THE WORLD'S LARGEST AND MOST COMPREHENSIVE SCOUTING ORGANIZATION
| 2,497 MLB PLAYERS | 15,833 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
2,497 MLB PLAYERS | 15,833 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
Sign in Create Account
Sign in Create Account
PG Series  | PG Series Classic | 8/2/2018

14u PG Series Classic Notes

Perfect Game Tournament Staff
Photo: Grant Hussey (Perfect Game)

2018 14u PG Series Classic Day 1 Notes

Four evenly matched, fundamentally sound and very talented teams advanced out of pool play to the semifinal rounds of the 2018 14u PG Series Classic. The result was two thrilling contests that were not finally decided until the last pitch of each game.

On Field 3, the South squad met up with the Gulf Coast team in a nail-biter. The Gulf Coast club held on to capture a 3-2 win. This victory only came after the never-say-die South club rallied, scoring one run in the seventh inning, and leaving the tying and winning runs in scoring position. The true competitiveness and sportsmanship of both teams belied their youth. To their great credit, each young player left it on the field and each individual and team should be highly commended.

Omari Hinton (2022, St. Petersburg, Fla.) is the outstanding leadoff hitter for the South club. The righthanded hitter can swing the stick. He incorporates a very strong lower half into a swing path that has a slight lift at contact. The result is a developing power stroke that looks as if it will continue to get much better as his career continues. He has both the frame and athletic build that will allow this young player to improve as a position player and at the plate. He is also a very gifted runner, who reaches top-end speed in only a few strides. He understands how to run the bases and is very instinctive and aggressive. 

Starting on the mound for the South club and holding down the vaunted Gulf Coast offense was Trey Wheeler (2022, Indiatlantic, Fla.). The lanky lefthander is a command and control pitcher who threw with poise and the presence of a veteran hurler. He continually worked the edges with a fastball that had plus arm-side run and sink. He never gave in, and rarely made a mistake over the middle of the plate. He complemented his fastball with a 12-to-6 breaking curveball and a plus changeup that he threw out of the same window as his fastball, and more impressively, with the same arm action.

Like he has done all week Schyler Arroyo (2022, Chuluota, Fla.) was outstanding on Thursday. The scrappy, tough and gritty backstop for the South club is an advanced receiver who is mature beyond his years. He plays like a player much his senior. He calls an advanced game and understands sequencing pitches and setting up hitters. He also is a sound technician with an easy set up and an ability to present the pitch to umpires like a veteran. He transitions well and has a quick trigger. He has a playable arm that is highly accurate. More than anything, he sets the tempo for his defensive club with his style of play and his vocal leadership. He also can swing the bat. He hunts fastballs early in the count and uses a flat bat and a short, quick swing path. He is also an aggressive runner who can, and will, take a bag.

Pacing the victorious Gulf Coast club’s offense was Bradley Hodges (2022, Fleming Island, Fla.). The speedy center fielder is a patient, top-of-the-order contact hitter who never expands his zone unnecessarily and attacks fastballs with a contact-first, line drive swing path that is extremely quick. He works to get on base and set the table for the Gulf Coast’s big middle-of-the-order swingers. Hodges is also a daring and aggressive baserunner who puts great pressure on the opponent defenses.

The gifted three-hole hitter for Gulf Coast is Andrew Barrett (2022, Debray, Fla.). In addition to his outstanding offensive skills, Barrett is also a very talented right fielder. Barrett is a patient hitter who patiently looks for his pitch and never appears overly anxious. His poise at the plate is commendable. He has an ability to drive pitches to the gaps and then use his plus speed to stretch hits to extra bases. In the outfield, he has the speed and coverage ability to probably play center field confidently. His No. 1 defensive tool is his impressively strong and accurate arm.

The unflappable Jake Smith (2022, Dothan, Ala.) never got caught up in the importance of his start on the mound against the South team. All in attendance knew that the winner would advance to the finals and get the honor and privilege of playing in JetBlue Stadium (Fenway Park South). That fact never appeared to be a cause for concern or angst for the young righthander from Alabama. He just pumped strikes for five plus innings. He used an economy of pitches and worked almost exclusively with his fastball. His four-seamer had explosive, riding life at the dish and was rarely hit squarely. He challenged hitters throughout the morning and seldom pitched from behind. He did show a solid breaking ball that had sharp 12-to-6 break, but he never strayed too far from his well-commanded heater.

Entering the game late in the seventh inning, with very little wiggle room, and his club’s precarious one-run lead in danger against the hard-charging South club, was Nate Selmont (2022, Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.). With one out and runners on second and third, Selmont had to face down the heart of the South order. After issuing an intentional walk, the calm and cool righthander recorded the second out by coaxing a short fly to right field, that wasn’t deep enough for the runner at third to tag on. And then, with the crowd noise at its loudest and pressure of the situation at its highest, Selmont calmly tossed a called third strike to secure the victory for the Gulf Coast nine. He worked with two pitches during his short, yet clutch appearance. His heavy sinking two-seamer was clocked between 75 and 77 mph. His riding four-seamer was in the high-70s and was especially tough on righthanded hitters.

Over on Field 4, playing an equally entertaining ball game, was the scrappy, fundamentally sound Coastal squad against the poised and polished team from California. The Coastal club battled the California team for seven tough innings. In the end, the undefeated team from the West Coast held on for a hard fought 4-2 victory over the team from the east coast.

There was no better hitter in Fort Myers this week than Grant Hussey (2021, Washington, W.Va.). The barrel-chested lefthanded swinger can power the ball to both gaps with authority. His plus, gap-to-gap pop is accomplished using a swing that is direct to the ball and has an extended finish. His powerful lower half helps the 6-foot-3, 200-pound slugger drive the ball consistently to the deepest parts of the park.

Garrett Allred (2022 Colfax, N.C.) is a gifted receiver who calls a great game and handles his pitching staff like a much more experienced player. He has soft hands and frames pitches extremely well. He has plus transition skills and makes the transfer to throw with efficiency. Allred’s quick trigger and accurate arm enable him to limit the opposition’s running game. His calm presence in the semifinal game helped his pitchers hold down what many consider the top offensive club in the tournament.

The Coastal club had two solid pitchers toe the bump against the unrelenting California batting order and both turned in admirable performances. Austin Williamson (2022, Denver, N.C.) started and did the lion’s share of the work on the hill. He deserved a better fate, too. All you need to know about this young man’s desire and dedication to his craft is this. After the game, played in Florida’s hot summer sun, Williamson could be found getting his running in, in the outer field that serves as the parking lot of JetBlue Park. The tough-minded righthander was a strike-thrower and he consistently challenged the California hitters. More times than not, he was successful. His well-commanded fastball was consistently in the high-70s and showed solid movement, especially down in the zone. He complemented his fastball with a sweeping breaking ball that was more slurvy than curvy. His poise and presence were noteworthy and his ability to consistently throw strikes was commendable.

Williamson turned the ball over to Jimmy Shetzler (2022 (Kernersville, N.C.). Shetzler is a no-nonsense power throwing righthander who took the hill with a challenge-first mentality. His two-pitch mix was thrown with a purpose and plan. He used a four-seamer with riding life that appeared much faster than the 81-82 mph shown on the radar gun. His hid the ball well and it appeared to jump out of his shoulder. This deception didn’t allow for too many Cali hitters to square it up. He also showed a sharp-breaking 12-to-6 snapping curveball that had late depth at the plate.

The California squad has been tough on every opponent they have faced this week. Their pitchers all throw strikes, their defense is probably the most fundamentally sound unit in Fort Myers and their hitters are relentless. In total, the kids from the West Coast play a brand of baseball that is very advanced.

Jack Burnes (2021, Tiburon, Calif.) sets the tone for the California offense hitting out of the leadoff spot in the order. He didn’t wait long Thursday morning in getting the California team on the board. The strong and athletically built righthanded hitter powered a pitch out of the ballpark in his second at-bat to give his club an early lead that they would not relinquish. Having a powerful stick at the top of the order says a lot about the abilities of the California offense.

Hitting behind Burnes in the California batting order is a truly gifted hitter and defender. Carson Crawford (2021, Rohnert Park, Calif.) is an accomplished hitter and a top-flight defender at third base. He shows range in either direction and is especially good moving to his glove side. He has a strong and accurate arm and can make all the throws. At the plate is where he truly shines. Crawford showed his ability to drive the ball to the gaps and use his plus running ability in the California victory Thursday morning.

Handling the California pitching staff was catcher Matt Little (2022, Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif.). Like all the players from the West Coast, Little is a very poised individual who calls a veteran’s game. He has plus catch-and-throw skills and can block pitches as good, if not better, than any receiver in the Series. He also keeps his infielders on their toes with his verbal leadership. He is also an accomplished hitter who showed plus pull-side power out of his righthanded stance.

Patrolling the middle of the California outfield all week has been Drew Gustafson (2022, Northridge, Calif.) and he was especially on point on Thursday. He can cover a lot of territory in center field allowing his corner outfield mates to play closer to the lines. He has great anticipatory skills and understands positioning extremely well. He also has a plus average arm that is highly accurate. At the plate, the speedy lefthanded hitter is a slasher and runner. He uses a flat bat path and a short and compact swing to hit the ball up the middle and to the off field. Once on the bases he is a burner who can and will steal a base.

One of the many California pitchers to take to the mound this week was Jeremy Giesegh (2022, Upland, Calif.). The righthanded command-and-control pitcher was a picture of efficiency Thursday morning in pitching his club to the all-important semifinal win. He used a three-pitch mix, working the edges of the dish and throwing to all quadrants to keep the Coastal club off balance most of the morning. His fastball was especially effective up in the zone. His looping curveball had big break and was an effective secondary pitch. His changeup was a mature pitch that was thrown with the same arm action as his fastball. He pitched to contact and forced the action early in the count. His poise and the pace at which he pitched helped keep his defenders on their toes and get his team back in the dugout.

– Jerry Miller
Give us your feedback
PG Series | PG Series Classic | 8/2/2019

Deep South captures Series

Autumn Jones
Article Image
FORT MYERS, Fla. – A gloomy Friday afternoon in Fort Myers unified more than merely individuals contesting collectively, but two talented Freshmen teams that displayed a great deal of sportsmanship. Deep South slid past Puerto Rico in the title game of the Freshman PG Series Classic, 5-1. Considering their rough start in pool play, going 0-3, Deep South came out relentless in the playoffs defeating opponents in the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds and closed the feat with a championship victory against Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico was up first on the board in the bottom of the first scoring their single run in the game that came from Jose Torres Rivera (2022, Puerto Rico).  Deep South doubled that shortly after in the top of the second with runs scored by Yoel Tejeda Jr (2022, Davie, Fla.) and Xavier Vergne (2022, Miramar, Fla.). Tejeda Jr and Vergne each went 2-for-3 in the game...
Read More
Tournaments | Story | 7/11/2026

17U National Elite Heads to Hoover

Kinley Kitchens
Article Image
Another week, another big tournament makes its way to Hoover.  This week, 104 of the nation’s top 17U teams will make their way to Hoover for the 2026 Perfect Game 17U National Elite Championship.  Featuring nationally ranked teams, Division I commits, and many of the country’s top 2027 players, the tournament promises another week of elite competition as teams battle for one of the biggest championships of the summer.  With many players already committed to some of the nation’s top college programs, every game in Hoover this week offers a glimpse into the future of college baseball.  Now entering its eighth year, the National Elite Championship continues to bring in the nation’s best. Past champions include Team Elite Scout Team, Canes National, USA Prime National, Scorpions/Giants Scout Team, 5 Star Performance National, Knights Knation Scout...
Read More
Draft | Story | 7/12/2026

2026 MLB Draft: Day One Recap

Tyler Henninger
Article Image
Storylines Heavy College Run Early We came into the day knowing that there were a lot of talented college players at the top of the board, more specifically college bats. That came to light very early in the day, as we saw just two prep players selected within the first ten picks. The college preference lasted throughout most of the entire first round. Nearly 75% of the first 40 selections were college players. It is clear teams want players at the top of the draft that can quickly get through the system and help the big league club as soon as possible. Underslot Strategy Throughout this cycle, we knew that once you get past the first handful of picks the difference in value you were getting for let say pick ten was not that difference compared to pick 30. Because there was a large collection of players that are relatively close in value, teams were looking to get creative. We saw this...
Read More
Draft | Mock Draft | 7/11/2026

Final 2026 MLB Mock Draft

Vincent Cervino
Article Image
It's draft day and that means it's time for our final Mock Draft with the 2026 group. 1. Chicago White Sox | Roch Cholowsky, SS, UCLA It’s between Roch and Grady Emerson at this pick, though there have been heavy rumors of a very late deal potentially with another top 5 pick. This boils down to negotiations and we think that they will get there.  2. Tampa Bay Rays | Grady Emerson, SS, Fort Worth Christian (Tex.) If Grady isn’t the first pick then he is almost certain to be the second pick. The Rays like to get creative but Emerson is a well worth prospect in his own right.  3.  Minnesota Twins | Vahn Lackey, C, Georgia Tech This is likely the floor for Roch Cholowsky, though the Twins might prefer Lackey to Roch outright. They are thought to be in on the top college players with Emerson a distant third.  4. San Francisco Giants | Jackson Flora, RHP, UC...
Read More
Tournaments | Story | 7/10/2026

Ohio Valley Regional Scout Notes

Perfect Game Staff
Article Image
‘28 INF Christian Ramirez (OH) WALKS IT OFF for @CincyDBulls2028 to win the chip! Has shown impressive tools throughout the weekend and in this AB showed the ability to adjust to the offspeed and win the game. #OVElite pic.twitter.com/J3MXJXFnbM — Perfect Game Ohio Valley (@PG_OhioValley) July 5, 2026 Christian Ramirez (2028, Mason, Ohio) helped his team win the championship batting out of the two-hole. Though he didn’t win tournament MVP, Ramirez was my favorite player to watch take a plate appearance. He has an advanced feel for the zone and sees the ball out of the pitcher’s hand quicker than most. Ramirez led the tournament with eight walks, batting .375 with a .583 on-base percentage. Much more than just the approach, the swing is efficient with little wasted movement, creates quality separation, and puts him in an excellent position at contact. With such an...
Read More
College | Story | 7/10/2026

Cape Cod Notebook No. 1

Perfect Game Staff
Article Image
Cape Cod League Scouting Notebook  Maverick Rizy | Ole Miss | RHP | Brewster Whitecaps  The towering 6-foot-9, 250-pound right-hander continues to stand out with one of the more unique looks on the Cape, pairing a massive frame with a low three-quarter slot that creates difficult angles for hitters. While his fastball velocity was down from its typical mid-90s range during this look, working mostly 90-92 mph, it still generated plenty of swing-and-miss. He paired the heater with an 81-83 mph gyro slider featuring tight bullet-spin action and mixed in an 85-mph changeup with quality separation. Rizy battled his command early in the outing I saw, before settling in to strike out five over three innings, showing the ability to adjust as the game progressed. Through 12.2 Cape League innings, he has recorded 18 strikeouts, and his combination of size, deception, and projectability...
Read More
Tournaments | Story | 7/10/2026

16u WWBA Scout Notes: Day 4

Perfect Game Staff
Article Image
16u WWBA Scout Notes: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 ‘28 C Nico Ayars (FL) coming off a monster game yesterday & comes up with the biggest swing of this one. A triple right down the LF line to drive in two. Came into today hitting .833 this week. #WWBA @PG_Uncommitted @Florida_PG pic.twitter.com/Hvb7UvtkNi — Perfect Game Scout (@PG_Scouting) July 8, 2026 Nico Ayars (2028, Fort Myers, Fla.) has just been on the barrel throughout the week so far, collecting six hits across the first four games of the tournament. That didn’t slow down on day three at Mt. Zion High School as he came up with the biggest swing of the day, hitting a triple down the left field line to drive in a pair. It’s been a standout week so far for Ayars and he’ll be a driving force behind the run through the tourney for CBU 2028 Scout Team Lawson. Rylan Jenkins (2028, Tennille, Ga.) put...
Read More
Tournaments | Story | 7/10/2026

14u & 17u West Scout Notes: Days 1-2

Perfect Game Staff
Article Image
Tre Hallberg (‘27, AZ) hammers this out to deep LCF for a 2-run 💣. Continues to stand out at the plate. Power will only continue to develop #WWBAWest @PG_Uncommitted https://t.co/NlWlDygpwg pic.twitter.com/RHrgYXLmwm — Perfect Game Four Corners (@PG_FourCorners) July 10, 2026 Tre Hallberg (2027, Mesa, Ariz.) was nearly impossible to get out over the first two days of action, going 7-for-9 with a triple and a home run. A balanced right-handed swing stays compact to contact. There is quick hand speed through the zone with feel for the barrel. Hallberg has a strong feel to hit to go with power that continues to develop. The upside is apparent.  William Garcia Falmer (2027, El Dorado Hills, Calif.) collected a pair of mulit-hit games over the course of day one and two, going 5-for-7 with two doubles, a homer, and seven runs driven in. Garcia Falmer features a physical build...
Read More
Tournaments | Story | 7/10/2026

Windy City Invite & Open Scout Notes: Part 2

Perfect Game Staff
Article Image
Windy City Invite & Open Scout Notes: Part 1 Braedon Paczocha (2028, Palmyra, Wis.), a 5-foot-11, 180-pound frame catcher for GRB STiKS 16U Black, displayed a quick bat with the ability to do damage. Showed a good feel for the barrel throughout the weekend, hitting .538 (7-for-13) with 3 doubles, 8 RBI, 2 stolen bases, and a 1.376 OPS. Also received well behind the plate with quick, efficient transfers and displayed good instincts.    ’28 1B Brock Hamilton (IL) displays some present strength, driving this ball deep into the LCF gap to leg out a triple. Creates loud contact off the bat and does damage here. #WCInvite @WhitesoxAce pic.twitter.com/6EK81gG9Wi — Perfect Game Illinois (@PG_Illinois) July 5, 2026 Brock Hamilton (2028, Flossmoor, Ill.), one of the top first basemen in Illinois, brings a physical 6-foot-5, 240-pound frame with plenty of present strength...
Read More
Draft | Rankings | 7/10/2026

Final 2026 MLB Draft Board: Top 500

Tyler Henninger
Article Image
After months of coverage, evaluations, and discussions, the 2026 MLB Draft is upon us. With that, we present our final Top 500 Draft Board.  The final update features several notable movers, including a handful of late risers who made one final push up the board. While there was movement throughout the board, the top remains unchanged. UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky and Texas prep shortstop Grady Emerson lead the way again, as they have for much of the cycle. With the games complete, reports filed, and the board finalized, the evaluation process is over. Now, we get to sit back and watch the draft unfold. Rk. Name Level Pos. B-T School Hometown State Commitment 1 Roch Cholowsky C SS R-R UCLA Chandler AZ 2 Grady Emerson H SS L-R Fort Worth Christian Argyle TX Texas 3 Vahn Lackey C C R-R Georgia Tech Suwanee GA 4 Jacob Lombard H SS R-R Gulliver Schools Miami FL Miami 5 Jackson Flora C...
Read More
Showcase | Story | 7/9/2026

13U National Kicks Off in Fort Myers

Alyssa Golden
Article Image
This Friday through Sunday, many of the nation’s top young prospects from the classes of 2030 and 2031 will head to Fort Myers, Florida, as the 2026 PG 13U National Showcase gets underway at JetBlue Park. The invitation-only event features some of the brightest young stars in the country as they look to make their way onto the national stage. This showcase provides players with an opportunity to compete against elite talent from across the country while also serving as a key evaluation for the 2026 PG 13U Select Baseball Festival. “The 13u National Showcase will be the first showcase for a lot of these guys, but we’ve seen their talents throughout this past fall, spring and the summer circuit, securing their invite to the event,” said Jheremy Brown, Perfect Game’s National Director of 13U & 14U Player Development and Festivals. Among some of the stand...
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.