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High School  | General | 12/26/2018

Year in Review: High School

Photo: Argyle High School (Argyle HS Athletics)

Year in Review: PG Events | MLB Draft | College

2018 High School Players of the Year | Final 2018 National High School Top 50

As part of Perfect Game's annual Year in Review seires we look back at some of the more intriguing high school-related storylines from 2018.


Jupiter upset

The Canes arrive in Jupiter year-after-year as one of the perennial favorites in the event, but in 2018 they were toppled by the upstart Florida Burn Platinum. The Burn benefitted from the culmination of shutdown pitching and timely hitting to defeat the Canes in the championship round by a score of 2-0.

Co-MVP of the WWBA World Championship was Josh Rivera of the Burn as he enjoyed a big boost not only to his team but also to his overall draft stock. The Burn have long been one of the top programs both in the state of Florida and nationally and their ability to run through bracket play in Jupiter was truly a sight to behold.


Montverde, Blessed Trinity secure PG HS Showdown titles

The Perfect Game High School Showdown was split into two categories in 2018 and the two champions that emerged were familiar faces as Montverde Academy (Fla.) ran through the Blue Bracket and Blessed Trinity (Ga.) got revenge on Providence (Fla.) to secure the title in the Red Bracket.

Montverde was led by superstar PG All-American Nander De Sedas, flamethrower Kerry Wright and star underclassmen such as Jake Holland. De Sedas and Wright could both be very high picks out of Florida State and Louisville, respectively, as both were on the 2021 Top 50 Draft List. Blessed Trinity spent a long time in the National High School Top 50 and were led by star 2019 shortstop CJ Abrams, a PG All-American who is a projected first round pick next June that has signed with Alabama.

There were a number of elite draft prospects present during the HS Showdown, securing the event’s role as one of the big checkpoints for pro scouts. Anthony Seigler, a catcher from Cartersville (Ga.) who was as eventual first round pick of the Yankees, attended the event while Xavier Edwards from North Broward Prep (Fla.) was selected in the comp round by the Padres. Some other notable draft selections were Parker Meadows of Grayson (Ga.) to the Tigers with the first pick of the second round, Will Banfield of Brookwood (Ga.) to the Marlins in the second round, Taj Bradley of Redan (Ga.) to the Rays in the fifth round, Lawrence Butler of Westlake (Ga.) to the Athletics in the sixth and Cabera Weaver of South Gwinnett (Ga.) to the White Sox in the seventh.


JSerra captures Boras Classic

The Boras Classic continues to make waves as one of the premier West Coast events in terms of professional scouts attending to evaluate prospects. JSerra (Calif.) captured the championship of the South Division and the event itself was loaded with prospects. Cole Winn and Brice Turang, of Orange Lutheran (Calif.) and Santiago (Calif.) respectively, were the two first rounders of the event.

There was numerous underclassmen on hand as well led by PG All-American Darius Perry of La Mirada (Calif.) while Michael Curialle led the way with a huge tournament weekend for the eventual champion JSerra squad. The trio of talent for the 2020 class looks special from California as Jared Jones, Pete Crow-Armstrong and Drew Bowser appear to be bona fide stars heading into the 2019 season.

Besides JSerra capturing the title in the South Division, Bellarmine Prep (Calif.) claimed the North Division and eventually the entire state as they downed JSerra. Basic Academy (Nev.) is coming off back-to-back state titles and was the champion of the Arizona Boras Classic.


Orange Lutheran repeats at NHSI

The National High School Invitational (NHSI) is another high-profile high school tournament that is ran by USA Baseball and takes place at their facility in Cary, N.C. Orange Lutheran was the sixth-ranked team in Perfect Game Preseason National High School Top 50 and captured back-to-back titles at the event.

Orange Lutheran was (and continues to be) loaded with talent and leading the way was the the 10th overall pick in the 2018 MLB Draft, Cole Winn. Besides Winn, Jasiah Dixon should garner draft attention for the Lancers this season and their 2020 class has a chance to be special with the trio of Christian Rodriguez, Max Rajcic and Chad Born.

The NHSI featured a number of teams that were ranked in the HS Top 50 throughout the season including Orange Lutheran, Calvary Christian Academy (Fla.), American Heritage (Fla.), Florence (Ala.), George Jenkins (Fla.) and Hattiesburg (Miss.).


High school POYs put up video game numbers

The three honorees of the Perfect Game High School Players of the Year – Player of the Year Jeremiah Jackson, Pitcher of the Year Matthew Liberatore and Two-Way Player of the Year Ryan Weathers – put up some pretty eye-opening numbers en route to their eventual draft selections. Jackson of St. Luke’s (Ala.) hit a robust .644 with 15 home runs and even had to endure being intentionally walked 11 times in 13 at-bats in the semifinal round. Jackson was eventually selected in the second round by the Angels and his athleticism and tools jump off the board.

Liberatore, who was selected 16th overall by the Tampa Bay Rays, was a must-watch in nearly every start for Mountain Ridge (Ariz.) over the course of the season. He finished with a final record of 8-1 with a sub-1.00 ERA to go along with an absurd 104 strikeouts in 60 1/3 innings. Weathers got a late start on the baseball season thanks to his state championship efforts on the basketball court, but he quickly made up for lost time. Weathers, who was eventually selected seventh overall by the Padres, had an ERA you needed a microscope to look at with a mark of 0.11. Weathers also hit near .500 on the season.


Adams’ coming out party

Green Hope (N.C.) center fielder, and eventual first round selection by the Angels, Jordyn Adams, had a sensational performance at the NHSI and the event served as his de facto coming out party on the national scene. Adams made waves throughout the spring as he was thought to be unsignable initially as a 4-star football recruit who was set to play at North Carolina under his father. However, he elevated his stock to that of a first-round talent and is now one of the premier prospects of the Angels system.

Along with Cole Winn, Brice Turang and Adams, the presence of Matthew Liberatore of Mountain Ridge (Ariz.), Nolan Gorman of O’Connor (Ariz.) and Triston Casas of American Heritage (Fla.) gave the NHSI six eventual first round picks.


Perfect Argyle

Argyle (Texas) ascended into the PG rankings following the first update of the high school season and continually ascended up the rankings before settling in the No. 2 slot for the majority of the season behind Calvary Christian (Fla.) of Clearwater. Argyle put on a terrific run to finish the season as the sole undefeated program in the rankings while also capturing the state title and earning the No. 1 ranking on the Final National High School Top 50.

Argyle follows in the footsteps of Calvary Christian (who finished sixth in the nation) and Shawnee (Okla.) from 2017 as undefeated teams to finish at the top of the end-of-season rankings. Argyle retains a lot of talent from their state championship squad and should be firmly near the top of the list heading into the 2019 spring season.


Battle of the Calvary’s

After each starting in the top 20 of the rankings, Calvary Christian of Clearwater and Calvary Christian Academy battled all season long for the top slot in Florida’s 4A class. The Clearwater Calvary team was coming off an undefeated 2017 season that culminated in a state championship and the No. 2 slot in PG’s final 2017 HS Top 50 before coming into 2018 as the No. 3 team in the country. Calvary Christian Academy started at No. 20 before notching some very impressive wins including one against top-ranked (at the time) American Heritage.

Following the victory over Heritage in mid-March, Calvary Christian Academy leap-frogged Calvary Christian of Clearwater for the No. 1 slot in the rankings. Academy eventually dropped significantly due to some forfeit losses, but the two teams matched up in the state finals with the state championship and a Top 5 ranking on the line. Academy ended up victorious with a 5-1 victory and settled that in 2018 Calvary Christian Academy was the better of the two Calvary’s.


Preseason Top 10, in hindsight

The PG Preseason Top 10 featured its fair share of hits and misses, as preseason rankings normally do, as each team took a unique route to their finish on the 2018 season. American Heritage started out as the preseason No. 1 team with a loaded roster but unfortunately finished just short of a state championship. They fell to Merritt Island (Fla.) following the return of their ace, and eventual Nationals first-round pick, Mason Denaburg. As a result, American Heritage finished the season ranked 22nd overall nationally.

Parkview (Ga.) continued to show that they are the class of the Peach State as they started at No. 2, finished at No. 2 and notched another state title along the way. Calvary Christian of Clearwater’s season was detailed above with their No. 3 start, while Bishop Gorman (Nev.) and Cypress Ranch (Texas) both had very hot starts to the season while eventually cooling off towards the end; they were the preseason Nos. 4 and 5 teams, respectively.

Orange Lutheran finished at No. 11 after starting the season at No. 6 following their state semifinal loss while Reagan (Texas) in San Antonio dropped to No. 29 after losing in the state championship; Reagan opened the year ranked seventh overall in the national preseason rankings. Hattiesburg (Miss.) started at No. 8 and made some waves throughout the season despite some losses while Barbe (La.) had another typically strong season in Louisiana with a 30-9 overall record and a loss in the state semifinals.

Mater Dei (Calif.) started at No. 10 and had significant talent on their roster. An uncharacteristically down season with a overall 10-19 record led to them missing the state playoffs.




High School | General | 8/17/2026

Scott Wins MVP Two Ways

Jim Salisbury
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PHILADELPHIA – When the folks at Perfect Game reached out to invite him to pitch in the 2026 PG All-Star Game for rising sophomores and juniors, Cullen Scott had one request. “You mind if I get a couple of at-bats, too?” Along with his dad, Scott traveled from the family’s home in Texas to Citizens Bank Park. The trip proved to be a huge success as he starred on the mound and at the plate and was named the game’s Most Valuable Player. Scott, 16, pitched a scoreless first inning and struck out two. In the fourth inning, he belted a grand slam six rows up into the left-field seats to lead the National team’s 6-1 win over the American team. “He showed us why he’s here as a pitcher and a hitter,” said Greg Sabers, PG’s vice president of scouting and showcases. "He’s one of the top pitchers here, but he’s too good a...
Tournaments | Story | 10/24/2026

SBA Takes 14u Title Behind Offense

Jheremy Brown
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To say there were standouts all over the field for the 14u WWBA World Championship would be an understatement as the matchup of Team Elite 14u Scout and SBA Bolts National 14u saw two of the more loaded rosters going head-to-head with a title on the line. And after weather threw a giant wrench into pool play, both Sunday and Monday were nothing but sunshine and high intensity baseball leading into the final game of the event.  While the game ultimately ended via run rule after five in favor of SBA upon a 9 run inning, it was a tight contest up until that point with Team Elite carrying a 3-2 lead thru four innings.  Team Elite drew first blood as a Ross Logan walk quickly turned into the first run of the game following a well struck single by Cooper Ooten into left field who eventually came around to score following a double steal, scoring before the third out of the inning was...
Softball | Softball Tournament | 10/22/2026

PG Softball Chesterfield Fall Showcase High School Division

Erica Beach
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PG Softball Chesterfield Fall Showcase HS Division Oct 17-18, 2026 Chesterfield First Community Athletic Complex CHESTERFIELD, MO — It was a perfect weekend for softball, with 16 teams converging on the Chesterfield First Community Athletic Complex to compete in the High School Division. Teams from Illinois, Minnesota, and Iowa were there to battle it out, and there was only one undefeated team in the tournament: the Southeast Iowa All-Stars 16U Gold Flowerbach, who went a stellar 5-0 on the weekend. We were treated to some stellar performances all weekend and below we highlight some of the standout athletes who caught our eyes.  Lucy Turner (2027, Marion, IA) of the Cedar Rapids Reds was a truly dynamic two-way player this past weekend. Offensively, she batted .444 with 5 RBIs and an impressive 6 stolen bases, which led the tournament. She also scored 6 runs for her team and...
Tournaments | Championship | 10/22/2026

Wildcatters Reign Supreme at 13u WWBA

Jheremy Brown
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After both the Best of the West and the Beast of the East wrapped up, a big conglomerate of high end talent and stacked teams descended upon West Palm for both the 13u and the 14u WWBA World Championships. While the weather threw a wrench into the plans early on and some adjustment was needed to ensure the event moved forward, it was nothing but sunshine and competitive baseball throughout Sunday and into the early morning Monday.  Kicking off with the 13u WWBA World Championship, the first thing to point out is the fact this was a wood bat tournament played on 60-90 fields and while the combo was a first for most, you wouldn't know it with their level of play throughout the weekend. In an unsurprising twist and a continuation of their 12u dominance, the 13u championship saw the #2 seeded Goldin Prospects lock horns with the top seeded Houston Wildcatters, aka the champion of the...
Tournaments | Story | 10/22/2026

17u Coastal Fall Invitational

Perfect Game Staff
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Dalton Fisher (2028, China Grove, NC) stands at 6-foot-2, 180 pounds, with a lean, projectable frame and room to add strength as he develops. Bats and throws right-handed and plays the outfield. Shows a good approach at the plate with quick hands, solid bat speed, and the ability to drive the ball to all fields. Fisher went 2-for-3 with 1 RBI, putting together a great day at the plate. Bradley Edwards (2028, Summerville,SC) Stands at 6-feet-5 225 strong build and the potential to generate considerable power. Bats and throws right handed is a right handed pitcher. Shows good arm strength and the ability to attack hitters while generating swings and misses. Demonstrates a competitive approach on the mound with the ability to challenge hitters in the zone. Recorded 4.2 innings pitched with 10 strikeouts, a 56% strike rate, and a fastball that topped out at 85 mph. Jackson Pierce (2028,...
Softball | Softball Tournament | 10/21/2026

PG Softball Chesterfield Fall Showcase 14U Division

Erica Beach
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2026 PG softball Chesterfield fall showcase 14U Division October 17th to 18th Chesterfield First Community Athletic Complex CHESTERFIELD, MO — It was a highly competitive weekend of softball as six teams battled it out on the field. In the end, the Midland Magic Wooster finished with a flawless 5-0 record, showcasing a dominant tournament performance by allowing only three runs while exploding for 65 runs of their own. Below we highlight some of the weekend’s shining stars. \ Abigail Doolittle (2030 - Edwardsville, Illinois) of Top Gun 2030-IL established herself as one of the tournament's most formidable hitters over five games, posting an astounding .727 batting average. Showcasing elite power and versatility, she racked up three singles, two doubles, two triples, and a home run. Doolittle drove in four runs, scored four times, drew a walk, and added a stolen base....
Tournaments | Story | 10/21/2026

Windy City Finale Scout Notes

Perfect Game Staff
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‘27 RHP Jaxson Weiss (IL) pitched well in his 5 innings and put up some eye popping strikeout numbers. He punched out 10 and allowed only 2ER. FB T86 early and flashed a BB 72-75. #WCFinale https://t.co/M8GtCUgxyS — Perfect Game Illinois (@PG_Illinois) October 17, 2026 Jaxson Weiss (2027, New Lennox, Ill.) a right-handed pitcher put up big strikeout numbers in his start on Saturday. He worked five innings while punching out ten opposing hitters. The fastball topped out at 86 mph and sat in the 82-85 mph range most of the game. His breaking ball was his primary off-speed, living 72-75 mph. Weiss keeps his body under control throughout his delivery, helping him with his good command on the mound. He uses his lower half well with a nice leg drive and gets his hips through, guiding his backside. He pitched with confidence and stayed ahead of hitters most of the game. Hayden...
Tournaments | Story | 10/19/2026

PG Draft: Jupiter Draft Movers

Tyler Henninger
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The WWBA World Championship remains one of the premier events on the draft calendar as all 30 major league organizations descend on Jupiter to evaluate some of the top talent in amateur baseball. The event serves as a pivotal checkpoint in the scouting process, giving established prospects an opportunity to further elevate their stock while lesser-known names have a chance to put themselves on the radar of various organizations. This year was no exception, as several players made strong impressions and positioned themselves for increased attention heading into the spring. With that being said, let’s dive into a few draft risers and sleepers who stood out in Jupiter. Calum Andersen (‘27,CAN) had his A stuff working today running the FB to 96 mph with a devastating horizontal SL at 85 mph that can break bats. Mixed in a late breaking 12/6 curveball at 78 mph that induces weak...
Tournaments | Story | 10/20/2026

Jupiter Recap: Stars Being Stars

Vincent Cervino
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WWBA World Championship Notes: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 PG Draft: Jupiter Draft Movers With the 2026 WWBA World Championship in the rearview mirror, we're going to begin our breakdowns of 4 different subcategories, beginning today with the Stars Being Stars category. Most of the players below are household names or were teetering on the edge of such recognition, using Jupiter as their launching pad. From Perfect Game All-Americans to some serious helium names for the MLB Draft, the PG crew breaks them all down below.  ‘27 Samir Mohammed (FL) racked up 11 Ks thru 5 IP on 75% strikes. FB lived 98-99, T100 w/ tons of ASR & life thru the zone. Hit 99 mph 10+ times incl his final pitch of the outing. Had his sharp vert CB on a string & faded the CHG effectively vs LHHs (clip). #LSU commit. @PG_Draft #WWBAWorlds @Florida_PG — Perfect Game Scout (@PG_Scouting)...
Tournaments | Story | 10/21/2026

Jupiter Recap: Uncommitted...For Now

Kyler Peterson
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WWBA World Championship Notes: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 PG Draft: Jupiter Draft Movers | Jupiter: Stars Being Stars Gets your reads in now because by the time you reach the end, some of the talent in this article might be giving their commitments to a college somewhere across the country. Every player below did something that caught out scout's eye and should certainly be on the radar for college coaches, if they aren't already.  Braxton Sykes (2028, Brunswick, Ga.) tossed a total of six innings down in Jupiter, collecting six strikeouts while failing to allow either a hit or earned run during his tenure on the mound. The 6-foot-2 right-hander showcased an impressive three-pitch mix with excellent feel to locate in every part of the strike zone. His fastball lived in the mid- to upper-80s mph range with more velocity to project for as Sykes continues to add strength and...
Tournaments | Story | 10/23/2026

Jupiter Recap: The Next Wave

Kyler Peterson
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WWBA World Championship Notes: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 PG Draft: Jupiter Draft Movers | Jupiter: Stars Being Stars | Jupiter: Uncommitted...For Now | Jupiter: Breakout Prospects You don't have to look too hard into the future to see what the prep game has in store as the players below are already showing tools beyond their years. With a slew of 2028 and 2029 grads more than holding their own in Jupiter, the scene for the upcoming summer has already had some groundwork laid out for what should be an exciting couple of years to come.  ‘28 Alan Zimmerman (FL) racked up 5 Ks w/ just 1 H allowed thru 3 shutout frames. Lived 89-90 T91 w/ lots of life thru the zone & some ASR. Dropped in a 12/6 breaker for Ks (clip). Projectable 6’3” mold. #Uncommitted @PG_Uncommitted #WWBAWorlds @Florida_PG https://t.co/KTDFpGK49y — Perfect Game Scout...
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