THE WORLD'S LARGEST AND MOST COMPREHENSIVE SCOUTING ORGANIZATION
| 2,384 MLB PLAYERS | 15,801 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
2,384 MLB PLAYERS | 15,801 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
Create Account
Sign in Create Account
Tournaments  | Story | 7/1/2019

Klassen creates more hype

Photo: George Klassen (Perfect Game)

EMERSON, Ga. – George Klassen rocked back in his delivery with an overhead windup, worked downhill, and used his long stride to generate uncommon power on his first pitch of the game. 

The scoreboard at LakePoint Sports Complex flashed the two digits that sent the crowd into a hushed roar: 95 mph.

Oohs and aahs filled the background. College coaches and scouts did a double take and rechecked their own radar guns. One onlooker let out an expletive. 

Klassen unleashed his next pitch. 95 again. It was a consistent theme all night for Klassen whose fastball never dipped below 90 mph. The GRB Rays pitcher also showcased a devastating slider, revealing why Klassen is now the No. 73 overall player in the 2020 class. 

“He’s certainly an electric arm,” head coach Greg Reinhard said. “He does things that a lot of people can’t do. He’s got a plus breaking ball that he throws extremely hard for his age. When he throws strikes with his stuff, he’s about as unhittable as people can be.”

The 6-foot-2, 165-pound righthander was nearly unhittable Sunday night as he limited the Beast Mode Prime 17u offense to just one hit over five innings pitched. Klassen walked one batter and struck out three in the GRB Rays 7-0 victory. It was simply another look at the talented pitching that GRB lines up after Reece Lawler and Ryan Stefiuk turned in dominant starts earlier in the tournament.

Klassen’s rapid rise to the prospect that he is today began earlier in June when he attended the Perfect Game National Showcase in Arizona. Despite the uncustomary stifling heat for Klassen, a Wisconsin native, he began to turn some heads with his performance on the bump. 

After decommitting from Purdue earlier in the month when head coach Matt Wasikowski left for Oregon, Klassen quickly became one of the hottest uncommitted commodities on the market.

“It was a drastic change from what it was before,” Klassen said. “Maybe two days after my phone blew up. A lot of schools to choose from, but I’m keeping it open right now.

“After Arizona and after I decommitted, it was a whole new world for me. It’s pretty crazy.”

Despite the swift spike in interest, Klassen still maintains that his favorite part of the whole experience this week at the 2019 WWBA 17u National Championship is the memories he’s making with everyone on the team. He’s the same player who will quip with his teammates and let his actions on the mound speak for themselves.

“He’s a great personality in the dugout,” Reinhard said. “He’s not walking around like he’s gotten all the attention. He handles it how a professional does.”

Right now as it stands, Klassen named Kentucky as his top choice. He noted that he’s also interested in Washington, Mississippi State and Vanderbilt, but even more suitors might come calling following Sunday’s outing.

“I really liked the coaches there [at Kentucky],” Klassen said. “That’s probably my No. 1 right now because that’s the only place I’ve visited so far. I really like that place.”

Wherever Klassen decides to play his college ball, Reinhard is positive that it will be a well-thought out decision that will provide the best future for the talented hurler.

“A lot of times kids have different situations where they feel they’re not in control of the recruiting situation,” Reinhard said. “He certainly has played it where he’s in control. He’s not in any rush and he’s not getting pressured. Making a sound decision is probably his goal.”

Opposing Klassen on the bump was Beast Mode Prime’s Jaylen Paden. Paden was no slouch either, using his 5-foot-10 frame to produce a fastball that topped out at 92 mph and a slurvy breaking ball for a swing-and-miss pitch. 

Unfortunately Beast Mode Prime was undone by some early errors, but Paden still struck out eight over five innings, surrendering only two hits, one walk, and one earned run.

“He fills it up,” Beast Mode Prime head coach Pete Sass said. “He gives us a chance to win every time he steps on the mound. He just gives energy and that’s all you can ask for.”

Like Klassen, Paden is uncommitted and going through his own recruiting process. The Lilburn, Georgia native is currently the No. 372 ranked player nationally in the 2020 class. So far, he’s heard the most interest from Eastern Kentucky University, UAB, Southern, Stetson and Missouri. 

Despite the brilliance that he flashed on the mound, Paden still contends that shortstop is his favorite position. It’s why his favorite player to watch is Andrelton Simmons and his “smooth action” in the infield. Paden is the three-hole batter in Sass’s lineup, hitting a grand slam earlier in the day on Sunday. When Sass looks at Paden, he sees a complete player who’s work off the field is most impressive.

“He works hard and he keeps a level mind,” Sass said. “I know whatever he does, he’s going to do it well. Off the field he’s always focused. That then turns into the game. I think he’s a legit two-way guy at the next level.”

It’s the beauty of the 17u WWBA. Those players previously overlooked for a variety of reasons can let their play on the field speak loudest to all those in attendance waiting to hear. It’s what Paden is attempting to do with the help of the greatest influence on his baseball career.

“My dad has been pushing me since I was younger,” Paden said. “He’s been telling me to keep grinding. I might start off a little slow just because of my size, but as long as I keep grinding and stay committed to it, it’ll work out in the end.”

Tournaments | Story | 12/29/2025

PG Expands Presence in Pacific Rim

Perfect Game Staff
Article Image
    667 Progress Way | Sanford, FL 32771 | 319-298-2923  www.perfectgame.org | facebook.com/perfectgameusa | @PerfectGameUSA      FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE    PERFECT GAME EXPANDS PRESENCE IN PACIFIC RIM, STRENGTHENING YOUTH BASEBALL DEVELOPMENT    Sanford, Florida (Monday, December 29, 2025) - Perfect Game, the world’s largest youth baseball and softball platform and scouting service, today announced a significant expansion of its presence across the Asia-Pacific Zone, with a strategic focus on the 10-15 year-old age group. The initiative will be led in partnership with longtime Japanese youth baseball executive and coach Takaharu Nasu, as Perfect Game continues to grow its global footprint and strengthen pathways for elite youth...
Showcase | Story | 12/27/2025

Main Event Invades Fort Myers

Perfect Game Staff
Article Image
    667 Progress Way | Sanford, FL 32771 | 319-298-2923  www.perfectgame.org | facebook.com/perfectgameusa | @PerfectGameUSA      FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE    PERFECT GAME CLOSES OUT 2025 WITH MAIN EVENT SHOWCASE  AT JETBLUE PARK IN FT. MYERS, FLORIDA    Nearly 1,000 players expected at largest showcase of the year  that has produced over 1,000 MLB Draft picks    Ft. Myers, Florida (Saturday, December 27, 2025) - Perfect Game, the world’s largest youth baseball and softball platform and scouting service, will host its 2025 Main Event Showcase from December 28–31 at JetBlue Park, the spring training home of the Boston Red Sox, in the Fort Myers area.    The Main Event is the largest showcase Perfect Game holds annually,...
Draft | Rankings | 12/26/2025

2026 MLB Draft Board Update

Vincent Cervino
Article Image
The calendar is just days away from being flipped over to 2026, and while the players may be on break, it’s clear that they are just itching to get back on the field and compete once again, with another season of college baseball right around the corner. For prep players (especially in warm-weather states), the season’s right around the corner, and players will be back on the ball fields sooner than later. With that said, the PG Draft Team came together and got to work on a 2026 MLB Draft Board update. A little pre-season shake-up and expansion as we took our board from the Top 150 names to the Top 300 names, in preparation for the 2026 college and prep seasons to begin. The 2025 MLB Draft Lottery occurred earlier in December and shed some light on what the draft order will look like in 2026, with the Chicago White Sox taking home the first overall pick, followed by the Tampa...
PG Select Baseball Festival | General | 12/26/2025

2025 Year in Review: PGAAC, ASG, Festivals

Jheremy Brown
Article Image
All-Star Game Continues To Thrive We’re only a couple of years into having the PG All-Star Game around, an underclass event attached to the All-American weekend, this year played in Petco two days before the Classic. The talent that is a part of it continues to grow to significant levels, and this year was a mix of young guys and some newer names that left lasting impressions. The two hardest throwing guys in the game were the only 2028s in attendance, Striker Pence and Dexter McCleon Jr who both were upper-90s as guys who just started their sophomore year, while the loudest moment of the day came when Kinon Bastian obliterated a pitch into the top deck of the famous Western Supply building in left field, something that we’ll remember for a long time. Extra Swings In The All-American Derby One of the best events every All-American weekend is getting to see these guys with...
College | Story | 12/25/2025

2025 Year in Review: College

Craig Cozart
Article Image
The LSU Tigers Win It All Again For the second time in the last three years, the LSU Tigers, led by head coach Jay Johnson secured the national title. The national championship was the eight in LUS program history as they swept Coastal Carolina in the MCWS championship series. As a result, Johnson was virtually a unanimous choice for National Coach of the Year on media outlets and is the fastest coach to win multiple CWS championships at a single school. The tournament’s Most Outstanding Player was Tigers’ lefthanded ace and Perfect Game First-Team All-American, Kade Anderson highlighted by his complete-game shutout in Game 1 of the CWS Finals. The roster was a tremendous blend of offensive firepower, frontline pitching and elite defense, leaving opponents with very few avenues to victory. PG Second-Team All-American, Jared Jones was the heart of the lineup with his 20...
High School | General | 12/24/2025

2025 Year In Review: High School

Cam McElwaney
Article Image
IMG Academy Takes Home the National Title Every year IMG Academy comes into the spring with top-to-bottom one of the top rosters in the country and every year have the expectation of winning the national championship. Well in 2025 they did just that after finishing the spring 24-1, winning the High School Showdown, and winning 15 straight games to end their season. Their high end offensive ability was on full display throughout the year and they will once again be one of the most talented teams in the country in ’26 as they look to go back-to-back. Two Top-10 Picks in the MLB Draft Headline National Players of the Year It was another loaded crop that took home the National Players of the Year as both Ethan Holliday, the National Player of the Year, and Seth Hernandez, National Pitcher of the Year, heard their names called within the first-10 picks in the MLB Draft. Another first...
Draft | Rankings | 12/24/2025

Top 2027 Collegiate Draft Prospects

Isaiah Burrows
Article Image
With the 2025 cycle officially behind us and the calendar nearly flipping over to 2026, it is time to start looking ahead to the future. More importantly, start looking ahead to the next season of college baseball and what that may mean for draft-eligible players with big dreams of continuing their journey. While the 2026 MLB Draft is now on the horizon, we are looking ahead to the future even further – to see which players have already made impacts upon their arrival to college campuses. We have already dropped our 2028 Top 75 collegiate prospects board, but this one is our Top 100 college prospects who will be eligible for the 2027 class. These are the Top 100 players in our eyes for this group, and many of them have already shown up on campus and been impactful in many ways. Whether its our top-ranked player in Oregon State’s Dax Whitney or ninth-ranked William Schmidt...
Draft | Rankings | 12/23/2025

Top 2028 Collegiate Draft Prospects

Vincent Cervino
Article Image
The college players in the 2028 draft class have yet to step on campus, but they're positioned to make an immediate impact. Several high end talents either turned down significant money last year or honored strong college commitments, resulting in their arrival on campus this fall. The class is currently led by a trio of high-upside arms in Jack Bauer, Angel Cervantes, and Cameron Appenzeller. They are followed by a deep group of bats that rounds out a strong, high end Top-10. Rk. Name Level Pos. B-T School Hometown State 1 Jack Bauer C LHP L-L Mississippi State Frankfort IL 2 Angel Cervantes C RHP R-R UCLA Lynwood CA 3 Cameron Appenzeller C LHP L-L Tennessee Springfield IL 4 Brayden Jaksa C C R-R Oregon Fremont  CA 5 JD Stein C SS R-R Wake Forest Carmel IN 6 Mason Ligenza C OF L-L Pittsburgh Brockton PA 7 Ty Peeples C OF L-R Georgia Lavonia GA 8 Lucas Franco C SS L-R TCU Katy TX 9...
Juco | Story | 12/23/2025

2025 Year in Review: JUCO

Blaine Peterson
Article Image
Looking Back at the 2025 Top 10  Matt Barr (‘25 Niagara, ‘26 Minnesota Twins) Bursting onto the scene last winter, footage of an indoor bullpen rocketed Barr onto the radar of many. Explosive fastball reaches near triple digits with incredible spin numbers across the secondaries. Huge numbers at Niagara earned him the title of the first Juco player drafted in 2025. JC Vanek (‘25 Chipola, ‘26 Kansas City Royals) Just a professional hitter. Vanek for two years at Chipola was an impossible out. While there are questions if the power will ever reach what it takes to play first base at the big league level, the bat and quality defensive skillset at first base may carry. Donovan Becerra (‘25 New Mexico, ‘26 Texas Tech) One of the more high octane arms anywhere in the country last year. Can reach back for upper 90’s and has shown serious swing and...
Draft | Story | 12/22/2025

2025 Year in Review: Draft

Isaiah Burrows
Article Image
2025 Year in Review: Draft We’ve reached the end of the 2025 calendar year, and while we’ve already jumped in on the 2026 cycle with some of the fall events and post-draft content we’ve had here at Perfect Game, there’s still one more piece on the docket, and that’s the 2025 Year-In-Review piece here from the PG Draft staff.  The 2025 MLB Draft took place in July, when many highly talented players heard their names called and continued their journey through the game to the next level. There’s already been some of those names making noise in the minors and guys who are moving up prospect lists and becoming names to know for MLB fans digging deep into the future of their organizations. While we are going to “close the book” on 2025 with this article, these players still have many years ahead of them, and many blank pages to continue...
Loading more articles...