THE WORLD'S LARGEST AND MOST COMPREHENSIVE SCOUTING ORGANIZATION
| 2,580 MLB PLAYERS | 16,393 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
2,580 MLB PLAYERS | 16,393 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
Tournaments  | Story | 6/16/2019

Summer Showdown: Scout Notes

Photo: Andruw Jones (Perfect Game)
Bransen Powell (2023, Locust Grove, Ga.) is a 5-foot-11, 155-pound third baseman. The righthander has good size at the plate and has the skills to be an elite hitter already. He stands with the bat resting comfortably on his shoulder until the pitch comes, which he raises it a little bit with his load. He has a bit of a closed stance, which helps him cover more of the plate. He has a quick swing that comes with a lot of power to all sides of the field. This was shown with a deep shot that hit the right field wall. Along with his power comes with an ability to make contact. He rarely was fooled by pitches and made good contact with each ball he put into play.

Justin Best (2023, Cornelius, N.C.) is a 170-pound outfielder for Team Elite 14U National. Standing at 6-foot-2, Best has great size already and can add more power to his swing as he matures. The lefthanded batter stood in with a straight stance and a bit of a bend in both of his legs. The Cornelius native had quite a bit of arm movement with his stance that flowed smoothly into his load with a pitch. He had a quick burst out of the batter’s box. Best has good acceleration and speed and could be a problem for opposing pitchers on the bases.



Alex Urias (2023, Cumming, Ga.) is a 5-foot-10, 150-pound lefthanded pitcher and first baseman. With room to mature still, Urias definitely shows his skill set as a hitter. The righthander stands at the plate with a straight up stance but with a wide separation of his feet. As the pitch comes in, he raises his foot a little bit but places it down in the exact same spot. His hands drop a little bit and is even with his right pec as he starts his swing. He has a quick compact swing and makes solid contact with the ball with an intention to go with the ball instead of pulling it.

-Brian Treadway

Justice Haynes (2023, Alpharetta, Ga.), a primary outfielder, displayed his high ceiling on the mound. Haynes showcased a fastball that sat 80-81 mph while topping out at 83 mph. He showed plus command of his fastball locating it to all four quadrants of the zone. His plus feel and velocity of the pitch allow him to use it as a swing-and-miss pitch late in counts as he gets hitters to chase above the strike zone. He creates some deception while throwing cross body with his closed landing from his high three-quarters arm slot. There is a lot to like on the mound with his simple repeatable delivery and quick smooth arm action as he continues to fill out his 5-foot-9, 170-pound frame.

Dawson Campbell (2022, Marietta, Ga.) showed his high offensive upside with loud contact in all three of his at-bats in day three of pool play at the Perfect Game Summer Showdown. His comfortable balanced upright start allows him to transfer his weight onto his backside with his leg kick as he gets his hands loaded creating good separation. He does a great job of staying connected through his quick compact swing while transferring his weight through his lower half. His level bat path provided line to line pop through his line drive approach. He projects well to develop even more power as he continues to grow and fill out his lean athletic frame.

Reginald Austin (2022, Atlanta, Ga.) is a strong, quick-twitch, athletic middle infielder who showed great tools at the plate and in the field. At the plate he starts with an upright narrow stance with a high hand set. From there he uses a toe-tap high leg kick to create separation and get into a wide hitting base. His quick smooth swing path combined with his ability to drive his weight forward through his swing and high finish provide gap-to-gap power while creating backspin a carry on the ball. In the field he showed the ability to range in any direction with plenty of arm strength to make a throw from anywhere on the diamond. His ability to work through the ball paired with his quick transfer and release allow him to stay accurate and on time getting the ball to first base. Austin projects well to add more power to his athleticism as he continues to fill out his 5-foot-10, 170-pound frame.

-Colton Olinger

Brian Garmon II (2022, Cumming, Ga.) pitched a phenomenal game Thursday for the Georgia Bombers 15u. The right-hander pitched a complete game while allowing only one hit and two walks with 13 strikeouts. Garmon executed his pitches and showed great command. With a fastball in the 78-80 mph range and a 11-5 curveball that sat between 66-71 mph and a low-70s change up to lefties, the 6-foot, 165-pounder was dominant with all three pitches. He released from a lower three-quarters arm slot and gets downhill extremely well. His arm action is long and fluid. As he fills out his frame the velocity will come. Garmon is highly projectable with present pitchability and poise on the mound.

Andruw Jones (2022, Suwanee, Ga.) played an all-around great game Wednesday. At the plate Jones went 2-for-3 with a triple and an RBI. He also performed well on the mound, throwing one inning while striking out two and allowing one hit and one walk. On the mound, Jones showcased superior arm strength for his age. He ran his fastball up to 86 mph and it sat in the 82-84 mph range with arm side run. The fastball was paired with a tight-spinning slider at 72-74 mph. A whippy, compact arm action is fluid throughout. Jones’ stride is short off the mound and the ball explodes out of his hand. The 6-foot-2, 170-pound athlete projects extremely well physically and shows tremendous upside both as a hitter and pitcher.

Bryce Archie (2022, Powder Springs, Ga.) came in to close the game for the Georgia Jackets 15U American on Wednesday. He threw with an empty line going one inning with no hits, no walks, no runs, and no strikeouts. The right hander came in throwing a fastball that sat in the 81-85 mph range, but it was up to 87. Archie’s go-to secondary was an extremely impressive 78-80 mph cutter that broke extremely late with vicious bite. Mechanically, he releases from a three-quarters to lower three-quarters arm slot with a long fluid arm action. He utilizes a high leg lift and pitches downhill while getting into his lower half. The velocity seems to come easy for the 6-foot-1, 170-pounder; his movements are smooth, controlled, and projectable.

Reginald Austin (2022, Atlanta, Ga.) put together an impressive start for the 643 DP Cougars 15U Montgomery on Wednesday. The righthander went 2 2/3 innings, allowing three hits, no runs, and one walk while posting three strikeouts. At 5-foot-10, 170 pounds, Austin’s lean athletic frame and strong lower half project well. He’s a pure athlete with broad shoulders and plenty of room to grow. On the mound, a high leg lift and quick delivery are paired with a long fluid arm action and high three-quarters arm slot. He gets into his lower half extremely well and throws with very little effort. His 83-86 mph fastball with arm side run is commanded extremely well and was even up to 88 mph. The 15-year-old also showed feel for a sweeping 11-5 curveball that he landed for strikes throughout the outing.

Nathan Halperin (2021, Acworth, Ga.) put together a strong game Wednesday for the 643 DP Jaguars 15U Ludlow. Halperin went 1-3 on the day with a hard line drive double to the left center gap and a run scored. At the plate, he stands in the box with a very wide base and slightly open stance with his knees slightly bent. His hands start at chin height slight behind his ear. From there he pulls the barrel through the zone and does a good job of keeping his head still and on the ball. At third base, the 5-foot-10, 170-pounder flashed a strong arm and quick hands with sound defense. He has a projectable athletic frame with broad shoulders.

-Jacob Jordan

Tripp Williams (2022, Demorest, Ga.) showcased a projectable 6-foot-2, 190-pound frame with an athletic and strong build. The righthanded hitter uses a toe-tap leg trigger as a timing mechanism. He takes a wide step with his stride leg that shows good use of his lower half strength. The swing is short and compact on a level plane generating lots of line drives. His lower half strength combined with quick hands frequently creates loud contact. The right fielder did not receive a lot of action defensively but he showed athleticism and arm strength on the plays he did get. His athleticism should correlate with advanced range and good jumps. He was smooth and fluid in receiving and transferring balls hit on the ground. His arm is certainly above-average and plays well.

Alex Urias (2023, Cumming, Ga.) is an athletic and young first baseman with a natural ability to hit. Showing a medium 5-foot-10, 150-pound frame, he has room and time to fill out. The lefthanded throwing first baseman is a quick-twitch player possessing advanced footwork, soft hands, a strong arm, and above-average athleticism. His defensive skill set could certainly pass and possibly thrive in center field. The righthanded hitter starts with a wide base and high hands at the plate. He employs a small leg lift trigger during his load. The swing is smooth and fluid on a level plane. Using an all fields and line drive approach, he frequently makes contact on the barrel. In his second game of action, he went 2-for-3 with a walk, double, triple, and three runs scored. His projectable ability to hit should improve even further once he fills out more and adds additional power.

JC French (2022, Roswell, Ga.) showcased mature defensive mechanics behind the plate. The catcher has a projectable 6-foot, 180-pound frame with room to fill even further. Behind the plate, he has an advanced arm in terms of strength and accuracy. The combination of athletic footwork and live arm action resulted in consistent pop times around two seconds or below. He easily caught two runners stealing during game action. Mature defensive mechanics are also displayed receiving pitches. He does a really good job of framing pitches on the corners of the strike zone along with blocking pitches in the dirt. The righthanded hitter stands nearly straight up with an open stance and high hands. He takes a long stride forward and transitions into quick hands on a level plane. Batted balls are usually loud line drives to the pull side. He went 2-for-3 with a well hit double to left center during his third game of action.

-Jake Martin

Tournaments | Championship | 7/30/2026

Blue Wave Battle & Prevail at 14u Classic

Kinley Kitchens
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For Excel Blue Wave, the summer was never about being perfect. It was about getting better. After a season filled with challenges, growth, and plenty of learning along the way, Excel Blue Wave put everything together when it mattered most, defeating SBG Sox Prime, Al 9-3 to capture the 2026 14U Perfect Game Hoover Classic championship. For Excel Blue Wave Coach Forrest Heacock, watching the group celebrate with a championship trophy was especially meaningful because of everything it took to get there.  “It hasn’t been the easiest summer, and have battled a lot,” Coach Heacock said. “The kids have improved so much over the summer, and that is really what it’s all about at this age. It’s really just about improving at this age, and to see them be able to put it together, and just really compete together and play as a team, I couldn’t be...
Draft | Story | 7/30/2026

2026 MLB Draft Signing Deadline Recap

Tyler Henninger
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As of Monday at 5 p.m. ET, the 2026 MLB Draft is officially complete. The signing deadline has passed, meaning we now know every team’s finalized draft class and exactly how much each player signed for. Entering the draft, it was clear there was a distinct top tier consisting of Roch Cholowsky, Grady Emerson, and Vahn Lackey. That separation became even more evident once contracts were signed. Cholowsky became the first player in draft history to sign for more than $10 million, agreeing to a record-setting $10,347,500 bonus with the White Sox. Emerson set a new high school signing bonus record at $9,747,500, the second-largest bonus ever awarded to a draft pick. Lackey rounded out the trio with a $9,497,500 bonus, the third-largest signing bonus in MLB Draft history. Those weren’t the only records set. Teams combined to spend $402,481,143 in signing bonuses, surpassing last...
Tournaments | Championship | 7/30/2026

Excel Leaves No Doubt at 15u Hoover Classic

Kinley Kitchens
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Excel Blue Wave National wasn’t leaving Hoover empty-handed.  At least, that was the message head coach Wes Henderson gave his team.  After a summer filled with strong performances but without a tournament title to show for them, Excel Blue Wave National entered the 2026 15U Perfect Game Hoover Classic with one more opportunity to finish the season the way they wanted.  This time, they left no doubt.  Excel Blue Wave National defeated East Coast Sox 2029 Victus, 12-0 in the championship game, combining a balanced offensive attack with a strong performance on the mound to secure their first tournament title of the summer.  “It’s been a special group,” Coach Henderson said. “They fought really hard, and they played really well this summer, and this is the first championship that we’ve been able to bring home. We typically...
Tournaments | Championship | 7/29/2026

"Excel"ling Through the Hoover Classic

Kinley Kitchens
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After a long summer of baseball, Excel Blue Wave National had one final opportunity to end it the way every team hopes to.  Together, having fun, and as champions. Excel Blue Wave National closed their summer with a 13-9 victory over Excel Blue Wave American – Morrison to capture the 2026 16U Perfect Game Hoover Classic championship. In a game that required contributions throughout the lineup and seven innings of competition, the Excel Blue Wave National relied on the same qualities and approach that had carried the group all summer. With talent, perseverance and a chemistry built far beyond the baseball field, they were unstoppable.  For head coach Brennan McCullough, there couldn’t have been a much better way for his players to finish their final weekend together .  “It’s great,” Coach McCullough said. “We’ve had a long...
Tournaments | Story | 7/29/2026

16u West WS Scout Notes: Days 3-4

Quinton Hall
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16u West World Series Scout Notes: Days 1-2 Jason Lizotte (‘28 | NV) Smooth LHH, hunts pitches down in the zone he can rip to the middle & PS w/ a downhill & direct path. Some strength in the hands w/ feel for the barrel #PGWS pic.twitter.com/kbK5Ayvhd7 — Perfect Game Four Corners (@PG_FourCorners) July 27, 2026 Jason Lizotte (2028 | Las Vegas, NV) The 5-foot-9, 145-pound left-handed hitter and outfielder was a spark plug all weekend for MTBA Dawgs 2028, finishing with seven hits, eight runs scored, one double, one triple, four RBI, three stolen bases, and four walks without a strikeout. Lizotte refused to give away an at-bat, consistently working hitter’s counts before spraying line drives all over the field. The left-handed swing stays short and direct with plenty of feel for the barrel, and once he reached base, he immediately put pressure on the defense with...
Tournaments | Championship | 7/29/2026

SBA Sox Save Best for Last

Kinley Kitchens
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Sometimes the best ending comes after a season of figuring things out. For SBG Sox American, the summer wasn’t always seamless. The team spent their early weeks learning where players fit best, building chemistry and searching for the combination that would allow them to play their best baseball. By the final weekend, they found it.  SBG Sox American closed their summer with a 7-5 victory over Dirtbags Midsouth 2027 Black to capture the 2026 17U Perfect Game Hoover Classic championship, putting together one final winning performance in the last tournament this group would share this summer.  For SBG Sox Coach Cooper Williams, that made taking home the championship trophy even more meaningful. “It’s been great, especially for it being their last summer event,” Coach Williams said. “It’s really cool for them to kind of pull this thing out for...
Tournaments | Story | 7/29/2026

East World Series Scout Notes

Perfect Game Staff
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Evan Brand (2027, Acworth, Ga.) has been solid at the plate all summer and did not slow down late in the summer. This week, Brand was able to hit just under the .700 mark and tallied three extra base hits, including a homer. The switch hitter has a fluid barrel path with plus feel for the barrel to all fields. The lower half also moves with some rhythm, and the switch hitting ability with the accuracy to the barrel provides plenty of intrigue. The middle infielder is committed to Georgia Tech. Atley Schwarzrock (‘27 GA) catches of all of the first pitch he sees launching it over the wall in left for a 2-run 💣 sending it with some heat; stays loose in his progressing ripping the barrel thru the zone with some strength behind it and staying tall on impact. #EastWS… pic.twitter.com/oGxbPQN1W0 — Perfect Game Georgia (@PG_Georgia) July 27, 2026 Atley Schwarzrock (2027,...
Tournaments | Story | 7/29/2026

17u World Series Scout Notes: Days 3-5

Perfect Game Staff
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17u World Series Scout Notes: Days 1-2 Lukas Waite (‘27, CA) showed LOUD stuff out of the pen. 6-2/205 frame. High-end athlete on the mound. FB sat 92-95 (T96). SL at 80-82 generated uncomfortable whiffs #PGWS @California_PG @PG_Uncommitted pic.twitter.com/UXaVxqA2kv — Perfect Game Four Corners (@PG_FourCorners) July 27, 2026 Lukas Waite (2027, San Diego, Calif.) came out of the pen on day four and showcased the loudest stuff out of the entire event. The recently named PG All-American ran the fastball up to 96 mph and sat 92-95 mph throughout the outing. A slider at 80-82 mph was lethal. It tunnels well off the heater and gets uncomfortable whiffs often. Waite features a 6-2, 205-pound frame that moves extremely well. There is supreme athleticism throughout the delivery that stands out. The upside is extremely high and will be sure to draw heavy draft interest during this...
All American Game | Story | 7/29/2026

Victorino & Girardi Tabbed PGAAC Managers

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    667 Progress Way | Sanford, FL 32771 | 319-298-2923 www.perfectgame.org | facebook.com/perfectgameusa | @PerfectGameUSA     FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   SHANE VICTORINO AND JOE GIRARDI NAMED MANAGERS FOR PERFECT GAME DICK'S ALL-AMERICAN CLASSIC AT CITIZENS BANK PARK   Former Phillies Stars to Lead Nation's Top High School Baseball Players on August 16 in Philadelphia   Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Wednesday, July 29, 2026) - Perfect Game, the world’s largest youth baseball and softball platform and scouting service, today announced that former Phillies All-Star outfielder Shane Victorino and former Phillies manager Joe Girardi will serve as managers for Team East and Team West, respectively, at the 2026 Perfect Game DICK'S All-American Classic, taking place on Sunday, August 16, at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pa.   Joining Girardi and...
College | Story | 7/28/2026

Coppy's Corner: July 28 Summer Edition

John Coppolella
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The amateur players in the Cape Cod Baseball League are the future stars of the 2027 MLB Draft. The league runs from June 13th through August 2nd. Games are played at historic stadiums in Old New England towns. It’s beautiful and charming. Hollywood even made a movie about the Cape Cod League ~25 years ago called Summer Catch. It scored an 8% (!) on Rotten Tomatoes, but, on the plus side, it featured 2001 Jessica Biel in a starring role.  It was so much fun writing Coppy’s Column this spring. My hope is to highlight a pitcher and position player each week from the Cape. And, who knows, maybe somewhere out there Jessica Biel is reading it.    Player of the Week: Blake Schaaf – Bourne Braves  Schaaf had a big week, going 12-for-22 (.545 AVG) with 3 Doubles, 4 Stolen Bases, and 9 Runs Scored. It’s been the continuation of a terrific summer for the...
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