THE WORLD'S LARGEST AND MOST COMPREHENSIVE SCOUTING ORGANIZATION
| 2,461 MLB PLAYERS | 15,806 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
2,461 MLB PLAYERS | 15,806 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
Tournaments  | Championship | 1/24/2025

MLK West Brings Heat, Delivers Hardware

Photo: Bruin Agbayani (Perfect Game)
MLK West Championship

14U



Over in Arizona, BTA 14U got the 10-0 victory over AZBC 2029 Pruitt for the championship title.

Coach Troy Silva said that his guys’ willingness to do whatever it took to aid the team was one of their winning traits. 

“Some of the kids that normally wouldn’t pitch stepped up, and if they didn’t do that, we wouldn’t have made it as far as we did,” Silva said, mentioning Anders Jarvi as one of those who came through in a time of need. “Our hitting was on point this weekend and everybody provided at some point some sort of help to the team wins.” Silva said. 

His son, right fielder JJ Silva, contributed 2 RBIs in the championship game, but also won the 14U MVP with 9 hits, a stolen base and 12 total runners batted in during the weekend.

“We’re a Christian organization, so we pride ourselves on trying to honor God with our attitude and our effort. [We] don’t take for granted everyday that [we] get to play the game that [we] love.”

15U

In the 15U division, an organization that has a legacy of winning this specific tournament added another notch to its belt - with Baum Bat NW 2028 getting a 7-5 victory over MMW Arizona Victus 2028. 

Over the first few innings, Baum Bat NW steadily built a lead, then really got going, getting 4 runs in the the fifth inning and making the score 7-0. Though MMW fought for a comeback, scoring 5 runs in the top of the seventh, it wasn’t enough to catch up. 

Right fielder Cameron Hockett and designated hitter Beau Johnson led their team in runners batted in - each contributing 2 in the championship game. 

Hockett had himself a weekend - standing out with 10 hits, 7 runners batted in and 3 stolen bases. 

Though his physical game looked to be strong, he said it’s his mental game he’s been working on. 

“I just had a lot of confidence and was just thinking, ‘I can beat you and you can’t beat me.’ I used to have not a lot of confidence, like this fall. But I was just having a lot of confidence and just thinking that I was going to get on and not thinking I was going to strike out or just do something bad.

[This weekend] I struck out, and popped it out, and I just let it go. I realized if I get mad, then I’m just gonna affect myself, because my team needs me, and if I just get mad at myself, then that’s hurting me.”

Hockett said that his dad and brother have helped a lot with making sure his mind is right. 

“My dad always talks about the mental side and how on and off the field, I need to be mentally strong…not let my emotion get the best of me.”

Beyond focusing on his mental, Hockett credited the team’s attitude as a big reason for them getting to the championship match - which is especially impressive as this team hasn’t known each other very long.

“If somebody struck out, we’re just picking them up and not moping around if something bad happened. I mean, we scored every inning like we were supposed to, and just played the game the way we’re supposed to…I think the way we just clicked and how fast we clicked - and not getting down on each other no matter how bad or terrible we’re doing - we didn’t ever get down on each other.”

17U 

In a game that could have gone either way all the way down to the bottom of the seventh, NorCal U 2026 snatched the 10-9 win over Baum Bat NW 2027 for the 17U title. 

In the bottom of the fifth, right fielder George Schmitt stepped up to the plate and knew he needed to do something big in order for his team to get the lead back, as they had just gone down 5-4. 

“We were down at that point and they brought in a new pitcher right before I went to hit. I was just thinking, ‘get a run. Get two runs in or something.’ And I was just hoping sac, fly or base hit at least, and I got a little bit more than that,” Schmitt said. 

He did, in fact, get 2 runners across home plate with a double to center field. Schmitt also tacked on one more RBI after being intentionally walked in the bottom of the seventh. It was the only intentional walk of the contest.

However, even after that offensive momentum from NorCal U 2026, Baum Bat NW added 4 more runs in the top of the sixth. 

Though NorCal U 2026 had the MVPitcher on their team (right-hander Jp Harmon with 6 innings pitched, 9 strikeouts and 1 earned run on the weekend), he had reached his pitching limit by the championship game. So they brought right-hander Griffin Messenger up to the mound with all three outs left in the top of the sixth.

Messenger didn’t allow any earned runs through 35 pitches in 2 innings. He worked in the low-80s with his fastball and mid-70s with his slider to get the job done for his team. 

“When I got called up to pitch, I was like, ‘the team needs me. I’m the last guy to throw,’” Messenger said. “I just stepped up and threw some strikes and trusted my infield and outfield. At the last batter, I was like, ‘I just need to turn this double play.’ I had runners on first and second, and I just thought to myself, ‘I’m going to second if the ball comes back to me.’ And it did. [I] made a sweet play, my shortstop made a great play and ended the inning. Then from there, energy was up.”

It was Max Medina who stepped into the box in the bottom of the seventh hoping to get his team the walk-off win.

“I was just excited because, man, this is what makes baseball fun,” Medina said. “Having that moment - it doesn’t come around often, but when it does, it’s important to take advantage of it.”

Medina did take advantage of the moment with an RBI single to right field - bringing in the runner that sealed the championship for NorCal U 2026. 

When it comes to potentially stressful moments, Medina is no stranger. He credits his experience playing quarterback as the main reason that he doesn’t let the nerves get to him. 

“I’d say football is a lot of these pressure moments for sure. Having to be a leader on the field - you gotta perform when it’s crunch time. So, these moments in baseball, they don’t come around a lot, but when they do, it kind of just feels like I’ve been there before and I’m not really too nervous. I’m more excited if anything.”

While a lot of the members on this NorCal U 2026 team have played together for years, Messenger and Medina were somewhat new on the squad.

“I knew all these guys by name, of course, because they’re all studs,” Messenger said. “But the chemistry is really awesome. The banter is there, but it all shuts down. When we’re on the field, we’re all focused. Obviously, there’s some jokes here and there, but we always pick each other up. There’s never one guy left out. It’s a team game out there with them…[our coach] always makes it welcoming for any and every player that comes in. He brings together all of California, not just NorCal. He does a great job incorporating everybody and he makes it a really fun time for all of us.”

“I came into this tournament not really knowing a lot of people, and then I came out of it having made some good friends and getting along with the guys. That was fun,” Medina said. “You always just got to put yourself out there. I made a couple of new friends that I really like hanging out with. So, yeah, that was awesome.”

Finally, the Baum Bat NW Upperclass, who won last year, took the title again this year against the Mountain Lions 18U - the final score being 8-0. 

The major standout from the entire weekend was Bruin Agbayani - who had 8 hits, 17 runners batted in, 3 stolen bases and 4 home runs on the weekend. It’s easy to see why he won MVP for the tournament. 

The MVPitcher of the tournament also came from this Baum Bat team in left-hander Logan Sanchez. With 12 strikeouts in 8 innings pitched and no earned runs, he was a force to be reckoned with on the mound. 

In the championship game, it was left-hander Alexander Lopez who facilitated the shut-out victory. In 5.2 innings, he threw 65 pitches, striking out 7 batters with a low-80s fastball, a mid-70s curveball and a mid-70s slider. 

“My mindset was simply to get ahead of hitters and then keep attacking the zone and let my defense do the work,” Lopez said. “I had a great defense behind me, so I just let them make the plays and that’s what they did. They were making the routine plays. [They] weren’t overthinking…I had my full trust in them to make any play when needed.”

There’s a seemingly simple concept that Lopez said has helped him tremendously through his pitching career: 

“Taking deep breaths is one of the things that I’ve done for a long time. Being able to take deep breaths when things don’t go your way and maybe a bad call happens, you just kind of know how to flush it and go right after the next pitch.”

On offense, Agbayani, catcher Isaac Pfeifer and first baseman Connor Johnston each contributed 2 runners batted in throughout the championship match. 

“I felt good. My mindset there was just, ‘if it’s in my zone, drive it in.’ That’s what I did,” Johnston said. 

Lopez said that the 4-year relationship that he has with some of his teammates was a big part of their success in this tournament. 

“A lot of us, we were practicing with each other for a couple years now and we’ve been working all off-season. So the relationships are definitely there.”

Tournaments | Championship | 6/3/2026

EBC 17U-Griggs Takes Title

Kinley Kitchens
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After a week of dominant performances, timely hitting, and resilient play, EBC 17U-Griggs capped off its run through the 2026 Perfect Game Hoover Invitational with a championship victory Monday, securing the program’s first tournament title of the summer. Despite a lengthy rain delay, EBC never lost focus, relying on contributions throughout the lineup and another strong pitching performance to secure the win. “This being our first [win] of the summer, we have an amazing group right here,” head coach Rodd Griggs said. “Some of the guys I’ve had for years, some of the guys just joined us this summer, but it’s an amazing group.” EBC’s championship performance reflected the depth that carried the club throughout the tournament. Paxton Wright set the tone of the mound, working four innings while allowing just two hits striking out two hitters....
Tournaments | Story | 6/3/2026

AZ Summer Kickoff Scout Notes

Perfect Game Staff
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JJ Utash (‘27, AZ) tripled to both gaps, collecting 3 RBI along the way. Big time strength. Balls jumps off the barrel to all fields. Good runner/athlete too. #HookEm commit #AZKickoff pic.twitter.com/h1SbsSxpMy — Perfect Game Four Corners (@PG_FourCorners) May 30, 2026 JJ Utash (2027, Gilbert, Ariz.) is the top-ranked player in the state and showed off why over the weekend. The Texas commit collected five hits, including a pair of doubles and a pair of triples. The mix of power and speed is impressive. The ball jumps off the barrel with ease to all fields. Utash consistently lifts balls with authority, resulting in loud in-game power. The speed on the bases stands out as well. Utash looks to be aggressive and can take extra bags when they present themselves. The tools are some of the loudest in the class and will draw considerable draft interest next July.  Soren...
Tournaments | Story | 6/2/2026

Southeast Elite Scout Notes: Days 3-5

Perfect Game Staff
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Southeast Elite Scout Notes: Days 1-2 Auburn commit Brennan Neal (2027, Columbus, Ga.) had a good showing on Sunday on the mound, putting the clean, athletic delivery on display in an inning of work. Neal worked in the 90-93 range with the fastball with plenty of life, and showed some run to it when working to the arm side. Neal also worked in a tight slider in the upper 70s, but also showed confidence in a fading changeup in the mid 80s. Neal also has room to add strength to his lanky frame, which could be big for him to continue to add velocity. South Florida commit Taylor Casson (2026, Atlanta, Ga.) had an impressive showing on the hill with the stuff and results, going 5 innings of no-hit baseball with 10 strikeouts. The fastball worked in the 89-92 range with downhill angle and tail, and was in the zone often. He worked a 3-pitch mix, showing some impressive swing and miss stuff...
Tournaments | Story | 6/2/2026

WWBA South Invite Notes: Days 3-5

Perfect Game Staff
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WWBA Scout Scout Notes: Days 1-2 Raylen Hunter (‘30 TX) stays living on the barrel; this one burning the CFer for a double. Just an electric ballplayer. #WWBASouth https://t.co/1LThRBqN80 pic.twitter.com/z5RF5dy47o — Perfect Game Texas (@Texas_PG) May 30, 2026 Raylen Hunter (2030, Cypress, Texas) took home MVP honors for the tournament and helped lead his team to a big championship win. Was a big standout on a loaded Banditos team that steamrolled their way to the championship. He ended the week going 10-16 with a pair of doubles while scoring ten runs atop the lineup. Hunter is a true spark plug who makes consistently hard contact line to line. The swing is short and works to all fields with plenty of twitch and bat speed. Bat to ball plays at an extremely high level as he rarely gets cheated never taking an at-bat off. Once on base, Hunter causes havoc on the base-paths, a...
High School | Rankings | 6/2/2026

High School Top 50 Update: June 2

Tyler Russo
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With another few weeks in the book of the high school season, we’ve already had state champions crowned with playoffs happening in some northern states. There have been some upsets so there has been a good amount of movement in the National High School Top-50. We have a new number-one this update with Tomball (TX) taking over the top spot and will be playing for a state championship this week. They sport a 42-1 record heading into the title game and have been one of the best teams from start to finish this year. St. John Bosco (CA) has now gone back-to-back with Trinity League and CIF Southern Section titles and take over the No. 2 spot. No. 3 Aledo (TX) continues to win, No. 4 Trinity (KY) has been dominant in Kentucky play and No. 5 Norco (CA) lost the Southern Section title game and had a great year. Magnolia Heights (MS) moves up a few spots to No. 8 after winning their 8th...
Tournaments | Championship | 6/2/2026

EC Astros Win Back-And-Forth Thriller

Will Dembo
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In a highly anticipated matchup between two of the nation’s top 17u teams, the East Cobb Astros defeated eXposure National 9-8 in a thrilling extra-inning battle to claim the PG Southeast Elite Championship. The Astros completed the weekend undefeated, opening their summer season with a hard-fought, statement victory. “I mean, it's fun, it's been a grind today,” said Astros Head Coach, Josh Burress. “Been out here a long day, but our guys are competitors, they come out compete, they want to compete and win, so it's just fun to watch them come out here and not quitting playing to the end... so the guys did very well today, and they competed all the way through.” eXposure began the opening frame by taking the early lead on an error but quickly gave their lead away as the Astros came out of the gates hot, plating six runs in just the first inning. Mason Peek,...
Tournaments | Story | 6/2/2026

Central Florida Invite Scout Notes

Perfect Game Staff
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Leanderson Argueta (2027, Panamá) absolutely outmatched every arm he faced this weekend ending up with seven hits, five of which were doubles and also hit a three run home run in game three. In the fifth inning against Freshwater Storm National Argueta got his pitch and deposited it over the wall for a go ahead three run home run. Showed real comfort in the box and was able to repeat the stroke well. Fires his hips with intent and the direct bat path plays to all parts of the park.  Jayden Pagan (2028, St. Cloud, Fla.) would not be denied this weekend slashing .500/.684/1.434. The championship game was no different for Pagan getting a first pitch heater and scorched it into left for an rbi triple. He would later add a double in the seventh inning that carried over the center fielders head. The bat to ball skills paired with his up the middle approach translate. The 2028...
Tournaments | Championship | 6/2/2026

Biscuits Elite Go Perfect at Kick-Off

Emily Hicks
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After several days of competitive baseball, the Summer Kick-Off came down to one final matchup between Biscuts Elite and BTA 18U. In the end, Biscuits Elite came away with the championship, earning a 26-13 victory at Goodyear Ballpark. “We're a hardworking group; we never give up," said JJ Utash. Biscuits Elite set the tone early, scoring 7 runs in the 1st inning and never looked back. “We just worked together as a team the whole time; we scored runs, and running the ball offensively was good,” said Utash. Nikolas Ramirez led the offense, finishing 3-4 with 2 doubles, 1 triple, and 2 runs scored. Kyle Wisniewski added a 3-4 day at the plate which included a triple, and a run scored to help fuel the attack. Wisniewski hit .444 through 4 games. On the mound, Sean McDaniels got the start, throwing 2.2 innings while allowing 1 hit and striking out 3 batters. The pitching...
Tournaments | Championship | 6/1/2026

Turn 2 Comes Back to Take BCS

Alyssa Golden
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A mostly clear day at Lee Health Sports Complex in Fort Myers, Florida set the stage for a tightly contested championship matchup between Florida Burn 2028 Myrback and Turn 2 Garcia. Behind two triples from Quinn Seglem, Turn 2 rallied for a 5-4 victory to claim the BCS Qualifier title. Left-hander Carter Brunco started on the mound for Turn 2, allowing six hits and four walks while striking out two over 3.2 innings. Burn jumped out to an early lead in the first inning. Luke Straw singled and later advanced to third on a wild pitch before Joe O’Brien delivered an RBI single to score the game’s first run. Blake Dubiel followed with another RBI single to give Burn a 2-0 advantage. Right-hander Straw carried the momentum onto the mound for Burn, holding Turn 2 hitless through the first two innings while recording a strikeout in each. In the top of the second, Spencer Meachum...
College | Story | 5/29/2026

Cali Mid-Major Draft Notes

Joey Cohen
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California annually produces its share of high-profile prep and college draft talent, but this spring also offered quality depth especially on the mid-major side. I wanted to highlight a group of semi under-the-radar prospects who have quietly put together strong seasons and caught the attention of our staff whether it was with in-person looks or just by some performance/data metrics that popped. The bulk of this group comes out of the Big West, with additional names from the WCC, WAC, and Mountain West mixed in. Matthew Thomas - OF - CSUN  Few hitters in the Big West have matched Thomas’ offensive impact this spring, as he slashed a strong .335/.411/.679 with 15 home runs. Long and still mostly viewed as a power-first profile, he’s taken a meaningful step forward in the hit tool, cutting down a bit on significant swing-and-miss concerns while increasing his on-base...
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