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PG Select Baseball Festival  | General | 9/1/2024

Cotton Remains Calm & Poised

Photo: Chase Cotton (Perfect Game)
Making the journey all the way from Lincoln, California, Chase Cotton sits in the dugout and jokes with his teammates representing the west at the 2024 14U PG Select Fest. This is his second Select Fest as he was invited to the 2023 13U Select Fest as well.

“I’m more calm,” Cotton said, comparing his experience last year to this year. “I’ve been here before and done this before so it feels like a regular baseball event…Being able to be with my teammates or people I played with and don’t anymore — I can just be with them the whole weekend and play with them one more time.”



The No. 1, nationally ranked right-handed pitcher has put up huge numbers on the mound for the 2024 season.

In 12 games played and 37.2 innings pitched, he’s struck out a total of 52 batters and his ERA sits 2.42.

Cotton got the start for the West in the PG Select Fest less than 24 hours from learning he was tagged as the 2024 14u National Pitcher of the Year at the awards banquet the night prior. In his one shut-out inning on the bump, Cotton used 13 pitches to strike out a batter. He showed off his 92 mph fastball as well as changeups and sliders that sat around the 80 mph mark.

Though it’s clear he puts in a lot of work on the field, he does even more off the field - and that’s what he feels has brought him back to the Select Fest for a second year in a row.

“It’s been working out every day, in the gym at least four times a week, throwing five times a week and just getting stronger, faster, and better.”

With fastballs touching 92 mph, Cotton said his favorite pitches to throw at the moment are his change-up and slider. Though his slider is still new — Cotton is already looking to the future and thinking of adding a cutter to his arsenal as well.

The 15-year-old explained that he’s made strides in the mental part of the game this year - identifying small issues and being able to move on from them - of course, with some help.

“My dad always helps me and reassures me that I gotta stay level. I can’t be too high or too low. I’m gonna show my energy, but when I get back to the dugout, it’s like, ‘next batter.’”

Though Cotton feels more relaxed than he did during his first Select Fest, the gravity and honor that comes with the invite is not lost on him.

“It means a lot to me,” Cotton said. “It makes me want to keep working more and keep getting better and better to make the next event.”

PG Select Baseball Festival | General | 12/26/2025

2025 Year in Review: PGAAC, ASG, Festivals

Jheremy Brown
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All-Star Game Continues To Thrive We’re only a couple of years into having the PG All-Star Game around, an underclass event attached to the All-American weekend, this year played in Petco two days before the Classic. The talent that is a part of it continues to grow to significant levels, and this year was a mix of young guys and some newer names that left lasting impressions. The two hardest throwing guys in the game were the only 2028s in attendance, Striker Pence and Dexter McCleon Jr who both were upper-90s as guys who just started their sophomore year, while the loudest moment of the day came when Kinon Bastian obliterated a pitch into the top deck of the famous Western Supply building in left field, something that we’ll remember for a long time. Extra Swings In The All-American Derby One of the best events every All-American weekend is getting to see these guys with...
Draft | Story | 2/19/2026

Then vs. Now: '26 Class Look Back

Tyler Henninger
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One constant across our scouting staff is the volume of in-person looks we get at prospects during their high school years. With assignments at national tournaments and showcases throughout the calendar, we’ve built a deep library of reports and video on many of today’s top college prospects dating back to their prep days. This week, we took a step back to revisit what those players looked like as high school prospects. Which tools stood out? What was missing from the profile at the time? And what, if anything, did we overlook that ultimately helped shape the player they’ve become? Below, we break down 10 players in a “Then and Now” reflection. Justin Lebron (23 FL) finishes off the tournament getting in on the hit parade with a single to the pullside. #PGShowdown #Bama commit pic.twitter.com/C4Irym2ZTR — Perfect Game Scout (@PG_Scouting) March 4, 2023...
High School | General | 2/18/2026

High School Notebook: Feb. 18

Cam McElwaney
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Grady Emerson (‘26 TX) laces this ball to right for a walk off single. Clean lefty stroke. Looks the part both sides of the ball. Checks all the boxes. Will be scouted heavily this Spring. #PGHS #HookEm commit. #PGDraft pic.twitter.com/wXvdHdgqME — Perfect Game Texas (@Texas_PG) February 6, 2026 Grady Emerson (2026, Argyle, Texas) had a strong showing throughout the opening week of high school baseball out here in Texas. Works good at-bats and is always a tough out in general. Makes all the plays at short and just has the look of a future big leaguer. He does all the little things right. Bat to ball will play at a high level and there is still a lot more power to project on here. There is a reason why Emerson is one of, if not the most highly coveted high school prospect in the 2026 class and it’s easy to see why. Currently committed to Texas, but has the potential to...
High School | Rankings | 2/18/2026

Midwest Region Top Teams

Tyler Russo
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Midwest All Region & Top Tools Rk Midwest 2025 Record 1 St. Thomas Aquinas (KS) 27-4 2 Edmond Memorial (OK) 30-8 3 Muskego (WI) 27-10 4 Lawrence Free State (KS) 28-2 5 Mill Valley (KS) 22-6 6 Valley View (AR) 29-5 7 Platte County (MO) 29-8 8 Liberty North (MO) 19-14 9 Millard North (NE) 23-13 10 St. John Vianney (MO) 38-2 11 Owasso (OK) 40-3 12 Olathe East (KS) 22-6 13 Staley (MO) 38-4 14 Shawnee Mission South (KS) 10-11-4 15 Blue Springs South (MO) 27-7 16 Blue Valley (KS) 21-10 17 Edmond Santa Fe (OK) 37-7 18 Skutt Catholic (NE) 24-7 19 Howell (MO) 35-4 20 Olathe West (KS) 25-3 21 Creighton Prep (NE) 16-15 22 Rogers (AR) 26-4 23 Fayetteville (AR) 26-7 24 Blue Valley West (KS) 17-10 25 Cretin Derham Hall (MN) 19-5-1
Softball | Softball Tournament | 2/18/2026

PG Softball Winter One Day Tournament

Dave Durbala
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BURLINGTON, IA - Perfect Game Softball Winter One Day Tournament, February 15, 2026. Twelve teams, split between the 16u and 18u divisions, participated in this event.  With two pool games, and then a move into single elimination bracket play,  some players used this tournament as  their last warm-up before kicking off their high school seasons, while others were tuning up for the busy Spring and Summer travel season. In the 16u division, it was the Iowa Aries 16u Ce Fire Red taking the championship, with Southeast Iowa Allstars 18u Gold Miller earning the crown in the 18u division. Below are write-ups from observations made during the day, as due to a software glitch, there were no stats available to complete a Top Performers list. 16U Division  Earning the MV-Pitcher Award, as selected by her coaches, was Aurora Widlund (2029 Altoona, IA) of tournament champion Iowa...
College | Rankings | 2/18/2026

DIII Rankings: February 18

Nick Herfordt
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Every spring, Division III baseball begins as a wide-open map. Cold mornings turn into long bus rides, non-conference gauntlets test resolve, and by the time the dust settles, only a few teams are still standing with a clear line to the NCAA Division III baseball tournament. The 2026 Perfect Game Division III Baseball Rankings capture that moment before the stretch run, highlighting the programs that have separated themselves through depth, durability, and an ability to win in a variety of ways. These eight teams are not simply piling up wins; they are shaping identities built to survive the grind and thrive when the margins narrow.  The destination is familiar, even if the journey never is. Once again, the final chapter will be written at Classic Park, where timing, composure, and roster balance matter as much as raw talent. The teams ranked here enter 2026 with more than ambition....
Juco | Rankings | 2/18/2026

JUCO Rankings Update: February 18

Blaine Peterson
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Just a couple of weeks into the 2026 season, several teams have already hit the ground running, namely Walters State, Florida Southwestern, Chipola, Johnson County, Florence-Darlington, and Pearl River. A little further down the rankings, we’ve seen some significant movement. The College of Southern Nevada surged up several spots after a strong 12-2 start, while Gaston has turned heads with an unblemished 14-0 record. We also welcome a few new additions in the 20s: Fresno City and Panola. Neither program debuted inside our top 50, but both have certainly earned their place in this week’s rankings. We’re looking forward to another exciting week of early spring baseball, as teams across the country continue to find their rhythm before conference play begins. Rk. School Record 1 Walters State (TN) 11-2 2 Florida Southwestern (FL) 11-3 3 McLennan (TX) 5-1 4 Chipola (FL)...
Showcase | Story | 2/18/2026

PG National Heading to Miami

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 NATIONAL SHOWCASE TO MAKE HISTORIC  DEBUT AT LOANDEPOT PARK, HOME OF THE MIAMI MARLINS    Prestigious event brings nation’s top amateur talent to a Major League venue July 1–5    Miami, Florida (Wednesday, February 18, 2026) - Perfect Game, the world’s largest youth baseball and softball platform and scouting service, today announced that the annual Perfect Game National Showcase will be held for the first time at LoanDepot Park, home of the Miami Marlins, from July 1-5.    This milestone event marks Perfect Game’s...
High School | Rankings | 2/17/2026

Ohio Valley Top Teams

Tyler Russo
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Ohio Valley All Region & Top Tools Rk Ohio Valley 2025 Record 1 Trinity (KY) 38-3 2 Archbishop Moeller (OH) 25-4-1 3 St. Laurence (IL) 37-5 4 Center Grove (IN) 27-5 5 Brother Rice (IL) 36-5 6 Chicago Mount Carmel (IL) 23-14 7 Crown Point (IN) 27-5 8 Libertyville (IL) 37-4 9 Brother Rice (MI) 23-12-1 10 Orchard Lake St. Mary's (MI) 26-13 11 Normal Community (IL) 37-6 12 Detroit Catholic Central (MI) 20-10 13 Nazareth Academy (IL) 31-7 14 Lyons Township (IL) 22-11-1 15 Zionsville (IN) 19-9 16 St. Xavier (KY) 30-7 17 Noblesville (IN) 16-11 18 Jackson (OH) 27-4 19 Mason (OH) 22-7 20 Fishers (IN) 25-6 21 McHenry (IL) 34-5-1 22 McCracken County (KY) 24-7 23 Westfield (IN) 22-10 24 Olentangy Liberty (OH) 27-7 25 McCutcheon (IN) 16-12
High School | General | 2/17/2026

Ohio Valley All Region & Top Tools

David Rawnsley
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OHIO VALLEY REGION (IL, IN, KY, MI, OH) The Ohio Valley Region has a healthy amount of top-level talent, as it features five Perfect Game All-Americans in shortstop Ethan Bass, third baseman TJ McQuillan, two-way stand out Matt Ponatoski and right-handed pitchers Shawn Sullivan and Grayson Willoughby.  The 2027 class looks very strong as well, especially in Illinois. A couple of things are missing from the Ohio Valley All-Region team, though.  The first is the two best outfielders in the region, as 2027 Illinois outfielder Sebastian Wilson is attending IMG Academy in Florida and fellow 2027 outfielder Noah Goettke from Ohio is attending P27 Academy in South Carolina.  Also missing are any players from Michigan, which enjoyed a dominant run of top prospects in recent years largely behind the Lake Orchard St. Mary’s HS program.  2027 catcher Broder Katke (Brother...
Press Release | Press Release | 2/17/2026

PG & 100% Sunglasses Team Up

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 ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH 100% SUNGLASSES   Sanford, Florida (Tuesday, February 17, 2026) - Perfect Game, the world’s largest youth baseball and softball platform and scouting service, today announced a new partnership with 100% Sunglasses, naming the premium performance eyewear brand an official sunglass partner of Perfect Game and the Presenting Partner of Perfect Game’s MLB Draft coverage.   As part of the partnership, Perfect Game and 100% will collaborate on co-branded sunglasses, bringing together two brands synonymous with elite performance and authenticity in the game of baseball.   In addition, 100% will provide custom sunglasses to players selected to participate in...
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