THE WORLD'S LARGEST AND MOST COMPREHENSIVE SCOUTING ORGANIZATION
| 2,384 MLB PLAYERS | 15,805 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
2,384 MLB PLAYERS | 15,805 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
Sign in Create Account
Sign in Create Account
Tournaments  | Story | 7/23/2016

16u BCS Finals Day 5 Scout Notes

Brandon Hohl


Day 1 Notes | Day 2 Notes | Day 3 Notes | Day 4 Notes
Daily Leaders | Top Ranked Players Team Database

Another intriguing prospect from Chet Lemons Juice is Yeakarlos Lleras (2018, Carolina, Puerto Rico). When I look at Lleras his body type and style remind me of Melvin Upton Jr. He’s still rail thin but the athleticism shows through the lack of physical maturity, which is a great sign. At the plate he stands narrow and open, the torso is upright, with the hands above the shoulder. Lleras begins his swing with a gather to the rear leg, uses a leg lift with slight internal rotation that coils the hip, his hands drop while wiggling the barrel to a tipped launch position. As he strides forward, Lleras maintains his coil and lands in a torqued position. His lower half is explosive which generates bat speed and leads to probably one of the better bat paths I’ve seen in the past two weeks. Lleras is currently hitting .444 for the tournament with three RBI and a run scored.

The Boca Raton Thunder have impressed through pool play with the help of Jack Hay (2019, Parkland, Fla.) At the plate he stands with his feet slightly wider than shoulder width, and upright torso and his back elbow up with the barrel resting on the shoulder. He begins his swing by gathering in to the rear leg with a toe tap, lifting the barrel off the shoulder before striding forward, creating good hip and front-side coil. Jack lands in a strong torqued position and has a good path to the ball. His bat speed is still developing but Hay has great mechanics that put him on time with every pitch he sees. Jack has had success at the plate so far in the tournament, ending pool play hitting .500 and scoring five runs.

Also impressive for the Boca Thunder was uncommitted shortstop Christian Larson (2019, Boca Raton, Fla.). Larson has the prototypical shortstop frame standing at a lithe 6-foot and 150-pounds with plenty of room to fill. He shows great actions in the field with great hands and a good arm. At the plate he has a loose rhythmic stance with the feet set shoulder width, and upright torso and hands held at shoulder height. Larson has beautiful mechanics to start the swing by keeping the rear leg braced, with a leg lift with internal rotation that coils the hip and front side. His hands and the barrel move back as he strides forward, creating a great launch position. He really gets in his legs while maintaining explosiveness in the hips and working up to the ball. Like his teammate, Jack Hay, I think the bat speed is developing and the strength will come with maturity.

Chain National-Dobbs continues to throw impressive arms on the mound the most recent was uncommitted Mason Hand (Columbia, AL 2017). On the mound has a high leg lift with internal rotation that creates torque in the rear leg, kicks out with lead leg in to a long stride, long arm swing gaining speed to an over-the-top release. Touching 87 miles per hour with his four seam fastball, Mason showed command of the strike zone by attacking hitters early in the count and working both sides of the plate. He would occasionally miss high with the fastball but he would set up his 11/5 slurve at 70 miles per hour by changing elevations as well. Mason also impressed with his ability to maintain command of his pitches by controlling the running game while varying his looks and holds with runners on base. The uncommitted right handed pitcher finished with three innings of work while allowing only two hits and five strikeouts.

A pair of catchers for Chain National-Buress continue to impress at the plate. First up is Darius Diaz (2018, Perth Amboy, N.J.), who who has a wide stance, upright torso, and rests the bat on his shoulder. Diaz starts his swing with a quick gather to the rear leg, barely lifting his foot off the ground as he takes a small stride forward and uses his lower half violently. His mechanics allow him to work up to the ball with his body and his bat path follows. Darius matches plane with his bat path with great bat speed and strength. His primary position is catcher and he definitely has the ability to stay behind the plate in the future. The only thing I’d like to see him continue to develop is his arm. He also runs well for a catcher and because of his success at the plate I only have trotted singles timed down the first base line. Diaz is currently 7-for-15 with a double and a triple.

And then there is uncommitted Orlando Adams, Jr. (2018, Atlanta, Ga.), who, with his imposing size in the box, stands with his feet wider than shoulder width, an upright torso and a high back elbow and bat held at 45-degrees. Orlando keeps his hands and barrel in a strong launch position throughout his movements, so the hands barely move as he strides forward. His weight shift to rear leg coils his front side, then lands in a torqued position, engaging his hips violently as he works up to the ball. He has sudden bat speed and strength at contact. Between the two catchers, Adams is more physically mature and advanced at the plate where Diaz is the more skilled catcher. Both run above average for catchers and do not clog the bases.

Uncommitted outfield prospect for Top Tier, Clay Thompson (2018, Richmond, Ill.), shows raw athleticism hitting from the left side. He stands tall at the plate with feet shoulder width apart and holds the barrel high above his head. With rhythm he shifts into the rear leg, then using a short stride Thompson separates, dropping his hands and tipping the barrel to a low launch position, landing in a torqued position. He has a really fluid swing, showing bat speed and a good path working up to the ball. His lower half finishes in a good position with the hips showing quick rotation. I do think that he stays too tall with his upper body throughout the swing. By doing this he can create more leverage on the barrel and generate power in to the ball. Thompson is currently 5-for-11 with three RBI and four runs scored.

From Thursday, making a relief appearance for the FTB Rockets was a tall and projectable righthanded pitcher, Jacob Mercado (2017, Royal Palm Beach, Fla.). His fastball reached up to 86 mph, although he struggled to find the zone at his peak velocity, sitting mostly at 82-84. The fastball showed an impressive amount of arm-side run generating a lot of swing and misses from both lefthanded hitters and righthanded hitters. In my opinion his best pitch was the changeup, which he showed incredible command of as well. Mercado threw it arm side at 75-76 mph with good fastball arm speed, good depth and run. Despite its movement, the changeup did get hit hard due to the fact that it moves almost identical to his fastball. In two innings of work, Mercado recorded three strikeouts.
Give us your feedback
Tournaments | Story | 1/27/2026

MLK East Scout Notes Recap
Perfect Game Staff
Article Image
‘28 OF Jakob Groeschel (OH) continues to impress with the bat on the circuit, picked up 2 2Bs in the first game today. Really athletic, went 4.4 on turn; easy to dream on all the traits. #MLKEast @PG_OhioValley pic.twitter.com/wOIwnGKnkg — Perfect Game Florida (@Florida_PG) January 17, 2026 2028 OF Jakob Groeschel (Springfield, Ohio) broke out at this event last year hitting a casual .909, and although he didn’t turn in quite the same performance, he hit a strong .462 with 4 extra-base hits, 5 walks, 5 bags and only struck out once. He’s a pretty dynamic athlete who can do a lot of things well, but the bat is the calling card as he just lives on the barrel and has no problem handling all kinds of pitching. It’s a simple swing, but he’s got fast hands and he can really impact the ball without being overly physical yet.  2030 RHP Michael Vazquez...
Read More
High School | General | 2/27/2026

HS Showdown Scout Notes: Day 1

Tyler Russo
Article Image
High School Showdown Event Page | High School Showdown Preview ‘27 1B Frank Thomas (FL) goes liftoff once again for 2nd HR, again in the L on L. Leveraging w/ such easy juice. #PGShowdown @IMGABaseball @Florida_PG https://t.co/BgWiDyMiMo pic.twitter.com/IC6sdAkhmT — Perfect Game Scout (@PG_Scouting) February 26, 2026 Frank Thomas III (2027, Sarasota, Fl.) was all over a breaking ball in the first inning of an IMG Academy offensive explosion, making it back-to-back-to-back homers to start the game. He did not turn back from there, homering on two more occasions. The ball explodes off the barrel with low effort strength and he showed the ability to manipulate the barrel to lift with authority. Thomas III is built strong and physical and he is just beginning to tap into that huge power upside. He showed no issues handling left on left matchups, with his first two homers coming...
Read More
Draft | Prospect Scouting Reports | 2/26/2026

PG Draft: Early Season Underclass Performers

Tyler Henninger
Article Image
Dax Whitney (@BeaverBaseball) showed LOUD stuff. FB up to 100, cruised at 95-98. Pair of plus secondaries. CB at 77-79 (2923) with sharp, 12-6 action. Firm SL at 89-91 (2714) with bite. Flashed fading CH at 87-88 (1425). Ranked No. 1 on the ‘27 board @PG_Draft So./‘27 elig. pic.twitter.com/9PNbjJ53Zo — PG College Baseball (@PGCollegeBall) February 13, 2026 RHP Dax Whitney, Oregon State (‘27 elig.) Whitney may not just be the best arm in next year’s class, he may be the best arm in the entire country right now. The right-handed sits 98 mph with the heater and has been up to 100 mph. Both the slider and curveball are plus offerings that he spins extremely well. Whitney will mix in a quality Gavin changeup that sits in the upper-80’s and has also introduced a new cutter. All the pitches come from the exact same release point and jump out of the hand. He...
Read More
High School | General | 2/26/2026

PGHS Showdown: Academies Scout Notes

AJ Denny
Article Image
Jordan Burwell (‘26 NJ) going WAY out to right. Rhythmic approach and smooth swing get into big time power. #Mountaineers commit. @PGMidAtlantic #PGShowdown pic.twitter.com/qyDaIPxIol — Perfect Game Scout (@PG_Scouting) February 22, 2026 Jordan Burwell (‘26 NJ) First live look at the left-handed hitting West Virgina commit. The power is real, launched two long homers in game action this weekend. Easy mover with very clean path with sky high offensive ceiling if he continues to show like this. Swing is built for power and lofted pull side impacts.    CJ Alfano (‘26 NY) long PS bomb this morning. Just leaning on everything that’s thrown over the heart. #WVU commit. @PGMidAtlantic #PGShowdown pic.twitter.com/4lGnhOEyrl — Perfect Game Scout (@PG_Scouting) February 22, 2026 Cj Alfano (‘26 NY)Just an impossible out throughout the weekend....
Read More
High School | General | 2/27/2026

SoCal High School Notebook: Feb. 27

Steve Fiorindo
Article Image
5 K's over 4 hitless innings of work for Jared Grindlinger (2026), making first start as member of the 2026 class. 92-94 t95 w/ the FB, SL 80-83, CH 81-83, CB 77/78. Efficient outing, 50 pitches, 39 strikes. #PGHS @PG_scouting @PG_Draft @HBHS_basebll @PG_Uncommitted pic.twitter.com/y7jwX1oPyB — Perfect Game California (@California_PG) February 25, 2026 Jared Grindlinger, LHP, Huntington Beach High School (2026) Gringlinger’s first start as a member of the 2026 class was a good one… 4 innings of no hit ball with 5 strikeouts.  Ran the fastball to 95, lived 92-94, throwing a ton of strikes.  50 pitches on the day, 39 strikes, pretty much landing all four pitches in the zone.  Went to the slider early and often, quadrupling up on the slide piece to the first hitter of the game. The slider shows late lateral action with some vert, living 80-83.  Used...
Read More
Softball | Softball Tournament | 2/25/2026

Perfect Game Softball 16U Winter Elite Showcase

Dave Durbala
Article Image
SPRINGFIELD, IL - Perfect Game Softball 16u Winter Elite Showcase, February 20-22, 2026. Twenty-Four teams arrived in Springfield for the opportunity to showcase some of the best talent in the midwest. After 3 pool play games,  the field was split and seeded into either the Platinum or Gold Division to begin bracket play.  With several highly sought after young arms on display, it was Indiana Magic Gold 16U Carroll and Indiana Magic Gold 14U National making it into the Platinum Division Championship, and through a mutual agreement, they decided to end the tournament as Co-Champions. In the Gold Division, it was Gts 16u Elite-Gonzalez with a 7-2 win over Cedar Rapids Blue Devils 14u, to earn the championship. Below are some of the players that played their way onto the top performers list, including the MVP and MV-Pitcher from both the Platinum and Gold Divisions. Earning the...
Read More
College | Recruiting | 2/25/2026

DII/DIII/NAIA Rankings Update: Feb. 25

Nick Herfordt
Article Image
A few weeks into the season and the shape of the national picture is starting to emerge (slightly, let’s get too silly about early results). Some preseason favorites are humming exactly as advertised, a few dark horses are pawing at the gate, and a handful of early contenders are discovering that February optimism and March reality are not always the same thing. Across DII, DIII and the NAIA, pitching staffs are setting the tone, offenses are either detonating or recalibrating, and the Top 25 is already beginning to feel less theoretical and more earned.   DII UT Tyler is performing as predicted with a 12-2 start that includes a series win at Angelo State. The Patriots’ offense has not exactly been knocking the cover off the ball, but the pitching staff has been stingy, holding opponents to a .228 batting average.  They have not faced a ranked opponent yet, but...
Read More
Juco | Rankings | 2/25/2026

JUCO Top 25: February 25

Blaine Peterson
Article Image
Another strong week for many of the top teams in junior college baseball. Walters State put together another undefeated weak and sticks in the top spot for the 3rd consecutive ranking. Chipola on the strength of a 20-1 start has established themselves early as one of top teams in the country. Johnson County put together a 2nd consecutive undefeated week and moves into the top 5 with a 15-1 overall record. They will play 4 games against #22 Iowa Western this week who is also coming off an undefeated week. Fresno City (15-0) and Midland (13-0) are two undefeated programs to begin 2026. They have gone from not in the preseason top 25 to the top 15 in our rankings in less than a month. And welcome to the PG Juco Top 25 Cloud County (KS) who debuts at #23 and is coming off a huge 3 game sweep on the road in Texas of a previous top 10 program in our rankings. Plenty of good matchups ahead this...
Read More
Softball | Softball Tournament | 2/24/2026

Perfect Game Softball February Frenzy

Dave Durbala
Article Image
BURLINGTON, IA - Perfect Game February Frenzy, February 20-22, 2026.  Twenty-two teams, representing five states, rolled into town for the opportunity to compete in this pool play, then into bracket play, with four games guaranteed,  in both a 14u and 18u division. Taking home top honors in the 14u division was Midwest Sluggers 11, who held off a late charge by the Black Dragons , winning 7-5. In the 18u division, it was Nebraska Gold 319 Berning topping Iowa Gold Prospects 4-0, avenging a pool play opening, 1-0 loss. Below are some of the players that played their way onto our Top Performers list, including the MVP and MV-Pitcher from the championship bracket in each age division. 14U Division Earning the 14u division MVP award was Presley Perkins (2030 Taylor Ridge, IL) who although is listed as a switch hitting OF, was only observed hitting from the left side for tournament...
Read More
High School | General | 2/25/2026

High School Showdown Preview

Cam McElwaney
Article Image
We’re only about 24 hours away from the 14th PG High School Showdown and as we get closer to one of the premier events on the high school schedule, we look ahead to what we’ll see in Hoover. The teams and players are what make this event special along with the environment with scouts packing the stands for this event. As with every year we’ve run this event, there are sure to be names called in the upcoming MLB Draft along with big time contributors at the college level. This year’s field is loaded with five teams ranked inside the Preseason High School Top-50, headlined by a trio of top-10 teams in No. 8 South Walton (FL), No. 9 Blessed Trinity (GA), and No. 10 IMG Academy (FL). Rounding out the list of top-50 teams are No. 34 Parkview (GA) and No. 43 Hoover (AL), along with plenty of other teams that will challenge for state championships in their respective...
Read More
Juco | Story | 2/27/2026

JUCO Notebook: February 27

Troy Sutherland
Article Image
An extended look at Carson Bailey (@mccbaseball1 )…. https://t.co/TltEl9M31H pic.twitter.com/24Lv8q73Yb — Perfect Game Texas (@Texas_PG) February 7, 2026 Carson Bailey (2024, Richardson, Texas) worked up to 97 with his fastball out the gate and lived 95-96 throughout his short burst outing. Fastball got up to 2500 RPM showing subtle tail at times. It plays firm and gets in on hitters quick. Locates fastball well at times. He went to a change in the 85-88 range as his bread and butter secondary killing spin with good dive. Change produced 5 whiffs. He also mixed in a slider in the 80-85 getting upwards of 2500 RPM with it. Slider tight and sharp when around it. Also flashed a curve at 79. Bailey stands in at 6-foot-3 from a deceptive delivery that creates tough angles for hitters. He should be a big follow throughout the Spring with plenty of draft buzz surrounding him. He is...
Read More
Loading more articles...
About Perfect Game :: Contact us :: Terms of Use :: Privacy Policy :: Testimonials :: Job Opportunities
Copyright 1994-2026 by Perfect Game. All rights reserved. No portion of this information may be reprinted or reproduced without the written consent of Perfect Game.