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College  | Story | 12/16/2022

College Notebook: December 16

Craig Cozart
Photo: Cade Kuehler (Campbell Athletics)
Programs covered this week: Stanford, Oregon, Campbell, Winthrop

Stanford
It only takes a few minutes in a conversation with Dave Esquer for you to understand why his ball clubs play with such an even keeled and confident manner. The Stanford head coach has a system that he believes in, his players buy in, and they methodically execute the plan on a daily basis. They are coming off back-to-back College World series appearance and the coaching staff is excited about their returning core of veterans especially in the junior class, as well as the high-end talent of their true freshman.



There were significant losses from last year’s roster due to the draft and graduation, but this club shouldn’t skip a beat offensively. Braden Montgomery was a freshman All-American in 2022 and is back in right field. Eddie Park will set the table for middle of the order power hitters, Carter Graham, and Drew Bowser, all of whom are draft eligible juniors. Malcolm Moore will be in the lineup even when he’s not handling the catching duties.

With the gloves, they will be strong up the middle as Trevor Haskins and Tommy Troy will most likely anchor the middle infield. Charlie Saum brings a quality catch and throw skill set back behind the plate. Owen Cobb can play most any spot on the field and Temo Becerra, can really swing it as he adds depth to the infield corp.

The Cardinal return a true, pitching staff ace in Quinn Matthews, who unexpectedly returns to campus with his 9 wins and 9 saves from last year. After that, juniors Drew Dowd, Joey Dixon, Brandt Pancer, Tommy O'Rourke, and Ryan Bruno provide deep arm talent that could pave the way to another run in Omaha.
 
Oregon
Since returning to Eugene in 2020 to take over as the head coach at the University of Oregon, Mark Wasikowski has quickly turned the Ducks into a power in the Pac-12 and a player on the national landscape of college baseball. This year’s club has one of the most physical and talented rosters in the nation and has the look of a club that could make a deep run in the postseason. Waz is particularly excited about his offense with its firepower, they have elite arm talent but lack the in-game experience; however, they will be a veteran club positionally that can really cover the field.

Two returning sticks that will set the tone for the Ducks offense are Tanner Smith and Drew Cowley. Smith has the most career hits in school history with 226 and Cowley was arguably the best hitter in the nation last year before a season ending injury. Transfers Owen Diodati from Alabama, and Towns King from Samford are experienced left-handed hitters that had tremendous falls. San Jacinto Community College transfers Sabin Ceballos, and Mason Lytle are special talents and Rikuu Nishida from Mt. Hood CC made waves in the Cape this past summer. Freshman Dominic Hellman is a beast at 6-6/245, can play in the middle infield and has light tower power.

The question about this club is how quickly the pitching staff comes along. Logan Mercado, Isaac Ayon, and RJ Gordon are all power RHP’s that are back and will do some of the heavy lifting on the mound. If Andrew Mosiello can get healthy, he could be the key to all the pieces falling into place. Freshmen Matthew Grabmann, Tanner Spoljaric, and Jackson Pace are all power arms that had good fall seasons. Leo Uelmen may be the biggest surprise of the fall from a pitching standpoint, and in state LHP, Ian Umlandt showed a quality 3-pitch mix. Transfer portal arm, Josh Mollerus from San Francisco will be called on to fill the void left by Kolby Somers at the back end of games. His low-to-mid 90’s fastball and hammer for a breaking ball should give them security at the backend.

The Ducks are a nice blend of veterans, transfers and true freshman that will all contribute to what should be a banner year for the program. They have once again put together a daunting schedule not including Pac-12 play. This is a top-25 caliber team on paper and if things turn out on the mound, they should be hosting another regional in 2023.
 
Campbell
 Just about everywhere you turned in the Coastal Region this fall, the talk amongst the professional scouting community was the Campbell Camels. Head Coach, Justin Haire has seen his club dominate the Big South for the last five years plus, and while he may not admit it this may well be his most physical and talented club to date. Opponents are glad to see the likes of Zach Neto and Thomas Harrington, both 1st round picks, depart but unfortunately for the teams in the other dugout this club has way more depth.

The main reason scouts will be flocking to Buies Creek this spring is to see the parade of arms on a staff that on scout day saw 19 pitchers touch 90 mph or better but more impressively 12 of those hit at least 94 mph. Setting the tone on Friday nights will be Cade Kuehler, Team USA member, with his upper-90’s fastball and repertoire that boasts six legitimate offerings. Cade Boxrucker is another mid-90’s arm who has refined his delivery and will be joined in the rotation by JUCO transfer, Chance Daquila and ETSU transfer Hunter Loyd both of whom have the moxie and stuff to dominate lineups. Anchoring the bullpen, Daniel Brown will be one of the most prolific LHP’s in all of college baseball with his fastball that has reached 100 mph to go with his low-80’s slider. Ernie Day was up to 97 mph this fall and will float between being a spot starter and a guy that can give them length out of the bullpen.

Offensively, the Camels will be their usual mix of power, speed and aggressive in your face style of play. Grant Knipp will take over the duties behind the plate, with Drake Pierson returning his 19 home runs to first base. Logan Jordan plays multiple positions, Jarrod Belbin hit 19 HRs as the leadoff, and it looks like Bryce Arnold will fill the void left by Neto at the shortstop position. Dalen Thompson is a supreme athlete that has the tools to go off with JUCO transfers Trenton Harris and Chandler Riley could make up the left side of the infield. There are plenty of other skilled pieces to the puzzle and if things go right, Campbell may finally break through and see themselves in a Super Regional.
 
Winthrop
 Winthrop has been a program that has looked primed for a breakout season, they have had some nice runs, but that Big South championship has eluded them. However, head coach Tom Riginos feels this club may have the right mix with six returning starters, to take the Eagles back to the NCAA Tournament. They have historically been a program that has done a great job of developing their young players and when they mature, put a tough, polished product on the field. This roster saw a shift as they dipped into the JUCO ranks and the transfer portal to elevate this year’s roster.

As the game of baseball demands, this club will go as far as their arms take them. Alex Logusch, Jefferson College transfer, had an impressive fall showing a FB up to 93 and one of the best sliders at the mid-major level. Portal arm, Brody Hopkins is a legit two-way talent that could start in CF and with a mid-90’s heater looks like he will be the lynchpin at the back of the bullpen. Sophomore Caleb Jones made huge strides this fall as he refined his sinker/slider combo, the FB living in the low-90’s and generating swing and miss with the breaker. Lefty JUCO transfer, Riley Huge should be in the back end of the rotation with his three-pitch combo, tough angle, and upper-80’s velo. If RHP Brady Houston recovers well from hip surgery, he should impact the rotation with his track record of filling up the zone and being a tenacious competitor.

Offensively, they hit the transfer portal at the D3 level, attracting hitters with a proven track record that translated well this fall. McKinley Erves transfers in from LaGrange College and has the skill set to impact the game with the bat and the glove. Mark Kirkland from Redmond College proved to be a pure hitter all fall and will find himself in the heart of the lineup. Returners Joey Szvetitz and Will Martin have both added physicality and seen their games get to the next level, while showing leadership intangibles that are valuable to any club. Ramses Cordova is a JUCO stick that took over the job at shortstop and is going to be one of the more offensive middle guys in the Big South. Nate Chronis will see time behind the plate, led the team in home runs in the fall and will handle the staff alongside Ty Hooks this spring.
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College | Story | 7/28/2026

Coppy's Corner: July 28 Summer Edition
John Coppolella
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The amateur players in the Cape Cod Baseball League are the future stars of the 2027 MLB Draft. The league runs from June 13th through August 2nd. Games are played at historic stadiums in Old New England towns. It’s beautiful and charming. Hollywood even made a movie about the Cape Cod League ~25 years ago called Summer Catch. It scored an 8% (!) on Rotten Tomatoes, but, on the plus side, it featured 2001 Jessica Biel in a starring role.  It was so much fun writing Coppy’s Column this spring. My hope is to highlight a pitcher and position player each week from the Cape. And, who knows, maybe somewhere out there Jessica Biel is reading it.    Player of the Week: Blake Schaaf – Bourne Braves  Schaaf had a big week, going 12-for-22 (.545 AVG) with 3 Doubles, 4 Stolen Bases, and 9 Runs Scored. It’s been the continuation of a terrific summer for the...
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Draft | Story | 7/30/2026

2026 MLB Draft Signing Deadline Recap

Tyler Henninger
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As of Monday at 5 p.m. ET, the 2026 MLB Draft is officially complete. The signing deadline has passed, meaning we now know every team’s finalized draft class and exactly how much each player signed for. Entering the draft, it was clear there was a distinct top tier consisting of Roch Cholowsky, Grady Emerson, and Vahn Lackey. That separation became even more evident once contracts were signed. Cholowsky became the first player in draft history to sign for more than $10 million, agreeing to a record-setting $10,347,500 bonus with the White Sox. Emerson set a new high school signing bonus record at $9,747,500, the second-largest bonus ever awarded to a draft pick. Lackey rounded out the trio with a $9,497,500 bonus, the third-largest signing bonus in MLB Draft history. Those weren’t the only records set. Teams combined to spend $402,481,143 in signing bonuses, surpassing last...
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Tournaments | Championship | 7/30/2026

Blue Wave Battle & Prevail at 14u Classic

Kinley Kitchens
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For Excel Blue Wave, the summer was never about being perfect. It was about getting better. After a season filled with challenges, growth, and plenty of learning along the way, Excel Blue Wave put everything together when it mattered most, defeating SBG Sox Prime, Al 9-3 to capture the 2026 14U Perfect Game Hoover Classic championship. For Excel Blue Wave Coach Forrest Heacock, watching the group celebrate with a championship trophy was especially meaningful because of everything it took to get there.  “It hasn’t been the easiest summer, and have battled a lot,” Coach Heacock said. “The kids have improved so much over the summer, and that is really what it’s all about at this age. It’s really just about improving at this age, and to see them be able to put it together, and just really compete together and play as a team, I couldn’t be...
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Tournaments | Championship | 7/30/2026

Excel Leaves No Doubt at 15u Hoover Classic

Kinley Kitchens
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Excel Blue Wave National wasn’t leaving Hoover empty-handed.  At least, that was the message head coach Wes Henderson gave his team.  After a summer filled with strong performances but without a tournament title to show for them, Excel Blue Wave National entered the 2026 15U Perfect Game Hoover Classic with one more opportunity to finish the season the way they wanted.  This time, they left no doubt.  Excel Blue Wave National defeated East Coast Sox 2029 Victus, 12-0 in the championship game, combining a balanced offensive attack with a strong performance on the mound to secure their first tournament title of the summer.  “It’s been a special group,” Coach Henderson said. “They fought really hard, and they played really well this summer, and this is the first championship that we’ve been able to bring home. We typically...
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Tournaments | Championship | 7/29/2026

"Excel"ling Through the Hoover Classic

Kinley Kitchens
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After a long summer of baseball, Excel Blue Wave National had one final opportunity to end it the way every team hopes to.  Together, having fun, and as champions. Excel Blue Wave National closed their summer with a 13-9 victory over Excel Blue Wave American – Morrison to capture the 2026 16U Perfect Game Hoover Classic championship. In a game that required contributions throughout the lineup and seven innings of competition, the Excel Blue Wave National relied on the same qualities and approach that had carried the group all summer. With talent, perseverance and a chemistry built far beyond the baseball field, they were unstoppable.  For head coach Brennan McCullough, there couldn’t have been a much better way for his players to finish their final weekend together .  “It’s great,” Coach McCullough said. “We’ve had a long...
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Tournaments | Story | 7/29/2026

16u West WS Scout Notes: Days 3-4

Quinton Hall
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16u West World Series Scout Notes: Days 1-2 Jason Lizotte (‘28 | NV) Smooth LHH, hunts pitches down in the zone he can rip to the middle & PS w/ a downhill & direct path. Some strength in the hands w/ feel for the barrel #PGWS pic.twitter.com/kbK5Ayvhd7 — Perfect Game Four Corners (@PG_FourCorners) July 27, 2026 Jason Lizotte (2028 | Las Vegas, NV) The 5-foot-9, 145-pound left-handed hitter and outfielder was a spark plug all weekend for MTBA Dawgs 2028, finishing with seven hits, eight runs scored, one double, one triple, four RBI, three stolen bases, and four walks without a strikeout. Lizotte refused to give away an at-bat, consistently working hitter’s counts before spraying line drives all over the field. The left-handed swing stays short and direct with plenty of feel for the barrel, and once he reached base, he immediately put pressure on the defense with...
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Tournaments | Championship | 7/29/2026

SBA Sox Save Best for Last

Kinley Kitchens
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Sometimes the best ending comes after a season of figuring things out. For SBG Sox American, the summer wasn’t always seamless. The team spent their early weeks learning where players fit best, building chemistry and searching for the combination that would allow them to play their best baseball. By the final weekend, they found it.  SBG Sox American closed their summer with a 7-5 victory over Dirtbags Midsouth 2027 Black to capture the 2026 17U Perfect Game Hoover Classic championship, putting together one final winning performance in the last tournament this group would share this summer.  For SBG Sox Coach Cooper Williams, that made taking home the championship trophy even more meaningful. “It’s been great, especially for it being their last summer event,” Coach Williams said. “It’s really cool for them to kind of pull this thing out for...
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Tournaments | Story | 7/29/2026

East World Series Scout Notes

Perfect Game Staff
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Evan Brand (2027, Acworth, Ga.) has been solid at the plate all summer and did not slow down late in the summer. This week, Brand was able to hit just under the .700 mark and tallied three extra base hits, including a homer. The switch hitter has a fluid barrel path with plus feel for the barrel to all fields. The lower half also moves with some rhythm, and the switch hitting ability with the accuracy to the barrel provides plenty of intrigue. The middle infielder is committed to Georgia Tech. Atley Schwarzrock (‘27 GA) catches of all of the first pitch he sees launching it over the wall in left for a 2-run 💣 sending it with some heat; stays loose in his progressing ripping the barrel thru the zone with some strength behind it and staying tall on impact. #EastWS… pic.twitter.com/oGxbPQN1W0 — Perfect Game Georgia (@PG_Georgia) July 27, 2026 Atley Schwarzrock (2027,...
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Tournaments | Story | 7/29/2026

17u World Series Scout Notes: Days 3-5

Perfect Game Staff
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17u World Series Scout Notes: Days 1-2 Lukas Waite (‘27, CA) showed LOUD stuff out of the pen. 6-2/205 frame. High-end athlete on the mound. FB sat 92-95 (T96). SL at 80-82 generated uncomfortable whiffs #PGWS @California_PG @PG_Uncommitted pic.twitter.com/UXaVxqA2kv — Perfect Game Four Corners (@PG_FourCorners) July 27, 2026 Lukas Waite (2027, San Diego, Calif.) came out of the pen on day four and showcased the loudest stuff out of the entire event. The recently named PG All-American ran the fastball up to 96 mph and sat 92-95 mph throughout the outing. A slider at 80-82 mph was lethal. It tunnels well off the heater and gets uncomfortable whiffs often. Waite features a 6-2, 205-pound frame that moves extremely well. There is supreme athleticism throughout the delivery that stands out. The upside is extremely high and will be sure to draw heavy draft interest during this...
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All American Game | Story | 7/29/2026

Victorino & Girardi Tabbed PGAAC Managers

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    667 Progress Way | Sanford, FL 32771 | 319-298-2923 www.perfectgame.org | facebook.com/perfectgameusa | @PerfectGameUSA     FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   SHANE VICTORINO AND JOE GIRARDI NAMED MANAGERS FOR PERFECT GAME DICK'S ALL-AMERICAN CLASSIC AT CITIZENS BANK PARK   Former Phillies Stars to Lead Nation's Top High School Baseball Players on August 16 in Philadelphia   Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Wednesday, July 29, 2026) - Perfect Game, the world’s largest youth baseball and softball platform and scouting service, today announced that former Phillies All-Star outfielder Shane Victorino and former Phillies manager Joe Girardi will serve as managers for Team East and Team West, respectively, at the 2026 Perfect Game DICK'S All-American Classic, taking place on Sunday, August 16, at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pa.   Joining Girardi and...
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