THE WORLD'S LARGEST AND MOST COMPREHENSIVE SCOUTING ORGANIZATION
| 2,464 MLB PLAYERS | 15,806 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
2,464 MLB PLAYERS | 15,806 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
Sign in Create Account
Sign in Create Account
Tournaments  | Story | 5/27/2018

LP Memorial Notes: Days 1-2

Perfect Game Tournament Staff
Vincent Cervino
Photo: Austin Becker (Perfect Game)

Uncommitted righthander Max Dejong (2020, Powder Springs, Ga.) got the Memorial Day at LP tournament started on a positive note as the young righthander was very impressive over the span of an abbreviated start. DeJong pounded the zone and attacked with a strong fastball that was mostly 86-89 mph while topping out at 90 mph a few times. Dejong throws exclusively from the stretch, which allows him to maintain his mechanics well and deliver a ton of strikes. The fastball flashed some angle and he would cut it across to give it some nasty life on occasion, as he released from an over the top arm slot; the arm stroke is longer through the back but mostly loose, and the ease of the delivery indicates there is more velocity in the tank in the near future. The late life on the fastball racked up a good number of swings and misses while he also mixed in a 12-to-6 breaking ball that he could throw for strikes.




Another impressive uncommited arm from Nelson Baseball School was righthander Caswell Smith (2019, Ball Ground, Ga.) as he turned in a quality performance during a short start. His power fastball was well on display as he sat mostly in the 87-91 mph range for the two-inning stint and really attacked hitters with the fastball. The arm stroke is compact through the back and he got downhill fairly effectively to create some plane on the fastball. The velocity dipped a little in the stretch, however he wasn’t afraid to go right after hitters and even elevate the fastball if need be with two strikes. The 11-to-5 curveball was a solid pitch as he racked up a couple whiffs with the pitch in the low-70s. Smith’s velocity dipped some out of the stretch (mostly 86-88 mph from the stretch), however there is significant arm talent, and entering his rising senior summer, he shouldn’t remain uncommitted for long.




Perfect Game All-American Austin Becker (2018, Sunbury, Ohio) turned in a start for the Rawlings SE Prospects, looking to give scouts a final look before the draft as the righthander has made only five starts this spring due to unfortunate weather conditions in the Midwest. Becker was downright dominant during his four-inning performance as he allowed only one hit and struck out ten over the scoreless outing.

The Vanderbilt signee lived in the 90-93 mph range throughout the start, racking up double digit swings-and-misses on the pitch and totaled 20 whiffs on only 68 pitches during this look. The curveball was a very effective weapon for Becker, living in the 75-77 mph range that as a tad inconsistent, but at its best, showed sharp bite for an 11-to-5 shape and projects nicely as a future plus offering. Command came and went for Becker, he walked three batters, however the stuff is electric. Whether he makes it to campus at Vanderbilt or signs in next week’s draft, the arm speed, talent, and stuff are all top-flight and require further close observation.

Sophomore third baseman Charles Crawford (2020, LaGrange, Ga.) showed off intriguing offensive tools with a high athletic ceiling in an abbreviated one-game look. The swing itse;f is very simple, with a clean, direct path and an element of smoothness to the barrel plane. The easy trigger to start allows him to show off his hand quickness and looseness which allow him to manipulate the barrel head with intent to find consistent hard hit contact. The bat-to-ball skills stand out, as does the aforementioned athleticism, he is the quarterback for his high school football team, and with added development and growth there’s potential for a very high-end type of player.

Nationally-ranked righthander Owen Flynn (2021, Windermere, Fla.) worked one scoreless inning on Friday night and showed some of the developmental strides that he has made over the past year. The velocity is up, there looks to be added strength to the frame, and the 6-foot-3, 160-pound frame is still ripe with future projection. The arm stroke is long and smooth through the back, and Flynn displayed advanced body control which allows him to repeat the delivery and get on top of the fastball consistently to create downhill plane and short sink when low in the strike zone. The fastball worked in the 83-86 mph range during the inning while bumping 88 mph once; Flynn showed a changeup at 78 mph with sink that garnered a chase from a lefthanded batter and threw one breaking ball that landed for a strike.

Uncommitted righthander Blake Burkhalter (2019, Dothan, Ala.) turned in a strong performance for his eXposure team, as the junior went four innings while allowing only one run and striking out eight batters. Burkhalter bumped 90 mph in the first inning while working in the 87-90 mph range early on. The fastball velocity eventually dipped into the 84-87 mph range but he commanded the pitch well to both sides of the plate and threw a lot of strikes; over two-thirds of his delivered pitches went for strikes. The slider was a bit of a slurvy pitch, in the 74-77 mph range, but had significant break and flashed two-plane depth and was most effective when he garnered chases as the pitch ran away from righthanded hitters. The uncommitted prospect showed off talented stuff for an available 2019 prospect and could be in store for a big summer.

One of the most talented position prospects in the country, Andre Tarver (2019, Ringgold, Ga.) currently slates as the 33rd ranked prospect for his class, and Tarver has had a big tournament up to this point showing off significant bat speed and impact strength at the plate. If you were crafting a prep prospect in a lab, Tarver likely resembles something you would come up with, as he is a highly athletic 6-foot-2, 210-pound outfielder with long limbs and plenty of requisite strength already on the frame. The Mississippi State commit does a good job at creating some natural loft to the swing plane as he is able to drive the ball with authority in the air. Tarver has already collected multiple exit velocities over 100 mph and included a long home run deep to the pull side. Tarver is likely in store for a big summer and already has some scouts buzzing as they begin to look ahead to the 2019 class for draft-eligible prospects.




Waking up scouts during the early portion of Saturday was lefthander AJ Wilson (2019, Pilot Mountain, N.C.), who is ranked 105th in the class of 2019 rankings and showed of some nasty stuff during a short outing. What immediately stands out is the nature of the at-bats that result from the combination of Wilson’s stuff, arm angle, and mentality on the hill. He creates significant angle to the plate on his fastball, which worked mostly 88-91 mph on the day, with late life to the pitch that made for remarkably uncomfortable at-bats. The slider was a filthy weapon for the East Carolina commit as the pitch worked in the 76-79 mph range with hard tilt and was very effective both at being thrown for strikes and burying in the dirt to entice chases. The 6-foot-3 frame in conjunction with the looseness and speed of the arm action suggest that his velocity spike is only just beginning, and Wilson currently ranks as one of the more uncomfortable at-bats in the class.




Offering a lot of athletic upside in the way of a touted two-sport prospect, righthander Will Childers (2019, Evans, Ga.) also laces up as QB for his Lakeside High School team. Childers’ arm strength and athleticism to play QB is evident, as the rising senior showed a lot of projectable tools highlighted by an easy arm stroke and velocity that looks pretty effortless on the hill.

The Georgia commit worked mostly in the 88-91 mph range through the duration of the start, flashing some sink when working low in the zone though, at times, that arm would fall behind and he would leave fastballs up. That is where most of the damage from the opposition came from as Childers did find a couple of barrels, but the three pitch and ease of the delivery all offer positive indicators projection-wise.

The arm stroke is loose through the back and Childers looks very young in the face, with a long-limbed, high-waisted 6-foot-4 and 205-pound frame. The breaking ball worked in the 76-80 mph range with varying shape, though he could throw the pitch for strikes. Childers also flashed a straight changeup at 83 and given the athleticism and potential upside, he should be monitored closely.




Uncommitted lefthanders who throw upwards of 90 mph don’t usually make it unsigned to their rising senior summer, however Michael Harris II (2019, Ellenwood, Ga.) is an exception as the young, projectable southpaw showed a lot of raw traits and projectable tools on the mound. With a listed height and weight of 6-foot, 180-pounds, which seems to undersell the height a bit, Harris has a strong, projectable lower half and the athleticism is evident by his ability to play center field.

The velocity comes fairly easily for Harris, with a low-effort, athletic delivery featuring a short, repeatable arm stroke that allows him to get on top of the fastball consistently and downhill well. Harris didn’t end up with the best line, he got roughed up a little bit towards the end, but maintained the 88-90 mph fastball range throughout the start. He also featured a tight spinning curveball in the low-70s with 1/7 shape and continued to improve as the outing went on; Harris also flashed a changeup at 79 mph. Harris has established himself as one of the top uncommitted arms available, not to mention his two-way ability, and shouldn’t find himself on the uncommitted for much longer.

Turning in a stellar and dominant performance was Georgia Tech commit Zachary Maxwell (2019, Acworth, Ga.) who shut down the opposing offense to the tune of a complete game (five-inning) with only one hit surrendered while striking out ten. The stuff was particularly high-octane for the 6-foot-6, 235-pound righthander as he worked his fastball up to 93 mph early on in this game.

The delivery is well-paced while the arm stroke is long and loose through the back. This can create some timing and command issues with the fastball, however it allows him to build up the requisite arm speed and strength through the point of release that culminates in an explosive fastball. Maxwell sat 89-93 mph in the first before settling into the 87-90 mph range from the second inning on. He gave up two runs early on but hit cruise control after, overpowering hitters with his fastball-slider combination. The slider was a biting, swing-and-miss offering in the low-80s with two-plane snap and garnered a number of ugly chases.

Speaking of uncommitted lefthanders who touch upwards of 90 mph, Nick James (2019, Clarkesville, Tenn.) was another such prospect to make an appearance at Lakepoint and show off Power-5 quality stuff. The southpaw pumped his fastball up to 92 mph in the first inning before settling around 86-90 for the duration of the performance.

Listed at 6-foot-1, 195-pounds, James’ build is mostly slender and he doesn’t have the usual dominant height, but the arm speed is the difference maker to the profile. With a loose and fast stroke that he repeats extraordinarily well, James was able to create serious velocity on the fastball while also adding significant life to the pitch as it seemed nothing he threw all night was straight. Similarly to Maxwell, James got off to a bit of a slow start by giving up a run in the second, but hit cruise control shortly after to dominante the opponents.

James’ curveball was a very impressive pitch, with tight 1-to-7 shape that he could both land for strikes and bury in the dirt. He flashed a changeup at 83 mph, but James worked in attack mode all night, disrupting hitters with a tremendous combination of angle, life, and effective sequencing. The uncommitted prospect from Tennessee likely won’t be available for long, as lefthanders touching 92 mph often aren’t.

After making an impressive summer debut at the Sunshine Southeast Showcase a week ago, Andrew Washington (2019, Sharpsburg, Ga.) followed up his impressive performance with a strong relief effort for the Triton Rays. With a very slender 6-foot-1, 165-pound frame and tons of present arm speed, the velocity might not have peaked yet as Washington could just be beginning to scratch the surface of his potential. The arm stroke is long through the back, but when timed up he can sink the ball some in the lower third of the strike zone. Washington’s fastball worked in the 89-91 mph range while bumping 92 mph early on. The breaking ball showed promise as it flashed some tilt and shape when he got on top of the pitch, registering a best spin rate of around 2250 rpm. The arm talent alone is notable, and Washington represents another touted uncommitted talented who was above 90 mph over the weekend.




Perhaps no starting pitching performance was more anticipated than righthander Daniel Espino (2019, Statesboro, Ga.) as the pitcher had generated a tremendous amount of talk throughout the baseball community following his loud performance at the PG High School Showdown-Academies a few weeks prior. Somehow, the Louisiana State commit was able to be even more impressive, working up to 97 mph in the first inning and sitting 94-96 mph early on.

Espino’s effort level is as close as you can get to zero for someone throwing in the upper-90s, as it gives off the appearance of him simply placing the ball in the catcher’s mitt like he’s warming up. The arm stroke is long, and the delivery is not as balanced as one would hope, however those are mostly moot points as Espino is on time, repeats the delivery, and has flat-out overpowering stuff.

The aforementioned fastball settled around the 92-95 mph range for the duration of the start and the arm stroke generated a lot of whip throughout the smooth path to release. Espino rotates his upper half well to create some separation which gives his delivery more momentum without costing any effort or command concerns. The slider has developed very well as the pitch worked in the low-80s with late bite and significantly late tilting life. Espino flashed a changeup at 89 mph and also showed a curveball, giving the righthander four pitches to dissect opponents with, should he ever feel the need to stop blowing 97 mph past hitters.

With regards to velocity gains, no one in the entire event might have taken a bigger jump than Auburn commit Logan Austin (2020, Selma, Ala.) as the righthander increased his best velocity from 85 mph to 93 mph on Saturday night. The righthander’s stuff has taken a clear step forward and adds another strong piece to what is shaping up to be a very strong Auburn recruiting class. It is evident from simply looking at Austin that he has filled out tremendously since our last look at the young prospect, with broad shoulders and a filled out chest and upper half to help create strength through release.

The righthander throws with significant effort toward the plate which results in head violence, however this only adds to his approach as a dominant, power pitcher as it creates some deception with moving parts. The fastball worked up to 93 mph but worked mostly in the 88-92 mph range for the afternoon, dipping further at times in the stretch. Austin still showed that changeup that made him very unhittable as an underclassman, this time in the 81-84 mph range with significant arm side life and tumble. The breaking ball was a solid offering too in the 75-77 mph range and Austin was dominant during the outing, striking out eleven batters over five frames.

– Vincent Cervino



Austin Parr (2020, Inman, S.C.) a 5-foot-11, 160-pound righthanded pitcher, was very sharp on the mound Friday pitching for the Carolina Prowl, pitching seven very solid innings. Parr has a very repeatable and fluid delivery with low effort from his high three-quarters arm slot. His fastball sat low-80s with a bit of sink to it as well, causing plenty of swings and misses. Parr is very projectable with his lean frame at the moment, but as he builds strength it is very easy to project improved velocity on his fastball. He doesn’t fade as the pitches pile up either, he goes after hitters with good command, poise and a bulldog mentality.

Trevor Cumberland (2019, Powder Springs, Ga.) has a very solid four-pitch mix, including a fading changeup and a fastball that reached 86 on Friday. The righthander, who stands 6-foot-2, put his 200-pound sturdy frame to good use, really competing on the mound and commanding the zone well. He has a clean arm action and slot and simply knows how to get guys out, both with soft contact and with the strikeout. Not a lot in the way of projection, but he neutralizes this by hitting his spots and outsmarting hitters at the plate putting in a great performance for Nelson Baseball School 17u.

Brandon Lawrence (2020, Conyers, Ga.) is the very definition of a productive two-way player. He began his tournament on the mound for the 16u GBSA Rays and turned in a very sharp outing, only allowing one hit through six innings. Lawrence exhibits great command and uses his very low effort delivery and clean arm action to pound the zone while also keeping the ball down. The 6-foot, 170- pounder also helped himself out at the plate with a double down the third base line on Friday, showing a quick bat and above average speed on the basepaths. Brandon also happens to be a nationally ranked catcher, only adding to his versatility.

Ben Smith (2020, Decatur, Ga.) began his tournament on Friday with a bang as he hit an inside the park homer to the gap in left-center. The 5-foot-11, 180 pounder displayed impressive pull power while making hard, loud contact all day. Playing for the 16u Ninth Inning Royals, Smith showed a quick bat while getting the barrel through the zone with ease. He is a solid baserunner and displays quality defense in the outfield as well. Simply put, Smith is able to do everything well on the baseball field, which explains his consistency over the first two days of this Memorial Day tournament.

Max Beckerman (2020, Atlanta, Ga.) showed a very advanced plate approach when his 6-4-3 DP Tigers went up against the 16U Home Plate Chili Dogs. Beckerman displayed both pull power to left while also barreling up a double to right-center. His 3-for-3 day at the plate was capped with two RBIs in addition. He is able to swing through the zone with ease and it’s easy to imagine his power playing up as he continues to get stronger and completely fill out his 6-foot-2, 195-pound frame.

Tyler Lyles (2018, Fairmount, Ga.) a 6-foot-1, 215-pounder, has some serious pop in his bat. He is an aggressive hitter by nature, but he really does a great job taking pitches when he needs to while also crushing balls when he sees one that he likes. He got his day started with a ground-rule double, quickly turning on the ball with force to left field. The USC-Sumter commit plays a fluid third base as well, with a rocket arm and good instincts. His team, the Georgia Scorpions Select 2019, really benefitted from Lyles’ plate approach, defense, and power to all fields.

Christian Martin (2020, Bean Station, Tenn.) stands out both defensively and at the plate. At first base, Martin exhibits great hand-eye coordination and picks balls out of the dirt at first with ease. At the plate, he brings a balanced approach with great power exhibited by a double to the wall over the batters eye to dead center. His swing is compact and he loads his hands and hips well. The baseball really explodes off his bat and he gets his hands through the zone with ease thanks to his level swing. The 6-foot-4, 250 pounder maintains a strong build and frame playing for the 16U Exposure Prime

Cameron Gill (2019, Alpharetta, Ga.) is a powerful catcher and middle infielder for the 17u/18u Nelson Baseball School tournament team. Gill displayed significant pop early, ripping a rocket double off the left-center wall. He has quick hands and his bat explodes through the zone. His hips turn quickly and smoothly which in turn allows for a very balanced approach at the plate. The 6-foot, 195 pounder provides a bit of versatility defensively as well which really helps complement his bat and power from the right side of the plate.

Brian Zeldin (2019, Marietta, Ga.) came out Saturday with a very consistent outing on the mound. The 5-foot-11, 181-pound righthander threw his fastball upper 80s with a complementing curveball and changeup that got some swings and misses. His command is solid and is combined with a fairly low effort delivery. The University of Pennsylvania commit helped lead his 6-4-3 Cougars team to a Saturday win over the Diamond Aces. His stuff was fairly overpowering and stands to only improve as he continues to fill out his frame. Improved velocity is not out of the question at all.

John Giesler (2019, Marietta, Ga.) also performed very well on Saturday as a teammate of Zeldin. His 6-foot-3, 188-pound frame provides some excellent raw power as he pulled a double clean off the left field wall. He truly has a lightning quick bat and explodes his hands through the zone. His speed is a plus as well, as he stole two bases against the Diamond Elite Aces. Giesler also has quick hands defensively as well, playing a very efficient shortstop throughout Saturday’s game. His balanced approach and patience at the plate waiting on a pitch to drive is a plus as well.

– Matthew Brothers



Haden Dow (2019, Edmonton, Alberta): While he doesn’t necessarily light up the radar gun, Dow was nonetheless effective in mowing down hitters. He relies on heavy fastball usage, pounding the zone with the 79-82 mph offering, which looks as if it gets in on hitters quicker than expected based on the numerous late swings and misses. He pitches with a repeatable delivery and shows good control and command, hardly ever behind in counts. He also displayed a useful 72 mph changeup, mixing it in well and more than once able to locate it for called strikes in the lower half of the zone. Overall, in the three innings I was able to watch, he struck out five and generated frequent weak contact, while holding the opposition scoreless.

Derek Radtke (2021, Marietta, Ga.): Radtke’s pitch mix consists of an 82-85 mph fastball, a 68-70 mph curve, and a 76-78 mph changeup. He relied on the fast-curve combo with much success, pounding the zone while pitching with a big lead. His curveball was especially effective when started high, as it has enough movement to fool hitters into taking before it suddenly drops in the zone. He has a repeatable delivery and looks as if he can even gain a tick or two on the radar gun by leveraging his height to his advantage with a longer stride. Over his first four innings he struck out four and looked in control the whole time.

Tres Gonzalez (2019, Sandy Springs, Ga.): Gonzalez made solid contact in both ABs I was able to watch, first with a opposite field triple to left, then with an RBI single to left again. Both hits came against a lefty. He also made the best of being caught in a rundown, staying alive long enough to let the other runners advance, putting both his athleticism and instincts on display.

Charlie Taylor (2020, Dunwoody, Ga.): In his first AB, Taylor showed off his quick hands on an RBI double down the left field line on a fastball in on the hands. He followed this impressive knock by barreling a ball for a long, loud homer to anchor the Roadrunners’ offensive explosion.

Carter Stanford (2022, Mobile, Ala.): Stanford shows a good feel for pitching and sat at 75-81 on his fastball. He also mixed in a curve and a change, demonstrating the ability to throw each for strikes. He is tall and projectable, and showed improvements in control as the game progressed. Most ABs ended in strikeouts or weak contact. At the plate he hit a screaming opposite field triple to right and later scored to help his own cause.

James Kerley (2021, Indian Trail, N.C.): Kerley, listed at 6-foot and 235-pounds, looked like a threat coming out of the on-deck circle and delivered on that promise, launching a towering homer to left. It was evident the ball was clearing the fence right off the loud crack of the bat and was an impressive power display for Kerley’s age. The opponent clearly took note of his power, intentionally walking him in his next plate appearance.

Nolan McLean (2020, Willow Springs, N.C.): McLean opened up the scoring for Dirtbags with a loud, hard-hit double to the opposite field in right for two RBIs. He is tall with a strong, athletic build (6’3” and 220) and shows good bat speed, making him a hitter to watch for in the power department. He kept the hitting ways going in his next game, with a hard-hit single to right in the first inning. McLean later pitched and was up to 94 mph during a brief appearance.

Charlie Goldstein (2019, Alpharetta, Ga.): Goldstein throws downhill with an over the top throwing motion, and makes the most of his modest frame, wielding an 84-86 mph fastball and an effective 70-74 mph curveball, with good horizontal and vertical movement. Over his first three innings, he kept the game scoreless while working out of a couple jams and looking in control.

Xander Hamilton (2019, Raleigh, N.C.): Hamilton was a player we were eager to see after watching him rake in last week’s showcase, and while there weren’t necessarily any offensive fireworks today, he still stood out. He came up to the plate twice in the first inning as the Dirtbags batted around, and walked both times, displaying great plate discipline and patience while keeping the line moving for his hot-hitting team. Hamilton swings to do damage until getting to two strikes, where he noticeably chokes up a bit and focuses on putting the ball in play and fouling off tough pitches. While his tall, strong frame and excellent balance and bat speed usually lead to big time pop, he is also capable of working long ABs when he doesn’t get his pitch.

Brett Banks (2019, Garner, N.C.): Banks made a one-inning cameo in his team’s blowout win and put his filthy stuff on full display. His fastball sat at 88-91 mph and he also boasts a wipeout slider at 76-77 mph. When he can avoid control problems and pound the zone, his stuff is hard to touch, as evidenced by three Ks in his lone inning of work.

– Cameron Hines
Give us your feedback
Tournaments | Story | 6/5/2026

Reed Continues to Prove He Belongs
Kinley Kitchens
Article Image
For many young players, competing alongside some of the top talent in the country can be intimidating. For Chris Reed, it is simply another opportunity to prove he belongs. The Conyers, Georgia native has established himself as one of the premier players in the 2030 class, currently ranking No. 24 nationally and No. 7 among shortstops according to Perfect Game. Reed’s game has consistently stood out against elite competition thanks to his athleticism, instincts, and all-around skill set. That ability was on full display during the 2025 Perfect Game 13U National Showcase, where Reed earned his invitation to the PG Select Festival, one of the most prestigious events available to players his age. “It showed that I can play with the best of the best, and that I belong,” Reed said of the experience. The event provided more than just exposure. It also reinforced an important...
Read More
Tournaments | Story | 6/5/2026

Beast of the East Scout Notes: Day 1

Perfect Game Staff
Article Image
‘29 SS Chase Hallett (NJ) drops the bat head on this one & lifts it out to the PS for a solo HR. Free and easy LH swing w/ present strength & more to dream on. #BeastOfTheEast @PGMidAtlantic pic.twitter.com/Ym9LFg05tx — Perfect Game Scout (@PG_Scouting) June 4, 2026 Chase Hallett (2029, Pennington, N.J.) came up with a loud swing on Thursday morning, dropping the barrel on one and lifting it out to the pull-side. It’s an intriguing profile overall with the young left-handed hitting middle infielder and the power projects in a big way. The swing is short and simple, he finds the barrel at a high clip, and is a sure handed defender up the middle. This has all the makings of a high-end prospect in a few years and is certainly a name of note in the ‘29 class. Canon Day (2028, Germantown, Tenn.) put together a great day on the offensive side of things,...
Read More
Tournaments | Story | 6/5/2026

Arizona Desert Classic Gets Underway

Emily Hicks
Article Image
After another busy week of baseball, attention now turns to the 2026 PG 14u Arizona Desert Classic tournament as teams prepare for a weekend of competition on the Perfect Game circuit. ATB 13U enters the event looking to continue building on its season so far. The team comes into the weekend with a record of 5-4 and has shown strengths in their offense and defense. As the schedule gets tougher, this tournament presents another opportunity to test themselves against quality opponents. The field features teams from across Arizona, setting up several intriguing matchups throughout pool play. Key games against AZ Premier Prospects and Maverix could provide an early look at where the team stands heading into bracket play. A few players to keep an eye on this weekend include Reece Neely and Gavyn Jupp from Maverix and Jakob Couto from USA Scout Team AZ 14u. Whether it's producing at the plate,...
Read More
Tournaments | Story | 6/4/2026

California Kickoff Scout Notes

Joey Cohen
Article Image
Jayce Dejong (‘27, CA) finished 6-for-14 on the weekend which included a big HR in the championship game. Intriguing @PG_Uncommitted player to monitor this summer. #CAKickoff https://t.co/UbuSQxNalf pic.twitter.com/kjVcyiG8km — Perfect Game California (@California_PG) June 1, 2026 Jayce Dejong (2027, Yorba Linda, Calif). Really strong weekend at the plate, going 6-for-14 with multiple line-drive barrels, including a no-doubt pull-side HR. Medium, lean, athletic frame with room to add. Hits from a wider base from the left side, starts early and consistently gets to launch on time. Loose barrel turn with adjustability and length through the middle, showing the ability to create lift and impact out front. Coming off a strong junior season at Crean Lutheran and should be a priority uncommitted follow this summer. Evan Stroner (2027, Huntington Beach, Calif). Impressive...
Read More
Showcase | Story | 6/4/2026

Soph. & Junior National Arrive in Georgia

Hannah Jo Groves
Article Image
This weekend will kick off the 2026 PG Junior National Showcase with the Sophomore National Showcase following close behind. Both in Marietta, Georgia, these showcases will feature lots of top-50 talent along with the ever-present potential for lesser-known players to turn heads.  For the Junior National Showcase, starting on June 6, 7 of the top 10-ranked players will attend - No. 2 Colin Anderson, No. 3 Cullen Scott, No. 4 Carter Shouse, No. 6 Aiden Kearney, No. 8 Keelan Zumwalt, No. 8 Landon Bonner and No. 9 Theo Swafford.  Anderson won’t have to travel far to attend, coming from Acworth, Georgia. At last year’s Sophomore National Showcase, he impressed scouts with his calm approach and explosive bat speed. Scott, a right-handed pitcher and third baseman from Melissa, Texas, has shown his arm strength getting up in the 90-mph zone....
Read More
Draft | Story | 6/4/2026

Pence Makes the Jump to 2027

Perfect Game Staff
Article Image
    667 Progress Way | Sanford, FL 32771 | 319-298-2923 www.perfectgame.org | facebook.com/perfectgameusa | @PerfectGameUSA     FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   PERFECT GAME STANDOUT STRIKER PENCE RECLASSIFIES TO CLASS OF 2027, ACCELERATING PATH TO MLB DRAFT   Corona, California (Thursday, June 4, 2026) - Perfect Game, the world’s largest youth baseball and softball platform and scouting service, today announced that Perfect Game prospect Striker Pence, one of the most watched young prospects in amateur baseball, has officially reclassified from the Class of 2028 to the Class of 2027, making the 17-year-old eligible for the 2027 Major League Baseball Draft. Pence is currently the #2 ranked player on Perfect Game’s national rankings and the top-ranked right-handed pitcher. Pence, a 6-foot-6, 215-pound right-handed pitcher and left-handed hitting first...
Read More
Tournaments | Story | 6/3/2026

Gulf Coast Classic Kicks Off

Alyssa Golden
Article Image
The 2026 Perfect Game Gulf Coast Classic will bring together teams from across the region this weekend as players in the 14U-16U and 18U divisions take the field looking to capture a championship and make their mark on one of the summer’s premier events. Held in Fort Myers, Florida, the tournament will feature a talented mix of standout programs, nationally ranked prospects and emerging young talent. Swamp Baseball enters the 18U division with one of the most talented rosters in the event. The Cape Coral-based team features three nationally ranked top 500 prospects along with several additional High Follow players. Outfielders Nicholas Raber and Austin Schoolcraft, along with right-handed pitcher Tyler Reeder, are all ranked among Perfect Game’s top 500 prospects nationally. Raber will have the opportunity to compete in his hometown of Fort Myers. The 2026 graduate has shown...
Read More
Tournaments | Championship | 6/3/2026

EBC 17U-Griggs Takes Title

Kinley Kitchens
Article Image
After a week of dominant performances, timely hitting, and resilient play, EBC 17U-Griggs capped off its run through the 2026 Perfect Game Hoover Invitational with a championship victory Monday, securing the program’s first tournament title of the summer. Despite a lengthy rain delay, EBC never lost focus, relying on contributions throughout the lineup and another strong pitching performance to secure the win. “This being our first [win] of the summer, we have an amazing group right here,” head coach Rodd Griggs said. “Some of the guys I’ve had for years, some of the guys just joined us this summer, but it’s an amazing group.” EBC’s championship performance reflected the depth that carried the club throughout the tournament. Paxton Wright set the tone of the mound, working four innings while allowing just two hits striking out two hitters....
Read More
Tournaments | Story | 6/3/2026

AZ Summer Kickoff Scout Notes

Perfect Game Staff
Article Image
JJ Utash (‘27, AZ) tripled to both gaps, collecting 3 RBI along the way. Big time strength. Balls jumps off the barrel to all fields. Good runner/athlete too. #HookEm commit #AZKickoff pic.twitter.com/h1SbsSxpMy — Perfect Game Four Corners (@PG_FourCorners) May 30, 2026 JJ Utash (2027, Gilbert, Ariz.) is the top-ranked player in the state and showed off why over the weekend. The Texas commit collected five hits, including a pair of doubles and a pair of triples. The mix of power and speed is impressive. The ball jumps off the barrel with ease to all fields. Utash consistently lifts balls with authority, resulting in loud in-game power. The speed on the bases stands out as well. Utash looks to be aggressive and can take extra bags when they present themselves. The tools are some of the loudest in the class and will draw considerable draft interest next July.  Soren...
Read More
Tournaments | Story | 6/4/2026

Best of the Best Scout Notes

Jheremy Brown
Article Image
Kolt Hampton (2030, Chandler, Ariz.) is one of several prospects we’re seeing for the first time in a bit who’ve made big jumps, either in physicality or performance. Now listed at 6-foot-1 (and he might actually be taller) the left-handed stick showcased a smooth swing that should hit for both power and average long term while also jumping on the mound where he ran his fastball up to 86 mph.  Similar to Kolt Hampton above, Colton Byrnes (2030, Truckee, Calif.) immediately makes you do a double take as he’s shot up in height since the fall, now standing at 6-foot-1, 165 pounds. The starting shortstop for Let Them Play, the added length to his frame certainly didn’t detract from his abilities in the dirt, making one play in particular where he rounded the backhand, came through the ball and delivered a strike across to first. There’s always been barrel...
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.