup and their pitching rotation. Of course, it does help to be led by a Perfect Game All-American, but the Bearcats have a complete roster with plenty of senior leadership and now it remains to be seen how well they execute this weekend.
Denham Springs Yellow Jackets (Denham Springs, La.)
Top Prospects (Position, Class, PG National Rank)
- Brock Batty (LHP/1B, 2017, Top 500)
- Braden Doughty (C/UT, 2017, Top 1000)
- Taylor Higgins (LHP, 2017, NA)
- Cade Doughty (SS/RHP, 2019, 57)
Pitching
The Yellow Jackets enter the Showdown being led by a pair of lefthanded starters in the pitching rotation. Brock Batty, a Louisisna signee, and Taylor Higgins will be the top two starters for Denham Springs with Batty likely being the man that Coach Mark Carroll sends out to set the tone. The Yellow Jackets will likely look to some secondary pitchers to help get some quality innings and the degree of success that those secondary pitchers have will likely determine their success.
Hitting
Talented sophomore and Louisiana State signee Cade Doughty and his older brother, senior Braden, will be the primary contributors in the lineup. Cade played for Team USA over the summer and has very advanced hitting tools for his age, in addition to a lightning quick arm that aids him on defense and allows him to bump up his fastball to 89 mph. Braden is remarkably versatile and in addition to starting at catcher this year, he has started a number of games at second and third base over the past few years.
Synopsis
Denham Springs makes up for what is lacks in depth with top level senior talent and star-power with Cade Doughty. The Yellow Jackets will have to play to the best of their abilities and will need some arms and bats to step up in order to compete at a high level.
East Paulding Raiders (Dallas, Ga.)
Top Prospects (Position, Class, PG National Rank)
- Will Prater (MIF/RHP, 2017, Top 500)
- Ty Delancey (SS/RHP, 2017, Top 500)
- Jody Waddell (C, 2017, NA)
- Sean Cheely (OF, 2017, NA)
Pitching
The Raiders will be relying on a lot of secondary arms and a lot of their uber-athletes to take the reins and provide strong innings over the weekend. Ty Delancey and Will Prater are secondary pitchers but are going to be asked to ramp up their innings and possibly throw for extended time. Don’t be surprised if Head Coach Tony Boyd pulls starters early and makes games shorter with the bullpen.
Hitting
As is the case with many teams, East Paulding is led by the senior presence of their position players. The aforementioned Prater and Delancey can pitch but are undoubtedly more comfortable in the lineup and on defense. Seniors Jody Waddell and Sam Cheely will also be expected to be large contributors to the offense and add more depth and versatility to an already talented lineup.
Synopsis
A very athletic, and talented team, the Raiders have the experience and tenacity to compete with almost any other team in this event. The results will vary and we will have to wait and see exactly how well they perform by the time the first pitch comes around. There are holes in this team and they will need their pitching to step up, but the pieces are in place for a successful run this upcoming weekend for East Paulding.
Etowah Eagles (Woodstock, Ga.)
Top Prospects (Position, Class, PG National Rank)
- Drew Waters (OF, 2017, 9)
- Austin Keene (RHP/OF, 2017, Top 500)
- Nick Torres (RHP, 2018, Top 500)
- Jackson Sisk (SS, 2018, NA)
- Ethan Underwood (RHP, 2018, NA)
Pitching
The Eagles come in to the 2017 Showdown with a sound 1-2 punch at the top of the rotation in Georgia State commit Andrew Keene and Nick Torres. Keene has been up to 90 mph, albeit with some issues commanding the strike zone, and Torres might be the best pitcher on the staff as only an underclassman. The Eagles round out a deep pitching staff with Ethan Underwood, Brady Barker, and Bryant Madden all looking to receive large roles.
Hitting
Sometimes having a productive lineup is as easy as letting your stars shine, and that’s exactly the philosophy of the Eagles. Perfect Game All-American Drew Waters is off to a very hot start to the season and the best solution for this offense is to get Waters as many at-bats as possible. With easy speed and defensive actions to go along with easy bat speed from both sides, Waters figures to be a first-round selection come June. The Georgia signee will be joined offensively by junior shortstop Jackson Sisk and by Keene who plays the outfield as well.
Synopsis
Having a player like Waters on your team vaults your team into the upper-echelon and the focus will be to add depth to the lineup and focusing on pitching. Baseball is a team sport and one player does not make a team, however Waters is the caliber of player who can take over a game by himself. Etowah’s challenge will be to play to their fullest ability and should their pitching hold up will look to make it to the end of the tournament.
First Presbyterian Day Vikings (Macon, Ga.)
Top Prospects (Position, Class, PG National Rank)
- Austin Hartley (RHP/2B, 2017, NA)
- Gavin Bloodworth (RHP/1B, 2018, 456)
- Ryan Jones (SS, 2018, NA)
- Dalton Cox (C, 2018, NA)
- Garrett West (LHP/OF, 2018, NA)
- Michael Bakkar (3B, 2018, NA)
Pitching
The Vikings are a very young team and will be led by a majority of underclassmen, mostly juniors. Gavin Bloodworth is the highest ranked player on the team, and a junior, and can run his fastball up to 89 mph. Blood worth will be the workhorse for the Vikings and it will be up to the other members of the pitching staff to step up and keep their team in the game, Look for senior Austin Hartley to have a big tournament series as they will be counting on Hartley to provide good innings.
Hitting
There are only four seniors on this team, as such the underclassmen will carry a heavy burden this season. The juniors of this squad will be the leaders including shortstop Ryan Jones and catcher Dalton Cox. The Vikings also have three freshman including Dalton’s brother Dylan Cox, catcher Griffin Brown, and outfielder Brett McHue. Look for Jones and Dalton Cox, along with two-way player Garrett West, to serve important roles heading into the Showdown.
Synopsis
The young squad will undoubtedly learn many lessons as the season goes on, but if everything clicks right then First Presbyterian Day has the talent to make a run. They will likely see a lot of tough competition during the Showdown but facing this level of competition will go a long way in making these underclassmen develop and mature quickly at the high school level.
Houston County Bears (Warner Robbins, Ga.)
Top Prospects (Position, Class, PG National Rank)
- Austin Hittinger (OF, 2017, Top 500)
- Austin Langford (OF, 2017, Follow)
- Cole Simmons (IF/RHP, 2017, Follow)
Pitching
The Bears had one of the most formidable 1-2 punches in the rotation last season with Tony Locey and D.L. Hall, but now after Locey moved on to Georgia and Hall transferred to Valdosta High School, there is a hole in the pitching staff. The Bears have only one listed primary pitcher who is a senior, so expect to see a lot of secondary arms and underclassmen such as Cameron Jones and RJ Preston to see significant time on the mound.
Hitting
The Bears also lose Jake Fromm from a year ago as he has early enrolled at Georgia and was a highly-touted quarterback recruit for the football team. Houston County still has a talented trio of Austin Hittinger, Austin Langford, and Cole Simmons. Hittinger is a power hitter with tools and an approach suited for the middle-of-the-order and to drive in runs. Langford and Simmons are both committed to Georgia Southwestern and have intriguing hitting tools as well.
Synopsis
Coach Jason Brett has done a nice job at making Houston County a perennial powerhouse, evidenced by their status as defending state champs in 5A. That being said, Houston County will be relying on a lot of new blood during their 2017 campaign and the upcoming Showdown should be one of their biggest challenges heading into the new season. They always seem to be around near the end of the tournament and 2017 looks to be no different.
IMG Academy Ascenders (Bradenton, Fla.)
Top Prospects (Position, Class, PG National Rank)
- Tyler Ahearn (RHP, 2017, 136)
- Blake Diggle (1B, 2017, 439)
- Austin Bates (C, 2017, 470)
- Brian Gursky (LHP, 2017, 200)
- Matt Mitchell (LHP, 2017, Top 500)
- Tyler Esplin (1B/OF/RHP, 2017, Top 500)
- Matthew Lynch (IF, 2017, Follow)
- Jose Vasquez (OF/RHP, 2017, Follow)
Pitching
The Ascenders have one of the most talented teams year in and year out and 2017 looks to be no exception. The top three pitchers on their staff are all committed to Division I schools: Tyler Ahearn at Florida State, Brian Gursky at Southern California, and Matt Mitchell at Pepperdine. In addition to their wildly talented starting rotation, the Ascenders will also see quality innings from their secondary arms such as Tyler Esplin and Jose Vasquez.
Hitting
There are also many talented bats throughout the Ascenders lineup. Highly-ranked players such as Blake Diggle, Austin Bates, and Tyler Esplin, a two-way player, will anchor the lineup and look to do some damage out of the middle of the lineup. Diggle might be the best pure hitter out of the trio but all three have high level hitting tools with Esplin having a big power approach.
Synopsis
Once again, IMG Academy has one of the most talented swuads in the field at the 2017 Showdown and that shows with their no. 31 ranking in the Perfect Game Preseason HS Top 50. The key to their success will be how well they can meld together and play as a team. These issues happen sometimes when players join from across the country, but sometimes the amount of sheer talent is enough to outweigh any chemistry concerns. Regardless, IMG Academy should be one of the most fun teams to watch during the 2017 Showdown.
James Clemens Jets (Madison, Ala.)
Top Prospects (Position, Class, PG National Rank)
- Jordan Anderson (OF, 2017, 52)
- Garrett Brown (RHP, 2017, Top 500)
- Tommy Crider (C, 2018, High Follow)
Pitching
Brown leads the Jets on the mound and with a fastball that reaches 90 mph, it would be hard not to. The Wallace State CC signee uses a two-pitch mix of power fastball and curveball to help get hitters out, but he will need help from the rest of the pitching staff if the Jets hope to make a deep run throughout the Showdown.
Hitting
It bears mentioning again that if you’re led by star-power on your team, it puts expectations on your team and Jordan Anderson proves that case for James Clemens. The Perfect Game All-American and Mississippi State commit is an ultra-athlete with speed and skills that impact the game from all facets. In addition to Anderson, junior catcher Tommy Crider is a high-level talent behind the plate and figures to be an impact bat for the Jets as well.
Synopsis
The Jets might look a little light on paper depth-wise but they have talent near the top of their depth charts. Anderson, Brown, and Crider create a formidable trip to base their team around and should help propel the Jets early on. They will need contributions from the rest of the roster as the tournament gets deeper if they hope to make it deep into the Showdown.
Lewisburg Patriots (Olive Branch, Miss.)
Top Prospects (Position, Class, PG National Rank)
- Bryce Brock (LHP, 2017, Top 500)
- Jake Tyrone (OF/LHP, 2017, High Follow)
- Alex Hay (C/1B/RHP, 2017, NA)
- Tanner Booth (C/1B, 2017, NA)
- Landon Wilkerson (SS, 2018, NA)
- Shawn Allen (2B, 2017, NA)
Pitching
On both offense and defense the Patriots will be led by talented senior Bryce Brock. The Mississippi State signee is a freak athlete, also happens to be the starting quarterback for the football team, and is consistently in the mid-80s and will reach the high-80s on occasion. So far this season he is 1-0 with sixteen strikeouts in ten innings pitched. A lot of the players on the staff are versatile and will pitch too including closer Alex Hay.
Hitting
A lot of the players on the Patriots have contributed at high levels in the past. Jake Tyrone, the team’s leadoff hitter, hit .337 with 21 stolen bases last year; Landon Wilkerson is a second year starter at a premium position after hitting .382 a year ago; and Shawn Allen functions as a second leadoff hitter adding speed and pop to the nine-hole as he is hitting a blistering .462 to start off the season.
Synopsis
Brock is the kind of player who can lead a team on the mound and can come up in the lineup and score runs. The pitching staff has some question marks, but if their team can continue to hit as well as they did a year ago, they should be a tough matchup for most of the teams participating in this weekend’s Showdown.
Loganville Red Devils (Loganville, Ga.)
Top Prospects (Position, Class, PG National Rank)
- Morgan Copeland (C, 2017, 329)
- Bay Witcher (RHP, 2018, Top 500)
- Marcellous Campbell (OF, 2017, NA)
- Joseph Brandon (SS/RHP, 2018, Top 1000)
- Seth Clark (LHP, 2018, High Follow)
- Bryant Pietri (3B/RHP, 2018, High Follow)
- Blaine Marchman (C/OF, 2019, 301)
Pitching
The pitcher to watch for the Red Devils will be junior righthander Bay Witcher. The Troy commit usually works in the upper-80s and has plenty of room left for physical projection in his 6-foot-5, 190-pound frame. Underclassman Seth Clark is a primary arm and should get plenty of looks for the Red Devils throughout the event as well.
Hitting
When you have a power-hitting, strong-armed catcher bound for the SEC chances are he will be the main force in your lineup. Morgan Copeland, committed to Tennessee, has a very strong build with tremendous power at the plate who can turn any mistake into a home run. Copeland is the type of bat who can extend a lead in a hurry and pitchers will be careful when pitching to him. There is underclass talent in the lineup as well including no. 301 ranked sophomore Blaine Marchman.
Synopsis
The Red Devils have clear leaders on both offense and defense in Copeland and Witcher, respectively. However, there is a ton of underclass depth in order to contribute in multiple games and help Loganville last deep into the tournament.
Parkview Panthers (Lilburn, Ga.)
Top Players (Position, Class, PG National Rank)
- Caleb Mitchell (LHP, 2017, Top 1000)
- Cody Collett (LHP, 2017, High Follow)
- Joseph DeMasi (OF, 2017, High Follow)
- Jacob O’Neil (C/DH, 2017, High Follow)
- Isaiah Byars (SS, 2018, 281)
- Logan Cerny (C, 2018, 247)
- Jonathan French (C, 2019, 126)
Pitching
The foundation of the pitching staff for the Panthers lies with their senior lefthanders. Both Caleb Mitchell, a Mercer signee, and Cody Collett, a North Georgia signee, are poised to see a lot of innings during the 2017 campaign and the Showdown should prove no different. Both pitchers will work in the mid-80s and should showcase solid command in their outings.
Hitting
While the pitching staff is led by seniors, the lineup is anchored by underclassmen. The top prospect for the Panthers is probably Isaiah Byars, a junior shortstop committed to Alabama. He’s incredible smooth and light-footed defensively and with the bat he has a short, compact stroke with some pop to the pull side. Jonathan French and Logan Cerny are two underclassmen catchers with high offensive potentials as well.
Synopsis
The Panthers have a complete team, they come in at no. 20 in the Perfect Game Preseason HS Top 50, and can make opposing teams’ lives difficult through their pitching or hitting. Look for the underclassmen to have a big series at the plate and depending on how well the senior lefthanders perform, the Panthers may be in store for a deep run at the 2017 Showdown.
Providence Stallions (Jacksonville, Fla.)
Top Prospects (Position, Class, PG National Rank)
- Alec Sanchez (2B, 2017, 67)
- Elijah Gill (LHP, 2017, 485)
- Max Holmes (RHP/OF, 2017, Top 500)
- Cameron Wright (C, 2017, NA)
- Tyler Callihan (3B/SS, 2019, 16)
- Nathan Hickey (SS/C/RHP, 2019, 97)
Pitching
The 1-2 punch at the top of the rotation rivals almost any other school in this event with two Division I commits contributing. Max Holmes, a South Florida signee, and Elijah Gill, a Florida International signee, both are very talented arms who can reach up to 90 mph. Both are projectable arms who can make an immediate impact at the high school level and should be valuable additions to collegiate pitching staffs.
Hitting
There is a big three of infielders who anchor the Stallions offense and that includes Alec Sanchez, Tyler Callihan, and Nathan Hickey. Sanchez, a Florida State signee, has some of the best barrel skills in the class and will consistently make loud contact. Both Callihan, a South Carolina commit, and Hickey, a Florida commit, are super athletic with premier hitting tools. Callihan is one of the best hitters in the class with elite bat-to-ball skills and Hickey’s overall game is unmatched with his hitting, pitching, and defensive versatility.
Synopsis
The Stallions come in as one of the most complete teams on paper and all the players on their squad have proved to be high-level contributors in the class. The pitching staff has two of the top seniors in Florida throwing for them and the infield is riddled with future Division I or top-level draft talent. If the Stallions play to the best of their ability there’s no reason they can’t be one of the final teams remaining at the Showdown.
Redan Raiders (Stone Mountain, Ga.)
Top Prospects (Position, Class, PG National Rank)
- James Parris (CF/RHP, 2017, Top 500)
- Latrell Wyatt (UT/RHP, 2017, Top 1000)
- Jalan Daniels (RHP, 2017 Top 1000)
- Kelvin Smith Jr. (SS, 2018, 208)
- Orlando Adams Jr. (C, 2018, 389)
- Taj Bradley (RHP/UT, 2018, 411)
- Chayce Bryant (1B/RHP, 2018, Top 500)
Pitching
The Raiders have a load of pitching depth and that includes junior righthander Taj Bradley. The fifteen-year-old made waves over the winter during his participation in the PG Underclass Main Event Showcase and has the potential to be a dynamic arm despite being young for his class. Seniors James Parris, Latrell Wyatt, and Jalan Daniels should also see time on the mound and have all been effective in the past.
Hitting
One of the more dynamic hitters in his class is shortstop Kelvin Smith Jr. The recent Missouri commit impressed during the Southeast Uncommitted Showcase and has a knack for loud contact with the requisite separation and bat speed for home run strength. Orlando Adams is another highly-ranked junior who has impressed with the bat before and utilitymen Latrell Wyatt and Chayce Bryant should be impact contributors.
Synopsis
The Raiders have a bunch of junior talent highlighted by Smith with enough talented seniors to strike a good balance. The pitching staff is light on primary arms so guys like Bradley and Daniels will have to step up and make the most out of their starts. The Raiders will also be expecting contributions on the mound from a number of secondary arms, but overall this is an immensely talented squad.
Saraland Spartans (Saraland, Ala.)
Top Prospects (Position, Class, PG National Rank)
- Thomas Jones (RHP/SS, 2017, NA)
- Walker Nolen (1B, 2017, NA)
- Lex Singleton (UT/RHP, 2017, NA)
- Peyton Martin (3B/RHP/DH, 2017, NA)
- Murphy McCammon (OF, 2017, NA)
- Colby Phillips (OF, 2017, NA)
Pitching
If there is one thing that the Spartans have in excess, it is experience and senior leadership. All of the players have been around the program for a long time and have bought in to Coach Brent Buotwell’s philosophy. Thomas Jones is the no. 1 for the Spartans and he will be followed by some versatile arms in Lex Singleton and Peyton Martin to help out as well.
Hitting
The four of Colby Phillips, Walker Nolen, Singleton, and Martin have started off the season well as each are above .400 on the season. Phillips has an overall sound hitting approach at the plate while Martin will be the power bat in the lineup. McCammon provides intrigue in the lineup as he is a great runner and has potential game-changing speed to play with in the lineup.
Synopsis
The Spartans don’t have some of the top-flight talent that some other programs have but they are experienced. They compete well in Alabama and are looking to compete against high-level competititon in the Showdown. They should be intriguing to watch as senior leader Thomas Jones looks to lead the team into this weekend.
Second Baptitst Fighting Eagles (Houston, Tex.)
Top Prospects (Position, Class, PG National Rank)
- Zach Heaton (RHP, 2017, Top 500)
- Matthew Clay (3B, 2017, Top 1000)
- Dalton Wood (RHP/1B, 2017, Top 1000)
- James Cooper (MIF, 2017, High Follow)
Pitching
The main leg of the Fighting Eagles pitching rotation is Dallas Baptist signee Zach Heaton. His 6-foot-4, 190-pound frame gives him an ideal body for a pitcher with plenty of room to grow into more velocity as well. Dalton Wood should also see some time on the mound as should senior primary arm Mathew Fahnstock.
Hitting
The Fighting Eagles have a balanced attack in the middle of the lineup. Matthew Clay and James Cooper provide quality bats in the middle of the lineup while providing solid defense in the middle of the infield. They will need some bats in the bottom of the order step up throughout the event if they want to compete but with Clay and Cooper they have a good foundation to work with.
Synopsis
The only team from Texas in this event, Second Baptist has quality pieces and the experience to make a run at the Showdown. Zach Heaton is the headliner for this team and he is looking to make his presence known immediately during their first game. If everything breaks right, they have a chance to make it deep into the event, but will need help on both the pitching and hitting side of things.
Sparkman Senators (Harverst, Ala.)
Top Prospects (Position, Class, PG National Rank)
- Carter Vickers (RHP, 2017, Top 500)
- Trevor Shelton (3B/1B, 2017, Top 500)
- Jacob Foster (OF, 2017, Top 500)
- Andrew Stemple (UT, 2017, Top 1000)
- Reid Powers (C, 2017, Top 1000)
- Garrett Bodine (OF/IF, 2018, NA)
Pitching
The defending champions of the Showdown enter 2017 with Carter Vickers as their workhorse on the mound. Vickers is a power righthander who can run his fastball up in the high-80s and touch 90 mph at times. Vickers is the main billing but the Senators will need arms to step up from younger guys and secondary arms if they have any hope of repeating as champions.
Hitting
The hitting of the Senators is extremely deep and starts with a pair of Top 1000 players for the 2017 class. Andrew Stemple and Reid Powers are guys who will be slotted in to the middle of the order to drive in runs and do damage with men on base. Trevor Shelton has some juice in his bat from the right side and is a threat to leave the ball park. Jacob Foster and Garrett Bodine are quality bats in the lineup that provide defensive value in the outfield as well.
Synopsis
The Senators are undoubtedly one of the most talented and storied programs in the state of Alabama. They have the length and depth in the lineup to make life very difficult for opposing pitchers but the question will be how well they can pitch. If Vickers can have a strong tournament and they can receive contributions from some unknown pitchers then they have an excellent chance to defend their championship.
Troup County Tigers (Lagrange, Ga.)
Top Prospects (Position, Class, PG National Rank)
- Ryan Bliss (SS, 2018, 89)
- Colby Williams (RHP, 2019, 462)
- Joseph “Cooper’ Doughman (C, 2019, Follow)
- Trent Bailey (C, 2019, NA)
Hitting
The Tigers are home to one of the best shortstops in the junior class in Ryan Bliss. The Auburn signee is extremely athletic with very soft hands in the infield as well as a line drive approach with good bat speed at the plate. In a draft class full of Georgia shortstops, Bliss certainly deserves his recognition at being near the top of the class. Two sophomore catcher Joseph “Cooper” Doughman and Trent Bailey are two underclassmen who will be important to stretching out the lineup.
Pitching
Colby Williams came home with the Perfect Game 15u Pitcher of the Year award in 2016 and will be looking to build on that as the sophomore is the ace for the Tigers. He has a fastball that will work in the mid- to upper 80s and can keep hitters off balance with his impressive mix. The entire team is very young so look for some sophomores and juniors to log important innings for the Tigers in this event.
Synopsis
The Tigers are extremely young and this Showdown certainly doesn’t slow down for most teams. This may be an eye-opening experience but they have talent near the top of their roster to compete with anyone with the likes of Bliss and Williams in their arsenal. They will need some unexpected contributions and probably some luck but this is an interesting team to keep an eye on as they develop throughout the year.
Winder-Barrow Bulldogs (Winder, Ga.)
Top Prospects (Position, Class, PG National Rank)
- Pat Demarco (OF, 2017, 123)
- Beau Hanna (C, 2017, 185)
- Will Hardigree (C/RHP, 2017, 345)
- Trent Maddox (MIF, 2017, High Follow)
- Skylor Murphy (OF, 2017, High Follow)
- Zack Smith (3B, 2019, 201)
Pitching
Looking up and down at this roster it’s easy to see why the Bulldogs were ranked no. 35 in the Perfect Game Preseason HS Top 50. Will Hardigree is the ace of this staff and although he is a primary catcher his arm strength plays extremely well on the mound. Hardigree can bump his fastball up to 90 mph and will be getting the ball game one for the Bulldogs.
Hitting
The conversation for the Bulldogs’ hitting begins with the dynamic duo of Pat Demarco and Beau Hanna. Demarco has some of the best barrel feel in the class with a knack for squaring up pitches and crushing them. Hanna has excellent barrel feel as well and they both exhibit monster power from the right side of the plate. Zack Smith is also a very talented sophomore. He is committed to Ole Miss and will play at third base and also see some time on the mound.
Synopsis
The Bulldogs are one of the most talented teams in this event and should be able to make a run late into the Showdown. The combination of Demarco, Hanna, and Hardigree alone would make them an instant contender but when you add in all the depth and talent they have around that three, they become pretty scary. It’s all about execution, but on paper the Bulldogs have the makings of a team that can make a run.