THE WORLD'S LARGEST AND MOST COMPREHENSIVE SCOUTING ORGANIZATION
| 2,603 MLB PLAYERS | 16,395 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
2,603 MLB PLAYERS | 16,395 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
Tournaments  | Story | 4/2/2013

Showdown: Mater Academy

Photo: Perfect Game
2013 Perfect Game High School Showdown event page

Perfect Game High School Showdown Team Previews:

Florida Georgia
Venice Indians Parkview Panthers
Sarasota Sailors Blessed Trinity Titans
Mater Academy Lions
Cartersville Hurricanes
Montverde Academy Eagles Savannah Christian Raiders




Mater Academy LionsRoster | Schedule

The mission statement on Mater Academy Charter High School's website tells in very straightforward language just about everything you need to know about the 11-year-old school in Hialeah Gardens, Fla.:

"The mission of Mater Academy is to develop the intellectual and social skills of its students by facilitating a rigorous college preparatory curriculum and a wide range of educational resources within a safe learning environment. Students are expected to perform at or above grade level availing success in high school and within a global society."

Those are high expectations, indeed, but ones every department in the school strives to reach, including athletics. The baseball program is certainly no exception when it comes to working to achieve excellence, despite its relative youth.

The team with one of the most impressive rosters at this week's first Perfect Game High School Showdown may also be the team with the shortest amount of history behind it. Mater Academy is playing just its ninth season of varsity baseball in 2013 yet has already established itself as one of the top programs in the state of Florida.

The school, with nearly 4,000 students, is an academic gem. It's a priority not lost on head baseball coach Edward Gorriz, who is also the school's athletic director.

"Our biggest accomplishment is that 90 percent of my graduating seniors go to college on a scholarship, be it athletic or academic," Gorriz said.

The 2013 Lions will bring a 15-2 record to Fort Myers, Fla., for the PG High School Showdown, an eight-team event that runs Thursday through Saturday and pits four standout Florida teams against four equally impressive Georgia teams. Mater Academy will not be overwhelmed by any of those top Georgia programs.

Senior outfielder William Abreu, the No. 47-ranked national prospect in the class of 2013 and an alumnus of the 2012 PG National Showcase, leads the Lions. He is joined in the outfield by junior Daniel Reyes, the No. 30-ranked national prospect in the 2014 class. Abreu has signed with Miami (Fla.) and Reyes is uncommitted.

Other top guys include seniors Kevin Abraham (Florida Atlantic) and Juan Escarra (Florida International), and junior Michael Mediavilla (Miami).

Although the baseball program is only in its ninth year, it already has one quite famous alumnus. Outfielder Albert Almora was a 2011 Perfect Game All-American and 2011 PG National Showcase participant that the Chicago Cubs snatched-up in the first round (sixth pick overall) of the 2011 MLB amateur draft.

"Having Albert Almora drafted with the sixth pick by the Cubs (was special), and having him here with me since he was in sixth grade is also amazing," Gorriz said.

Abreu is ranked as the 162nd top overall prospect in the 2013 draft, which puts him the fourth- to fifth-round neighborhood.


High School Team Breakdown: Mater Academy


Top Prospects (Position, Class, PG National Rank):

1.  William Abreu, OF, 2013, 47
2.  Daniel Reyes, OF, 2015, 30
3.  Kevin Abraham, C/1B, 2013, 179
4.  Juan Escarra, 3B/SS, 2013, 194
5.  Michael Mediavilla, LHP/1B, 2014, 342

Offense:
While they graduated a top 10 pick from their outfield last year, that remains an area of strength for the Lions thanks to 2013 OF Willie Abreu and 2015 OF Daniel Reyes. Abreu has had success at numerous high level events over the course of a long amatuer career, both at team events as a member of the South Florida Elite Squad, and in showcase settings like the PG National, East Coast Pro and Tournament of Stars. Abreu shares one important trait with the departed Almora: his overall game plays at a level above his physical tools.

Reyes is still a young player who is maturing, but he turned some heads as a sophomore at the 2012 WWBA World Championship in Jupiter and is one of the highest ranked 2015 grads in the talent rich state of Florida. The outfield duo is joined by two other Division I commits in the lineup, with Florida Atlantic recruit 2013 C Kevin Abraham and Florida International recruit 2013 IF Juan Escarra. 2014 LHP Michael Mediavilla, a Miami commit also contributes with the bat and can handle 1B for the Lions when he's not on the mound.

It is easy to see why this team has had no trouble scoring runs this season. It'll be interesting to see if they can continue their hot hitting when they come up against highly talented opponents from Georgia.

Pitching:

Youth is the theme on the mound, as 2014 LHP Michael Mediavilla is the top arm on the staff, while several other underclassmen will be counted upon to contribute meaningful innings. Mediavilla has been very good so far this season for Mater Academy, and he should give them a chance to win the game he pitches, but whether or not anyone else will step up to take the pressure off the offense to score a lot of runs will be the key.

Through 15 games the staff has allowed 36 runs, and had been playing in low scoring affairs until a recent stretch where they've relied a bit more on the offense.

Synopsis:

Offensively, the Lions can match up with anyone in the tournament, and their 14-1 start to the season and national ranking reflect that. But facing other highly talented teams, they will have to find a way to prevent their opponents from lighting up the scoreboard as well, or find a way to win slugfests.

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...
Press Release | Press Release | 8/18/2026

Perfect Game & Delano Partner Up

Article Image
  667 Progress Way | Sanford, FL 32771 | 319-298-2923 www.perfectgame.org | facebook.com/perfectgameusa | @PerfectGameUSA     FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   PERFECT GAME NAMES DELANO BAT COMPANY OFFICIAL WOOD COMPOSITE BAT PARTNER, LAUNCHES LIMITED-EDITION BAT SERIES   Delano Bats will serve as the Official Game Bat of the 13U Select Festival, taking place this coming weekend in East Cobb, Georgia   Sanford, Florida (Tuesday, August 18, 2026) - Perfect Game, the world’s largest youth baseball and softball platform and scouting service, today announced a new partnership with Delano Bat Company, LLC, naming the company an Official Wood Composite Bat Partner of Perfect Game. The partnership will feature three exclusive limited-edition bat releases, which began with the Original Glory American Flag Bat in celebration of the United States' 250th birthday, that...
Draft | Story | 8/17/2026

2026 MLB Draft Report Cards: NL Central

Tyler Henninger
Article Image
2026 MLB Draft Report Cards: AL West | NL West | AL Central 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 Central Chicago Cubs  Grade: 40 Risk: Medium Notable Selections: RHP Cade Townsend (1st rd) | OF Caden Sorrell (2nd rd) | 1B Myles Bailey (2C)   RHP Cade Townsend (@OleMissBSB) sat 95-96 T97 w/ riding FB from fast arm. Nasty cutter at 88-91 is the go-to, showed biting 2 pln SL. Low-80s top to bottom CB & CH ~ 1300 RPM to round out mix. Has had a great spring & risen up boards. Soph./'26 elig. @PG_Draft pic.twitter.com/TAFbM37f5j — PG College...
Draft | Story | 8/17/2026

2026 MLB Draft Report Cards: AL Central

Joey Cohen
Article Image
2026 MLB Draft Report Cards: AL West | NL 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. AL Central Cleveland Guardians  Grade: 45 Risk: Moderate  Notable Selections: RHP Liam Peterson (1st rd) | Tre Broussard OF (3rd rd) | RHP Savion Sims (7th rd)  Liam Peterson (@GatorsBB) has been pure power stuff through the first 3.0 IP in his start vs Bama…imposing his will on hitters with a fastball that has grabbed 100 mph a few times, backed up by his power slider and curveball @PG_Draft pic.twitter.com/RVThNrdMTn — PG College Baseball (@PGCollegeBall) May 21,...
High School | General | 8/17/2026

Scott Wins MVP Two Ways

Jim Salisbury
Article Image
PHILADELPHIA – When the folks at Perfect Game reached out to invite him to pitch in the 2026 PG All-Star Game for rising sophomores and juniors, Cullen Scott had one request. “You mind if I get a couple of at-bats, too?” Along with his dad, Scott traveled from the family’s home in Texas to Citizens Bank Park. The trip proved to be a huge success as he starred on the mound and at the plate and was named the game’s Most Valuable Player. Scott, 16, pitched a scoreless first inning and struck out two. In the fourth inning, he belted a grand slam six rows up into the left-field seats to lead the National team’s 6-1 win over the American team. “He showed us why he’s here as a pitcher and a hitter,” said Greg Sabers, PG’s vice president of scouting and showcases. "He’s one of the top pitchers here, but he’s too good a...
All American Game | Story | 8/16/2026

Romero Slams His Way to Classic MVP

Jim Salisbury
Article Image
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Loading more articles...