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| 2,630 MLB PLAYERS | 16,400 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
2,630 MLB PLAYERS | 16,400 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
Draft  | Story | 12/29/2021

Year In Review: Draft

Photo: Jackson Jobe (Perfect Game)
Year In Review: PG Events | High School

Every year around this time, somewhere between Christmas and the new year (and the Main Event Showcases, of course), the PG scouting staff likes to look back over the past year in review-style articles. This one focuses on the 2021 MLB Draft, which saw several key storylines unfold over its three-day run back in July. 
 
Draft Particulars Change
 
The industry had certainly become accustomed to the draft taking place in early/mid June, something it had done for years prior to the COVID pandemic, so it was quite an adjustment for scouts/general scheduling when the draft date was announced for mid-July. In addition to that, the draft size changed again as well, blossoming back up to 20 rounds following 2020’s 5-round iteration, and 20 rounds seems to be where MLB wants the draft to stay for the immediate future, at least. Reminder, of course, that the draft was 40 rounds prior to the pandemic. The issues presented by the date moving have to do with scheduling, as stated, as well as general time/resource deployment for Major League clubs given the proximity of the trade deadline to the new draft date. The draft, however, was a huge hit on its new date from a public standpoint, with increased viewership and a much better job of promoting it by Major League Baseball. 
 
Prep Bats Fly Off The Board
 
In an unprecedented run, prep bats absolutely flew off the board during the first several rounds of the draft. Led by Marcelo Mayer at No. 4 overall to the Red Sox, 20 prep bats were selected in the first 60 picks, 27 in the top-100 picks overall. In a year where college bats struggled to really bust out and with a general scarcity of college hitter data thanks to limited collegiate summer ball in 2020, it was the perfect storm for this sort of phenomenon, especially paired with the overall strength of the prep bat class by itself. Power and power projection were the catalysts here, as most of the prep bats selected project to have at least average power at the Big League level, irrelevant of future defensive home. 
 
Henry Davis Goes First Overall
 
The draft has always, at least under the current slotting system, been something of a crapshoot when projecting the first overall pick, since it’s not always the highest-ranked player selected first depending on signing deals, etc. Louisville catcher Henry Davis was the first overall pick in 2021, a decision that wasn’t made public until very close to the draft starting. He signed for $6.5 million, a number roughly $2 million under slot, allowing Pittsburgh to spread their pool allotment down the board. Davis excelled at Louisville, with huge exit velocities and consistent hard contact leading a profile that also features one of the best catcher arms of the past several years as well. 
 
Jackson Jobe is First Prep Selected
 
In a year with so much prep talent on the position player side, it was a prep arm who came off the board first amongst the high school players, in Jackson Jobe going No. 3 overall to the Tigers. Jobe, a Perfect Game All-American, consistently impressed evaluators at every stop with his top-of-class spin traits and good present command as well as athleticism and projection. He was one of several prep arms taken in the first round, including Connecticut lefty Frank Mozzicato, Florida righty Andrew Painter, New Jersey righty Chase Petty and Alabama lefty Maddux Bruns. Mozzicato, especially, had an interesting ascent, going from intriguing fall projection follow to the No. 7 overall pick in less than a year. All told, bats were the story of the 2021 prep draft class, but the arms made their mark on the early rounds as well. 
 
PG All-Americans Go Early and Often
 
As it happens every year, PG All-Americans were very well-represented in the early rounds of the draft. In all, a total of 20 PG All-Americans were selected in the first 100 picks of the 2021 Draft, and that’s not including the former All-Americans who were selected in that range, but out of college, including the Vanderbilt pair of Jack Leiter and Kumar Rocker fitting that description. The total signing bonus number for those 20 PG All-Americans (top 100 picks)? How about $67.18 million dollars, once again, not including the former All-Americans who signed out of college this past year. 
 
Setting the Stage for 2022
 
The summer circuit went off without interruption in 2021, giving us our usual deep looks at the 2022 draft class. Suffice it to say, if the 2021 draft was the story of prep infielders, the 2022 draft looks like it’ll be depth of prep arms and the highest-end upper crust of prep bats we’ve seen in quite some time. Termarr Johnson, Elijah Green, and Andruw Jones established themselves as the Big 3 this year, all with the makings of top-5 overall picks, and we’re looking forward to following their final prep seasons this spring and how it all ends up during the 2022 draft. 

Draft | Story | 9/19/2026

2027 Draft: Prep Demographic Breakdown

Ryan Miller
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The 2027 MLB Draft cycle is still in its early stages, but the overall makeup of the class is beginning to come into focus. With the first version of our Top-100 board out, we took a closer look at positional demographics from both college and prep players within the class.  Let’s kick things off with a deep dive into the prep class.  Prep Right-Handed Pitchers  Top Ranked Players: George Ferguson, Abilene (TX) | Brogan Witcher, Liberty (CA) | Ethan Gustus, Roseville (CA) | Cullen Scott, Melissa (TX) | Striker Pence, Corona (CA) | Samir Mohammed, Tampa Jesuit (FL) Potential Sleepers: Brennan Neal, Brookstone (GA) | Andrew Carlson, Trinity Classical Academy (CA) | Calum Andersen, Vauxhall Academy of Baseball (CAN) | Gavin Henderson, Boiling Springs (SC)    High speed look at the FF-CH from '27 RHP George Ferguson (TX)... #PGAAC @Texas_PG...
Tournaments | Story | 9/26/2026

WWBA Sophomore Scout Notes: Day 2

Perfect Game Staff
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WWBA Sophomore Scout Notes: Day 1 Rhys Jones (2029, Mc Lean, Va.) was absolutely dominant on the bump to start off day 2 hanging an impressive 10 strikeouts in 5 innings. Running the heater up to 84 with arm side run and the breaking ball got swings and misses. The strike percentage stayed right over 55%, and he carried a no hitter into the 6th. Easy arm action with a high 3/4 slot and controls the move down the rubber.  Jevan McMenamy (2029, Fargo, N.D.) was all around solid today tallying two hits, an rbi, and a walk. In the box he works to the middle of the field in the approach and can elevate to all fields. Coils deep into the back hip and works through contact with strength. Quick feet around the bases and the barrel is fast.  Khian Escalana (2029, Ankeny, Iowa) was a heavy producer in this one collecting three hits, two of those being doubles. Also drove in three RBIs...
Tournaments | Story | 9/24/2026

Windy City Fall Classic Scout Notes

Perfect Game Staff
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‘28 LHP AJ Minderman (IL) works 5 stellar innings to finish what he started. He punched out 7 and was efficient in the zone. FB 75-78 CH 70-71 SL 69-71. Used Offspeed pitches as a weapon and in all counts. #WCFClassic pic.twitter.com/fpeRs3AK7k — Perfect Game Illinois (@PG_Illinois) September 21, 2026 AJ Minderman (2028, Geneva, Ill.) a 6-foot-1, 140-pound left-handed pitcher worked all five innings of his game on Sunday in impressive fashion. He punched out seven opposing hitters and allowed no runs. He showed great composure with runners aboard, stranding anyone who reached. He worked out of the stretch with a big leg kick and did a nice job of working downhill on the mound. The fastball was 75-78 mph and he used it heavily to the glove side. He kept the fastball down early and set hitters down by throwing it at the top of the zone. His changeup (70-71 mph) was used as his...
Tournaments | Story | 9/25/2026

WWBA Sophomore Scout Notes: Day 1

Perfect Game Staff
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'29 CIF Benjamin Mills (FL) absolutely loses this baseball across the street for a loud HR (101 EV/424'). Huge juice w/ ball explodes coming off. #WWBAWorlds @Florida_PG @PSTeams_ pic.twitter.com/0WUgIqyr6t — Perfect Game Scout (@PG_Scouting) September 25, 2026 Benjamin Mills (2029, Miramar, Fl.) showed off some extremely impressive juice in the 8 PM match. The corner infielder blasted an absolute no-doubter out to left field, exploding off of the barrel and soaring deep into the night sky. The ball came off with a 101 MPH exit velocity and traveled 424 feet, bouncing across the street. Mills is built extra strong and physical, creating easy strength. The impact upside is significant and it should be fun to track how the power continues to develop. '29 SS Todd Dulaney (IL) crushes this ball off the LF fence for a loud 2B (93 EV). Simple parts & the impact comes easy....
Tournaments | Story | 9/24/2026

South Jupiter Qualifier Scout Notes

Perfect Game Staff
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Joshua Digulio (2027, Mont Belvieu, Texas) was a breakout performer for Texas Brigade 2027 - Gafford. Went 10-18 with a pair of doubles and a home run, while plating nine runs. Also showed some serious flashes defensively behind the plate. Physical frame with plenty of bat speed. Flatter bat path with a pull-side approach, geared towards backspinning with authority. Athletic backstop with tons of offensive upside. Dylan Buck (2027, Friendswood, Texas) put on a show for Up Top Prospects. Drove in 11 runs while going 5-11 with a pair of triples and a multi home run game on Saturday. Loose actions with a strong lower half. Adjusts well and generates plenty of torque as he works uphill. Serious power upside on display this weekend with more in that physical frame. Clyde Votaw (2027, Texas City, Texas) had a quality outing on the bump for Up Top Prospects. The Angelina College commit threw a...
Softball | Softball Tournament | 9/23/2026

PG Softball Twin Cities Elite Scouting Showcase

Ashley Mears
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2026 PG Softball Twin Cities Elite Scouting Showcase September 19th, 2026 Ashley Mears BLAINE, MN- Rain may have shortened the weekend but it didn’t shorten the competition. The tournament was STACKED with some of the top teams from South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin. The 16u division came down to Midwest Speed 16U Nat’l Chell taking home the trophy and shutting out a tough MN Sting National-Makela team. The 18U division came down to Midwest Speed 18u Nat’l Koltes loaded team out slugging Mission 18u National. 16U Taitum Kostecka (2028 Princeton, MN) of Midwest Speed 16U Nat’l Chell was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player for the second consecutive year. Kostecka is a speedy left-handed power hitter who is one of the toughest outs around, as she did not strike out a single time throughout the weekend. Starting in an open stance, she uses a...
Tournaments | Story | 9/21/2026

BCS Fall Battle of the Carolinas Scout Notes

Perfect Game Staff
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William Woody (2031, Charlotte, NC) stands at 5-foot-8, 106 pounds with an athletic build and a lean, developing frame. Shows good quickness and body control with room to add strength and size as he matures. Bats and throws right-handed and plays shortstop. Shows good feel for the barrel and consistently squares up the baseball. Shows good balance and timing throughout the swing. Woody went 2-for-3 with 2 RBIs for a solid day at the plate. Wade Alphin (2032, La Grange, NC) stands at 5-foot-7, 140 pounds, with a compact, athletic build. Shows good body control and coordination with a solid frame and room to add strength and size. Bats and throws right-handed and is a versatile utility player. Shows a line-drive approach with a strong base in the box and developing power. Makes consistent contact and stays disciplined at the plate. Alphin went 2-for-3 with 3 RBIs, putting together a great...
General | Blog | 9/21/2026

Wolforth Throwing Mentorship: Article 68

Ron Wolforth
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Are You Fixated on the Wrong Variable? Why Pitch Count Alone Was Never Going to Prevent Arm Injuries   You know a family this happened to. You might be one. They did everything right. They followed the pitch count. They honored the rest days. They tracked innings. They sat him when the chart said sit. They were the parents who spoke up when a coach wanted one more inning in a bracket game. And he got hurt anyway. I've been working with throwers for a long time, and that conversation is the one I have quite often… A parent sitting across from me genuinely bewildered because they followed the rules and the rules did not work. They usually assume they missed something. Most of the time they didn't. They managed exactly what they were told to manage. The problem is that what they were told to manage is one variable out of four.   The Uncomfortable Part First   Throwing...
Tournaments | Story | 9/18/2026

Northeast Qualifier Scout Notes

Perfect Game Staff
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Another day, another Gavin Greene (‘28 GA) barrel as the @AuburnBaseball commit is now hitting well over .500 on the event #NEQ<ahref="https: pg_scouting?ref_src="twsrc%5Etfw'">@PG_Scouting @PG_Georgia https://t.co/Lf6G8AExjB pic.twitter.com/LFMueYHMxB</ahref="https:> — Perfect Game Mid-Atlantic (@PGMidAtlantic) September 14, 2026 Gavin Greene (2028 Alpharetta, GA) played a major factor in AZ Diamondbacks Scout’s Championship run, finishing his weekend with a .528 AVG and 7 RBI. The 5-foot-11, 175 pound Auburn commit was simply a hit machine regardless of who was on the mound, showcasing the ability to handle velo with ease and repeat the stroke at a high level. Starting from a narrow and upright, slightly open base, Greene does a great job of working directly to the point of impact with consistent hard line drive impact to the pull side of the field. He...
Juco | Rankings | 9/18/2026

JUCO Impact: Top 100 D1 Transfers

Troy Sutherland
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With the season upon us, let's take a minute to look at 100 of the biggest impact players who played at the JUCO level last year and have since transferred to a D1 program for the upcoming spring.  RK Name JUCO in 2025 DI in 2026 1 Ryan Bradford Johnson County TCU 2 Carson Bailey McLennan Texas Tech 3 Kameron Yearsley John A. Logan  Oklahoma 4 Holden Pantier Walters State Georgia Tech 5 Caden Davidson Gaston Florida 6 Anthony Quigley Northwest Florida Oklahoma 7 Walt Jones Weatherford Kansas 8 Colin Coonradt Johnson County West Virginia 9 Collin Smith Cochise Kansas 10 Ned Frutchey Sac City Arkansas 11 Hayden Blair Walters State Georgia 12 Parker Ishee Co-Lin Oklahoma 13 Coy Clements Pearl River Florida State 14 Griffin Rardin Shelton State Alabama 15 Jordan Martinez Gulf Coast State Florida State 16 Noah Bentley Weatherford Oklahoma 17 Kole Fenton Walters State North Carolina...
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