THE WORLD'S LARGEST AND MOST COMPREHENSIVE SCOUTING ORGANIZATION
| 2,596 MLB PLAYERS | 16,395 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
2,596 MLB PLAYERS | 16,395 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
Sign in Create Account
Sign in Create Account
All American Game  | Story | 8/16/2026

Romero Slams His Way to Classic MVP

Jim Salisbury
Photo: Koa Romero (Perfect Game)
PHILADELPHIA – Sunday’s DICK’s Perfect Game All-American Classic was a pitching-dominated affair until the bottom of the eighth inning when the rain started to fall at Citizens Bank Park and Koa Romero stepped to the plate and did his best impression of Kyle Schwarber.

Romero wears No. 12, just like Schwarber.



He bats left-handed, just like Schwarber.

He’s got big power, just like Schwarber.

And at 5-10 and a rock-solid 225 pounds, he’s even built like Schwarber.

Needless to say, Schwarber is Romero’s favorite player.

So, it was all kind of storybook when Romero belted a grand slam to dead center to cap off the scoring in the West team’s 8-3 win over the East club in the 24th annual Classic.

“This is a dream come true,” said Romero, who was named MVP of the game. “It’s amazing to be able to put a ball like that out of a stadium like this. It’s just awesome.”

Romero’s slam, on a 1-2 fastball, came off the bat at 104 mph and traveled 417 feet into the bullpen beyond the center field wall.

“You don’t see a lot of big leaguers hit ‘em up there,” raved World Series-winning manager Joe Girardi, who skippered the victorious West club. “That’s really special for that young man because these are the best of the best. There’s just a huge amount of talent here. The pitching was incredible. I had to ask someone, ‘Does anyone here throw just 90?’ “

Sixteen pitchers featuring power stuff -- and some good changeups and breaking balls, too -- lit up radar guns into the high-90s. They combined for 29 strikeouts.

“It was just crazy,” East manager Shane Victorino, back in the ballpark in which he won a World Series with the 2008 Phillies, said of the velocities. “The arms were very impressive.”

The East club held a 3-2 lead entering the bottom of the eighth. The West’s Sebastian Castillo tied the game with a two-out base hit. Striker Pence, who had a two-run double in the fourth, drew a walk to extend the inning. Jalen Jacob then put the West ahead with a base hit. Isaiah Snavely then walked to load the bases, setting the stage for Romero’s big moment.

“I was just trying to be ready for a fastball and not miss it,” said Romero, who hails from Des Allemands, La. “Honestly, I didn’t think it was going to go out. I thought it was going to be caught at the wall.”

Romero shared his big moment with his family. Lindsey and Alex, his mom and dad, made the trip from Louisiana to Philadelphia, as did his grandparents, an aunt and uncle, and two cousins. Alex Romero explained that he gave his son a Hawaiian name that signifies strength. Lindsey said she was shaking as she watched her son round the bases after hitting a grand slam in a big-league park.

“It was surreal,” she said. “He loves baseball. I really feel like this is his calling.”

Romero’s grand slam proved to be a mic-drop moment. After it, the rain picked up and the game was halted.

The 17-year-old Romero plays third base and pitches at Hahnville High School in Louisiana. In the spring, he helped lead his team a 31-8 record by hitting .433 with 10 homers and 42 RBIs. The right-hander also went 6-2 with a 1.15 ERA on the mound.

Romero, who recently began his senior year at Hahnville, has committed to stay home and play at LSU, but he could have a decision to make at draft time next summer.

“Let’s hope so,” he said. “I’m going to keep on doing me. Keep on working and figure it out.”

Romero played at PG’s WWBA World Championship in Jupiter, Fla., last fall participated in the PG National Showcase at the home of the Miami Marlins in June. He blasted one into the upper deck in right field at that event.

Girardi liked what he saw of Romero all weekend.

“His BPs were impressive,” Girardi said. “Not just the power, but the way he used the whole field.”

Romero said just getting invited to PG’s All-American Classic was special.

“I never thought I’d be here,” he said.

The PG All-American Classic featured the top 60 players who will be eligible for next year’s draft. While in Philadelphia, all the players did Philadelphia things. They ran the Rocky steps. They ate cheesesteaks. And they participated in the PG tradition of community outreach with a visit to the Nemours Children’s Hospital.

“It was amazing to be able to give back to those little kids,” Romero said. “This was my first time to Philadelphia. I thought it was awesome, seeing all this stuff, meeting new people, meeting the kids at the hospital. It was amazing.”

And the highlight of it all was what the locals call a Schwarbomb. Maybe Koa Romero will get to see one in person because he said he planned on sticking around and attending Monday night’s Phillies game.
Give us your feedback
All American Game | Story | 8/15/2026

A Philly Dream for Steingall
Jim Salisbury
Article Image
PHILADELPHIA – Carson Steingall had been to Citizens Bank Park many times over the years. After all, he hails from Nazareth, Pa., about 90 minutes up the road from the home of the Philadelphia Phillies and he counts himself as a big fan of the team. Zack Wheeler is his favorite. Steingall realized a dream when he pitched from the same mound that Wheeler does in Perfect Game’s fourth annual All-Star Game for rising sophomores and juniors on Friday. The dream got even better when Steingall, a 16-year-old right-hander, was named Most Valuable Pitcher after striking out the side in the third inning of the National team’s 6-1 victory over the American team. “It’s just an honor to be here,” Steingall said after receiving his trophy. “This event is the best of the best. It’s really cool to win something like this.” Steingall, who’ll...
Read More
Showcase | Story | 8/13/2026

PG Honors Pat Gillick With Philly Showcase

Perfect Game Staff
Article Image
Perfect Game to honor Pat Gillick in new Philadelphia Showcase  By Maya Heyman Perfect Game is bringing its elite showcase experience to Philadelphia’s FDR Park for the inaugural Philly Stars/Pat Gillick Showcase this weekend, honoring one of the greatest executives in MLB history in the city where he constructed his final of three World Series winners. The event will take place on Sunday, the same day as the DICK’S All-American Classic, taking place just across the street at Citizens Bank Park.  The showcase will allow Philadelphia-area players to gain exposure and will also honor Gillick, who has been a tremendous influence in both professional and amateur baseball.   Jered Goodwin, Vice President of Scouting Operations for Perfect Game, said the idea came naturally.  “Going to Philly made a lot of sense to honor Pat Gillick, who's been a...
Read More
General | General | 8/13/2026

PG All-Star Game Heads to Philly

Jheremy Brown
Article Image
For the fourth time since its inception in 2023, two rosters comprised of the best rising juniors (and a handful of rising sophomores) will step out onto the field Friday afternoon, kicking off the All-American weekend. While the Perfect Game All-American Classic is slated for a 1:35 first pitch at Citizens Bank Park on Sunday, 36 future hopefuls of the Classic will go up against one another in an American vs National clash at 11 AM Eastern, Friday morning.  With 36 players from across the country descending on Philadelphia, there will be plenty of familiar names in attendance as 24 of the 36 played in at least one PG Select Festival and all 36 attended either the he Sophomore National, Junior National, or the PG Underclass All-American Games this summer. Leading the charge are a pair of No. 1s in 2028 dynamic talent Dexter McCleon Jr and 2029 Macgraw VanWormer, a do-it-all...
Read More
Tournaments | Championship | 8/12/2026

Pokers Rally to Capture 16U BCS Title

Alyssa Golden
Article Image
Pokers Rally to Capture 16U BCS Title A hot afternoon at JetBlue Stadium in Fort Myers, Florida ended in a 9-1 victory for the Original Florida Pokers 2028 National, defeating SBA Bolts Florida 2028 National on Monday to capture the 16U BCS National Championship. A pitchers’ duel kept the game scoreless through four innings before the Pokers broke it open with a five-run fifth inning. The title marked the Pokers’ second 16U BCS Championship, adding to the championship they won in 2022. Despite a slow start to the summer, the Pokers found their stride at the right time. “We struggled a lot early in the summer, but the past few tournaments we really started turning it on,” Pokers head coach Will McCrimon said. “I’m just so proud of these kids.” Max Maynes started the game on the mound for the Pokers. The left-hander allowed three hits and two walks...
Read More
Draft | Story | 8/11/2026

Realistic Expectations of a 1:1 Pick

Tyler Henninger
Article Image
Over the 2026 draft cycle, UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky was the projected No. 1 pick throughout the entire cycle. White Sox fans began #RochWatch and were already talking about when he will make it to Chicago. Now that he has been selected, Cholowsky has immediately become a Top-10 prospect in all of baseball. There is no denying the hype, and the pressure, for Chowlosky to get to the big leagues and produce at a high level.  But how realistic is that? Let’s take a look back at past 1:1 selections and see what you can expect from a No. 1 overall selection.  For this exercise, we’ll look at No. 1 overall picks from the bonus pool era, excluding Eli Willits from 2025 since this is his first full year of pro ball. That gives us 13 players selected from 2012 through 2024.  Almost All Become Big Leaguers The first thing that stands out is how successful No. 1 picks...
Read More
Press Release | Press Release | 8/11/2026

Perfect Game & Goat'd Come Together

Article Image
  667 Progress Way | Sanford, FL 32771 | 319-298-2923 www.perfectgame.org | facebook.com/perfectgameusa | @PerfectGameUSA     FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   PERFECT GAME AND GOAT'D PARTNER TO BRING PREMIUM PROTECTIVE GEAR TO THE NATION'S TOP AMATEUR BASEBALL PLAYERS   Sanford, Florida (Tuesday, August 11, 2026) - Perfect Game, the world’s largest youth baseball and softball platform and scouting service, today announced a new partnership with Goat'd, a premium protective gear brand focused on developing innovative products for athletes. The partnership will bring Goat'd's premium protective equipment to some of the nation's top amateur baseball players and families across Perfect Game's premier national events. The partnership will debut at several of Perfect Game's marquee events, including the 13U Select Fest, 14U Select Fest, Perfect Game All-Star Game and...
Read More
General | General | 8/8/2026

12U Game Time: 8/9/2026 1PM Eastern

Perfect Game Staff
Article Image
Sunday August 9th, 2026 1:00PM Eastern DICK'S Sporting Goods Park at East Cobb West vs. East Follow and watch the game
Read More
General | General | 8/8/2026

11U Game Time: 8/8/2026 Noon Eastern

Perfect Game Staff
Article Image
Saturday August 8th, 2026 12:00PM Eastern DICK'S Sporting Goods Park at East Cobb West vs. East Follow and watch the game
Read More
Draft | Story | 8/7/2026

2026 MLB Draft Team Reports: NL West

Tyler Henninger
Article Image
2026 MLB Draft Team Report Cards: AL West With the 2026 MLB Draft officially in the books, it’s time to evaluate how each team performed. Every draft class was graded using the standard 20-80 scouting scale with risk factor assigned. While these grades won’t be proven right or wrong for years, they reflect the overall talent, value, and upside each organization added to its system. NL West Arizona Diamondbacks  Grade: 50 Risk: High Notable Selections: C Ryder Helfrick (1st rd) | RHP Blake Bryant (CB-A rd) | SS Carson Kerce (2nd rd) | OF Brayden Dowd (3rd rd)  Ryder Helfrick (@RazorbackBSB ) different AB; same result. He goes dead central for a solo 💣 this time. Threw a runner out earlier; 1.98 pop. #PGCollege @PG_Draft https://t.co/kW7wraqExJ pic.twitter.com/SARYKxd0oE — PG College Baseball (@PGCollegeBall) February 14, 2026 The Diamondbacks started their...
Read More
Loading more articles...
About Perfect Game :: Contact us :: Terms of Use :: Privacy Policy :: Testimonials :: Job Opportunities
Copyright 1994-2026 by Perfect Game. All rights reserved. No portion of this information may be reprinted or reproduced without the written consent of Perfect Game.