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College  | Story | 7/28/2026

Coppy's Corner: July 28 Summer Edition

John Coppolella
The amateur players in the Cape Cod Baseball League are the future stars of the 2027 MLB Draft. The league runs from June 13th through August 2nd. Games are played at historic stadiums in Old New England towns. It’s beautiful and charming. Hollywood even made a movie about the Cape Cod League ~25 years ago called Summer Catch. It scored an 8% (!) on Rotten Tomatoes, but, on the plus side, it featured 2001 Jessica Biel in a starring role. 

It was so much fun writing Coppy’s Column this spring. My hope is to highlight a pitcher and position player each week from the Cape. And, who knows, maybe somewhere out there Jessica Biel is reading it. 



 
Player of the Week: Blake Schaaf – Bourne Braves 

Schaaf had a big week, going 12-for-22 (.545 AVG) with 3 Doubles, 4 Stolen Bases, and 9 Runs Scored. It’s been the continuation of a terrific summer for the Wake Forest middle infielder, who has produced a line of .360 AVG / .451 OBP /.465 SLG / .916 OPS, with 16 Walks vs. 18 Strikeouts over 133 Plate Appearances for Bourne.  

After transferring from Georgetown after his sophomore season in 2025, Schaaf produced a strong junior season that looks very similar to his summer performance, slashing .324 AVG / .431 OBP / .514 SLG / .945 OPS over 213 Plate Appearances for the Demon Deacons in 2026. Schaaf played multiple positions this season for Wake Forest in deference to All-ACC Freshman SS JD Stein – who has since transferred to the University of South Carolina for 2027. In the Cape, Schaaf has split time between SS (16 Games) and 2B (12 Games) for Bourne. 

Schaaf, who bats left and throws right, went undrafted in the 2026 MLB Draft. Heading into his senior year, he profiles as a super utility player with an advanced hit approach. He reminds me a little bit of Daniel Schneemann, as a gritty overachiever with a chance for impact because of massive platoon splits (see next section) and the ability to play multiple positions.  

Carry Tool: Hit. Schaaf’s hit approach is the separator, and he’s a contact-oriented bat who shows some intriguing traits within his splits. Schaaf has produced against the best pitchers in the ACC, performing very well on Friday (.310 AVG / .933 OPS) and Saturday (.320 AVG / .973 OPS) nights. This tracks with how well he has fared against power velocity, hitting .333 / 1.096 OPS against 95 mile-per-hour or better Fastballs in 2026. Schaff is likely to face these types of pitchers at the next level, and his performance here bodes well for his future. So does how well he has hit under pressure, and with Runners In Scoring Position: .435 AVG / 1.237 OPS. 


Pitcher of the Week: Christian Chatterton – Chatham Anglers  

Chatterton was a 2024 Perfect Game Preseason All American and was named to the Perfect Game Deep South High School Dream Team as a high school senior. He went unselected in the 2024 MLB Draft due in large part to a strong college commitment to Auburn. Chatterton has been at Auburn the past two seasons and, by all accounts, has struggled to fulfill his potential.  

That could all be turning around this summer. Chatterton has shown some flashes on the Cape and had his best outing yet last week with 12 Strikeouts in 5.2 Innings. It’s the continuation of a really nice summer that has seen Chatterton pitch to a 2-1 record and 3.95 ERA in 13.2 Innings Pitched with 8 Hits, 8 Walks, and 24 Strikeouts, over 4 Appearances (3 Games Started). It’s big progress from a sophomore season that saw Chatterton struggle to a 2-2 record and 7.00 ERA in 18.0 Innings Pitched with 20 Hits, 10 Walks, 4 Hit By Pitch, and 3 Home Runs Allowed over 11 Appearances (only 2 Games Started). 

Part of the reason that Chatterton is having success is that he is showing better stuff on the Cape, with his FB 91-94 up from 88-92, improved depth on his changeup, and better snap to both of his breaking balls. It’s a small sample size, to be sure, but Chatterton isn’t that far removed from being a top prospect and has a weapon pitch with his Changeup (see below). As a two-way high school star, he’s athletic enough to build off these improvements and is an interesting name going into 2027. 

Carry Tool: CH. Chatterton threw his CH 44% of the time this spring at Auburn and threw his FB 32% of the time (and also threw his CB 16% of the time). It makes sense because the 24% Miss Rate and 31% Chase Rate he got off the CH far exceeded the 3% Miss Rate and 16% Chase Rate off the FB (and 20% Miss Rate and 13% Chase Rate off the CB). The CH is a clear out pitch weapon for Chatterton. 

It’s tough to project any kind of MLB future for a pitcher with a 3% Miss Rate on his FB, but we could be seeing a new Chatterton. He may always pitch off his CH because it’s so good, and that’s fine – it works for Tommy Kahnle and Ron Marinaccio and other relievers. And that’s where I like Chatterton as an athletic reliever whose FB could play up in shorter stints and whose CH-first approach provides a different look. It will be intriguing to see how he develops in 2027. 


National Nuggets:

As we close out the summer, over the next few weeks, we will take a look at some other interesting names who have hit the transfer portal in recent weeks … LHP Jake McCoy caught my eye in the transfer portal because I love left-handed pitchers and feel injured players are undervalued … the question, of course, is, who is the Real McCoy? … is it the University of South Carolina pitcher who had a 6.90 ERA and 44 Walks over 60.0 Innings Pitched in 2025? … or is it the Harwich pitcher who had a 1.46 ERA, allowing only 3 Walks and striking out 25 of the 54 batter he faced over 12.1 Innings Pitched and 3 Games Started? … we will have to wait for “Another Night (Another Dream)” to answer that question because McCoy tore his UCL during the 2026 college pre-season and had Tommy John surgery on February 3, 2026 … before the surgery this 6’1/185 LHP featured a mid-90’s FB that ran up to 97 at South Carolina and 98 in the Cape along with a + SL wipeout pitch that provided problems for left-handed hitters (.213 AVG, 34 SO in 75 AB) despite a near-7 ERA … expected to return back healthy in March-April 2027, he has taken his talents to the University of Tennessee … and McCoy choose to stay at Tennessee – rather than “Run Away” to professional baseball – even though he was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 18th Round (#552 overall) in the 2026 MLB on the strength of elite stuff that finally seemed to coalesce with his control/command in last year’s Cape … once he returns, McCoy will be one of the most interesting arms to follow with seemingly unlimited potential and a high floor as a power LHR … joining McCoy at Tennessee will be another intriguing left-handed pitcher in Ricky Ojeda … two inches shorter than McCoy at 5’11, Ojeda does it differently by pitching off his FB 89-92 that features good life and especially sink … Ojeda allowed only 2 HR in 62.0 IP during the 2026 season for the University of California – Irvine … he pitched in 18 Games, with 7 Games Started and 11 Relief Appearances for UCI, posting a 3.77 ERA over 62.0 Innings Pitched, 50 Hits, 20 Walks, and 62 Strikeouts … during this past season, Ojeda was absolute death on left-handed hitters, having held them to a .125 AVG and .362 OPS, allowing only 1 XBH over 56 AB’s against same-sided hitters … his off-speed stuff was especially effective against left-handed hitters, who had a 71% Miss Rate against his Curveball and 44% Miss Rate against his Slider …. this is where I think Ojeda has an intriguing future, working out of the bullpen as a lefty specialist who forces hitters to pound the ball into the ground … we saw this in a 2025 Cape cameo, where he had 6.1 Innings Pitched, 3 Hits, 3 Walks, and 11 Strikeouts … although Ojeda went undrafted, he won’t turn 21 years old until October and lefties come later and get more chances … I think Ojeda has an MLB future and am excited to see what he does next to McCory for a revamped Volunteers pitching staff … last, but not least, we will stay in the state of Tennessee as we look at Shane Brinham, who transferred from Michigan to Vanderbilt … Brinham is different from McCoy and Ojeda not only because he is not transferring to Tennessee, but also because he probably has the best chance of the trio to be a starting pitcher … as a true freshman who pitched the entire 2026 college season at age 18, he more than held his own for the Wolverine with a 3.88 ERA and only 3 HR allowed with 65.0 Innings Pitched, 60 Hits, 35 Walks, and 61 Strikeouts … Brinham doesn’t show any notable splits against left-handed or right-handed hitters and performed nearly identically at Home and on the Road … one interesting note: he was dominant in the 1st inning of his outings, allowing only a .135 AVG and .450 OPS on the season … he features as Fastball 89-92 that has touched 94 with solid off-speed offerings, but is projectable at 6’1/180 and won’t turn 19 years old until next month … strength gains could translate into velocity gains, and Brinham will be a name to watch next year 

 

 
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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)...
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Tournaments | Story | 7/30/2026

16u South World Series Scout Notes

Jay Vossler
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Kai Anderson (2028, Missouri City, Texas) continued his breakout stretch over the past couple of weeks with 2028 South Texas Sliders 16U Pierce. Compiled a 7-15 week with two doubles, a triple, and two home runs, driving in nine runs. Parlayed that into winning Tournament MVP. Physical presence in the box that is starting to tap into a ton of juice offensively. Tight rotation on an uphill plane with loose actions in the barrel. Doing all of this with very little swing and miss while holding it down in center field. One of the louder stretches of the summer. Trent Costales (2028, San Antonio, Texas) was excellent this week for Texas Angels 2028 Libson. Went 4-11 with two doubles and a home run. Was one of the best run creators in the tournament, driving in ten. Extremely physical frame, projecting as a big time power bat. Coils the hips effectively and creates an uphill plane to maximize...
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Draft | Story | 7/30/2026

2026 MLB Draft Signing Deadline Recap

Tyler Henninger
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As of Monday at 5 p.m. ET, the 2026 MLB Draft is officially complete. The signing deadline has passed, meaning we now know every team’s finalized draft class and exactly how much each player signed for. Entering the draft, it was clear there was a distinct top tier consisting of Roch Cholowsky, Grady Emerson, and Vahn Lackey. That separation became even more evident once contracts were signed. Cholowsky became the first player in draft history to sign for more than $10 million, agreeing to a record-setting $10,347,500 bonus with the White Sox. Emerson set a new high school signing bonus record at $9,747,500, the second-largest bonus ever awarded to a draft pick. Lackey rounded out the trio with a $9,497,500 bonus, the third-largest signing bonus in MLB Draft history. Those weren’t the only records set. Teams combined to spend $402,481,143 in signing bonuses, surpassing last...
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Tournaments | Championship | 7/30/2026

Blue Wave Battle & Prevail at 14u Classic

Kinley Kitchens
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For Excel Blue Wave, the summer was never about being perfect. It was about getting better. After a season filled with challenges, growth, and plenty of learning along the way, Excel Blue Wave put everything together when it mattered most, defeating SBG Sox Prime, Al 9-3 to capture the 2026 14U Perfect Game Hoover Classic championship. For Excel Blue Wave Coach Forrest Heacock, watching the group celebrate with a championship trophy was especially meaningful because of everything it took to get there.  “It hasn’t been the easiest summer, and have battled a lot,” Coach Heacock said. “The kids have improved so much over the summer, and that is really what it’s all about at this age. It’s really just about improving at this age, and to see them be able to put it together, and just really compete together and play as a team, I couldn’t be...
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Tournaments | Championship | 7/30/2026

Excel Leaves No Doubt at 15u Hoover Classic

Kinley Kitchens
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Excel Blue Wave National wasn’t leaving Hoover empty-handed.  At least, that was the message head coach Wes Henderson gave his team.  After a summer filled with strong performances but without a tournament title to show for them, Excel Blue Wave National entered the 2026 15U Perfect Game Hoover Classic with one more opportunity to finish the season the way they wanted.  This time, they left no doubt.  Excel Blue Wave National defeated East Coast Sox 2029 Victus, 12-0 in the championship game, combining a balanced offensive attack with a strong performance on the mound to secure their first tournament title of the summer.  “It’s been a special group,” Coach Henderson said. “They fought really hard, and they played really well this summer, and this is the first championship that we’ve been able to bring home. We typically...
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Tournaments | Championship | 7/29/2026

"Excel"ling Through the Hoover Classic

Kinley Kitchens
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After a long summer of baseball, Excel Blue Wave National had one final opportunity to end it the way every team hopes to.  Together, having fun, and as champions. Excel Blue Wave National closed their summer with a 13-9 victory over Excel Blue Wave American – Morrison to capture the 2026 16U Perfect Game Hoover Classic championship. In a game that required contributions throughout the lineup and seven innings of competition, the Excel Blue Wave National relied on the same qualities and approach that had carried the group all summer. With talent, perseverance and a chemistry built far beyond the baseball field, they were unstoppable.  For head coach Brennan McCullough, there couldn’t have been a much better way for his players to finish their final weekend together .  “It’s great,” Coach McCullough said. “We’ve had a long...
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Tournaments | Story | 7/29/2026

16u West WS Scout Notes: Days 3-4

Quinton Hall
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16u West World Series Scout Notes: Days 1-2 Jason Lizotte (‘28 | NV) Smooth LHH, hunts pitches down in the zone he can rip to the middle & PS w/ a downhill & direct path. Some strength in the hands w/ feel for the barrel #PGWS pic.twitter.com/kbK5Ayvhd7 — Perfect Game Four Corners (@PG_FourCorners) July 27, 2026 Jason Lizotte (2028 | Las Vegas, NV) The 5-foot-9, 145-pound left-handed hitter and outfielder was a spark plug all weekend for MTBA Dawgs 2028, finishing with seven hits, eight runs scored, one double, one triple, four RBI, three stolen bases, and four walks without a strikeout. Lizotte refused to give away an at-bat, consistently working hitter’s counts before spraying line drives all over the field. The left-handed swing stays short and direct with plenty of feel for the barrel, and once he reached base, he immediately put pressure on the defense with...
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Tournaments | Championship | 7/29/2026

SBA Sox Save Best for Last

Kinley Kitchens
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Sometimes the best ending comes after a season of figuring things out. For SBG Sox American, the summer wasn’t always seamless. The team spent their early weeks learning where players fit best, building chemistry and searching for the combination that would allow them to play their best baseball. By the final weekend, they found it.  SBG Sox American closed their summer with a 7-5 victory over Dirtbags Midsouth 2027 Black to capture the 2026 17U Perfect Game Hoover Classic championship, putting together one final winning performance in the last tournament this group would share this summer.  For SBG Sox Coach Cooper Williams, that made taking home the championship trophy even more meaningful. “It’s been great, especially for it being their last summer event,” Coach Williams said. “It’s really cool for them to kind of pull this thing out for...
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Tournaments | Story | 7/29/2026

East World Series Scout Notes

Perfect Game Staff
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Evan Brand (2027, Acworth, Ga.) has been solid at the plate all summer and did not slow down late in the summer. This week, Brand was able to hit just under the .700 mark and tallied three extra base hits, including a homer. The switch hitter has a fluid barrel path with plus feel for the barrel to all fields. The lower half also moves with some rhythm, and the switch hitting ability with the accuracy to the barrel provides plenty of intrigue. The middle infielder is committed to Georgia Tech. Atley Schwarzrock (‘27 GA) catches of all of the first pitch he sees launching it over the wall in left for a 2-run 💣 sending it with some heat; stays loose in his progressing ripping the barrel thru the zone with some strength behind it and staying tall on impact. #EastWS… pic.twitter.com/oGxbPQN1W0 — Perfect Game Georgia (@PG_Georgia) July 27, 2026 Atley Schwarzrock (2027,...
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Tournaments | Story | 7/29/2026

17u World Series Scout Notes: Days 3-5

Perfect Game Staff
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17u World Series Scout Notes: Days 1-2 Lukas Waite (‘27, CA) showed LOUD stuff out of the pen. 6-2/205 frame. High-end athlete on the mound. FB sat 92-95 (T96). SL at 80-82 generated uncomfortable whiffs #PGWS @California_PG @PG_Uncommitted pic.twitter.com/UXaVxqA2kv — Perfect Game Four Corners (@PG_FourCorners) July 27, 2026 Lukas Waite (2027, San Diego, Calif.) came out of the pen on day four and showcased the loudest stuff out of the entire event. The recently named PG All-American ran the fastball up to 96 mph and sat 92-95 mph throughout the outing. A slider at 80-82 mph was lethal. It tunnels well off the heater and gets uncomfortable whiffs often. Waite features a 6-2, 205-pound frame that moves extremely well. There is supreme athleticism throughout the delivery that stands out. The upside is extremely high and will be sure to draw heavy draft interest during this...
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All American Game | Story | 7/29/2026

Victorino & Girardi Tabbed PGAAC Managers

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    667 Progress Way | Sanford, FL 32771 | 319-298-2923 www.perfectgame.org | facebook.com/perfectgameusa | @PerfectGameUSA     FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   SHANE VICTORINO AND JOE GIRARDI NAMED MANAGERS FOR PERFECT GAME DICK'S ALL-AMERICAN CLASSIC AT CITIZENS BANK PARK   Former Phillies Stars to Lead Nation's Top High School Baseball Players on August 16 in Philadelphia   Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Wednesday, July 29, 2026) - Perfect Game, the world’s largest youth baseball and softball platform and scouting service, today announced that former Phillies All-Star outfielder Shane Victorino and former Phillies manager Joe Girardi will serve as managers for Team East and Team West, respectively, at the 2026 Perfect Game DICK'S All-American Classic, taking place on Sunday, August 16, at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pa.   Joining Girardi and...
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