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Draft  | Story | 4/10/2026

PG Draft: Favorite Position Group

Tyler Henninger
Michael Albee
Joey Cohen
Photo: Gio Rojas (Perfect Game)
Every draft class has its strengths. Some years its a loaded group of prep infielders, some years its a deep collection of college arms. In this year’s class, certain position groups stand out above the rest to us. This week, the draft team dives into their favorite position groups. Groups that we believe are loaded with depth, upside, and big league potential.

College Infielders



It’s hard not to get excited about the crop of college infielders in this year’s class because of who is at the top. Roch Cholowsky alone makes the group exciting. He’s got gold glove potential at the next level and an offensive profile that should make him one of the Top 15 to 20 prospects in all of baseball the second he gets drafted. Justin Lebron is another player with as much upside in the class. He is a premium athlete that can really pick it at short and has big upside with the bat. Ace Reece is not a shortstop but the bat is among the best, if not the best, in the class. His hit/power combination is ridiculously impressive. Chris Hacopian is another guy that likely ends up on a corner long term, but has as much upside with the bat as any of the college hitters at the top. Eric Becker and Tyler Bell are safer profiles with not as many loud tools, but are well-rounded and can provide value in a variety of ways. The further you go down the board, there are still plenty of intriguing profiles like Daniel Cuvet, who has long been a performer and possesses big time juice. Overall, it is a talented group of players that provide some of the biggest upside in the class. -TH

Prep Left-handed Pitchers

High school arms have been a demographic that teams tend to shy away from, due to a pure risk standpoint. Some teams may be questioning that approach this year, due to the upside from the prep arms in this class. Specifically, the crop of left-handed arms stands out. We currently have three of them projected to go in the first round. Gio Rojas is a supreme athlete on the bump with arm speed. Carson Boleman commands the baseball extremely well and performs every time he takes the ball. Logan Schmidt is still just 17 years old and possesses a mix of present stuff and projection. Jared Grindlinger is another California arm that reclassified and has projection that is sure to interest teams. If you go north of the border, Sean Duncan is another athlete arm that can miss bats often. One of the biggest spring risers is Brody Bumila, who has been in the triple digits from a 6-foot-9 frame. This group of arms possesses so much value that organizations should want to tap into. Teams would be mistaken to write them off because they fall in the prep demographic. -TH

College Outfielder

This year’s college draft class of outfielders is particularly strong, combining high level tools with impressive depth and a wide variety of player profiles. Headlined by names like Drew Burress and AJ Gracia, the group showcases advanced hitters who have consistently produced against elite competition. Burress has drawn attention for his explosive power and disciplined approach, while Gracia brings a blend of bat speed within an ultra-pretty LH swing that doesn’t whiff or chase which scouts covet. Beyond the headliners, the class is notable for its athleticism and defensive upside. Players such as Sawyer Strosnider and Caden Sorrell project as strong defenders with the speed and instincts to handle center field at the next level. Their ability to impact the game on both sides of the ball raises their overall profile and helps contribute to the class’s strength. Another key factor is just the presence of some well-rounded profiles like Chase Brunson and Jake Brown, who offer balanced offensive tools and steady performance histories. These players may not always generate the same headlines as the aforementioned prospects, but their consistency and polish make them appealing options early in the draft. Meanwhile, Will Gasparino adds to the group’s depth with his physical/athletic upside and considerable power potential, illustrating how this class blends both high-floor and high-ceiling talent. Overall, what separates this outfield class is not just star power, but the number of legitimate professional prospects throughout. With advanced bats, strong defensive value, and proven production, this group provides teams with a rare mix of reliability and upside across multiple rounds. - JC

Prep Right-handed Pitchers

The right-handed pitchers in this class are quietly intriguing with their combination of size, upside, depth and increasingly advanced pure stuff. While prep arms often carry risk, this group stands out because many of these pitchers are more polished and physically developed than ever before. Names like Jensen Hirschkorn and Joseph Contreras headline a crop of arms that already flash professional level traits. Hirschkorn in particular, has drawn attention for his size, extremely clean and low-effort operation and his ability to spin multiple sharp breaking balls. Contreras shows outlier stuff but also a mature feel for sequencing and pitchability that goes beyond his years that he flashed during the WBC. These aren’t just projection arms, they're producing real results with tangible weapons. The depth of the class is equally impressive. Pitchers such as Coleman Borthwick and Cooper Sides are in that next tier of arms and they bring high end velocity with real stuff where our staff sees them easily in that 2nd to early third round range. Savion Sims and Kaiden McCarthy are other easy Day 1 arms as both these guys have outlier heaters with McCarthy topping out at 99 this spring and Sims at 100. Ultimately, what makes this class sneaky good is how it blends projection with present ability. Teams are no longer just dreaming on what these arms could become, they’re evaluating pitchers who already possess many of the tools needed to succeed at the next level, making this a deeper and more compelling prep RHP class than it may initially appear. - JC

College Catchers

It’s a really talented bunch at the top, with lots of interesting projection pieces and risers littered throughout the rest of the board for this collegiate catcher group. Vahn Lackey has all the helium in the world right now, shooting up boards and is likely looking to become a top ten pick come draft time. Evaluators love the chance to stick behind the dish with plus arm strength and the power is starting to show in game more often. A bit later in the first is Ryder Helfrick, who has come out this spring and seen an increase in walk rate while still outputting the same slug and providing good defense behind the plate. He’s firmly projected to get selected in the first round. Carson Tinney sits in the second round bucket with raw power and ability to lift, showing good arm strength behind the dish. There are questions surrounding the hit tool at the next level and ability to stick behind the plate, but those most bullish on him are going to take the power backstop profile if they believe in it. Daniel Jackson has seen his stock rise a good bit this spring, as an ultra athletic/strong catcher that can really move and hit for power. The contact rates are improved, and he is showing glimpses of being able to catch at the next level. If he can’t, it’s still an attractive right field profile given his athleticism. Jack Natili and Brendan Brock are a pair of other interesting collegiate catchers in this group. -MA

Prep Infielders

You are never really going too far out on a limb when you say you’re interested in the next crop of prep infielders, as there is always a bundle of lottery tickets with tons of upside waiting to be scratched off and developed. Grady Emerson is at the top of our board and he’s been highly ranked for years now - the book is out on him and what he can do. He’s had a strong spring, and there isn’t a single tool on the card that likely gets projected below 55. Jacob Lombard has big league bloodlines and is likely going inside the top ten with his toolset. Tyler Spangler and James Clark are highly touted cali shortstops that are going to be considered inside the top forty. Aiden Ruiz is the best glove in the class and has impressed with his natural ability at shortstop for years. Rocco Maniscalco is a reclassification prospect that is going to be just 17.2 on draft. It’s safe to say this crop is full of buzzy names, and there is so much more depth down the board here. -MA
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Draft | Story | 6/4/2026

Pence Makes the Jump to 2027
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 STANDOUT STRIKER PENCE RECLASSIFIES TO CLASS OF 2027, ACCELERATING PATH TO MLB DRAFT   Corona, California (Thursday, June 4, 2026) - Perfect Game, the world’s largest youth baseball and softball platform and scouting service, today announced that Perfect Game prospect Striker Pence, one of the most watched young prospects in amateur baseball, has officially reclassified from the Class of 2028 to the Class of 2027, making the 17-year-old eligible for the 2027 Major League Baseball Draft. Pence is currently the #2 ranked player on Perfect Game’s national rankings and the top-ranked right-handed pitcher. Pence, a 6-foot-6, 215-pound right-handed pitcher and left-handed hitting first...
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Tournaments | Championship | 6/8/2026

Rawlings Tigers Take the Desert Classic

Emily Hicks
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After a weekend of competitive baseball, the 2026 Arizona Desert Classic came down to one final matchup between ATB 13U and Rawlings Tigers Primo. When the final out was recorded, Rawlings Tigers Primo secured the championship with a 14-0 victory at Goodyear Ballpark. Rawlings Tigers Primo wasted little time getting the offense going, scoring 4 runs in the first inning to take an early lead. MVP Easton Bakersky helped spark the attack, finishing 2-2 with an inside-the-park home run and three runs scored. Bakersky's home run came at the end of the third inning and helped extend Primo's lead. He finished with a .625 average through four games, while Callan Sanders went 2-3 with one triple and two runs scored. Sanders hit .500 through four games. “The count was 1-2. I was thinking, just get the barrel to it, not trying to do too much,” said  Bakersky. On the mound, Callan...
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Tournaments | Story | 6/8/2026

Coastal Region Scout Notes

Perfect Game Staff
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Camden McGill (2027, High Point, NC) had a great day at the plate for the Carolina Redsox vs. Wow Factor Carolina National 17u. The 5-foot-11, 170- pound center fielder has a solid frame. McGill bats from the left side with a short, impactful swing. He has quick bat speed, allowing him to get the barrel through the zone quicker. He uses his lower half effectively, firing his hips and rotating efficiently. McGill has had quality at-bats all weekend long, having multiple multi-hit games. Constantly battling and putting pressure on the defense. He finished the game going 2-for-3 with a single and a triple with 4 RBI on the day. Giovanni Luisa (2027, Weddington, NC) had an amazing day at the plate for the Wow Factor Carolina 17u Premier vs. Performance Carolina National/C35 17u. The 5-foot-10, 176-pound catcher has a solid athletic build. Luisa bats from the right side with a strong,...
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Tournaments | Story | 6/7/2026

From Traction to Festival; Bond is Strong

Kinley Kitchens
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For many players, earning an invitation to the Perfect Game Select is a dream. For Cooper Mason and Tucker Richardson, it became reality.  Now teammates on Traction Canes 14U National, the two Alabama natives have established themselves among the top players in the 2030 class. Richardson enters the summer ranked No. 10 overall nationally and No. 3 among shortstops, while Mason enters ranked at No. 44 overall and No. 13 among shortstops. Both earned invitations to the 2025 PG Select Festival, one of the most prestigious events in amateur baseball.  But beyond the rankings and talent, their story is built on friendship.  When asked what it meant to earn a Select Festival invitation last year, both players reflected on years of work leading up to the moment.  It felt good. I always wanted to make Select Fest,” Richardson said. “It just felt really good in...
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Tournaments | Story | 6/6/2026

13/14u PG Elite Scout Notes: Days 1-2

Perfect Game Staff
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2031 King James (Cincinnati, Ohio) got the start on the bump for Team Elite against, coincidentally enough, his hometown Cincinnati Angels and delivered a 5 inning, run rule shortened complete game effort. Not overly physical at just 5-foot-8, 140 pounds, James came out showing quickness to his arm as he opened up in the 75-77 mph while working around the zone, mixing a bigger curveball with depth to help keep hitters off balance. Ultimately he struck out 6 on the game and walked just one while scattering four hits and even helped his own cause, picking up a double on the offensive side of things.  While he went 0-1 at the dish with a pair of walks, it's still worth talking about the performance from catcher Michael Wedgeworth (Flomaton, Ala.) as his catch-and-throw skills from behind the dish were on full display throughout the game, delivering a couple of strikes down to second...
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Tournaments | Story | 6/6/2026

Beast of the East Scout Notes: Day 2

Perfect Game Staff
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Beast of the East Scout Notes: Day 1 Another good swing later in the day from ‘28 Derek Vazquez, this one lifted down the LF line for a 2B. So much to like about the profile & projects in every aspect. #BeastOfTheEast @PG_Coastal @PG_Uncommitted https://t.co/EDA8xhgK9G pic.twitter.com/kZDw8tPC5O — Perfect Game Scout (@PG_Scouting) June 5, 2026 Derek Vazquez (2028, Charlotte, N.C.) has put together a big showing through two games for the SBA Bolts National 2028. The 6-foot-2, 183-pound shortstop/outfielder has showed defensive versatility throughout the event and does so with ease. He has all the actions at shortstop but also showed good range, tracking a flyball down the left field line on Friday. In the box, he’s uber-projectable in every phase and is already doing a great job of controlling the zone. The power should continue to trend up in the coming years and...
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Tournaments | Story | 6/3/2026

Beast of the East Heads to Georgia

Will Dembo
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Marietta, Georgia will welcome some of the nation’s top teams this weekend as the Perfect Game Beast of the East Invitational takes place June 4-8. The invite only 15-17u tournament will showcase a plethora of nationally ranked teams and top talent looking to make a statement early into the summer and take home the championship in what promises to be a highly competitive weekend of baseball. The 15u division will shine a spotlight on several of the top ranked programs in the country as 9 out of the 32 total squads competing are T100. 11 states will be represented in the age bracket, proving how prestigious this event has become. Headlining the field are Wow Factor National who comes in at No. 8 in the national rankings, as well as Canes National who enters the weekend trailing just one spot behind Wow Factor. Canes National has an absolutely loaded roster with 9 players who rank in...
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Tournaments | Story | 6/5/2026

"Houston, We Nave a Problem"

Kinley Kitchens
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Some moments set the tone for an entire game. For Jackson Nave, it happened in his very first trip to the plate. The Sevierville, Tennessee native stepped into the batter’s box looking for a pitch he could drive. A few moments later, the ball was flying over the fence, giving FTB Phillies 13U an early boost and igniting what would become a dominant offensive performance. “I was feeling good,” Nave said. “I was just trying to find a pitch I could hammer. I kept my eye on it, took it down the middle and that felt good.” That swing was only the beginning. Nave finished the game with a home run, four runs scored, and four RBI as FTB Phillies 13U rolled to a 27-4 victory on the opening day of the 2026 PG 13U National Elite Championship. For Nave, getting the offense started early is an important part of helping his team succeed. “I think it is really...
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Tournaments | Story | 6/5/2026

Reed Continues to Prove He Belongs

Kinley Kitchens
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For many young players, competing alongside some of the top talent in the country can be intimidating. For Chris Reed, it is simply another opportunity to prove he belongs. The Conyers, Georgia native has established himself as one of the premier players in the 2030 class, currently ranking No. 24 nationally and No. 7 among shortstops according to Perfect Game. Reed’s game has consistently stood out against elite competition thanks to his athleticism, instincts, and all-around skill set. That ability was on full display during the 2025 Perfect Game 13U National Showcase, where Reed earned his invitation to the PG Select Festival, one of the most prestigious events available to players his age. “It showed that I can play with the best of the best, and that I belong,” Reed said of the experience. The event provided more than just exposure. It also reinforced an important...
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Tournaments | Story | 6/5/2026

Beast of the East Scout Notes: Day 1

Perfect Game Staff
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‘29 SS Chase Hallett (NJ) drops the bat head on this one & lifts it out to the PS for a solo HR. Free and easy LH swing w/ present strength & more to dream on. #BeastOfTheEast @PGMidAtlantic pic.twitter.com/Ym9LFg05tx — Perfect Game Scout (@PG_Scouting) June 4, 2026 Chase Hallett (2029, Pennington, N.J.) came up with a loud swing on Thursday morning, dropping the barrel on one and lifting it out to the pull-side. It’s an intriguing profile overall with the young left-handed hitting middle infielder and the power projects in a big way. The swing is short and simple, he finds the barrel at a high clip, and is a sure handed defender up the middle. This has all the makings of a high-end prospect in a few years and is certainly a name of note in the ‘29 class. Canon Day (2028, Germantown, Tenn.) put together a great day on the offensive side of things,...
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Tournaments | Story | 6/5/2026

Arizona Desert Classic Gets Underway

Emily Hicks
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After another busy week of baseball, attention now turns to the 2026 PG 14u Arizona Desert Classic tournament as teams prepare for a weekend of competition on the Perfect Game circuit. ATB 13U enters the event looking to continue building on its season so far. The team comes into the weekend with a record of 5-4 and has shown strengths in their offense and defense. As the schedule gets tougher, this tournament presents another opportunity to test themselves against quality opponents. The field features teams from across Arizona, setting up several intriguing matchups throughout pool play. Key games against AZ Premier Prospects and Maverix could provide an early look at where the team stands heading into bracket play. A few players to keep an eye on this weekend include Reece Neely and Gavyn Jupp from Maverix and Jakob Couto from USA Scout Team AZ 14u. Whether it's producing at the plate,...
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