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Draft  | Mock Draft | 12/7/2023

MLB Draft: Post-Lottery Mock

Tyler Henninger
Isaiah Burrows
Tyler Kotila
With the Winter Meetings this past week came the MLB Draft Lottery where the Cleveland Guardians came away with the top pick, despite their low chances of picking at the top spot at the start of the night. Naturally the names and order below are going to change come actual draft day, but if we were picking now, here's how we see some things shaking out right now. 
 
1. Cleveland Guardians -  Nick Kurtz, 1B/OF, Wake Forest
Nick Kurtz already has the track record of being one of the more productive bats in the country, showing a refined approach, advanced bat-to-ball skills, and very real over-the-fence type power already. Given the left-handed bat and, the fact he’s also a plus defender at first base, and the potential for some gaudy numbers at “Rake Forest” this spring, don’t be surprised if Kurtz is pressing for that top spot to Cleveland come July. - Tyler Kotila

2. Cincinnati Reds - JJ Wetherholt, 2B, West Virginia
Wetherholt comes into 2024 with tons of helium after posting just gaudy numbers over the summer. It’s potential 70-hit and plus power from the left side with the ability to not only stick,  but defend on the dirt long term with sound actions and a capable arm for second base. The exit velocities rank amongst some of the best in the entire class, and the overall profile can make him a 1.01 candidate. Fitting at this spot. - Isaiah Burrows



3. Colorado Rockies - Travis Bazzana, 2B, Oregon State
Bazzana is another profile that has the potential to be a 1.01 candidate. The offensive numbers throughout his collegiate career have been impressive. Sound bat-to-ball skills and the ability to spray hard contact to all fields stands out from the left side of the plate. Twitchy athleticism should provide quality actions on the dirt and value on the bases. Bazzana is a spark plug that can set the tone of any lineup and has a chance to be a steady producer at the top of the order. - Tyler Henninger

4. Oakland Athletics - Braden Montgomery, OF/RHP, Texas A&M
The Oakland Athletics have a track record for grabbing talent local to them, so rocking with former Standford two-way standout Braden Montgomery could be a possibility at 1.04 in 2024. It’s a true two-way profile that stands out on the mound with a lively arm. He’s got a power fastball in the mix, and that arm strength also translates to the outfield. At the plate, he switch hits with excellent power upside. There’s just a ton of potential here with a ton of room to dream on the tools on both sides of the ball. - TK

5. Chicago White Sox - Vance Honeycutt, OF, North Carolina
Though it has a track record of diving into the prep ranks, Chicago went with a highly touted college bat last year in Jacob Gonzalez. I have the White Sox going the same route with Honeycutt. The UNC product has five-tool potential and is one of the best defenders in the class roaming center. He’s a 70-runner with potential plus juice, and if the bat-to-ball continues to improve next year, he could be even higher in consideration. - IB

6. Kansas City Royals - Chase Burns, RHP, Wake Forest
The Royals have a chance for a gem to land in their lap here at 1.06 in righthander Chase Burns. The now-Wake Forest ace features some of the loudest stuff in the country. An overpower fastball that can get into the triple digits and a devastating slider that will creep into the low-90’s at times. While there is always risk in selecting an arm, Burns should be a top of the rotation arm if it all clicks. -TH

7. St. Louis Cardinals - PJ Morlando, 1B/OF, Summerville HS (SC)
While it may play out differently by next summer, there’s no way the Cardinals can leave prep standout PJ Morlando on the board. The South Carolina native has been one of the loudest performers with the stick, being the top hitter in the 2024 prep class. The elite bat speed, coupled with immense power upside, all from the left side of the dish. It makes him a downright dangerous addition to the Cardinals system at 1.07 in this group mock. - TK

8. Los Angeles Angels - Konnor Griffin, OF, Jackson Preparatory HS (MS)
The Angels land a potential game-changing prospect in Griffin at eighth overall. He’s another five-tool potential type with elite athleticism across the board at all of 6-foot-4. A 6.3 runner with big bat speed and plus power potential doesn't come around too often, and with the prep track record that the Angels have, Griffin seems like a steal at this spot. -IB

9. Pittsburgh Pirates - Jac Caglianone, 1B/LHP, Florida
Caglianone features a physical frame and loud, physical tools on both sides of the ball. Selected as both a bat and an arm, Caglianone has a chance to do both at the next level. An overpowering fastball can get into the upper-90’s and strike fear into hitters. At the plate, massive power stands out from the left side and can provide middle of the order thump. The upside on both sides of the ball could result in a steal here at 1.09. -TH

10. Washington Nationals - Brody Brecht, RHP, Iowa
Brody Brecht is expected to frontline the Iowa Hawkeyes rotation this year. After dropping football and focusing solely on baseball, he’s been a big piece of the puzzle for the Hawkeyes. A 100+ mph fastball and unreal slider make him an absolutely dangerous arm on the mound. If he can come out in the spring and show that he’s honed in on his command and improved the secondary stuff as much as it seems, he will be lethal in the Big Ten. The Nationals round out our top ten selections with Brecht. - TK

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11. Detroit Tigers - Michael Sirota, OF Northeastern
Tigers dive back into a deep college class with Sirota. He’s a well-rounded athlete with top-of-the-clas swing decisions. The bat-to-ball skills and overall polish at the dish is impressive. He projects as a plus defender in center field with a twitchy first step and the ability to steal bags at the next level. Sirota’s bat took a huge step last year and the hit tool and athleticism give him a pretty safe floor at this spot. He impacts the game in several facets with his well-rounded tools. -IB

12. Boston Red Sox - Malcolm Moore, C, Stanford
Selecting Moore here would be the second straight year the Red Sox go the collegiate catcher route. But despite selecting Kyle Teel a year ago, the offensive potential of Moore is too good to pass up. A draft-eligible sophomore, Moore possesses massive raw power with run-producing capabilities. The power stood out as a prep bat and resulted in 15 homers as a freshman last year. It is one of the best bats on the west coast. -TH

13. San Francisco Giants - Noah Franco, OF/LHP, IMG Academy (FL)
While Noah Franco may be playing for IMG in Florida, the California native has likely been in the Giants' backyard for his early years on the prep circuits. Franco’s a standout two-way talent with 5-tool potential as a position player. There’s a ton to like with tons of bat-to-ball, being able to work on the barrel and do damage. He’s an athletic mover working laterally in the field and can handle the outfield or first base. Not to mention, he’s up to 93 mph on the mound, with good bite to the breaker and feel for a three-pitch mix. - TK

14. Chicago Cubs - Charlie Condon, 1B/OF, Georgia
Chicago grabs one of the best bats left in the class in Condon. The Georgia product is as mature and polished a hitter as you can find at this spot. He’s all of a long, wiry 6-foot-5 with a big hit/power projection. The hit tool is well advanced with an eye-opening 2023 at the SEC level, and the power jumps off the page at points with some of the loudest contact in college baseball. He’s a corner/first base profile with a bat that’s hard to pass up. -IB

15. Seattle Mariners - Seaver King, SS, Wake Forest
The Mariners have used three of their last four first round picks on prep shortstops. Here, they stay at shortstop but jump up to the college route, where they select one of the best middle infielders in the country. A D2 transfer to Wake Forest, King showcased a hit tool in the Cape and for the collegiate national team this summer. Quick bat speed can hammer balls at times and hints at some power upside. Explosive athleticism with twitch and a potential 70-grade run tool round out an enticing profile. -TH



16. Miami Marlins - Hunter Carns, C, First Coast HS (FL)
One of the loudest performers at Jupiter this fall was Hunter Carns. The prep backstop was barreling up balls left and right, including a 115 mph home run. He’s shown budding power upside with very hitter-ish actions overall. The FSU commit made some noise this fall, and another loud spring could see him grabbing even more attention, which is why we’ve got the Marlins grabbing the in-state standout at 16th overall. - TK

17. Milwaukee Brewers - Cam Caminiti, LHP, Saguaro HS (AZ)
The Brewers grab our top prep arm in Caminiti. The Scottsdale, Ariz. native is an uber-athletic lefty with some of the best stuff and command in his ranks. He can run it up to 96 mph, living mostly 91-94 mph with life. The slider and curve both have great action and shape for secondaries, while the changeup shows plus traits with some heavy arm-side fade. Caminiti’s athleticism and feel is advanced, and would be an interesting project for Milwaukee at No. 17. -IB

18. Tampa Bay Rays - Anthony Silva, SS, TCU
The Rays used their first-round selection on a TCU shortstop this past summer and could do so yet again here. Silva is a draft-eligible sophomore with a high floor and upside to get excited about. The actions on the defensive side stand out. Smooth, fluid feet allow for range in both directions. Silva should stick at shortstop long-term. Offensively, the profile is more hit-over-power. There are sound bat-to-ball skills present with on-base ability. -TH

19. New York Mets - Hagen Smith, LHP, Arkansas
The New York Mets grab Hagen Smith at 19th overall, getting a premier college arm with a full & unique pitch mix. He’s up into the low- to mid-90s from the left side on the heater, with life. He also has a cutter and slider that bridge the arsenal together well, with a splitter in the mix as well. Smith can attack hitters with four pitches, making him a solid option to add to the Mets organization here. - TK

20. Toronto Blue Jays- 
Jonathan Santucci, LHP, Duke
20. Toronto Blue Jays - Jonathan Santucci, LHP, Duke
Now back-to-back college lefties off the board with Santucci at No. 20 to the Jays. He has an upward arrow next to his name for this spring. He simply pounds the zone with a fastball that gets into the mid-to-upper-90s and a plus mid-80s slider with great spin and metrics, also flashes a fringe low-80s depthy curveball. He has big stuff from the left side combined with a good feel to pitch. -IB

21. Minnesota Twins - Jacob Cozart, C, N.C. State
The Twins don’t have a Top-10 pick like they have had over the last two drafts, but could wind up with another Top-10 talent with Cozart. The NC State backstop is an advanced defender behind the plate with strong catch and throw ability. He has shown barrel feel at the plate with sound bat-to-ball skills at the plate. Twins would be more than happy to get him here at 1.21 -TH

22. Baltimore Orioles - Will Taylor, OF, Clemson
The Baltimore Orioles may be looking to stroke the coals as they continue to bring prospects into their big league lineup. Adding another college bat like Will Taylor will help them accomplish that. Taylor’s a high-end athlete who defends exceptionally well. He’s able to run down balls in the gap and be a premier glove, paired with a solid bat as well. He’s a former two-sport athlete, being a wideout for Clemson his first two years there. - TK

23. Los Angeles Dodgers - Tommy White, 1B, LSU
The Dodgers grab one of the better bats at this point late in the first with White. Though just a limited first baseman, White has a long college track record of elite barreled contact. It’s a thunderous bat with good chance for plus/plus and then some in both hit and power, with double-plus in the raw power category. There’s some violent whip and occasional whiff through the zone. The power plays to all fields, and there’s a ton to like offensively with improved bat-to-ball. He’s performed at some of the highest levels, and the bat has all the chance to play. -IB

24. Atlanta Braves - Caleb Bonemer, SS, Okemos HS (MI)
Very few players helped their draft stock this summer as much as Bonemer. The infielder put together a monster showing at every stop, including an all-time performance at PG National. Big time power can drive balls to the pull side with authority and produce triple digit EVs regularly. Plus speed rounds out a loud offensive skill set and has helped Bonemer post one of the better 60-yard dash times. -TH

25. San Diego Padres - Derek Curiel, OF, Orange Lutheran HS (CA)
Derek Curiel’s been at the top of this prep class for years and is someone that the Padres could pounce on late in the first round, grabbing him with the 25th overall pick. He has a projectable frame, which carries over to his plus-fielding. He moves well and can defend exceptionally well in the outfield with good carry. At the plate, he’s got a pretty left-handed swing with some carry and impact off the barrel. The LSU commit has taken strides in the box, consistently performing on the circuit. - TK

26. New York Yankees - Jonathan Vastine, SS/2B, Vanderbilt
Yankees add another left-handed bat to the system in Vastine. He’s a toolsy middle infielder with strong bat-to-ball skills and polished hit tool. Great approach at the plate and keen hand-eye at the plate, and can really run. Soft hands and good twitch throughout to stick up the middle on the dirt. He may not hit for much power at the highest level, but the tools and defensive ability combined with a left-handed stick makes for a solid grab for New York. -IB

27. Philadelphia Phillies - Dante Nori, OF, Northville HS (MI)
The Phillies have a chance to jump on one of the better athletes in the class and a player with an all-around loud skill set with the selection of Nori. It’s hard to find a more impactful power/speed combination. Nori can fly around the bases and create havoc with his legs. While advanced power allowed him to be the runner-up in the PG All-American HR Derby. Despite being older for the class, the tools are just too loud to pass at this point. -TH

28. Houston Astros - Drew Beam, RHP, Tennessee
It’s hard to leave an arm like Drew Beam on the board that late. Beam has a chance to really cement his spot in the Vols’ rotation this spring, and a loud performance could see him being a first-rounder come draft day. The right-hander has been up to 97 mph with a clean arm path. He’s got a real pretty curveball to pair that has taken some strides in its own right and a fading changeup to round things out. The big and physical right-hander has a chance to prove he’s a first-rounder this spring with the Vols. - TK

29. Arizona Diamondbacks - Slade Caldwell, OF, Valley View HS (AR)
Arizona swings for the prep ranks in the back end of the first round, going with Caldwell. He is as tooled up as they come in the class as a plus runner with a comfortable prep hit tool. It’s plus bat speed and twitch throughout his 5-foot-9 frame, and his wheels impact the game in multitude of facets, roaming center or stealing bags. It’s a fitting profile in Arizona who has a good history of tooled-up left-handed prep outfielders. -IB

30. Texas Rangers - Thatcher Hurd, RHP, Louisiana State 
The reigning champs tap into the college arm market here and come away with a high-upside arm with the selection of Hurd. The LSU right-hander has shown he can work the fastball into the upper-90’s. A disgusting, 12-6 curveball with spin rates near 3000 rpm has both depth and bite. Hurd will look to establish a more consistent starter role this spring, but could provide an immediate jolt to the Rangers minor league system if he can prove he can handle it. -TH
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Draft | Story | 12/10/2025

PG Draft: Post-Lottery Draft Targets
Tyler Kotila
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On Tuesday night, the MLB Draft Lottery took place, and the draft order has officially been set for July. With draft slots finalized, teams can now begin narrowing in on the prospects most likely to be available when they are on the clock. From polished college players to high-upside preps, several potential targets are already emerging as ideal fits based on past draft philosophy and finalized draft position. Let’s take a look at potential targets for the six teams that were awarded a lottery pick.  1. Chicago White Sox Potential Targets:  -Roch Cholowsky, SS, UCLA -Grady Emerson, SS, Fort Worth Christian HS (Tex.) -Gio Rojas, LHP, Marjory Stoneman Douglas HS (Fla.) The White Sox took home the top spot at the MLB Draft Lottery, staying true to their spot, with the highest odds to earn the first-overall draft pick amongst lottery-eligible teams this year. This will only...
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Tournaments | Story | 12/16/2025

16u Tourney All-American Team

Michael Albee
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Hitter of the Year: Koa Romero is the Hitter of the Year for the 16u group, as he would come to every premier event of the summer and earn All-Tournament honors (Beast of the East, 16/17u WWBA, Jupiter) in every single one. Over 82 plate appearances, Romero would pump ten homeruns with forty two RBI and sixteen walks, good for a .378 average and 1.339 OPS. The performance on volume at the best events of the year pushed Romero over the edge here, as he’d hit a pair of homeruns in Jupiter (one of them at 112 EV) as an underclassmen and collect double digit hits in BOTH WWBA events with a combined six jacks over the two tournaments. It was a summer that combined performance and winning on the biggest stages for Romero. It’s a quiet left-handed swing that packs a punch. He would reap the benefits of his performances, earning a commitment to LSU and jumping to the #74 prospect in...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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