THE WORLD'S LARGEST AND MOST COMPREHENSIVE SCOUTING ORGANIZATION
| 2,384 MLB PLAYERS | 15,805 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
2,384 MLB PLAYERS | 15,805 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
Sign in Create Account
Sign in Create Account
Showcase  | Story | 7/19/2021

The Trop bids adieu to PG National

Jeff Dahn
Photo: Termarr Johnson (Perfect Game)

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Tropicana Field is often the object of ridicule within elite factions of Major League Baseball’s high society but for these last five days in mid-July 2021 it did a great impression of hallowed ground as far as the top prep prospects from the national grad class of 2022 were concerned.

What’s not to love, after all? It’s a big league park with championship banners earned by its tenant, the Tampa Bay Rays, hanging from the domed roof above the upper deck in left field. One reads “2020 American League Champions” reminding us of the Rays’ appearance in last year’s World Series.



This year’s Perfect Game National Showcase reached the conclusion of its five-day run Sunday afternoon and the roughly 320 top prospects from the prep class of 2022 could all leave The Trop feeling good about themselves. First, for receiving the National invitation in the first place and, finally, knowing they had left a lasting impression as a class bursting at the seams with talent.

“Coming in here, we really looked at this class as one that is unique because of the athletes in it. That [showed] through the run times, the velocities and the shear athletic talent that we saw all week,” PG National Scouting Director Jered Goodwin said at event’s end.

“Typically we talk about how some need more development than others but it’s not that way with this class. It’s a pretty polished group for how athletic they are.”

That’s as good of a place to start as any. The athleticism did come to the fore in the 60-yard dash times, with 15 runners covering the distance in 6.31-seconds or faster. They were all chasing North Carolina speedster Michael Gupton, however, who set an all-time PG event record when he crossed in a mind-blowing 5.96-seconds.

Nevada’s Justin Crawford (6.11), Georgia’s Elgin Bennett (6.14), Florida’s Elijah Green (6.16) and California’s Austin Overn (6.19) were mercury-quick themselves, but it’s difficult to catch-up to a sub-6.0.

The three separate, four-team workout sessions did produce one other event record. Georgia primary shortstop Jay Knowles, an Indiana State commit ranked No. 98 overall nationally, threw 100 mph from the outfield, just a tick better than the 99 mph bullet from Arkansas’s Cooper Dossett, which matched the previous event-best.

Other workout leaders included New York’s Adonys Guzman (1.76-second C Pop time), Georgia’s Omari Daniel (97 mph INF) and Maryland’s Kerry Herndon-Brown, Georgia’s Colin Linder and Florida’s Yoel Tejeda Jr. (91 mph 1B); Washington’s Dominic Hellman and Texas’s Jayson Jones shared the same top exit velo at 105 mph.

As is always the case at a PG National, many of the stars did an excellent job of being stars on the big stage. Top guns like Florida’s Elijah Green (No. 1 overall, Miami) and Georgia’s Termarr Johnson (No. 4) never fail to impress and they were on top of their games at The Trop this week.

Everyone kind of knew that Georgia catcher Jared Jones (No. 20, LSU) was going to come out and hit, and lo-and-behold the kid came out and hit. It was the same thing with highly-regarded pitchers like the left-handers Jackson Ferris (No. 6, Ole Miss) and Tristan Smith (No. 12, Clemson).

And in what was a somewhat rare occurrence, at least three potential PG All-American pitchers threw on the event’s last day on Sunday.

It was a necessary schedule adjustment made to accommodate Florida left-hander Brandon Barriera (No. 2 RHP, Vanderbilt), North Carolina right-hander Eli Jerzembeck (No. 6, South Carolina) and Indiana lefty Andrew Dutkanych IV (No. 9 LHP, Vanderbilt) after they had thrown late at last week’s WWBA 17u NC.

So yes, Goodwin noted, many of the stars were kind of being the stars but they weren’t out there on their own little island. Many of the projection guys, players PG scouts knew were good coming in, also seemed to make a jump.

As an example, Goodwin mentioned Texas right-hander Chase Shores (No. 30, Oklahoma State), who pitched Saturday night and showed a nice bump in velocity. It was something the scouts kind of expected to happen at some point and it was just nice to see it on this stage.

And there were a handful of guys outside of the top-200 or so that turned out to be attention-grabbers, and no one fit that bill better than Austin Henry, a tall right-hander out of South Dakota. Henry entered the event ranked as the No. 107 RHP in the land (No. 314 overall) but showed a ridiculous spin metric that produced “an absolute hammer curveball” during his time to shine.

Tennessee lefty Joseph King is the No. 1-ranked overall 2022 in his home state but No. 316 nationally (No. 38 LHP), and he came out and filled up the strike zone, fully taking advantage of the PG National opportunity.

“I think that showed some of the work that these kids have put in, whether that be over the course of the calendar year since last year’s Junior National or this summer, being able to home in what they need to develop and certainly have done it,” Goodwin said.

The talent aside, something else has happened with this class that is unique when compared to previous classes. Prospects from the class of 2021 had their exposure hindered, through no fault of their own, by the Covid-19 pandemic, and the 2022s filled that void and then some.

As Goodwin points out, PG has seen these guys play so much baseball and has collected so much information on their off-field activities and interests that the players’ resumes are as thick as an old phone book. We know he’s a terrific center fielder but is he also a two-sport athlete? Does he enjoy music or just hangin' with his girlfriend when he’s away from the field? What is his family life like?

“We really have a good understanding of what they are on the field and what they are off the field with this class,” Goodwin said.

Based on the depth of talent in the class of 2022 alone and the lower number of rounds in the MLB Draft, college programs and their recruiting coordinators must be salivating over this group. In this age of individual training, body analysis and 3D imaging, Goodwin said it’s easy to tell there is a lot of individual work taking place and it’s been pretty top-to-bottom at the PG National.

So when it comes to the college game, even taking away the guys who will hear their names called in the 2022 Amateur Draft, there are going to be a lot of significant athletes stepping on campus in the fall of 2022, Goodwin believes.

“With those three years of college and that college development they’re going to get, we’ve seen it time after time, there’s going to be some guys [from this class] that make massive jumps in four years and end up going in the first round,” Goodwin said. “We’re going to see from this group those athletes really turn into polished baseball players, and I think the polish has been what’s been kind of impressive; they can actually play.”

So what about that sub-6 second 60? Goodwin points out that Gupton is a two-time North Carolina state champion in the 55-meter dash, a distance just over 180 feet and both of his parents were sprinters in college. Another thing to take into consideration is that the runner basically starts himself, taking off at the literal drop of a hat without waiting for a starter’s gun or going off of somebody else’s trigger.

So there are variables to take into account that work to the runner’s advantage in a 60-yard dash at a baseball showcase. But holy cow.

“We have gotten plus and double-plus run times to first base on Michael Gupton for two years,” Goodwin said. “To see that – he did it on turf, he did it on a big stage, the adrenaline’s going – I’m still shocked to be very honest.

“But this is a guy that if he wanted to go the Olympic route and put all his marbles in that bag there’s certainly a chance we could see him out there [at the Olympics] in four years.”
Give us your feedback
Showcase | Story | 2/20/2026

PG ID Camps Help Build Baseball Resume
Jim Salisbury
Article Image
PG ID Camps Help Youngsters Build a Baseball Resume There was still snow on the ground in a lot of places last weekend, but that didn’t stop more than 200 young players from going indoors to participate in the first round of Perfect Game Select Fest ID Camps for the 2026 season. John McAdams, PG’s national crosschecker and Northeast scouting director, ran the event in Farmingdale, New Jersey, and was impressed with his group’s energy and desire to improve at the game. “We’re giving young players the opportunity to build their baseball resumes and chart their growth and progress over a span of years,” he said. In addition to New Jersey, Select Fest ID Camps were held in Lake St. Louis, Missouri; Rossford, Ohio; Marietta, Georgia; and Kent, Washington. The ID camps debuted in 2025. Twenty-two of them were held around the country with nearly 700 young...
Read More
College | Rankings | 3/9/2026

College Top 25: March 9

Vincent Cervino
Article Image
Collegiate Player Report Database While there will not be any new faces in this weeks Top 25, there is quite a bit of shakeup as the season, somehow, becomes even more unpredictable.  There were several teams in the poll that dropped weekend series and, in some cases, registered losing records in the last seven days.  There is sure to be more chaos this week as virtually every conference starts league play and the race for regular season titles begins.  The UCLA Bruins (13-2) remain No. 1 as their sizzling hot bats led the way to a perfect (4-0) week and they swept their first Big Ten series of the year.  As one of only two remaining undefeated teams in the nation, the Texas Longhorns (15-0) jump to No. 2 before they open SEC play this weekend in Austin.  No. 3 Georgia Tech and No. 4 Mississippi State both (14-2) hold their spots in the poll after both dropped a...
Read More
Press Release | Press Release | 3/7/2026

Debut: Contreras YouTube Feature

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 DEBUTS NEW YOUTUBE FEATURE FOLLOWING JOSEPH CONTRERAS ON HISTORIC DAY BEFORE WBC   Behind-the-scenes access captures the youngest player in the World Baseball Classic preparing for the global stage   Sanford, Florida (Friday, March 6, 2026) - Perfect Game, the world’s largest youth baseball and softball platform and scouting service, today announced the debut of a new original YouTube feature spotlighting right-handed pitcher Joseph Contreras, as PG cameras followed him throughout the day of his final high school start before departing to join Team Brazil in the World Baseball Classic.   The feature provides exclusive, behind-the-scenes access to one...
Read More
Softball | Softball Tournament | 3/4/2026

Perfect Game Softball March Madness

Ashley Mears
Article Image
2026 Perfect Game March Madness February 27-March 1st Ashley Mears What a weekend at the Fun City Dome in Burlington, Iowa! The energy was electric from first pitch to final out towering home runs, edge-of-your-seat battles, dramatic comebacks, and extra-inning thrillers with some unpredictable endings, it was a great weekend all around. The Top Performers list welcomed some exciting new names, while seasoned seniors continued to cement their legacies, delivering standout performances week after week. For some, this may have been their final appearance on a Perfect Game stage, and they made sure it was unforgettable. In the 18u division a tough Nebraska Gold 319 Berning team outlasted the Southeast Iowa All Stars in the championship. In 16u the Top Gun 2028- Strange completed their weekend by beating the Iowa Aries 16U CE Fire Black. 18U The weekend’s Most Valuable Player award...
Read More
High School | General | 3/5/2026

High School Notebook: March 5

Steve Fiorindo
Article Image
Full BP & pregame I/O from ‘26 SS Keon Johnson. Whippy hands and lifted to the middle of the field throughout the rounds, athletic mover on the dirt & enough arm strength to stick on the left side. #4 in @PG_Georgia & #50 on the @PG_Draft Board. #PGHS @FPDVikingSports https://t.co/vYvReQKTVh pic.twitter.com/BksHJtA09X — Cam McElwaney (@CamMcElwaneyPG) February 20, 2026 Keon Johnson, SS, First Presbyterian Day Johnson has long been near the top of the 2026 rankings and it all culminated in being a PG All-American last August. He heads into the spring as one of the names to know in the upcoming MLB Draft and is drawing crowds to his high school in Macon. It’s a well-built 6-foot-2, 200-pound frame with good actions up the middle. The defensive acumen has continued to improve over the last few years and now looks comfortable at shortstop and even projects there...
Read More
College | Rankings | 3/4/2026

DII/DIII/NAIA Rankings Update: March 4

Nick Herfordt
Article Image
The 2026 college baseball season is starting to reveal its early storylines, and across the Division II and Division III landscape a few programs have already forced their way into the spotlight. From the blistering start by the Pittsburg State Gorillas baseball that rocketed them to the top of the rankings, to the steadily rising championship ambitions of the Taylor Trojans baseball, the national picture is beginning to take shape. In Division III, heavyweight programs like the Trinity Tigers baseball and the Wisconsin–Whitewater Warhawks baseball have already traded blows in one of the season’s first statement series, while emerging challengers such as the Keene State Owls baseball are looking to turn early momentum into a breakout year. With many teams still just getting their seasons underway, the rankings remain fluid, but the early results are already giving us clues...
Read More
Juco | Rankings | 3/4/2026

JUCO Top 25: March 4

Troy Sutherland
Article Image
Another week down as we get into conference play in parts of the nation. This week is led by Chipola at No. 1 with an impressive 24-1 record. Walters State drops to No. 2 at 16-3 and Florida SouthWestern State College (17-5) follows closely behind. Powerhouse programs  McLennan Community College (11-2) and Johnson County Community College (18-2) round out the top five, while one-loss teams Fresno City, Ohlone, and Cloud County are quickly climbing into the national conversation. With traditional Texas powers, West Coast contenders, and deep Florida Juco rosters all in the mix, the race for Grand Junction is already taking shape.   Rk. Team Record 1 Chipola (FL) 24-1 2 Walters State (TN) 16-3 3 Florida Southwestern (FL) 17-5 4 McLennan (TX) 11-2 5 Johnson County (KS) 18-2 6 Gaston (NC) 20-2 7 Blinn (TX) 12-6 8 Florence-Darlington (SC) 18-5 9 Northwest Florida (FL) 16-8 10...
Read More
High School | Rankings | 3/3/2026

High School Top 50 Update: March 3

Tyler Russo
Article Image
As we get rolling deeper into the spring here in the southern states, other states are only a few weeks away from their seasons beginning and some are even starting the day this will be posted. We’ve concluded the first major event on the high school schedule, the PG High School Showdown, and it was an epic weekend in Hoover. The event was littered with talent and these rankings reflect just that. St. John Bosco (CA) holds onto the first spot in this update and are being pushed by an IMG Academy (FL) team that’s 8-0 after winning the High School Showdown as well as beating two preseason top-10 teams in the first few weeks of the season. Orange Lutheran (CA) holds onto the No. 3 spot after a 1-0 start to the year and just a few weeks away from NHSI. A trio of Florida schools follow Olu in South Walton (FL), fresh off a win at the HS Showdown, Venice (FL), a surging team...
Read More
Press Release | Press Release | 3/3/2026

PG & RaceTrac Expand Partnership

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 AND RACETRAC ANNOUNCE EXPANDED PARTNERSHIP   Sanford, Florida (Tuesday, March 3, 2026) - Perfect Game, the world’s largest youth baseball and softball platform and scouting service, today announced an expanded partnership with RaceTrac, naming the convenience store brand the Official Convenience Store of Perfect Game in Georgia and Florida. The enhanced relationship significantly broadens RaceTrac’s presence across Perfect Game’s premier tournament venues and digital platforms, deepening its engagement with players, families, coaches and fans throughout two of the most active youth baseball markets in the country.   As part of the expanded agreement, RaceTrac will launch a robust...
Read More
College | Story | 3/3/2026

College Players of the Week: March 3

Craig Cozart
Article Image
March 3 Perfect Game/Player of the Week:  Cider Canon, OF, Duke  The Duke Blue Devils (11-3) went through massive changes in the offseason, with a new coaching staff and heavy roster turnover like is often seen in the college game today.  That hasn’t held them back as they have kind of flown under the radar on their way to a tie for the most wins in the nation.  They won 4 out 5 games last week and Cider Canon was the driving force behind their offensive onslaught.  The 5-11/180 outfielder from San Marino, CA put together an incredible week collecting 9 hits in 14 at-bats, good for a .643 BA, scoring 7 runs, with 3 walks, 4 home runs and driving in a total of 10 runs.  After a successful couple years at Davidson College, Cider made the trip north to Durham and has fit right into the Blue Devil’s high-octane offense.  For the season, he is...
Read More
High School | General | 3/2/2026

HS Showdown Scout Notes: Days 2-3

Vincent Cervino
Article Image
High School Showdown Event Page | High School Showdown Preview High School Showdown Scout Notes: Day 1 An extended look at ‘26 3B/RHP Coleman Borthwick (FL)… 4 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 8 K, 0 BB #PGShowdown @SWseahawks @Florida_PG @PG_Draft https://t.co/IHJFWFbn4T pic.twitter.com/I2izGcEdyA — Perfect Game Scout (@PG_Scouting) February 28, 2026 Coleman Borthwick (2026, Freeport, Fla.) was excellent over the weekend, securing MVP honors and delivering one of the best starts of the event on the mound. At 6-foot-6, 255-pounds, Borthwick is an ultra-physical prospect and one of the top two-way prospects in the draft. The Auburn signee drew the biggest crowd of MLB scouts in attendance as there were around 50 or 60 so lined up behind home plate on Friday morning. Borthwick was nothing short of dominant, striking out eight hitters and...
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.