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Tournaments  | Story | 6/3/2021

Winter Work Fueling Success For Knaak

Photo: Aidan Knaak (Knaak family)
Throughout the winter offseason, Aidan Knaak had one goal on his mind: an invite to the 2021 Perfect Game Jr. National Showcase. To do so, he knew he had to work.
 
Knaak, a right-handed pitcher in the 2023 class, believes he’s always had command of his arsenal of four pitches. The Fort Myers, Fla. native put out a stellar performance at the 2020 National Underclass Showcase-Main Event in December, locating his stuff and shutting down some of the top bats in his class. However, Knaak’s fastball topped out at 84 mph and sat in the low-80s. To get his invite, Knaak began to grind to build velocity.
 
“Velocity has been a big part of this offseason for me,” Knaak said. “Locating has never really been an issue, but I needed to get some extra velo behind my pitches.”
 
On his quest for more miles per hour, Knaak, who ranks on the High Follow list by Perfect Game, started to go to Randy Sullivan’s Florida Baseball ARMory. The ARMory, which specializes in young pitchers building velocity on their fastballs, trains many of the Gulf Coast’s top talents, along with major leaguers such as Jake Odorizzi, Jamison Taillon and Justin Verlander. At the ARMory, Knaak got into weightlifting, focusing on deadlift and split squats to build power behind his delivery. In doing so, Knaak says he has put on 10-15 pounds in the past five months.
 
On top of his budding strength, Knaak has also continued to grow. Knaak’s father, Robert, says that the 16-year-old has gained two inches over the last few months. He now stands at 5-foot-11 and has filled more into his frame, weighing in at 170 pounds.
 
“He’s always been a good pitcher in terms of his delivery and off-speed stuff,” Robert said. “But the work he’s put in with the ARMory has really taken his game to the next level.”
 
As the summer season began, Aidan was determined to display his new skills. Participating in the 2021 Sunshine East Showcase, his fastball climbed as high as 89 mph and now sat in the high-80s. Knaak was named to the Showcase’s Top Prospect List amongst many of the region’s highest talents for his performance. Going into his first competitive tournament of the summer, the 2021 PG 16u East Memorial Day Classic, Knaak focused on building off his strong showing.
 
“I was feeling good and feeling confident,” Knaak said. “I was locating well and starting to break hitters down and just focused on doing that.”
 
At the East Memorial Day Classic, Knaak looked as dominant as he’d ever been. Playing for the Florida Burn 2023, Knaak started the team’s first game on Saturday, May 29, against Victus Elite Fl. He only threw two innings but fanned six batters, recording every out via strikeout and only allowing one hit and no walks in the process. Knaak then took the bump against the X Team 2023 in the tournament’s quarterfinals and continued his command of opposing batters. Hurling five shutout innings, Knaak struck out six more batters, allowing just one hit and one walk, with a fastball ranging from 85-89 mph. Despite the Burn losing in the championship game, Knaak took home MV-Pitcher honors, which he was truly honored to receive.
 
“I felt like my hard work paid off,” Knaak said. “I worked really hard over the past five months, and I was starting to get recognized for it.”
 
While Knaak’s increased velocity has undoubtedly enhanced his performance on the mound, he contributes a lot of his success to his off-speed pitches. Knaak throws a curveball, slider and changeup, which all range from the low- to mid-70s. However, Knaak made use of this past year’s shutdown to develop a new pitch, a splitter, which he says was a critical factor in putting away hitters last weekend at the East Memorial.
 
“I had a lot of free time during quarantine, so I decided to develop this new pitch,” Knaak said. “I was already able to locate my other pitches, so I was like, ‘why not have another pitch?’ I think it gives me a bigger advantage over hitters too.”
 
Despite his new notoriety, Knaak is currently uncommitted. However, with the NCAA baseball recruiting period opening up on June 8, college coaches will likely come seeking Knaak’s elite velocity and breaking ball.
 
Since setting those goals in December, Knaak has receiving an invite to the 2021 Jr. National Showcase, which takes place at the East Cobb Complex in Marietta, Ga., from June 12-16, where he will get a chance to be seen by more programs and scouts.
 
“We’re really excited about him getting to play against good competition,” Robert said. “It will be really good for him to compete against elite talent.”
 
Knowing the recent precedent he’s set in Perfect Game events, Aidan wants to continue to make a name for himself and showcase his growing abilities.
 
“Playing in the [East Memorial Day] Classic was a great experience,” Knaak said. “Pitching well in an event like that, I now need to really prove to myself and everyone else that I can continue to do what I know I can do.”

Tournaments | Story | 5/31/2026

Blalock's Consistency Shines in Hoover

Kinley Kitchens
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Blalock’s Consistency Continues to Shine at Hoover Invitational While many players his age are still learning how to handle the spotlight, Tristan Blalock has already become accustomed to it. The Madison, Alabama Native entered the 2026 Perfect Game Hoover Invitational as one of the most highly regarded players in the country, carrying a national ranking of No. 23 overall in the 2029 class and the distinction of being Alabama’s top ranked player. Yet despite the attention and high approval, Blalock’s approach remains remarkably simple.  “Just 100% effort,” Blalock said when asked about his defensive mindset. “Going out there every single time and giving it my all, do or die, no matter what the play is.” That mentality was on display Saturday as Blalock helped lead East Coast Sox Prime to a 14-0 victory over EBC 15U-Bell. Although the...
Tournaments | Story | 5/30/2026

WWBA South Scout Notes: Days 1-2

Perfect Game Staff
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Jarrett Pierson (2027, Spring, Texas) was sharp in his start on Thursday. Went four hitless, surrendering just one walk, and punching out seven. Fastball was consistently 81-83 with a low approach angle to let him beat up the top of the zone with carry. Really strong feel for both the slider and change. Filled up the zone with a 70% strike rate. Closed, downhill delivery made it a really tough look for opposing hitters. Substantial amount of room in the frame for him to tick up in the future. One of the more fun watches to start the tournament. Landon Martinez (2027, Spring, Texas) has put on a display to start the tournament. 3-7 at this point, with a double, a walk off home run, and driving in two. The Stanford commit is one of the most tooled up players in this event, and he has been putting each of those on display throughout the opening two days. Super fluid mover, a high level...
Tournaments | Story | 5/30/2026

Southeast Elite Scout Notes: Days 1-2

Perfect Game Staff
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And here’s a look at the top of the class strength from ‘27 grad Sullivan Reed, this one going halfway up the trees to dead center…. @HailStateBB Commit #SEElite https://t.co/YvdrbS3bcL pic.twitter.com/qBzoOapJzJ — Perfect Game Georgia (@PG_Georgia) May 29, 2026 Sullivan Reed (2027, Meridian, Miss.) has put together some monster swings in his first PG event of the summer, just picking up right where he left off last summer. The ultra-physical 6-foot-2, 220-pound corner infielder has top of the scale power and showed it on Friday afternoon, going into the trees above the batter’s eye on field one. He’s as good of a power bat as you’ll find across the country that continues to put up gaudy numbers. The Mississippi State commit is currently hitting .667 across two games with a pair of doubles as well.  ‘27 C CJ Wall (GA) just absolutely...
Tournaments | Story | 5/29/2026

AZ Summer Kick Off Set to Begin

Perfect Game Staff
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As another competitive weekend approaches on the Perfect Game circuit, teams from across the region are preparing to battle for championships, rankings, and momentum heading into the summer season. The event is expected to bring a high level of talent, energy, and competitive baseball all weekend long. Coming into the tournament, Biscuits Elite holds a record of 17-7-0 and has been showing strength in their hitting and their bullpen. The team will look to carry momentum from their recent performances into bracket play as they compete for a championship run. Whether it’s strong pitching depth, explosive offense, or tough defensive plays, several teams in the field can make noise this weekend. Matchups against teams like Biscuits Elite and Canes AZ 2027 could end up being some of the most competitive games of the tournament. Players to watch for this tournament include JJ Utash, a...
Tournaments | Story | 5/28/2026

14u Windy City Classic Scout Notes

Donovan May
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’30 Kingston Dumes (IN) barrels a line drive up the middle. Strong, physical athlete with bat speed. Does a nice job staying in the lower half with quick hands through contact. PG High Follow. #ILMemorial @PG_OhioValley pic.twitter.com/LfQ6T9WqZn — Perfect Game Illinois (@PG_Illinois) May 23, 2026 Kingston Dumes (2030, Indianapolis, Ind.) put together a solid performance for Filthy Ellis this past Memorial Day weekend. The physical 6-foot-3, 225-pound right-handed prospect displayed present bat speed with strength in the swing, finishing with a .500 average across three games while collecting three hits and driving in two runs. He also showed intriguing upside on the mound, running his fastball up to 79 mph while mixing in a slider and changeup. Currently a PG High Follow and the No. 2-ranked player in Indiana, Dumes remains one of the more projectable long-term profiles in...
Tournaments | Story | 5/28/2026

BCS Qualifier Event Preview

Alyssa Golden
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The sixth annual Perfect Game BCS Qualifier will bring nearly 60 teams from across the region to Fort Myers, Florida from May 29-June 1 as programs battle for championship titles and coveted bids to the BCS National Championship tournament.   Shortstop Jayden Portes will be the highest-ranked player in attendance. Ranked No. 45 nationally, Portes enters the event as one of the premier young prospects to watch and will look to continue building on an already impressive resume. The Fort Myers native will compete in his hometown in the 14U division as a member of CBU North Nation Alpha. At 5-foot-8, 145 pounds, Portes is the No. 1 ranked shortstop in Florida and the No. 7 player overall in the state.   Portes brings an impressive blend of athleticism and offensive ability, highlighted by an 86 mph exit velocity and 78 mph infield velocity. This season, he has posted a...
Tournaments | Story | 5/28/2026

Hoover Invitational Set to Kick Off

Kinley Kitchens
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The 4th annual Hoover Invitational is set to bring another loaded weekend of travel baseball to Hoover, Alabama, as more than 120 teams from across the Southeast will compete from May 28 through June 1. With talent spread across all four age divisions, the event continues to establish itself as one of the premier early-summer tournaments in the region. The tournament will feature 22 teams in the 14U division, 36 teams in 15U, 34 teams in 16U, and 28 teams in 17U play. Several nationally ranked prospects and highly competitive organizations are expected to make noise throughout the weekend, with many players already drawing significant attention on the recruiting and showcase circuits. The 14U division enters its second year as part of the event and will feature several intriguing young prospects. Birmingham Stars infielder Caden Kappler headlines the group as the No. 110 ranked player...
High School | General | 5/28/2026

Ohio Valley High School Notebook

Jordan Gates
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‘27 LHP Max Phillips (@TrinityHSBBall) settled in after a busy 1st frame. FB lived 87-89/90 & flashed 91 (3x) during his 4 innings. Sweeper @ 76-79 ~2400 rpm was a constant & flipped for Ks. CH (82-84) missed a lot of bats. Immense two-way upside for the top ranked player in the… pic.twitter.com/Vly2ebwxTU — Perfect Game Ohio Valley (@PG_OhioValley) May 15, 2026 Max Phillips, 2027, LHP/OF, Trinity (KY) checks in as the number one player in the Kentucky class in the most recent update. It’s easy to see why as he has arguably the highest ceiling in the class, both on the mound and as a bat. In my look, a few backs, Phillips got the start on the mound during his team’s last regular season game. The Wake Forest commit in four innings, saw his FB up to 91 a handful of times, while living 87-89 for the majority. The changeup sat in the low 80s while he...
Tournaments | Story | 5/28/2026

PG SE Elite Championship Preview

Will Dembo
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More than 100 of the Southeast’s top teams across the 13u-18u age groups will travel to East Cobb this weekend with hopes of showcasing their talents and competing for a championship in the PG Southeast Elite Championship. This premier event will get underway on Thursday, April 28th with each division battling through bracket play before eventually crowning a champion on Monday, June 1st. 13u will host 17 teams including two nationally ranked squads in a silver and gold bracket setting for the major draw. Amongst the notable clubs are the East Cobb Astros who enter the weekend ranked No. 8 in the country as well as the West Boca Panthers White (No. 53) who will be traveling from Boca Raton, Florida in hopes of winning their second Perfect Game tournament in a row. The 14u division is loaded with talented rosters as seven of the 28 teams are in the top 100 rankings for their age,...
Tournaments | Championship | 5/28/2026

ZT Doubles Up at Best of the Best

Hannah Jo Groves
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ZT Run-Rules for First-Ever 14u Best of the Best Championship The 14U ZT National Prospects sealed their title as the Best of the Best in a run-rule, 10-2 victory over East Cobb Astros 14U. The championship game was played on the A-Quad of Boombah Sports Complex in Sanford, Florida. After a long, hot weekend, there was some relieving cloud coverage and soft breezes as family members cheered on their kids for the final game of the tournament. East Cobb struck first, able to come in off a wild pitch. Despite that miscue, ZT showed its defensive strength and fluidity right away with Tucker Richardson making smooth plays at shortstop. In the bottom of the first, Bryant Ju gave a needed jumpstart to ZT’s offense by blasting a 2-run triple to give his team the lead. “I was just looking for my pitch and I got behind in the count 1-2,” Ju explained. “I was jumping on the...
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