THE WORLD'S LARGEST AND MOST COMPREHENSIVE SCOUTING ORGANIZATION
| 2,384 MLB PLAYERS | 15,804 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
2,384 MLB PLAYERS | 15,804 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
Create Account
Sign in Create Account
High School  | General | 5/18/2021

Summer Preview: 2022 LHP

Jered Goodwin
Photo: Jackson Ferris (Perfect Game)
As high school baseball is starting to get going across the country in most regions, with some states actually heading into the playoffs, it all means the summer circuit is right around the corner. Over the past several weeks we have taken a look at the top-ranked players at each position, in each class, while also taking a look at some gut-feel players that could be big risers. With players having more access to individual development, things will undoubtably change at a rapid pace in the early months of the Perfect Game schedule. This provides a good look at some of the top performers coming into 2021 who look primed to continue dominance or make their mark on a national level. 

Class of 2022: Catchers | Corner Infield | Middle Infield | Outfielders | RHP
Class of 2023: Catchers | Corner Infield | Middle Infield | Outfielders | RHP
Class of 2024: Catchers | Corner Infield | Middle Infield | Outfielders | RHP
Class of 2025: Catchers | Corner Infield | Middle Infield | Outfielders | RHP




Jackson Ferris (N.C.)
 6-4/190 L/L
Commitment: Ole Miss
PG Events: 23
Key Stats: 66 1/3 innings pitched, 90 strikeouts, 1.12 WHIP

Short Story: The blend of projection, current pitchability, and firm stuff puts Ferris at the forefront of the 2022 class heading into summer. He has built a resume over the last 18 months that few can match. The velocity has steadily risen in to the mid-90s and there has been no drop off in command.

Big Moment: During the playoffs at the 16U WWBA he threw five innings and struck out seven against an absolutely loaded lineup. It wasn't the firm stuff, or the outcome, it was the environment. An absolutely packed house with high emotions from everyone in the complex, except Ferris. He was cool, calm, and collected on his way to throwing a gem.

Bold Prediction: The body continues to fill out and a slow heartbeat makes his outings boring, in the best way possible as there is no offense to speak of from opposing lineups.


Brandon Barriera (Fla.)
 6-1/170 L/L
Commitment: Vanderbilt
PG Events: 24
Key Stats: 82 innings pitched, 125 strikeouts, 1.02 WHIP

Short Story: At 6-foot-1, Barriera is a bit undersized, but don’t tell him that. The way he goes at hitters makes him seem like he is the biggest player on the field. He attacks with a low-90s fastball that has late cut and very similar action on the changeup. The breaking ball has the potential to be a true swing-and-miss offering and he is fearless when using the pitch. It's just a tough, nothing straight, repertoire.

Big Moment: The 15U WWBA in 2019 was the real coming out party. He threw 9+ innings over two outings and struck out 18 hitters. Completely dominant, running the heater up to 93 mph and using his three-pitch mix to torment hitters.

Bold Prediction: The swing-and-miss continues to add up and he has a full summer on the circuit after sprinkles of dominance last summer due to the pandemic.


Tristan Smith (S.C)
 6-2/200 R/L
Commitment: Clemson
PG Events: 14
Key Stats: 47 1/3 innings pitched, 79 strikeouts, 1.25 WHIP

Short Story: You could argue that Smith has the best pure arm speed in the ’22 class. The stuff is simply electric, with a mid-90s fastball and power breaker. When he gets going and repeats his delivery/release it is exciting to watch him work.

Big Moment: At the 2020 16U National Elite Championship he ran his fastball up to 95 and threw both his slider and changeup in the mid-80s on his way to a five-inning, 11-strikeout performance.

Bold Prediction: Smith starts to control his loud arsenal and strings together a summer of dominance that few arms in any class are capable of matching.


Noah Schultz (Ill.)
 6-9/220 L/L
Commitment: Vanderbilt
PG Events: 8
Key Stats: 18 2/3 innings pitched, 24 strikeouts, 1.39 WHIP

Short Story: Schultz possesses the most physical projection in the class and already sports a heater in the low-90s. Every time we see him he seems to make strides in command and stuff. Nothing would surprise this summer as he has seemingly endless potential.

Big Moment: At the 2020 PG Junior National Schultz threw at 8 am and brought some of the best stuff of the event. It was funky, loud, deceptive, and spectacular to scout. He gave virtually zero chance for hitters to find a barrel. It was a sign of things to come as his summer stayed on par with that performance

Bold Prediction: Added strength helps him truly repeat, allowing him to go deep in outings and build on a strong 2020. The velocity is going to come and doesn’t need to be rushed, the stuff is coming.


Robby Snelling (Nev.)
 6-3/210 R/L
Uncommitted
PG Events: 5
Key Stats: 21 innings pitched, 40 strikeouts, 0.62 WHIP

Short Story: As a star football player, he is one of the best athletes of any arm in the ’22 class. He is a hard hitter on the gridiron and brings the same intensity and attacking personality to the mound. The low-90s fastball could easily turn into mid- to upper-90s soon. He attacks and never lets up.

Big Moment: The seven innings and 14 strikeouts to just one walk at the 2020 PG Fall National Championship Protected by G-Form was a “hello” moment for the powerful lefty. The impressive part was the command he showed in both outings.

Bold Prediction: Snelling shows up and shows his talent on a National stage becoming a star on the biggest platforms.


Trenton Shaw (Texas)
 6-4/230 L/L
Commitment: Oklahoma State
PG Events: 26
Key Stats: 43 innings pitched, 65 strikeouts, 1.33 WHIP

Short Story: The low-90s fastball and angle he gets with long arms and big extension make the ball jump on hitters quickly. He misses barrels at the top of the zone with plenty of carry. The breaking ball has big shape and continues to develop. His strong frame gives him a great workhorse-type durable profile.

Big Moment: Shaw missed platy of bats a the 16U South World Series as he struck out 11 in just 4+ innings. He is ultra-competitive when he grabs the rock, but it should be noted he has monster power as a left-handed hitter too.

Bold Prediction: The command takes a step forward to match the stuff. He combines a power profile on both sides of the ball and the development comes full circle.


Zach Crotchfelt (N.J.)
 6-3/210 L/L
Commitment: Auburn
PG Events: 21
Key Stats: 26 2/3 innings pitched, 43 strikeouts, 1.61 WHIP

Short Story: This is a physical frame and the velocity comes very easy. He is a solid athlete and the overall stuff racks up swing-and-miss. Both off-speed offerings show real potential with the slider showing late bite.

Big Moment: The WWBA World Championship was a good sign of his capabilities. He threw three innings notching six strikeouts over two outings. There is no question the pressure he can put on opposing hitters.

Bold Prediction: The consistency shows up. He has flashed the ceiling in the past but this is the summer where it shows up every time he jogs to the mound.

Oliver Santos (Calif.)
 6-4/210 R/L
Commitment: Duke
PG Events: 26
Key Stats: 60 innings pitched, 82 strikeouts, 1.18 WHIP

Short Story: The velocity hasn’t popped yet, but there is little question about the fastball command and competitiveness of Santos. He can pitch to contact or move the heater around to get high-pressure strikeouts.

Big Moment: Santos has always been good and he's been a very consistent performer over the years. Lets go with his last outing at a Perfect Game event, the 2020 WWBA World Championship, where he threw a complete game two-hit masterpiece where he struck out an eye-popping 14 hitters. A huge outing against older competition.

Bold Prediction: The velocity pops and the breaking ball takes a step forward. He is a very good athlete with two-way potential, but the upside on the mound is too much to ignore.


JD Thompson (Texas)
 6-0/185 R/L
Commitment: Vanderbilt
PG Events: 21
Key Stats: 44 2/3 innings pitched, 69 strikeouts, 1.12 WHIP

Short Story: Thompson sits around 90 mph with his fastball and uses his slider/changeup combination that plays off his fastball in a big way. He has a compact delivery and quick arm to go with his confident pitch sequencing.

Big Moment: Another WWBA World Championship standout performer. Thompson struck out 12 hitters during his two outings and did not blink at any older hitter that came to the plate.

Bold Prediction: With a slender frame, all eyes will be on his ability to hold his stuff deep into outings. The athleticism takes over and he proves it on big platforms during the summer.


Bradley Hodges (Fla.)
 6-1/180 L/L
Commitment: Virginia
PG Events: 18
Key Stats: 72 innings pitched, 98 strikeouts, 1.00 whip

Short Story: Another slightly undersized lefty like Thompson, Hodges has similar polish and swing-and-miss capabilities. He has been up to the low-90s and gets an uncanny amount of misses with the fastball. The tight curveball gives him two potential above average pitches.

Big Moment: On a big stage at the 2020 PG 16U World Series, Hodges was a star. He threw against a Final Four WWBA lineup and diced them for eight strikeouts during his five innings. The hammer breaking ball was the big takeaway after the outing.

Bold Prediction: Another good hitter, the lefty will again take a two-way role. The short arm action and jump out of the hand will still be invisible to opposing hitters.

Gut Feel
Jamie Arnold (Fla.)
 6-2/172 L/L
Arnold has shown flashes of dominance during his outings on the biggest stages. This spring he made huge strides in all phases. The next step will be developing as a starter and proving his arsenal can hold up while flipping a lineup a couple times. The bet is that it can.

Benjamin Abeldt (Texas)
 6-3/190 R/L
The lefty has all the traits to be a front-end starter and the physical projection that one looks for. He has a clean and fluid operation that typically hits big when it fills out. It seems like a matter of time before it pops big.

Drew Nelson (Ala.)
 6-0/190 L/L
One of the more competitive lefties in the class with a long history of, “give me the ball and watch this” type of a resume. We have seen guys like Nelson before and there is no way he will slow down.

Kyle McCoy (N.J.)
 6-5/180 L/L
McCoy’s outing at the 2020 PG Underclass proved he can make hitters look as uncomfortable as any arm on the circuit. Three pitches that tunnel from a tough slot will typically do that to even the best hitters.

Griffin Herring (Texas)
 6-2/188 R/L
Another arm that has never dodged competition. His big game performances started as a freshman where he seemed to invite the challenge of the top teams on the schedule. The deception combined by his command are extremely attractive.

Julien Hachem (Ill.)
 6-8/235 R/L
This is an exciting follow with his pure size and upside. There is a physical presence that cannot be ignored and it brings some very tough angles that are extremely tough to match.

Brennan Phillips (Okla.)
 6-1/170 L/L
Phillips can spin the ball. Everything is heavy and it plays up in a big way. The development of the quality of strikes will have to improve, but make no mistake, the ability to collect some swords will be on full display when he toes the rubber.

Cade Fisher (Ga.)
 6-4/187 L/L
The whole operation is smooth and fluid. The arm stroke and release are clean and he has the feel of three pitches that are released from the same slot. The zeros can hang quickly.

Brett Barfield (Ga.)
 6-0/193 R/L
Lefties that have a breaking ball like Barfield will get every chance to produce. The reports on the fastball velocity and quality from this spring make the whole canvas pretty complete heading into summer. 

Alex Walsh (Fla.)
6-4/180 L/L
When Walsh gets going there are some shaking helmets heading back to the dugout after some brutal at-bats. The velocity has not shown up yet, but it is coming. His ability to manipulate the ball is outstanding and the body is insane to dream on.
Give us your feedback
High School | General | 2/5/2026

Georgia Region Top Teams
Tyler Russo
Article Image
Georgia All Region Team & Top Tools Rk School Record 1 Etowah 34-4 2 Blessed Trinity 34-9 3 Parkview 26-11 4 Houston County 33-7 5 Lowndes 28-13 6 Walton 34-8 7 Buford 25-9 8 Pope 31-5 9 North Cobb Christian 24-11-1 10 Harrison 23-14 11 Newnan 32-5 12 North Paulding 28-10 13 Marist 30-7 14 Cartersville 32-10 15 Denmark 19-14 16 North Oconee 27-8 17 Loganville 29-8 18 Morgan County 32-10 19 North Gwinnett 35-5 20 Carrollton 23-12 21 Troup County 32-9 22 Hillgrove 21-13 23 River Ridge 25-15 24 Pickens 32-7 25 McEachern 24-8
Read More
High School | General | 2/5/2026

Georgia HS All Region & Top Tools

David Rawnsley
Article Image
Georgia has its usual depth of high-level athletes and Perfect Game All-Americans, although three 2027 players did make the All-Region team.  There are an unusual number of two-way prospects among the All-Region players, a testament to the big arms that the state has right now. Two Georgia high schools are ranked in the top 10 of the PG Pre-Season High School Top 50 rankings and the Georgia high school ranks are annually among the most competitive in the country.  Etowah is the highest ranked team at 5th overall, while Blessed Trinity Catholic checks in at 8th.  Parkview is the only other Georgia team in the top 50, holding down the 34th spot.   OF-RHP Dexter McCleon Jr will be fixture on the Georgia All-Region team for the next two years but the top ranked prospect in the 2028 class will have to take a back seat to his elders this year.  McCleon’s absurd...
Read More
High School | Rankings | 2/4/2026

Florida Region Top Teams

Tyler Russo
Article Image
Florida All Region Team & Top Tools   Rk School Record 1 Stoneman Douglas 31-2 2 Tampa Jesuit 25-10 3 Trinity Christian Academy 30-5 4 South Walton 31-4 5 IMG Academy 24-1 6 Venice 29-5 7 Bishop Verot 32-3 8 American Heritage (Plantation) 29-6 9 St. Thomas Aquinas 29-6-1 10 Doral Academy Charter 27-8-1 11 North Broward Prep 23-8 12 Lincoln 24-11 13 Mater Academy 25-9-1 14 The First Academy 30-4 15 Alonso 21-13 16 St. John's Country Day 26-9 17 Bishop Snyder 23-8 18 Spruce Creek 30-4 19 Buchholz 33-3 20 Lake Mary 15-15 21 Miami Springs 28-3 22 Jupiter 25-10 23 Plant City 16-12 24 Berkeley Prep 25-10 25 Winter Park 25-6
Read More
College | Story | 2/4/2026

Conference Preview: Northeast

Jason Phillips
Article Image
2026 College Preview Index | Preseason Top 25 | Preseason Collegiate All-Americans For all of Perfect Game's conference previews as part of the 2026 college baseball preview content, the 2025 records and all-conference teams are available for free. The conference top prospects and individual team breakdowns can be viewed with a subscription. 2025 Records Teams are listed in alphabetical order* Team W L W L CCSU 23 7 31 17 Coppin State 13 17 15 34 Delaware State 6 24 7 34 FDU 16 14 16 37 LeMoyne 17 13 20 28 LIU 24 6 35 23 UMES 6 24 7 41 Mercyhurst 15 15 17 35 New Haven* 12 12 24 20 Norfolk State 4 26 4 38 Stonehill 18 12 20 32 Wagner 23 7 31 22 *Member Northeast-10 DII Preseason All Conference Team Pos. Name School Stats/Notes C Frankie Ferrentino CCSU .281-13-35, 9 2Bs, (Merrimack), Double digit HR all 3 years at Merrimack 1B Jayden Walker Mercyhurst .314-12-40, 10...
Read More
Press Release | Press Release | 2/4/2026

Baseball Meets Hollywood For Great Cause

Jim Salisbury
Article Image
BASEBALL MEETS HOLLYWOOD FOR A GREAT CAUSE    There’s no crying in baseball, but there is laughing, and there was lots and lots of it -- for a great cause -- last Saturday night in Hollywood, California. Perfect Game and its Believe in Baseball Foundation assembled a star-studded cast of comics and guests for the inaugural “In the Spirit of the Game” dinner and auction. The event was held at the iconic Laugh Factory, a historic venue that, in baseball terms, would be equivalent to Dodger Stadium or Wrigley Field. Late-night superstar Jay Leno took a turn on stage. So did comedic aces Tiffany Haddish, Nikki Glaser, Dustin Ybarra and Gary Cannon. “It was 4 ½ hours of straight laughter,” said PG commissioner Dennis Gilbert, still beaming a couple of days later. “It was a really nice success.” No one kept score at the event, but...
Read More
College | Story | 2/5/2026

Conference Preview: Western Athletic

Scott Rankin
Article Image
2026 College Preview Index | Preseason Top 25 | Preseason Collegiate All-Americans For all of Perfect Game's conference previews as part of the 2026 college baseball preview content, the 2025 records and all-conference teams are available for free. The conference top prospects and individual team breakdowns can be viewed with a subscription. 2025 Records Teams are listed in alphabetical order* Team W L W L Abilene Christian 34 23 15 9 Cal Baptist 30 27 12 12 Sacramento State 32 26 15 9 Tarleton State 24 32 12 12 UT Arlington 21 33 11 13 Utah Tech 24 31  9 15 Utah Valley 29 29 13 11 Preseason All-Conference Team Pos. Name School Stats/Notes C Mason Strong Utah Valley 1st team All-WAC in ‘25 hitting .366 and leading the conference in hits.  Also hit 11 Home Runs 1B Grant Watkins Abilene Christian .292 with 14 Home Runs and drove in 48 runs in...
Read More
High School | General | 2/4/2026

West Region High School Sleepers

Joey Cohen
Article Image
Talking and debating sleeper prospects might be my favorite part of scouting. It’s where context, projection, and conviction matter most—whether it’s an underrated performer who keeps producing on the circuit, a raw but explosive athlete you can dream on, or an arm with starter traits that hasn’t quite made the stuff jump yet. These are the players who tend to separate evaluators, reward patience, and make the spring HS season really fascinating. Below are several West Region prospects outside the T100 who fit that mold and deserve serious attention as the spring unfolds. Jet Berry, Queen Creek HS, Arizona There’s a lot to like with Berry. He’s one of the more explosive, twitchy athletes in the country, and it shows consistently in all facets of his game. From a tools perspective his easy plus run and bat-to-ball ability stand out. He’s been a...
Read More
College | Rankings | 2/4/2026

Preseason NAIA Top 25

Nick Herfordt
Article Image
The 2026 NAIA Baseball Rankings arrive with the familiar weight of expectations and a few fresh storylines that make the new season feel electric from top to bottom. At the very front of the pack, perennial power Tennessee Wesleyan stands tall once again, a program that has turned sustained excellence into something bordering on routine. The Bulldogs are not just ranked highly, they set the tone. Year after year, they combine elite talent, veteran leadership, and a culture that refuses to blink under pressure. It says everything about the depth of this year’s field that it was genuinely difficult not to slide LSU Shreveport back into the top spot yet again. After all, how in the world does a team stay that good after losing so many impact players? The answer is simple and timeless. Success breeds success. Programs that live in championship air know how to reload, not reset, and...
Read More
College | Story | 2/6/2026

Conference Preview: Missouri Valley

Blaine Peterson
Article Image
2026 College Preview Index | Preseason Top 25 | Preseason Collegiate All-Americans For all of Perfect Game's conference previews as part of the 2026 college baseball preview content, the 2025 records and all-conference teams are available for free. The conference top prospects and individual team breakdowns can be viewed with a subscription. 2025 Records Teams are listed in alphabetical order* School W L W L Belmont 26 34 13 14 Bradley 16 35 12 15 Evansville 17 37 10 17 Illinois-Chicago 22 33 16 11 Illinois State 28 28 15 12 Indiana State 24 31 12 15 Murray State 44 17 17 8 Southern Illinois 37 20 16 11 Valparaiso 10 40 5 22 Preseason All-Conference Team  Pos. Name School Stats/Notes C Ryan Bakes Illinois State Talented transfer to the MVC this season. Standout performer in the Northwoods League over the summer hitting .313 with 4 HR, 8 XBH and 24/18 BB/K. 1B...
Read More
College | Story | 2/3/2026

Conference Preview: Patriot

Anthony Gambardella
Article Image
2026 College Preview Index | Preseason Top 25 | Preseason Collegiate All-Americans For all of Perfect Game's conference previews as part of the 2026 college baseball preview content, the 2025 records and all-conference teams are available for free. The conference top prospects and individual team breakdowns can be viewed with a subscription. 2025 Records Teams are listed in alphabetical order*  Team W L W L Army West Point 25 25 14 11 Bucknell 18 27 10 15 Holy Cross 31 27 17 8 Lafayette 14 35 9 16 Lehigh 24 26 11 14 Navy 26 25 14 11 Preseason All Conference Team Pos.  Name  School  Stats/Notes  C  Ty Deperno  Navy  Named PL Rookie of the Year & to 2nd Team All-PL in ‘25; batted .307 w/ 33 runs & 32 RBI  IF  Thomas Schreck  Army West Point  Named to 1st Team All-PL in ‘25; batted .335 w/ 40...
Read More
Loading more articles...
About Perfect Game :: Contact us :: Terms of Use :: Privacy Policy :: Testimonials :: Job Opportunities
Copyright 1994-2026 by Perfect Game. All rights reserved. No portion of this information may be reprinted or reproduced without the written consent of Perfect Game.