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| 2,631 MLB PLAYERS | 16,402 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
2,631 MLB PLAYERS | 16,402 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
General  | Professional | 11/23/2010

PG Alum Votto Wins NL MVP

Congratulations to PG Alum Joey Votto on winning the 2010 National League Most Valuable Player award. Votto becomes the first PG Alum to win an MVP award, although there are certainly more to follow in the near future.

RHP Zach Greinke was the first PG Alum to win one of the “major” individual awards, having earned the American League Cy Young Award in 2009.

Votto appeared in three Perfect Game events in 2001 before being drafted in the second round of the 2002 draft by the Reds (44th pick overall) out of Richview Collegiate Secondary School in Toronto, Canada. He was signed by Perfect Game’s good friend John Castleberry, currently the director/organizer of the East Coast Pro Showcase and a regional crosschecker with the World Series champion San Francisco Giants.

Votto was listed at 6-2, 196 back then and was primarily a third baseman that intrigued scouts because he was learning how to catch. Imagine Votto as a left-handed hitting catcher right now and debate whether you would want him or Joe Mauer on your team! He ran a 7.11 60 and threw 82 mph across the infield at the Perfect Game National Showcase. That raw arm strength was probably at the root of his eventual move across the diamond to first base after both playing third and catching during his initial year in the Gulf Coast League (.269-9-33/.873 OPS).

The notes and reports from the three 2001 events (2001 Sunshine Showcase, 2001 National Showcase, 2001 WWBA National Championship) are very consistent in Votto’s evaluation. Here’s the report from the National, which was held at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Votto made a name for himself at Tropicana. He is a good-looking athlete with a strong baseball body and a nice arm. Most importantly he has a beautiful left-hand swing that projects to hit with plus power. The ball jumps off his bat and sounds a bit different than most wood bats.

Although I wasn’t working with Perfect Game at the time, I saw Votto play at both the National Showcase and in Jupiter. I particularly remember sitting in the stands talking with Votto’s mother on the far back Red field at the Jupiter Complex during one game.

Two things in retrospect stood out about Votto, but keep in mind that they apply to a number of similar prospects every year. First of all, Votto had a very strong, loose and mature build, the type the any scout can say “he looks like a future big leaguer” with some confidence. We in scouting do plenty of projection physically, but sometimes a player doesn’t need much physical projection. That was the case with Votto.

Similar position players in the 2011 class (i.e. “he looks like a future big leaguer”) could be 3B/LF Travis Harrison, OF Josh Bell, OF Derek Fisher, C Cameron Gallagher or OF Billy Flamion.

The second thing was simply Votto’s easy tension-free swing and his raw bat speed. You knew watching Votto, being a Canadian, that he hadn’t seen significant amounts of high-level pitching, but the looseness and ease of the swing was obvious.

The obvious comparison for Votto is Twins first baseman and former American League MVP Justin Morneau, a fellow Canadian. Morneau was the Twins’ 3rd round pick in 1999, but did not participate in Perfect Game events and was largely underexposed to the scouting community. However, I remember then-Twins Scouting Director (now Assistant GM) Mike Radcliff telling me in early April of 1999, while sitting along the left-field line at Baylor way before a game started (can’t remember why we were both at Baylor), that Morneau was the best left-handed hitting high school prospect in that draft class. It was a testament to Radcliff’s savvy as a scouting director that he drafted the player he thought was the best hitter in the draft in the third round.

LESSON FOR YOUNG TOP PROSPECTS

It is very interesting and instructive to track Votto’s path through the minor leagues. Every top prospect in high school right now with aspirations of playing in the Major Leagues should pay attention to this! Remember, we’re talking about the 2010 National League MVP, a very special player.

Votto signed almost immediately and played his first summer in the Gulf Coast League. His first full season was split between advanced short-season ball and low A. His second season was 80% spent in low A with a late- season promotion to high A. His third season was spent entirely in high A and his fourth season spent completely in AA. His fifth full season was spent in AAA (.294-22-92/.859 OPS), where he played a bit of outfield for the first time in his professional career. At the end of that fifth full year in the minors (sixth overall), Votto got a call up to Cincinnati in September, where he promptly tore it up (.321-4-17/.908 OPS in 84 AB’s) and ensured his spot in the Reds’ lineup for the next spring.

The point being this: The most valuable player in the National League this year took a picture perfect, symmetrical path to the big leagues, the one that is designed in player development offices all over the country. He signed in June of his draft year and spent five years and three months in the minor leagues, and was successful at every level without exception and didn’t endure one serious injury. He reached the Major Leagues a few days before his 24th birthday.

The Reds didn’t rush him despite having some pretty mediocre teams in those years. He was ready to contribute when he reached Cincinnati.

So, for you top high school prospects, if there is anyone in your ear right now saying that you can reach the big leagues in three or four years out of high school, or that you should/can skip a level, tell them to get real and stop messing with your mind. The National League MVP had an outstanding and injury-free minor league career and didn’t make the Majors until his sixth year.

General | General | 10/8/2026

Wolforth Throwing Mentorship: Article 67

Ron Wolforth
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Rethinking Baseball Warm-Ups: A Call for Innovation  Let’s kick the old warm-up tradition to the curb, shall we? Baseball has a reputation for being a sport rooted deeply in its customs, and while some traditions are worthy of preservation, one that needs a refreshing overhaul is the standard warm-up routine. Picture this: an hour before the game, players jog a lap, gather to stretch in a circle, and then stand around playing catch. Does that really prepare anyone adequately for the mental and physical demands of pitching? In my view, it falls woefully short, and I’ll explain why. The typical warm-up approach - running a lap, static stretching, and simply tossing a ball back and forth - doesn’t even scratch the surface of what’s necessary for optimal performance. This process often leaves pitchers feeling only 75% prepared, and that’s just not good...
Tournaments | Championship | 10/22/2026

Wildcatters Reign Supreme at 13u WWBA

Jheremy Brown
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After both the Best of the West and the Beast of the East wrapped up, a big conglomerate of high end talent and stacked teams descended upon West Palm for both the 13u and the 14u WWBA World Championships. While the weather threw a wrench into the plans early on and some adjustment was needed to ensure the event moved forward, it was nothing but sunshine and competitive baseball throughout Sunday and into the early morning Monday.  Kicking off with the 13u WWBA World Championship, the first thing to point out is the fact this was a wood bat tournament played on 60-90 fields and while the combo was a first for most, you wouldn't know it with their level of play throughout the weekend. In an unsurprising twist and a continuation of their 12u dominance, the 13u championship saw the #2 seeded Goldin Prospects lock horns with the top seeded Houston Wildcatters, aka the champion of the...
Tournaments | Story | 10/22/2026

17u Coastal Fall Invitational

Perfect Game Staff
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Dalton Fisher (2028, China Grove, NC) stands at 6-foot-2, 180 pounds, with a lean, projectable frame and room to add strength as he develops. Bats and throws right-handed and plays the outfield. Shows a good approach at the plate with quick hands, solid bat speed, and the ability to drive the ball to all fields. Fisher went 2-for-3 with 1 RBI, putting together a great day at the plate. Bradley Edwards (2028, Summerville,SC) Stands at 6-feet-5 225 strong build and the potential to generate considerable power. Bats and throws right handed is a right handed pitcher. Shows good arm strength and the ability to attack hitters while generating swings and misses. Demonstrates a competitive approach on the mound with the ability to challenge hitters in the zone. Recorded 4.2 innings pitched with 10 strikeouts, a 56% strike rate, and a fastball that topped out at 85 mph. Jackson Pierce (2028,...
Softball | Softball Tournament | 10/21/2026

PG Softball Chesterfield Fall Showcase 14U Division

Erica Beach
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2026 PG softball Chesterfield fall showcase 14U Division October 17th to 18th Chesterfield First Community Athletic Complex CHESTERFIELD, MO — It was a highly competitive weekend of softball as six teams battled it out on the field. In the end, the Midland Magic Wooster finished with a flawless 5-0 record, showcasing a dominant tournament performance by allowing only three runs while exploding for 65 runs of their own. Below we highlight some of the weekend’s shining stars. \ Abigail Doolittle (2030 - Edwardsville, Illinois) of Top Gun 2030-IL established herself as one of the tournament's most formidable hitters over five games, posting an astounding .727 batting average. Showcasing elite power and versatility, she racked up three singles, two doubles, two triples, and a home run. Doolittle drove in four runs, scored four times, drew a walk, and added a stolen base....
Tournaments | Story | 10/21/2026

Windy City Finale Scout Notes

Perfect Game Staff
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‘27 RHP Jaxson Weiss (IL) pitched well in his 5 innings and put up some eye popping strikeout numbers. He punched out 10 and allowed only 2ER. FB T86 early and flashed a BB 72-75. #WCFinale https://t.co/M8GtCUgxyS — Perfect Game Illinois (@PG_Illinois) October 17, 2026 Jaxson Weiss (2027, New Lennox, Ill.) a right-handed pitcher put up big strikeout numbers in his start on Saturday. He worked five innings while punching out ten opposing hitters. The fastball topped out at 86 mph and sat in the 82-85 mph range most of the game. His breaking ball was his primary off-speed, living 72-75 mph. Weiss keeps his body under control throughout his delivery, helping him with his good command on the mound. He uses his lower half well with a nice leg drive and gets his hips through, guiding his backside. He pitched with confidence and stayed ahead of hitters most of the game. Hayden...
Tournaments | Story | 10/19/2026

PG Draft: Jupiter Draft Movers

Tyler Henninger
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The WWBA World Championship remains one of the premier events on the draft calendar as all 30 major league organizations descend on Jupiter to evaluate some of the top talent in amateur baseball. The event serves as a pivotal checkpoint in the scouting process, giving established prospects an opportunity to further elevate their stock while lesser-known names have a chance to put themselves on the radar of various organizations. This year was no exception, as several players made strong impressions and positioned themselves for increased attention heading into the spring. With that being said, let’s dive into a few draft risers and sleepers who stood out in Jupiter. Calum Andersen (‘27,CAN) had his A stuff working today running the FB to 96 mph with a devastating horizontal SL at 85 mph that can break bats. Mixed in a late breaking 12/6 curveball at 78 mph that induces weak...
Tournaments | Story | 10/20/2026

Jupiter Recap: Stars Being Stars

Vincent Cervino
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WWBA World Championship Notes: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 PG Draft: Jupiter Draft Movers With the 2026 WWBA World Championship in the rearview mirror, we're going to begin our breakdowns of 4 different subcategories, beginning today with the Stars Being Stars category. Most of the players below are household names or were teetering on the edge of such recognition, using Jupiter as their launching pad. From Perfect Game All-Americans to some serious helium names for the MLB Draft, the PG crew breaks them all down below.  ‘27 Samir Mohammed (FL) racked up 11 Ks thru 5 IP on 75% strikes. FB lived 98-99, T100 w/ tons of ASR & life thru the zone. Hit 99 mph 10+ times incl his final pitch of the outing. Had his sharp vert CB on a string & faded the CHG effectively vs LHHs (clip). #LSU commit. @PG_Draft #WWBAWorlds @Florida_PG — Perfect Game Scout (@PG_Scouting)...
Tournaments | Story | 10/21/2026

Jupiter Recap: Uncommitted...For Now

Kyler Peterson
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WWBA World Championship Notes: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 PG Draft: Jupiter Draft Movers | Jupiter: Stars Being Stars Gets your reads in now because by the time you reach the end, some of the talent in this article might be giving their commitments to a college somewhere across the country. Every player below did something that caught out scout's eye and should certainly be on the radar for college coaches, if they aren't already.  Braxton Sykes (2028, Brunswick, Ga.) tossed a total of six innings down in Jupiter, collecting six strikeouts while failing to allow either a hit or earned run during his tenure on the mound. The 6-foot-2 right-hander showcased an impressive three-pitch mix with excellent feel to locate in every part of the strike zone. His fastball lived in the mid- to upper-80s mph range with more velocity to project for as Sykes continues to add strength and...
Tournaments | Story | 10/22/2026

Jupiter Recap: Breakout Prospects

Kyler Peterson
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WWBA World Championship Notes: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 PG Draft: Jupiter Draft Movers | Jupiter: Stars Being Stars | Jupiter: Uncommitted...For Now There's truly nothing better than a prospect staying fresh, making the trip to Jupiter and fully taking advantage of the opportunity to perform in front of all 30 MLB teams over the course the tournament. Some of the players below were already on the radar but took their status to the next level, while others made scout and recruiters do a double take and add themselves to follow lists.  Benjamin Faigin (2027, Monroe, N.J.) showed off some serious stuff on the mound in Jupiter, pitching with a ton of energy and confidence. The 6-foot southpaw ran his fastball up to 95 mph, sitting comfortably in the low-90s with good carry through the strike zone. He went to a more vertical curveball when ahead in counts, sequencing the...
Draft | Prospect Scouting Reports | 10/15/2026

Beyond the Board: C/UTL Gavin Kelly

Tyler Henninger
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Beyond the Board: SS Dylan Seward As the 2027 draft cycle moves through the fall and into the offseason, we kick off a new series called Beyond The Board. With each installment, we will provide an in-depth scouting report for some of the top players in the class, breaking down their tools, strengths, question marks, and overall projection. This week we are diving in West Virginia’s Gavin Kelly. The Mountaineer backstop posted a .382/.477/.725 slash line with 19 home runs, 44 extra-base hits, and helped lead WVU to Omaha in ‘26. Let’s dive in.  Player: Gavin Kelly  Position: C/UTL B/T: R/R Height: 6-foot-0 Weight: 175-pounds School: West Virginia Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pen. Physical Description: 6-0/175. Lean, athletic build. Sneaky strength throughout. Frame has room to fill out and get stronger.    Slo-mo look at the HR by Gavin Kelly (@WVUBaseball)....
Tournaments | Story | 10/15/2026

Big Offense Propels TBT/FTB to Title

Hannah Jo Groves
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Big Offense Wins TBT/FTB Phillies Scout WWBA Freshman Title Runs scoring in every inning led to the TBT/FTB Phillies Scout Team taking home the 2026 PG WWBA Freshman World Championship - winning over Canes National 15U 10-5. It had been a long week in West Palm Beach for the freshmen coming in from around the country to go up against the best of the best. While they had gotten to play on the backfields during the whole tournament, the players who made it to the championship game got to play it in the CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches Stadium. TBT/FTB showed their defensive strength right away - executing quickly to retire each of the first three batters. With the bats in their hands, they also showed speed to deliver - with Luca Briggs batting Trey Vandergriff in for the first run of the game and Kingston George quickly plating Briggs with a double in the next at-bat. In the first at-bat of...
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