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High School  | General | 2/10/2023

Pacific Region Preview

Photo: Cole Schoenwetter (Perfect Game)
High School Preview Index

Regional Previews: Florida | Georgia

The Pacific Region and California in particular likely boast of the most talent of any region in the country in 2023 and it doesn’t look like it’s going to drop off at all looking at the 2024 and 2025 classes, either.  California has 15 players at the 2022 PG All-American Classic and three of them couldn’t even find their way onto the All-Region team, OF Will Gasparino (Harvard-Westlake HS), RHP Justin Lee (Notre Dame HS) and SS Carl Schmidt (Marin Catholic HS). 



California also has a list leading nine teams in the pre-season Top 50 High School Team Rankings, led by number two JSerra High School, with sixth ranked Huntington Beach HS and ninth ranked Harvard Westlake HS following close behind.

Hawaii shortstop Nolan Souza (Sr., Punahou HS, Ha.) just missed inclusion on the All-Region team and the left-handed hitter and Arkansas commit is one of the best prospects to come out of Hawaii in the past decade.

Pacific Region Dream Team

C –  Raffaele Velazquez (Sr., Huntington Beach HS, Calif.)
The left-handed hitting Velazquez made a swing adjustment late last spring that opened up his huge power, enabling him to hit .535-5-16 with seven doubles in the playoffs to lead Huntington Beach HS to a SoCal Division One championship.  He then homered at the PG National Showcase and won the Rawlings Home Run Derby at the PG All-American Classic.

1B –   Nolan Stevens (Sr., Franklin HS, Calif.)
Stevens is a two-way standout and a PG All-American with a big left-handed bat at the plate.  He also went 9-1 on the mound for Franklin High School with a fastball that reaches the low 90’s.  Stevens is signed with Mississippi State.

MIF –   Bryce Rainer (Jr., Harvard-Westlake HS, Calif.)
Rainer started for the powerhouse Harvard-Westlake team as a freshman and hit .393-5-21 as a sophomore while continuing to play outstanding defense in the middle of the field.  A Texas commit, Rainer is the seventh overall ranked player in the 2024 class nationally.

MIF –  Roman Martin (Sr., Servite HS, Calif.)
Martin is the highest ranked player in California in the PG 2023 class rankings at 16th overall.  He was named the co-Most Valuable Player of the prestigious Trinity League after hitting .422 as a junior and standing out with his smooth and polished defense at shortstop.

3B –   Eric Bitonti (Sr., Aquinas HS, Calif.)
The 6-foot-5, 215-pound Bitonti is one of the youngest top prospects in the 2023 class but is also one of the strongest and most physical.  The left-handed hitter posted .526-8-41 numbers as a junior to go with 55 runs scored and 17 doubles while also going 6-2, 0.62 on the mound.

OF –  Gavin Grahovac (Sr., Villa Park HS, Calif.)
Grahovac was named the Player of the Year by the Los Angeles Times and the Orange Park Register after hitting .376-5-24 with 17 doubles and playing all over the field on defense.  The Texas A&M signee’s most promising future defensive position might actually be behind the plate at catcher.

OF –  Derek Curiel (Jr., Orange Lutheran HS, Calif.)
Curiel has been the top ranked player in the 2024 class for the last two years and he hasn’t even began to tap into his big power potential at the plate.  He has an argument as the top defensive outfielder in all of high school baseball with his high-end speed and route running, with his speed also being a high impact tool on the bases.

OF –  Brandon Winokur (Sr., Edison HS, Calif.)
The 6-foot-5, 215-pound Winokur is still listed as a primary shortstop but also plays the outfield and profiles best there in the future defensively with his 6.5 speed and 95 mph outfield arm.  Winokur’s power potential really jumped out at the PG All-American Classic and he enjoyed one of the best high profile tournament performances of the year, hitting .647-3-14 with 12 runs scored 7 games at the WWBA 17U National Championships

LHP Boston Bateman (Jr., Camarillo HS, Calif.)
Bateman stands out for his 6-foot-7, 250-pound frame and intimidating presence on the mound.  He’s topped out at 93 mph already with plenty more there but his best pitch may be an upper 70’s curveball that he tunnels exceptionally well with his fastball.  Bateman struck out 41 hitters in 20 innings as a sophomore at Camarillo HS while going 3-1, 1.40.

RHP Gabe Gaeckle (Sr., Aptos HS, Calif.)
Gaeckle is the opposite of Bateman, standing 5-foot-11, 185-pounds, but has an electric right arm that produces a fastball that tops out at 97 mph to go with one of the best breaking balls in the country.  He was named the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League MVP last year, going 4-0, 1.03 on the mound with 92 strikeouts in 40 innings while hitting .373-5-24.

RHP Aidan Keenan (Sr., Live Oak HS, Calif.)
Keenan has one of true power arms in the 2023 class nationally, with a fastball that has topped out at 95 at PG events and up to 98 at other major events.  His curveball is a plus second offering and both pitches create tons of swing and miss.

RHP Cal Randall (Sr., De La Salle HS, Calif.)
Randall is the third All-Region pitcher from Northern California, a rare show of talent for that often over-looked part of the state.  Randall works in the 92-94 mph range with his fastball to go with a sweeping breaking ball from a mid-3/4’s arm slot that is especially tough on right-handed hitters.  He had a dominant PG All-American Classic performance and followed that up by striking out eight in five one-hit innings at the WWBA World Championships.

RHP Cole Schoenwetter (Sr., San Marcos HS, Calif.)
Schoenwetter is the top ranked pitcher in California and the fifth ranked right hander overall in the national rankings.  He generally works in the 91-94 mph range with his fastball, with some projection left in his 6-foot-3, 195-pound body, and has outstanding command of a big breaking curveball and solid change up.  He struck out 50 hitters in only 21 innings in PG play in 2022, including 24 in 10 innings at the WWBA 17U National Championships.

UT –  Trent Caraway (Sr., JSerra Catholic HS, Calif.)
Caraway earned his All-American status as a strong armed shortstop/third baseman with a very mature approach at the plate but he also has a chance to step forward as a two-way prospect this spring.  He has relatively limited experience on the mound but was 90-92 with an outstanding curveball and command at the PG National Showcase.


Pacific Region Top Tools


Best Hitter for Average: Derek Curiel (Jr., Orange Lutheran HS, Calif.)
Curiel’s left-handed swing is so smooth and low tension that more strength is really going to translate into even more bat speed.  He already has a very advanced and calm approach in the box.

Best Hitter for Power: Raffaele Velazquez (Sr., Huntington Beach HS, Calif.)
Velazquez’s big power surge in the summer has proven to be no short-term blip on the map, as he’s already shown up big in early season California play in 2023.

Best Runner: Matthew Priest (Jr., Maranatha Christian School, Calif.)
Priest’s 6.15 sixty mark speaks for itself but if anything that speed plays up in the games.  He’s hyper-aggressive on the bases and regularly runs about 4.05 home to first from the right side despite taking a big swing at the plate.

Best Defensive Catcher: Ryder Helfrick (Sr., Clayton Valley HS, Calif.)
Helfrick was named the MVP of the 2022 PG All-American Classic due to his exploits as a hitter but he stands out as one of the top defensive catchers in the 2023 class as well.  A 6.77 runner who would be a top level third baseman as well, Helfrick has a plus arm behind the plate and outstanding lateral agility.

Best Defensive Infielder: Charlie Bates (Jr., Palo Alto HS, Calif.)
Bates has a chance to become the top shortstop in the 2024 class nationally with additional strength and more national exposure.  He’s extremely athletic defensively and has all the tools to be a standout at the position for a long time.

Best Defensive Outfielder: Derek Curiel (Jr., Orange Lutheran HS, Calif.)
Curiel is a natural center fielder who gets outstanding jumps and covers vast amounts of ground with his long and easy strides.  His arm is more solid than plus but he makes extremely accurate throws.

Best Defensive Arm: Trent Caraway (Sr., JSerra Catholic HS, Calif.)
Caraway has been gunned at 94 mph across the infield and his throws definitely pass the eye test, as he gets outstanding carry while maintaining accuracy.

Best Fastball: RHP Aidan Keenan (Sr., Live Oak HS, Calif.)
Keenan’s fastball velocity is elite but what really sets the pitch apart is the big diving life he creates from an extended ¾’s arm slot.  His fastball picked up nine swing and misses in just two innings at the PG National Showcase due to that late life.

Best Off-Speed Stuff: Gabe Gaeckle (Sr., Aptos HS, Calif.)
Gaeckle’s 80 mph curveball has exceptional hard biting action to go with its power velocity and regularly registers spin rates in the 2,900-3,000 rpm range.  His change up is a nice third pitch that he doesn’t often need to use in games yet and he commands both pitches well.

Best Pitchability: Cole Schoenwetter (Sr., San Marcos HS, Calif.)
Schoenwetter’s extreme strike out numbers (he also struck out 70 in 38 high school innings) are more due to his command and his ability to change speeds than from a dominating fastball.  His breaking ball doesn’t have plus power, mostly around 75 mph, but it has big vertical break and induces lots of swing and miss.

Best Multi-Sport Athlete: Will Burns (Sr., Trabuco Hills HS, Calif.)
Burns is signed to play both baseball and football at Texas Tech and it will be interesting to see which sports wins out in the end.  A speedy middle infielder with a strong arm, Burns is ranked 239th in the 2023 class in baseball.  On the football field, he threw for 2,762 yards and 25 touchdowns in 10 games as a senior along with averaging over 10 yards a rush and scoring nine times on the ground.

High School | General | 11/20/2025

Regional Superlatives: Florida

Vincent Cervino
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Most Likely To Make a Huge Jump in the Rankings in 2026 RJ Shields (2027, Venice, Fl.) Shields took some significant strides throughout 2025, especially on the mound. The fastball reached 95 mph in recent months and he projects well with great athleticism and a sharp breaking ball. Shields is also a left-handed bat with good thump in the stick. The Mississippi State commit shot up the rankings following a loud fall and looks poised to continue to climb. -KP High speed BP swing from '27 OF Gavin Ruvalcaba (FL)... #JrNational @Florida_PG https://t.co/OwU9I0u6eY pic.twitter.com/gjYZbmCPGE — PG Showcases (@PGShowcases) June 12, 2025 Gavin Ruvalcaba (2027, Hialeah, Fl.) Ruvalcaba had a very strong 2025 and looks to be continuing on that path. The Duke commit has plenty of athleticism and is very well rounded with good tools across the board. The stroke is smooth and produces...
College | Recruiting | 12/15/2025

Recruiting Notebook: December 15

John McAdams
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Tucker Rice (27 MS) bumping up to 91; living hi-80s from real fast arm. Good SL @ 77-79 w/ depth & sold w/ intent. Loads of traits & strikes. #WWBA @PG_Uncommitted @PG_DeepSouth pic.twitter.com/DEjFqRcsIY — Perfect Game Scout (@PG_Scouting) July 6, 2025 Tucker Rice, RHP, Class of 2027 Commitment: Alabama Alabama has continued to stay red hot in the recruiting trail ever since August 1st rolled around on the calendar and have continued to stack major pieces in their ’27 class. They dip into Mississippi to land one of the premier arms and one that’s stood out on the circuit for quite some time. It’s a fast arm and the athleticism certainly shines working down the slope. The velocity has continued to tick up over the last calendar year and reached into the low-90s towards the end of the summer. He’s confident in his changeup and the breaking ball is...
Tournaments | Story | 12/15/2025

17u Tourney All-American Team

Vincent Cervino
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There’s a lot of talent throughout this 2026 class, filled with the big-name stars, to talent that spreads across the nation. It’s been a lot of fun seeing these prospects grow and develop over the years, from the days of watching some of these guys at the 13/14u days at events on the circuit, to now where they are all graduating seniors in 2026. There’s been new faces who have popped along the way over the years, even in 2026, where some players who were relatively undiscovered, have come out and made a name for themselves with a statement performance. Between the familiar and the new, there’s a lot of names on this list that are going to be quite regularly talked about on the circuit, and for good reason.  Whether it’s PG All-Americans or not, there’s a lot of names with superstar potential at the next level. We’ve got 14 PG All-Americans...
Tournaments | Story | 12/13/2025

Finest in the Field: Class of 2029

Tyler Russo
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Finest in the Field: Class of 2026 | Class of 2027 | Class of 2028 These guys might just be entering high school, but they've certainly already made a name for themselves on the national circuit, especially with their abilities on the defensive side of things.  C: Xavier Rodriguez (Logansville, GA) Rodriguez is a polished defender with real arm strength behind the dish, while showcasing the ability to impact the baseball with authority to all fields evident by thirty of his sixty-five hits going for extra-bases including seven bombs. He handles high-level pitching extremely well, commands his staff and his offensive prowess makes him a true two-way asset. 1B: Cooper Knight (Buda, TX) Knight is a smooth operator at first base with plenty of range, fluidity and agility in his footwork around the bag. Add-in a rocket for an arm, the ability to change slots and to...
Tournaments | Story | 12/12/2025

Scout Stories: Part 5

AJ Denny
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Best Game I Saw: The Dream NTL 18U vs. MBA Scout Team Murphy Jupiter always brings out the best, and we got fireworks from the jump. Turner Marshall gave The Dream an outstanding 4+ innings of work on the mound, holding a lethal MBA team at bay with Chance Dixon, Derrick Carter, and Ellis Appling providing an offensive spark out of the gate for the Georgia based boys. However, it was only a matter of time before the talent on the other side got going, as MBA erased a 3-run deficit in the 5th to take a 4-3 lead led by a Parker Loew HR. The Dream then took command again in the Top of the 6th, before MBA punched right back with a huge 5-run inning in the bottom half capped off by a clutch RBI single from Matthew Kerrigan, ending a wild sequence with tons of notable performances from two very competitive rosters. Best Tournament Performance I Saw: Surely someone has already brought this...
College | Story | 12/12/2025

College Notebook: December 12

Craig Cozart
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Nebraska Cornhuskers 2025 Highlights: The Cornhuskers were a difficult team to figure in ’25 as they finished with 33 wins, played just .500 (15-15) in the Big Ten but had some big wins at various times during the season and got hot at the right time. They knocked off then #16 Vanderbilt in the second game of the year, beat #5 Oregon State 2-out-of-3 at home in late March and then got hot at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha to win the Big Ten Tournament. They beat Michigan State in a 10-inning thriller before taking care of #4 Oregon, knocking off Penn State and then shutout #13 UCLA to punch their ticket to the Chapel Hill Regional. Head coach Will Bolt has now led his alma mater to three conference titles and three NCAA Regional appearances during his six years in Lincoln. No different than when he was a player, Bolt’s teams play with passion and toughness, this was never more...
Tournaments | Story | 12/12/2025

Finest in the Field: Class of 2028

Troy Sutherland
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Finest in the Field: Class of 2026 | Class of 2027 You like athletes? You like defenders who can impact a game at any given point? Look not further than this class as it's loaded from coast-to-coast with elite defenders all over the diamond.  C: Brogan Witcher, Bakersfield, CA Our scouting staff got several strong looks at Witcher whether that was at the Summer Kickoff, Sophomore National or the Underclass All American Games where he showcased his strong overall skillset and especially his advanced ability behind the plate. His 6-foot-3,180 pound build looks like one that will fill in quite nicely and be that big and physical catcher’s frame. His arm talent is undeniable where he gets it out quick and runs it up to 79 mph on throwdowns to 2nd (1.84 pop). Besides the standout catch/throw ability, we’ve seen him frame/receive strong arms and block it well during...
Softball | Softball Tournament | 12/11/2025

PG Softball "Toys 4 Tots" Fundraiser 18U division

Dave Durbala
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BURLINGTON, IA - 2025 Perfect Game Softball Toys 4 Tots Fundraiser One Day, December 7, 2025. Kicking off the holiday season, six teams participated in this one day, 3 game guarantee tournament in the 18u Division. We would like to thank those that donated a toy, and know that they will be distributed to area underprivileged children through a local charity organization. Following are some of the top performers from the weekend. Earning Tournament MV-Pitcher was Jolee Strohmeyer (2026 Dubuque, IA), a RHP/UTIL with tournament champion Lady Expos Blue. Strohmeyer shows hitters a consistent and repeatable motion and delivery with good use of the legs in the drive phase, and a quick and aggressive arm whip. Working with a six pitch mix of fastball, change-up, rise, drop, curve and screw, Strohmeyer topped out at 60 mph, and showed good movement  as she worked her rise and curve just out...
Tournaments | Story | 12/11/2025

Scout Stories: Part 4

Tyler Henninger
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Scout Notes: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 Best Game I Saw: Hudson Reed (‘26, GA) torches this ball to deep CF for a solo 💣. Generates easy power that plays to the big part of the yard. Middle of the order traits #UBCWest @PG_Georgia @PG_Uncommitted pic.twitter.com/UXqDVFmUBx — Perfect Game California (@California_PG) June 18, 2025 I was fortunate enough to see a lot of highly competitive games with loads of talent on the field, the game that sticks out to me the most was Alpha Prime 2026 vs. ZT National Prospects at the UBC West. The game was an efficiently played affair with arms dominating on both sides. Graham Schlicht was masterful for Alpha, striking out 12 hitters over 5 dominant innings. PG All-American Julian Cazares came out of the pen blowing smoke, touching 97 mph with the fastball. On the other side, Jake Carbaugh surrendered just one hit and...
Press Release | Press Release | 12/11/2025

PG Believe In Baseball Announces Awards Dinner

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   THE PERFECT GAME BELIEVE IN BASEBALL FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES DETAILS FOR FIRST ANNUAL “IN THE SPIRIT OF THE GAME” AWARDS DINNER AND AUCTION   Los Angeles, California (Thursday, December 11, 2025) – The Perfect Game Believe in Baseball Foundation, together with Perfect Game leadership of Chairman Rick Thurman and CEO Rob Ponger, has announced the inaugural “In the Spirit of the Game” event, an evening of baseball and laughter, taking place Saturday, January 31, 2026, at the iconic Laugh Factory in Hollywood, Calif. The evening supports the Foundation’s mission to provide financial assistance and resources that allow deserving young athletes to play, learn and grow through the...
Tournaments | Story | 12/11/2025

Finest in the Field: Class of 2027

AJ Denny
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Finest in the Field: Class of 2026 Elite defenders from coast to coast certainly seems to be a strength and to think you could make another top-tier team without thinking, speaks to the real depth this group possesses. The infield is a no-doubt strength of the group, but what catcher Dariel Carrion can do behind the plate is like something we haven't seen in a while in the prep ranks with an absolutely bazooka of an arm.  C: Dariel Carrion (San Juan, PR)  It isn’t often you get a catching prospect as athletic and natural as Dariel Carrion, a big reason why he holds the rank of #1 player in PR and #18 nationally. Metrics wise, the 5-foot-10, 210 pound San Juan native is all you can ask for and more, posting a sub 1.80 pop time with an 84 mph arm behind the dish. He has both contact and clear power threat on the offensive end, ending 2025 with a .337 BA and 4 HRs while also...
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