Live Look Overview – 2026 Perfect Game All-American Classic
Spotlighting the top standouts and prep prospects from the Dick's Sporting Goods All-American Classic in Philadelphia.
An event that was in a race to beat the weather saw the pitchers dominate early on, with the first seven arms collecting 12 punchouts while facing one over the minimum.
As the game progressed, though, the bats started to catch fire and come through with runners on, eventually culminating in a grand slam.
We look into 10 guys who were both highlights and winners coming away from the contest as we close out the 2026 circuit and premier event cycle.
Let’s dive in.
Striker Pence | TWP
The Classic MVP seemed to be leaving with Striker up until literally the last batter of the game, but regardless, Pence had the best overall performance on Sunday.
Starting the game on the bump for Team West, Striker faced the minimum while punching out two on 20 pitches. His heater was up to 100 mph while touching 99 a couple of times, featuring plus ride and life through the zone, complemented by an 82-85 mph slider with short shape.
Pence kicked off the scoring later on, finding a 103 EV good for a two-run double that two-hopped the center-field wall. Uncommitted.
Brue Milner | C
Milner scored the first run for Team East in the sixth, sending a hanging breaking ball 359 feet yonder to the pull side, registering a 104 EV.
A sturdy, physical frame, Milner moves really well for his size while showcasing premium pop. He consistently keeps his balance within the center of his body and incorporates his lower-half strength effectively into his swings.
No. 1 prep catcher in Alabama according to Perfect Game. Georgia Tech commit.
Brennan Neal | RHP
A quick and dominant showing from the Georgia righthander, striking out the side in his lone inning out of the bullpen.
Neal’s four-seam sat 94-96 mph, playing well up in the zone and inducing tons of swing-and-miss while posting 2,500+ RPM. To complement, Brennan worked in both an upper-80s changeup as well as a low-80s slider featuring both lift and depth.
Really athletic body that drives down the slope of the mound well while holding swift arm speed. Auburn commit.
Liam Dougherty | RHP
Liam worked an efficient 15-pitch bottom of the third, showing off a three-pitch arsenal at Citizens Bank Park.
Sitting 93-95 with the fastball, it generates noticeable arm-side action that created some tough looks. In addition, Dougherty showed off an upper-70s slider, most often against right-handers, that should be regarded as a true sweeper, plus a low-80s cambio when ahead in counts.
Simple mechanics with an easy delivery, the baseball explodes out of Liam’s hand while tunneling his arsenal well for his age. Florida commit.
Ethan Gustus | RHP
After a loud outing at Area Code Games, Ethan Gustus kept his impressive run rolling at The Classic, tossing a three-up, three-down inning.
Working three pitches in his appearance, his opponents had no success. The four-seam comfortably sat 95-97 mph, featuring life and carry, coupled with a low-80s changeup featuring late dive and a low-80s slider.
Gustus is everything you want in a right-handed high school arm: pitchability, strikes, and athleticism. Vanderbilt commit.
Sebastian Castillo | SS
Given no player played in the game’s entirety, I walked away feeling really good about the Texas shortstop after his two at-bats.
In his first appearance in the box, Castillo worked a 10-pitch walk, setting up Pence’s two-run double in the following at-bat. Fast-forwarding to the eighth inning, Sebastian smoked an RBI single up the middle that produced a 98 EV.
Sebastian’s bat speed stood out in both looks, along with his advanced swing decisions and well-rounded actions throughout this summer. LSU commit.
George Ferguson | RHP
As mentioned in the tweet above, George Ferguson had the most efficient inning across the game: nine pitches for seven strikes.
George only went after hitters with his fastball/changeup combo, but that’s all he needed given his unique release. His four-seam sat 96-98 mph with ultra ride and RPM outputs (2,600+). Arguably the best changeup in the upcoming prep cycle, Ferguson induced swing-and-miss with it while running it up to the upper-80s.
It’s worth mentioning, also, that each of the three batters Ferguson faced was left-handed. He will be one of the first high school pitchers taken come July 2027. Texas commit.
Harry Chubb Jones Jr. | TWP
Jones saw a grand total of one pitch in his lone at-bat during the matchup but made the most of it, shooting it the other way to score Team East’s first run, good for a 95 EV.
A dynamic 6-foot-4 two-way prospect, Harry holds good instincts in the box with violent hands that allow him to get his barrel into an ideal location often, with intriguing raw power (again, he saw one pitch in-game, so baking in batting practice looks here as well).
He threw off the mound on Saturday, holding a 91-94 mph four-seam that plays well at the top rail while incorporating an upper-70s slider with bend and bite. Alabama commit.
Connor Salerno | LHP
Starting on the mound for Team East was Salerno, who was as advertised, tossing a 13-pitch inning (10 strikes).
Working two pitches in his appearance, hitters had no answer for them. Connor’s fastball sat 92-94 mph, holding run/ride traits with easy arm action that was located well. Alongside his heater was a 79-81 mph slider that generated short action and swing-and-miss.
A toe-and-go pitcher, Salerno wasted no time on the rubber in this quick look. Arguably LHP-1 among prep pitchers across numerous outlets, and for good reason. Mississippi State commit.
Koa Romero | TWP
Talk about best for last, Koa’s last swing capped off The Classic in the loudest way possible: a 104/417 grand slam with two outs.
A sturdy, durable presence in the box, the bat speed Koa holds is undeniable. A quick trigger, toe-tap, get-the-foot-down-early approach that results in havoc.
Capped off a loud and impressive summer, slugging over .900 this summer with an ISO north of .500. Legit two-way talent that’s been up to 95 mph, along with a high-RPM breaking ball and upper-80s changeup. LSU commit.
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