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Draft  | Story | 12/27/2023

Year in Review: Draft

Tyler Henninger
Isaiah Burrows
Tyler Kotila
While there is not much time left in 2023, let’s take a look back at what this year has brought in terms of the MLB Draft. We have our eyes fixed on the future with the 2024 draft board in front of us and the 2025 and 2026 draft boards on the horizon, there’s still plenty to be said about the 2023 draft.  

The year is coming to an end, but it was one that offered teams at the top of the class to come away with some serious talent. Paul Skenes was the first off the board in a very talented group in the first few names off the board all of which have the potential to be really impressive & talented big-leaguers to their respective pro organizations at one point, whether in the near future or down the line.  



Plenty of Perfect Game Alums heard their names called this summer, and plenty more are slated to hear their name called in 2024. This includes some PG All-Americans (past and present), which we’ll dive into later on. As we close one chapter and look forward to the next, let’s talk about 2023 in this Year-In-Review piece from our PG Draft Team.

PG All-Americans Get Called, Cash In

Every year future big leaguers and potential All-Stars come together and play in the greatest prep event in the country, the PG All-American Classic. This past year, the draft featured a total of 35 players from the 2023 prep class that took the field in Phoenix as an All-American. Of those, 31 total players signed with their respective teams for a total combined signing bonus of $81,388,100. Outfielder Max Clark led the way with a signing bonus of $7,700,00. The Indiana product capped off an impressive prep career by being selected 3rd overall by the Detroit Tigers. Shortly following Clark was outfielder Walker Jenkins, who went 5th to the Twins and signed for $7,140,000. The two were the first of many All-Americans to come off the board in the early rounds with 11 of the Top-30 picks and 23 of the Top-100 picks being players from those East and West squads. It is hard to find a prep game with more talent on one field than the PG All-American Classic and the draft this past year proved it yet again. -Tyler Henninger 

A Closer Look at those PGAA

The 2023 season served as another great year for PG alums selected in the 2023 MLB Draft. Perfect Game All-American Game alums filled the first round including Dillon Head, Max Clark, Walker Jenkins, Raffaele Velazquez, Arjun Nimmala, George Lombard, Noble Meyer, Tai Peete, Adrian Santana and Aidan Miller to name a few. Scattered throughout the first seven rounds and there are a slew of PG alums. Alex Clemmey (Round 2 Cleveland Guardians) and Travis Sykora (Round 3 Washington Nationals) went at the top of their respective rounds. Antonio Anderson was a third round selection by the Boston Red Sox. Isaiah Drake (Round 5 Atlanta Braves) and Eric Bitonti (Round 3 Milwaukee Brewers) were well-established names throughout the PG circuit. Cole Schoenwetter (Round 4 Cincinnati Reds) and Cooper Pratt (Round 6 Milwaukee Brewers) were also selected and well-garnered this past summer. Looking back, it was yet another successful year on the PG circuit for eventual draftees who performed in the highest amateur events over the summer and fall. -Isaiah Burrows

The case for 1:1 - Paul Skenes over Dylan Crews 

The big talk last spring was about which top talent would be taken 1:1. From the beginning, it was almost assuredly going to be a Louisiana State Tigers player who would be the first player off the board. The question was if it would be standout slugger Dylan Crews, who is looking to be a supreme talent in the Washington National organization as an outfielder with exceptional skills in the box. Or would it be the big, physical bulldog on the mound in Paul Skenes? Skenes ended up taking the cake, hearing his name called first, when the Pittsburgh Pirates selected him with the first overall pick. It’s hard to pass up on an arm like Skenes, who has the talent and ability to rise through an organization quickly. We’ve done the research, and all know what Skenes and Crews are, so seeing these two as the first two off the board was no shocker. However, there were rumblings at one point that Max Clark would be the first name off the board, but it turned out to be smoke and mirrors as he was selected third overall by the Detroit Tigers as the first prep player off the board. The Pirates stayed on schedule and grabbed the 100 mph arm from the LSU Tigers, bringing in their prized new arm to join the organization. He got started right away and pitched in five games, working up to a couple of starts in Double-A Altoona. Crews also got his taste of MiLB ball, getting into Double-A as well with Harrisburg in the Nationals organization. Both the Pirates and Nationals drafted some seriously impressive prospects, but looking back at how it played out, it was Skenes 1:1 and Crews 1:2. Both have bright futures ahead. - Tyler Kotila

Overall Positional Breakdown

Positional breakdowns will always differ on the draft class with depth and areas of strength that are individualized to each year. The first round of the 2023 MLB draft featured a mixed positional group with players selected from every position except for second base. Shortstops were selected the most with ten players picked in the 1st round. Outfielders were the most valued position at the top, with four of the first five picks being outfielders and seven of them selected in all. Meanwhile, five pitchers were selected in the 1st round, all of them being righthanded and four of them going in the Top-10. Of the 614 total picks in the 2023 draft, a majority of the selections were pitchers (57%). As one would expect righthanders were most of those picks, making up 42% of all selections. On the position player side, outfielders were the most sought after group with 94 total players picked. Shortstops were close behind with 67 total picks, followed by catchers with 37 selections. Players up the middle on the dirt continue to be much more valuable than the corners, as twice as many middle infielders were selected than corner infielders. An intriguing new trend that will likely only continue to grow is the selection of two-way players. A total of seven picks were announced as two-way players this past year with the highest being Bryce Eldridge at 16th overall. The positional trends and continued expansion of two-way selections will be fun to monitor for years to come. -TH 

Texas Rangers capture a World Series and top talent in the draft 

This year’s World Series match-up featured the Arizona Diamondbacks and Texas Rangers. Texas ended up taking home the hardware with their World Series victory, but they also took home a victory in the draft with a heck of a first-round pick. While Nolan Schanuel made his big-league debut as the first player from this draft class, Wyatt Langford nearly made his debut as well. He worked all the way up to Triple-A Round Rock and was in consideration to be named to the big-league roster for the playoffs. The former Florida Gators outfielder was the fourth player drafted in the 2023 MLB Draft and started showing off with the stick immediately. He was able to show why he was such a high draft pick, handling the wood bat well and getting to work quickly. In 44 games across his time in the Rangers minor-league system last summer, Langford slashed .360/.480/.677 with 17 doubles, two triples, ten home runs, and 30 runs driven in. Quite the performance from the ’23 draftee, who looks to be someone Texas will be able to call upon as reinforcements as early as 2024 if they so choose. Langford looks like an exceptional selection at 1:4 from this summer’s draft. - TK 

Nolan Schanuel makes history with big-league debut for Los Angeles Angels 

In an absolutely wild turn of events, former Florida Atlantic Owls 1B/OF Nolan Schanuel found himself donning a Los Angeles Angels uniform just a little over a month from draft day. The left-handed hitter was the 11th overall pick in this summer's MLB Draft, and he will go down as the first one to crack the big leagues after the Angels elected to call him up to the big-league roster. It's not just for one game or a mini-stint, either. He played in 29 big league games, totaling 109 at-bats for the Angels. He slashed .275/.402/.330. The more impressive part was the 20 walks to 19 strikeouts that he managed, speaking directly to his style. The skills in the batters' box to work counts and grind out consistently quality at-bats were beyond impressive. Not to mention a real physical swing and juice that could be dangerous for the opposition when he got his pitch. Having seen Schanuel a few times during midweeks this season, he had an innate feel for the strike zone and just a real competitive look at the dish. It's shocking how quickly he got to the bigs, but not shocking that his tools carried him there. - TK 

Looking Ahead to 2024

It’s early to really start hammering things down for the 2024 MLB Draft, at least for who will go first overall. It’s not as much of a slam dunk as it was in 2023. This past year, you could nearly bet the house on it being Paul Skenes or Dylan Crews; this upcoming year, it’s not so simple. Several players could end up hearing their name called first when the 2024 MLB Draft rolls around. But, if I had to make an early guess, I’d have to say Nick Kurtz seems primed for the spot. The left-handed hitter from Wake Forest has the potential to really catch the eyes of many this spring. After a huge breakout season last year and tools that are quite loud, he’s the guy I’m rocking with heading into the spring and is likely to have an edge for 1:1. He’s big, he’s physical, and the hit/power tools have the potential to grade out at a high-level down the line, showing signs of it already. There’s a lot to like with Kurtz, and another big season with Wake Forest could really set things in stone for him come draft day. But it’s early yet. There’s a lot of baseball left to be played. As we close the chapter on 2023, 2024 is upon us, and there’s plenty to discuss. - TK 

There appears to be plenty of potential Top-5 candidates and several potential 1:1 picks at this stage. While it is still extremely early in the process and there is plenty of time for things to change this spring, if I had the first overall pick today I would select Travis Bazzana out of Oregon State. While selecting a second baseman this high would be unusual, Bazzana is no ordinary second baseman. The bat features a plus hit tool with power that only continues to go up. Advanced speed and athleticism, along with a fiery mentality, give the profile a deep set of valuable tools and upside. It is a top of the order profile that can create runs and routinely cause havoc for opposing teams and play above-average defense on the dirt up the middle. -TH 
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Draft | Prospect Scouting Reports | 6/26/2026

MLB Draft Reports: 1-99
Michael Albee
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2026 MLB Draft Reports: 100-299 | 200-299 | 300-399 | 400-500 1. Roch Cholowsky, SS, UCLA R-R, 6-2/202, Chandler, AZ Previously Drafted: Never Drafted   Roch Cholowsky has consistently ranked at the top of the class throughout the cycle due to the safety and upside of the profile. Defensively, he is a plus defender at shortstop with soft hands, consistent actions, and quality range. Not only should he stick at the position long term, he should excel there at the next level. Offensively, there is a strong mix of hit and power potential from the right side of the plate. The swing is a bit unorthodox with a shorter finish, but Cholowsky consistently finds the barrel and drives the ball with authority to all fields. He has strong bat to ball skills with impact. He has walked more than stuck out during his collegiate career, giving him a high on-base ability. The run tool is the...
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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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Tournaments | Story | 7/1/2026

Performance Baseball Rolls On

Kinley Kitchens
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Championship teams often reveal themselves when the game isn’t going their way. Performance Baseball 2028/Milwaukee Brewers Scout Team did exactly that. Trailing Florida Burn 2028 Scout through four innings, the Brewers refused to panic. Instead, they relied on timely hitting, consistent pitching, and an unselfish approach at the plate, rallying a five-run fifth inning before pulling away for a 9-5 victory to clinch their spot in the semifinals. The comeback was fueled by contributions throughout the lineup. Six different players drove in runs, including two RBIs each from Aiden Capobianco and Cameron Massey, while Matthew Heredia, Parker Weston, Ethan Smith, and Aj Bonnette each added an RBI of their own. On the mound, Derek Wenzel set the tone with 3.2 solid innings before Ethan Smith shut the door in relief, helping preserve the comeback victory. Although the Brewers have had a...
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Tournaments | Championship | 7/1/2026

JK Select Hawaii Tackles 14u West WS

Emily Hicks
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JK Select Hawaii capped off an impressive tournament run by defeating GBG Vegas 14u Red14-4 in the championship game on Sunday at Goodyear Ballpark, claiming the 14u West World Series title. From the opening pitch, JK Select controlled the pace of the game. The offense jumped out early, scoring 6 runs in the 1st inning after timely hits from MVP Sean Shindo and Kade Manarpaac. The early lead gave the pitching staff confidence as they worked efficiently through the opposing lineup. “I've worked hard to get better at my game for the past few months; it means a lot that I did well and performed in a tournament like this” said Shindo. Starting pitcher Maddox Prones turned in a strong performance, allowing 3 runs while striking out 5 batters over 3 innings. The defense backed the effort with great plays in the middle infield, preventing GBG Vegas from building momentum....
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Tournaments | Story | 7/1/2026

"Wow" Swings Catch Eyes at 16u Elite

Kinley Kitchens
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On the second day of the 2026 Perfect Game National Elite Championship, one swing turned heads across the ballpark. The next one brought everyone to a stop. With Wow Factor Nation 16U trailing midway through its matchup against Sandlot Scout Team 2028, Micheal O'Connor launched a solo home run to spark the offense. Just one batter later, Aaron Frink stepped into the box and sent another ball over the fence, delivering back-to-back home runs that quickly became one of the most talked about moments of the tournament’s opening days. Parents gathered along the nets, players from previous games stopped to watch, and college scouts turned their attention toward the action as the two towering swings energized the crowd and brought new life to the game. Although Wow Factor Nation ultimately lost 5-3 after a hard-fought performance, the back-to-back home runs served as a reminder of the...
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Tournaments | Story | 6/30/2026

Stacked Runs the Table at 17u WWBA

Will Dembo
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Following a jam-packed week of entertainment at the 17u WWBA Championships, the top nationally ranked program, USA Prime 17u National/Detroit Tigers Scout Team, faced off against Stacked Baseball 17u (No. 80 nationally) in the highly anticipated championship matchup as both teams looked to earn one of the most prestigious titles in all of travel baseball. Each talented squad entered the finale undefeated, but Stacked Baseball continued their dominance throughout the tournament, defeating the Detroit Tigers Scout Team 10-2 in mercy rule fashion to become national champions behind explosive bats and impressive pitching. Stacked Baseball was the overwhelming top team throughout the week as the WWBA Champions outscored opponents by an absurd 117-12 during their 11-0 run. “We got some talented kids, but we played against a little bit of Goliath over there,” Stacked Head Coach Mike...
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Tournaments | Story | 6/30/2026

17u WWBA Scout Notes: Day 7

Perfect Game Staff
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17u WWBA Scout Notes: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4  Day 5 | Day 6 Shea Corona (2027, Brooklyn, N.Y.) showcased some loud stuff out of the bullpen for MLB Breakthrough Series 2027. The New York native and primary shortstop topped out at 93 with the fastball, sitting comfortable in the 90-92 range. Corona paired it with a sharp and tight slider at 81-83, staying on the same plane until late. The pitch plays well already and the delivery is very athletic. The uncommitted right-hander went three scoreless and was in the zone plenty, striking out two while not allowing a walk. '27 SS Moises Gudino (FL) continues to stay red hot, working a long AB & cracking an oppo 2B on the 8th pitch. Really seeing ing well. #WWBA @Florida_PG https://t.co/OjNJ8Bmzao pic.twitter.com/WoDDp35EI1 — Perfect Game Scout (@PG_Scouting) June 30, 2026 Moises Gudino (2027, Tampa, Fla.)...
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Tournaments | Story | 6/30/2026

Texas Twelve Firing On Full Cylinders

Kinley Kitchens
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Every team hopes to start a tournament with momentum, but few make a statement quite like Texas Twelve Maroon 2028. Matched up against defending champion Excel Blue Wave National to kick off their debut in the 2026 Perfect Game National Elite Championship, Texas Twelve Maroon delivered a complete team performance, earning a hard-fought 3-2 victory and immediately establishing themselves as one of the top teams to watch this week. The win showcased the balance that has made Texas Twelve Maroon a powerful team. Strong pitching, timely hitting, and steady defense all played a role as the team held off one of the tournament’s premier programs. Right-hander Ty Antley turned in an outstanding performance on the mound, throwing a complete game while allowing only five hits and two walks over seven innings. The High Follow prospect worked consistently between 85-89 mph and mixed in a sharp...
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Tournaments | Championship | 6/30/2026

Flames Capture 18U BCS Title

Alyssa Golden
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Flames Natty used timely hitting and a dominant start from Beau Collier to defeat NLB American 7-3 and capture the 18U BCS National Championship on Monday at Lee Health Sports Complex. Despite being assembled just hours before the tournament began, the Flames quickly developed chemistry throughout the tournament. “This team was put together 12 hours before this tournament, and they went on a crazy run,” head coach Adam Vasquez said. “These kids know each other locally, but they don’t play together. For them to come together last minute like that, it’s crazy. I’m proud of them for that.” The game opened as a pitchers’ duel, with David Acevedo recording the lone hit through the first two innings. NLB American starter Hayden Graham kept the Flames in check early, allowing just one hit while striking out one over 2.0 innings. The right-hander...
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Tournaments | Story | 6/30/2026

Ohio Valley BCS Champ. Scout Notes

Perfect Game Staff
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‘28 C Keegan Sawyer (OH) showcased the toolshed in this one. A top player in the OH ‘28 class. LOUD (Hit & Defense) #OVBCS @KeeganSawyer10 Clip 1: 3-R 💣 to LF Clip 2: 2B to LC Clip 3: SEED, Caught Stealing @ 2B Name for August 1 @MidlandBasebal pic.twitter.com/FvIpEU7Llz — Jordan Gates (@JGatesPG) June 27, 2026 Keegan Sawyer (2028, Cleves, Ohio) The stock continues to go up and up for Keegan Sawyer. Fresh off a state championship for Bading High School, he has picked up where he has left off this spring. It seems that he gets bigger each time I see him, but the frame really works on both sides of the ball at 6-feet, 190-pounds. It’s athletic and the actions on both sides are extremely advanced. Sawyer took home MVP honors after finishing with nine hits, six going for extra bases including two home runs, nine RBIs and eight runs scored. It’s electric at...
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Tournaments | Story | 6/30/2026

Texas Region Scout Notes

Perfect Game Staff
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Austin Lyons (2028, Cibolo, Texas) put on a display for Canes Southwest Prime 16U. Went 7-14 at the plate with a pair of doubles and triples, while driving in 13 runs. He won Tournament MVP for his efforts. Physical left-handed frame with feel to hit to all fields. Utilizes the middle of the field as well as the opposite field efficiently. Should be a force to be reckoned with as he grows into some more power. Evan Rosales (2027, Houston, Texas) was dominant on the mound for HP 2027 Allen. Went five shutout innings over the weekend, surrendering just one hit and two walks while striking out ten. Fastball lives 83-87 with some carry. Curveball is a heavy 12/6 downer at 69-74. North-south approach with a super steep release. Showed some really good feel for the zone and sequenced effectively to keep hitters off balance. Tristan Wright (2028, Magnolia, Texas) put on a show for Banditos 2028...
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