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Tournaments  | Story | 6/15/2026

Braves Scout Team Keep Winning In Hoover

Kinley Kitchens
Through big wins and making their way into the championship bracket, the Atlanta Braves Scout Team has done exactly what every team hopes to do at a major Perfect Game event: keep winning. 

Now undefeated and preparing for the semifinals, the Braves have established themselves as one of the top teams remaining in the 15U division. Dominant pitching performances, timely hitting, and a lineup full of contributors have powered the team through a strong weekend in Hoover. 



The Braves opened the tournament with a statement performance behind right-hander Daylen Woods, who tossed a five-inning no-hitter while striking out six. Woods also helped his own cause offensively with three hits and two runs scored as the Atlanta Braves Scout Team rolled to victory.

The momentum continued with a 10-3 win over Wow Factor Nation 15U, as Sam Ridley allowed just one hit across four innings while contributing two hits and two runs scored at the plate. Desmond Ruffin added a pair of hits and three RBI in the victory.

Most recently, the Braves earned a 9-3 win over USA Prime SE Auburn 15U behind another complete team effort. Tommy Medina led the offense with three hits, while Cohen Thompson and Ruffin each added multi-hit performances as the Braves continued their undefeated run. 

For Ruffin, the success starts with a simple approach.

“Just put the ball in play and keep your eye on it,” Ruffin said when discussing his mindset in key RBI situations.

The Madison, Alabama native has been a consistent contributor throughout the tournament, but he believes one of the team’s biggest strengths goes beyond what appears in the box score. 

“It’s very important,” Ruffin said when asked about communication in the outfield. “You always need to communicate so you don’t run into anyone and can keep the game going smoothly and avoid errors.”

The emphasis on communication has become a defining characteristic of the Braves’ tournament run. Whether on defense, in the dugout, or during high pressure moments, the team has consistently played together and supported one another.

Ruffin also understands the significance of wearing one of the most recognizable names in baseball.

“It feels great to represent the Braves,” Ruffin said. “I am glad to have had this opportunity to play with these guys and this team.”

Fellow outfielder Cohen Thompson echoed many of those same sentiments.

Ranked among the top players in the 2029 class for the state of Alabama, Thompson has been a key contributor on both sides of the ball. Through the first three games of this tournament, he was hitting .625 while helping anchor the Braves’ defense.

Thompson’s versatility has allowed him to impact games in multiple ways throughout his career as both a pitcher and an outfielder, he believes playing the outfield helps him prepare for whenever his number is called on the mound. 

“It gets me loose, especially if I have to come in from the outfield,” Thompson said. “It helps me get loose and stay warmed up.” 

When runners reach base, Thompson relies on a disciplined approach at the plate.

“My approach is to not pull off, keep my hands behind the white line in the box, and drive it the other way,” Thompson said.

Like Ruffin, Thompson pointed to the relationships within the team as one of the biggest reasons for their success.

“We have known each other for a long time, competing alongside each other and playing together, so it is great fighting alongside them,” Thompson said. 

Those relationships have translated into confidence on the field. Throughout the tournament, different players have stepped up in key moments, whether it has been Woods’ no-hitter, Ridley’s performance on the mound, Medina’s offensive production, or contributions from Thompson, Ruffin, Adam Kramer, Harper Quang, and others throughout the lineup.

For Thompson, representing the Atlanta Braves Scout Team reflects the work that each player has invested to reach this level.

“It is awesome. It is truly an honor,” Thompson said. “It just shows all the hard work that all of us have put in and how it really works out. We have a good squad, and I love playing for this team.”

As the semifinals approach, the team’s focus remains straightforward.

“Play together, communicate, and work hard,” Ruffin said.

Thompson’s message was even simpler.

“We like to win, we like to dominate, and that’s about it,” he said. 

With an undefeated record, strong pitching, and a roster that continues to find contributions from every corner of the lineup, the Atlanta Braves Scout Team enters the semifinal rounds with momentum firmly on its side. If the chemistry and confidence displayed throughout the weekend continue, the Braves will be a difficult team to stop as they pursue a championship in Hoover. 
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Tournaments | Story | 11/8/2026

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PG Partners Up with Minority Prospects

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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 MEDIA RIGHTS PARTNERSHIP WITH MINORITY PROSPECTS   Sanford, Florida (Monday, November 2, 2026) - Perfect Game, the world’s largest youth baseball and softball platform and scouting service, today announced a media rights partnership with Minority Prospects, the Atlanta-based organization that has become the largest platform in the world for minority baseball and softball prospects. The partnership kicked off last month at the WWBA World Championship in Jupiter, Fla., Perfect Game's premier fall event, where Minority Prospects produced content featuring some of the nation's top amateur players in front of college coaches, professional scouts and MLB legends. Under the agreement, Minority...
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