THE WORLD'S LARGEST AND MOST COMPREHENSIVE SCOUTING ORGANIZATION
| 2,474 MLB PLAYERS | 15,806 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
2,474 MLB PLAYERS | 15,806 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
All American Game  | Story | 8/6/2018

Dean taking special trip South

Photo: Emanuel Dean (Perfect Game)

See also: Classic supports Rady Children’s Hospital

When Emanuel Dean got the call that he would be participating in the PG All-American Classic, it accomplished a goal that he has been working on since first attending a Perfect Game event five years ago. Hard work and some sacrifice have paved the way for Dean to compete in San Diego on August 12 and he couldn't be happier.



“I was actually laying in my bed, and I had just gotten a call that I would be participating in the Area Code Games,” said Dean. “I was wondering when I would find out, and I actually got a call right after. It was such a blessing.

“I remember going to my first PG event when I was 13 years old, and I got to watch the All-Americans in San Diego. I told myself that I wanted to work hard and make it there myself some day. It is truly just such an honor.”

Dean, who is a native of Anaheim Hills, California, will be traveling just 90 minutes down Interstate Five to get to Petco Park for the Perfect Game All-American Classic. The 6-foot-3, 210-pound outfielder has had an impressive summer on the travel ball and showcase circuit, and that is what ultimately helped earn him a spot on the West Squad roster.

While many players will come from opposite ends of the country to participate in this year’s PG All-American Classic, Dean is excited about the opportunity to showcase his talents in front of his friends and family. They have supported him the whole way, and now they will get the chance to see his hard work come to fruition.

“It is going to be so much fun playing in front of them just because they have supported throughout my entire journey as a baseball player. They are going to be so proud to see me play and to see all that hard work pay off, especially my grandpa. He loves sports so much, and he is always happy to see me play. I love making them happy and proud.”

Outside of the game, scrimmages and home run derby, one of the things that make the Perfect Game All-American Classic so special is the chance to give back in the San Diego community.

Every year, all the participants in the PG All-American Classic get a chance to visit and raise money for the patients at Rady Children’s Hospital. With the proceeds of the Classic going to pediatric cancer research and treatment, it is a great opportunity for these players to meet the kids that look up to them.

“I’m really looking forward to going to Rady Children’s Hospital. It is such a blessing to get the chance to go there and see all these kids that have cancer. It is a reminder that I should be grateful for what I have because there are others that would love to be in my shoes.”

Dean has been playing sports, and his good health and physical gifts are a large part in that. Dean knows that being an All-American is a privilege, and his chance to give back is one that he will not take for granted.

“To play baseball every single day and to be a Perfect Game All-American is just such a blessing,” Dean said. “It gives us a chance to meet these kids, work with them, and have fun with them.”

With such a big frame, Dean found himself excelling on both the baseball and football field early in his high school career. Though he had a passion for both sports, baseball has always been Dean’s favorite.

“Last year I actually stopped playing football because I went to a San Diego showcase with [Perfect Game] and there was an article that came out that said I was more of a football player. My first love was always baseball, and I used football to enhance my abilities on the baseball field. I felt like I wasn't getting better at a quick enough pace, and so I started to focus on just baseball. It has worked out, and I’m grateful I made the decision when I did.”

While he’s not going to be on the football field at Servite High School this fall, he will certainly be getting his work in behind the scenes. A gym rat by nature, Dean loves to workout and find ways to get better during the down time he has.

“When I’m not on the baseball field I really like to train a lot and get an edge,” said Dean, who also noted its important to relax too. “I’m a teenager, so I like to go and hangout with my friends by the beach and just have fun. I love that I have good friends that support me as well and know what I’m trying to do. Going to the beach and playing basketball helps give me those breaks.”

Breaks here and there are much needed for a teenager that is working to become the best baseball player he can be. On top of baseball, Dean is working hard in the classroom so he can excel in the next step of his journey: college.

Dean is committed to playing his college baseball at UCLA following his graduation next spring. A member of a 2019 recruiting class that ranks as the 19th-best in the country by Perfect Game.

“I was born and raised in Los Angeles for the first eight years of my life, so it is close to home for me and about an hour away from my house. UCLA was a dream school for me because their academics are really good.”

Dean also attends high school with the son of UCLA Baseball head coach John Savage. As Dean got to know coach Savage’s sons, he knew that he was a man he could play his college baseball for. Dean isn’t the only PG All-American that believes they can excel under the direction of coach Savage. Corbin Carroll will be joining Dean in Los Angeles next fall, as well as on the West Squad at the Classic.

“I wanted to go to UCLA from the first jump, and right when I got there I fell in love with the campus and the program. I feel like I can develop as a baseball player if I go there, and they can help me achieve my dreams. It is the best fit for my family, and I can play the game and become a better person.”

Emanuel Dean is working hard to accomplish all of his goals on and off the field. Sometime the sacrifices can feel like too much, but moments of recognition can make the end reward that much sweeter. For Dean, the Perfect Game All-American Classic is one of those moments that make the hard work, sweat, and sacrifice worth it.




All American Game | Story | 4/2/2026

All American Classic Heading to Citizens Bank

Article Image
  667 Progress Way | Sanford, FL 32771 | 319-298-2923 www.perfectgame.org | facebook.com/perfectgameusa | @PerfectGameUSA     FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   PERFECT GAME DICK’S ALL-AMERICAN CLASSIC HEADED TO CITIZENS BANK PARK IN 2026   Perfect Game makes debut at iconic Phillies venue during America’s 250th birthday celebration   Former Phillies Manager Charlie Manuel named Honorary Chairman of All-American Classic   Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Thursday, April 2, 2026) - Perfect Game, the world’s largest youth baseball and softball platform and scouting service, today announced that the 2026 Perfect Game DICK’S All-American Classic will be played at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, marking the first time a Perfect Game event has ever been held at the iconic home of the Philadelphia Phillies.   The game will take place on...
Tournaments | Championship | 6/17/2026

Braves Capture WWBA East Title

Kinley Kitchens
Article Image
By the end of championship Monday, the Atlanta Braves Scout Team had done much more than win a title. They had validated everything they believed they could become. After an undefeated run through the 2026 PG East WWBA Championship, the Braves captured the 15U championship with an 8-2 victory, finishing off a dominant weekend that featured elite pitching, explosive offense, and contributions throughout the roster. For coach Jed Douglas, the championship represented the results of months of practice, preparation, and a vision that finally came together. “This is our first championship with this group,” Douglas said. “We finally brought it together and for the first time, everything seemed to work just as we designed it when we were building the team, and it was just beautiful this way.” The Braves backed up that vision with one of the most impressive offensive...
Tournaments | Story | 6/16/2026

PG Summer Showdown Scout Notes

Perfect Game Staff
Article Image
Mason Kennerly (2028, Decatur, Ga.) hit .429 with a .667 OBP, five walks and three RBI in four games last week. He’s already showing the tools to be a big-time power bat in his class, and standing at 6’2 with an athletic frame, he’s one of the more projectable players we saw this weekend. His mechanics play into his size well, creating good hand separation from body on his load, using a medium-high leg kick, and getting a wide base when going into his launch. He uses every bit of his size and natural strength to create a violent swing. He’s got the makings of a really solid prospect, and as he develops and his approach matures, he’ll become a guy that college coaches keep at the top of their radar.  ‘27 Grant Barden (GA) up to 90 mph on the hill. Loose on the mound, whippy arm action. Four pitch mix; FB 87-90, CB 71-72, SL 76-78, CH 79-81. Mixed...
General | Blog | 6/16/2026

Wolforth Throwing Mentorship: Article 66

Ron Wolforth
Article Image
  The Number That Just Killed MLB Expansion: 1,217   USA Today's Bob Nightengale dropped a bomb shell recently that the baseball world is still digesting. Major League Baseball wants to expand to 32 teams. Team executives are quietly opposing it and the reason has nothing to do with cities or money.   They cannot find enough healthy pitchers.   Between 2020 and 2024, professional baseball performed 1,026 Tommy John surgeries at the minor-league level alone. Another 191 at the Major League level. More than twelve hundred elbow reconstructions in five years on the best young pitchers in the world.   That is not bad luck. That is a system reporting a verdict on itself.   For fifteen years, the youth-baseball industry has chased one number: velocity significantly more than projectability and arm care.    Recruiters scout by it.    Social...
Tournaments | Story | 6/16/2026

PG Ascendant Classic Scout Notes

Perfect Game Staff
Article Image
‘27 MIF Kyler Claunch (KY) took home MVP honors in the #Ascendant26 @claunch_kyler Set the tone out of the leadoff spot for @CincySpikes & showed + bat-to-ball .538 AVG/.714 OBP | 7 H/7 RS | 6 BB | 5 SB @EKUBaseball is getting a guy. https://t.co/wGL9E0XmQ6 pic.twitter.com/kvZQwxEXup — Jordan Gates (@JGatesPG) June 14, 2026 Kyler Claunch (2027, Harrodsburg, Ky.) The Eastern Kentucky commit took home the MVP honors after an excellent performance throughout the weekend. Claunch tied for the lead in hits on the weekend with seven. Finished as the second top performer in batting but probably would have been higher if he wasn’t the leadoff hitter. Despite the low RBI’s, Claunch delivered a six-game sample size that included a .538 average and .714 on base. It’s a contact-oriented swing that showed plus ability when it came to bat-to-ball skills. Swiped five...
Tournaments | Story | 6/16/2026

UBC West Scout Notes: Days 3-4

Perfect Game Staff
Article Image
UBC West Scout Notes: Days 1-2 Lucca Bacigalupi (‘30,CA) helps himself out at the plate racking up 2 hits & 2 RBI including a HR. Have a day young man. #UBCWest https://t.co/z2wAGXgavZ pic.twitter.com/Ilh7kU8K10 — Perfect Game California (@California_PG) June 13, 2026 Lucca Bacigalupi, C/RHP, Petaluma, Calif. Alpha Prime (2030) Bacigalupi is a versatile two-way prospect who continues to stand out with his size, arm strength and offensive ability. On the mound, the right-hander threw three solid innings, allowing three hits while striking out three over 69 pitches. His fastball touched 83 mph with decent life and he mixed in a serviceable breaking ball that he threw for strikes. The delivery looks clean, repeatable, and athletic. The combination of mound presence and bat production makes him an intriguing follow in the 2030 class. Ethan Duffy (‘30,CA) posted 4 strong...
Tournaments | Story | 6/15/2026

Braves Scout Team Keep Winning In Hoover

Kinley Kitchens
Article Image
Through big wins and making their way into the championship bracket, the Atlanta Braves Scout Team has done exactly what every team hopes to do at a major Perfect Game event: keep winning.  Now undefeated and preparing for the semifinals, the Braves have established themselves as one of the top teams remaining in the 15U division. Dominant pitching performances, timely hitting, and a lineup full of contributors have powered the team through a strong weekend in Hoover.  The Braves opened the tournament with a statement performance behind right-hander Daylen Woods, who tossed a five-inning no-hitter while striking out six. Woods also helped his own cause offensively with three hits and two runs scored as the Atlanta Braves Scout Team rolled to victory. The momentum continued with a 10-3 win over Wow Factor Nation 15U, as Sam Ridley allowed just one hit across four innings while...
Tournaments | Championship | 6/15/2026

WC Ghost Claims Arizona All-State Title

Emily Hicks
Article Image
In a championship game that featured strong pitching and sharp defense from both sides, West Coast Ghost AZ 16U pulled away late to defeat Overfly 2028, 5-3, and claim the Arizona All-State Games title. “We had discipline at the plate, on the mound, out in the field; everyone just did their thing. It was good,” said Cash Carmichael The two teams traded runs throughout the 1st and 2nd innings, making it 3-2. Followed by a single run scored at the top of the 4th by Overfly 2028, it remained tied 3-3 for most of the game. Both defenses made key plays to limit scoring opportunities, turning potential rallies into outs and keeping the pressure high in every inning. With the game deadlocked heading into the bottom of the sixth, West Coast Ghost AZ finally broke through. Bottom of the 6th, J. Haizen Reidhead recorded a single, Oren Tucker walked, and Josiah Shim was hit by pitch....
Tournaments | Story | 6/15/2026

Coastal Region Scout Notes

Perfect Game Staff
Article Image
Wyatt Smitherman (2028, Durham NC) had a solid day at the plate for USA Prime Triangle 16u Stars in their matchup against the Charlotte Colts. The 5-foot-11, 160-pound shortstop has a tall athletic frame. The left handed batter displayed a mature approach at the plate. Attacks fastballs and drives them with authority. He has quick hands and gets the barrel through the zone. Uses his lower half to his advantage creating enough torque to generate his power he shown. Smitherman finished the day going 1-for-3 with a home run and 4 RBI. Zachary Days (2028, Charlotte NC) had a impressive day at the plate for the Charlotte Colts against USA Prime Coastal. The 6-foot-3, 170 pound center fielder has a tall athletic frame. Days bats from the left side with a short but powerful swing. Very disciplined during his AB’s and applies pressure on the defense. He shifts his weight to his lower half...
Tournaments | Championship | 6/15/2026

Weather Can't Delay Top Tier Victory

Alyssa Golden
Article Image
A seven-run first inning gave Top Tier Roos American Red 2027 all the momentum they needed Sunday morning, but the road to a Florida World Series championship was far from straightforward.  After jumping out to an early lead against WBC 17u, Top Tier endured a 3 ½-hour rain delay before returning to finish off a 9-1 victory at Lee Health Sports Complex.  The championship game, which began at 8 a.m. and did not conclude until nearly 1 p.m., ended in the bottom of the fifth inning under Perfect Game’s mercy-rule format. Top Tier’s dominant performance was powered by a complete-game effort from Christian Davis and an offense that erupted for seven runs in the first inning.  Not even hours of uncertainty and lightning delays could keep Top Tier from finishing what they started.  Davis started on the mound for Top Tier and remained the entire five...
Softball | Softball Tournament | 6/14/2026

PG Softball Super Regionals

Erica Beach
Article Image
PG Super Regionals Dripping Springs, Texas June 6-7, 2026     DRIPPING SPRINGS, TX- The weather was nice, the Longhorns JUST won a national championship, and Perfect Game brought it’s first softball event to Dripping Springs. It was a weekend packed with college coaches, quality softball, and a great softball atmosphere. Over the course of the six-game guarantee event, our scout saw some amazing athletes. Below she highlights some of the athletes who caught her eye.   Destiny Sidiropoulos (2028, Houston, TX) of the Impact Gold HTX 16U was an incredible spark plug at the top of their lineup all weekend. She is a true triple threat who has great speed on the basepaths. She can soft and power slap, drop a sneaky bunt, and hit away with pop. Her barrel control is next level, and she is fun to watch pick apart defenses. On defense, she is versatile and athletic. She gets...
Loading more articles...