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| 2,577 MLB PLAYERS | 16,376 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
2,577 MLB PLAYERS | 16,376 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
College  | Story | 3/8/2018

Quick Take: Vanderbilt

Photo: Vanderbilt Athletics



Perfect Game College Player Database

During the season Perfect Game scouts will be traveling to some of the top series to watch the very best players in college baseball. Those observations, captured with both written notes and video, will be shared in the College Player Database as linked above, notes that can also be accessed on the players' individual PG profile pages. Throughout the season select reports will be shared in feature format to promote the players, the teams and college baseball as a whole.


Vanderbilt Commodores

What Happened: Vanderbilt dropped two of three in the Shriners College Classic in Houston, losing in extras to Sam Houston State and 3-0 to Louisiana before getting the victory on Sunday over Houston. The Commodores got solid starting pitching and high-end individual bullpen performances, but the bullpen as a whole is responsible for the Friday loss to Sam Houston. With the exception of the Saturday shutout, Vandy's offense, highlighted by a whole mess of true freshmen, showed that they should be able to hit and hit well this season. 

Carrying Tool: Those freshman hitters. Vanderbilt's offense is built with freshmen up and down the lineup, with Austin Martin, Pat DeMarco, Jayson Gonzalez and Phillip Clarke all getting significant at-bats thus far. They, by and large, have exceeded expectations thus far, with all of them hitting at least .300 (Martin leads the pack at .405) and they've done a fair job of limiting strikeouts while also hitting for power along the way. If they can avoid any serious group-wide dropoffs as SEC play gets rolling along, they have a chance to help carry this team deep. 

Concerns: Starting pitching. While the stats on the surface look fine from the perspective of the Vanderbilt weekend rotation, just below the surface raises some concerns. While Drake Fellows was dominant in his start, both Patrick Raby and Chandler Day struggled a bit and had short outings, counting heavily upon a bullpen, that, while talented, also has some warts. For the Commodores to go deep into the postseason this year they will need that starting rotation as a whole to come together to go deeper into games. 

Best Player on the Field: J.J. Bleday. While he didn't stuff the stat sheet as a few others in Vandy's lineup did, the argument can be made that Bleday had the greater overall impact on the games, particularly their win, from the perspective of both offense and defense. Bleday was sterling in right field, making a pair of diving catches and a sliding third, all while hitting in the middle of the lineup and providing a big power presence, something Vanderbilt is missing since the departures of Jeren Kendall and Will Toffey of a year ago. 

Fearless Forecast: We'll see Vanderbilt's offense hit a bit of a lull during SEC play, but they'll be back in rare form by the tournament. Any time you expect major contributions from freshmen, regardless of the level of talent, there are likely to be some growing pains as the scouting report gets out on them. Vanderbilt's super frosh aren't likely to be immune to this, but they're also so talented that they may be able to stem the flow of it. The SEC will make adjustments to them, that much is for sure. Vanderbilt's season will likely be determined by how these freshmen are able to re-adjust back.  


Database Player Reports (11):

• J.J. Bleday
• Tyler Brown
• Chandler Day
• Pat DeMarco
• Drake Fellows
• Jackson Gillis
Connor Kaiser
• Zach King
• Ethan Paul
• Patrick Raby
Reid Schaller


Prospect Spotlight: Connor Kaiser, SS



As Vanderbilt's much-heralded freshman class gets off to a hot start, so have the Commodores, but it's Connor Kaiser who is likely to be the first Vanderbilt positional player off the board when the draft rolls around this June. Kaiser is a long, athletic-bodied shortstop who is definitively bigger than most at the position, fitting into the new-age sort of shortstop model, being tall with good athleticism but also good physical projection. He's got some strength to the build right now but he could end up out-growing shortstop altogether if he keeps filling out that physicality.

He's a solid average athlete with the necessary quick-twitch athleticism to play shortstop well at the collegiate level, but his professional home may be as more of a utility player who could handle some second and third base as well. The hands are quite clean in the middle infield and the side-to-side agility is pretty solid as well, especially for a player of his length, and he shows enough arm strength to handle the throws from deep in the 6-hole with no real trouble. 

Offensively, Kaiser is off to a hot start and is expected to be a steadying veteran presence in a lineup that features a good number of underclassmen. He has a mostly quiet approach, with a leg lift trigger and lower hand pinch load that can cause him to be a bit late creating separation, but he shows more bat speed this year than he has in the past and he has solid feel for timing to begin with, so the complexities of the hand load aren't a problem at this point. It's a compact swing online drive path, built for covering the plate well and using the whole field, and he shows solid extra-base pop as well. A mostly average runner, Kaiser will occasionally dig down the line in the 4.25 second range, which is above average, but he's likely to be pretty consistently an average runner long term. 

He's going to have to hit this year, and ideally hit for some power as well, as while he's been a good defender at Vanderbilt, when it comes to the draft, the offensive profile is a little light for much beyond rounds 4-5. He shows the ability to handle the bat and spray contact, but without some punch to that offensive profile he looks more like a potential utility guy at the big league level as compared to a starting shortstop. However, the early returns are encouraging, as he's shown more adept at making hard contact thus far this season while continuing to play steady defense.

College | Story | 7/21/2026

Coppy's Corner: July 21 Summer Edition

John Coppolella
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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: Coen Niclai – Wareham Gatemen  The Internet tells me that 12 MLB players have come from Alaska, 10 of whom were from Anchorage, and the best of which is Curt Schilling. Niclai, who is also...
Tournaments | Story | 7/23/2026

UBC Midwest X Atlantic Notes: Part 2

Jordan Gates
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UBC Midwest X Atlantic Notes: Part 1 ‘27 RHP Alexander Kakach (MN) displayed present arm strength and some feel to spin. The #Creighton commit was up to 93 mph with the FB (89-93), while the SL showed two plane break at 79-84 mph. Mixed in CT at 84-86 with tight action in the zone. #UBCMW @MNIcemen @PG_WiscMinn pic.twitter.com/TlrOnNDIcd — Perfect Game Illinois (@PG_Illinois) July 18, 2026 Alexander Kakach (2027, Plymouth, Minn.) of MN Icemen 17U Gominsky displayed intriguing upside on the mound, striking out five over 4.0 innings while running the fastball up to 93 mph with ride. The 6-foot, 180-pound right-hander and Creighton commit paired the fastball with a low-80s slider that flashed two-plane break and a cutter that played well off the mix. Kakach worked with a loose, quick arm from a high three-quarter slot, creating quality movement across his mix while displaying...
Tournaments | Story | 7/22/2026

15u WWBA Scout Notes: Day 5

Perfect Game Staff
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15u WWBA Scout Notes: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 Noah Rumley (‘29 NC) has been up to 90 so far in this start w/ 8 Ks in 4 innings of work. Really jumps out of the hand at foot strike w/ some ride to it; has also mixed in a SL w/ horizontal action. #WWBA @PG_Coastal pic.twitter.com/OcU57a3Syl — Perfect Game Scout (@PG_Scouting) July 21, 2026 Noah Rumley (2029, Summerfield, N.C.) got the ball for GBC Lopez 2029 15u in their final game of pool play and dominated, going up against a tough lineup in the East Cobb Astros. The 6-foot-2 left-handed pitcher ended up going five innings, allowing only one hit and one run, while striking out nine. It’s premium stuff at the 15u level as he worked easily in the upper-80s, topping at 90 mph in the first. The breaking ball showed two-plane shape in the upper-70s as well. There’s a ton of things to like already and even...
Tournaments | Championship | 7/22/2026

Champions Named at Southwest Select

Emily Hicks
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Another week of Perfect Game baseball concluded as champions were crowned in the 15U, 16U, and 18U divisions of the Southwest Select Championship. After several days of pool play and championship bracket action, three teams rose above the competition to capture tournament titles following a week of high-level baseball. Throughout the tournament, teams from across the Southwest and beyond competed in closely contested matchups, producing standout pitching performances, timely offense, and memorable defensive plays. As the bracket narrowed, each division featured championship-caliber baseball before the final trophies were awarded. 15U Championship The 15U division title was claimed by AZ Prodigy, who defeated Nomadic 14U Premier by a score of 2-1 in the championship game. After putting together a strong tournament run, AZ Prodigy continued its momentum in the title game with contributions...
Tournaments | Story | 7/23/2026

Battle for the Windy City Scout Notes

Perfect Game Staff
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All American Game | Story | 7/22/2026

PG All-American Classic Roster Reveal

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  667 Progress Way | Sanford, FL 32771 | 319-298-2923 www.perfectgame.org | facebook.com/perfectgameusa | @PerfectGameUSA     FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   PERFECT GAME ANNOUNCES TEAM ROSTERS FOR 2026 DICK'S ALL-AMERICAN CLASSIC AT CITIZENS BANK PARK   The rosters span 20 U.S. states, Puerto Rico and Canada, with California leading the way Jersey City's Finnian O'Loughlin gives the host region a player in the spotlight Field includes sons of Hall of Famer Frank Thomas & MLB All-Star Brad Hawpe   Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Wednesday, July 22, 2026) - Perfect Game, the world’s largest youth baseball and softball platform and scouting service, today announced the Team East and Team West rosters for the 2026 DICK'S All-American Classic, set for Sunday, August 16 at Citizens Bank Park, home of the Philadelphia Phillies. The 60-player field represents the top...
Tournaments | Championship | 7/22/2026

Florida Burn Cruise to 17U BCS Crown

Alyssa Golden
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Ranked fifth nationally entering the tournament, Florida Burn 2027 Scout left no doubt who the best team was at the 17U BCS National Championship. Burn finished a perfect 9-0 tournament, earning an 11-1 semifinal victory before defeating No. 86-ranked Original Florida Pokers 2027 National, 9-1, Tuesday afternoon at JetBlue Park. Burn seized control early and never looked back in a game that ended after the fifth inning per Perfect Game’s mercy rule. Burn carried its explosive offense into the championship game as Braedon Mackay launched a two-run home run in the first inning, giving his team an early 2-0 lead. Mackay’s home run sparked a five-run opening inning, setting the tone for the rest of the afternoon. The Florida commit later earned tournament MVP honors after helping lead Burn to an unbeaten championship run. “I was just trying to get something started,”...
Tournaments | Story | 7/22/2026

17u BCS Scout Notes: Days 2-3

Perfect Game Staff
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17u BCS Scout Notes: Day 1 Kenniel Nieves Medero (2027 SS, PR)  Nieves Medero put together another quality offensive showing, continuing the consistent production he displayed throughout the tournament. The 8.5 PG grade shortstop features quick hands and does an excellent job creating separation with strong hip rotation, allowing him to generate easy bat speed through the zone. The swing remains balanced and efficient with present feel for the barrel. A polished offensive profile with tools that continue to translate in game action.  Oscar Cambero (2027 3B, FL)  Cambero turned in an impressive offensive performance, smoking a triple into the gap while showcasing both speed and gap-to-gap power. The right-handed hitter generates quality bat speed and consistently impacts the baseball with authority. Plays with a high motor on both sides of the ball and competes with energy...
Tournaments | Story | 7/22/2026

Texas Region Scout Notes

Geoff Billock
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Jack Soete (2028, Houston, Texas) had a big weekend for HP 2028 Woods. Went 4-9 at the plate with two doubles and a home run. Strong approach at the top of the order as well, drawing five walks. Closed stance with an athletic, projectable frame. Gains ground on the stride and stays on plane with his swing. Bat-to-ball ability is present and power should continue to develop. Lot to like from the athletic, left-handed bat. Kai Anderson (2028, Missouri City, Texas) was an absolute force for 2028 South Texas Sliders 16U Pierce. Went 4-8 with two doubles, six runs batted in, and a no-doubt walk-off home run in the semifinal. Some physicality in the frame. Leverages the upper half decently as he shows some ability to elevate with more than enough juice. Some pretty serious flashes as a middle of the order bat at the next level. Valentin Ceballos (2028, New Braunfels, Texas) was extremely loud...
PG Select Baseball Festival | General | 7/21/2026

13u Select Festival Roster Reveal

Jheremy Brown
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With the completion of the 2026 13u National Showcase, an event that featured some of the best talent the age group has to offer, 42 players came out with the label of "Festivaler" as they received a phone call shortly after the event concluded. Moving back to the University of Tennessee after a two year stay at the University of Virginia, Ole Rocky Top will see a mixed bag of returners; three-timers, new faces and a couple who bridged the gap from the 11u game into the 13u iteration.  Of the 42 players, 9 players call Florida their home base which is the most of any state while Texas (8), California (7) and Georgia (5) are all close behind nearly three-quarters of the players selected. In total 17 different states are represented, from Hawaii to Arkansas, Washington to Maryland and everywhere in between.  Quick roster breakdown: Three-time Select Festival: 13 players ...
Tournaments | Story | 7/21/2026

UBC Midwest X Atlantic Notes: Part 1

Blaine Peterson
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Jack Postma (2028, Barrington, IL) made an impression in Chicago this week. A 6-foot-5 right hander with a starter pitch mix. Topped out at 93 in his outing at UBC Midwest and pitched at 88-93 for 2 innings on the mound. Slider showed late horizontal bite at its best when finished out front. Change up is a usable third pitch with fading action and ability to miss bats. Clean overall operation in the delivery. Upside with added stability in the arm action. Chance to be one of the top prospects in Illinois and potentially the country with necessary adjustments moving forward.  Connor Basinski (2028, Columbia, IL) an athletic player with 2-way potential. Physicality stands out for a player in the 2028 class. Swung the bat impressively well in Chicago. Hits from a wide stance and stays balanced using strength and leverage to drive the baseball to all fields. Launched a long pull side...
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