THE WORLD'S LARGEST AND MOST COMPREHENSIVE SCOUTING ORGANIZATION
| 2,572 MLB PLAYERS | 16,332 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
2,572 MLB PLAYERS | 16,332 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
All American Game  | Story | 7/18/2019

Vukovich wins with mentality

Photo: AJ Vukovich (Perfect Game)

MARION, Iowa – There’s been a lot of buzz at the new Prospect Meadows Sports Complex at the 17u WWBA National Championship. But one player has garnered attention and accolades like no other.

AJ Vukovich sure has the talent to be named a PG All-American. The 6-foot-5, 210-pounder plays both the infield and outfield corners. His bat is a thing of beauty; his hands travel to the ball and fire it right back.

It’s inside? He’ll single into the five-six hole.

Outside? He’ll fire it into the right field alley for a stand-up triple.

Right down the middle? He might just fire it over the fence.

"He sets the tone every time he gets up to the plate,” Hitters 2020 head coach Brendon Hayden said. “The team expects something good to happen, which is a good thing for a guy in the middle of the order.”

It’s not just what he does at the plate, though. The East Troy, Wis. rising senior is the top-ranked player in the state of Wisconsin and ranked No. 28 in the nation. He boasts an outfield velocity of 93 mph and 92-mph from the infield. His 90 mph fastball ranks in the 98th percentile of the 2020 class.

At the WWBA 17u Prospect Meadows National Championships in Marion, Iowa, Vukovich showed not only his All-American talent but his All-American mentality. Against the Illinois Indians, Vukovich struck out in his first two at-bats. However, when the bottom of the sixth came along, he was more than prepared.

Leading off the inning, in a 1-1 count Vukovich fired the next pitch over the fence, breaking a 2-2 tie and helping Hitters win, 5-2.

“When I was younger, it was definitely tough. No one wants to be that out at the plate,” Vukovich said. “It’s really helped me realize you’re not going to get ahead every time. The ups and downs make the successes a lot better. It’s an imperfect game. The struggles bring out the greatness in you.”

Vukovich’s greatness just keeps piling up. He committed to Louisville, following Hitters alumni Jarred Kelenic and Alex Binelas, who was named a first-team Freshman All-American by five organizations, including Perfect Game. Vukovich also was one of eight semifinalists in the Home Run Derby during MLB All-Star weekend.

In the semifinals, Vukovich hit 18 home runs across two rounds, second only to fellow PG All-American Blaze Jordan, who shot 20 over the fence. Jordan barely edged Vukovich 7-6 in the finals.

“A couple months ago if you had said I’d been in that position, I wouldn’t have believed you at all. Being on that field with 40,000 fans, going up against Blaze Jordan, who’s another great hitter, it was amazing,” Vukovich reflected. “It didn’t even feel real. You dream of that as a kid, taking batting practice out on a major league field, and doing it at All-Star weekend was incredible.”

In addition to the home run derby, Vukovich was selected to play in the PG All-American Classic out in San Diego. Just a week ago, he learned that his best baseball was enough to earn him a spot on the 27-man West roster.

“It’s a great feeling, just because I grew up watching the game on TV, watching Gavin Lux and Jarred Kelenic play in it,” he said. “Now that I get a chance to do it and play with the best kids in the country on TV, it’s going to be a great experience and I’m excited to be a part of it.”

Vukovich has only one year left until he begins fighting for a starting spot at Louisville. But, if you ask his coach, he’ll fit right in with the rest of them.

“They’re a perennial power and he’s another piece of the puzzle for them,” Hayden said. “Having all of this attention with the pro scouts and being committed at a very young age, he holds himself to a higher standard. His approach to the game is advanced compared to a lot of high school guys. It’s very good for him, especially because he’ll be playing at that high level, to learn all of this as such a young age. He’s only going to go up from there.”




All American Game | Story | 7/3/2026

Initial 2026 All Star Game Roster Reveal

Article Image
We are excited to announce the first selections for the 2026 PG All Star Game from both the Perfect Game Junior and Sophomore National Showcases. The PG All Star Game will be held on Friday, August 14th at Citizens Bank Ballpark, the home of the Philadelphia Phillies, and will feature roughly 40 of the top players, predominately from the 2028 class with a few of the very best 2029s also selected. A watchlist has been created from the Junior National Showcase and another group of players will be selected from that showcase towards the end of July as we continue to evaluate players at the major Perfect Game tournaments this summer. The final wave of selections we be made at the PG Underclass All American Games August 5-7 at the UCSD in San Diego, CA. PG Underclass All American Games   Junior National Selections Dexter McCleon Jr. OF Suwanee, GA USA Prime Cullen Scott RHP/3B Melissa,...
Tournaments | Story | 7/17/2026

South Champ. & South Elite Scout Notes

Geoff Billock
Article Image
Peyton Alvarez (2029, New Braunfels, Texas) put on a display for Marucci Elite TX Ramirez. Went 4-8 with two doubles. Worked strong at bats, drawing a total of six walks. Lot of deep counts, putting stress on opposing arms. Also swiped a staggering seven bases over the span of five games. Repeatable right-handed stroke with hands that work quickly through the zone. Was an absolute force at the top of the order all weekend. Jack Simms (2028, Cypress, Texas) put together a strong showing for Texas Brigade 2028 - Konarik. Went 3-9 with a double, a home run, and five runs batted in. Showed some quick hands, working through an uphill plane, playing well to the pullside. Frame has plenty more in the tank, impact should continue to develop as he fills out. Riley Thompson (2029, Leander, Texas) had another loud weekend for Test Black. 5-9 at the plate with three doubles and no strikeouts. Super...
Tournaments | Story | 7/17/2026

BCS Midwest Championship Scout Notes

Perfect Game Staff
Article Image
’29 INF Aarion Gould (IL) drives this ball deep to CF for a triple. Simple setup w/ a controlled load. Keeps the barrel in the zone w/ good extension through contact. Big day at the plate going 2-for-3 with 4 RBI. #BCSMW @WhitesoxAce pic.twitter.com/QL9jPCTAv8 — Perfect Game Illinois (@PG_Illinois) July 12, 2026 Aarion Gould (2029, Chicago, Ill.) earned Tournament MVP honors after helping lead Chicago White Sox ACE 2029 to the BCS Midwest Championship. The right-handed infielder displayed a direct swing path with quality barrel accuracy, using the middle of the field approach. Present strength was evident, producing two doubles, one triple, while hitting .444 (8-for-18) with seven RBI, three stolen bases and a 1.277 OPS. Gould also contributed on the mound, tossing 6.0 scoreless innings while allowing three hits and striking out six.   ’29 RHP Xavier Alvarez (IL)...
Tournaments | Story | 7/17/2026

WWBA Midwest Regional Champ. Notes

Perfect Game Staff
Article Image
’28 OF Caleb Wilson (IN) drives this fastball into the RCF gap for a double. Quick hands and bat-to-ball skills on display. Good game at the plate. Finished 2-for-3 with an RBI. #WWBAMW @TopTierBaseball @PG_OhioValley pic.twitter.com/IC5dmPojcz — Perfect Game Illinois (@PG_Illinois) July 13, 2026 Caleb Wilson (2028, Crown Point, Ind.) helped lead Top Tier Americans 2028 to the 16U WWBA Regional Championship and delivered one of the tournament's top offensive performances. The 5-foot-9, 165-pound left-handed outfielder displayed good plate discipline, a quick bat and barreled balls to all parts of the field. Plus speed also added another dimension to Wilson's game on the base paths, consistently putting pressure on opposing defenses. The Tournament MVP saw the ball extremely well, hitting .667 (14-for-21) with two triples, six RBI, four stolen bases and a 1.588 OPS. Brennen...
Tournaments | Story | 7/16/2026

Top Talent On Display at 17u BCS

Alyssa Golden
Article Image
The 21st annual 17U BCS National Championship brings together some of the nation’s top programs and elite 2027 prospects to Fort Myers, Florida, from July 17-21. With dozens of Division I commits and nationally ranked prospects set to compete, here are some of the players expected to make the biggest impact throughout the weekend. For Florida Burn 2027 Scout, which is currently ranked #5 nationally Florida Burn will be No. 107-ranked outfielder RJ Shields and No. 129-ranked third baseman Braedon Mackay. One of the premier two-way prospects in the tournament, Shields, brings one of the strongest arms in the field. The Venice, Florida native has run his fastball up to 95 mph while also showcasing a 98 mph throwing arm from the outfield, making him a weapon on both sides of the ball. On the mound this season, the Mississippi State commit has struck out 29 batters in 15.1 innings,...
Tournaments | Story | 7/15/2026

WWBA Arrives in Arizona

Emily Hicks
Article Image
After another week of summer baseball, Perfect Game action returns to Surprise Stadium as teams prepare for another exciting week of competition at the WWBA Championship. From July 14-18, some of the top programs in travel baseball will take the field looking to compete for a championship and showcase their talent against high-level competition.  The tournament will feature both the 15U and 16U divisions, bringing together talented teams and rising prospects from across the West and beyond. With several days of pool play and championship bracket action, teams will have the opportunity to test themselves against strong opponents while competing on one of the biggest stages of the summer.  Surprise Stadium will provide the setting for a week filled with competitive matchups, standout performances, and prospects looking to make an impact. From dominant pitching performances to...
Tournaments | Championship | 7/15/2026

East Cobb Go Undefeated, Takes 14U BCS

Alyssa Golden
Article Image
East Cobb Goes Undefeated, Takes 14U BCS Twenty years after winning the inaugural 14U BCS National Championship in 2006, the East Cobb Astros once again stood atop the tournament, defeating the Original Florida Pokers 7-4 at JetBlue Park. A hot, sunny afternoon set the stage for a tightly contested match between the Original Florida Pokers 2030 and East Cobb Astros 14U Orange. Although the Pokers had a two-run lead with just three innings to go, East Cobb showed their team had no quit as they pulled away with a 7-4 victory. The teams battled through a highly contested tournament field of over sixty teams from across the country, with the Pokers coming in 8-1 and East Cobb entering 8-0 in tournament play. Cohen Carter started on the mound for East Cobb, allowing seven hits and no walks while striking out three batters over four innings. His fastball sat 71-75 mph. Silas Anstett opened the...
Tournaments | Story | 7/15/2026

Stars Marucci '27 Loaded and Poised

Kinley Kitchens
Article Image
Expectations naturally follow one of the nation’s top ranked teams. For Stars Marucci 2027, those expectations have only grown as the summer season has progressed.  Ranked No. 16 nationally and featuring a roster loaded with Division I commits and nationally ranked prospects, Stars Marucci 2027 entered the 2026 Perfect Game 17U National Elite Championship as one of the top teams to watch.  Through the opening two days of the tournament, they have shown why they are a team to watch, opening the week with back-to-back victories over SBA Tucci 2027 (6-1) and FC Twins Scout (5-2) to build early momentum heading into the later rounds.  The talent on the roster is undeniable.  Virginia Tech commits Chase Colangelo, Yogi Colangelo, and Teagan Leach, Maryland commit Jerome Fortier, and Youngstown State commit Sam Capuano headline a group filled with college bound...
Tournaments | Story | 7/15/2026

Mine Wood Bat World Series Notes

Jordan Gates
Article Image
‘28 OF/LHP Carson Tabler (OH) Rips one deep into the pull side gap for an inside-the-park HR. Athletic in the box w/ a projectable frame. Utilizes a toe tap on a fluid stroke w/ good bat speed. Good runner in stride + efficient around the bases. #MineWS @Carson_T7 @PFFlyers2028 pic.twitter.com/IVfICPg4qV — Perfect Game Ohio Valley (@PG_OhioValley) July 10, 2026 Carson Tabler (2028, Cincinnati, Ohio) Tabler was probably the most pleasant surprise when it comes to names from this weekend. A rather unknown for me and my staff going into the event, Tabler managed to cement himself by event’s end. It’s a true two-way projection at this stage, while he has the size in the 6-foot-3 long and loose frame, the strength will continue to add on to the 175-pound stature. While he only had two extra-base hits (triple, home run), the bat-to-ball skills were the calling card, and...
Tournaments | Championship | 7/14/2026

SBA Bolts National Raise Trophy at 16u

Will Dembo
Article Image
After an action-packed week at the 16u WWBA Championships, the tournament came down to two of the nation’s top teams battling for one of travel baseball’s most prestigious titles. No. 5 ranked SBA Bolts National faced No. 60 Alpha Prime 2028 after both teams reached the championship undefeated, but the SBA Bolts were the sole team to exit without a loss, defeating Alpha Prime 10-2 in mercy rule fashion and capture the national title behind dominant pitching and explosive offensive performances. The SBA Bolts were perfect throughout their week, running the table and going 11-0 while outscoring their opponents by an impressive margin of 108-25. “It was awesome,” SBA Head Coach Travis Thompson said on the mercy rule victory. “It just kind of culminated our week. It's been a long week. I can't even remember our first game, which felt like three weeks ago. The...
Tournaments | Story | 7/14/2026

Coastal Region Scout Notes

Perfect Game Staff
Article Image
Ridge Whitfield (2029, Charlotte, NC) stands at 6-foot, 158 pounds with an athletic build that should allow him to maintain his mobility and quick-twitch actions as he continues to develop. He bats and throws left-handed. Whitfield locates his fastball to both sides of the plate, mixes his pitches effectively, and keeps hitters off balance. He competes on every pitch and doesn’t back down in big situations. Whitfield threw 5.1 innings, allowing three hits, one earned run, and no walks while striking out three on 75 pitches (58% strikes). He attacked the zone with a fastball that sat 73 mph and topped out at 78 mph, mixing in a 67 mph breaking ball and a 68-70 mph changeup to keep hitters off balance. Sam Jobe (2029, Charlotte, NC) stands at 6-foot-1, 175 pounds, with a lean, athletic frame and plenty of projection. He bats and throws right-handed. Jobe shows good feel for the...
Loading more articles...