Draft | Story | 6/4/2026
Pence Makes the Jump to 2027
Perfect Game Staff
667 Progress Way | Sanford, FL 32771 | 319-298-2923 www.perfectgame.org | facebook.com/perfectgameusa | @PerfectGameUSA FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE PERFECT GAME STANDOUT STRIKER PENCE RECLASSIFIES TO CLASS OF 2027, ACCELERATING PATH TO MLB DRAFT Corona, California (Thursday, June 4, 2026) - Perfect Game, the world’s largest youth baseball and softball platform and scouting service, today announced that Perfect Game prospect Striker Pence, one of the most watched young prospects in amateur baseball, has officially reclassified from the Class of 2028 to the Class of 2027, making the 17-year-old eligible for the 2027 Major League Baseball Draft. Pence is currently the #2 ranked player on Perfect Game’s national rankings and the top-ranked right-handed pitcher. Pence, a 6-foot-6, 215-pound right-handed pitcher and left-handed hitting first...
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Story |
6/5/2026
Reed Continues to Prove He Belongs
Kinley Kitchens
For many young players, competing alongside some of the top talent in the country can be intimidating. For Chris Reed, it is simply another opportunity to prove he belongs. The Conyers, Georgia native has established himself as one of the premier players in the 2030 class, currently ranking No. 24 nationally and No. 7 among shortstops according to Perfect Game. Reed’s game has consistently stood out against elite competition thanks to his athleticism, instincts, and all-around skill set. That ability was on full display during the 2025 Perfect Game 13U National Showcase, where Reed earned his invitation to the PG Select Festival, one of the most prestigious events available to players his age. “It showed that I can play with the best of the best, and that I belong,” Reed said of the experience. The event provided more than just exposure. It also reinforced an important...
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Story |
6/5/2026
Beast of the East Scout Notes: Day 1
Perfect Game Staff
‘29 SS Chase Hallett (NJ) drops the bat head on this one & lifts it out to the PS for a solo HR. Free and easy LH swing w/ present strength & more to dream on. #BeastOfTheEast @PGMidAtlantic pic.twitter.com/Ym9LFg05tx — Perfect Game Scout (@PG_Scouting) June 4, 2026 Chase Hallett (2029, Pennington, N.J.) came up with a loud swing on Thursday morning, dropping the barrel on one and lifting it out to the pull-side. It’s an intriguing profile overall with the young left-handed hitting middle infielder and the power projects in a big way. The swing is short and simple, he finds the barrel at a high clip, and is a sure handed defender up the middle. This has all the makings of a high-end prospect in a few years and is certainly a name of note in the ‘29 class. Canon Day (2028, Germantown, Tenn.) put together a great day on the offensive side of things,...
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Story |
6/5/2026
Arizona Desert Classic Gets Underway
Emily Hicks
After another busy week of baseball, attention now turns to the 2026 PG 14u Arizona Desert Classic tournament as teams prepare for a weekend of competition on the Perfect Game circuit. ATB 13U enters the event looking to continue building on its season so far. The team comes into the weekend with a record of 5-4 and has shown strengths in their offense and defense. As the schedule gets tougher, this tournament presents another opportunity to test themselves against quality opponents. The field features teams from across Arizona, setting up several intriguing matchups throughout pool play. Key games against AZ Premier Prospects and Maverix could provide an early look at where the team stands heading into bracket play. A few players to keep an eye on this weekend include Reece Neely and Gavyn Jupp from Maverix and Jakob Couto from USA Scout Team AZ 14u. Whether it's producing at the plate,...
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Story |
6/4/2026
California Kickoff Scout Notes
Joey Cohen
Jayce Dejong (‘27, CA) finished 6-for-14 on the weekend which included a big HR in the championship game. Intriguing @PG_Uncommitted player to monitor this summer. #CAKickoff https://t.co/UbuSQxNalf pic.twitter.com/kjVcyiG8km — Perfect Game California (@California_PG) June 1, 2026 Jayce Dejong (2027, Yorba Linda, Calif). Really strong weekend at the plate, going 6-for-14 with multiple line-drive barrels, including a no-doubt pull-side HR. Medium, lean, athletic frame with room to add. Hits from a wider base from the left side, starts early and consistently gets to launch on time. Loose barrel turn with adjustability and length through the middle, showing the ability to create lift and impact out front. Coming off a strong junior season at Crean Lutheran and should be a priority uncommitted follow this summer. Evan Stroner (2027, Huntington Beach, Calif). Impressive...
Showcase |
Story |
6/4/2026
Soph. & Junior National Arrive in Georgia
Hannah Jo Groves
This weekend will kick off the 2026 PG Junior National Showcase with the Sophomore National Showcase following close behind. Both in Marietta, Georgia, these showcases will feature lots of top-50 talent along with the ever-present potential for lesser-known players to turn heads. For the Junior National Showcase, starting on June 6, 7 of the top 10-ranked players will attend - No. 2 Colin Anderson, No. 3 Cullen Scott, No. 4 Carter Shouse, No. 6 Aiden Kearney, No. 8 Keelan Zumwalt, No. 8 Landon Bonner and No. 9 Theo Swafford. Anderson won’t have to travel far to attend, coming from Acworth, Georgia. At last year’s Sophomore National Showcase, he impressed scouts with his calm approach and explosive bat speed. Scott, a right-handed pitcher and third baseman from Melissa, Texas, has shown his arm strength getting up in the 90-mph zone....
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6/3/2026
Gulf Coast Classic Kicks Off
Alyssa Golden
The 2026 Perfect Game Gulf Coast Classic will bring together teams from across the region this weekend as players in the 14U-16U and 18U divisions take the field looking to capture a championship and make their mark on one of the summer’s premier events. Held in Fort Myers, Florida, the tournament will feature a talented mix of standout programs, nationally ranked prospects and emerging young talent. Swamp Baseball enters the 18U division with one of the most talented rosters in the event. The Cape Coral-based team features three nationally ranked top 500 prospects along with several additional High Follow players. Outfielders Nicholas Raber and Austin Schoolcraft, along with right-handed pitcher Tyler Reeder, are all ranked among Perfect Game’s top 500 prospects nationally. Raber will have the opportunity to compete in his hometown of Fort Myers. The 2026 graduate has shown...
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Championship |
6/3/2026
EBC 17U-Griggs Takes Title
Kinley Kitchens
After a week of dominant performances, timely hitting, and resilient play, EBC 17U-Griggs capped off its run through the 2026 Perfect Game Hoover Invitational with a championship victory Monday, securing the program’s first tournament title of the summer. Despite a lengthy rain delay, EBC never lost focus, relying on contributions throughout the lineup and another strong pitching performance to secure the win. “This being our first [win] of the summer, we have an amazing group right here,” head coach Rodd Griggs said. “Some of the guys I’ve had for years, some of the guys just joined us this summer, but it’s an amazing group.” EBC’s championship performance reflected the depth that carried the club throughout the tournament. Paxton Wright set the tone of the mound, working four innings while allowing just two hits striking out two hitters....
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6/3/2026
AZ Summer Kickoff Scout Notes
Perfect Game Staff
JJ Utash (‘27, AZ) tripled to both gaps, collecting 3 RBI along the way. Big time strength. Balls jumps off the barrel to all fields. Good runner/athlete too. #HookEm commit #AZKickoff pic.twitter.com/h1SbsSxpMy — Perfect Game Four Corners (@PG_FourCorners) May 30, 2026 JJ Utash (2027, Gilbert, Ariz.) is the top-ranked player in the state and showed off why over the weekend. The Texas commit collected five hits, including a pair of doubles and a pair of triples. The mix of power and speed is impressive. The ball jumps off the barrel with ease to all fields. Utash consistently lifts balls with authority, resulting in loud in-game power. The speed on the bases stands out as well. Utash looks to be aggressive and can take extra bags when they present themselves. The tools are some of the loudest in the class and will draw considerable draft interest next July. Soren...
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6/4/2026
Best of the Best Scout Notes
Jheremy Brown
Kolt Hampton (2030, Chandler, Ariz.) is one of several prospects we’re seeing for the first time in a bit who’ve made big jumps, either in physicality or performance. Now listed at 6-foot-1 (and he might actually be taller) the left-handed stick showcased a smooth swing that should hit for both power and average long term while also jumping on the mound where he ran his fastball up to 86 mph. Similar to Kolt Hampton above, Colton Byrnes (2030, Truckee, Calif.) immediately makes you do a double take as he’s shot up in height since the fall, now standing at 6-foot-1, 165 pounds. The starting shortstop for Let Them Play, the added length to his frame certainly didn’t detract from his abilities in the dirt, making one play in particular where he rounded the backhand, came through the ball and delivered a strike across to first. There’s always been barrel...