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High School  | General | 3/1/2023

PG High School Showdown Preview

Tyler Russo
Cam McElwaney
PerfectGame.TV Live Schedule

Thursday, March 2
2:00 PM - IMG (FL) vs Ocean Spring (MS)
4:30 PM - Helena (AL) vs Houston County (GA)



Friday, March 3
10:15 AM - Reborn Academy (FL) vs Hitters Baseball (WI)
1:00 PM - Winner of Dublin (GA) /Central (AL) vs Winner of Huntsville (AL)/Gulfport (MS)
3:30 PM - Winner of Daphne (AL)/Lowndes (GA) vs Winner of Sparkman (AL) /Jackson Prep (MS)

Saturday, March 4
10:30 AM - White Bracket Championship
1:00 PM - Blue Bracket Championship
3:30 PM - Red Bracket Championship


RED BRACKET 
Sandy Creek Patriots (Tyrone, Ga.) 
Head Coach: Nick Pou 
2022 Record: 16-13 
Top Ranked Player: OF Kaleb Cost (2023, North Carolina) 
Top Ranked Pitcher: RHP Taylor Ganci (2024, Uncommitted) 

This is a fun group who has started the spring pretty well with a few offensive explosions in their wins so far. Kaleb Cost is one of the more dynamic athletes in the entire event given his prowess across 2 sports, while fellow senior Kaden Brown is a threat to leave the park at any moment with significant juice that he’s already shown this spring. Junior right-hander Taylor Ganci has been excellent on the mound for them, while Brown will give some innings as well. They’ve got a tough draw in their first game against nationally ranked Hoover, but they’ve got some firepower in the heart of their lineup. 

Hoover Buccaneers (Hoover, Ala.) 
 Head Coach: Adam Moseley 
2022 Record: 27-16 
Top Ranked Player: MIF RJ Hamilton (2023, Vanderbilt) 
Top Ranked Pitcher: RHP Tyler Wilson (2023, Auburn) 

Hoover plays host to this event each year and they’re one of the more storied, and followed, programs in the state of Alabama year in and year out. RJ Hamilton is in his final year as a Buc and he’s a real fun spark plug for this team while Cade Carr mans the ship behind the dish. Tyler Wilson/Samuel Schmidt is an experienced duo at the top of the rotation, while they’ve got some really exciting young talent in guys like Ma’Kale Holden, Jaxson Wood and Will Adams. This is a team that’s very capable of bringing home a championship and they’ll be playing in front of plenty of strong crowds as the true host team. 

Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.) 
 Head Coach: Victor Valencia 
2022 Record: 16-9  
Top Ranked Player: C AJ Goytia (2023, Miami)  
Top Ranked Pitcher: RHP Logan Bevis (2023, South Florida)

Montverde Academy is just getting their season started and are bringing a very talented and mature group into Hoover. The 2023 group has a chance to be a special one as they have depth in all phases. Offensively they will be led by AJ Goytia, a Miami commit, that brings tons of tools to the table at the top of the lineup. Georgia Tech commit Logan Chapman and Florida commit John Martinez bring some thunder to the middle of the order after both had huge showings on the circuit in 2022. They have a solid one-two punch on the hill with seniors Logan Bevis and Matthew Heyl. They’re a mature team with a chance to make a run this weekend.  

Faith Academy (Mobile, Ala.) 
 Head Coach: Matt Seymour 
2022 Record: 11-18  
Top Ranked Player: 3B Connor Robinson (2023, Uncommitted) 
Top Ranked Pitcher: RHP Eli Driskell (2024, Auburn) 

This program is 2 years removed from winning Alabama’s 6A state title (2021), but had a bumpy year in 2022. They bring back most of that team with another year of experience and gains in a number of areas. Junior right-hander Eli Driskell is one of the state’s top arms and will bring them a solid force at the top of the rotation. Where the rest of the innings come from is something to be seen, but they’ve got a pretty well-rounded group with a handful of guys that could step up and shine in Hoover. They’ll be faced with a tough task as Montervde is always a tough team so they’ll have to get the bats going right away. 

Etowah Blue Devils (Attalla, Ala.) 
 Head Coach: Blake Bone 
2022 Record: 24-13 
Top Ranked Player: OF Caleb Freeman (2023, Snead State CC) 
Top Ranked Pitcher: RHP Branton Stringer (2023, Gadsen State CC) 

Etowah fell to Mobile Christian in the finals of the 4A Tournament a year ago and although they lost some key senior contributors, that roster was full of sophomore and junior talent that logged good experience. It’s not an overly powerful roster on paper but they’ve got both athletic and physical guys and they’re led by a two-way duo of Caleb Freeman and Branton Stringer. They’ll have a tough path in what is a pretty loaded bracket, but it’ll be interesting to see if their offense continues to swing it well after what has been a good start to 2023. 

Loganville Red Devils (Loganville, Ga.) 
 Head Coach: Bran Mills 
2022 Record: 32-9 
Top Ranked Player: SS Sherman Johnson II (2023, Dallas Baptist) 
Top Ranked Pitcher: LHP Joshua Myers (2024, Georgia Tech) 

This program won the 5A state title in Georgia last year, after a three-peat in 2017-2019, and they are coming to Hoover looking to avenge a semifinal loss in the Showdown last year. They’ve got plenty of experience on the roster in terms of guys that have seen success, but the blend of young talent will be a big contributor. Sherman Johnson II is a fun, physical player up the middle who will be a good piece in the offense, while their arms, on paper, look to be pretty deep and well-rounded with physicality. If they can get contributions from younger guys, they’ll be tough to knock out given their ability to win. 

Catholic High School (Baton Rouge, La.) 
 Head Coach: Brad Bass 
2022 Record: 31-7 
Top Ranked Player: SS Jack Ruckert (2025, Louisiana State) 
Top Ranked Pitcher: RHP William Schmidt (2024, Mississippi State) 

This is one of the teams we’re really excited about coming to Hoover in 2023 as it’s a new face and they are ranked at 31 nationally coming into the Showdown. There’s some definite firepower at the top end of this roster and they’ve got one of the top rotations of the event. William Schmidt made massive waves last fall as a power-righty with one of the best breaking balls in the country, while a group like Grant Breaux, Alex Ainsworth, Cole Cranford and a handful of others give them a ton of options and serious depth. Sophomore Jack Ruckert is one of the better young players in the entire country and they’ve got what looks to be an athletic lineup from top to bottom; they could win it. 

James Clemens High School (Madison, Ala.) 
 Head Coach: Johnny Johnson 
2022 Record: 24-20 
Top Ranked Player: SS Andrew Lawrence (2023, East Tennessee State) 
Top Ranked Pitcher: RHP Luke Davenport (2024, Auburn) 

This team is coming off a pretty successful season where they made a strong run in Alabama’s highest classification and a lot of that roster is back in underclassmen. They’ve got a good bit of pitching depth on the roster with a handful of mid to upper-80s type guys while right-hander Luke Davenport should be a key contributor. Senior Andrew Lawrence will make this offense go, while a pretty deep senior class of offensive producers will make this a pretty well-rounded lineup too, they just need to swing it. 

Madison Academy (Huntsville, Ala.) 
 Head Coach: David Pressley 
2022 Record: 25-14 
Top Ranked Player: 1B Carson Creehan (2023, Uncommitted)  
Top Ranked Pitcher: RHP Matt Manley (2023, Samford) 

This is a program that lost a good bit in their graduated seniors from a year ago, but there’s some key contributors from that successful roster that are back with plenty to carry on their shoulders. Strong right-hander Matt Manley is the ace of this team and he’s shown some pretty big stuff on the circuit in the past, while smaller left-hander Joshua Bybee will log good innings. Big Carson Creehan is physical and brings the thump to the lineup while youngster Tee Foster already made a big impact on this program as a freshman so he’ll be a fun one to watch perform against the few big Lewisburg arms. 

Lewisburg Patriots (Olive Branch, Miss.) 
 Head Coach: Rusty Cagle 
2022 Record: 23-5 
Top Ranked Player: 3B Samuel Richardson (2024, Missouri)  
Top Ranked Pitcher: RHP Stone McCaughey (2024, Ole Miss) 

To put it simply, we think this team is really good. They come into the year ranked 21 nationally in our preseason poll and certainly one of the favorites to win this Showdown. They’ve got a really exciting roster and it starts in their rotation with six arms committed to the Division I level already. Gage Haley is one of only two seniors on the team so he’ll bring the experience, but their junior group of Stone McCaughey, Cayden Baker, Matthew Osteen and Gunner Gilmore, plus sophomore Talon Haley, is an impressive one. They’ve got some well-rounded hitters and plenty of athleticism throughout their lineup while Samuel Richardson brings some MAJOR juice and impact to the heart of a solid group.

Saraland Spartans (Saraland, Ala.) 
 Head Coach: Brett Boutwell 
2022 Record: 30-8 
Top Ranked Player: OF Santae McWilliams (2025, Uncommitted)  
Top Ranked Pitcher: LHP Bryson Goff (2023, Uncommitted) 

This team brings a good bit back from a solid season a year ago and they’ve already had a solid start to the year through the first couple weeks. They’ve got their ace back in left-hander Bryson Goff who has been very productive over the last couple years, while there’s some other senior faces who will be in important roles. Brooks Womble is a pretty impactful junior hitter, Santae McWilliams is a dynamic two-sport athlete who can be a spark plug for the offense and if they’re hitting, this is a strong group. 

IMG Academy Grey (Bradenton, Fla.) 
 Head Coach: Edgar Caceres 
2022 Record: NA 
Top Ranked Player: OF Josh Hanson (2024, Southern California) 
Top Ranked Pitcher: LHP Drew Bellis (2024, Vanderbilt) 

IMG brings two teams to the Showdown every year and although it’s sort of like a JV situation in how the teams are set up, this team is no JV group. They’ve got an abundance of talent and both the main team and this one won their respective brackets last year; they’re strong. Junior left-handed Drew Bellis is one of the top underclass arms in the country and headlines this staff while the lineup has a good bit of thump from top to bottom. Highly regarded Noah Franco was a star on this roster last year so it’ll be interesting to see who steps up and makes this offense go given the pure amount of talent. 

Bob Jones Patriots (Madison, Ala.) 
 Head Coach: Jared Smith 
2022 Record: 35-10 
Top Ranked Player: OF Sammy Vander Hill (2023, VMI)  
Top Ranked Pitcher: RHP Braden Booth (2024, Mississippi State) 

Another staple program from the state that we see each year in the Showdown, Bob Jones is off to an excellent start in 2023 and has a deep roster with a pair of highly regarded in-state prospects. Braden Booth is one of the more dynamic two-way talents in the entire country and he’s one that’ll be seen impact both ways while fellow right-hander Sam Mitchell will bring it a good bit on the mound as well. There’s some room for guys to step up into big offensive roles and there’s no better place to do it too. 

West Forsyth Wolverines (Cumming, Ga.) 
 Head Coach: Tom Kratowicz 
2022 Record: 16-14 
Top Ranked Player: SS Colton Sweat (2026, Uncommitted)  
Top Ranked Pitcher: RHP Conner Williams (2024, Old Dominion) 

It’s been an up-and-down start to 2023, but they’ve played some solid games thus far and should put up a tough fight. They’ve got a good bit of experience in terms of guys that have been with the program as now upperclassmen, seniors specifically, but there’s some really dynamic talent from the junior class down too. Conner Williams is one of the top arms on this roster while freshmen Colton Sweat and Charlie Delp are two highly regarded prospects already as new faces to the program; there’s a good chance they face a strong arm from Bob Jones in Round 1 so they’ll have a big task right away. 

Oxford Yellow Jackets (Oxford, Ala.) 
 Head Coach: Wes Brooks 
2022 Record: 27-7 
Top Ranked Player: SS Sam Robertson (2023, Auburn)  
Top Ranked Pitcher: RHP Drew McCormick (2023, Jacksonville State) 

Coach Brooks has built a great program in Oxford and the team he has this year is a good one. We’ve seen a handful of these faces playing in the Showdown since they entered high school and now, as seniors, they’re a strong group. They’ve got a dynamic group of up-the-middle infield prospects with Sam Robertson, Peyton Watts and Carter Johnson, and that gives them serious versatility with a rock solid group on the dirt for the spring, and this weekend. Their offense is a good one and it looks like they have just enough pitching to be some sort of a dark horse in this bracket going into the event. 

Buford Wolves (Buford, Ga.) 
 Head Coach: Stuart Chester 
2022 Record: 28-10 
Top Ranked Player: SS Ethan Murray (2024, Georgia Tech) 
Top Ranked Pitcher: RHP Nate Taylor (2024, Georgia Tech) 

After graduating that group they did a year ago, it’s tough for a team to bounce back with similarly experienced high-level talent. While they don’t have that power at the top as usual, they’ve got a whole lot of underclass talent and plenty of athleticism to make a run at the title. Cole Taylor is a senior bat with impactful tools, while two juniors Ethan Murray and Nate Taylor, both committed to Georgia Tech, are major pieces right now. Cannon Goldin can really make this offense go and Bubba Coleman is one of the top freshman prospects in the country, among some other big names, giving them a bright future and enough depth on the offensive side to win some games here this week. 


WHITE BRACKET
  
Pike County Pirates (Zebulon, Ga.) 
 Head Coach: Don Hanson 
2022 Record: 36-6 
Top Ranked Player: 1B Kole Hammond (2024, Uncommitted) 
Top Ranked Pitcher: RHP Trevor Bagwell (2023, Troy) 

Pike County won Georgia’s 3A state title last year and they bring back a solid chunk of now seniors to this year’s roster. They’ve got a handful of strong senior arms that really headline the rotation and it should be plenty enough to roll out competitive innings throughout the event. The important piece here will be if the offense can really go, but they’ve already been tested against some solid programs early on this spring. They’ll have a tough test right away with Hartselle but they’ll certainly compete. 

Hartselle Tigers (Hartselle, Ala.) 
 Head Coach: William Booth 
2022 Record: 39-4 
Top Ranked Player: OF Coleman Mizell (2023, Alabama) 
Top Ranked Pitcher: LHP Jack Smith (2023, Arkansas) 

This is one of the bunch of nationally ranked teams in attendance and they’re coming off one of their best years in program history, just losing 4 games and winning Alabama’s 6A state title in impressive fashion. They lost their best player from a year ago, but the dynamic trio of Coleman Mizell, Peyton Steele and Josey Williamson were huge contributors a year ago so they once again will be the keys to making this offense run. Senior left-hander Jack Smith is the key piece on the mound while they get a ton of contributions from their position guys. They have the talent and nearly knocked off IMG in ‘22. 

Hueytown Golden Gophers (Hueytown, Ala.) 
 Head Coach: William Chandler 
2022 Record: 28-12 
Top Ranked Player: LHP John Michael Pickens (2023, Shelton State CC)  
Top Ranked Pitcher: 1B Baker Davis (2025, Uncommitted)  

Hueytown no longer has the big arm of Alton Davis that we’ve seen for them in the Showdown in the past and they’re one of the younger teams when you look at the roster as a whole. Senior John Michael Pickens will impact for them both ways all spring, and here this week, while they’ll have some spots for guys to step up and make a name in the lineup. Braden McCrary is an interesting sophomore arm for them who will be one to check in on, especially as they get a tough matchup out of the gate. 

Archbishop McCarthy Mavericks (Davie, Fla.) 
 Head Coach: Aaron Vorachek 
2022 Record: 14-13 
Top Ranked Player: SS Antonio Jimenez (2023, Miami)  
Top Ranked Pitcher: RHP Andrew Ildefonso (2023, Uncommitted) 

We get a handful of teams from South Florida that make the trip to Showdown each year and this is a program that has seen loads of talent through it. They’re deep on the offensive end with guys that are committed to play at the next level with some intriguing uncommitted bats as well. Antonio Jimenez is a spark plug for any lineup while there’s real depth and balance through the rest. Senior right-hander Andrew Ildefonso will be one of the more interesting uncommitted arms this week and they’ve got a handful more that makes their rotation well-rounded with enough to make a deep run here in Hoover. 

George W. Long Rebels (Skipperville, Ala.) 
 Head Coach: Drew Miller 
2022 Record: 32-7 
Top Ranked Player: SS Brody Walker (2023, Enterprise-Ozark CC) 
Top Ranked Pitcher: 

GW Long was the 2A state champion in Alabama in 2022 and they’re back with a roster that has guys from seniors all the way down to just freshmen. They’ve got a good blend of athleticism and physical guys in the lineup with senior shortstop Brody Walker a guy committed to play at the next level. They have some question marks to fill out in terms of who will log the bulk of innings on the mound, but it certainly will be seen in how they choose to match up against stiff competition in Hoover this week. 

Desoto Central Jaguars (Southaven, Miss.) 
 Head Coach: Mark Monaghan 
2022 Record: 22-12 
Top Ranked Player: SS Colton Coates (2023, Louisiana Tech) 
Top Ranked Pitcher: LHP Gavin Brassfield (2023, Jones College) 

Desoto Central is a familiar program name thanks to former highly regarded prep Blaze Jordan and they’ve got a good group of seniors that will make them competitive this week. Gavin Brassfield looks like the top arm on this club, and he’ll likely draw a big matchup because of it, while their offense is where they stand out a bit on paper. Coates, King and Sides are a few senior bats who are established as having things to like in the box while it looks like some younger guys will be able to grab big roles. 

Cartersville Hurricanes (Cartersville, Ga.) 
 Head Coach: Kyle Tucker 
2022 Record: 32-8 
Top Ranked Player: RHP Caden Carroll (2023, Kennesaw State)  
Top Ranked Pitcher: SS Ryan Johnson (2024, Georgia) 

This team is off to a hot start this year having won 4 straight games to open the regular season and it’s no surprise coming off a state runner-up finish a year ago. Senior right-hander looks the part of an ace while he’s got some solid supporting cast around him in the rotation. They’ve got a pair of junior bats that are highly regarded prospects within the state, both committed to Georgia, that will be a spark for this offense while the roster as a whole looks like their typically experienced group that’ll win games. 

Chelsea Hornets (Chelsea, Ala.) 
 Head Coach: Michael Stallings 
2022 Record: 22-13 
Top Ranked Player: OF Kaleb Hester (2024, Mississippi State)  
Top Ranked Pitcher: RHP Kaden Heatherly (2023, Montevallo) 

Another staple program from the state that we see each year, they won a couple games in last year’s Showdown and have a chance to match or surpass that again this year. It’s an upperclassmen heavy group with a handful of seniors that are committed to the next level and plenty of uncommitted junior talent. Junior outfielder Kaleb Hester is the signature bat here as a highly-ranked prospect in the state and if they can swing it as a whole, they should be in good shape going into a good first round game. 

Ariton High School (Ariton, Ala.) 
 Head Coach: Logan Dunlap 
2022 Record: 20-15 
Top Ranked Player: MIF Caden Collier (2024, Uncommitted) 
Top Ranked Pitcher: LHP Coleman Bragg (2023, Uncommitted) 

It was a good year as a whole in 2022 for Ariton as they made a run to the final four of Alabama 2A before falling to GW Long, who is also in the Showdown. They bring back a ton from that roster which gives them really good senior leadership and experience across the group. Innings leader Coleman Bragg is back on the mound and should headline the rotation, while there’s some pretty interesting uncommitted bats on this team between the junior and senior class. They’ve got a gauntlet of a first round matchup with Parkview, one of the top teams in the country, so they’ll have to get hot quick. 

Parkview Panthers (Lilburn, Ga.) 
 Head Coach: Chan Brown 
2022 Record: 30-8 
Top Ranked Player: SS Colin Houck (2023, Mississippi State) 
Top Ranked Pitcher: RHP Thorpe Musci (2024, Georgia Tech) 

Parkview is a bit of a household name when it comes to high school programs and they come into the year as one of the top teams in the entire country at 4th nationally. While they’ve won a ton of state championships in recent memory, this might be their roster in some time. Seniors Colin Houck and Landon Stripling are an extremely talented duo who bring experience and significant talent while they have a deep group of juniors that give this lineup no breaks at all. Garrett Lambert is a big force in the rotation while they’ve got possibly the best underclass duo of arms in the country with Thorpe Musci and Ford Thompson. They are the favorite in this bracket and have the combination of talent, depth and experience to roll through 4 straight wins. 

Cullman Bearcats (Cullman, Ala.) 
 Head Coach: Brent Patterson 
2022 Record: 19-20 
Top Ranked Player: SS Paxton Ponder (2023, Shelton State CC) 
Top Ranked Pitcher: LHP Tucker Cagle (2023, Snead State CC)

This group is off to a good start in 2023 with 3 straight wins to open the regular season and it’s the direction they want to be after an underwhelming season a year ago. Senior Paxton Ponder is a good athlete who does a lot of things right, likely one of the more impactful hitters in this lineup, while the big physical senior left-handed Tucker Cagle has shown good stuff on both sides of the ball on the circuit. They’ve got a couple other collegiate baseball bound seniors in the bunch and overall, it’s an old team which means they’ve got a good bit of experience which is something worthy of noting. 

Providence Stallions (Jacksonville, Fla.) 
 Head Coach: Mac Mackiewitz 
2022 Record: 15-13 
Top Ranked Player: 3B Brett Dennis (2023, North Florida)  
Top Ranked Pitcher: LHP Donovan Rabiei (2024, Uncommitted) 

A team we regularly see make the trip up from Florida, this program played a tough schedule last year which means their senior class is certainly battle tested coming into 2023. They’ve already put together 3 wins to open the regular season giving them good momentum coming into Hoover. Brett Dennis, Ben Barrow and Liam O’Neil are all physical senior bats that give the heart of this order some thump while there’s a variety of spots the innings should come from. Junior Donovan Rabiei is a good bet to see some innings this week, and this spring, and I like their chances to win at least a couple games here. 

Daphne Trojans (Daphne, Ala.) 
 Head Coach: Charles Basford 
2022 Record: 26-12 
Top Ranked Player: SS Steele Hall (2026, Tennessee) 
Top Ranked Pitcher: RHP Parker Lomax (2023, Uncommitted) 

It was an early exit in the 2022 playoffs for Daphne, but they’ve got a handful of new faces and it looks like they’ll be led for the most part by their now junior class. With minimal seniors on the roster, this is likely to be a great event to gain some experience from while facing a tough four game slate. Uncommitted senior Parker Lomax has some real projection and catcher Gage Foxworth is committed to play at the next level. One of the stars of this team might just be their lone rostered freshman, Steele Hall, who is one of the top prospects in the country for 2026 and is committed to Tennessee. 

Lowndes Vikings (Valdosta, Ga.) 
 Head Coach: Ryan Page 
2022 Record: 27-9 
Top Ranked Player: 3B Tate Sirmans (2024, Uncommitted)  
Top Ranked Pitcher: RHP Noah Thigpen (2024, Troy) 

Lowndes has been a staple in the GHSA playoffs for quite some time and the 2023 team has the chance to be another team to make a deep run in the playoffs. They are a year older after a season in which they relied on underclassmen both on the mound and in the lineup. Tate Sirmans is one of the top uncommitted players in Georgia and has a good chance of having a huge junior season. Georgia Tech commit Carson Page is another name to watch in the Vikings lineup this week. On the mound, they have Troy commit Noah Thigpen coming off an impressive showing on the circuit in 2022.  

Jackson Prep Patriots (Flowood, Miss.) 
 Head Coach: Brent Heavener 
2022 Record: 31-7 
Top Ranked Player: OF Konnor Griffin (2024, Louisiana State)  
Top Ranked Pitcher: RHP Graham Busbea (2023, Hinds CC) 

Jackson Prep has won a casual 5 consecutive state championships in Mississippi and they quite frankly don’t look to be slowing down. The famous name here is Konnor Griffin, the second-ranked player in the country for 2024 AFTER reclassifying up from the 2025 class, and he can carry this team in a number of ways. A primary outfielder, he’ll man the dirt for Prep and give them big innings on the mound. He’s got a solid supporting cast too with guys like Rives Reynolds and Duncan Matthews, not to mention Kevin Roberts Jr looks nothing like a true freshman from a size, talent and experience standpoint. 

Sparkman Senators (Harvest, Ala.) 
 Head Coach: Jason Brewer 
2022 Record: 17-17 
Top Ranked Player:  3B Ryan Strachan (2023, Uncommitted) 
Top Ranked Pitcher: RHP Jacob Haley (2023, South Alabama) 

It was a back-and-forth year for this program in 2022, but I like their chances to really improve on that record this spring given the senior class there right now. They bring back a solid group of 2023s and that gives them a good shot to put up a good fight in their first round matchup with nationally ranked Jackson Prep. Jacob Haley, Ethan Clark and David Riggs are senior arms I think will throw well this week while there’s a handful of senior bats in this lineup that are headed to play at various spots at the next level. This is a fairly well-rounded group, they’ll just have to get it going right away Thursday. 


BLUE BRACKET 
Dublin Fighting Irish (Dublin, Ga.) 
 Head Coach: Todd Hogan 
2022 Record: 12-15 
Top Ranked Player:  C Josh Guyton (2024, Uncommitted) 
Top Ranked Pitcher: RHP Jase Giles (2023, Uncommitted) 

Dublin has gotten off to a good start following a season in which they won the most games the program has seen since 2015. They have gotten huge contributions from freshman outfielder Xavier Reese as he’s leading the team in batting average and on base percentage through nine games. Catcher Josh Guyton is another name in this lineup that is hitting over .400 and has a home run to his name as well. On the mound, they have gotten contributions from multiple places including solid performances from Jase Giles and Gabe Conley. They get one of last year’s champions, Central, in the first round which should be filled with a ton of energy. 

Central Red Devils (Phenix City, Ala.) 
 Head Coach: AJ Kehoe 
2022 Record: 30-10 
Top Ranked Player: C Colton Wombles (2023, Auburn)  
Top Ranked Pitcher: RHP Tripp Richards (2023, Bevill State CC-Fayette) 

This team won their bracket of the Showdown last year and although there are definitely some key contributors to that team that graduated, it’s still a solid group that will be tough to beat when they’re hot. Colton Wombles is a rock behind the dish as one of the state’s best defensive backstops and junior Landon Beaver is a physical hitter that fits in the heart of the order. They’ve got some holes to fill on the mound, but they’ll get good contributions top to bottom from the roster and they already look the part of one of the better teams in Alabama’s 7A early this spring.  

Huntsville Panthers (Huntsville, Ala.) 
 Head Coach: Luke Lamm 
2022 Record: 21-15 
Top Ranked Player: C Stone Lawless (2023, Tennessee) 
Top Ranked Pitcher: RHP Brody King (2024, South Alabama) 

Huntsville lost a good bit from the team that had an unfortunate early exit a year ago, but there’s still some really impactful players from that team in the program. Catcher Stone Lawless is a big one as he looks healthy and will carry this team on the offensive end, not to mention that he’ll bring invaluable leadership to the group. They’ve got a dynamic duo in the junior class in terms of arms with Chase Carton and Brody King, both of which have shown well for this club and should headline what they do on the mound. They’ve got 4 wins on the young season already, good momentum heading to Hoover. 

Gulfport Admirals (Gulfport, Miss.) 
 Head Coach: Jamie McMahon 
2022 Record: 16-10 
Top Ranked Player: 3B Ethan Surowiec (2024, Ole Miss) 
Top Ranked Pitcher: RHP Nico Williams (2024, Uncommitted) 

Gulfport is set to make their first appearance at the PG High School Showdown in less than 24 hours and they’re bringing a talented group. The early part of the lineup will feature Ole Miss commit Ethan Surowiec and Tulane commit Ethan Garner. They have tons of depth and experience littered throughout the lineup and look to make a lot of noise to open up. After junior Nico Williams, it’s still to be determined who else they’ll rely on in the staff but this should be an intriguing offense to follow this weekend.  

Spanish Fort Toros (Spanish Fort, Ala.) 
 Head Coach: JD Pruitt 
2022 Record: 26-11 
Top Ranked Player: C Jack Holley (2024, Georgia State) 
Top Ranked Pitcher: RHP Newton Gardner (2025, Uncommitted) 

Spanish Fort fell early in the playoffs in Alabama last year, but they put up a solid regular season and had a handful of good wins along the way. They’re limited in terms of juniors, outside of the talented backstop Jack Holley who should be a rock for them back there, but they have a good bit of seniors and plenty of young, energetic sophomores to come off the bench. Newton Gardner is a young, but interesting arm for this group that could see some innings alongside a handful of other sophomores looking to make a statement in this big event. 

North Broward Prep (Deerfield Beach, Fla.) 
 Head Coach: Brian Campbell 
2022 Record: 23-9 
Top Ranked Player: 3B Gian De Castro (2024, Memphis) 
Top Ranked Pitcher: RHP Ryan McPherson (2024, Mississippi State) 

The Eagles come into 2023 with back to back state championships in Florida which is certainly no easy task and they’re ranked in the 30s nationally because of it. This group was headlined by Yoel Tejeda last year, but they’ve got much more depth than one guy. The lineup is a good one with guys like Nathanael Coupet, Gian De Castro, Riley Luft and Mateo Gray, not to mention that the last two are very impactful on the mound as well. Ryan McPherson is one of the top arms in the state and looks the part of an ace; this is a group that could make a very serious run at the title.  

Helena Huskies (Helena, Ala.) 
 Head Coach: PJ Guy 
2022 Record: 15-15 
Top Ranked Player: OF Mason Johnson (2023, Uncommitted) 
Top Ranked Pitcher: RHP Brayden Dockery (2026, Auburn) 

We see Helena in the Showdown every year and it’s usually a well-rounded group with good athletes. This year’s team is predominantly sophomores and juniors, with some seniors sprinkled in, which means they’re building well for the future. Senior Mason Johnson is one of those good athletes who has shown real tools in the past, while a big up-and-coming name in the program is freshman Brayden Dockery, who already is in the mid-80s and committed to Auburn. They’ve got a tough draw with Houston County in Round 1, but it should be a good crowd they bring to the matchup.  

Houston County Bears (Warner Robins, Ga.) 
 Head Coach: Matt Hopkins 
2022 Record: 28-6 
Top Ranked Player: OF Drew Burress (2023, Georgia Tech)  
Top Ranked Pitcher: RHP Andrew Dunford (2023, Mercer) 
 
Houston County went to the Panama City version of the Showdown in 2022 and barely missed out on a title with a late loss to Doral. Now they’ll be in Hoover and look like a team that can win it all. As one of the top teams in Georgia, they’re strong at the top and it starts with PG All-American Drew Burress. Eli Stephens is another bat with some thump, while the trio of Andrew Dunford, Ryker Chavis and Brooks Willis is back as a formidable starting rotation. They’re red hot to start the year with 6 straight wins and 69 runs scored; they’ll be really tough to beat over in Hoover too. 

Ocean Spring Greyhounds (Ocean Springs, Miss.) 
 Head Coach: Thomas Walker
2022 Record: 9-19 
Top Ranked Player:  SS John Jordan (2025, Uncommitted) 
Top Ranked Pitcher: RHP Brockton Cantrell (2023, Pearl River CC) 

There’s a good bit to improve on from the year this group had in 2022, but I certainly like their chances to do so given they’ve got some solid uncommitted talent that is already swinging it well this spring. Sophomore John Jordan is an athletic young shortstop while junior Maddox Moreland already has a couple bombs on the spring. As expected, Cantrell is leading in innings and they’ve got a few different guys already showing they can miss some bats. They’ve got IMG in their first game which will certainly be a really tough one. 

IMG Academy Ascenders (Bradenton, Fla.) 
 Head Coach: Dave Turgeon 
2022 Record:  23-2
Top Ranked Player: OF Noah Franco (2024, Mississippi State) 
Top Ranked Pitcher: LHP Cameron Johnson (2023, Louisiana State) 

There’s probably not a year where we can say that IMG doesn’t have a chance to win the Showdown. They had to escape a scare to Hartselle last year and they don’t have the same core that they did a year ago with first rounder Elijah Green, but this team is still really good and has a handful of guys that won the Showdown with the Grey team in 2022 too. PG All-American Cameron Johnson could find his way into the first round this summer; his start will be heavily watched. Noah Franco, now in the 2024 class, was the MVP last year. Add in the pure depth they have on the mound and other offensive stars like Dean Moss, Sean Gamble and TayShaun Walton and you have another simply loaded team up in Hoover. 

Norcross Blue Devils (Norcross, Ga.) 
 Head Coach: Aaron Wilkens  
2022 Record: 17-13 
Top Ranked Player: SS Avery Bizzell (2023, Uncommitted)  
Top Ranked Pitcher: RHP Nick Lanning (2023, Georgia State) 

Norcross has gotten off to a hot start to the 2023 season and looks to continue in Hoover this weekend. The group is an older one, playing with a lot of maturity both at the plate and on the hill and they’ll look to use that to their advantage. They are led on the mound by Georgia State commit Nick Lanning who’s an imposing right-hander standing at 6-foot-5. Offensively, they have a multitude of ways to beat teams and senior middle infielder Avery Bizzell could be a big piece for them this weekend. This will be their first time at the High School Showdown and they’re looking to make a deep run.  

Florence Falcons (Florence, Ala.) 
 Head Coach: JR Myers 
2022 Record: 15-17 
Top Ranked Player: SS Easton Nelms (2025, Uncommitted) 
Top Ranked Pitcher: RHP Preston Solomon (2025, Uncommitted) 

Florence has come to the Showdown for a while now and they’ve had a ton of guys establish themselves at the event. They’ve got a long list of alumni playing at the collegiate level and we’re sure to see a couple more pop up from this group given they’re pretty young. It’ll be interesting to see what both sides of the ball look like as there’s some question marks both ways, but sophomore shortstop Easton Nelms looks like another good athlete to come through the program and Preston Solomon throws a ton of strikes on the mound. They get a first round matchup with an older Norcross team which will be a good test. 

Trinity Christian Academy (Jacksonville, Fla.) 
 Head Coach: Jonathan Murphy  
2022 Record:  20-9
Top Ranked Player: OF Brady Harris (2026, Florida)  
Top Ranked Pitcher: RHP Brayden Harris (2026, FSU) 

There might not be a team with a brighter long-term future here in Hoover than Trinity Christian as they have FIVE players ranked in the Top 100 of the 2026 class now in the program. While their “stars” are young and have yet to play a year in high school, they’re really good and have won a ton of games in their young careers across some of the biggest tournament circuit events. They have enough upperclass talent and experience to round out the roster and not leave them in a spot to be really overmatched, but it’ll be fun to see just how impactful this group of young stars in the making will be this week. 

Winder-Barrow Bulldogs (Winder, Ga.) 
 Head Coach: Brian Smith  
2022 Record: 20-11 
Top Ranked Player:  C Camden Hodge (2025, Georgia) 
Top Ranked Pitcher: RHP Brooks House (2023, UAB) 
 
Winder-Barrow is coming off of an impressive 2022 campaign and even though they haven’t gotten off to the best start at 4-3, there’s no reason they shouldn’t be able to compete in Hoover. The offense is led by a combination of Georgia commit Camden Hodge and GCSU commit Ryan Ford. Both hit in the middle of the order and posted a batting average close to .400 last year with 12 home runs combined between the two. On the mound, they rely on UAB commit Brooks House to lead the pitching staff. Gabe Tatum is another name to keep an eye on this weekend as he’s one of the more projectable arms in the state.  

Calhoun Yellow Jackets (Calhoun, Ga.) 
 Head Coach: Matt Montgomery 
2022 Record: 17-14 
Top Ranked Player: RHP Jax Bishop (2025, Tennessee)  
Top Ranked Pitcher: SS Andrew Purdy (2025, Alabama) 

Calhoun is another team with an extremely bright future as they have nationally ranked players in the 2025 and 2026 recruiting classes, led by Tennessee commit Jax Bishop and Alabama commit Andrew Purdy. Even though they are young, they’re still extremely talented and should have a chance to make a run this weekend. Sophomore Avery Shiflett and freshman Spencer Evans are two left-handers that have a chance to make an impact early on in their high school careers. They haven’t gotten off to the best start to 2023 but they look to use this as a springboard to turning it around this year.  

Mountain Brook Spartans (Mountain Brook, Ala.) 
 Head Coach: Lee Gann 
2022 Record: 22-11 
Top Ranked Player: 3B Caleb Barnett (2025, Alabama)
Top Ranked Pitcher: RHP Charlie Berryman (2023, Snead State CC) 

This team won’t be very far from home given their proximity to Hoover and they’ve got a solid group with an abundance of seniors and impactful juniors. Caleb Barnett will be a major piece as one of the state’s top prospects in the now junior class as he brings big juice and a big arm to the heart of their group. Seniors Gabriel Young and Walker Allen are up-the-middle types who have various skill sets in the box while their depth will likely come from the junior class. Berryman is a solid lead arm and they have Jack Thomas Kelly on the roster who is a big physical righty with a good bit of velocity to boot. 
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High School | General | 7/1/2026

PG High School All-Americans
Tyler Russo
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High School Top 50: Final Update With the High School season all wrapped up, today we take a look at our First, Second and Third Team All-Americans from around the country. Below you'll find three teams with stats that seem otherworldly from players who'll likely hear their names called in the coming week's MLB Draft. Within the "Notable Stats" section you'll see the individual award winners as well. First Team All-American Pos.  Name Class School State Commitment Notable Stats C Cole Prosek 2026 Magnolia Heights MS Ole Miss .595 BA, 18 HR, 79 RBI 1B Will Adams 2026 Hoover AL LSU .489, 13 HR, 52 RBI IF James Tronstein 2026 Harvard-Westlake CA Vanderbilt .531, 10 HR, 29 RBI, 21 XBH IF Grady Emerson 2026 Fort Worth Christian TX Texas .508, 8 HR, 56 RBI, 34/35 SB, National POY IF Jacob Lombard 2026 Gulliver Schools FL Miami .477, 10 HR, 52 R, 42 H, 14 SB OF Martin Shelar 2026 Marist GA...
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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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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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