THE WORLD'S LARGEST AND MOST COMPREHENSIVE SCOUTING ORGANIZATION
| 2,628 MLB PLAYERS | 16,400 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
2,628 MLB PLAYERS | 16,400 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
Tournaments  | Story | 5/27/2021

WWBA WMDC set to bring the heat

Photo: Jack Frankel (Perfect Game)

SURPRISE, Ariz. – It’s official, Perfect Game Baseball fans. The desert Southwest is definitely open for business and make no mistake, business will be booming over the upcoming Memorial Day holiday weekend in Phoenix’s West Valley of the Sun. And, as a PSA for those planning to attend, be sure to pack your sunscreen.

More than 120 teams from states in the most western third of the country will compete for championships in six age divisions during play Friday through Monday at the 2021 PG WWBA West Memorial Day Classic.



Competition will take place in the 18u (14 teams), 17u (18), 16u (26), 15u (15), 14u (36) and 13u (14) age groups. Games are slated to be played at two state-of-the-art MLB Cactus League Spring Training complexes in Surprise (Royals, Rangers) and Goodyear (Indians, Reds); several area high school fields will also be employed.

With close to 2,000 players expected to gather in the West Valley – where the daily high temperature is forecast to hover around 100 degrees throughout the event’s four-day run – it’ safe to say the competition will be heated at every turn.

And perhaps even more so than in years past after the 2020 version of the PG WWBA WMDC was cancelled by COVID-19, and with all of the older top prospects in attendance coming off their first high school seasons in two years. Simply put, these guys are going to be ready to get after it. Just based on the size of their fields, the 14u and 16u divisions promise to garner a lion’s share of the attention.

With 36 teams from top western state programs like the BPA, Canes, CBA, GBG, LVR, San Diego Show, So Cal Bombers, Top Tier and Trosky – among a host of others – just advancing to the 10-team, single-elimination playoffs at the 14u event presents a challenge.

There will certainly be star-power galore on display in this division, with 13 prospects from the class of 2025 ranked in the top-60 nationally.

It’s a group that includes MVP Hustle Black 2025 La Mirada, Calif., outfielder Travis Friend (No. 9-ranked); Top Tier Americans 2025 Anaheim, Calif., outfielder Josiah Hartshorn (No. 10); Canes West 2025 San Antonio catcher Masa Chilcutt (No. 17); Trosky National 2025 Mount Vernon, Wash., catcher Xavier Neyens (No. 19, Oregon State commit) and Canes West 2025 Murrieta, Calif., third baseman Vaughn Neckar (No. 20).

Another Canes West 2025 prospect to keep an eye on is Scottsdale outfielder Cam Caminiti (No. 24-ranked) who is rostered with the Canes West at both the 14u and 15u events.

The top prospect at the 16u WWBA WMDC is Phoenix 2023 right-hander/first baseman Grant Smith, who is ranked No. 37 nationally (No. 8 RHP). Scouts will have to be on their toes while trying to keep track of Smith, however, as he’s rostered with both the Canes West 2023 and the Canes Arizona 2023 Gold at the 16u WWBA WMDC and with the Canes Arizona 2023 Gold at the 17u WWBA WMDC.

The Phoenix-based 3D Gold program has put together a pair of powerhouse rosters that feature 14 top guys who occupy spots on both of its 17u and 18u teams. Heading that list of notables is 2023 outfielder/right-hander Duce Robinson (No. 60) out of Phoenix and ’23 right-hander/outfielder James DeCremer (No. 178, Oregon State) from Scottsdale in the East Valley.

Top 2022s playing in the 18u WWBA WMDC include Mill Creek, Wash., shortstop Dominic Hellman (No. 31, Oregon) for the Washington Rush and Las Vegas third baseman Demitri Diamant (No. 79, Georgia Tech) from 3D Gold.

And speaking of representation from the East Valley, the Scottsdale Dirtbags 2024 Black jump off the page as a formidable entrant at the 15u WWBA WMDC.

A trio of top 2024s in Plano, Texas right-hander/first baseman Jack Frankel (No. 11), Phoenix shortstop/utilityman Chris Newstrom (No. 12, Arizona State) and Red Oak, Okla., right-hander/corner-infielder Brex Caldwell (No. 73, Oklahoma State) lead the way and they know their way around the Perfect Game circuit. All three performed at the 2019 PG 13u Select Baseball Festival and Frankel and Newstrom returned for the 14u Select Festival in 2020.

As the PG 2021 summer tournament season officially opens over this much-anticipated Memorial Day Weekend, it’s impossible to not be excited about what the next several months will bring. The Valley of the Sun is definitely open for business and, yes, business will be booming.


Tournaments | Story | 9/17/2026

South Underclass Qualifier Scout Notes

Geoff Billock
Article Image
Cole Marquardt (2029, Montgomery, Texas) left no doubt this weekend as he came home with Tournament MVP honors for his work with Banditos 2028 Black. Went 7-10 with a double, a home run, a pair of triples, and the walk off single in the championship game. Projectable left-handed swing with plenty of tools to dream on. Bat to ball was on point all weekend and he had plenty of chances to show off an advanced run tool. Plenty to dream on moving forward. Callen Corley (2028, Houston, Texas) put together a stellar two-way performance for Houston Wildcatters Navy 2028. At the plate, he went 5-10 with a double, triple, and home run, driving in seven runs. Sinks into his lower half well and creates strong angles for leverage. Plenty of power upside remaining in that frame, to go along with the twitch already present. On the mound, Corley went four shutout innings, surrendering just one hit while...
Tournaments | Story | 9/16/2026

Midwest Labor Day Classic Scout Notes

Brayden Powell
Article Image
Ryan Jones (2027, Tinley Park, IL) was one of the most productive hitters of the weekend, collecting six hits, including three doubles and a home run, while driving in nine runs. The left-handed hitter consistently got the barrel out front and created hard contact throughout the event. Working from an open setup with high hands, he features a compact swing that allows him to get to the ball quickly. His hand speed stood out and helped him drive the baseball to multiple parts of the field. Jones showed a strong understanding of pitches he could handle and rarely missed opportunities to do damage. The swing remains efficient through the zone and produces carry off the barrel. His combination of consistent contact and extra-base impact made him a key offensive contributor all weekend. Uncommitted  JP Elbert (2027, Dubuque, IA) put together an impressive tournament, finishing with five...
Tournaments | Story | 9/16/2026

Southeast Qualifier #1 Scout Notes

Perfect Game Staff
Article Image
Walk. It. Off! ‘27 IF Drew Giles (GA) calls game here as he hammers a ball over the CF wall for a solo HR to win it in the bottom of the 7th. #FLQualifier pic.twitter.com/YrzspVZzUY — Perfect Game Florida (@Florida_PG) September 12, 2026 Drew Giles (2027, Brunswick, Ga.) took home MVP honors from the weekend after hitting .385 including a walkoff home run during pool play. Giles helped lead his Canes team to victory and did so with the bat. The swing is super short and simple and he gets immense jump off the barrel. It’s a level path through the zone but the blend of hit and power showed out all weekend for the MVP.  August Backman (2027, Venice, Fla.) had a solid weekend on both sides of the ball: hitting .333 over three games and also sitting 88-91 mph on the mound. Backman, a Florida commit who is nationally ranked, has a three pitch mix highlighted by a really...
College | Recruiting | 9/14/2026

Class of 2026 Recruiting Rankings

Perfect Game Staff
Article Image
Tournaments | Story | 9/14/2026

Coastal Fall Battle of the Carolinas Notes

Perfect Game Staff
Article Image
Deacon Hensley (2028, Zebulon, NC) stands at 6-foot-0, 165 pounds and is a left-handed hitting and throwing right fielder. Lean frame with good athleticism and additional strength likely to come with maturity. Compact swing with quick hands and good feel for the barrel. Relaxed setup with good bat speed through the zone. Good balance in the box with a direct path and solid contact skills. Hensley went 3-for-3, scoring three runs and hitting a double. Great day at the plate. Colt Funderburk (2027, Lancaster, SC) stands at 5-foot-10, 195 pounds with an athletic frame and present strength. Bats and throws left-handed. Physical hitter with a compact swing, good bat speed, and the ability to drive the ball with authority. Good pitch recognition with a disciplined approach. Quiet lower half with a controlled load and good balance. Funderburk went 2-for-4 with one double and two RBI. Cameron...
Press Release | Press Release | 9/14/2026

PG Athletes Raise North of $138,000 in August

Perfect Game Staff
Article Image
  667 Progress Way | Sanford, FL 32771 | 319-298-2923 www.perfectgame.org | facebook.com/perfectgameusa | @PerfectGameUSA     FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   PERFECT GAME ATHLETES RAISE OVER $138,000 FOR CHARITABLE PARTNERS THROUGHOUT MONTH OF AUGUST   Sanford, Florida (Monday, September 14, 2026) - Perfect Game, the world’s largest youth baseball and softball platform and scouting service, today announced that its August premier events raised a combined $138,422 for children's hospitals and charitable organizations, with 1,112 total supporters contributing across five showcases. Since 2016, Perfect Game athletes have raised over $1.8 million for various charitable causes and organizations. The annual fundraising initiative, which runs in conjunction with several of Perfect Game's marquee events each year, gives players, families and fans the opportunity to support...
College | Recruiting | 9/14/2026

Top 500 Fresh Arrivals on Campus

Article Image
It's that time of the year where the freshmen around the country start arriving on campus. Regardless of level, here are the top 500 names to make it to their school for the 2027 season.  Rank Name School High School City ST 1 Archer Horn Stanford St. Ignatius College Prep San Mateo CA 2 Noah Wilson Vanderbilt McCallie School Ooltewah TN 3 Logan Schmidt Louisiana State Ganesha Aliso Viejo CA 4 Blake Bowen Oregon State JSerra Catholic Riverside CA 5 Cole Koeninger Tennessee Keller Keller TX 6 Joseph Contreras Vanderbilt Blessed Trinity Cath Alpharetta GA 7 Bo Holloway Vanderbilt Nolensville Nolensville TN 8 James Clark Duke St. John Bosco Riverside CA 9 Malachi Washington Louisiana State Parkview Stone Mountain GA 10 Brady Harris Florida Trinity Christian Academy St. Augustine FL 11 Grayson Willoughby Kentucky Trinity Louisville KY 12 Jorvorskie Lane Jr. Arkansas Grapevine Fort Worth...
College | Rankings | 9/15/2026

Top Incoming Freshmen by Conference

Article Image
Every conference at the D1 level has impact talent coming onto campus this fall and below we will see who is where, looking for the next program difference maker. America East Conference Rank Name Pos School HS City ST 1 Charlie Firth RHP Bryant St. Martin's Ottawa ON 2 Ryan Moreschi OF Massachusetts at Lowell Austin Preparatory Peabody MA 3 Will Margolies LHP Bryant The Cheshire Academy Trumbull CT 4 Dylan Zammit RHP New Jersey Tech Holmdel Holmdel NJ 5 Kam Street RHP New Jersey Tech Ocean City Brigantine NJ 6 Donald Lloyd C New Jersey Tech St. Augustine Preparatory Millville NJ 7 Jack Curtis 3B Maine Kingsmen Baseball Academy Castle Creek NY 8 Jacob Veloz OF Maine Mount St Charles Academy Lincoln RI 9 Nolan Gillis RHP Bryant Kimball Union Academy Surry NH 10 Chase McLaughlin 3B UMBC Northeast Pasadena MD 11 Matthew Chirumbolo RHP Maine Salisbury Harwinton CT 12 Tobey Bajda RHP Bryant...
Juco | Rankings | 9/16/2026

JUCO: Top Incoming Freshmen

Article Image
With another spring quickly approaching, let's take a look at some of the new faces arriving on campus who could make an immediate impact during their first year in college.  Rank Name Pos School HS City ST 1 Deion Cole OF State College of Florida Etowah Acworth GA 2 Brady Stewart SS Johnson County CC St. Thomas Aquinas Overland Park KS 3 Carter (Cj) Lake RHP John A. Logan College Oakville Sr. St. Louis MO 4 Cooper Leggett RHP Crowder College Owasso Bixby OK 5 Luke Tucker SS McLennan CC Krum Krum TX 6 Kail Peña SS St. Petersburg College Christian Military Academy Caguas PR 7 Ashten Ballew SS Galveston College Katy Katy TX 8 Cale Fossett 3B Kansas City Kansas CC Shawnee Mission South Roeland Park KS 9 Jack Petroff 3B Arizona Western College Sunnyslope Phoenix AZ 10 Jack Beck SS Walters State CC Columbia Central Columbia TN 11 Dawsyn Anderson RHP Lower Columbia College North...
Draft | Story | 9/11/2026

PG Draft: Potential Risers Into Top 50

Michael Albee
Article Image
We are in the early stages of the 2027 cycle and there is still plenty of time for players to make significant jumps up the board. While our current Top-100 provides an early look at the class, several players just outside that group have the upside to make a run at becoming Top-50 pick by next July. With that in mind, each member of the draft team each selected one college player and one prep player they believe could make the jump into the Top-50 over the course of the spring. These are the names to keep an eye on as the 2027 draft picture continues to develop. Joey’s Picks:   Jake Cueto (27 FL) goes oppo 💣 on a mid-90s LonL heater. Performing at a very high level, hitting .464 with 5 homers. Excellent hit/run combo and here comes the juice! #PGHS #Miami commit @Florida_PG pic.twitter.com/g4gtml81mm — Perfect Game Scout (@PG_Scouting) April 1, 2026 Prep: OF, Jake...
Loading more articles...