THE WORLD'S LARGEST AND MOST COMPREHENSIVE SCOUTING ORGANIZATION
| 2,401 MLB PLAYERS | 15,805 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
2,401 MLB PLAYERS | 15,805 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
College  | Recruiting | 11/29/2021

Uncommitted Gems: Southeast Region

Photo: Jackson Hiatt (Perfect Game)
While a good portion within the class of 2022 put pen to paper a couple weeks back during the early signing period, there are several uncommitted gems throughout the country who have the talent and tools to make an impact at the next level. Over the next week we'll take a deeper look into five different regions, beginning with the Southeast, where several of these players have made a name for themselves throughout their Perfect Game careers. 
   

Jackson Hiatt (2022, Cantonment, Fla.) has an imposing 6-foot-5, 220-pound frame but wears it easy and one can see it filling out even more to help him be the first player off the bus at the next level. It’s a bit hard to see how Hiatt is uncommitted after the 2021 circuit where he hit .365 with an 1.029 OPS. He belted nine doubles and a homer and also starred at the National Showcase. The primary corner infielder proved he has some ability on the mound as he fired upper-80s fastballs as well, while filling up the zone.



Jaxon Pastore (2022, Highland Beach, Fla.) seemed healthy and ready in Jupiter as the 6-foot-3, 195-pound right-handed pitcher fired heaters at 87-88 with a mid-70s curveball and low-80s changeup. Pastore presents the body and athleticism that seems to always pop when matured and gets to his senior spring. This would not be a surprise at all, and the righty could be a huge addition to a program at the next level from day one. 


Anthony "AJ" Hunerberg (2022, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.) is a 6.63 runner with real burst on the bases and in the outfield. He has a strong 6-foot-2, 210-pound frame and wears the weight well. The arm plays in the outfield with good carry and he has all the tools to play anywhere in the grass. He also combines a solid hit tool, with some thump, compiling a .941 OPS in 2021. Hunerberg is also younger for the grade.

Tysen Benford (2022, Acworth, Ga.) has crazy strength in his right-handed swing and uses every bit of his powerful 6-foot-4, 250-pound frame. He isn’t a one-trick pony though, as Benford hit an impressive .372 with a .968 OPS in 2021 with 10 doubles and two home runs. There aren’t a lot of available true power threats that also create as many freebies that the Georgia native did on the regular throughout the summer and fall.

Austin Breedlove (2022, Ooltewah, Tenn.) has a quick shoulder and an over-the-top release and fires 87-90 mph fastballs. The righty can work north-to-south and mix a short slider and sinking changeup. At 6-foot-2, 180 pounds, he as an optimal athletic frame and he already struck out more than one hitter per inning in 2021.

Matt Dupuis (2022, Woodstock, Ga.) is a center field-type defender at the next level with his .6.62 speed and the type of first-step quickness that is desired. At 6-foot-1, 180 pounds, the body will still add muscle and help add pop to the .333 average and 20 stolen bases in 38 games he posted in 2021. Dupuis has a strong arm and can make all the throws as well.

Aidan Jolley (2022, Acworth, Ga.) is a good defensive catcher with solid quickness to the ground and out of the crouch. His 5-foot-9, 170-pound build produces more pop than you would think as his .889 OPS and three dingers in 2021 would attest to. To build the resume, he has 11 home runs in his Perfect Game career. This is a really balanced defensive/offensive profile at a premium position.

Ryan McTighe (2022, Dunwoody, Ga.) has an athletic 6-foot-1, 195-pound frame with intrigue on both sides of the ball.  He threw 39 innings and struck out 43 over the summer and fall and barely gave up any earned runs. There is real control here and he hides the ball well to help the fastball that runs up in the mid-80s play up even more. The 12/6 breaker plays perfectly off the over-the-top release, especially up in the zone.


Barry Manning (2022, Stone Mountain, Ga.) was fantastic at the National Showcase in June when the tools played in a big way. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound wiry athletic hit .340 during 2021 with a line drive path and lots of whip to the barrel. He has been up to 90 mph on the mound to show his arm strength, though he is a bat. Manning is also a 6.63 runner and can change the game on both ends of the diamond.

Kaden Varela Payne (2022, Wake Forest, N.C.) is a really fast shoulder right-handed pitcher that has sprightly athleticism and big upside. At 6-foot-1, 167 pounds, the body has plenty to add in terms of strength and weight. He can already rack up the strikeouts when he attacks the zone, and he is filling the zone up more than ever now. This is a super intriguing arm to follow this spring.


McKane Everett (2022, Lebanon, Tenn.), a strong framed left-handed hitter, has a sturdy 6-foot-1, 205-pound build and noticeably strong forearms. His relaxed approach helps to identify and work counts until he unleashes the barrel with big intent. The Tennessee native hit .333 with three doubles while producing enticing RBI numbers in the middle of the order. He played mostly first base in our looks but does have a catching background. 

Jean Cuello (2022, Naples, Fla.) came on strong late in the summer, finding his power stroke with 10 extra-base hits. Cuello worked nine walks, and he also stole nine bases to round out a solid summer where he hit .316. He has the actions and instincts to stay in the middle of the diamond and his 5-foot-11, 175-pound frame also has a classic look for the profile. 

Patrick Engskov (2022, Little Rock, Ark.) plays with a ton of energy coming from a motor that doesn’t stop. He is a do-it-all 6-foot, 181-pound infielder that can influence the outcome in a number of ways. The versatility on defense is a plus as he can play all over the dirt with the athleticism and IQ to play anywhere on the field. Offensively, Engskov has quick wrists and a short direct path that helps him collect hits from line-to-line. He should be an instant contributor at the next level.


Grayson Kellett (2022, Hokes Bluff, Ala.) punished baseballs during the circuit, mostly due to his really strong top hand that he punches with resolve to help an accurate and direct path. The barrel-chested 6-foot, 205-pound athlete should continue to produce in the left-handed batters box, and if he builds on the .366 average with a 1.081 OPS he produced this summer, Kellett could be a late steal. The young power bat is already displaying one-swing, game-changing ability.

Luke Thomas (2022, Climax, N.C.) was one of the impressive risers near the end of fall from both performance and for the tick up in stuff. There is a lot to like in terms of building on the wiry 6-foot-1, 175-pound frame that is already producing upper-80s velocity. Given the overall athleticism and current hand speed, the velocity should come organically as he matures. Both off-speed offerings also miss bats in bunches as the curveball has depth and the changeup has late fade. The aforementioned swing-and-miss in “bunches” includes a double-digit strikeout performance down the stretch.

College | Story | 4/7/2026

College Players of the Week: April 7

Craig Cozart
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April 7th Perfect Game/Player of the Week:  Andrew Williamson, OF, UCF  The UCF Knights (20-9) are coming off one of their biggest series victories in years when they went to Morgantown and took down the Mountaineers to take control of the Big 12 regular season standings.  The offense put on quite the performance and Andrew Williamson set the tone by leaving the yard in his first at-bat of the weekend launching a towering home run over the centerfield wall.  The 6-0/195 lefty from St. Petersburg, FL has one of the sweetest strokes in the college game today and when he goes, so do the Knights.  In the 3-game series, the junior collected 6 hits in his 10 at-bats, scoring 6 runs, on 5 walks, a double and he launched 3 home runs all told.  While he had a stretch earlier in the season where he was searching for his stroke a bit, he is getting locked in at the...
College | Rankings | 4/6/2026

College Top 25: April 6

Vincent Cervino
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With another week in the books, some teams at the top continue to prove they are elite, and others continue to fall by the wayside.  Meanwhile, there were several teams that had been lingering outside the Top 25 that had huge weekends to put themselves in the thick of things as every weekend has significant consequences for good or for bad.  The No. 1 UCLA Bruins (29-2) have now pushed their win streak to an incredible 23-games as they swept USC (27-6) who was previously ranked No. 7 in the poll.  The Bruins are off to a perfect (15-0) start in Big Ten play and are without a doubt the most complete team in the country right now.  The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (26-5) move up to No. 2 this week after they dismantled now No. 12 Auburn (22-9) in the midweek and then swept Cal on the West Coast last weekend.  Texas (26-5) moves down one spot to No. 3 this week after...
Draft | Mock Draft | 4/3/2026

PG Staff Mock Draft

Jheremy Brown
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Welcome to another Perfect Game Mock Draft. This is not your typical mock draft as it features 15 different GMs drafting the first two rounds of the draft. Each member of the mock draft was assigned two teams and as such will be drafting all of the picks in the first two rounds for each responsible team. The actual draft order will be presented below and we will dive into how teams made their selections and how they feel about the players drafted. It is important to note that this is not how we think the draft will play out in almost any capacity. This is simply an exercise 4 months ahead of time with a large portion of the scouting staff and some picks fall under personal favorites, best available, and a multitude of other factors. Chicago White Sox 1:1 Roch Cholowsky, SS, UCLA | 1:41 Jack Radel, RHP, Notre Dame The White Sox don’t overthink here and select Roch Cholowsky, who has...
High School | General | 4/2/2026

High School Notebook: April 2

Steve Fiorindo
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Lennex Minor (‘28 CA) absolutely destroys this offering to the PS for a 2-run shot. 2-4 on the day w/ 4 driven in. Athletic in the box w/ a quick stroke and strength throughout the frame. Also closed out the game running the FB up to 88 in a St. Bernard win #PGHS @PG_Scouting pic.twitter.com/KF7BsKGcm7 — Perfect Game California (@California_PG) March 29, 2026 Lennex Minor, MIF/P, St. Bernard (2028) Minor had a massive day in my look this past Saturday in a game being played at the University of San Diego.  The sophomore had a pair of hits, one which was a no-doubt homer, and drove in four.  Minor’s athleticism jumps out on the field with twitchy actions both at the dish and in the dirt.  He features a 6-foot, 170-pound frame with room to add and generates from a strong lower half and exceptionally quick hands.  Showing two-way potential, he made an...
High School | General | 4/2/2026

NHSI Scout Notebook

Cam McElwaney
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An extended look at ‘26 RHP Wilson Andersen… 6 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 6 K. @HailStateBB signee. #NHSI26 @JesuitBaseball @Florida_PG @PG_Draft @PGAllAmerican https://t.co/VLwECd2qZ8 pic.twitter.com/JbTFR3Gd2l — Perfect Game Scout (@PG_Scouting) March 30, 2026 Wilson Andersen, RHP, Tampa Jesuit  Andersen got the ball on day two of the event and showed a quick tempo, pounding the zone with a power mix. He ran the fastball up to 97 mph, working comfortably in the mid-90s, with a power curveball/changeup mix he showed confidence in. He’s one of the top right-handers in the class that saw his stock rise in Cary. Andersen is signed with Mississippi State.    An extended look at ‘26 RHP Cooper Sides… 5 IP, 6 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 3 K. @LSUbaseball signee. #NHSI26 @olubaseball @PG_Draft @California_PG https://t.co/Ag1MfBAR5a pic.twitter.com/5wSszVjBn8...
All American Game | Story | 4/2/2026

All American Classic Heading to Citizens Bank

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  667 Progress Way | Sanford, FL 32771 | 319-298-2923 www.perfectgame.org | facebook.com/perfectgameusa | @PerfectGameUSA     FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   PERFECT GAME DICK’S ALL-AMERICAN CLASSIC HEADED TO CITIZENS BANK PARK IN 2026   Perfect Game makes debut at iconic Phillies venue during America’s 250th birthday celebration   Former Phillies Manager Charlie Manuel named Honorary Chairman of All-American Classic   Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Thursday, April 2, 2026) - Perfect Game, the world’s largest youth baseball and softball platform and scouting service, today announced that the 2026 Perfect Game DICK’S All-American Classic will be played at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, marking the first time a Perfect Game event has ever been held at the iconic home of the Philadelphia Phillies.   The game will take place on...
College | Rankings | 4/1/2026

DII/DIII/NAIA Rankings Update: April 1

Nick Herfordt
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Welcome to another week of Perfect Game Small School baseball — and if you're looking for clarity at the top, you've come to the wrong place. Across all three classifications, the No. 1 spot is very much an open question, and nobody is sleeping comfortably right now. In NCAA Division II, Pittsburg State is stumbling at precisely the wrong moment, leaving the door cracked wide open for hungry challengers to come knocking. In the NAIA, defending national champion LSU Shreveport has dropped four straight and suddenly looks far more vulnerable than a program of their pedigree ever expects to be. And in NCAA Division III, the race for the top ranking is less a competition and more a ten-car pileup of elite programs, none of whom have done enough to pull away — and all of whom have done plenty to deserve it. Three classifications, three vacancies at the top, and a whole lot of...
Juco | Story | 4/1/2026

JUCO Top 25: April 1

Troy Sutherland
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Another week of JUCO baseball and another week full of wins for No. 1 ranked Johnson County . The Cavaliers have won 18 games in a row and have swept through the Jayhawk Conference to this point, setting a new school home run record along the way. Walters State returns to the top 5 this week on the strength of a 12-game winning streak. Both McLennan and Pearl River are coming off of undefeated weeks and look like strong top 10 caliber teams, while Midland (now 30-3) continues to climb in the rankings for the third consecutive week. For the first time all year this ranking will feature 4 California schools as Palomar joins Ohlone, Fresno City and Santa Ana in the JUCO rankings. Check back in next week for an update as most of JUCO baseball is now past its halfway point in the 2026 season. RK School Week Overall 1 Johnson County (KS) 4-0 34-2 2 Gaston (NC) 2-1 35-3 3 Walters State (TN) 3-0...
College | Story | 4/1/2026

Collegiate Midseason All-Americans

Vincent Cervino
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Collegiate Midseason Awards * denotes Midseason Award Winner - All-Americans chosen based on statistics, prospect status, future projection, among other factors - Only true freshmen considered for Freshmen All-American teams - All Statistics as of Monday, March 30th First Team Hitters Pos. Name School Class AVG OBP SLG R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB C Vahn Lackey Georgia Tech JR .423 .541 .845 36 41 9 1 10 36 7 1B Quinton Coats Cincinnati SO .360 .441 .896 38 45 8 1 19 46 7 2B Jarren Advincula Georgia Tech JR .411 .489 .563 31 46 2 0 5 30 5 3B Ace Reese Mississippi State JR .330 .417 .661 32 36 12 0 8 37 1 SS Roch Cholowsky UCLA JR .350 .493 .730 39 35 8 0 10 32 1 IF Dee Kennedy Kansas State JR .430 .549 .910 44 43 10 1 12 43 15 OF Will Gasparino UCLA JR .351 .468 .794 31 34 5 1 12 38 1 OF AJ Gracia Virginia JR .350 .504 .650 37 36 7 0 8 24 1 OF Landon Hairston* Arizona State SO .469 .551 1.027 44...
High School | Rankings | 3/31/2026

High School Top 50: March 31

Tyler Russo
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Another pair of weeks has gone by this high school season and with that we have another High School Top-50 Update. Southern states are within a few weeks of the end of the season while some northern states are just getting started this week. Through the end of the spring, we will be bringing you updates to the Top-50 along with state rankings updates coming soon. For the first time in 2026, we have a new #1 in the country as Orange Lutheran (CA) takes over the top spot after winning the NHSI. Venice (FL) came in second place at the NHSI after a thrilling game against Orange Lutheran and comes in at #2. Previous #1 team in the country St. John Bosco (CA) rounds out the top-3 and will have a big showdown against Orange Lutheran starting tonight. Barbe (LA) boasts a 26-1 record and comes in at #4 while Corona (CA) continues to string together wins and holds down the #5 spot in this update....
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