General | Blog | 6/16/2026
Wolforth Throwing Mentorship: Article 66
Ron Wolforth
The Number That Just Killed MLB Expansion: 1,217 USA Today's Bob Nightengale dropped a bomb shell recently that the baseball world is still digesting. Major League Baseball wants to expand to 32 teams. Team executives are quietly opposing it and the reason has nothing to do with cities or money. They cannot find enough healthy pitchers. Between 2020 and 2024, professional baseball performed 1,026 Tommy John surgeries at the minor-league level alone. Another 191 at the Major League level. More than twelve hundred elbow reconstructions in five years on the best young pitchers in the world. That is not bad luck. That is a system reporting a verdict on itself. For fifteen years, the youth-baseball industry has chased one number: velocity significantly more than projectability and arm care. Recruiters scout by it. Social...
Tournaments |
Story |
7/19/2026
17u WWBA North Champ. Scout Notes
Perfect Game Staff
Ty Teske (2027, Merrill, WI) worked a complete-game seven-inning shutout while striking out 12 and never allowed the game to speed up on him. The fastball sat 79-81 and touched 83, consistently working to both sides of the plate and getting him into favorable counts. Repeats the delivery exceptionally well and maintained command throughout all seven innings. Mixed in a 69-71 curveball with depth that he showed confidence landing for strikes early or using to finish at-bats. Did an excellent job changing eye levels and preventing hitters from sitting on one pitch. Landon Sanderson (2027, Lake Crystal, MN) attacked hitters with an 85-87 fastball that reached 89 and showed quality arm-side movement through the zone. The ball comes out with some jump and continued to play throughout the outing. Stayed on the attack from the first inning, consistently getting ahead and forcing...
Tournaments |
Story |
7/19/2026
SW Select Champ. Loaded With Talent
Emily Hicks
After the intense week of the WWBA Championship, another weekend of Perfect Game baseball is set with the Southwest Select Championship Tournament, with three days of competitive action. Taking place at Goodyear Ballpark, teams in the 15U, 16U, and 18U divisions will take the field looking to build momentum, showcase their talent, and compete for a championship against some of the top travel ball programs in the region. The tournament brings together teams from across the west, creating a competitive field filled with established organizations and rising clubs. Throughout pool play and the championship bracket, every game will present an opportunity for players to make an impact. The 15U division features a talented group of rising prospects eager to prove themselves against quality competition. As players continue to develop, this tournament provides another opportunity to gain valuable...
PG Select Baseball Festival |
General |
7/19/2026
11u Select Festival Roster Release
John McAdams
11u Select Festival Event Page The sixth iteration of Perfect Game Select 11U Baseball Festival will take place on August 8th at the historic East Cobb Complex in Marietta, Georgia. After an exciting 2026 tournament season, final selections were made after the completion of the Perfect Game Invitational National Championship in Southaven, Mississippi. This year’s rosters are comprised of players twelve different states as twenty-eight of the best players will descend on Georgia in a celebration of their play throughout the season, bringing to light the amazing platform that Perfect Game has created for today’s youth athletes. The sheer amount of talent throughout the country within this age group is a testament to the continued development of so many athletes. The Select Festivals provide elite players with a unique opportunity to compete alongside and against the best talent...
College |
Story |
7/18/2026
Cape Cod League Notebook: July 18
Perfect Game Staff
Brandon Shannon | Fr. | RHP | Louisville | Bourne Braves The freshman right-hander possesses arguably the most electric arm on the Cape, pairing a lean, projectable frame with plenty of room to continue adding strength. Shannon worked an effortless 96-98 mph throughout the outing with premium arm speed. His mid-80s slider generates plenty of swing-and-miss, while his 92-93 mph power changeup gives him a quality third offering to neutralize left-handed hitters. After flashing premium stuff during his freshman season at Louisville, Shannon has carried that arsenal into the summer and possesses the type of arm talent to develop into a Day 1 draft prospect as he continues refining his command and overall polish. Another look at 1B/P Josiah Overbeek (@HailStateBB) Pull side RBI single here. @BourneBraves https://t.co/YA17RJnFo8 pic.twitter.com/Jw7iDMliZG — PG College...
Tournaments |
Story |
7/18/2026
15u WWBA Scout Notes: Day 1
Perfect Game Staff
Hudson Sage (’29, Houston, TX) had a strong start to his event, collecting three hits to drive in four including a pair of doubles. Sage operates from a medium right-handed frame with a mix of length and strength, displaying athleticism. He starts with a wide base, keeping the hands high and active, working into a deep inward leg load. The native Texan fires through a quick and compact barrel with accuracy and all fields impact. Defensively, Sage appeared in the outfield where he has proven to have a strong throwing arm. Cooper Holland (‘29, CA) deposits a solo homer to straightaway right. Upright setup from the left side, utilizing HH + an even base. Employs a hovering LL pre-launch. #WWBA @California_PG pic.twitter.com/RuPy6NR3oE — Perfect Game Scout (@PG_Scouting) July 17, 2026 Cooper Holland (’29, Mission Viejo, CA) collected two hits to kick off pool play,...
Tournaments |
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7/17/2026
South Champ. & South Elite Scout Notes
Geoff Billock
Peyton Alvarez (2029, New Braunfels, Texas) put on a display for Marucci Elite TX Ramirez. Went 4-8 with two doubles. Worked strong at bats, drawing a total of six walks. Lot of deep counts, putting stress on opposing arms. Also swiped a staggering seven bases over the span of five games. Repeatable right-handed stroke with hands that work quickly through the zone. Was an absolute force at the top of the order all weekend. Jack Simms (2028, Cypress, Texas) put together a strong showing for Texas Brigade 2028 - Konarik. Went 3-9 with a double, a home run, and five runs batted in. Showed some quick hands, working through an uphill plane, playing well to the pullside. Frame has plenty more in the tank, impact should continue to develop as he fills out. Riley Thompson (2029, Leander, Texas) had another loud weekend for Test Black. 5-9 at the plate with three doubles and no strikeouts. Super...
Tournaments |
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7/17/2026
BCS Midwest Championship Scout Notes
Perfect Game Staff
’29 INF Aarion Gould (IL) drives this ball deep to CF for a triple. Simple setup w/ a controlled load. Keeps the barrel in the zone w/ good extension through contact. Big day at the plate going 2-for-3 with 4 RBI. #BCSMW @WhitesoxAce pic.twitter.com/QL9jPCTAv8 — Perfect Game Illinois (@PG_Illinois) July 12, 2026 Aarion Gould (2029, Chicago, Ill.) earned Tournament MVP honors after helping lead Chicago White Sox ACE 2029 to the BCS Midwest Championship. The right-handed infielder displayed a direct swing path with quality barrel accuracy, using the middle of the field approach. Present strength was evident, producing two doubles, one triple, while hitting .444 (8-for-18) with seven RBI, three stolen bases and a 1.277 OPS. Gould also contributed on the mound, tossing 6.0 scoreless innings while allowing three hits and striking out six. ’29 RHP Xavier Alvarez (IL)...
Tournaments |
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7/17/2026
WWBA Midwest Regional Champ. Notes
Perfect Game Staff
’28 OF Caleb Wilson (IN) drives this fastball into the RCF gap for a double. Quick hands and bat-to-ball skills on display. Good game at the plate. Finished 2-for-3 with an RBI. #WWBAMW @TopTierBaseball @PG_OhioValley pic.twitter.com/IC5dmPojcz — Perfect Game Illinois (@PG_Illinois) July 13, 2026 Caleb Wilson (2028, Crown Point, Ind.) helped lead Top Tier Americans 2028 to the 16U WWBA Regional Championship and delivered one of the tournament's top offensive performances. The 5-foot-9, 165-pound left-handed outfielder displayed good plate discipline, a quick bat and barreled balls to all parts of the field. Plus speed also added another dimension to Wilson's game on the base paths, consistently putting pressure on opposing defenses. The Tournament MVP saw the ball extremely well, hitting .667 (14-for-21) with two triples, six RBI, four stolen bases and a 1.588 OPS. Brennen...
Tournaments |
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7/16/2026
17u Elite Scout Notes: Days 3-4
Perfect Game Staff
17u Elite Scout Notes: Days 1-2 '27 OF Carson Bruce (GA) sent a missile off the 400' sign in dead CF on a line & laced another hit later on. Couple of really impressive swings & has low effort barrel jump. #NatElite @PG_Georgia @Official_ECB https://t.co/lkthA2Uk1T pic.twitter.com/RimhoEzEVA — Perfect Game Scout (@PG_Scouting) July 14, 2026 Carson Bruce (2027, Powder Springs, Ga.) showed off some real impact and looked very comfortable in the box on Tuesday. The Georgia commit collected four hits on the day out of the cleanup spot for East Cobb Astros 17U. His most impressive swing on the day came in game two, sending an absolute missile off of the 400 foot sign in dead center, strolling in for a double. The ball came off the bat screaming and reached the center field in a blink. The impact comes very easy for the left-handed stick and the ball jumps with low effort. Bruce...
Tournaments |
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7/16/2026
Top Talent On Display at 17u BCS
Alyssa Golden
The 21st annual 17U BCS National Championship brings together some of the nation’s top programs and elite 2027 prospects to Fort Myers, Florida, from July 17-21. With dozens of Division I commits and nationally ranked prospects set to compete, here are some of the players expected to make the biggest impact throughout the weekend. For Florida Burn 2027 Scout, which is currently ranked #5 nationally Florida Burn will be No. 107-ranked outfielder RJ Shields and No. 129-ranked third baseman Braedon Mackay. One of the premier two-way prospects in the tournament, Shields, brings one of the strongest arms in the field. The Venice, Florida native has run his fastball up to 95 mph while also showcasing a 98 mph throwing arm from the outfield, making him a weapon on both sides of the ball. On the mound this season, the Mississippi State commit has struck out 29 batters in 15.1 innings,...