THE WORLD'S LARGEST AND MOST COMPREHENSIVE SCOUTING ORGANIZATION
| 2,580 MLB PLAYERS | 16,376 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
2,580 MLB PLAYERS | 16,376 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
Tournaments  | Story | 10/16/2024

Jupiter: A 10 Year Look Back

The EvoShield Canes

Ten years ago, the big story at the WWBA World Championships was the EvoShield Canes. The Canes were on an unprecedented winning streak as an organization. They had won the 2013 WWBA World Championship, along with the 2013 PG 17U World Series and 2013 and 2014 WWBA 17U and 16U National Championships.



Dating back to 2000, no team had ever won two straight Jupiter championships. The Canes, of course, did go on to win the 2014 WWBA World Championship, beating the Orlando Scorpions 8-2 in the championship game to finish off a perfect 8-0 tournament run. They then went on to win the 2015 WWBA World Championship as well, along with seeing their junior based team, Canes Prospects, win Jupiter in 2017, completing a run of four out of five years for the Jeff Petty-ran organization. Only the Dirtbags in 2016 interrupted the Canes’ championship streak.

The key to the Canes dominance seemingly was that they assembled deeper pitching staffs than any other team, especially pitching staffs full of strike throwers. In tournaments like Jupiter, where a team has to win eight games in five days, pitching is almost always the key and the Canes usually had the deepest staff at any major event in that era.

But were the Canes really that much better as a roster than their top competitors? We took a look at their 2014 Jupiter roster compared to that of the runner-up Scorpions and there really wasn’t much of a difference; if anything, the Scorpions had a talent advantage.

The Canes had nine players ranked in the PG Top 100 in the 2015 class and 15 ranked in the PG Top 200. The Scorpions had eight players ranked in the PG Top 100 and 13 ranked in the PG Top 200.

But a closer look at the rosters reveals a significant tilt to the Scorpions in the most talented players.

Only three Canes players were 2014 PG All-Americans: Right-handed pitchers Ashe Russell and Beau Burrows and outfielder Ryan Johnson. The Scorpions featured seven 2014 PG All-Americans: Shortstop Brendan Rodgers (the #1 prospect in the 2015 class), right-handed pitcher Tyler Baum, outfielders Nick Plummer, Kep Brown and Carlos A Cortes, catcher Nick Fortes and third baseman Drew Mendoza.

Only one Canes player has gone on to play Major League Baseball; left-handed pitcher Logan Allen. On the other hand, six Scorpions players have seen big league time; Rogers, Fortes, Plummer, right-handed pitchers Cole Sands and Bowden Francis and left-handed pitcher Tyler Holton.

Regardless of the present and future talent on those two respective rosters, plus the rosters of many other talented teams, there was no question that during the mid-2010’s there was a different aura and mystique surrounding the EvoShield Canes. They pulled up to fields in their huge and gleaming Canes bus, largely intimidated opponents on the field and usually emerged with the championship rings.

Other 2014 Jupiter Highlights

Canes catcher Brad Debo won the Most Valuable Player award, driving in seven runs in four playoff games, including four in the championship game with a pair of doubles, after a quiet performance in pool play.

Scorpions left-handed pitcher Tyler Holton, now with the Detroit Tigers, won the Most Valuable Pitcher award by throwing 10 scoreless innings, allowing only 5 hits and 1 walk while striking out 13 hitters.

2014 was before the explosion in pitching velocities and only a small handful of pitchers topped 93 mph. The late Donny Everett and future MLB hurler Nick Neidert claimed the top velocity at 96 mph. Some other notables included future 100+ arm Jordan Hicks (93 mph in Jupiter), Brady Singer (92) and Ian Anderson, Casey Mize, Braxton Garrett and Bowden Francis, all at 91 mph.

Two years ago in our look back at the 2012 WWBA World Championships, we noted left-hander Ethan Small, the future big leaguer who topped out at only 81 mph as a sophomore. As a senior in 2014, Small threw a complete game shutout, striking out 13 hitters while topping out at 93 mph.

The top offensive performance of the championship could be claimed by either Cardinals Scout Team outfielder Jason Heinrich or 2015 PG All-American third baseman Joe Rizzo. Heinrich, who was a fifth round pick of the Orioles in the 2015 draft and the 105th ranked player in the 2015 class, hit 8-16 with two doubles, two triples and two home runs. Rizzo, who notably didn’t make the Canes top team and starred for Team EvoShield, collected a tournament-high 10 hits in 17 at-bats while driving in five runs and scoring six. Rizzo went on to be a second round pick by the Mariners in 2016 and played seven years in the minors, topping out at AAA.

Not surprisingly in retrospect, the top exit velocity was registered by current Indians first baseman Josh Naylor at 107.9 mph.
 

Tournaments | Story | 7/27/2026

15u South World Series Scout Notes

Perfect Game Staff
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Jacob Ramirez (‘29 TX) all over it again today as he sends this ball into the parking lot for a 2-run 💣! Been seeing it awfully well all week with serious bat speed. Dude can play. #SouthWS https://t.co/rXRRJTbpoZ pic.twitter.com/CpBZklwxnN — Perfect Game Texas (@Texas_PG) July 25, 2026 Jacob Ramirez (2029, Santa Fe, Texas) had one of the strongest showings on the week for Texas Twelve Red Sox helping lead his team to a championship victory while taking home MVP honors. Ramirez was simply put, all over the barrel and worked some of the best at-bats of the tournament. Ramirez is a highly athletic short stop who was a main stay out there while looking the part. He made most plays his way while showing good hands and footwork around the ball with lateral range getting to balls with ease. Athleticism really shined on the dirt throughout the week. In the box, Ramirez finished the...
Tournaments | Story | 7/24/2026

15u WWBA Scout Notes: Day 7

Perfect Game Staff
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Carter Nash (2029, Moore, S.C.) was all over the barrel for ZT National Prospects 15u. The right-handed hitter starts from a medium stance with in-line feet and a high handset with a high back elbow, utilizes a low leg lift trigger. Creates separation in the back shoulder and flips the hips with quick hands from a slightly uphill bat plane and good bat speed. Easy juice and strength present in the 5-foot-11, 201-pound frame with feel to impact and drive the ball. Showed the feel to let the ball travel and get deep and showed the hand speed to create barrel whip out front and drive the ball consistently to the backside. Solid range and showed solid arm strength out in center field defensively. The outfielder collected three extra base hits with two doubles and a triple to drive in an RBI and worked two walks. Nash ended the event with eight hits, including four doubles, a triple and two...
Tournaments | Story | 7/24/2026

PG East World Series Preview

Will Dembo
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As the summer travel baseball season comes to an end, over 80 teams will meet in East Cobb, Georgia as they look to end the year with a victory and a trophy at the PG East World Series. The premier event will host 5 age groups of 14u-18u with pool play commencing the tournament on Friday, July 24th, with champions crowned on Monday, July 27th at East Cobb Baseball Complex. The 15u field will feature 26 teams from all over the southeast, including the No. 27 team in the nation from the 14u rankings, Home Plate Chili Dogs 14u Glozier. The Chili Dogs, who also played up in the 15u WWBA last week for increased exposure, have been a very solid team this summer, but are still in search of their first championship win of the season. Another highly touted team looking to challenge them is USA Scout Team Nike, who is another 14u squad who will play against more mature competition for their 15u...
College | Story | 7/24/2026

Cape Cod League Notebook: July 24

Perfect Game Staff
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Luke Costello | INF | South Carolina | Bourne Braves  Costello brings one of the cleaner offensive operations in the Cape, featuring a simple, direct swing that allows him to consistently get the barrel out front and do damage. He minimizes unnecessary movement, stays on time, and shows the strength to impact the baseball with authority. After a very productive spring hitting .302 with 17 home runs during his sophomore season at Wake Forest, Costello heads to South Carolina as an established middle-of-the-order bat. His combination of present power, offensive consistency, and polished approach should translate well against SEC pitching.     A look at Terry Hayes Jr (@OleMissBSB) lived 92-94 on the FB showed a CT at 88-90, SL at 82-84 and a really good CB at 78-81. @ChathamAnglers So./‘26 elig pic.twitter.com/vbsYWF2IcY — PG College Baseball (@PGCollegeBall)...
Tournaments | Story | 7/23/2026

A Look Ahead: 16U PG West WS

Emily Hicks
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Another exciting week of Perfect Game baseball is on the horizon as the 16U PG West World Series brings together some of the top travel baseball programs for a highly competitive tournament. Taking place July 23 - 26 at Riverview Complex in Mesa, AZ, the event will feature talented teams looking to make a statement as they compete for one of the summer's most prestigious titles. The tournament will welcome clubs from across the West, creating a talented field filled with nationally recognized organizations, rising contenders, and some of the top 16U prospects in the country. Throughout pool play and the championship bracket, every game will provide an opportunity for teams to showcase their talent while pursuing a World Series championship. With high-level competition expected throughout the week, fans can look forward to quality pitching, explosive offenses, and outstanding defensive...
Tournaments | Story | 7/23/2026

Battle For The Midwest Scout Notes

Perfect Game Staff
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Gavin Johnson (2029, De Pere, Wisc.) handled the bat pretty well this weekend for his CBT Wolfpack 15u team that made a run into bracket play. Johnson is a left-handed hitting first baseman with a physical 6-foot-1, 200-pound frame, showing good physicality throughout the build. It’s a clean stroke from the left side, with feel to deliver the barrel on time and drive the ball working pull-side. He has a feel to rotate well, loading deep with the hands & turning well through contact to impact the baseball out in front. Johnson tallied four hits on the weekend, including 2 doubles and a triple. He plated 3 runs as well.   Devon Hester (2029, Chicago, Ill.) had a heck of a weekend for Chicago White Sox Ace 2029 Hunt. He showed out on both sides of the ball this past weekend, really getting it done at the plate. He finished the weekend 7-for-15, with a double and 4 RBI to...
Tournaments | Story | 7/23/2026

UBC Midwest X Atlantic Notes: Part 2

Jordan Gates
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UBC Midwest X Atlantic Notes: Part 1 ‘27 RHP Alexander Kakach (MN) displayed present arm strength and some feel to spin. The #Creighton commit was up to 93 mph with the FB (89-93), while the SL showed two plane break at 79-84 mph. Mixed in CT at 84-86 with tight action in the zone. #UBCMW @MNIcemen @PG_WiscMinn pic.twitter.com/TlrOnNDIcd — Perfect Game Illinois (@PG_Illinois) July 18, 2026 Alexander Kakach (2027, Plymouth, Minn.) of MN Icemen 17U Gominsky displayed intriguing upside on the mound, striking out five over 4.0 innings while running the fastball up to 93 mph with ride. The 6-foot, 180-pound right-hander and Creighton commit paired the fastball with a low-80s slider that flashed two-plane break and a cutter that played well off the mix. Kakach worked with a loose, quick arm from a high three-quarter slot, creating quality movement across his mix while displaying...
Tournaments | Story | 7/23/2026

15u WWBA Scout Notes: Day 6

Perfect Game Staff
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15u WWBA Scout Notes: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 Brycen Orcutt (‘29, WV) was dominant to open his outing, tossing five innings of shutout ball thus far, striking out nine. Got the FB up to 85 w/ feel to land a tight + sharp two-plane BB. #WWBA @PG_VirginiaWV pic.twitter.com/Yjm2IbufqU — Perfect Game Scout (@PG_Scouting) July 21, 2026 Brycen Orcutt (’29, South Charleston, WV) has put together a strong event on both sides of the ball, posting a 1.458 OPS at the plate thus far, including a pair of doubles and three driven in. On the mound, Orcutt has logged a pair of starts, totaling 11.1 innings of shutout ball, striking out 15. The West Virginia native operates from a medium right-handed frame with a bit of length and lower half strength. He starts above the belt, working into an over-the-head windup before utilizing a medium direct leg lift, firing down...
Tournaments | Story | 7/22/2026

15u WWBA Scout Notes: Day 5

Perfect Game Staff
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15u WWBA Scout Notes: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 Noah Rumley (‘29 NC) has been up to 90 so far in this start w/ 8 Ks in 4 innings of work. Really jumps out of the hand at foot strike w/ some ride to it; has also mixed in a SL w/ horizontal action. #WWBA @PG_Coastal pic.twitter.com/OcU57a3Syl — Perfect Game Scout (@PG_Scouting) July 21, 2026 Noah Rumley (2029, Summerfield, N.C.) got the ball for GBC Lopez 2029 15u in their final game of pool play and dominated, going up against a tough lineup in the East Cobb Astros. The 6-foot-2 left-handed pitcher ended up going five innings, allowing only one hit and one run, while striking out nine. It’s premium stuff at the 15u level as he worked easily in the upper-80s, topping at 90 mph in the first. The breaking ball showed two-plane shape in the upper-70s as well. There’s a ton of things to like already and even...
Tournaments | Championship | 7/22/2026

Champions Named at Southwest Select

Emily Hicks
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Another week of Perfect Game baseball concluded as champions were crowned in the 15U, 16U, and 18U divisions of the Southwest Select Championship. After several days of pool play and championship bracket action, three teams rose above the competition to capture tournament titles following a week of high-level baseball. Throughout the tournament, teams from across the Southwest and beyond competed in closely contested matchups, producing standout pitching performances, timely offense, and memorable defensive plays. As the bracket narrowed, each division featured championship-caliber baseball before the final trophies were awarded. 15U Championship The 15U division title was claimed by AZ Prodigy, who defeated Nomadic 14U Premier by a score of 2-1 in the championship game. After putting together a strong tournament run, AZ Prodigy continued its momentum in the title game with contributions...
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