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| 2,577 MLB PLAYERS | 16,376 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
2,577 MLB PLAYERS | 16,376 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
Tournaments  | Story | 7/4/2018

CBA Cavs move on to playoffs

Photo: Mahki Backstrom (Perfect Game)

ROSWELL, Ga. – The CBA Cavs took care of business in Pool AA on Wednesday with a 5-2 win over Tri-State Arsenal 17u Prime. The win concludes the gauntlet this CBA team went through to win Pool AA, and they will play their first playoff game of the 17u WWBA National Championship Wednesday night.

Saivion Mohammed turned in a great start on the mound for the CBA Cavs, tossing four innings and allowing just one unearned run. The righty struck out two Tri-State batters and allowed just three hits. At the plate, Dylan O’Leary and Tyresse Turner each turned in multi-hit games and combined for three runs scored.



For those that don't know, CBA stands for California Baseball Academy. CBA aims to attend the top events in the nation to provide their players with the maximum amount of exposure possible.

The CBA program is no stranger to Perfect Game events, and in fact claimed the title at the 17u WWBA National Championship just three years ago in 2015. Over 350 players in the CBA program have committed to playing college baseball, and two CBA alumni were taken in the first round of this June’s MLB Draft in Nick Madrigal (Oregon State) and Cole Winn. In total, 19 CBA alumni were taken in this year’s draft, making CBA one of the premier programs for development in the country.

Two players that have seen their stock rise throughout their years in the CBA program are Damone Hale and Mahki Backstrom. These two players have been working on their game for a long time, and they really got the chance to burst on to the scene at the Perfect Game National Showcase last month.

“I’m not going to lie I was pretty nervous at first,” said Backstrom, who is a native of Los Angeles, California. “It was a very opening experience. Just being around so many great players, I kept telling myself that I wanted to stand out as the best player there. I wanted to make sure I was at 100 percent all the time.”

Backstrom used an impressive National Showcase to secure himself as one of the top players in the 2019 class. The uncommitted rising senior is currently ranked as the 31st-best player in the country, and the fifth-best player in the state of California. Though he is uncommitted, Backstrom has an idea of where he wants to end next fall.

“For me, I have to have a good business school I can go to. That is definitely going to be the major piece for me. I really like the big school feel because I want the all around experience in college. At the end of the day, it just has to be the right fit for me.”

For Damone Hale, he was a little more familiar to the Perfect Game events than Backstrom was. Hale is currently ranked as the 37th-best player in the class of 2019, and he was very impressive during the National Showcase.

“I’ve been out here a couple of times. I really like this because the competition level is just so high,” said Hale, who is from Inglewood, California. “It’s obviously intense because we have the top guys in the country coming in and playing hard and having fun. Being able to compete is one of the biggest things for me, and it was really fun.”

Similar to Backstrom, Damone Hale just hasn't found the right fit to commit somewhere yet. Hale is definitely a hot commodity, and most wouldn’t expect a player with his talent level to be available for much longer.

“The main thing for me is that I just want to go where I can play. A lot of people are happy going to a big name school, but its not really about that for me. The development and being able to play right away right when you get there is the way to go for me.”

This CBA Cavs team has certainly faced their fair share of solid teams in this tournament. Hale and Backstrom had the opportunity to face the hard throwing Daniel Espino earlier in the tournament, and they along with their teammates haven’t backed down from the challenge.

A large factor to the CBA Cavs’ success has been the familiarity of the team. Hale and Backstrom are two of the four players from Junipero Serra High School on this team, and they believe that chemistry has been huge for their team.

“Because of this team, we have the four guys going to the same high school. We already have that chemistry, along with the other players we have known because of all the travel ball years,” said Hale. “I think the team chemistry is the thing that really separates a lot of teams from others.”

While these tournaments are a great chance to showcase yourself for college and professional scouts, this dynamic duo knows the work that is done in the dark is just as important for their development.

“A lot of people will come out here and think that it’s just all said and done,” said Hale. “It takes a lot of work. My story has been a little bit different. I have had my ups and downs, but I want to come out here and show that I can get better every single time.”

The life of a talented high school prospect can absolutely be demanding. Mahki Backstrom hits 400 balls in the cage with his dad every single day, but he definitely finds time to enjoy his time as a teenager while he can.

“I like to go fishing. I just started last year, and it is something that has really stuck with me. I like long talks and prayers with my mom, and I like to play pickup basketball and dunk on people. Then there is video games and all that stuff too that I enjoy.”

After what has been a long week of baseball at the 17u WWBA National Championship, you can be sure that Hale and Backstrom will continue to make the most out of every opportunity that comes their way. This Southern California duo is looking to continue making strides through hard work and a little bit of fun.




Tournaments | Story | 7/23/2026

A Look Ahead: 16U PG West WS

Emily Hicks
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Another exciting week of Perfect Game baseball is on the horizon as the 16U PG West World Series brings together some of the top travel baseball programs for a highly competitive tournament. Taking place July 23 - 26 at Riverview Complex in Mesa, AZ, the event will feature talented teams looking to make a statement as they compete for one of the summer's most prestigious titles. The tournament will welcome clubs from across the West, creating a talented field filled with nationally recognized organizations, rising contenders, and some of the top 16U prospects in the country. Throughout pool play and the championship bracket, every game will provide an opportunity for teams to showcase their talent while pursuing a World Series championship. With high-level competition expected throughout the week, fans can look forward to quality pitching, explosive offenses, and outstanding defensive...
Tournaments | Story | 7/23/2026

Battle For The Midwest Scout Notes

Perfect Game Staff
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Gavin Johnson (2029, De Pere, Wisc.) handled the bat pretty well this weekend for his CBT Wolfpack 15u team that made a run into bracket play. Johnson is a left-handed hitting first baseman with a physical 6-foot-1, 200-pound frame, showing good physicality throughout the build. It’s a clean stroke from the left side, with feel to deliver the barrel on time and drive the ball working pull-side. He has a feel to rotate well, loading deep with the hands & turning well through contact to impact the baseball out in front. Johnson tallied four hits on the weekend, including 2 doubles and a triple. He plated 3 runs as well.   Devon Hester (2029, Chicago, Ill.) had a heck of a weekend for Chicago White Sox Ace 2029 Hunt. He showed out on both sides of the ball this past weekend, really getting it done at the plate. He finished the weekend 7-for-15, with a double and 4 RBI to...
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 | 7/23/2026

15u WWBA Scout Notes: Day 6

Perfect Game Staff
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15u WWBA Scout Notes: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 Brycen Orcutt (‘29, WV) was dominant to open his outing, tossing five innings of shutout ball thus far, striking out nine. Got the FB up to 85 w/ feel to land a tight + sharp two-plane BB. #WWBA @PG_VirginiaWV pic.twitter.com/Yjm2IbufqU — Perfect Game Scout (@PG_Scouting) July 21, 2026 Brycen Orcutt (’29, South Charleston, WV) has put together a strong event on both sides of the ball, posting a 1.458 OPS at the plate thus far, including a pair of doubles and three driven in. On the mound, Orcutt has logged a pair of starts, totaling 11.1 innings of shutout ball, striking out 15. The West Virginia native operates from a medium right-handed frame with a bit of length and lower half strength. He starts above the belt, working into an over-the-head windup before utilizing a medium direct leg lift, firing down...
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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Tyler Osmanski (2027, Frankfort, Ill.) a 5-foot-11 160-pound right-handed pitcher worked a 7 inning complete game shutout to start off Chicago Elite’s 6-0 weekend. On top of going the distance he allowed only three base runners and one hit. Osmanski has lots of athleticism in his delivery. He keeps his body under control while still being able to have good arm action and great hip to shoulder separation. He works from the third base side of the rubber with a high ¾ arm slot. His fastball was up to 84mph multiple times and sat 80-83mph. He used two offspeed pitches, a good 12-6 breaking ball 65-68mph, and a changeup in the low 70’s.     ‘27 RHP Brett Alkire (IL) punched out everyone across his 5.2 inning masterful outing. He struck out 13 batters and did it on 66% strikes. Has an active arm action and kept the ball on the corners. FB T92 early w/...
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...
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