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Tournaments  | Story | 5/18/2024

Beast of the East Quick Hits: Part 1

Photo: Chase Cotton (Perfect Game)

Dexter McCleon (Buford, Ga.) has already established himself as one of the premier talents in the 2028 class and he did nothing but add to the allure with his start in game one on Opening Day for USA Prime. Working 3 innings on the mound, the 6-foot-3 McCleon continued to find his release point on the mound as he ultimately walked 5, but also struck out 4, and showed improvements in his comfort level as he was able to find his balance at the foot strike, though the arm talent was immediately undeniable. Opening up and living comfortably in the 89-92 mph range, the primary outfielder grabbed a couple of 93s along the way and let one rip in the third inning that registered at 94 mph with the ball absolutely exploding out of his hand. The fastball is without a doubt the headliner but each of his secondaries have made a jump as well, particularly with the changeup and slider as he showed comfort landing both in the zone in the low-80s, turning over a couple quality changeups (video above) while showing real spin on the slider as well. 

Like so many arms on day one, right-hander Chase Cotton (Lincoln, Calif.) was limited in his pitch count and outs but the 2028 California native made the most of his time on the mound. Ever refining and tinkering with his delivery, Cotton also showed a jump in his velocity as he opened up sitting right around the 88 mph mark, bumping a 90 on the gun early from a similar compact and hidden arm stroke we’ve come used to seeing. He’s both poised and in control on the mound, incorporating his lower half with improved lower half direction towards the plate which turned into a plethora of strikes while maintaining that mid- to- upper-80s mark throughout. It was a fastball heavy approach in this brief outing, showing a couple shorter breaking balls in the low-70s as well as a few mid-70s changeups in the zone. 

One of the better swings I saw in the opener came from the 13u level courtesy of Peyton Lopez (New Caney, Texas) as the 12u Select Festival alum went 2-for-2 on the day for Elite RBI. Appearing bigger than his listed 5-foot-9, 159 pounds, Lopez kicked his tournament off by seeing a low-80s heater from the left-handed Greyson Bell deep into the zone, but given how direct and quick his swing is, the Texas native was still able to drive the ball the other way to split the right-center field gap for a stand up double. His next at-bat was a mirrored swing in terms of mechanics, sending a hard ground ball through the 6-hole for a single, setting the tone for the rest of the weekend. 




Left-hander Greyson Bell (Douglasville, Pa.) is a younger-for-the-class 2028 and took the hill for SBA National in the 13u opener. A long and lean 6-foot-1, Bell continues to see his velocity climb as he opened up and sat in the 81-83 mph range with his heater out of an extended slot, creating some real angle while showing the ability to locate to either side of the plate. The ball hops out of his hand very cleanly, jumping on hitters from a stretch-only operation and just when hitters started to sit heater, Bell went to his low-70s breaker which he landed comfortably and played extremely well off of his fastball. 

Opposing Bell was fellow Festival alum Russell Nelson (Gilbert, Ariz.) who got the start for Elite RBI and went 3.1 innings, surrendering just one hit while punching out 3 without handing out any walks. Utilizing some drop and drive in his lower half, Nelson sat comfortably in the 82-84 mph range throughout, showing some real riding life up in the zone at a velocity that on its own can miss plenty of bats. Over the course of his outing the slider sharpened with each offering, showing tight spin from a similar release in the upper-70s which helped make the fastball all the more effective, maintaining his release and getting hitters to chase off the plate. 

It was an extremely quick look at Brody Costantine (Deltona, Fla.) on the mound as he worked just a lone inning, meaning we’ll likely get another look as the tournament continues to unfold, but he was still able to show a nice uptick from when we last saw him throw. A long and lean primary outfielder, Costantine ran the fastball up to 88 mph and lived very comfortably in the mid-80s out of a higher release point, powering the ball downhill when he was on time with his delivery. The arm speed stands out immediately and as he continues to incorporate additional lower half, that number will creep towards that 90 mph rather quickly. Despite a steady rain the young Floridian managed to rip a couple solid sliders as well, working upwards of 78 mph with some teeth through the zone. 

-Jheremy Brown

2028 RHP Nolan Slaymaker (Fort White, Fla.) was the first to get the ball here this weekend and worked 2+ solid innings of work while showing some easy stuff. It’s a mid-80s fastball with good extension out front, which allows him to create life in the bottom of the zone, and while the breaking ball is on the softer end right now, there’s good components that’ll allow it to mold into a solid offering. He has good size and overall, it’s a cleaner operation already.


2028 SS Bryan Mesa (Hialeah, Fla.) only had a single hit, but it was one of only a few to go for extra bases on the day given the quality of arms that rolled out to start the event. He’s a very well-known young prospect as a Top 10 player in the class, and he continues to show that there’s an enticing blend of now and ability and long-term upside. He’s consistent with the bat, showing excellent bat speed and impact already, while his prowess at shortstop already makes him one of the better pure defenders in this group; he’s very well-rounded.

2028 OF Chase Potter (Davie, Fla.) had a couple hits to get his weekend going, driving in 3 in total leading to an opening win. He’s one of the more physical hitters here, generating some serious bat speed which in turn creates some of the hardest hit balls of this age group. He gets separated/extended very well in his swing process, which allows him to both create leverage and use the whole field as he needs. It’s an intriguing power-bat profile to follow.


2028 OF/LHP Carter Shouse (Middletown, Ohio) got the ball for the late game and although he fell on the losing end, he still showed the kind of stuff that positions him up toward the top of the class. He’s an athletic two-way with a big arm, showing that from the outfield at times, while on the mound he’ll run it into the upper-80s with a bit of ease, creating angle and filling the zone with comfort. The secondaries are headlined by a very good changeup out of the same release, but he can spin it too. The bat is a good one with physicality that creates higher-end bat speed and good impact already, and overall, he does a lot of things well.

-Tyler Russo

Tournaments | Story | 1/27/2026

MLK East Scout Notes Recap

Perfect Game Staff
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‘28 OF Jakob Groeschel (OH) continues to impress with the bat on the circuit, picked up 2 2Bs in the first game today. Really athletic, went 4.4 on turn; easy to dream on all the traits. #MLKEast @PG_OhioValley pic.twitter.com/wOIwnGKnkg — Perfect Game Florida (@Florida_PG) January 17, 2026 2028 OF Jakob Groeschel (Springfield, Ohio) broke out at this event last year hitting a casual .909, and although he didn’t turn in quite the same performance, he hit a strong .462 with 4 extra-base hits, 5 walks, 5 bags and only struck out once. He’s a pretty dynamic athlete who can do a lot of things well, but the bat is the calling card as he just lives on the barrel and has no problem handling all kinds of pitching. It’s a simple swing, but he’s got fast hands and he can really impact the ball without being overly physical yet.  2030 RHP Michael Vazquez...
High School | General | 2/27/2026

HS Showdown Scout Notes: Day 1

Tyler Russo
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High School Showdown Event Page | High School Showdown Preview ‘27 1B Frank Thomas (FL) goes liftoff once again for 2nd HR, again in the L on L. Leveraging w/ such easy juice. #PGShowdown @IMGABaseball @Florida_PG https://t.co/BgWiDyMiMo pic.twitter.com/IC6sdAkhmT — Perfect Game Scout (@PG_Scouting) February 26, 2026 Frank Thomas III (2027, Sarasota, Fl.) was all over a breaking ball in the first inning of an IMG Academy offensive explosion, making it back-to-back-to-back homers to start the game. He did not turn back from there, homering on two more occasions. The ball explodes off the barrel with low effort strength and he showed the ability to manipulate the barrel to lift with authority. Thomas III is built strong and physical and he is just beginning to tap into that huge power upside. He showed no issues handling left on left matchups, with his first two homers coming...
Draft | Prospect Scouting Reports | 2/26/2026

PG Draft: Early Season Underclass Performers

Tyler Henninger
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Dax Whitney (@BeaverBaseball) showed LOUD stuff. FB up to 100, cruised at 95-98. Pair of plus secondaries. CB at 77-79 (2923) with sharp, 12-6 action. Firm SL at 89-91 (2714) with bite. Flashed fading CH at 87-88 (1425). Ranked No. 1 on the ‘27 board @PG_Draft So./‘27 elig. pic.twitter.com/9PNbjJ53Zo — PG College Baseball (@PGCollegeBall) February 13, 2026 RHP Dax Whitney, Oregon State (‘27 elig.) Whitney may not just be the best arm in next year’s class, he may be the best arm in the entire country right now. The right-handed sits 98 mph with the heater and has been up to 100 mph. Both the slider and curveball are plus offerings that he spins extremely well. Whitney will mix in a quality Gavin changeup that sits in the upper-80’s and has also introduced a new cutter. All the pitches come from the exact same release point and jump out of the hand. He...
High School | General | 2/26/2026

PGHS Showdown: Academies Scout Notes

AJ Denny
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Jordan Burwell (‘26 NJ) going WAY out to right. Rhythmic approach and smooth swing get into big time power. #Mountaineers commit. @PGMidAtlantic #PGShowdown pic.twitter.com/qyDaIPxIol — Perfect Game Scout (@PG_Scouting) February 22, 2026 Jordan Burwell (‘26 NJ) First live look at the left-handed hitting West Virgina commit. The power is real, launched two long homers in game action this weekend. Easy mover with very clean path with sky high offensive ceiling if he continues to show like this. Swing is built for power and lofted pull side impacts.    CJ Alfano (‘26 NY) long PS bomb this morning. Just leaning on everything that’s thrown over the heart. #WVU commit. @PGMidAtlantic #PGShowdown pic.twitter.com/4lGnhOEyrl — Perfect Game Scout (@PG_Scouting) February 22, 2026 Cj Alfano (‘26 NY)Just an impossible out throughout the weekend....
High School | General | 2/27/2026

SoCal High School Notebook: Feb. 27

Steve Fiorindo
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5 K's over 4 hitless innings of work for Jared Grindlinger (2026), making first start as member of the 2026 class. 92-94 t95 w/ the FB, SL 80-83, CH 81-83, CB 77/78. Efficient outing, 50 pitches, 39 strikes. #PGHS @PG_scouting @PG_Draft @HBHS_basebll @PG_Uncommitted pic.twitter.com/y7jwX1oPyB — Perfect Game California (@California_PG) February 25, 2026 Jared Grindlinger, LHP, Huntington Beach High School (2026) Gringlinger’s first start as a member of the 2026 class was a good one… 4 innings of no hit ball with 5 strikeouts.  Ran the fastball to 95, lived 92-94, throwing a ton of strikes.  50 pitches on the day, 39 strikes, pretty much landing all four pitches in the zone.  Went to the slider early and often, quadrupling up on the slide piece to the first hitter of the game. The slider shows late lateral action with some vert, living 80-83.  Used...
Softball | Softball Tournament | 2/25/2026

Perfect Game Softball 16U Winter Elite Showcase

Dave Durbala
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SPRINGFIELD, IL - Perfect Game Softball 16u Winter Elite Showcase, February 20-22, 2026. Twenty-Four teams arrived in Springfield for the opportunity to showcase some of the best talent in the midwest. After 3 pool play games,  the field was split and seeded into either the Platinum or Gold Division to begin bracket play.  With several highly sought after young arms on display, it was Indiana Magic Gold 16U Carroll and Indiana Magic Gold 14U National making it into the Platinum Division Championship, and through a mutual agreement, they decided to end the tournament as Co-Champions. In the Gold Division, it was Gts 16u Elite-Gonzalez with a 7-2 win over Cedar Rapids Blue Devils 14u, to earn the championship. Below are some of the players that played their way onto the top performers list, including the MVP and MV-Pitcher from both the Platinum and Gold Divisions. Earning the...
College | Recruiting | 2/25/2026

DII/DIII/NAIA Rankings Update: Feb. 25

Nick Herfordt
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A few weeks into the season and the shape of the national picture is starting to emerge (slightly, let’s get too silly about early results). Some preseason favorites are humming exactly as advertised, a few dark horses are pawing at the gate, and a handful of early contenders are discovering that February optimism and March reality are not always the same thing. Across DII, DIII and the NAIA, pitching staffs are setting the tone, offenses are either detonating or recalibrating, and the Top 25 is already beginning to feel less theoretical and more earned.   DII UT Tyler is performing as predicted with a 12-2 start that includes a series win at Angelo State. The Patriots’ offense has not exactly been knocking the cover off the ball, but the pitching staff has been stingy, holding opponents to a .228 batting average.  They have not faced a ranked opponent yet, but...
Juco | Rankings | 2/25/2026

JUCO Top 25: February 25

Blaine Peterson
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Another strong week for many of the top teams in junior college baseball. Walters State put together another undefeated weak and sticks in the top spot for the 3rd consecutive ranking. Chipola on the strength of a 20-1 start has established themselves early as one of top teams in the country. Johnson County put together a 2nd consecutive undefeated week and moves into the top 5 with a 15-1 overall record. They will play 4 games against #22 Iowa Western this week who is also coming off an undefeated week. Fresno City (15-0) and Midland (13-0) are two undefeated programs to begin 2026. They have gone from not in the preseason top 25 to the top 15 in our rankings in less than a month. And welcome to the PG Juco Top 25 Cloud County (KS) who debuts at #23 and is coming off a huge 3 game sweep on the road in Texas of a previous top 10 program in our rankings. Plenty of good matchups ahead this...
Softball | Softball Tournament | 2/24/2026

Perfect Game Softball February Frenzy

Dave Durbala
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BURLINGTON, IA - Perfect Game February Frenzy, February 20-22, 2026.  Twenty-two teams, representing five states, rolled into town for the opportunity to compete in this pool play, then into bracket play, with four games guaranteed,  in both a 14u and 18u division. Taking home top honors in the 14u division was Midwest Sluggers 11, who held off a late charge by the Black Dragons , winning 7-5. In the 18u division, it was Nebraska Gold 319 Berning topping Iowa Gold Prospects 4-0, avenging a pool play opening, 1-0 loss. Below are some of the players that played their way onto our Top Performers list, including the MVP and MV-Pitcher from the championship bracket in each age division. 14U Division Earning the 14u division MVP award was Presley Perkins (2030 Taylor Ridge, IL) who although is listed as a switch hitting OF, was only observed hitting from the left side for tournament...
High School | General | 2/25/2026

High School Showdown Preview

Cam McElwaney
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We’re only about 24 hours away from the 14th PG High School Showdown and as we get closer to one of the premier events on the high school schedule, we look ahead to what we’ll see in Hoover. The teams and players are what make this event special along with the environment with scouts packing the stands for this event. As with every year we’ve run this event, there are sure to be names called in the upcoming MLB Draft along with big time contributors at the college level. This year’s field is loaded with five teams ranked inside the Preseason High School Top-50, headlined by a trio of top-10 teams in No. 8 South Walton (FL), No. 9 Blessed Trinity (GA), and No. 10 IMG Academy (FL). Rounding out the list of top-50 teams are No. 34 Parkview (GA) and No. 43 Hoover (AL), along with plenty of other teams that will challenge for state championships in their respective...
Juco | Story | 2/27/2026

JUCO Notebook: February 27

Troy Sutherland
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An extended look at Carson Bailey (@mccbaseball1 )…. https://t.co/TltEl9M31H pic.twitter.com/24Lv8q73Yb — Perfect Game Texas (@Texas_PG) February 7, 2026 Carson Bailey (2024, Richardson, Texas) worked up to 97 with his fastball out the gate and lived 95-96 throughout his short burst outing. Fastball got up to 2500 RPM showing subtle tail at times. It plays firm and gets in on hitters quick. Locates fastball well at times. He went to a change in the 85-88 range as his bread and butter secondary killing spin with good dive. Change produced 5 whiffs. He also mixed in a slider in the 80-85 getting upwards of 2500 RPM with it. Slider tight and sharp when around it. Also flashed a curve at 79. Bailey stands in at 6-foot-3 from a deceptive delivery that creates tough angles for hitters. He should be a big follow throughout the Spring with plenty of draft buzz surrounding him. He is...
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