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High School  | General | 5/7/2018

High School Notebook: May 7

Photo: Cole Winn (Perfect Game)

The high school notebook is designed to share notes and video on players that stand out during the high school season and new features will be released regularly. This will include in-game looks, reports, analysis and video from Perfect Game's scouting staff. If you have news on a player in your area that is performing at a high level that we should have eyes on please reach out to Vinnie Cervino at vincent@perfectgame.org. Also feel free to share your video highlights on Twitter @vcervinopg.

High School Notebook: May 4


Quinn Matthews, LHP, Aliso Niguel HS (Calif.)



Lefthander Quinn Matthews is an interesting junior prospect out of Aliso Niguel HS and has a loose, lean frame with some lankiness that projects extremely well. The Stanford commit put on an impressive display against Trabuco Hills where he struck out twelve batters and showed three usable pitches for strikes. The fastball worked in the mid-80s mostly while touching 87 mph during the early portion of the game. Matthews attacks the zone well and all of his pitches have good life which aids in garnering swing-and-miss while also generating weak contact off the bat. The breaking ball worked in the low-70s while the changeup worked up to 78 mph. Matthews turned in a very strong performance and is an intriguing name to follow ahead of his junior summer. 


Ethan Hoopingarner, RHP, Aliso Niguel HS (Calif.)



Hoopingarner turned in a brief one inning look and notched two strikeouts. The righthander worked 86-90 mph with the fastball and the pitch had good, late life to the arm side. Flashed a curveball at 70 mph but the projection is the main play here. There's some effort and head whack to the delivery but the arm works very well as he utilizes his strong lower half properly to gather and drive down the mound off the backside. Hoopingarner finishes well over his front side and there's good depth to the breaking ball as the junior showed an intriguing two-pitch mix with plenty of physical projection on the mound. 


Evan Fitterer, RHP, Aliso Niguel HS (Calif.)

During this look, Fitterer didn't turn in his sharpest performance in terms of command, however the athletic and easy delivery coupled with the stuff make him a very interesting underclass prospect. The delivery works very well with looseness and athleticism, and the mechanics all project nicely. The fastball worked in the 87-89 mph range in an abbreviated look but with lots of natural cutting life to the pitch. The breaking ball flashed some sharpness and depth in the 71-75 mph range as well. 


Ethan Reed, RHP, Aliso Niguel HS (Calif.)

A touted draft prospect in the Southern California area, Reed is a two-sport athlete who spent time earlier this spring playing basketball at a high level. In this look, Reed worked up to 91 mph while mostly sitting in the 87-89 mph range that generated a good amount of strikes. The curveball is a legitimate out pitch and a swing-and-miss offering in the 73-78 mph range. Reed showed good hand speed and feel for the changeup up to 82 mph and has a strong arsenal that projects as a starter going forward. The delivery is very athletic and sound with a high leg kick, long stride down the mound, and a high-waisted, projectable frame. The arm works well and there have been reports of Reed getting closer to the velocity range he showed over the summer, which would create some helium as we get closer to the draft. 


Omar De La Herran, OF, Rancho Cucamonga HS (Calif.)



De La Herran is an interesting under the radar prospect, as he has been off the scene for the past two years due to a car accident. De La Herran is back and healthy now with a strong-looking 6-foot-3, 185-pound frame and flashes tools across the board. He can both run and throw well and shows the ability to be athletic in the outfield as he is the starting centerfielder for his high school team. There is lots of strength in the swing as he flashes some pull side pop during BP and in-game. There's an element of rawness to the profile but the tools certainly stand out, and De La Herran could be a sleeper in the area by the time the draft arrives. 


Carson Lambert, RHP, Newbury Park HS (Calif.)

Lambert turned in a very strong performance during this look as he went the distance for a complete game shutout as he scattered five hits and struck out five batters. The frame is large and loose with a strong lower half that allows him to drive well down the mound. Lambert's delivery is pretty sound, though the arm will come through a bit late at times. When on time, the Southern California commit shows late life and leverages well to the bottom of the strike zone. Lambert utilizes a four pitch mix with the fastball in the 87-90 mph range, the slider in the 78-82 mph range, the curveball in the 70-72 mph range, and a changeup in the 83-84 mph range. 


Tyson Heaton, RHP, Yucaipa HS (Calif.)



Heaton has a strong, sturdy frame with size and athleticism to boot. The Brigham Young commit turned in a brief, one inning look where he struck out the side. The fastball worked in the 87-90 mph range with life and has a big breaking curveball in the 71-74 mph range while also flashing a changeup at 78 mph for a strikeout. Heaton certainly looks the part of one of the better 2019 prospects n the 2019 Southern California class. 


Michael Carpentier, C, Yucaipa HS (Calif.)

Lefthanded catcher Michael Carpentier Jr. is one of the standout catchers for the class of 2019 in Southern California, and the Texas Christian commit has a very loud offensive profile. Carpentier didn't catch during this game but he still showed an all fields approach at the plate. There is some pop to both gaps and the power plays to the best when he is looking to pull the ball. 


Cole Winn, RHP, Orange Lutheran HS (Calif.)

Pitching his way to the top of the draft class, righthander Cole Winn has a chance to be the top prep righthander selected come June's draft. The Mississippi State commit has filled out nicely from the summer adding tons of well-proportioned strength to his frame on the mound. Winn has a very good delivery that is clean, balanced, and online with the requisite transfer off his backside. The arm works well and he commanded the fastball all over the strike zone while sitting 93-95 mph and touching 96 mph. He maintained the velocity well throughout the start before a slight velo dip in the sixth inning. The slider is a true weapon in the 83-86 mph range as he commanded the pitch to both sides. The 79-80 mph curveball is a nice third offering as he didn't mix in a changeup in this look. The fastball command separates him from most other high school arms and makes him look the part of a top of the first round type of draft pick. 


Jake Reed, RHP, JSerra HS (Calif.)

San Diego commit Jake Reed is an intriguing senior prospect for JSerra high school, and could really develop and become a high ceiling arm after some time in college. The fastball worked 87-89 mph with a good curveball in the 73-76 mph range. Reed has a very good feel for pitching and being on the mound in general as he battles every at-bat and always attacks hitters. Reed has a lean, loose frame with plenty of room to fill and will be an arm to keep an eye on as he continues to develop as a pitcher. 

– Steve Fiorindo


Christian Franklin, OF, Rockhurst HS (Kan.)

Arkansas signee Christian Franklin ranks in the top 200 players for the 2018 class and appears to be one of, if not the, top players selected from the Kansas City area selected in the draft. Franklin has a short, line drive stroke with present gap-to-gap strength and creates consistent hard contact as his approach allows him to wait on pitches to handle before driving the ball with authority. Franklin flashed a plus-plus run time at 4.1 seconds to first from the right side while also showing enough athleticism, instincts, and range to stick at centerfield at the next level. The arm strength is about average on the Major League scale, but Franklin offers the intriguing profile of being a plus runner and defender with requisite barrel skills from the right side. 


Marcus Smith, OF, Pembroke Hill HS (Kan.)

Michigan commit Marcus Smith showed well during this look, especially so with his running as he registered a 4.0 run time from the left side, good enough for a 70 on the Major League scale. Smith has great instincts on the base paths and utilizes that, in conjunction with his speed, to be an aggressive base stealer while producing runs with his legs. Smith shows good range in center field and there's lots of torque and bat speed to the swing. Smith looks to be one of the better 2019 prospects in the area and should be fun to monitor during the summer. 


Isaiah Cohens, SS, Goddard HS (Kan.)

Shortstop Isaiah Cohens is a very intriguing 2019 prospect with a short swing and a gap-to-gap approach offensively. There's good plate discipline and that allows him to be selective, he works best when he's working to the pull side gap. Cohens is a switch hitter that shows more power from the right side and Cohens projects for more power thanks to the frame and build. Cohens has fluid instincts and a quick first step and speed, all of which allow him to be an impressive defender at shortstop and he can throw from multiple angles as well. 


Casey Mayes, OF, Andover HS (Kan.)

Casey Mayes is a Michigan State signee that provides a loud offensive presence with some power from a centerfield profile. Mayes is athletic and slender with lots of room to fill out and add strength. Mayes has a quick, explosive swing with some hard contact off the barrel as the ball jumps off the barrel. He drives the ball well to all fields and has good speed, turning in above average run times. Mayes is an alert defender in centerfield with a quick first step and range in all directions; he should be a very strong piece in East Lansing should he get to campus

– JA Cordts




High School | General | 8/17/2026

Scott Wins MVP Two Ways

Jim Salisbury
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PHILADELPHIA – When the folks at Perfect Game reached out to invite him to pitch in the 2026 PG All-Star Game for rising sophomores and juniors, Cullen Scott had one request. “You mind if I get a couple of at-bats, too?” Along with his dad, Scott traveled from the family’s home in Texas to Citizens Bank Park. The trip proved to be a huge success as he starred on the mound and at the plate and was named the game’s Most Valuable Player. Scott, 16, pitched a scoreless first inning and struck out two. In the fourth inning, he belted a grand slam six rows up into the left-field seats to lead the National team’s 6-1 win over the American team. “He showed us why he’s here as a pitcher and a hitter,” said Greg Sabers, PG’s vice president of scouting and showcases. "He’s one of the top pitchers here, but he’s too good a...
General | Blog | 9/21/2026

Wolforth Throwing Mentorship: Article 68

Ron Wolforth
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Are You Fixated on the Wrong Variable? Why Pitch Count Alone Was Never Going to Prevent Arm Injuries   You know a family this happened to. You might be one. They did everything right. They followed the pitch count. They honored the rest days. They tracked innings. They sat him when the chart said sit. They were the parents who spoke up when a coach wanted one more inning in a bracket game. And he got hurt anyway. I've been working with throwers for a long time, and that conversation is the one I have quite often… A parent sitting across from me genuinely bewildered because they followed the rules and the rules did not work. They usually assume they missed something. Most of the time they didn't. They managed exactly what they were told to manage. The problem is that what they were told to manage is one variable out of four.   The Uncomfortable Part First   Throwing...
Draft | Story | 9/19/2026

2027 Draft: Prep Demographic Breakdown

Ryan Miller
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The 2027 MLB Draft cycle is still in its early stages, but the overall makeup of the class is beginning to come into focus. With the first version of our Top-100 board out, we took a closer look at positional demographics from both college and prep players within the class.  Let’s kick things off with a deep dive into the prep class.  Prep Right-Handed Pitchers  Top Ranked Players: George Ferguson, Abilene (TX) | Brogan Witcher, Liberty (CA) | Ethan Gustus, Roseville (CA) | Cullen Scott, Melissa (TX) | Striker Pence, Corona (CA) | Samir Mohammed, Tampa Jesuit (FL) Potential Sleepers: Brennan Neal, Brookstone (GA) | Andrew Carlson, Trinity Classical Academy (CA) | Calum Andersen, Vauxhall Academy of Baseball (CAN) | Gavin Henderson, Boiling Springs (SC)    High speed look at the FF-CH from '27 RHP George Ferguson (TX)... #PGAAC @Texas_PG...
Tournaments | Story | 9/18/2026

Northeast Qualifier Scout Notes

Perfect Game Staff
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Another day, another Gavin Greene (‘28 GA) barrel as the @AuburnBaseball commit is now hitting well over .500 on the event #NEQ<ahref="https: pg_scouting?ref_src="twsrc%5Etfw'">@PG_Scouting @PG_Georgia https://t.co/Lf6G8AExjB pic.twitter.com/LFMueYHMxB</ahref="https:> — Perfect Game Mid-Atlantic (@PGMidAtlantic) September 14, 2026 Gavin Greene (2028 Alpharetta, GA) played a major factor in AZ Diamondbacks Scout’s Championship run, finishing his weekend with a .528 AVG and 7 RBI. The 5-foot-11, 175 pound Auburn commit was simply a hit machine regardless of who was on the mound, showcasing the ability to handle velo with ease and repeat the stroke at a high level. Starting from a narrow and upright, slightly open base, Greene does a great job of working directly to the point of impact with consistent hard line drive impact to the pull side of the field. He...
Juco | Rankings | 9/18/2026

JUCO Impact: Top 100 D1 Transfers

Troy Sutherland
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With the season upon us, let's take a minute to look at 100 of the biggest impact players who played at the JUCO level last year and have since transferred to a D1 program for the upcoming spring.  RK Name JUCO in 2025 DI in 2026 1 Ryan Bradford Johnson County TCU 2 Carson Bailey McLennan Texas Tech 3 Kameron Yearsley John A. Logan  Oklahoma 4 Holden Pantier Walters State Georgia Tech 5 Caden Davidson Gaston Florida 6 Anthony Quigley Northwest Florida Oklahoma 7 Walt Jones Weatherford Kansas 8 Colin Coonradt Johnson County West Virginia 9 Collin Smith Cochise Kansas 10 Ned Frutchey Sac City Arkansas 11 Hayden Blair Walters State Georgia 12 Parker Ishee Co-Lin Oklahoma 13 Coy Clements Pearl River Florida State 14 Griffin Rardin Shelton State Alabama 15 Jordan Martinez Gulf Coast State Florida State 16 Noah Bentley Weatherford Oklahoma 17 Kole Fenton Walters State North Carolina...
Softball | Softball Tournament | 9/17/2026

PG Softball Des Moines Elite Scouting Showcase

Ashley Mears
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Perfect Game Des Moines Elite Scouting Showcase 2026 Indianola. IA Ashley Mears What started off a perfect weather weekend, unfortunately was cut short due to thunderstorms mid-morning on Sunday. In the 18u Division, the Iowa Gold Prospects and the Midwest Speed National Kotzmacher were undefeated. In the 16U Division, 515 Fastpitch Twogood and Iowa Premier Gold- Brower. The tournament featured a ton of solid hitters and pitchers from across the state and Minnesota. Even with the poor weather on Sunday, there was still plenty to see and write about! 18u Division Lexi Adams (2028 Ankeny, IA), a catcher for Iowa Gold Prospects, had a stellar weekend at the plate. Behind the plate, Adams shows strong command of the game and does an excellent job working the zone, using her framing ability to consistently give her pitchers a chance to earn borderline calls. At the plate, Adams starts from a...
Tournaments | Story | 9/17/2026

South Underclass Qualifier Scout Notes

Geoff Billock
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Cole Marquardt (2029, Montgomery, Texas) left no doubt this weekend as he came home with Tournament MVP honors for his work with Banditos 2028 Black. Went 7-10 with a double, a home run, a pair of triples, and the walk off single in the championship game. Projectable left-handed swing with plenty of tools to dream on. Bat to ball was on point all weekend and he had plenty of chances to show off an advanced run tool. Plenty to dream on moving forward. Callen Corley (2028, Houston, Texas) put together a stellar two-way performance for Houston Wildcatters Navy 2028. At the plate, he went 5-10 with a double, triple, and home run, driving in seven runs. Sinks into his lower half well and creates strong angles for leverage. Plenty of power upside remaining in that frame, to go along with the twitch already present. On the mound, Corley went four shutout innings, surrendering just one hit while...
Tournaments | Story | 9/16/2026

Midwest Labor Day Classic Scout Notes

Brayden Powell
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Ryan Jones (2027, Tinley Park, IL) was one of the most productive hitters of the weekend, collecting six hits, including three doubles and a home run, while driving in nine runs. The left-handed hitter consistently got the barrel out front and created hard contact throughout the event. Working from an open setup with high hands, he features a compact swing that allows him to get to the ball quickly. His hand speed stood out and helped him drive the baseball to multiple parts of the field. Jones showed a strong understanding of pitches he could handle and rarely missed opportunities to do damage. The swing remains efficient through the zone and produces carry off the barrel. His combination of consistent contact and extra-base impact made him a key offensive contributor all weekend. Uncommitted  JP Elbert (2027, Dubuque, IA) put together an impressive tournament, finishing with five...
Tournaments | Story | 9/16/2026

Southeast Qualifier #1 Scout Notes

Perfect Game Staff
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Walk. It. Off! ‘27 IF Drew Giles (GA) calls game here as he hammers a ball over the CF wall for a solo HR to win it in the bottom of the 7th. #FLQualifier pic.twitter.com/YrzspVZzUY — Perfect Game Florida (@Florida_PG) September 12, 2026 Drew Giles (2027, Brunswick, Ga.) took home MVP honors from the weekend after hitting .385 including a walkoff home run during pool play. Giles helped lead his Canes team to victory and did so with the bat. The swing is super short and simple and he gets immense jump off the barrel. It’s a level path through the zone but the blend of hit and power showed out all weekend for the MVP.  August Backman (2027, Venice, Fla.) had a solid weekend on both sides of the ball: hitting .333 over three games and also sitting 88-91 mph on the mound. Backman, a Florida commit who is nationally ranked, has a three pitch mix highlighted by a really...
Tournaments | Story | 9/16/2026

Fall World Series Scout Notes

Jason Phillips
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Joseph Mosley 2028, Hendersonville, Tenn.) showed the upside all weekend for Southeast Rawlings Mad Mavericks. The right-handed hitter starts from a medium stance with in-line feet and a low handset with a low back elbow, utilizes a low leg lift stride. Creates separation in the back shoulder with strength through the hands into a flat bat plane and line drive lift in the swing. Stays balanced throughout the swing and showed the feel to use the whole field. The outfielder has an athletic, strong 6-foot, 190-pound frame with more gap-to-gap type power to be unlocked. Collected four hits, including two triples, to drive in an RBI and came around to score three runs. Exciting player with two-way upside. On the mound the right-handed pitcher went two innings in relief with three strikeouts and spread three hits and three walks for one earned run. The fastball ran up to 87 and paired it with...
Tournaments | Story | 9/15/2026

California Champions Cup Scout Notes

Steve Doherty
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Zain Valdiva (‘28,CA) with an absolute nuke! 💣 https://t.co/oCCIuVeNFQ pic.twitter.com/xK9sirEk64 — Perfect Game California (@California_PG) September 11, 2026 Zain Valdivia, 3B, La Quinta, CA. ZT National (2028) Physical, right-handed hitter with present strength through the lower half and a frame that already looks the part of a corner infielder. He gets into his legs and stays connected through contact. The swing is aggressive and long through the zone with real extension out front. The ball jumps off the barrel and the power is present, Primary third baseman. Moves well enough for his size with some lateral quickness and a strong arm across the diamond. Two-way value exists; the fastball has been up to the upper 80s, 90, but the bat is the reason to follow him. Noah Paek (‘27,CA) with another solid hit cashing in 2 RBI. Kid plays with infectious energy....
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