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Tournaments  | Story  | 3/6/2019

PG HS Showdown Preview

Vincent Cervino      Greg Gerard     
Photo: Rece Hinds (Meghan Mitchell)

2019 PG High School Showdown: Event Page | Schedule


Archbishop McCarthy Mavericks (Southwest Ranches, Fla.)

Top Prospects (Position, Class, PG National Rank)
Gregory Martinez (RHP, 2019, T500)
Colin Acklin (C, 2019, Follow)
Jake Alfaro (1B, 2021, HF)
Noah Chance (1B, 2021, Follow)

The Mavericks of Archbishop McCarthy are coming off a season where they finished well above .500 during the season that ended with a loss to state power American Heritage. The Mavericks have some intriguing pieces to work with and that starts with primary righthanded pitcher Gregory Martinez who impressed during the Florida Prospect Showcase a year ago. Martinez has some physicality and a power fastball that will peak as high as 90 mph and he will likely start on day one of the tournament. Colin Acklin is a backstop committed to Keiser University while underclassmen Jake Alfaro and Noah Chance all have exciting offensive tools to work with. McCarthy will be tested early on in the tournament as they start out with last year's third place finisher in Denham Springs and Locust Grove as these two games on Thursday will determine their fate in the tournament.


Avant Garde Academy Wolves (Kissimmee, Fla.)

Top Prospects (Position, Class, PG National Rank)
Matthew Garcia (SS, 2019, T1000)
Guillermo Gelpi (RHP, 2019, T1000)
Jan Reyes (OF, 2019, T1000)
Gustavo Delgado (RHP, 2019, Follow)

Avant Garde is one of the many top academies in the state of Florida and they are coming off a season where they went 24-5 and have a bevy of senior talent to bolster their ranks this season. They are led by a trio of Bethune-Cookman signees in shortstop Matthew Garcia, righthander Guillermo Gelpi, and outfielder Jan Reyes. Garcia is an athletic, physical up-the-middle type of player who should be near the middle of the order while Reyes has some pop in  his swing and will be looking to drive in a lot of runs this weekend. Gelpi is a righthander who works into the mid-80s and has a fairly easy operation that is ripe for projection at the next level. Fellow righthander Gustavo Delgado is committed to Park University and should also have a role to play in some fashion.




Blessed Trinity Titans (Roswell, Ga.)

Top Prospects (Position, Class, PG National Rank)
CJ Abrams (SS, 2019, 2)
Jake Smith (2B, 2019, T500)
Steele Chambers (OF, 2019, T500)
Ryan Davis (OF, 2019, T500)
Trey Baker (OF, 2020, T500)
Derek (DJ) Radtke (RHP, 2021, 161)
Michael Mitchler (1B, 2021, 489)

After being upset in the state playoffs a year ago, the Blessed Trinity Titans are back as one of the top high school programs not only in the state of Georgia but also nationwide. Led by senior shortstop and Perfect Game All-American CJ Abrams as well as PG National participant Jake Smith at second base, the Titans have one of the best middle infield duos in the country. On the mound, the pitching staff is young, but Auburn commit Derek (DJ) Radtke highlights the staff as well as Emmanuel College signee Eric Moore. The outfield is made up of a trio of top 500 ranked players in both the 2019 and 2020 classes as Ohio State football commit Steele Chambers and uncommitted prospects Ryan Davis and Trey Baker will each play big roles. BT opens up play at the 2019 High School Showdown Thursday evening as they take on North Broward Prep with Eric Moore on the bump.


Bob Jones Patriots (Madison, Ala.)

Top Prospects (Position, Class, PG National Rank)

Austin East (LHP, 2019, HF)
John-Michael Riley (RHP/UT, 2019, NR)
Dylan Ray (RHP/3B/OF, 2020, 102)
Camden Hill (LHP/1B, 2020, 289)
Caden Rose (SS/RHP, 2020, T500)
Mitchell Daly (SS, 2020, T500)
Nick Brown (RHP, 2020, T500)
Slate Alford (3B, 2021, 53)

The Bob Jones Patriots have one of the deepest rosters in the country and that was reflected in their preseason ranking of No. 43 nationally. They have a couple of senior leaders but the 2020 class is loaded for the Patriots. Dylan Ray is one of the top two-way players in the country as the Alabama commit can run his fastball into the mid-90s and show serious juice from the right side. Camden Hill is another two-way prospect with a sweet swing from the left side, he’s committed to Auburn, while Camden Rose and Mitchell Daly are two more position players who are committed to Power 5 conferences in Alabama and Texas, respectively. Nick Brown is an enticing uncommitted sophomore as he can run his fastball into the low-90s while Slate Alford is one of the most physical righthanded bats in the country and has the jump off the barrel to back it up.


Buford Wolves (Buford, Ga.)

Top Prospects (Position, Class, PG National Rank)
Ramsey David (RHP, 2019, 164)
Austin Turner (OF, 2019, T500)
Sean Adams (LHP, 2019, T500)
Evan Place (RHP, 2019, NR)
Brandon Jolliff (IF, 2019, High Follow)
Patrick Walker (C, 2019, Top 1000)

The Buford Wolves, year in and year out are one of the more highly regarded teams throughout the state of Georgia and 2019 is no different. Headlined by Auburn signees Ramsey David and Austin Turner, the Wolves are a big-time power house in the 5A classification of the GHSA. David is a top 200 player in the country as his fastball sits in the 88-92 mph range and has a great feel for all three of his pitches. David is the team’s ace and will be relied upon heavily throughout the weekend’s High School Showdown and on into the rest of the 2019 campaign. The offense will be carried by fellow Auburn signee Austin Turner who will also roam the outfield for the Wolves. The pitching staff has depth with Georgia Southern signee Sean Adams slated as the team’s number two starter. The rest of the offense will be highly touted by infielder Brandon Jolliff and Georgia Highlands signee Patrick Walker.




Cartersville Hurricanes (Cartersville, Ga.)

Top Prospects (Position, Class, PG National Rank)
Mason Barnett (RHP, 2019, 178)
Josh Davis (2B, 2020, T500)
Jordan Wilkie (SS, 2019, T1000)
Preston Welchel (OF, 2019, 485)
Brant Smith (3B/1B, 2019, Follow)
Jonathan "JP" Martin (C/IF/RHP, 2019, T500)

The defending Georgia State Runner-Ups in the AAAA classification will have several familiar faces playing in Hoover in the coming days. Auburn signee Mason Barnett is a two-way standout for the Purple Hurricanes as he has topped out on the mound at 93 mph and can swing the bat as well. His fellow Division I signees Preston Welchel in the outfield and Jordan Wilkie up the middle will contribute to an offense that is sure to swing the bat well this season as they always do. Brant Smith, an uncommitted corner infielder is off to a hot start for the Cartersville offense and 2020 middle infielder Josh Davis is already playing a key role for the Canes. Head Coach Kyle Tucker and his Purple Hurricane squad come into the PG High School Showdown with high hopes as well as a deep offense to hoist the trophy come Saturday evening.


Coffee Trojans (Douglas, Ga.)

Top Prospects (Position, Class, PG National Rank)
Brayden Amerson (1B, 2019, NR)
Brady Courson (OF, 2019, NR)
Wes Lott (RHP, 2020, NR)
Lake Ables (C, 2020, NR)
Trevor Gruszka (SS, 2021, NR)
Brady Skipper (2B, 2022, NR)

Quite possibly the youngest team in attendance at this year’s PG High School Showdown are the Trojans from South Georgia and hailing from Coffee County. The Trojans start a slew of underclassmen but with young talent at each position. The two seniors highlighted are first baseman Braydne Amerson and center fielder Brady Courson. The rest of the infield are underclassmen with junior Lake Ables behind the plate and middle infielders Trevor Gruszka and Brady Skipper. Coffee County was a state playoff participant last season in class 6A in the state of Georgia. Given the youth of this bunch, multiple players will need to step up in a big way for the Trojans to turn some heads at the Hoover Met.


Cullman Bearcats (Cullman, Ala.)

Top Prospects (Position, Class, PG National Rank)
Cooper Beck (MIF, 2019, HF)
Peyton Colvard (OF, 2019, NR)
Brennen Norton (IF, 2021, NR)

The Bearcats have been one of the more consistent programs in the state of Alabama in recent memory, and their 33-10 record a year ago along with an appearance in the state semifinals backs up that claim. Cullman really plays well together and they are extremely well coached as Head Coach Brent Patterson does a very good job at getting the most out of his players. They'll be led by a pair of senior position players in Cooper Beck and Peyton Colvard. Beck is a very good athlete as he's a 6.7 runner in the 60 and hit .380 a season ago while racking up 28 stolen bases to really showcase that speed. Colvard should hit somewhere in the middle of the lineup and he'll be a run producer for the Bearcats as he racked up 24 RBI a year ago. Brennen Norton was very impressive during his true freshman season as he hit .300 with 30 RBI and could be taking that next step as a player.




Denham Springs Yellowjackets (Denham Springs, La.)

Top Prospects (Position, Class, PG National Rank)
Cade Doughty (SS/RHP, 2019, 34)
Jase McDonald (RHP, 2019, HF)
Joshua Preston (OF/RHP, 2019, NR)
Tyler Evans (OF/RHP, 2019, NR)
Noah Juan (3B/RHP, 2020, HF)
Reese Smith (2B/SS, 2021, 232)

After finishing in third place in the blue bracket of the 2018 PG HS Showdown, the Denham Springs Yellowjackets return and they bring back one of the top seniors in the country in their starting shortstop Cade Doughty. A PG All-American last summer, and signed with LSU, Doughty is one of the more polished prospects in the country with arm strength and righthanded bat speed as if he makes it to campus he could be among the lone line of impact freshman contributors. Righthander Jase McDonald, signed with LSU-Eunice, will be their top arm over the weekend and the righthander has a fastball that will work in the mid- to upper 80s along with projection still left on the frame. Josh Preston is another LSU-Eunice signee who should have a big impact and Tyler Evans has a strong arm from the outfield while Noah Juan is a junior with a polished stick and does a little bit of everything. Reese Smith is a swiss army knife of a sophomore and the pieces are there for another run for Denham Springs.




DeSoto Central Jaguars
(Southaven, Miss.)

Top Prospects (Position, Class, PG National Rank)
Kamren James (SS, 2019, 199)
Hunter French (IF/OF, 2019, T500)
Dylan Hale (OF/RHP, 2019, HF)
Cade Smith (RHP, 2020, 149)
Blaze Jordan (IF, 2021, 1)

The Jaguars enter the High School Showdown with high expectations as they boast a talented roster featuring the No. 1 2021 prospect in the country to go along with depth throughout the roster. DeSoto Central came in at No. 9 nationally in the Preseason High School Top 50 and their high end talent really jumps off the page as Jordan is an immensely talented hitter featuring electric bat speed, barrel control, and raw power that plays to all fields. A pair of senior Mississippi State signees should also anchor the lineup as Kamren James and Hunter French are sure to get some draft looks as well. Cade Smith is the ace of the staff as the Mississippi State commit has done nothing but carve at Perfect Game events in the past and is very polished with command of his arsenal which includes a low-90s fastball and sharp breaking ball. As a nationally top ten ranked team the Jaguars are going to have expectations to make it to bracket play and should face some stiff competition along the way to that goal.


Hoover Buccaneers (Hoover, Ala.)

Top Prospects (Position, Class, PG National Rank)
Peyton Wilson (C, 2019, T500)
Cole Baker (RHP, 2019, T500)
Daniel Swatek (RHP, 2019, T1000)
Jack Henry Milligan (SS/RHP, 2019, T1000)
Robby Ashford (OF, 2020, T500)

After having won a state championship as recently as 2017, the Buccaneers are not only a perennial power in Alabama's largest classification, they'll also be the hosts of the High School Showdown. Hoover has had a strong start to the season as last weekend they swept national power JSerra Catholic (Calif.) in a home doubleheader and that experience against tough competition will undoubtedly bode well for them during the Showdown. The Buccaneers are led by Alabama signee and catcher Peyton Wilson. An Alabama signee, Wilson is a switch-hitting uber athletic catcher with surprising pop and sets the table well near the top of the order. Cole Baker will anchor the pitching staff as the Ole Miss signee is a projectable righthanded pitcher who can work into the low-90s. Keep an eye on junior Robby Ashford who is very physical, athletic, and has offers to play both baseball and football at the next level.


Houston County Bears (Warner Robbins, Ga.)

Top Prospects (Position, Class, PG National Rank)
Cameron Jones (LHP/OF, 2019, T500)
Chandler Dawson (RHP/OF, 2019, T500)
Jaden Woods (LHP/OF, 2020, 343)
Corbet Luna (1B/OF, 2019, NR)
Jacob Profit (MIF, 2020, T1000)

Houston County opened some eyes during the 2018 season where they finished with the No. 1 seed in bracket play of the Blue bracket and advanced to the championship round. The Bears also finished in the quarterfinals of the state playoffs and head into this year's Showdown as an extremely versatile team. Cameron Jones will lead the way offensively and will also be valuable to the team on the mound and he throws from the left side while showing skills from both sides of the plate too. The other big senior presence is going to be Chandler Dawson as he will be the team's staff ace and both Jones and Dawson are signed on to play with Georgia State following their senior seasons. Sophomore Jaden Woods was wildly impressive at the PG Fall Southeast Showcase where he threw 92 from the outfield while running a 6.64 second 60-yard dash and is committed to Georgia State.




IMG Academy Ascenders
(Bradenton, Fla.)

Top Prospects (Position, Class, PG National Rank)
Brennan Malone (RHP, 2019, 5)
Rece Hinds (SS, 2019, 8)
Kendall Williams (RHP, 2019, 21)
Joshua Rivera (3B, 2019, 43)
William Bartlett (1B, 2019, 193)
Kyle Westfall (CF, 2019, 140)
Jimmy Starnes (RHP, 2019, 372)

The IMG Academy Ascenders finished the season in the Independent Division of the Florida High School Athletic Association with a solid 18-7 record. This season they are reloaded with an immense amount of talent led by a pair of top 10 nationally ranked players in righthanded pitcher Brennan Malone and shortstop Rece Hinds. The Ascenders are as loaded as anyone in the field of the 2019 PG High School Showdown and should be considered as one of the favorites to win the event. With depth on the mound coming from the right arms of Malone as well as Vanderbilt commit Kendall Williams and West Virginia commit Jimmy Starnes, IMG Academy will have the pitching to certainly carry themselves deep into the weekend’s event. The pitching staff is not the only outstanding aspect of the team with the offense maybe being even more potent. The entirety of the lineup consists of Division I commits highlighted by Hinds, Josh Rivera who is a Florida commit as well as the MVP of Jupiter, Arizona commit Will Bartlett and Texas Tech commit Kyle Westfall.


Locust Grove Wildcats (Locust Grove, Ga.)

Top Prospects (Position, Class, PG National Rank)
Joshua Newton (MIF, 2019, HF)
Luke Welborn (LHP, 2019, HF)
Joseph Roden (RHP, 2019, T500)
Cole English (RHP, 2020, T500)
Dalton Laney (C, 2020, NR)

The Wildcats started the 2019 season on a bit of a down note as staff ace Nolan Crisp elected to enroll early at the University of Florida, where he's already been entrenched as the closer by the way, but the pitching depth will be a strength throughout the weekend for Locust Grove. Arizona Western signee Luke Welborn will lead the charge from a pitching perspective and the southpaw has really good pitchability and commands his fastball well with good life. Cole English is a junior committed to East Tennessee State and already has a fastball that will touch the low-90s. He's a big righthanded pitcher and his velocity may not have peaked yet. Joe Roden will also see some time on the mound while Chatt State signee Josh Newton will be the center cog of the offensive strategy. Newton plays hard and will be near the top of the lineup while uncommitted junior catcher Dalton Laney will also have a big role to play somewhere in the middle of the order.


Loganville Red Devils (Covington, Ga.)

Top Prospects (Position, Class, PG National Rank)
Connor Bruce (RHP, 2019, T500)
Blaine Marchman (C, 2019, T500)
Jacob Boyd (IF, 2019, T500)
Jackson Howell (OF, 2019, NR)
Dylan Strickland (SS/RHP, 2020, 225)
Caleb Garner (RHP, 2020, NR)
Daniel Braswell (1B, 2021, NR)

There might not be a more consistent program than Loganville in the entire state of Georgia as the 2019 Red Devils are looking to win their third straight state championship. They lose a couple of big seniors but the amount of Division I talent on the roster should be more than enough for Loganville to contend for the Showdown championship. The team is led by talented junior Dylan Strickland who has been the team's starting shortstop since he was a freshman and sets the tone for the offense early. A Georgia Tech commit, Strickland has impressive raw bat speed and the ability to work to both gaps well while the arm strength plays nicely off the mound in relief situations. Georgia Southern signee Connor Bruce is the team's ace and he has impressed at PG events in the past. An uber-projectable 6-foot-6, Bruce pounds the strike zone with an easy delivery and the bevy of senior Division I prospects makes the Red Devils a formidable opponent.


Montverde Academy Eagles (Montverde, Fla.)

Top Prospects (Position, Class, PG National Rank)
Jake Holland (C, 2019, 95)
Caleb Cali (3B, 2019, 363)
Joseph Coffey (OF, 2020, 399)
Manuel De Garcia (RHP, 2020, NR)
Justin Colon (SS, 2021, 50)

The Eagles are team who ran away with the blue bracket last year and as defending champions of the HS Showdown will be getting the best of their opponents early on. They lost some big pieces from last years squad, including PG All-American Nander de Sedas, but they still have a lot of Division I talent and that starts with the lineup. Jake Holland, a Georgia Tech signee, is a big physical catcher with very good arm strength and light tower raw power at the plate. Caleb Cali, a Florida State signee, is a very polished bat for a high school prospect and his tools are impressive and will play very well at the high school level this season. Justin Colon is one of the more talented sophomores in the country and the Florida International commit will be an asset on both sides of the ball. Players like Joseph Coffey, Manuel De Fracia, and Angel Lopez will also have roles to play and will determine whether Montverde can repeat as champs.


North Broward Prep Eagles (Coconut Creek, Fla.)

Top Prospects (Position, Class, PG National Rank)
Gabriel Esquivel (3B, 2019, 204)
Matthew Corlew (OF, 2019, 225)
Anthony Tomczak (RHP, 2019, T500)
Dylan Goldstein (C, 2019, T500)
Parker Foss (LHP, 2019, HF)
Logan Clyatt (OF/C, 2019, NR)

The Eagles lost one of the top 2018 prep prospects in San Diego Padres draft pick Xavier Edwards, and they return a good amount of talent led by a bevy of senior talent. Gabriel Esquivel, a Chipola signee, showed big tools at the PG National Showcase last year including big time bat speed while fellow position prospect Matthew Corlew is an uncommitted senior who showed incredible athleticism at the World Showcase with a 6.47 60-yard dash time and 92 mph throws across the diamond. The top arm on the staff is Anthony Tomczak, a Stetson signee, with very good command and good velocity returns for the projectable righthander early on in the spring. Dylan Goldstein, a Tulane signee, should lead the charge offensively with big power from the left side while fellow seniors Parker Foss and Logan Clyatt should also have impacts. The Eagles senior depth is key and as returnees to the PG High School Showdown the Eagles shouldn't be slept on.




Parkview Panthers (Lilburn, Ga.)

Top Prospects (Position, Class, PG National Rank)
Jonathan French (C, 2019, 63)
Makenzie Pate (OF, 2019, T500)
Brad Stanley (RHP, 2019, NR)
Allan Del Castillo (MIF, 2019, T500)
Miles Garrett (RHP, 2020, 104)
Stephen Hrustich (1B, 2020, T1000)

The defending Georgia 7A State Champions will be in attendance at the 2019 Perfect Game High School Showdown. Coming off of a year in which they finished ranked second nationally in the PG Top 50 High School team rankings and awarded the National Championship in others, the Panthers return a PG All-American, a commitment to SEC powerhouse Vanderbilt and experience on the mound. Jonathan French is the team’s catcher who is also committed to Clemson University and is one of the top prep catchers in this year’s draft class. Miles Garrett is a pitcher who will see plenty of innings both on the mound as well as in the outfield for the Panthers. Making the trip from the north side of Atlanta, the Parkview Panthers will have the experience to compete in a tournament of this caliber as well as the talent to ultimately take home the championship.


Savannah Christian Raiders (Savannah, Ga.)

Top Prospects (Position, Class, PG National Rank)
Jarrett Brown (SS, 2019, T500)
Kyle Hilton (C/RHP, 2020, T500)
Garrett Bradley (C/RHP, 2019, HF)
Cameron Crosby (OF, 2019, NR)

The Raiders play in one of the lower classifications in the state of Georgia but Savannah Christian is a perennial contender in that class and bring a strong team into the HS Showdown this season. The Raiders will be led by Georgia Southern commit Jarrett Brown who has smooth actions over at shortstop and should have no issue setting the table near the top of the lineup with a compact, quick stroke. Kyle Hilton is committed to play at Georgia Tech following his senior season primarily as a catcher but he represents the top arm for Savannah Christian. Hilton's raw arm strength behind the plate translates very nicely on the mound where he can run his fastball into the upper-80s and attack hitters well. Garrett Bradley will also be a strong piece for the Raiders throughout the weekend though they will miss senior outfielder Cam Crosby who will be missing the event with injury.


St. Pius X Golden Lions (Atlanta, Ga.)

Top Prospects (Position, Class, PG National Rank)
Chandler Simpson (SS, 2019, T500)
Justin Doychak (1B, 2019, HF)
Daniel Teran (OF, 2019, HF)
Jacob Pajer (OF, 2020, HF)

St. Pius X is not off to the best start this season, currently sitting at 2-5, but will be looking to turn things around on the young season as they head into the PG High School Showdown. They are led by Chandler Simpson, a UAB signee who was really excellent over the course of last summer as he impressed both at showcases and in tournaments where he was a 17u Tournament All-American. Justin Doychak is a big, projectable first baseman who's listed at 6-foot-3 and 175-pounds and does a really nice job at creating leverage to drive the ball. Daniel Teran is a physical outfielder while Jacob Pajer is an intriguing junior outfielder to watch as he develops. Teran is also one of the team's top pitchers and he will get the ball in game one of the Showdown as he will look to get the Golden Lions off on the right foot against the host school in Hoover High School.


Sumrall Bobcats (Sumrall, Miss.)

Top Prospects (Position, Class, PG National Rank)
Billy Garrity (OF, 2019, T500)
Zane Berry (2B, 2019, HF)
Graham Crawford (C, 2019, HF)
Kros Sivley (OF/LHP, 2021, HF)

Sumrall went 23-9 a year ago before falling in the second round of the state playoffs and they're already off to a hot start as they enter the Showdown with an undefeated mark of 7-0. The Bobcats' top hitter on the weekend will be the lefthanded hitting Billy Garrity. The Southern Miss signee is a physical presence in the box, standing at 6-foot and 195-pounds, but has a smooth swing from the left side with loft and looseness while working to all fields with authority. The Bobcats also have a couple of junior college signees on the roster that should be big players and include East Mississippi CC signee Zane Berry and Pearl River CC signee Graham Crawford. The senior talent will undoubtedly lead the way but look out for underclassmen on the mound which includes sophomore lefthander Kros Sivley who will be handed the ball in the opening game of the tournament.


Troup County Tigers (Troup, Ga.)

Top Prospects (Position, Class, PG National Rank)
Colby Williams (RHP, 2019, T500)
Garrett Casey (LHP, 2019, T500)
Joseph "Cooper" Doughman (C, 2019, HF)
Cade Garner (OF/RHP, 2020, NR)
Caleb McCurry (1B/3B/RHP, 2020, NR)

Coming off of a year in which the Tigers reached the Sweet Sixteen of the 5A Georgia State Playoffs, the Troup County Tigers did graduate their star shortstop Ryan Bliss to Auburn but the school from Lagrange, Georgia has multiple weapons still at their disposal. Starting with Kennesaw State commit Colby Williams and William and Mary commit Garrett Casey on the mound, the Tigers have a pair of arms that can carry them through the three-day event. The Tigers backstop Joseph “Cooper” Doughman is a commit to Chattahoochee Valley and is sure to lead the offense along with a pair of 2020 graduates in outfielder Cade Garner and corner infielder Caleb McCurry. Each, Garner and McCurry could also see time on the mound over the course of the tournament as well. The Tigers are certainly a young team with plenty of talent to compete during the 2019 PG High School Showdown.




Winder-Barrow Bulldogs (Winder, Ga.)

Top Prospects (Position, Class, PG National Rank)
Cain Tatum (RHP, 2019, 385)
Zack Smith (3B/RHP, 2019, 500)
Hunter Marsh (UT, 2020, 374)
Brady House (SS, 2021, 3)

The Winder-Barrow Bulldogs finished the 2018 season in the sweet sixteen of the state playoffs and return one of the nation's top sophomores. Brady House is the third ranked 2021 prospect in the country and he has a bevy of tools that make him such a force. The Tennessee commit features a low-90s fastball on the mound and has consistently hit moonshots from the right side of the plate all while having the frame of a pro prospect at such a young age. Cain Tatum, a Georgia signee, is the staff ace as the 6-foot-8, 205-pound pitching prospect has lots of room left to grow into his frame with an easy release on a fastball that will work into the low-90s with good life. Zack Smith, an Ole Miss signee, is a bit of a do-all prospect as he'll fire off fastballs in the low-90s on the mound but has a really sweet swing from the left side. No 2020 prospect may be more physical than Hunter Marsh and the righthanded hitter routinely churns out exit velocities in the triple digits.


Woodward Academy War Eagles (College Park, Ga.)

Top Prospects (Position, Class, PG National Rank)
Mason Carnes (2019, RHP, T1000)
Christian Wylder (2019, RHP, T1000)
Alex Vaughan (2019, C, Follow)
Will Sanders (2020, RHP, 58)
Dwight Allen (2020, OF, T500)

The War Eagles finished the 2018 season with a 29-6 record before falling in the 4A State Quarterfinals, however, they look to be primed for a run deep into the Showdown thanks to their impressive pitching depth. Seniors Mason Carnes and Christian Wylder, a Berry College and Lee University signee respectively, both provide experience and know-how for the squad and will be counted on for big innings, but the star of the pitching staff is junior righthander Will Sanders. The South Carolina commit has been exceptional over the last fall heading into the season as the 6-foot-6 prospect is uber-projectable with a whippy arm stroke, a fastball that will touch the low-90s, and a very good changeup too. Dwight Allen is another high ceiling junior as the Georgia commit brings football athleticism to the baseball field. The talent is here for a run for Woodward Academy as they will look to establish themselves not only as one of the top teams in 4A, but in the entire country this weekend.