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College  | Recruiting | 12/10/2021

2023 Uncommitted Gems: Midwest

Cade Schares
Photo: Matthew Ossenfort (Perfect Game)
2023 Uncommitted Gems: Georgia | West Coast | Four Corners | Texahoma | Coastal | Northeast


Matthew Ossenfort (2023, Sioux Falls, S.D.) established himself as one of the premier two-way players in the country at last year’s Sophomore Worlds, where he ran his fastball up to 89 mph from the left side and hit .500 with four doubles and a grand slam at the plate. We haven’t seen much of Ossenfort since then due to injury, but once he returns to full health, we expect the former 14U Select Fest player to generate a lot of buzz and reaffirm his status as one of the more enticing prospects in the class.
 

Addison Smith (2023, Liberty, Mo.) has seen a promising rise in the rankings after a successful summer circuit that included stops at the two most prestigious showcases for his age group, the Jr. National Showcase and the PG Underclass All-American Games. Smith flashed an intriguing skill set during these events, showing plenty of athleticism and twitch to his actions, along with advanced arm strength from the shortstop position. Perhaps what stood out the most was his switch-hitting ability, as he displayed present bat speed and barrel control with a smooth and fluid swing from both sides of the plate. The primary shortstop projects as an immediate impact-type player, both offensively and defensively, at the next level.



Gannon Snyder (2023, St. Louis, Mo.) is a physical and tooled-up prospect that burst onto the national scene this summer, with his most notable performance coming at the 16U WWBAs in Atlanta, where he hit out of the cleanup spot for an uber-talented Alpha Prime squad and compiled a .636 average in his eight games. His .611 average through his two PG events is an obvious indicator of his hit tool, and his four triples can speak to his advanced speed and power tools. His offensive production is the calling card, but the primary third baseman has shown the ability to play any spot in the infield, showing off his athleticism and versatility.
 

Eric Podgorny (2023, St. Charles, Mo.) is a projectable right-hander who was up to 88 mph this summer and given the arm speed and the long/lean 6-foot-3 frame, there is plenty more in the tank. His stuff has been impressive in our looks, showing a hammer 12-6 curveball with real swing-and-miss traits. There is a lot to like about Podgorny’s future on the mound, and he has all the pieces to be a power arm at the next level.
 

Klayton Kiser (2023, Springfield, Mo.) is a true uncommitted gem that our scouts had the pleasure of watching this summer. He came into this year relatively unknown, but he made an immediate impression on our scouts when he played in the Midwest Elite Championship back in July. Kiser stands at an extremely strong and physical 6-foot-2, 210 pounds, and he is hard to miss when on the field. But don’t be fooled by his strength, as he still has plenty of twitch and quickness in his game, and he moves very well in both center field and on the basepaths. Although he is listed as a primary left-handed pitcher, we believe he offers the most upside at the plate, where he features great bat speed to go along with advanced balance and sequencing in the swing. The left-handed hitter should continue to gain notoriety throughout the region as more and more college coaches see him play.

Brayden Bakes (2023, Algonquin, Ill.) made a splash at the PG Underclass All-American Games in August, showcasing immense power potential in his left-handed bat. The primary outfielder is a legitimate home run/extra-base hit threat every time he steps up to the plate, and he has shown notable speed in the past as well, giving him an intriguing overall offensive skill set. He is a physical swinger with a strong and compact frame, and we expect him to find a home sooner rather than later.
 

Maksymilian Pierga (2023, Barrington, Ill.) jumped within the top-500 (to No. 322) for the first time in the most recent rankings update, thanks to an eye-opening performance at the Fall Top Prospect National Showcase in October. The right-hander stands at a physical and imposing 6-foot-6, 225 pounds, and he ran his fastball up to 92 mph during his outing. The physical projection is quite obvious, and he utilizes a short and compact arm action with great arm speed, which bodes well for future velocity development. Pierga can be categorized as one of the most sought-after Midwest arms still available, and he will have no shortage of Division-I suitors after him this offseason.
 

Cooper Cohn (2023, McHenry, Ill.) had an excellent showing at the Fall Academic Showcase in October, where he displayed an advanced overall skill set, with both offensive and defensive tools that will surely play at the next level. The primary backstop has high-level blocking and receiving skills with impressive arm strength, which is shown in his in-game 1.88 second pop times and 81 mph throws from behind the dish. He made consistent, loud contact during live at-bats, showing present barrel control with legitimate power from the right-side of the plate. Cohn will be a huge addition for his future school, as he is a high-academic student off the field, and a complete, well-rounded player on the field.

Jack Counsell (2023, Milwaukee, Wis.) had a breakout fall against high-level competition, as he took home MVP honors at the Midwest Labor Day Classic and compiled five hits during his time in Fort Myers for the Underclass Worlds. Counsell is the biggest uncommitted name in the state of Wisconsin, and one of the biggest in the region, thanks to his consistency at the plate and in the middle infield. He hit .462 with 10 singles and a pair of extra-base hits in his two high-profile PG tournaments this fall, and his gap-to-gap approach and adjustability at the plate will certainty play at the next level.
 

Easton Storey (2023, Brighton, Mich.) is a physical left-hander that showed well on the bump all summer long, including a stop at the Jr. National Showcase where he sat 87-89 mph and spun a 76 mph breaking ball at 2690 RPM. He flashed a strong two-pitch mix with legitimate swing-and-miss traits to both the fastball and curveball. Storey has a long and whippy arm action with a projectable operation and well-proportioned strength throughout the frame. The Michigan native will be an immediate impact type arm as soon as he steps foot on campus in the fall of 2023.
 

Cal Sullivan (2023, Ely, Iowa) had a breakout year in 2021 where he saw his name continuously rise in both the rankings and on Division-I recruiting boards. The primary catcher is a physically-advanced prospect with loud tools across the board, and he really came into his power as the year went along. He finished his 2021 campaign with 107 at-bats, in which he compiled a .327 average and mashed 18 extra-base hits, including three home runs. The most impressive part of his development has been his gap-to-gap power, which has turned him into a dangerous at-bat for opposing pitchers. His arm strength is also a real tool, as evident by his 88 and 82 mph throws from the infield and catcher positions, respectively. Sullivan’s offensive firepower will be his carrying tool at the next level, and we don’t expect him to be uncommitted for much longer.

Rodney Rachel (2023, Cincinnati, Ohio) turned in an impressive performance at the Ohio Valley Prospect Showcase this summer, and it’s not a stretch to say that he might have one of the highest offensive ceilings of any uncommitted player in the class. The primary outfielder holds supreme strength and physicality in his 6-foot, 190-pound frame, and it translates to his swing in a big way. He is an aggressive swinger with advanced bat speed and the ability to elevate with ease, and, as a bonus, he can create pressure on the basepaths, as he also runs a 6.94 second sixty-yard dash. Rachel is an intriguing uncommitted player that should find his home sooner rather than later.
 

TJ Coats (2023, Overland Park, Kan.) made just two stops at PG events this year, but they were loud and memorable performances that left an impression on our scouting staff. He flashed some intriguing two-way potential at the National Indoor Showcase in February, where he turned in a quality performance on the mound, running his fastball up to 85 mph and challenging hitters with an aggressive mentality. The primary corner infielder then put his power on full display in Fort Myers at the Underclass Worlds, hitting a monster home run that left the yard in a hurry. Coats is a strong and physical right-handed bat that will continue to gain interest as he excels at these high-profile events.
 

Will Briggs (2023, Shakopee, Minn.) made a significant impression on our scouting staff in his first ever PG event this summer, where he took home MVP honors after hitting .474 with three doubles and a home run. He followed that up with a successful stop at the Midwest Top Prospect Games, cementing himself as one of the best all-around catchers in the region. Briggs offers a high offensive ceiling at a premium position, and his defensive skill set is nothing to slouch at either, as he displays quality receiving and blocking skills with advanced arm strength. The Minnesota native is a high energy player with a good motor, and he has solid tools across the board that project well moving forward.
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College | Story | 1/23/2026

Conference Preview: American
Craig Cozart
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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 UBA 24 30 8 19 Charlotte 36 22 18 9 East Carolina 35 27 13 14 Florida Atlantic 37 21 15 12 Memphis 22 33 8 19 Rice 17 40 10 17 South Florida 31 25 16 11 UTSA 47 15 23 4 Tulane 33 25 13 14 Wichita State 19 35 11 16 Preseason All-Conference Team Pos. Name School Stats/Notes C Andrew Stucky UTSA .324/.514/.467 with 6 HRs, 40 RBI; durable 6-0/192 backstop with elite defensive skills and a wealth of experience, returning 1st team all-conference member 1B Cody...
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College | Story | 1/22/2026

Conference Preview: Big 10

Troy Sutherland
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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 Illinois 30 24 14 16 Indiana 32 24 16 14 Iowa 33 22 21 9 Maryland 27 29 12 18 Michigan 33 23 16 14 Michigan State 28 27 13 17 Minnesota 24 28 10 20 Nebraska 33 29 15 15 Northwestern 25 27 13 17 Ohio State 13 37 5 25 Oregon 42 16 22 8 Penn State 33 23 15 15 Purdue 31 23 11 19 Rutgers 29 28 15 15 UCLA 48 18 22 8 USC 37 23 18 12 Washington 29 28 17 13 Preseason All-Conference Team Pos. Name School Stats/Notes C Mason Eckelman Ohio State Taken steps forward--...
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General | Blog | 1/21/2026

Wolforth Throwing Mentorship: Article 61

Ron Wolforth
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Demystifying the Curveball, Pitch Counts, and Weighted Balls- Part 1 You know what I love about the holidays? Good food, time with family, and the unspoken rule that nobody brings up religion or politics at the dinner table.   Why? Because they're powder kegs. Topics that bring out deep-seated beliefs and strong emotions.  Well, I accidentally lit one of those powder kegs recently, except it wasn't at the dinner table. It was on social media.   Our team posted a short clip of me at Boot Camp making what I thought was a pretty straightforward point: simply avoiding the curveball is far from a guarantee of arm health.   I wasn't trying to be provocative. I was just stating what I believed to be obvious after 30 years of doing this work.  But boy, did a few people have problems with it.   It became one of the most discussed posts in Ranch history....
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Tournaments | Story | 1/20/2026

Back-to-Back MLK East for Phillies

Hannah Jo Groves
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TBT Phillies Scout run rules for second straight MLK East Championship The 14U TBT Phillies Scout Team overtook A3 Academy Futures 14-6 in the final game to win their second straight 2026 MLK East Championship. Though the skies were blue and the sun was out in Fort Myers, Florida, the air was very chilly. The wind whipped through the palm trees as players, parents and friends piled into the 5-Plex Player Development Complex bundled up in blankets, hoodies and beanies.  The A3 Academy Futures were first up to bat - and the TBT Phillies struggled through the first frame. The first run came across on a balk; the second came soon after off a double from Gabriel Messing. “I was surprised that they scored right away off the jump,” Kingston George said, an outfielder for TBT Phillies Scout and this year’s MVP of the 14U East MLK championship. “We were kind of quiet...
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College | Story | 1/21/2026

Conference Preview: Big 12

Tyler Henninger
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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 Arizona 44 21 18 12 Arizona State 36 24 18 12 Baylor 33 22 13 17 BYU 28 27 10 20 Cincinnati 33 26 16 14 Houston 30 25 12 17 Kansas 43 17 20 10 Kansas State 32 26 17 13 Oklahoma State 30 25 15 12 TCU 39 20 19 11 Texas Tech 20 33 13 17 UCF 29 26 9 21 Utah 21 29 8 22 West Virginia 44 16 19 9 Preseason All-Conference Team Pos. Name School Stats/Notes C Jackson Natili Cincinnati .338/9/53; well-rounded bat with bat to ball skills and strong catch and throw 1B Brady...
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Tournaments | Story | 1/20/2026

A New Path to the Next Level

Jim Salisbury
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A New Path to the Next Level: Inside Perfect Game’s College Instructional Series An important new PG event will help aspiring college players grow, get noticed COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The changing environment of college baseball has led to an innovative new event at Perfect Game, one that will connect high school players looking for an opportunity at the next level with the coaches who may be able to provide one. On top of it all, there will be plenty of expert instruction along with the spirited, tournament-style competition that PG is known for. The College Instructional Series will take place at six regionalized venues starting this summer. “This event will serve an important purpose for players and coaches,” said Adam Revelette, PG’s senior director of events. “Everybody we’ve talked to is very intrigued about the platform.” The event is geared...
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Tournaments | Story | 1/20/2026

MLK West Scout Notes: Days 3-4

Steve Fiorindo
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MLK West Scout Notes: Days 1-2 Markus Chandler, RHP, Westside HS Class of 2027 A little on the undersized side as a sub 6 footer, but Chandler can generate some velo and spin.  Spun 3 frames of hitless ball for Spects National with zero walks and 6 strikeouts.  Committed to Kansas State, the righty ran the fastball to 92, living 89-92 pumping the zone with 75 percent strikes.  Looked like two different breaking balls, with the SL 80/81 (spin in 2500’s) and curveball 75/76.  No hard contact, little contact at all off the righty in this dominant outing. To follow up the pitching performance, Chandler swung the bat well on Championship Monday (Trademark Pending) with 5 RBI and three hits on the day, regularly on the barrel.  Trevor Alons, RHP, Centennial HS Class of 2028 Lean framed sophomore with a quick, whippy arm.  Playing up a few classes, you might...
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College | Story | 1/20/2026

Conference Preview: Oregon State

Tyler Henninger
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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 Record W L T Oregon State 48 16 1 Impact Player: Easton Talt, OF Impact Pitcher: Dax Whitney, RHP Impact Freshman: Mason Pike, RHP/MIF 2026 MLB Draft Prospects 1. Ethan Kleinschmit, LHP 2. Eric Segura, RHP 3. Zach Edwards*, RHP 4. Easton Talt, OF 5. Jacob Kreig, 1B 6. Wyatt Queen, RHP 7. AJ Singer, IF 8. Eli Gries-Smith, OF 9. Noah Scott, RHP 10. Paul Vazquez*, IF 11. Nyan Hayes, OF 12. AJ Hutcheson, RHP 13. Tyler Inge*, 3B 14. Bryson Glassco, IF 15. Jacob Galloway, C 2027 MLB Draft Prospects 1. Dax Whitney, RHP 2. Adam...
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Tournaments | Story | 1/18/2026

MLK West Scout Notes: Days 1-2

Steve Fiorindo
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Cole Migaki (‘29 WA) w/ one of his 5 K’s thru 2-innings. FB 84-86 coupled w/ a firm BB that has 11/5 shape sitting 77-77. Balanced operation w/ a live, loose arm. Athletic frame at 6-ft, 170 that projects #MLKWest @PG_PacificNW pic.twitter.com/iBgAoajNUM — Perfect Game Four Corners (@PG_FourCorners) January 16, 2026 Cole Migaki (2029 Vancouver, WA) Was lights out in his start on Friday at MLK West, only needing 42 pitches to get thru three-innings and did not allow a hit or run while punching out 8.  Migaki overwhelmed opposing hitters, running his fastball up to 86 and mixing in a firm breaking ball at 75-77 with 11-5 shape and depth.  The athletic 6-foot, 170-pound right-hander is the top ranked third base prospect in the state of Washington for the class of 2029, collecting a couple of hits in his five at-bats and drove in a run.  Excellent start to...
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Press Release | Press Release | 1/16/2026

Perfect Game Hires Blakeley As Regional Dir.

Perfect Game Staff
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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 HIRES ERIC BLAKELEY AS REGIONAL DIRECTOR    Sanford, Florida (Friday, January 16, 2026) - Perfect Game, the world’s largest youth baseball and softball platform and scouting service, today announced the hiring of Eric Blakeley as a Regional Director. Blakeley brings more than two decades of experience in elite baseball and softball events, along with an accomplished background as both a collegiate and professional player.    Blakeley joins Perfect Game after building the highly respected Crossroads Baseball Series, where for more than 20 years he developed and operated baseball...
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