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| 2,602 MLB PLAYERS | 16,395 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
2,602 MLB PLAYERS | 16,395 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
Tournaments  | Story | 6/27/2019

Pacific Invitational Scout Notes


Pacific Coast Invitational Scout Notes: Day 1-2
 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5

It was championship Wednesday for the 16u division while the 17u kept rolling with a shorter day at the Irvine Great Park. The championship games delivered in every aspect, pinning top teams against each other in what was a highly competitive product on the field for coaches and scouts.




In the first semifinal game CBA Wave just fell short against a hot Acceleration 16u team. Despite the loss, Ryan Forcucci (2021, San Marcos, Calif.) gave them every chance to win but had to come out of the ball game due to pitch limits. Forcucci went four full while striking out five and not allowing a hit. His arm action is short from a high three-quarters arm slot, however, everything about his motion is slow and methodical. In some sense his 81-86 mph fastball feels quicker than it is because of his slow motion, but at the next level he’ll need to speed up his tempo in between pitches. He loves to pitch with the fastball and locates well to all four quadrants. His large 11-to-5 shaped curveball is a good pitch that has the ability to miss bats but lacs the spin rate to be a plus kill pitch. On most occasions he liked to save the breaking ball until he got to two strikes, thus, helping its out-pitch ability. He does have a 74-75 mph off-speed that is a straight change, but he likes to use his breaking ball more. Forcucci has a great projectable build and his ability to spot up catches scout’s eyes.

Acceleration 16u took on Bulldogs 2021 for all the marbles in the 16u championship game and it was a tight battle throughout. Mason Potter(2021, Riverside, Calif.) broke the 1-1 tie in the fifth with a single through the six-hole with his short and compact stroke. Then the MVP of the tournament, David Loera(2021, Moreno Valley, Calif.), broke the game open with a three RBI double into the right-center gap. Loera has a smooth stroke with strong hands and creates some tension with his active lower half. Bulldogs 2021 put the brakes on Acceleration 16u winning the 16u division 9-1.




In the 17u games Emmanuel Huerta (2021, National City, Calif.) went 1-for-2 for the San Diego Diablos and showed off some high ceiling projectability in center field. He has a lengthy athletic frame with a narrow upright stance at the plate. He has a deep hand load and a long stride towards the mound. His hands coil into his load as well and it helps to generate whip through the zone after he releases the tension created by the coil. He stays tall on his backside and has consistent down and through actions. In the field he has solid agility and makes good first step reads.

Bryant Gaddison (2020, West Covina, Calif.) helped lead Juggernaut Group Baseball Academy 17u to a win going 2-for-2 with an RBI on the day. Gaddison has an upright, open, and slightly crouched stance at the plate and has good bat speed. He uses his hands well and has a middle-of-the-field to pull-side approach. What coaches and scouts love about Gaddison is his awareness on the basepaths and all-around quickness to his game. On his first single of the day he made a heads-up play, taking second base on a throw to third. His present baseball IQ will prove valuable at the next level.




Caden Aoki (2021, Huntington Beach, Calif.) gave the California Aces a quality start against PFA Cavs going four full innings while fanning nine. He has a short arm action from an over-the-top slot and uses a high leg kick. At his apex he gets a slight inward turn of his front side then whips it open down the mound and actually whips it open so hard that he opens early, yet, stays balanced through his finish. His fastball gets good arm-side run especially down in the zone and sits 82-to-84 while touching 86 mph. He has confidence in his 12-to-6 curveball that has a large shape and falls off the table for a strike. It has the potential to be an out-pitch as he got many hitters looking a swinging at it. He also has a straight off-speed that sits around 73-74 mph, however, he prefers to use the curveball as his secondary pitch. Aoki worked with good tempo throughout his outing and although he’s listed as a primary shortstop, will have an opportunity on the bump at the next level. 



Tournaments | Championship | 8/12/2026

Pokers Rally to Capture 16U BCS Title

Alyssa Golden
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Pokers Rally to Capture 16U BCS Title A hot afternoon at JetBlue Stadium in Fort Myers, Florida ended in a 9-1 victory for the Original Florida Pokers 2028 National, defeating SBA Bolts Florida 2028 National on Monday to capture the 16U BCS National Championship. A pitchers’ duel kept the game scoreless through four innings before the Pokers broke it open with a five-run fifth inning. The title marked the Pokers’ second 16U BCS Championship, adding to the championship they won in 2022. Despite a slow start to the summer, the Pokers found their stride at the right time. “We struggled a lot early in the summer, but the past few tournaments we really started turning it on,” Pokers head coach Will McCrimon said. “I’m just so proud of these kids.” Max Maynes started the game on the mound for the Pokers. The left-hander allowed three hits and two walks...
Draft | Story | 8/17/2026

2026 MLB Draft Report Cards: NL Central

Tyler Henninger
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2026 MLB Draft Report Cards: AL West | NL West | AL Central With the 2026 MLB Draft officially in the books, it’s time to evaluate how each team performed. Every draft class was graded using the standard 20-80 scouting scale with risk factor assigned. While these grades won’t be proven right or wrong for years, they reflect the overall talent, value, and upside each organization added to its system. NL Central Chicago Cubs  Grade: 40 Risk: Medium Notable Selections: RHP Cade Townsend (1st rd) | OF Caden Sorrell (2nd rd) | 1B Myles Bailey (2C)   RHP Cade Townsend (@OleMissBSB) sat 95-96 T97 w/ riding FB from fast arm. Nasty cutter at 88-91 is the go-to, showed biting 2 pln SL. Low-80s top to bottom CB & CH ~ 1300 RPM to round out mix. Has had a great spring & risen up boards. Soph./'26 elig. @PG_Draft pic.twitter.com/TAFbM37f5j — PG College...
Draft | Story | 8/17/2026

2026 MLB Draft Report Cards: AL Central

Joey Cohen
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2026 MLB Draft Report Cards: AL West | NL West With the 2026 MLB Draft officially in the books, it’s time to evaluate how each team performed. Every draft class was graded using the standard 20-80 scouting scale with risk factor assigned. While these grades won’t be proven right or wrong for years, they reflect the overall talent, value, and upside each organization added to its system. AL Central Cleveland Guardians  Grade: 45 Risk: Moderate  Notable Selections: RHP Liam Peterson (1st rd) | Tre Broussard OF (3rd rd) | RHP Savion Sims (7th rd)  Liam Peterson (@GatorsBB) has been pure power stuff through the first 3.0 IP in his start vs Bama…imposing his will on hitters with a fastball that has grabbed 100 mph a few times, backed up by his power slider and curveball @PG_Draft pic.twitter.com/RVThNrdMTn — PG College Baseball (@PGCollegeBall) May 21,...
High School | General | 8/17/2026

Scott's Eye Popping Two-Way Earns MVP

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...
All American Game | Story | 8/16/2026

Romero Slams His Way to Classic MVP

Jim Salisbury
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PHILADELPHIA – Sunday’s DICK’s Perfect Game All-American Classic was a pitching-dominated affair until the bottom of the eighth inning when the rain started to fall at Citizens Bank Park and Koa Romero stepped to the plate and did his best impression of Kyle Schwarber. Romero wears No. 12, just like Schwarber. He bats left-handed, just like Schwarber. He’s got big power, just like Schwarber. And at 5-10 and a rock-solid 225 pounds, he’s even built like Schwarber. Needless to say, Schwarber is Romero’s favorite player. So, it was all kind of storybook when Romero belted a grand slam to dead center to cap off the scoring in the West team’s 8-3 win over the East club in the 24th annual Classic. “This is a dream come true,” said Romero, who was named MVP of the game. “It’s amazing to be able to put a ball like that out of a...
All American Game | Story | 8/15/2026

A Philly Dream for Steingall

Jim Salisbury
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PHILADELPHIA – Carson Steingall had been to Citizens Bank Park many times over the years. After all, he hails from Nazareth, Pa., about 90 minutes up the road from the home of the Philadelphia Phillies and he counts himself as a big fan of the team. Zack Wheeler is his favorite. Steingall realized a dream when he pitched from the same mound that Wheeler does in Perfect Game’s fourth annual All-Star Game for rising sophomores and juniors on Friday. The dream got even better when Steingall, a 16-year-old right-hander, was named Most Valuable Pitcher after striking out the side in the third inning of the National team’s 6-1 victory over the American team. “It’s just an honor to be here,” Steingall said after receiving his trophy. “This event is the best of the best. It’s really cool to win something like this.” Steingall, who’ll...
Showcase | Story | 8/13/2026

PG Honors Pat Gillick With Philly Showcase

Perfect Game Staff
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Perfect Game to honor Pat Gillick in new Philadelphia Showcase  By Maya Heyman Perfect Game is bringing its elite showcase experience to Philadelphia’s FDR Park for the inaugural Philly Stars/Pat Gillick Showcase this weekend, honoring one of the greatest executives in MLB history in the city where he constructed his final of three World Series winners. The event will take place on Sunday, the same day as the DICK’S All-American Classic, taking place just across the street at Citizens Bank Park.  The showcase will allow Philadelphia-area players to gain exposure and will also honor Gillick, who has been a tremendous influence in both professional and amateur baseball.   Jered Goodwin, Vice President of Scouting Operations for Perfect Game, said the idea came naturally.  “Going to Philly made a lot of sense to honor Pat Gillick, who's been a...
General | General | 8/13/2026

PG All-Star Game Heads to Philly

Jheremy Brown
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For the fourth time since its inception in 2023, two rosters comprised of the best rising juniors (and a handful of rising sophomores) will step out onto the field Friday afternoon, kicking off the All-American weekend. While the Perfect Game All-American Classic is slated for a 1:35 first pitch at Citizens Bank Park on Sunday, 36 future hopefuls of the Classic will go up against one another in an American vs National clash at 11 AM Eastern, Friday morning.  With 36 players from across the country descending on Philadelphia, there will be plenty of familiar names in attendance as 24 of the 36 played in at least one PG Select Festival and all 36 attended either the he Sophomore National, Junior National, or the PG Underclass All-American Games this summer. Leading the charge are a pair of No. 1s in 2028 dynamic talent Dexter McCleon Jr and 2029 Macgraw VanWormer, a do-it-all...
Draft | Story | 8/11/2026

Realistic Expectations of a 1:1 Pick

Tyler Henninger
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Over the 2026 draft cycle, UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky was the projected No. 1 pick throughout the entire cycle. White Sox fans began #RochWatch and were already talking about when he will make it to Chicago. Now that he has been selected, Cholowsky has immediately become a Top-10 prospect in all of baseball. There is no denying the hype, and the pressure, for Chowlosky to get to the big leagues and produce at a high level.  But how realistic is that? Let’s take a look back at past 1:1 selections and see what you can expect from a No. 1 overall selection.  For this exercise, we’ll look at No. 1 overall picks from the bonus pool era, excluding Eli Willits from 2025 since this is his first full year of pro ball. That gives us 13 players selected from 2012 through 2024.  Almost All Become Big Leaguers The first thing that stands out is how successful No. 1 picks...
Press Release | Press Release | 8/11/2026

Perfect Game & Goat'd Come Together

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  667 Progress Way | Sanford, FL 32771 | 319-298-2923 www.perfectgame.org | facebook.com/perfectgameusa | @PerfectGameUSA     FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   PERFECT GAME AND GOAT'D PARTNER TO BRING PREMIUM PROTECTIVE GEAR TO THE NATION'S TOP AMATEUR BASEBALL PLAYERS   Sanford, Florida (Tuesday, August 11, 2026) - Perfect Game, the world’s largest youth baseball and softball platform and scouting service, today announced a new partnership with Goat'd, a premium protective gear brand focused on developing innovative products for athletes. The partnership will bring Goat'd's premium protective equipment to some of the nation's top amateur baseball players and families across Perfect Game's premier national events. The partnership will debut at several of Perfect Game's marquee events, including the 13U Select Fest, 14U Select Fest, Perfect Game All-Star Game and...
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