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Tournaments  | Story  | 7/19/2018

16u BCS, Super25 Notes: Day 4

Photo: Miles Garrett (Perfect Game)

16u BCS National Championship: Event Page | Daily Leaders
16u PG Super25 National Championship: Event Page | Daily Leaders
Scout Notes: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3

It was a game that went down to the wire with the final out coming at the plate with a runner trying to score getting thrown out. 5 Star Stephenson was able to outlast United by a score of 5-3. On the mound for United was righthanded pitcher Ethan Bienvenu (2020, Lafayette, La.). Bienvenu is a solid righty with decent length in his delivery and he should be able to fill out his frame a bit in the future with added strength which will help add some to his fastball. He releases from a higher three-quarters arm slot which allows him to produce some plane on the fastball when working down in the zone at 83 mph. He works quickly and likes to stay on the glove side with his pitches. He mixes in a tough 11-to-5 curveball with a high amount of feel for the pitch. His third option is the changeup with sink. He won’t throw it often but will use it to keep the mix and match of pitches going. Bienvenu threw 3 1/3 innings accumulating six strikeouts.

Taking the ball for 5 Star was righthander Avery Tate (2020, St. Augustine, Fla.). Tate isn’t a large pitcher, standing at just 5-foot-9, 155-pounds, but what he lacks in size he makes up for in his ability to locate pitches. He throws from an over-the-top slot which allows him to get some downhill angle on the fastball, working through the zone. He works consistently in and out with his arsenal and knows his game is to throw strikes and let his defense work behind him. Tate also flipped an 11-to-5 curveball in the zone with consistency which kept hitters a bit off balance. He’s a smart pitcher that worked to his strength over 6 1/3 innings, allowing just one run on four hits.

Franki Febles (2019, Miami, Fla.) had the limited success at the plate for United, going 1-for-3 with a double and RBI. Febles showed some good all-around ability handling the bat in the game. He is a smart hitter who works the count well and will battle to get a pitch he can handle. He has some good pop off the bat when squared up but can also work a more contact-oriented approach and shoot the ball the other way. His one hit was a double down the right field line, though he had a deep fly ball to left field that was caught.

Batting behind Febles was Zeph Hoffpauir (2019, Berwick, La.), a righthanded power hitter in the middle of the order. Hoffpauir was held in check on Thursday without a hit but he showed good potential as a power threat. He’s a strong player at 6-foot-3, 200-pound and he sets up in a slightly open stance and really looks to get around the ball with his swing. He stings the ball when staying to the pull side with a strong set of hands that get to the ball with some quickness. Though he struggled in this one, Hoffpauir has been good throughout the tournament with six hits, including a home run and six batters driven in.

Going 2-for-2 at the plate for 5 Star was 6-foot-2, 200-pound catcher Logan Johnson (2019, Troy, Ala.). Johnson is a big-time pull hitter with a long path to contact, looking to really get around the ball. He swings with a bit flatter path which produces some heavy top spin when meeting the ball out front. He dropped a couple of line drives in front of the left fielder for both of his singles in the game. Though he is already a solid hitter, Johnson could go to use his strength a little more with a slightly higher angle looking to get the ball in the air a bit more.

Driving in two of the five runs by 5 Star was six-hole hitter Cooper Charlton (2020, Enterprise, Ala.). Charlton is a 6-foot, 200-pound righthanded hitter with a middle-of-the-field, gap-to-gap approach at the plate. He’s very mechanically sound keeping everything simple as well as repeatable. He has an easy stroke with the bat with a compact path to the baseball. His hands are strong to the ball producing some gap power when squaring it up.

Langan Baseball 16u held on to take a 3-1 victory over Maryland Baseball Club, grabbing a couple runs early and plating an insurance run late in the game. Though he suffered a loss, Maryland Baseball’s hurler Krew Bouldin (2019, Middletown, Del.) threw six strong innings. Bouldin is a strong righty standing at 6-foot-2, 195-pounds. He produces good running life on the fastball topping out at 81 mph, commanding the pitch well to the arm side. He can also produce some sink on the pitch when working in the lower velocity belt. Though he doesn’t throw the pitch often, his 11-to-5 curveball showed some solid depth with good feel able to land it for strikes, as well as get some swing-and-miss potential. Bouldin should continue to tick up some on the velocity in his pitches as he learns to use his strength in his delivery.

Getting the win for Langan was 6-foot-1, 190-pound righthander Adrian Abad (2020, Naples, Fla.). Abad threw an excellent complete game for his team and allowed just four hits and a single unearned run. Abad is another pitcher who knows his strengths on the mound and pitches to them well. His fastball gets up to 82 mph with some big-time run. This allows him to really jam righthanded hitters by controlling that arm-side movement into the hands. He gets solid 11-to-5 drop on his curveball from a high three-quarters action. He shows good smarts on the mound, mixing well and working towards weaker contact.

Patrick Picardo (2021, El Paso, Texas) led Langan offensively, going 2-for-2 with two RBI. Picardo is a 6-foot-2, 190-pound righthander who is already advanced when it comes to his size. He also showed some advanced skill with the bat for his age in the game. He’s a smooth swinger with good feel for his barrel and can consistently make hard contact, meeting the ball out front on a naturally lifted swing path. Picardo has a simple-minded approach: keep the ball in the middle of the field. Both his hits came on balls into center and he drove in a run on a well-struck sacrifice fly, also going into center field.

PRFTB made quick work in their final game of pool play with a 10-2 victory in five innings. Defensively nobody showed out more than their shortstop Anibal Saez (2020, Naranjito, Puerto Rico). Saez has the tools to stay at shortstop defensively as he is a consistent fielder for PRFTB. His glove actions out front are clean and he has an extremely quick transfer into his throws. He can make adjustments on the fly, fielding a ball that took a very tough ball with ease. Saez also showed off a spectacular arm, able to make throws from the 5-6-hole look easy.

Batting in the three spot for PRFTB was Brian Perez. Perez went 3-for-3 at the plate scoring a run and driving in two. He keeps things simple with limited movement pre-pitch and keeps his stroke compact and straight to the ball. This allows him to stay in the middle of the field with solid contact off the bat. All three of his hits came on balls laced into center field, including both RBI that came on a single right back up the middle.

Hitting one spot behind Perez was righthander Jeremy Ambert (2020, Bayamon, Puerto Rico). Ambert is a 6-foot-1, 175-pounder who is currently swinging a very hot bat. He also went 3-for-3 in the game with two runs scored and an RBI. Not matter what the opposing pitching threw at Ambert he was able to connect with very hard contact. He has a singular approach to his game which is to drive the ball hard on the pull side of the field. All three of his hits came to the left side of the field, including a double and a triple that went over the left fielder’s head on a line. He has plus power in his bat that should continue to develop as he adds to his already bigger frame.

Showing a lot of raw strength in his swing was Pedro Escalona (2020, Levittown, Toa Baja, Puerto Rico). Escalona had just as good of a day at the plate as his fellow teammates, going 2-for-3 with a run scored and an RBI to his credit. He has quite a bit of power potential in his game that seems to be untapped for the most part. He missed a ball off the end of the bat was still able to muscle it over the center fielder for a double. He also singled into left-center field for an RBI single.

– Taylor Weber



The East Cobb Astros used dominant pitching, timely hitting and just enough defense to advance to the finals of the 2018 PG Super25 National Championship with a well-earned victory over a very accomplished SWFL Nation 2020 club.

Leadoff hitter Brandon Haston (2020, Douglasville, Ga.) set the table for the Astros offense with a great day at the plate. The 6-foot-1, 175-pound right fielder, who will be a junior next year at East Paulding HS, is a patient lefthanded hitter who hunts out fastballs middle-in. He is a quick-twitch athlete who is strong through his shoulders and arms. He can drive the baseball, with authority, to all parts of the park. He is a plus-plus runner and is very instinctive and aggressive on the base paths. Haston is a sound right fielder who has a big arm and he can make all the plays in the important corner outfield position and throws the ball with confidence and accuracy.




Ethan Stamps (2020, Madison, Ga.) mans the third base spot for East Cobb and brings a big bat to the ballpark. The stout, barrel-chested rising junior at Madison County HS has a short, quick and compact swing to go along with the ability to drive the ball to all fields. Although he is not a burner, he has playable speed and knows how to run the bases. He is a reliable fielder at the hot corner and has a strong and steady arm.

The Astros ran two very capable pitchers out to the mound during the PG Super25 semifinals and both showed the stuff and makeup that project well to the next level.




Vanderbilt commit, Miles Garrett (2020, Stone Mountain, Ga.) may not have the imposing physical stature of the pitchers in this year’s tournament, but that is just an illusion. Once he steps on the mound and starts pitching it becomes very obvious as to why the young man will be heading to Nashville and the Southeastern Conference as the 5-foot-9, 150-pound dynamo can bring it. He consistently threw his overpowering fastball between 89-91 mph. His impressive heater showed riding life and was dominant throughout his outing. He paired his fastball with a sharp, late-breaking 12-to-6 curveball that locked hitters up. Garrett will use his considerable talents for the next two years at Parkview HS before he becomes a Commodore. The future looks very bright for this poised and confident righthanded pitcher.




Zach Murray (2020, Sugar Hill, Ga.) followed Garrett to the hill and his stuff was just as impressive. The 6-foot, 170-pound righty, who will be a junior at Lanier HS, also used a solid two-pitch mix and threw confidently to both sides of the plate and to all four quadrants. His 87-88 mph fastball showed consistent arm-side run and sink down in the zone and some explosive riding life up in the zone. His slider (75-76) is a tight-spinning, 11-to-5, late breaker that got a lot of swings and misses.

The East Cobb Astros BCS National Championship entry won their all-important second pool play game over a very competitive Knights Prime American team and guaranteed their advancement into the championship bracket on Friday.

Leadoff hitter and center fielder Austin Tienda (2020, Canton, Ga.) was the sparkplug who led the Astros offense in their first game on Thursday. The 6-foot-3, 170-pound righthanded swinger, is a tough out at the top of the East Cobb order. He sees a lot of pitches and obviously has a plan. With a short, compact swing he can drive the ball from foul line to foul line. He is a plus runner who is both instinctive and aggressive. The junior-to-be at Sequoyah HS is an accomplished outfielder who has all the tools to play center field at the next level. Tienda understands positioning, gets great jumps, takes control of the outfield and can makes all the throws.

Second baseman Mitchell Daly (2020, Madison, Ala.) is a 6-foot, 180-pound scrappy middle infielder for the Astros. He brings an obvious mental and physical toughness to the ballpark. Offensively, the junior-to-be at Bob Jones HS has a middle-of-the-field, flat bat path and advanced bat-to-ball skills. He is a tough out. On the bases, Daly is a heady and aggressive runner who will take the extra base. Defensively, he has plus quickness, soft hands and a playable, accurate arm.

Jackson Fristoe (2020, Paducah, Ky.) started on the hill for the Astros and showed the stuff that makes him a Kentucky commit. The 6-foot-4, 190-pound, rising junior at Paducah HS is a power throwing righty who has a plus arm and a very loose action. His fastball was clocked at 88-91 mph and showed both arm-side run and heavy sink. His wipeout slider was consistently clocked at 76-78 mph. He uses a high three-quarters arm slot, and while his command betrayed him a little late during his outing, he showed mental toughness and a veteran’s composure with enough control to pitch out of a few tough spots.

Following Fristoe to the mound was Carson Beavers (2020, Blue Ridge, Ga.). The 6-foot, 165-pound lefty used a very deceptive low three-quarters arm slot and a whippy arm action to get a lot of bad swings from the Knights. His riding four-seamer (83-85 mph) had explosive life at the dish and appeared to jump out of Beavers’ hand. The junior-to-be at Fannin County HS showed excellent command and control. He also showed outstanding poise and controlled the pace of the contest during his time on the bump.

MWE Bombers closer Jovan Gill (2020, Overland Park, Kan.) was not on the hill very long, but his short, shutdown outing was completely dominant and worth recognition. The 6-foot-2, 204-pound rising junior at Blue Valley Southwest HS gripped his four-seamer and let it fly at an impressive 87-88 mph and closed out a very important victory for MWE over a tough Michigan Select club.

– Jerry Miller



On the hill for the McDonough, Ga.-based Bullpen Redstich 108 team today was righthander Cole English (Locust Grove, Ga.). The pitcher from Locust Grove High School looked good on the mound in his two innings of work. Topping out at 88 mph on his fastball, the young hurler used his long 6-foot-2 and 190-pound frame to keep his velocity around the mid-80s consistently. The uncommitted junior uses a three-quarters arm slot that helps create a lot of arm-side run on his fastball. His motion is smooth but his arm action is a little jerky, but still effective. The Georgia native projects well into a back-end bullpen arm who can close games out.

Starting at third base for 5 Star Gilbert was lefthanded hitting infielder Nate Blasick (2020, Halifax, Pa.). The junior from Halifax Area High School is a West Virginia commit who has showcased his offensive talents so far during the 16u BCS National Championship. On Thursday the future Mountaineer went 1-for-3 and drove in a run in a big win in the final round of pool play. Blasick is a massive infielder, sporting a 6-foot-3 and 200-pound frame. He hits from the left side and displays a lot of power at the plate. The young infielder uses a big leg kick and stride that create a lot of momentum as a front foot hitter, as Blasick delivers a strong combination of power and momentum when he times the ball up well.

Pitching and hitting on Thursday for Power Baseball Blue was switch-hitting utility man Dwayne Maduro (2020, Clermont, Fla.). The uncommitted junior from East Ridge High School threw three innings for his team and only allowed two hits and one run. The righthanded hurler has a live arm that was up to 83 mph. His clean motion is very repeatable, and the ace consistently worked the bottom of the zone. The breaking ball is thrown hard and has a real sharp break on it. Maduro is an efficient contact pitcher who uses his fastball location and the ability to change speeds while pitching to keep hitters off balance.

Leading off and playing center field for the Stix Baseball Mendoza team on Thursday was Elijah Nunez (2020, Arlington, Texas). The lefthanded hitting and throwing outfielder is built solid with a 5-foot-9, 170-pound frame and he displays an impressive swing from the left-side. Nunez starts from a balanced stance and uses a toe tap stride for timing, something Chipper Jones was famous for. The approach and swing is very compact and fast making him a deadly hitter if attempting to pitch him inside. Keeping his hands inside the baseball allows him to drive the inside pitch to right-center for doubles and triples rather than hooking it to right field for a single. The biggest take-away from Nunez is his constant hustle. The young ballplayer runs out every ground ball and fly ball he hits and chases down everything he can in the outfield. Look for great things to come from the uncommitted junior of Martin High School.

Starting on the hill for the Panama Mutiny – Banditos International team on Thursday in one of the two semifinal games at the 16u PG Super25 National Championship was lefthander, Alexander Ayala (2020, Miami Lakes, Fla.). The uncommitted junior from Brito Miami Private School put on an excellent performance in a game that saw his team lose a close one, 1-0. Ayala went five innings strong with 10 strikeouts and a strike percentage of 65 percent while only giving up two hits and one earned run. The southpaw looks tall on the mound despite being listed at 5-foot-9, 150-pounds. Ayala has a long arm action that comes straight over the top and he works the bottom of the zone a lot. The lefty was clocked as high as 88 mph in this start and sat comfortably at 85 for the majority of the game. His breaking ball was the out-pitch when ahead in the account as it is incredibly sharp with a 12-to-6 break on it.

– Carter Sibley
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