THE WORLD'S LARGEST AND MOST COMPREHENSIVE SCOUTING ORGANIZATION

| 2,631 MLB PLAYERS | 16,402 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS

2,631 MLB PLAYERS | 16,402 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS

High School | General | 3/4/2021

HS Showdowns showcase very best

Jeff Dahn

Photo: Slate Alford (Perfect Game)

HOOVER, Ala. – For a ninth and eighth year in a row, the Perfect Game High School Showdown and the PG High School Showdown-Academies, respectively, will spread their wings and fly this week as the Hoover Met Complex in this bustling south-Birmingham suburb opens its doors for business.

It’s not necessarily business as usual this year, however, and don’t take that in the negative. A record 65 teams – 27 at the Showdown and 38 at the Showdown-Academies – will be on hand as they scramble to make up for a 2020 season lost to the COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID hasn’t gone away, of course, not that any of us need to be reminded of that insidious fact. But what is worth noting is that the two PG HS Showdowns were contested and champions were crowned in 2020, wrapping up only about a week before the virus brought the people of this country to their knees. For some of the teams in attendance a year ago, the Showdown games were the last games they played in the truncated 2020 season.

It was a surreal experience for many of us. Personally, I remember seeing for the first time a handful of people wearing masks on my flights from Birmingham to Chicago and on to Cedar Rapids on March 9 and thinking, this isn’t good. It all hit home with the subtlety of a sledgehammer just days later.

But I digress, even if ever so slightly. Masks and social distancing are still the order of the day but games will be played and a total of four champions across the two events will take home handsome pieces of hardware. And they will have earned it.

The talent put on display this week for all to enjoy is simply breath-taking, and that’s not hyperbole. Many of the top prospects from the prep classes of 2021, 2022 and 2023 (with a smattering of 2024s) will be out on the fields at the Hoover Met, much like you see at elite PG national travel ball tournaments during the summer and fall.

That said, this is different. Players have told me repeatedly over the past decade-plus how special it is for them to slip on their high school team’s uniform and sprint out onto the field where they can perform alongside their buddies who may live next door or sit at the desk next to them during an algebra class, even if, these days, that desk is 6-feet away..

Take that on the word of Dylan Lesko, a junior at Buford (Ga.) High School who also happens to be the best right-handed pitcher in North America from the class of 2022. He cherishes the time he gets to spend with Guerry Baldwin and the East Cobb Astros during the summer and fall, but the time he spends with the Buford Wolves and Head Coach Stuart Chester is even more valuable.

“It’s really just like a big family,” he told PG in December. “It’s a tight-knit community and everyone has each other’s back so being able to play for Buford has really been one of my favorite things. You’re out there representing your city and it’s just great being able to have a community back you up whether you’re at home or away; anywhere you go they’re always behind you.”

So sit back and enjoy what’s about to unfold at the PG HS Showdown Thursday through Saturday and at the PG HS Showdown-Academies Friday through Sunday. You’re in for a real treat.

^{. . .}

THE 27-TEAM PGHS SHOWDOWN FIELD IS DIVIDED INTO THREE NINE-TEAM BRACKETS (Blue, Red, White) with three, three-team pools in each bracket; the three pool winners and one wild card entry will advance to the four-team playoffs.

IMG Academy out of Bradenton, Fla., finished as runner-up to Loganville (Ala.) HS in the Red Bracket finals a year ago and returns this week as a favorite to win the whole shooting match this year. The academy is sanctioned by the Florida High School Athletics Association (FHSAA) but operates independently of the state governing body, so it is not eligible to compete for a Florida high school state championship.

PG does recognize the program as a legitimate high school competitor, however, and has the Ascenders sitting regaling in the No. 1 position in the PGHS Preseason Top 50 National Rankings. They are one of four ranked teams in the Showdown field, joined by No. 4 Buford, No. 26 Hoover (Ala.) and No. 40 Bob Jones (Madison, Ala.).

IMG comes into the Showdown fresh off a trip to Arlington, Texas, where it competed at the Globe Life Field High School Baseball Showcase, finishing 3-1 against four of the top prep programs from around the Dallas area; the Ascenders bring a 5-1 record into the Showdown.

“We try to make it competitive every year,” IMG Head Coach Kason Gabbard told me when asked about playing in these high-profile out-of-state tournaments. “A lot of teams reach out to us trying to play and we try to play different teams every year and some of the same good ones that are always competitive against us...We take those tournaments as our playoffs and as something to play for. We just try to grind every game.”

It’s no secret that this Ascenders lineup can grind with the best of them – maybe even some lower-level college teams – armed with a roster that boasts the talents of 2020 PG All-Americans in outfielder James Wood (No. 4-ranked ‘21, Mississippi St. signee), corner infielder Tommy White (No. 17, N.C. State), left-hander Mason Albright (No. 31, Virginia Tech) and outfielder/lefty Drew Gray (No. 38, Arkansas) from a loaded senior class.

As if that’s not enough, Gabbard can also get out his lineup card and pencil-in several of the most highly-regarded juniors in the country including outfielder Elijah Green, a Miami commit ranked the No. 1 overall prospect in all the land from the class of 2022.

Left-hander Jackson Ferris (No. 15, Ole Miss), corner infielder Blaydon Plain (No. 88, Florida) and right-hander Davion Hickson (No. 97, Florida St.) add more spice to the Ascenders’ saucy junior class jambalaya recipe.

What will make this weekend all the more intriguing is knowing that the other two teams that join IMGA in Red Pool A – the Chelsea Hornets and the Florence Falcons from right here in sweet home Alabama – won’t back down when facing the Ascenders; nor will anyone else.

If you doubt that statement for even a moment, ask any one of the 17 players who return for Loganville this year – including senior first baseman/outfielder Jonathan "Daniel" Braswell (t-500, Georgia) and junior left-hander/first baseman Dawson Coe (No. 339, Tennessee) – if they were the least bit intimidated before they went out and blasted IMGA, 13-1, in the Red Bracket championship game a year ago.

Or maybe you can ask Lesko, a Vanderbilt commit and the No. 2-ranked overall national prospect in the class of 2022 (behind Green), or any one of his highly-skilled teammates with the No. 4 Wolves how they feel about backing down to anyone.

Right-hander/utility Treyton Rank (No. 341, Florida St.), left-hander/first baseman Jackson Brockett (t-500, Nebraska) and infielder/right-hander Connor Sampers (t-500, Wofford) will tell you that ain’t happening.

Same goes for Lesko’s junior classmates, with outfielder/right-hander Riley Stanford (No. 17, Georgia Tech), infielder Brant Baughcum (No. 172, Georgia Tech), infielder/catcher Jackson Gaspard (No. 379, Georgia Tech) and outfielder Stan Zagrodnik (t-500, Wofford). Looks like Tech and Wofford have made pretty good inroads recruiting the town of Buford.

“We have a talented high school team and our coach (Chester) doesn’t take that lightly and tries to schedule the hardest games,” Lesko said when asked about the competition the Wolves face throughout the season. “(That) really gets us ready for when we get to the (Georgia state) playoffs and then the playoffs get you ready for the summer.”

The Bob Jones Patriots will do their patriotic duty led by the senior standouts catcher/outfielder Max Soliz (No. 139, Arkansas), corner infielder Slate Alford (No. 208, Mississippi St.) and right-hander/outfielder Thomas Ballard (t-500, UAB).

^{. . .}

TWENTY-SIX OF THE 38 TEAMS THAT COMPRISE THE FIELD at the PGHS Showdown-Academies tournament come from nine states (including northern outposts like Indiana, Minnesota, New Jersey and New York) with the other 12 calling Puerto Rico home. The teams will compete in eight four-team pools and one six-team pool, with the pool champion in 1-8 and the top-two in Pool 9 reaching the playoffs, along with three wild cards.

To call this collection an eclectic group might not be doing it justice, as club or academy teams from prominent travel ball organizations like East Cobb Baseball (Georgia), G-Form Artillery (New Jersey), Prairie Gravel Baseball (Indiana) and Team Elite Baseball (Georgia) will all be in attendance as well. And, let it be said right up front, they expect to challenge for the championship.

As an example, Team Elite looked north to build a roster that includes seniors like Massachusetts outfielder/left-hander Jonathan Santucci (No. 42, Duke) and Michigan shortstop/righty Luke Leto (No. 84, LSU).

And they’ll team with prominent juniors in Michigan outfielder Nolan Schubart (No. 7, Michigan), Michigan right-hander David Lally (No. 80, Notre Dame) and Illinois right-hander/first baseman Ethan Patera (No. 235, Louisville).

The G-Form Artillery Upperclass roster is stocked with D-I commits largely from the Midwest and Northeast. They include seniors in New Jersey right-hander Sean Hard (No. 266, Boston College) and Minnesota infielder Alex Ritzer (No. 470, North Carolina), and Iowa neighbors in right-hander Owen Puk (t-500, FIU) and outfielder Coy Sarsfield (t-500, Iowa).

The East Cobb Academy-Lemons roster is led by senior Georgia shortstop Rob Gordon (No. 61,Vanderbilt), junior right-hander Josh Lanum (No. 489, Georgia State), and underclass infielders Jax Phillips (No. 68, Georgia) and Luke Orfi (No. 243, uncommitted).

Any way you care to slice and dice this, the 2021 versions of the PG High School Showdowns promise to produce satisfactory outcomes at every level. OK, “satisfactory” definitely lacks heft.

Let’s just say there’s going to be more than enough talent on the fields at the Hoover Met to take care of all the heavy lifting while providing plenty of things to love and cherish, even while performing in the throes of a deadly pandemic. Let’s all take a deep breath and appreciate what’s out before us.

And yes, you can bet that at least one veteran (re: old) PG note-taker will be merrily wearing his mask every step of the way now that he knows exactly what this is all about.

PERFECTGAME.TV

Give us your feedback

High School | General | 8/17/2026

Scott Wins MVP Two Ways

Jim Salisbury

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...

Tournaments | Story | 10/24/2026

SBA Takes 14u Title Behind Offense

Jheremy Brown

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

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

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

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,...

Softball | Softball Tournament | 10/21/2026

PG Softball Chesterfield Fall Showcase 14U Division

Erica Beach

2026 PG softball Chesterfield fall showcase 14U Division October 17th to 18th Chesterfield First Community Athletic Complex CHESTERFIELD, MO — It was a highly competitive weekend of softball as six teams battled it out on the field. In the end, the Midland Magic Wooster finished with a flawless 5-0 record, showcasing a dominant tournament performance by allowing only three runs while exploding for 65 runs of their own. Below we highlight some of the weekend’s shining stars. \ Abigail Doolittle (2030 - Edwardsville, Illinois) of Top Gun 2030-IL established herself as one of the tournament's most formidable hitters over five games, posting an astounding .727 batting average. Showcasing elite power and versatility, she racked up three singles, two doubles, two triples, and a home run. Doolittle drove in four runs, scored four times, drew a walk, and added a stolen base....

Tournaments | Story | 10/21/2026

Windy City Finale Scout Notes

Perfect Game Staff

‘27 RHP Jaxson Weiss (IL) pitched well in his 5 innings and put up some eye popping strikeout numbers. He punched out 10 and allowed only 2ER. FB T86 early and flashed a BB 72-75. #WCFinale https://t.co/M8GtCUgxyS — Perfect Game Illinois (@PG_Illinois) October 17, 2026 Jaxson Weiss (2027, New Lennox, Ill.) a right-handed pitcher put up big strikeout numbers in his start on Saturday. He worked five innings while punching out ten opposing hitters. The fastball topped out at 86 mph and sat in the 82-85 mph range most of the game. His breaking ball was his primary off-speed, living 72-75 mph. Weiss keeps his body under control throughout his delivery, helping him with his good command on the mound. He uses his lower half well with a nice leg drive and gets his hips through, guiding his backside. He pitched with confidence and stayed ahead of hitters most of the game. Hayden...

Tournaments | Story | 10/19/2026

PG Draft: Jupiter Draft Movers

Tyler Henninger

The WWBA World Championship remains one of the premier events on the draft calendar as all 30 major league organizations descend on Jupiter to evaluate some of the top talent in amateur baseball. The event serves as a pivotal checkpoint in the scouting process, giving established prospects an opportunity to further elevate their stock while lesser-known names have a chance to put themselves on the radar of various organizations. This year was no exception, as several players made strong impressions and positioned themselves for increased attention heading into the spring. With that being said, let’s dive into a few draft risers and sleepers who stood out in Jupiter. Calum Andersen (‘27,CAN) had his A stuff working today running the FB to 96 mph with a devastating horizontal SL at 85 mph that can break bats. Mixed in a late breaking 12/6 curveball at 78 mph that induces weak...

Tournaments | Story | 10/20/2026

Jupiter Recap: Stars Being Stars

Vincent Cervino

WWBA World Championship Notes: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 PG Draft: Jupiter Draft Movers With the 2026 WWBA World Championship in the rearview mirror, we're going to begin our breakdowns of 4 different subcategories, beginning today with the Stars Being Stars category. Most of the players below are household names or were teetering on the edge of such recognition, using Jupiter as their launching pad. From Perfect Game All-Americans to some serious helium names for the MLB Draft, the PG crew breaks them all down below. ‘27 Samir Mohammed (FL) racked up 11 Ks thru 5 IP on 75% strikes. FB lived 98-99, T100 w/ tons of ASR & life thru the zone. Hit 99 mph 10+ times incl his final pitch of the outing. Had his sharp vert CB on a string & faded the CHG effectively vs LHHs (clip). #LSU commit. @PG_Draft #WWBAWorlds @Florida_PG — Perfect Game Scout (@PG_Scouting)...

Tournaments | Story | 10/21/2026

Jupiter Recap: Uncommitted...For Now

Kyler Peterson

WWBA World Championship Notes: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 PG Draft: Jupiter Draft Movers | Jupiter: Stars Being Stars Gets your reads in now because by the time you reach the end, some of the talent in this article might be giving their commitments to a college somewhere across the country. Every player below did something that caught out scout's eye and should certainly be on the radar for college coaches, if they aren't already. Braxton Sykes (2028, Brunswick, Ga.) tossed a total of six innings down in Jupiter, collecting six strikeouts while failing to allow either a hit or earned run during his tenure on the mound. The 6-foot-2 right-hander showcased an impressive three-pitch mix with excellent feel to locate in every part of the strike zone. His fastball lived in the mid- to upper-80s mph range with more velocity to project for as Sykes continues to add strength and...

Tournaments | Story | 10/23/2026

Jupiter Recap: The Next Wave

Kyler Peterson

WWBA World Championship Notes: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 PG Draft: Jupiter Draft Movers | Jupiter: Stars Being Stars | Jupiter: Uncommitted...For Now | Jupiter: Breakout Prospects You don't have to look too hard into the future to see what the prep game has in store as the players below are already showing tools beyond their years. With a slew of 2028 and 2029 grads more than holding their own in Jupiter, the scene for the upcoming summer has already had some groundwork laid out for what should be an exciting couple of years to come. ‘28 Alan Zimmerman (FL) racked up 5 Ks w/ just 1 H allowed thru 3 shutout frames. Lived 89-90 T91 w/ lots of life thru the zone & some ASR. Dropped in a 12/6 breaker for Ks (clip). Projectable 6’3” mold. #Uncommitted @PG_Uncommitted #WWBAWorlds @Florida_PG https://t.co/KTDFpGK49y — Perfect Game Scout...

Loading more articles...

PERFECTGAME.TV

SPEND MORE. SAVE MORE.

Event Types

Special Events

Featured

Baseball Showcases

Player Rankings

DRAFT BOARD

Team Rankings

Travel Team Rankings

College Rankings

Softball Player Rankings

Top Ranked Players

PG Rawlings Preseason All American

Top Ranked Teams

Recruiting Menu

Event Results

PG EVENT CONTENT

HIGH SCHOOL CONTENT

MLB DRAFT CONTENT

COLLEGE CONTENT

RECENT ARTICLES

PG Alumni

NOTABLE MLB PLAYERS

About Perfect Game