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| 2,631 MLB PLAYERS | 16,402 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
2,631 MLB PLAYERS | 16,402 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 | 8/17/2026

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Jim Salisbury
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Tournaments | Story | 10/21/2026

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Perfect Game Staff
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Tournaments | Story | 10/19/2026

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The WWBA World Championship remains one of the premier events on the draft calendar as all 30 major league organizations descend on Jupiter to evaluate some of the top talent in amateur baseball. The event serves as a pivotal checkpoint in the scouting process, giving established prospects an opportunity to further elevate their stock while lesser-known names have a chance to put themselves on the radar of various organizations. This year was no exception, as several players made strong impressions and positioned themselves for increased attention heading into the spring. With that being said, let’s dive into a few draft risers and sleepers who stood out in Jupiter. Calum Andersen (‘27,CAN) had his A stuff working today running the FB to 96 mph with a devastating horizontal SL at 85 mph that can break bats. Mixed in a late breaking 12/6 curveball at 78 mph that induces weak...
Tournaments | Story | 10/20/2026

Jupiter Recap: Stars Being Stars

Vincent Cervino
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WWBA World Championship Notes: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 PG Draft: Jupiter Draft Movers With the 2026 WWBA World Championship in the rearview mirror, we're going to begin our breakdowns of 4 different subcategories, beginning today with the Stars Being Stars category. Most of the players below are household names or were teetering on the edge of such recognition, using Jupiter as their launching pad. From Perfect Game All-Americans to some serious helium names for the MLB Draft, the PG crew breaks them all down below.  ‘27 Samir Mohammed (FL) racked up 11 Ks thru 5 IP on 75% strikes. FB lived 98-99, T100 w/ tons of ASR & life thru the zone. Hit 99 mph 10+ times incl his final pitch of the outing. Had his sharp vert CB on a string & faded the CHG effectively vs LHHs (clip). #LSU commit. @PG_Draft #WWBAWorlds @Florida_PG — Perfect Game Scout (@PG_Scouting)...
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Jupiter Recap: Uncommitted...For Now

Kyler Peterson
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Draft | Prospect Scouting Reports | 10/15/2026

Beyond the Board: C/UTL Gavin Kelly

Tyler Henninger
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Tournaments | Story | 10/15/2026

Big Offense Propels TBT/FTB to Title

Hannah Jo Groves
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Big Offense Wins TBT/FTB Phillies Scout WWBA Freshman Title Runs scoring in every inning led to the TBT/FTB Phillies Scout Team taking home the 2026 PG WWBA Freshman World Championship - winning over Canes National 15U 10-5. It had been a long week in West Palm Beach for the freshmen coming in from around the country to go up against the best of the best. While they had gotten to play on the backfields during the whole tournament, the players who made it to the championship game got to play it in the CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches Stadium. TBT/FTB showed their defensive strength right away - executing quickly to retire each of the first three batters. With the bats in their hands, they also showed speed to deliver - with Luca Briggs batting Trey Vandergriff in for the first run of the game and Kingston George quickly plating Briggs with a double in the next at-bat. In the first at-bat of...
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Perfect Game Staff
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Press Release | Press Release | 10/14/2026

Perfect Game Extends Turtlebox Deal

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Hannah Jo Groves
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Tournaments | Story | 10/12/2026

WWBA Freshman Scout Notes: Day 4

Marcus Thomas
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