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| 2,575 MLB PLAYERS | 16,355 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
2,575 MLB PLAYERS | 16,355 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
College  | Story | 1/9/2026

LSU Reloads & Returns; Opens No. 1

Photo: Jay Johnson (Perfect Game)
“How do you get to success? You have to honor the process that you built to get to that success…The standard is how we operate, train, and get better each day.””

Process-oriented leadership is a popular coaching strategy here in the mid-2020s but no one exemplifies that more than LSU head coach Jay Johnson. He’s won the Tigers two national titles during his time in Baton Rouge and expectations won’t be any lower in 2026 as LSU is the No. 1 team in the country in Perfect Game’s Preseason Top 25. 



Johnson is heading into his fifth season at the helm in Baton Rouge and it’s fair to say that he has already experienced enormous success. There have been two national titles in four years (2023, 2025), a Golden Spikes winner (Dylan Crews, 2023), a first overall MLB Draft pick (Paul Skenes, 2023), and five first-round MLB Draft picks during his time leading the Tigers. Defending a national title and starting the season with No. 1 expectations but Johnson is confident in his team’s ability to turn the page and focus on the mission for 2026. 

“We’ve done a good job of moving past the 2025 championship,” comments Johnson. “I credit a lot of returning players having the maturity to do that. They’ve set a good example for the new players in the program of what it takes. It takes a lot in our league with the schedule.”

Johnson made sure to stress that while having the veteran leadership and experience from returning players who were able to win-it-all in 2025 is invaluable, that the 2026 LSU Tigers have to find an identity themselves.

“How do you get to success? You have to honor the process that you built to get to that success. That has to be recreated every year,” said Johnson. “There’s no win over the last 4 years that means anything for this team. This team has to reinvest and that’s challenging with the schedule they have to play. It’s a very high standard. The immediate thought goes to Omaha or National Championships, but we don’t look at it that way. The standard is how we operate, train and get better each day.”

LSU is tied for second nationally in terms of Perfect Game Preseason All-Americans, highlighted by First Team All-American and potential first-round pick Derek Curiel. Casan Evans and Zac Cowan join Curiel on the prestigious list but fellow returnees Jake Brown and Steven Milam are also key cogs to this team. 

“Lots of strong feelings toward all returners, they’re very good players across the board,” Johnson said. “The big separator for last year’s team was character. Derek (Curiel), Casan (Evans), and Zac (Cowan) exhibit that. When you dive into recruiting, all three of those guys are winners. As are Jake Brown, Steven Milam, William Schmidt, Cooper Williams. We have a big challenge in front of us but I have good peace of mind in the character and the leadership as far as those people.”

Having the winning character and leadership is one component of any championship contender but LSU has the benefit of being able to rely on past experiences as well. Who would know better how to take home a national title than those who were able to achieve that goal just 6 months ago?

“There’s guys who have overcome challenges and come out the other side of it,” Johnson tells me. “They’ve been in Game 7 of a Regional and come through. There are enough guys a part of those games that can draw from it. We have infused ourselves with some really good new talent. It’s about putting the hay in the barn and taking that talent and really becoming a team. Setting our own course. Everyone needs to be all in on now. I think they’re excited to do that. I get a sense that the players are ready to go for it.”

LSU earned this No. 1 preseason ranking based on the merits of their roster and coaching staff, not only because they were the last team standing in 2025. They feature a very strong core of veteran, battle-tested players while also hitting the high school and transfer portal recruiting very hard. There will undoubtedly be a target on their back, but at this point it’s fair to assume that Johnson and company operate best under fire. 

“(It’s about) having it all in perspective,” declares Johnson. “Those rankings are validation of something another team did (last year’s team), the projections of what some guys on this year’s team can do. We’re never going to validate ourselves based on what others say about us. We’ll validate ourselves by how we train, prepare, and execute baseball.”

The focus for Johnson heading into Year 5 in Baton Rouge? Stay committed to the process, control the controllables, and position yourself for success. 

“Attack what’s relevant. We put a lot of work into that and we have a group that went through a lot of positive things. If we can emulate some of the qualities of the 2025 team we’ll be in a good position for success.”

LSU opens the season at home on Skip Bertman Field at Alex Box Stadium on Friday, February 13th. The Tigers will host the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee for a three game set that weekend. For more 2026 college baseball content, stay plugged in at perfectgame.org where we will be unveiling our full preseason content schedule starting next week.

College | Story | 7/18/2026

Cape Cod League Notebook: July 18

Perfect Game Staff
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Brandon Shannon | Fr. | RHP | Louisville | Bourne Braves  The freshman right-hander possesses arguably the most electric arm on the Cape, pairing a lean, projectable frame with plenty of room to continue adding strength. Shannon worked an effortless 96-98 mph throughout the outing with premium arm speed. His mid-80s slider generates plenty of swing-and-miss, while his 92-93 mph power changeup gives him a quality third offering to neutralize left-handed hitters. After flashing premium stuff during his freshman season at Louisville, Shannon has carried that arsenal into the summer and possesses the type of arm talent to develop into a Day 1 draft prospect as he continues refining his command and overall polish.    Another look at 1B/P Josiah Overbeek (@HailStateBB) Pull side RBI single here. @BourneBraves https://t.co/YA17RJnFo8 pic.twitter.com/Jw7iDMliZG — PG College...
Tournaments | Story | 7/18/2026

15u WWBA Scout Notes: Day 1

Perfect Game Staff
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Hudson Sage (’29, Houston, TX) had a strong start to his event, collecting three hits to drive in four including a pair of doubles. Sage operates from a medium right-handed frame with a mix of length and strength, displaying athleticism. He starts with a wide base, keeping the hands high and active, working into a deep inward leg load. The native Texan fires through a quick and compact barrel with accuracy and all fields impact. Defensively, Sage appeared in the outfield where he has proven to have a strong throwing arm. Cooper Holland (‘29, CA) deposits a solo homer to straightaway right. Upright setup from the left side, utilizing HH + an even base. Employs a hovering LL pre-launch. #WWBA @California_PG pic.twitter.com/RuPy6NR3oE — Perfect Game Scout (@PG_Scouting) July 17, 2026 Cooper Holland (’29, Mission Viejo, CA) collected two hits to kick off pool play,...
Tournaments | Story | 7/17/2026

South Champ. & South Elite Scout Notes

Geoff Billock
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Peyton Alvarez (2029, New Braunfels, Texas) put on a display for Marucci Elite TX Ramirez. Went 4-8 with two doubles. Worked strong at bats, drawing a total of six walks. Lot of deep counts, putting stress on opposing arms. Also swiped a staggering seven bases over the span of five games. Repeatable right-handed stroke with hands that work quickly through the zone. Was an absolute force at the top of the order all weekend. Jack Simms (2028, Cypress, Texas) put together a strong showing for Texas Brigade 2028 - Konarik. Went 3-9 with a double, a home run, and five runs batted in. Showed some quick hands, working through an uphill plane, playing well to the pullside. Frame has plenty more in the tank, impact should continue to develop as he fills out. Riley Thompson (2029, Leander, Texas) had another loud weekend for Test Black. 5-9 at the plate with three doubles and no strikeouts. Super...
Tournaments | Story | 7/17/2026

BCS Midwest Championship Scout Notes

Perfect Game Staff
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’29 INF Aarion Gould (IL) drives this ball deep to CF for a triple. Simple setup w/ a controlled load. Keeps the barrel in the zone w/ good extension through contact. Big day at the plate going 2-for-3 with 4 RBI. #BCSMW @WhitesoxAce pic.twitter.com/QL9jPCTAv8 — Perfect Game Illinois (@PG_Illinois) July 12, 2026 Aarion Gould (2029, Chicago, Ill.) earned Tournament MVP honors after helping lead Chicago White Sox ACE 2029 to the BCS Midwest Championship. The right-handed infielder displayed a direct swing path with quality barrel accuracy, using the middle of the field approach. Present strength was evident, producing two doubles, one triple, while hitting .444 (8-for-18) with seven RBI, three stolen bases and a 1.277 OPS. Gould also contributed on the mound, tossing 6.0 scoreless innings while allowing three hits and striking out six.   ’29 RHP Xavier Alvarez (IL)...
Tournaments | Story | 7/17/2026

WWBA Midwest Regional Champ. Notes

Perfect Game Staff
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’28 OF Caleb Wilson (IN) drives this fastball into the RCF gap for a double. Quick hands and bat-to-ball skills on display. Good game at the plate. Finished 2-for-3 with an RBI. #WWBAMW @TopTierBaseball @PG_OhioValley pic.twitter.com/IC5dmPojcz — Perfect Game Illinois (@PG_Illinois) July 13, 2026 Caleb Wilson (2028, Crown Point, Ind.) helped lead Top Tier Americans 2028 to the 16U WWBA Regional Championship and delivered one of the tournament's top offensive performances. The 5-foot-9, 165-pound left-handed outfielder displayed good plate discipline, a quick bat and barreled balls to all parts of the field. Plus speed also added another dimension to Wilson's game on the base paths, consistently putting pressure on opposing defenses. The Tournament MVP saw the ball extremely well, hitting .667 (14-for-21) with two triples, six RBI, four stolen bases and a 1.588 OPS. Brennen...
Tournaments | Story | 7/16/2026

17u Elite Scout Notes: Days 3-4

Perfect Game Staff
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17u Elite Scout Notes: Days 1-2 '27 OF Carson Bruce (GA) sent a missile off the 400' sign in dead CF on a line & laced another hit later on. Couple of really impressive swings & has low effort barrel jump. #NatElite @PG_Georgia @Official_ECB https://t.co/lkthA2Uk1T pic.twitter.com/RimhoEzEVA — Perfect Game Scout (@PG_Scouting) July 14, 2026 Carson Bruce (2027, Powder Springs, Ga.) showed off some real impact and looked very comfortable in the box on Tuesday. The Georgia commit collected four hits on the day out of the cleanup spot for East Cobb Astros 17U. His most impressive swing on the day came in game two, sending an absolute missile off of the 400 foot sign in dead center, strolling in for a double. The ball came off the bat screaming and reached the center field in a blink. The impact comes very easy for the left-handed stick and the ball jumps with low effort. Bruce...
Tournaments | Story | 7/16/2026

Top Talent On Display at 17u BCS

Alyssa Golden
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The 21st annual 17U BCS National Championship brings together some of the nation’s top programs and elite 2027 prospects to Fort Myers, Florida, from July 17-21. With dozens of Division I commits and nationally ranked prospects set to compete, here are some of the players expected to make the biggest impact throughout the weekend. For Florida Burn 2027 Scout, which is currently ranked #5 nationally Florida Burn will be No. 107-ranked outfielder RJ Shields and No. 129-ranked third baseman Braedon Mackay. One of the premier two-way prospects in the tournament, Shields, brings one of the strongest arms in the field. The Venice, Florida native has run his fastball up to 95 mph while also showcasing a 98 mph throwing arm from the outfield, making him a weapon on both sides of the ball. On the mound this season, the Mississippi State commit has struck out 29 batters in 15.1 innings,...
Tournaments | Story | 7/15/2026

WWBA Arrives in Arizona

Emily Hicks
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After another week of summer baseball, Perfect Game action returns to Surprise Stadium as teams prepare for another exciting week of competition at the WWBA Championship. From July 14-18, some of the top programs in travel baseball will take the field looking to compete for a championship and showcase their talent against high-level competition.  The tournament will feature both the 15U and 16U divisions, bringing together talented teams and rising prospects from across the West and beyond. With several days of pool play and championship bracket action, teams will have the opportunity to test themselves against strong opponents while competing on one of the biggest stages of the summer.  Surprise Stadium will provide the setting for a week filled with competitive matchups, standout performances, and prospects looking to make an impact. From dominant pitching performances to...
Tournaments | Championship | 7/15/2026

East Cobb Go Undefeated, Takes 14U BCS

Alyssa Golden
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East Cobb Goes Undefeated, Takes 14U BCS Twenty years after winning the inaugural 14U BCS National Championship in 2006, the East Cobb Astros once again stood atop the tournament, defeating the Original Florida Pokers 7-4 at JetBlue Park. A hot, sunny afternoon set the stage for a tightly contested match between the Original Florida Pokers 2030 and East Cobb Astros 14U Orange. Although the Pokers had a two-run lead with just three innings to go, East Cobb showed their team had no quit as they pulled away with a 7-4 victory. The teams battled through a highly contested tournament field of over sixty teams from across the country, with the Pokers coming in 8-1 and East Cobb entering 8-0 in tournament play. Cohen Carter started on the mound for East Cobb, allowing seven hits and no walks while striking out three batters over four innings. His fastball sat 71-75 mph. Silas Anstett opened the...
Tournaments | Story | 7/15/2026

Stars Marucci '27 Loaded and Poised

Kinley Kitchens
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Expectations naturally follow one of the nation’s top ranked teams. For Stars Marucci 2027, those expectations have only grown as the summer season has progressed.  Ranked No. 16 nationally and featuring a roster loaded with Division I commits and nationally ranked prospects, Stars Marucci 2027 entered the 2026 Perfect Game 17U National Elite Championship as one of the top teams to watch.  Through the opening two days of the tournament, they have shown why they are a team to watch, opening the week with back-to-back victories over SBA Tucci 2027 (6-1) and FC Twins Scout (5-2) to build early momentum heading into the later rounds.  The talent on the roster is undeniable.  Virginia Tech commits Chase Colangelo, Yogi Colangelo, and Teagan Leach, Maryland commit Jerome Fortier, and Youngstown State commit Sam Capuano headline a group filled with college bound...
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