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2,631 MLB PLAYERS | 16,402 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
Tournaments  | Championship | 7/7/2020

Astros Crowned Champs at Firecracker Finale

Photo: East Cobb Astros 17u (Perfect Game)
MARIETTA, Ga. - The 2020 18U Firecracker Finale came to a close Monday afternoon with the final three games of the tournament. The championship game took place on field one at the East Cobb Complex in Marietta, Georgia with the East Cobb Astros 17U taking on eXposure 17U Prime. The Astros were awarded the four seed in bracket play while eXposure ended up with an 11 seed after pool play. These two teams are both 17U, so playing for a chance to win an 18U Perfect Game tournament is something of which the coaches and players can be proud.

For the Astros, it has been continued success in each Perfect Game tournament and it was no different this week at the Firecracker Finale. The Astros completed a clean sweep of their pool while scoring 31 runs and giving up only six. On their way to the championship, the Astros took care of two 643 DP teams handily with two mercy rule victories. They were tested in the semifinal game against the East Cobb Yankees 18U, but ultimately came out with a 4-2 victory. They were powered behind their starting pitcher, Radek Birkholz, Notre Dame commit, who struck out nine batters in 6.1 innings of work and Treyton Rank, FSU commit, who also added two RBIs in the semifinal game.



The 11 seeded eXposure Prime finished pool play with two wins and one loss scoring 16 runs and allowed 15. They were able to inch out a 1-0 victory over 643 DP Cougars Pralgo in the quarterfinals. Pitchers, Colby Reynolds and Drew Patterson worked together to silence the 643 bats for 7 innings. The semifinal game was a high scoring affair between eXposure Prime and Team Elite 17U as they were able to win 9-6. Jackson Musrock, Irvin Hernandez, Cooper Kinney, Caden Rector, Andrew Grande, Colby Reynolds, and Hudson Siegler all had RBIs in the semifinal. This set up what was expected to be a competitive championship game to cap off the 18U Firecracker Finale.

It was a quiet first inning for both squads with both pitchers getting three outs unscathed. In the top of the 2nd inning, eXposure was able to play small ball piecing together two hits and two walks to gain a 1-0 lead. With bases loaded, Irvin Hernandez hit a slow grounder to the 2nd baseman to earn himself an RBI and extend their lead over the Astros by a score of 2-0. The Astros bats stayed quiet in the 2nd inning. 

After roughly an hour rain delay, the two teams took the field again after taking shelter in their respective dugouts to outlast the rain. The third inning was more of the same with the Astros starting pitcher, Andrew Armstrong, shutting eXposure down while allowing no runs. The Astros bats came alive in the bottom half of third but had nothing to show for it. They had bases loaded with no outs but could not manage to break into their deficit of two runs. 

Armstrong, after a rough second inning, showed his dominance on the mound in the fourth inning sitting down the eXposure batters in order. Despite being down two, the Astros batters continued to fight and cut their deficit in half. Joe Mack, Clemson commit, was able to get on with a walk, moving to third on a throwing error. With no outs and runners on second and third, the Astros were able to capitalize on this opportunity. Christian Moore, Tennessee commit, came up with a timely deep fly to right, scoring Mack thus making the score 2-1 after four innings. 

Armstrong was able to repeat his performance in the top of the fifth sitting down the eXposure batters in order once again. Down one run with nine outs to go, the Astros time to capitalize on Armstrong’s performance was in this inning. Michael Sharman and Radek Birkholz singled before Lleyton Lackey singled driving in one run, which tied up the game 2-2. Kristian Campbell walked, which allowed the tournament MVP, Michael Braswell, to hit an RBI single, which gave the Astros their first lead of the game. 

“I have been focusing on my mechanics at the plate and my swing,” Braswell said. “I want to have good at bats and the hits will come.” 

With the bases loaded and two outs, the Astros’ hitter, Christian Moore, delivered the knockout blow to eXposure Prime by hitting a base clearing three run double. Moore would be thrown out at third trying to extend his hit into a triple, which was the third out of the inning. This would be the final time either team scored another run. 

The top of the sixth welcomed new Astros pitcher, Austin Wainer, who shut the door on eXposure Prime allowing only one hit and striking out three in two innings of work. Wainer shut down the eXposure batters in the sixth and seventh, thus giving the victory to the East Cobb Astros 17U by a score of 6-2.

The Astros swept the accolades this week with a player on their team taking home the MVP and the MVPitcher of the 2020 18U Firecracker Finale. 

Starting pitcher and MVPitcher of the tournament, Andrew Armstrong, told PG, “I was able to battle through the weather and the rain delay.” Armstrong also mentioned that he would not have been in this position if it weren’t for the timely hitting from his teammates. 

This is the Astros third Perfect Game championship crown of the year as they look forward to competing for more championships at future PG events this summer. 

MVPitcher: Andrew Armstrong
MVP: Michael Braswell
 

Tournaments | Story | 10/29/2026

WWBA Underclass Prospect Recap

Kyler Peterson
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WWBA Underclass Scout Notes: Days 1-2 | Day 3 | Day 4 Stars Being Stars These are some of the more well-known names on the national landscape, playing across several big events in which they performed at the highest of levels. Their showings in Fort Myers were simply a continuation of what we've almost come to expect at this point from them!  Kasen Langerhans (2028, Round Rock, Texas) batted leadoff and stuck at the hot corner for Texas Twelve Red Sox 2028 in Fort Myers. The Texas native has the looks a young left-handed power bat and the swing is built for it. Langerhans produces easy bat speed, delivering a fast and leveraged barrel through the zone. He creates backspin and uses the ground well, really getting into the legs. The infielder has excellent power projection and took comfortable, intentful cuts in the box. Langerhans got the job done at the top of the order...
Draft | Story | 10/30/2026

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Ryan Miller
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2027 MLB Draft Profile Preview: Collegiate Right-Handed Pitchers | Collegiate Left-Handed Pitchers The premium profile in each class often are prep middle infielders, a sought-after group with the athletic ability to stick on the dirt or land throughout the diamond long term. This demographic has produced the superstars of today’s game and therefore are selected in prime spots while demanding high-end signing bonuses. This group features a mix of loud tools, high level projection, and impact defenders. Below we break down at the top prep middle infielder in the 2027 cycle.  ‘27 SS Dylan Seward (CA)- liftoff from the No. 1 player in the class. A solo blast to RCF to extend the lead for @TheCanesBB #WWBA @California_PG @Vol_Baseball commit https://t.co/lJjNg6T7PS — Perfect Game Scout (@PG_Scouting) June 27, 2026 SS Dylan Seward, Norco (CA)  The Southern...
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Kyler Peterson
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WWBA Sophomore Scout Notes: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 Stars Being Stars These are some of the more well-known names on the national landscape, playing across several big events in which they performed at the highest of levels. Their showings in Fort Myers were simply a continuation of what we've almost come to expect at this point from them!  2029 MIF Easton Housewright (Knoxville, Tenn.) currently stands at 6-foot,175 pounds with strength in the lower half, present above-average athleticism. Continued to shine at the top of the lineup as the left-handed hitter is your prototypical leadoff hitter, consistently finding a way on and scoring. Takes quality at-bats with an above average awareness of the strike zone. Loose hands with easy bat speed that find the barrel often for hard line drives into the gaps that frequently turn into XBHs. Confident and balanced approach. Also...
Tournaments | Story | 10/27/2026

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Tyler Henninger
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As the 2027 draft cycle moves through the fall and into the offseason, we kick off a new series called Beyond The Board. With each installment, we will provide an in-depth scouting report for some of the top players in the class, breaking down their tools, strengths, question marks, and overall projection. This week we take a look at Georgia prep shortstop Malachi Butler. The Georgia Tech put together an outstanding showing on the circuit this summer and has been a significant riser early in the 2027 cycle.  Player: Malachi Butler Position: SS B/T: L/R Height: 6-foot-3 Weight: 190-pounds School: McEachern HS Hometown: Powder Springs, Ga.  Physical Description: 6-2/190. Strong, athletic build. Well-proportioned body. Has strength with room to continue to add more.    High speed BP swing from '27 SS Malachi Butler (GA)... #PGNational @PG_Georgia https://t.co/M9OWUX9rPw...
Tournaments | Story | 10/27/2026

South Fall World Series Scout Notes

Jay Vossler
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Kason Mead (2029, Spring, Texas) had a great weekend for Premier Baseball Donato 2029. Went 5-9 with a pair of doubles and a home run, driving in five without striking out. Physical frame with a lot more strength on the way. Impressive bat speed that attacks the top of the zone well. Works to all fields consistently and the profile indicates that he’ll be able to build off that with more impact. Lot to like, should be a riser as he goes into his sophomore season. Sterling McCormack (2029, Magnolia, Texas) performed well for Premier Baseball Donato 2029. Reached four times, including a double. Gains ground well on the stride, using his physicality to his advantage as he stays on an uphill plane, geared for slug. Plenty of strength at the point of impact. Landon Hardy (2029, Spring, Texas) had a strong showing for Scorpions Team Easton 2029. Went 4-11 with a double and homer, driving...
Tournaments | Story | 10/27/2026

WWBA Freshman Prospect Recap

Jheremy Brown
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Stars Being Stars These are some of the more well-known names on the national landscape, playing across several big events in which they performed at the highest of levels. Their showings in West Palm were simply a continuation of what we've almost come to expect at this point from them!  Kolt Hampton (2030, Chandler, AZ) is a left-handed hitting infielder with present barrel speed and twitch in the turn. Turned around an upper 80s heater that plated two runs in the first inning of the quarterfinals and never looked back. Also got it done on the rubber punching out three and topping out at 86. The number one player in Arizona produced all week and took care of business defensively.  Landen Davis (2030, Beaufort, SC) showed up at the dish this event hitting .500 with four doubles and five RBIs. Stays tight in the turn with present strength and the approach plays to all fields....
Tournaments | Story | 10/24/2026

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Jheremy Brown
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To say there were standouts all over the field for the 14u WWBA World Championship would be an understatement as the matchup of Team Elite 14u Scout and SBA Bolts National 14u saw two of the more loaded rosters going head-to-head with a title on the line. And after weather threw a giant wrench into pool play, both Sunday and Monday were nothing but sunshine and high intensity baseball leading into the final game of the event.  While the game ultimately ended via run rule after five in favor of SBA upon a 9 run inning, it was a tight contest up until that point with Team Elite carrying a 3-2 lead thru four innings.  Team Elite drew first blood as a Ross Logan walk quickly turned into the first run of the game following a well struck single by Cooper Ooten into left field who eventually came around to score following a double steal, scoring before the third out of the inning was...
Softball | Softball Tournament | 10/22/2026

PG Softball Chesterfield Fall Showcase High School Division

Erica Beach
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PG Softball Chesterfield Fall Showcase HS Division Oct 17-18, 2026 Chesterfield First Community Athletic Complex CHESTERFIELD, MO — It was a perfect weekend for softball, with 16 teams converging on the Chesterfield First Community Athletic Complex to compete in the High School Division. Teams from Illinois, Minnesota, and Iowa were there to battle it out, and there was only one undefeated team in the tournament: the Southeast Iowa All-Stars 16U Gold Flowerbach, who went a stellar 5-0 on the weekend. We were treated to some stellar performances all weekend and below we highlight some of the standout athletes who caught our eyes.  Lucy Turner (2027, Marion, IA) of the Cedar Rapids Reds was a truly dynamic two-way player this past weekend. Offensively, she batted .444 with 5 RBIs and an impressive 6 stolen bases, which led the tournament. She also scored 6 runs for her team and...
Tournaments | Championship | 10/22/2026

Wildcatters Reign Supreme at 13u WWBA

Jheremy Brown
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After both the Best of the West and the Beast of the East wrapped up, a big conglomerate of high end talent and stacked teams descended upon West Palm for both the 13u and the 14u WWBA World Championships. While the weather threw a wrench into the plans early on and some adjustment was needed to ensure the event moved forward, it was nothing but sunshine and competitive baseball throughout Sunday and into the early morning Monday.  Kicking off with the 13u WWBA World Championship, the first thing to point out is the fact this was a wood bat tournament played on 60-90 fields and while the combo was a first for most, you wouldn't know it with their level of play throughout the weekend. In an unsurprising twist and a continuation of their 12u dominance, the 13u championship saw the #2 seeded Goldin Prospects lock horns with the top seeded Houston Wildcatters, aka the champion of the...
Tournaments | Story | 10/22/2026

17u Coastal Fall Invitational

Perfect Game Staff
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Dalton Fisher (2028, China Grove, NC) stands at 6-foot-2, 180 pounds, with a lean, projectable frame and room to add strength as he develops. Bats and throws right-handed and plays the outfield. Shows a good approach at the plate with quick hands, solid bat speed, and the ability to drive the ball to all fields. Fisher went 2-for-3 with 1 RBI, putting together a great day at the plate. Bradley Edwards (2028, Summerville,SC) Stands at 6-feet-5 225 strong build and the potential to generate considerable power. Bats and throws right handed is a right handed pitcher. Shows good arm strength and the ability to attack hitters while generating swings and misses. Demonstrates a competitive approach on the mound with the ability to challenge hitters in the zone. Recorded 4.2 innings pitched with 10 strikeouts, a 56% strike rate, and a fastball that topped out at 85 mph. Jackson Pierce (2028,...
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