THE WORLD'S LARGEST AND MOST COMPREHENSIVE SCOUTING ORGANIZATION
| 2,580 MLB PLAYERS | 16,393 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
2,580 MLB PLAYERS | 16,393 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
High School  | Rankings | 2/1/2016

2016 National HS Rankings: 6-10

Photo: Steve Fiorindo




2016 Perfect Game High School Preview Index


6. JSerra Lions


Jack Owen
San Juan Capistrano, Calif.
CIF Southern Division 1
Head Coach: Brett Kay
2015 Result: 27-5-1, Southern Division 1 Playoffs

Key Losses: LHP Quentin Longrie (Southern California), C Sam Cohen (UC Santa Barbara), OF Jake Pries (UCLA), C Christian Molfetta (Stanford)

Top Players: SS Chase Strumpf (UCLA), 3B Brady Shockey (Southern California), LHP Jack Owen (Mississippi State), SS Royce Lewis (UC Irvine), SS Davis Wendzel (Baylor)

While undoubtedly losing a good amount of talent from the 2015 team, the JSerra Lions don't really do rebuilds as much as they simply reload — a main reason why they are our sxith-ranked team heading into the 2016 season.

They will roll out a star-studded everyday lineup, a lineup that is strong throughout in terms of offense, defense, spee, and overall athleticism. Royce Lewis, a 2015 All-CIF Southern Section honoree, is ranked 13th overall in the class of 2017 and is a high-upside athlete with all of the physical tools you could want in a star shortstop. He is joined by UCLA signee Chase Strumpf, Southern Cal recruit Brady Shockey and Baylor pledge Davis Wendzel. The Lions should have no trouble hitting the ball with nearly frightening regularity, and there wont be a problem scoring any runs at JSerra.

Quentin Longrie departs from the rotation for Southern California, but junior lefty and ace Jack Owen returns. Owen is advanced beyond his years in terms of command and feel for pitching and he also has the raw stuff to back it up. The Lions will need a few more arms to step up in order for them to reach the top and win the CIF Southern Division 1 championship, but they certainly won’t be hard-pressed for the talent needed to do so.


7. Buford Wolves

Nick Wilhite
Buford, Ga.
GHSA Class 4A
Head Coach: Tony Wolfe
2015 Result: 34-2, GHSA Class 4A State Champions.

Key Losses: LHP Jake Higginbotham (Clemson), C Joey Bart (Georgia Tech), RHP Keyton Gibson (Georgia Tech), RHP Connor Bennett (West Virginia), RHP Kevin Coulter (Mercer)

Top Players: OF Nick Wilhite (Georgia Tech), 2B Austin Wilhite (Georgia Tech), OF Brandon Marsh (Kennesaw State), LHP Justin Glover (Georgia), RHP Griffin Jolliff (Georgia Tech), LHP Zach Fordham (uncommitted)

An incredible 2015 season saw the Buford Wolves finish second in Perfect Game’s final ranking of the top 50 teams in the nation after going 34-2 and winning the Class 4A State Championship. They did so with as good a combination of pitching and offense as one would find across the country, as evidenced by their multiple Division I signees in both the class of 2015 and the class of 2016.

They will return a good chunk of their offensive firepower, led by the Wilhite twins (Nick and Austin), both of whom are signed to play ball at Georgia Tech next year. Fellow senior Brandon Marsh, a future Kennesaw State Owl, has been receiving serious draft buzz early this year and may be a potential superstar in the making. They lose their catcher from a year ago, current Clemson Tiger Joey Bart, but their offense should still have some legitimate firepower behind it.

On the mound, the Wolves bring back a righty/lefty two-headed monster in Georgia signee Justin Glover and Georgia Tech signee Griffin Jolliff. Both pitchers were key cogs in the 2015 championship run and will look to lead the staff in 2016 after the graduation of four D-I pitchers from the 2015 team. Uncommitted lefty Zach Fordham will also play a big role for the Wolves as they look to defend their state title.


8. Archbishop McCarthy Mavericks

Alejandro Toral
Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
FHSAA Class 5A
Head Coach: Rich Bielski
2015 result: 27-5, FHSAA Class 5A State Champions

Key Losses: RHP Christian Demby (N.C. State), RHP Brian Van Belle (Broward CC), C Jake Anchia (Nova Southeastern)

Top Players: 1B Alejandro Toral (Miami), SS Kobe Lopez (Alabama State), OF Alex Carballo (Broward CC), 3B Joseph Perez (South Florida), RHP Daniel Federman (Miami), 2B Ubaldo Lopez (uncommitted), OF Adan Fernandez (uncommitted), OF Avondre Hendricks (uncommitted), RHP Johnny Leone (uncommitted)

Another 2015 state champion that is no stranger to being ranked highly by Perfect Game, the Mavericks of Archbishop McCarthy enter the 2016 season in the No. 8 spot.

They will get big contributions from seniors like shortstop Kobe Lopez and outfielder Alex Carballo, but this team’s core is the juniors, the class of 2017. Led by the No. 1 player in the class of 2017, superstar slugger Alejandro Toral, the Mavericks are probably the odds-on favorites to win the state title not only in 2016, but in 2017 as well. Toral leads the offense and there is not a better prep hitter in the class of 2017 anywhere.

Toral will be joined in the lineup by the aforementioned Lopez and Carballo as well as Joseph Perez at third base, Ubaldo Lopez at second and outfielders Adan Fernandez and Avondre Hendricks. Scoring runs shouldn't be a problem.

The Mavericks lost a few key arms to graduation in Christian Demby and Brian Van Belle, but they should be just fine on the mound as well heading into 2016. Daniel Federman is committed to Miami and should lead the staff with power stuff, and uncommitted righty Johnny Leone has Division I caliber stuff as well. It should be a very good, very successful year in Fort Lauderdale.


9. Flower Mound Jaguars

Caleb Killian
Flower Mound, Texas
UIL Class 6A Region
Head Coach: Danny Wallace
2015 Result: 28-6-1, regional finals

Key Losses: RHP Sean Wymer (TCU), OF Jameson Hannah (Dallas Baptist), SS Noah Hill (BYU), SS Casey Jacobson (BYU)

Top Players: RHP Caleb Kilian (Texas Tech). LHP Parker Scott (Kentucky), RHP Derek Wells (uncommitted), 2B Skyler Cox (uncommitted), C Syler Shepherd (uncommitted), RHP Ryan Stuempfig (Wichita State)

A season ago, the Jaguars of Flower Mound High School enjoyed a very successful season although they fell short of their ultimate goal. Heading into 2016, they are surely at or near the top of the projected teams to win the Class 6A state title.

They should have an outstanding rotation, led by Texas Tech signee Caleb Kilian, a righthanded pitcher with big projection and lots of tools. Lefty Parker Scott, signed to attend Kentucky, will give the Jaguars an excellent 1-2 punch atop their pitching staff. Righty Ryan Stuempfig, a junior, rounds out the trio of Division I pitchers the Jaguars possess.

They lost a good amount of lineup talent from a year ago, with Jameson Hannah heading down the road to Dallas Baptist and both Noah Hill and Casey Jacobson going to Brigham Young. They do retain lots of skill in the middle of the diamond though, with middle infielder Skylar Cox and catcher Syler Shephered both returning.


10. Marjory Stoneman Douglas Eagles

Jesus Luzardo
Parkland, Fla.
FHSAA Class 8A
Head Coach: Todd Fitzgerald
2015 result: 23-5, Regional Finalist

Key Losses: C Dominic DiCaprio (Rice), C Devin Conn (Middle Tennessee State), RHP Ricky Miranda (Sante Fe College)

Top Players: LHP Jesus Luzardo (Miami), SS Colton Welker (Miami), 1B John McKenna (Army), LHP Brandon Kaminer (Miami)

The Eagles fell a little short last year, falling in the regional finals to Park Vista, a team who spent quite a bit of time atop the Perfect Game team rankings through the 2015 season. They lost a few pieces as well, especially behind the plate with both Dominic DiCaprio and Devin Conn heading to college, but they also bring back a wealth of talent.

Jesus Luzardo and Colton Welker are both legitimate draft prospects. Luzardo is a lefthanded pitcher with excellent stuff and pitchability well beyond his years, while Welker is one of the better pure hitters in the class. They will assuredly lead the pitching staff and offense, respectively.

John McKenna has big-time raw power and will hit in the middle of the lineup. Junior lefty Brandon Kaminer will presumably be the No. 2 starter behind Luzardo, and like Luzardo is committed to the University of Miami, along with Welker. That Hurricane trio of players has a chance to take this team all the way to the state title, something that has a very good chance of happening.






High School | General | 7/1/2026

PG High School All-Americans

Tyler Russo
Article Image
High School Top 50: Final Update With the High School season all wrapped up, today we take a look at our First, Second and Third Team All-Americans from around the country. Below you'll find three teams with stats that seem otherworldly from players who'll likely hear their names called in the coming week's MLB Draft. Within the "Notable Stats" section you'll see the individual award winners as well. First Team All-American Pos.  Name Class School State Commitment Notable Stats C Cole Prosek 2026 Magnolia Heights MS Ole Miss .595 BA, 18 HR, 79 RBI 1B Will Adams 2026 Hoover AL LSU .489, 13 HR, 52 RBI IF James Tronstein 2026 Harvard-Westlake CA Vanderbilt .531, 10 HR, 29 RBI, 21 XBH IF Grady Emerson 2026 Fort Worth Christian TX Texas .508, 8 HR, 56 RBI, 34/35 SB, National POY IF Jacob Lombard 2026 Gulliver Schools FL Miami .477, 10 HR, 52 R, 42 H, 14 SB OF Martin Shelar 2026 Marist GA...
Draft | Story | 7/30/2026

2026 MLB Draft Signing Deadline Recap

Tyler Henninger
Article Image
As of Monday at 5 p.m. ET, the 2026 MLB Draft is officially complete. The signing deadline has passed, meaning we now know every team’s finalized draft class and exactly how much each player signed for. Entering the draft, it was clear there was a distinct top tier consisting of Roch Cholowsky, Grady Emerson, and Vahn Lackey. That separation became even more evident once contracts were signed. Cholowsky became the first player in draft history to sign for more than $10 million, agreeing to a record-setting $10,347,500 bonus with the White Sox. Emerson set a new high school signing bonus record at $9,747,500, the second-largest bonus ever awarded to a draft pick. Lackey rounded out the trio with a $9,497,500 bonus, the third-largest signing bonus in MLB Draft history. Those weren’t the only records set. Teams combined to spend $402,481,143 in signing bonuses, surpassing last...
Tournaments | Championship | 7/30/2026

Blue Wave Battle & Prevail at 14u Classic

Kinley Kitchens
Article Image
For Excel Blue Wave, the summer was never about being perfect. It was about getting better. After a season filled with challenges, growth, and plenty of learning along the way, Excel Blue Wave put everything together when it mattered most, defeating SBG Sox Prime, Al 9-3 to capture the 2026 14U Perfect Game Hoover Classic championship. For Excel Blue Wave Coach Forrest Heacock, watching the group celebrate with a championship trophy was especially meaningful because of everything it took to get there.  “It hasn’t been the easiest summer, and have battled a lot,” Coach Heacock said. “The kids have improved so much over the summer, and that is really what it’s all about at this age. It’s really just about improving at this age, and to see them be able to put it together, and just really compete together and play as a team, I couldn’t be...
Tournaments | Championship | 7/30/2026

Excel Leaves No Doubt at 15u Hoover Classic

Kinley Kitchens
Article Image
Excel Blue Wave National wasn’t leaving Hoover empty-handed.  At least, that was the message head coach Wes Henderson gave his team.  After a summer filled with strong performances but without a tournament title to show for them, Excel Blue Wave National entered the 2026 15U Perfect Game Hoover Classic with one more opportunity to finish the season the way they wanted.  This time, they left no doubt.  Excel Blue Wave National defeated East Coast Sox 2029 Victus, 12-0 in the championship game, combining a balanced offensive attack with a strong performance on the mound to secure their first tournament title of the summer.  “It’s been a special group,” Coach Henderson said. “They fought really hard, and they played really well this summer, and this is the first championship that we’ve been able to bring home. We typically...
Tournaments | Championship | 7/29/2026

"Excel"ling Through the Hoover Classic

Kinley Kitchens
Article Image
After a long summer of baseball, Excel Blue Wave National had one final opportunity to end it the way every team hopes to.  Together, having fun, and as champions. Excel Blue Wave National closed their summer with a 13-9 victory over Excel Blue Wave American – Morrison to capture the 2026 16U Perfect Game Hoover Classic championship. In a game that required contributions throughout the lineup and seven innings of competition, the Excel Blue Wave National relied on the same qualities and approach that had carried the group all summer. With talent, perseverance and a chemistry built far beyond the baseball field, they were unstoppable.  For head coach Brennan McCullough, there couldn’t have been a much better way for his players to finish their final weekend together .  “It’s great,” Coach McCullough said. “We’ve had a long...
Tournaments | Story | 7/29/2026

16u West WS Scout Notes: Days 3-4

Quinton Hall
Article Image
16u West World Series Scout Notes: Days 1-2 Jason Lizotte (‘28 | NV) Smooth LHH, hunts pitches down in the zone he can rip to the middle & PS w/ a downhill & direct path. Some strength in the hands w/ feel for the barrel #PGWS pic.twitter.com/kbK5Ayvhd7 — Perfect Game Four Corners (@PG_FourCorners) July 27, 2026 Jason Lizotte (2028 | Las Vegas, NV) The 5-foot-9, 145-pound left-handed hitter and outfielder was a spark plug all weekend for MTBA Dawgs 2028, finishing with seven hits, eight runs scored, one double, one triple, four RBI, three stolen bases, and four walks without a strikeout. Lizotte refused to give away an at-bat, consistently working hitter’s counts before spraying line drives all over the field. The left-handed swing stays short and direct with plenty of feel for the barrel, and once he reached base, he immediately put pressure on the defense with...
Tournaments | Championship | 7/29/2026

SBA Sox Save Best for Last

Kinley Kitchens
Article Image
Sometimes the best ending comes after a season of figuring things out. For SBG Sox American, the summer wasn’t always seamless. The team spent their early weeks learning where players fit best, building chemistry and searching for the combination that would allow them to play their best baseball. By the final weekend, they found it.  SBG Sox American closed their summer with a 7-5 victory over Dirtbags Midsouth 2027 Black to capture the 2026 17U Perfect Game Hoover Classic championship, putting together one final winning performance in the last tournament this group would share this summer.  For SBG Sox Coach Cooper Williams, that made taking home the championship trophy even more meaningful. “It’s been great, especially for it being their last summer event,” Coach Williams said. “It’s really cool for them to kind of pull this thing out for...
Tournaments | Story | 7/29/2026

East World Series Scout Notes

Perfect Game Staff
Article Image
Evan Brand (2027, Acworth, Ga.) has been solid at the plate all summer and did not slow down late in the summer. This week, Brand was able to hit just under the .700 mark and tallied three extra base hits, including a homer. The switch hitter has a fluid barrel path with plus feel for the barrel to all fields. The lower half also moves with some rhythm, and the switch hitting ability with the accuracy to the barrel provides plenty of intrigue. The middle infielder is committed to Georgia Tech. Atley Schwarzrock (‘27 GA) catches of all of the first pitch he sees launching it over the wall in left for a 2-run 💣 sending it with some heat; stays loose in his progressing ripping the barrel thru the zone with some strength behind it and staying tall on impact. #EastWS… pic.twitter.com/oGxbPQN1W0 — Perfect Game Georgia (@PG_Georgia) July 27, 2026 Atley Schwarzrock (2027,...
Tournaments | Story | 7/29/2026

17u World Series Scout Notes: Days 3-5

Perfect Game Staff
Article Image
17u World Series Scout Notes: Days 1-2 Lukas Waite (‘27, CA) showed LOUD stuff out of the pen. 6-2/205 frame. High-end athlete on the mound. FB sat 92-95 (T96). SL at 80-82 generated uncomfortable whiffs #PGWS @California_PG @PG_Uncommitted pic.twitter.com/UXaVxqA2kv — Perfect Game Four Corners (@PG_FourCorners) July 27, 2026 Lukas Waite (2027, San Diego, Calif.) came out of the pen on day four and showcased the loudest stuff out of the entire event. The recently named PG All-American ran the fastball up to 96 mph and sat 92-95 mph throughout the outing. A slider at 80-82 mph was lethal. It tunnels well off the heater and gets uncomfortable whiffs often. Waite features a 6-2, 205-pound frame that moves extremely well. There is supreme athleticism throughout the delivery that stands out. The upside is extremely high and will be sure to draw heavy draft interest during this...
All American Game | Story | 7/29/2026

Victorino & Girardi Tabbed PGAAC Managers

Article Image
    667 Progress Way | Sanford, FL 32771 | 319-298-2923 www.perfectgame.org | facebook.com/perfectgameusa | @PerfectGameUSA     FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   SHANE VICTORINO AND JOE GIRARDI NAMED MANAGERS FOR PERFECT GAME DICK'S ALL-AMERICAN CLASSIC AT CITIZENS BANK PARK   Former Phillies Stars to Lead Nation's Top High School Baseball Players on August 16 in Philadelphia   Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Wednesday, July 29, 2026) - Perfect Game, the world’s largest youth baseball and softball platform and scouting service, today announced that former Phillies All-Star outfielder Shane Victorino and former Phillies manager Joe Girardi will serve as managers for Team East and Team West, respectively, at the 2026 Perfect Game DICK'S All-American Classic, taking place on Sunday, August 16, at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pa.   Joining Girardi and...
College | Story | 7/28/2026

Coppy's Corner: July 28 Summer Edition

John Coppolella
Article Image
The amateur players in the Cape Cod Baseball League are the future stars of the 2027 MLB Draft. The league runs from June 13th through August 2nd. Games are played at historic stadiums in Old New England towns. It’s beautiful and charming. Hollywood even made a movie about the Cape Cod League ~25 years ago called Summer Catch. It scored an 8% (!) on Rotten Tomatoes, but, on the plus side, it featured 2001 Jessica Biel in a starring role.  It was so much fun writing Coppy’s Column this spring. My hope is to highlight a pitcher and position player each week from the Cape. And, who knows, maybe somewhere out there Jessica Biel is reading it.    Player of the Week: Blake Schaaf – Bourne Braves  Schaaf had a big week, going 12-for-22 (.545 AVG) with 3 Doubles, 4 Stolen Bases, and 9 Runs Scored. It’s been the continuation of a terrific summer for the...
Loading more articles...