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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

 

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 | 6/4/2026

Pence Makes the Jump to 2027
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   PERFECT GAME STANDOUT STRIKER PENCE RECLASSIFIES TO CLASS OF 2027, ACCELERATING PATH TO MLB DRAFT   Corona, California (Thursday, June 4, 2026) - Perfect Game, the world’s largest youth baseball and softball platform and scouting service, today announced that Perfect Game prospect Striker Pence, one of the most watched young prospects in amateur baseball, has officially reclassified from the Class of 2028 to the Class of 2027, making the 17-year-old eligible for the 2027 Major League Baseball Draft. Pence is currently the #2 ranked player on Perfect Game’s national rankings and the top-ranked right-handed pitcher. Pence, a 6-foot-6, 215-pound right-handed pitcher and left-handed hitting first...
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Tournaments | Story | 6/19/2026

Road to the 2026 17U BCS Title

Emily Hicks
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This weekend, 11 teams will take the field for the 2026 17U BCS Challenge, a three-day event that brings together programs from across the country for a full slate of pool play and bracket action. With games beginning Friday and a champion crowned Sunday, the format leaves little room for slow starts, making every inning important from the opening pitch. The field features a mix of established programs and rising teams. With so many evenly matched rosters, there’s not much separation heading into the weekend, which puts importance on pitching depth, defensive consistency, and timely hitting. Pool play will quickly determine seeding, and even one loss can shift a team’s path heading into bracket play. One of the teams expected to be in the mix is Hawaii Elite 2G 17U National, a group that is 6-3 overall and ranked as “Honorable Mention” on the Perfect Games...
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Tournaments | Story | 6/18/2026

Big Talent on Display at City of Palms

Alyssa Golden
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The fifth annual PG City of Palms Championship is set to take place in Fort Myers, Florida, from June 19-22, featuring teams from the 15U-18U age divisions. The four-day event will showcase some of the top talent in the state, including several nationally ranked prospects who have already made their presence felt this summer season. Before tournament play begins, here’s a look at some of the highest-ranked players expected to compete this weekend. Leading the group is catcher Nico Ayars in the 16U division. Ayars enters the weekend as the No. 135 player nationally, the No. 3 catcher in Florida and the No. 20 catcher in the country. Through 22 games this summer with Turn 2 Garcia, the right-handed hitter owns a .887 OPS while batting .306 with a .438 OBP and a .449 SLG. Ayars has collected 15 hits while driving in 12 runs and scoring 13 times. Ayars’ teammate, right-handed...
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Softball | Softball Tournament | 6/17/2026

Perfect Game Softball Route 66 Summer Showcase

Dave Durbala
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SPRINGFIELD, IL - Perfect Game Softball Route 66 Summer Showcase, June 13-14, 2026. Twenty-Seven teams, representing the 14u and High School Divisions, arrived at the newly opened all turfed Scheels Sports Park at Legacy Pointe, for the opportunity to showcase their talent in a five game guarantee format. As with anytime we bring a group of players together for competition, there will be those players that rise to the challenge and turn in performances that earn them a place on our Top Performers list.  Below are some of the players, from both divisions, that were recognized as top performers. 14U Division Kinley Abrams (2030 Bloomington, IL) is a RHH for Texas Glory IL-2030 (Wyatt). Setting up in a slightly wide parallel stance, into her back leg, Abrams gains separation with a  push back to transfer weight, and then utilizes a small stride to launch her swing. Abrams works a...
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Tournaments | Story | 6/18/2026

150 Teams Set to Battle at SE Select

Will Dembo
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As summer travel season continues to ramp up, more than 150 teams from 13-17u from all over the nation will meet in East Cobb as they look to showcase their talents and compete for a trophy in the PG Southeast Select Championship. The tournament will kick off with pool play on Thursday, June 18th, and champions will be crowned following bracket play on Monday, June 22nd. The 13u division will host 23 teams from four different states in the major style tournament. The East Cobb Astros and Ninth Inning Royals will share the spotlight as the only nationally ranked teams in the field as the Astros enter the weekend as the No. 45 ranked squad and Ninth Inning falls at the No. 31 spot. 14u will also play as a major tournament for the weekend and contains 31 teams looking to compete for a trophy. Although there are currently no nationally recognized teams in the pool, PFA Regional will be a...
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Tournaments | Story | 6/17/2026

UBC Midwest Scout Notes

Blaine Peterson
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Braydon McMillen (2029, Downers Grove, IL) an athletic MIF with a top of the order skill set at the plate. Reached base in all 5 games played at UBC this week. Including a 3 hit game in bracket play. Shows a balanced and compact swing at the plate with quick wrists and the ability to get the barrel to the baseball regularly. A quick first step defensively with clean glove actions and a quick release from the shortstop position. Made several athletic plays defensively this past week. Lot of promising impact traits and a real skill set to build on.  Paris Head | IF/OF/RHP | 2029 | IL@WhitesoxAce FB: 86-90 | CB: 73-75 SL: 77-79 | CH: 78-82 One of the best pitching performances of the tournament so far. High level athlete with an advanced pitch mix for the age. #UBC @PG_Scouting | @WhitesoxAce https://t.co/V3leWaCBSM pic.twitter.com/EDBvjpgI3p — Perfect Game Illinois...
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Tournaments | Story | 6/17/2026

Windy City Elite Scout Notes

Perfect Game Staff
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28 LHP/OF Rex Johnson (CO) was impressive on the mound today. Quality FB/SL mix. FB(80-85) showed heavy arm side run, generating s/m. Good feel to spin, landing the low-70s SL for strikes, while keeping hitters off balance. 5.0IP, 9K, 3H #WCElite @PG_FourCorners pic.twitter.com/q459oPmXzW — Perfect Game Illinois (@PG_Illinois) June 14, 2026 Rex Johnson (2028, Highlands Ranch, Colo.) turned in one of the more impressive outings of the weekend for Canes Denver South 2028 Gold. The 5-foot-10, 170-pound left-hander worked 5.0 innings, striking out 9 while allowing just 3 hits and no earned runs. The fastball worked 80-85 with arm-side run and got on hitters quickly, generating both swing-and-miss and weak contact. He mixed in a slider with sharp action and showed feel to land it for strikes. Currently ranked the No. 5 outfielder and No. 8 overall prospect in Colorado, Johnson displayed...
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Tournaments | Story | 6/17/2026

UBC South Scout Notes: Days 3-5

Perfect Game Staff
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Jonell Rodriguez (2027, Spring, Texas) continued his absolute tear this weekend with Banditos 2027 Scout. The Houston commit finished the weekend 7-12 with three triples and two doubles, reaching base a staggering eleven times over the course of the tournament. Super twitchy athlete who is starting to tap into more power this summer. Has always been extremely productive but seems to have leveled up. He has an argument for being the most dynamic player in the state with his 2026 performances. William Bishop (2028, San Antonio, Texas) was a breakout star this weekend for Texas Angels 2028 Lisbon. Was an impossible out this weekend, going 10-14 with five doubles, a triple, and a home run, while driving in eight runs. Uber physical lower half that rotates easily, not a ton of wasted movement in the swing process. Was such a tough matchup for every single arm he faced at UBC. Will Rainer...
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Tournaments | Championship | 6/17/2026

Braves Capture WWBA East Title

Kinley Kitchens
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By the end of championship Monday, the Atlanta Braves Scout Team had done much more than win a title. They had validated everything they believed they could become. After an undefeated run through the 2026 PG East WWBA Championship, the Braves captured the 15U championship with an 8-2 victory, finishing off a dominant weekend that featured elite pitching, explosive offense, and contributions throughout the roster. For coach Jed Douglas, the championship represented the results of months of practice, preparation, and a vision that finally came together. “This is our first championship with this group,” Douglas said. “We finally brought it together and for the first time, everything seemed to work just as we designed it when we were building the team, and it was just beautiful this way.” The Braves backed up that vision with one of the most impressive offensive...
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Tournaments | Story | 6/16/2026

PG Summer Showdown Scout Notes

Perfect Game Staff
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Mason Kennerly (2028, Decatur, Ga.) hit .429 with a .667 OBP, five walks and three RBI in four games last week. He’s already showing the tools to be a big-time power bat in his class, and standing at 6’2 with an athletic frame, he’s one of the more projectable players we saw this weekend. His mechanics play into his size well, creating good hand separation from body on his load, using a medium-high leg kick, and getting a wide base when going into his launch. He uses every bit of his size and natural strength to create a violent swing. He’s got the makings of a really solid prospect, and as he develops and his approach matures, he’ll become a guy that college coaches keep at the top of their radar.  ‘27 Grant Barden (GA) up to 90 mph on the hill. Loose on the mound, whippy arm action. Four pitch mix; FB 87-90, CB 71-72, SL 76-78, CH 79-81. Mixed...
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General | Blog | 6/16/2026

Wolforth Throwing Mentorship: Article 66

Ron Wolforth
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  The Number That Just Killed MLB Expansion: 1,217   USA Today's Bob Nightengale dropped a bomb shell recently that the baseball world is still digesting. Major League Baseball wants to expand to 32 teams. Team executives are quietly opposing it and the reason has nothing to do with cities or money.   They cannot find enough healthy pitchers.   Between 2020 and 2024, professional baseball performed 1,026 Tommy John surgeries at the minor-league level alone. Another 191 at the Major League level. More than twelve hundred elbow reconstructions in five years on the best young pitchers in the world.   That is not bad luck. That is a system reporting a verdict on itself.   For fifteen years, the youth-baseball industry has chased one number: velocity significantly more than projectability and arm care.    Recruiters scout by it.    Social...
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