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High School  | Rankings | 11/6/2020

2021 Prep Class Rankings Risers Part 2: Pitchers

Photo: Jackson Wentworth (Perfect Game)
2021 Prep Class Rankings Risers: Hitters

There was no shake up in the top ten as far as arms are concerned with Andrew Painter (2021 Pompano Beach, FL) still with arguably the best combination of polish plus projection in the class and Chase Petty (2021 Somers Point, NJ) with that 100 mph fastball. Carter Holton (2021 Guyton, GA) and Shane Panzini (2021 Spring Lake, NJ) both make a jump and really finished about how they started. That is the impressive part. Holton and Panzini held their “stuff” throughout the 2020 showcase tour. Holton, a left-hander, showed consistent 91-95 mph stuff the entire summer and fall. He has a slider and changeup that are solid pitches that will continue to grade better as he refines them, as well as his command. Panzini sat in the same 91-95 mph range with his fastball from start to finish. He throws a curveball and slider, with the slider potentially being a consistent plus offering. His changeup is still developing but shows enough to give him a true four pitch mix that could have all offering at solid-average or better. The right-hander already throws a ton of quality strikes as well.



Irving Carter (2021 Boynton Beach, FL) is as intense and competitive as they get. The righty sat 92-95 mph at the WWBA with his normal hard biting slider that peaks in the mid-80s. He was a bit more erratic than normal. But a lot was the extended look and most likely with a low workload that came with the strange 2020 year, as we have seen him hold his stuff and command late in outings. His consistency with his two-pitch mix is well documented at this point and his changeup is showing more promise.

Thatcher Hurd (2021 Manhattan Beach, CA) and Jackson Baumeister (2021 Jacksonville, FL) you can file in the same drawer. They are athletic righties with a catching background, and both seem to be tapping into their enormous potential on the mound. Hurd has a great frame, a super quick shoulder, and his performance in Fort Myers was stellar. He ran his fastball up to 93 mph, sitting around 90. Both his curveball and slider had very high spin rates and entertain swing and miss traits. Baumeister sat 91-94 mph at the WWBA and has good command to the glove side and great extension at release. The breaking stuff is trending up and his changeup gives him another solid offering. The right-hander battled an injury in the spring. Now fully healthy, this is the Baumeister we expected to see. Putting up zeros against top competition and having all the components to make big jumps this spring.

Gage Jump (2021 Aliso, CA) continues to produce some of the best fastball quality in the class. It’s a tough, two-plane heater, that he commands when at his best. His curveball has made strides as he is throwing harder which in turn has added depth. The swing and miss is the most notable aspect, as he struck out thirteen batters during his two outings in Fort Myers.

Drew Christo (2021 Elkhorn, NE) may be one of the hardest throwers in the class when it is all said and done. He has a low effort delivery, with a clean arm action, sitting in the 88-91 mph range and peaking at 93 mph. He has a four pitch mix and the 6-foot-4 frame is still filling out. He threw four-plus shutout innings at the WWBA and all things being calculated, he has riser written all over him.

Anthony Solometo (2021 Sicklerville, NJ) has a lightning quick shoulder, utilizing a unique delivery and arm stroke. The body control and timing in his process helps him harness the sometimes over-whelming stuff as he sat 90-93/4 mph with a high spin rate slider. The pure ceiling may rival any arm in the class.

Mason Marriott (2021 Tomball, TX) The competitiveness and ability to work through an absolutely loaded line up at the WWBA makes it hard to ignore the type of potential Marriott conceivably owns. He held 90-93 mph over the entirety of his complete game performance. The ability to manipulate the breaking ball and pitch backwards was a sight-to-see.

Travis Smith (2021 Walton, KY) has a tall and long frame that hasn’t come close to physical maturity. The effortless velocity he showed in Florida in the 88-92/4 mph range, and his ability to repeat, are unique for his stature. That ability to repeat allows Smith to throw four pitches for strikes and as he learns to design his pitches he should continue to see an uptick in the swing and miss department.

Greysen Carter (2021 Louisville, CO) makes one of the biggest jumps and it was expected from how he ended his 2019 summer. Due to Covid and travel issues making things understandably difficult, Fort Myers was the PG staff's first look at the righty in 2020. The 92-96 mph fastball and hard breaking and high spin rate curveball in the 80 mph range were enough to remind everyone of the vast potential that Carter possesses.

Daniel Brooks (2021 Mount Pleasant, SC) has the frame, arm action, and delivery that have always given him the potential to be a big-time prospect. He held low-90s and reached back to grab a 94 in Fort Myers with at least an average curveball right now. The middle of the rotation projection with a higher ceiling if it clicks, makes Brooks very intriguing. His monster outing at his PG finale might be start of everything coming together.

Calvin Ziegler (2021 Heidelberg, ON) was nails in his first Perfect Game event this fall. He sat in the 93-95 mph range with a sharp slider in the low-80s. His fastball shows sink and typically missed barrels even if that was soft contact. He showed the characteristics to be a solid workhorse starter.

Joshua Stewart (2021 Georgetown, TX) worked up to 95 mph with his fastball and repeated his athletic delivery over the course of his outing in Florida. There is real helium potential as he gets consistent with his slider and curveball that show big promise. The peripherals in the profile are ones that typically makes jumps. The jump could come soon from what he showed late in the fall.

Martin Gair (2021 Concord, SC) is 6-foot-6 and has a fast shoulder and whippy arm that sat in the low-90s and topped at 94. Enough to make your eyes get big in itself. The upside, from a velocity standpoint, is incredibly high. The development of his secondary offerings and ability to hold the velocity deep into games will be the separator moving forward.

Tanner McDougal (2021 Henderson, NV) should check a lot of the data driven boxes. He had a high spin rate on fastball and curveball and conversely turns the changeup over hard to get very low spin rates. The changeup got empty swings and he reached back for 94 mph while sitting in the low-90s with his fastball with plenty of hand speed at release. It was a loud statement heading into spring.

Jackson Wentworth (2021 Urbandale, IA) continued to tick up over the summer and culminated with him showing his best stuff the PG staff has witnessed down in the Fort. He held velocity in the 90-93/4 mph range with the fastball. The upper-70s curveball gets tough vertical break and is already a swing and miss pitch. His third offering, a fading changeup gives him a third above average offering. This could easily be the next Iowa prep righty that flies up draft boards as Carter Baumler did in June 2020.

Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz (2021 Trujillo Alto, PR) is a skinny framed and quick armed righty from the Island that posits big unharnessed stuff as he isn’t quite strong enough to repeat it yet. His fastball sat in the 88-92 mph range and he popped 94’s early. He has a slurvy breaking ball that will need to firm up but has the elements that should make it an above average offering. With a solid Winter in the weight room, he could rise as fast as anyone in the class.

Andrew Woods (2021 Monroe, LA) has had his moments over the years as a two-way prospect and is widely considered a very good athlete for a pitcher. The power arm is the biggest attraction and he proved that with 95 mph bolts late in the fall. His curveball is more of a force contact type pitch now, but it should develop as he understands the intent required.

Timothy Williams (2021 Shenandoah, VA) ran his fastball up to 93 mph from the left side at the WWBA. This was his first outing of the year at a Perfect Game event and he did not disappoint. He has two different breaking balls with a curveball and slider that he seems confident throwing. If he can hold the firm stuff in longer outing’s he will make a splash this spring.

Erian Rodriguez (2021 Statesboro, GA) has some of the best pure arm talent of anyone late in the fall. There are development aspects that need to take place, but his body and clean arm that produce 90-94 mph heaters are not close to the ceiling. The slider very well may be plus one day too.

Fisher Jameson (2021 Lake Worth, FL) made the most of his four innings at the World Championship as he struck out eleven hitters. The righty worked 90-93 mph with a good handful of 94’s. His solid three pitch mix and sturdy frame give him a good chance to hold that firm stuff and potentially add more as he matures.

Mitchell Bratt (2021 Newmarket, ON) is a polished lefty with a fluid operation that you are just waiting to see pop. He runs his fastball up to 90 mph now, with plenty in the tank to help you dream. His breaking ball showed depth, with standard 1-7 shape, and he has feel to land the pitch in the zone. The ease and synch he showed this fall helps to believe everything is steadily coming together.

Luke Holman (2021 Sinking Spring, PA) showed plenty of swing and miss late in the fall with eight strikeouts in four innings at the World Championships. The heater sat in the 90-93 mph range with plenty of plane. He threw a big breaking curveball and a late breaking slider as his secondary offerings. The body and delivery also give plenty to be excited about.

Chase Allsup (2021 Dothan, AL) simply has serious arm strength with a fastball that touched 95 mph late in the fall and plenty of life to the pitch. He has the makings of a power sider and it will be monitored to see if he gains confidence in the pitch. For now, that arm strength will cause scouts to come in early and often to watch him pitch in the spring.

High School | General | 8/17/2026

Scott Wins MVP Two Ways

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...
Press Release | Press Release | 8/18/2026

Perfect Game & Delano Partner Up

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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 NAMES DELANO BAT COMPANY OFFICIAL WOOD COMPOSITE BAT PARTNER, LAUNCHES LIMITED-EDITION BAT SERIES   Delano Bats will serve as the Official Game Bat of the 13U Select Festival, taking place this coming weekend in East Cobb, Georgia   Sanford, Florida (Tuesday, August 18, 2026) - Perfect Game, the world’s largest youth baseball and softball platform and scouting service, today announced a new partnership with Delano Bat Company, LLC, naming the company an Official Wood Composite Bat Partner of Perfect Game. The partnership will feature three exclusive limited-edition bat releases, which began with the Original Glory American Flag Bat in celebration of the United States' 250th birthday, that...
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,...
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...
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 | 8/11/2026

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...
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