Summer Scouting: 80 Players Who Impressed at Area Codes

It’s been a month since the Area Code Games ended in Long Beach, and while my day job has held me captive since I was welcomed back to the East Coast, the need for this piece has not wavered. Area Codes is a “go big or go home” type of event to me, and our readers deserve a feast afterward.

While this is admittedly late, it didn’t need to sit in the drafts anymore. The number in the title isn’t a typo; this article mentions 80 players. It just feels right for such a big event.

For those unfamiliar with the event, the Area Code Games are one of the biggest amateur scouting events on the summer calendar. Originally a California-only event in the late-1980s, it opened to a national scale for players in 1990. It’s my third trip to the event, and it has quickly become a personal favorite, despite the travel involved.

The Athletics (NorCal team) put on a dominant performance and captured the title, beating the Rangers (Texas team) 7-1 in the championship game. Despite not boasting premium prospects aplenty, the team just hit throughout the week, scoring 40 runs in the process. They left no questions unanswered and deserved the title.

In this piece, I’ll cover big performers and prospects from each team in a “spark notes” format. Some teams will have more entrants than others, but that doesn’t diminish their overall achievements. Let’s dive right in.

Athletics (NorCal)

2B Jaxon Climer (Buchanan HS, Cal Poly commit)

Climer is the classic gritty infielder who plays with a chip on his shoulder. He’s a gamer through and through. While he didn’t register a hit during the event, Climer was a tough at-bat for the opposition. He had just one whiff all week, staying in the zone and making consistent contact. Most of the contact was on the ground, but he produced exit velocities of 100 MPH to the opposite field and cracked 102 MPH in a crisp batting practice showing. He fits best at second base and will be an intriguing follow for NorCal scouts this spring.

OF Chayce Formosa (Liberty HS, Arizona commit)

Formosa walked away from Area Codes as one of the event’s biggest winners. He’s a tall, lanky athlete with an upright stance at the dish. Formosa has burgeoning power, with exit velocities of 105 MPH or better during games. It may be above-average to plus power when fully developed. His best contact came on a few opposite-field liners, though he did roll over to this pull side on pitches on the inner half. This is something to follow over the coming months. Formosa is a decent runner who profiles best in a corner outfield position.

RHP Ethan Gustus (Roseville HS, Vanderbilt commit)

In terms of pure velocity, this was Gustus’ loudest outing of the summer. He started the game sitting 96-99 MPH, touching triple digits in a dominant first inning. His fastball command wavered in the second frame, and he sat in the 93-97 MPH range with good life through the zone and extremely high spin rates, occasionally usurping 2,600 RPM. He could land his sweeping mid-80s slider on the outer half for strikes, generating up to fifteen inches of sweep at times, though he can firm the shape up and throw a tighter breaking ball. His change-up gets solid tumbling action with spin rates hovering around 2,000 RPM.

OF Aiden Jones (Petaluma HS, California commit)

Jones surprised a few folks in Long Beach, especially with his defense in the grass. He’s a solid athlete with good running chops and made a couple of tough plays in left field. He also played first base, but his future is likely in the outfield. There was some swing-and-miss at the dish, but Jones flashed solid bat speed and raw power throughout the week. There’s natural loft in the swing from the right side, as well. He’s worth a close follow in NorCal next spring.

OF Jack Leeper (St. Francis HS, Stanford commit)

Leeper just flat-out hits. Collecting eight total hits throughout the event, Leeper was a force within this lineup, constantly finding ways to get on base and jumpstart the offense for the Athletics. While Leeper does have some noise to his load, it doesn’t affect his bat-to-ball skills, and he covers the zone exceptionally well, with a flatter path and zone entry that helps him survive against elevated velocity. More impressively, he has plenty of strength and power in the profile, and he cracked a 110 MPH foul liner, the highest EV of the week. He has an impressive offensive profile, and runs well and holds his own in center. He’ll need to improve his arm strength, which profiles as below-average.

RHP Wyatt McElree (Redwood HS, Miami commit)

McElree put together the most dominant performance of any Athletics arm at the event, spinning three perfect innings against the Reds with four strikeouts. Pitching exclusively from the stretch, McElree has a loose arm, solid extension, and strike-throwing. He held 90-93 MPH throughout his outing, possessing quality backspin and carry through the zone and finding the strike zone often. His mid-80s slider was spun tightly with high spin rates and depth below the zone, and his upper-70s change-up has solid fading action and excellent velocity separation. He’s worth a follow in the spring.

RHP Davis Wilson (Clovis North HS, Vanderbilt commit)

Coming out of the bullpen in Game 1, Wilson took control of the middle innings, striking out five across three stellar frames. Wilson has a unique, deceptive delivery, using a stabby arm action to hide the ball behind his body and releasing it from an over-the-top slot. Batters struggle to see the ball out of the hand, and he pummels the strike zone. His fastball sat in the low-90s with excellent carry, touching 95 MPH at its peak, and he threw a tight upper-80s cutter-slider hybrid to befuddle hitters. He pitched heavily off of those two offerings, though he did flash a firm change-up and deeper curveball.

Brewers (SoCal/Hawai’i)

RHP Andrew Carlson (Trinity Classical Academy, Texas Christian commit)

One of the biggest risers of the summer circuit, Carlson was stellar across three frames against the Yankees, striking out five and allowing just one baserunner. Thickly built and strong, he has easy, loose mechanics and pitches downhill from a high three-quarters slot. Carlson attacked the strike zone early and often, especially with his fastball that averaged 93.5 MPH and displayed solid life. His low-80s change-up is a plus pitch with fantastic velocity separation, fade, and conviction, commanding to both sides of the plate with ease. He also flashed a low-80s curveball and a mid-80s bullet slider. While he lacks the premium projection some of his peers have, his performance, arsenal, and strike-throwing give him Day 1 potential.

RHP Logen Doran (Waiakea HS, Arkansas commit)

Unfortunately, I missed Doran’s outing against the Reds, but a couple of scouts told me to watch it afterward. Doran was dominant, blowing a low-to-mid-90s fastball past hitters consistently. He gets a ton of backspin and carry on the fastball, and like Carlson, pitches downhill with impressive arm speed from an over-the-top slot. Of the 36 pitches he threw, 31 were fastballs, inducing nine whiffs (64% whiff rate) and six chases (32% chase rate). Doran has a mid-80s splitter and low-80s breaking ball, though he didn’t need either of them in this outing.

1B/OF Brayden Goldstein (Sierra Canyon HS, Wake Forest commit)

A projectable left-handed hitter, Goldstein didn’t register a hit until the final day, but his at-bats were hard to ignore throughout the event. His swing has some inconsistencies to iron out, but Goldstein can create serious impact, generating EVs north of 100 MPH and tallying a 106 MPH single on the final day. He has solid bat speed and barrel control, giving him immense power upside, and he likes to stay within the zone. While he manned first base all week, Goldstein has the athleticism to handle a corner outfield spot. If he does so, that will help his stock.

SS Carter Hadnot (Aquinas HS, Uncommitted)

One of the more electric shortstop prospects in the class, Hadnot did not skip a beat in Long Beach. He’s added muscle and strength, which has allowed him to tap into slightly more power than last summer, though his hit tool is the advanced offensive asset in his toolbag. Hadnot projects to be a high on-base hitter with keen zone awareness and excellent bat-to-ball skills, though he can get passive, something scouts want to see change. That said, he might be a plus hitter with below-average pop when he’s fully developed. He has an outstanding glove at shortstop, displaying smooth actions in both directions and increased arm strength. This profile fits in the first round.

RHP Justin Kirchner (Harvard-Westlake HS, Vanderbilt commit)

A physical arm with deceptive traits, Kirchner was strong across two scoreless frames, showing strong pitchability and an effective arsenal. It’s an easy operation with strong arm speed from an over-the-top slot, generating solid extension and balance down the bump. Kirchner’s fastball has huge carry in the low-90s and averages over 2,300 RPM. He has a top-down curveball in the low-80s that he can land for strikes consistently, playing well from the higher slot and flashing solid depth. The low-80s change-up has solid depth and fade to it, plus there’s a firm mid-80s cutter to round out his arsenal.

OF Ka’Alekahi Kuhaulua (Kailua HS, Uncommitted)

One of the top uncommitted bats in the class, Kuhaulua’s easy actions and athleticism were on full display all week. He began the week with a solid showing in batting practice, and while he was a bit passive at the top of the Brewers lineup, he made enough contact to show off some of his tools. Kuhaulua separates his shoulders and hips well, generating good torque, and he’ll unleash solid bat speed with a direct path to the baseball. He’ll add power as he matures physically, and that should take his game to the next level. He can handle the demands of center at this stage of his career, though as he fills out his frame, he should pivot to a corner outfield spot. That said, he’s a very good defender in the grass overall.

SS/OF Elyjah Mason (Huntington Beach HS, Oklahoma State commit)

Mason piqued my interest at 17U Champs in June, and that interest has only solidified after his performance in Long Beach. He’s a wiry athlete with plenty of projection left in his frame, and he already has good bat speed and torque. While he liked to let the ball travel and work the opposite field in games, Mason has solid pull-side power in batting practice, and scouts believe he’ll add weight and start pulling the ball more in the spring. Mason has tempered an aggressive approach, as well. It’s an enticing offensive package once he’s fully developed. He can handle the conditions in center, though it sounds like Mason will see time at the “six” in the spring for Huntington Beach. He’s one to watch as we creep closer to draft day.

LHP Jose Partida (Cathedral Catholic HS, Arizona State commit)

A stockier southpaw with excellent pitchability, Partida let the secondaries shine at Blair Field. With an easy delivery and longer arm action, he repeats his mechanics well and peppers the strike zone, sequencing his arsenal effectively. While the fastball wasn’t overpowering, it sat in the 90-93 MPH range and consistently found the strike zone, flashing late tail. He began to pitch off the low-80s slider late, keeping it below the zone with depth and some lateral break. Hitters struggled to pick it up, garnering six whiffs. He turned over a solid low-80s change-up with fading action, as well. It’s not loud, but it’s consistent. Partida should have draft interest as a result.

RHP/1B Striker Pence (Santiago HS, Uncommitted)

After wowing scouts as an underclassman a year ago, Pence wasn’t quite as sharp in 2026. I have my concerns about the mechanics and stuff as a whole. That said, it’s a top-three round arm with velocity present. He touched 98 MPH early and averaged 96.7 MPH, though he struggled to find the strike zone and hitters saw the heater well. His slider has backed up slightly from a year ago, though it’s a nice two-plane breaker with good spin. He also flashed a change-up. Pence’s mechanics are heavily reliant on upper-body strength to generate velocity, which gives me some pause. In my opinion, he’ll need to use his lower half more as he ages.

As a bat, Pence surprised some scouts. While there’s some swing-and-miss and he’s relegated to first base, Pence can impact the baseball to both sides of the field. There’s good power potential with bat speed and leverage. It’s worth taking a look at in the spring.

LHP Easton Sarmiento (Ruben S. Ayala HS, Uncommitted)

Sarmiento is projection personified. Incredibly wiry and thin, his frame projects to add considerable muscle and strength, and the stuff is beginning to take center stage. He has loud arm speed from an over-the-top release, and noteworthy scapular retraction in his arm swing. Sarmiento sits in the low-90s with cut/ride shape, but most expect him to climb into the mid-90s in due time. He has three secondary offerings: a mid-80s cambio with depth and fade, a sharp upper-70s curveball, and a mid-80s bullet slider.

SS Dylan Seward (Norco HS, Tennessee commit)

The #1 prospect in the prep ranks, Seward struggled to get on base early in the week before playing looser in the latter half of the schedule. A true switch-hitter, Seward’s approach and swing are better from the right side, where he times up fastballs better and can pull the baseball with authority. As a left-handed hitter, he lets the ball travel and attacks the opposite field. He can punish the baseball thanks to impressive torque and bat speed, especially for his size. He’s an 80-runner with outstanding foot speed, and it translates to the dirt, where he was an active defender at shortstop with fluid actions and arm strength across the diamond. There are some things to clean up, but the tools are loud.

RHP James Venick (Harvard-Westlake HS, Southern California commit)

Another Harvard-Westlake arm, Venick has had a solid summer circuit, and he dominated hitters with his fastball in Long Beach. A low-90s heater with heavy run and sink, Venick pounded the strike zone and induced plenty of swings. He pairs the fastball with a sweeping low-80s breaking ball and a change-up that plays off the fastball shape. He has not much physical projection left, but he’s sturdily built with a strong lower half and the makings of a high-floor arm that can start at the collegiate level.

RHP Andrew Weber (Upland HS, Baylor commit)

The Brewers’ final starter, Weber struck out six batters across three hitless innings, keeping the opposition off-balance with a fastball-curveball combination. An athletic delivery with impressive strike-throwing, Weber started the outing at 92-95 MPH before settling into the 90-92 MPH range later on. Despite the velocity drop, the heater had plenty of life through the zone, and hitters couldn’t touch it. His low-80s curveball was a sharp downer breaking ball with solid spin rates and depth, and he threw a couple of sliders and change-ups. Weber’s athleticism and deception aid his profile, and he has the makings of a draft guy next summer.

RHP Brogan Witcher (Liberty HS, South Carolina commit)

A prominent two-way player who reclassified from the 2028 ranks, Witcher has solidified his presence on the mound, and scouts left Long Beach with him locked in as an arm. Boasting a powerful, lean build with premium arm strength, his arsenal is loud. His fastball sat in the mid-90s from a three-quarters slot, boasting massive spin rates and cut/ride shape that befuddled hitters. He pairs the heater with two impressive breaking balls with distinct shapes: a hammer curveball and a slider with similar depth and more sweeping action. His arm strength translates behind the plate, and the profile has robust power, but the arm is taking center stage for Witcher, and I believe he’ll be taken as an arm now.

Rangers (Texas)

SS/3B Sebastian Castillo (Byron Nelson HS, Louisiana State commit)

Castillo was a barrel magnet all week, lacing the ball to both sides of the park with authority. It’s a line-drive-oriented swing with excellent bat speed, and it’s tough to beat Castillo inside the zone. He was aggressive during the event, often expanding the zone and attacking early in counts, but his bat-to-ball skills are very good and negate the aggressive nature of his approach. He may be the best pure hitter in the prep ranks. His swings have some punch, too, with EVs consistently in the upper-90s and a max of 103 MPH.

As a defender, Castillo has good actions at shortstop, though he can rush his throws across the diamond. His tools may fit better at second base, though third base is a solid bet as well. We’ll see how the defense trends in the future, but for now, the bat is the attraction here.

LHP Ryan Donahoe (Highland Park HS, Virginia commit)

An incredibly imposing figure on the mound, Donahoe has put together a string of quality outings this summer. It was no different in Long Beach, as he struck out five across two frames in the first game of the week. A flexible athlete on the bump, Donahoe creates excellent extension from an extreme over-the-top slot, and he threw a healthy amount of strikes with the heater. While he sat 88-91 MPH, he created serious backspin and carry, which allowed him to miss bats up in the zone. He paired the heater with a deep upper-70s curveball with big depth and spin, locating well below the zone. He left a cookie for Brady Cunningham to deposit over the left-field fence, though that was Donahoe’s lone blemish. It was a solid outing for a prospect worth following next spring.

RHP George Ferguson (Abilene HS, Texas commit)

Arguably the best right-handed pitching prospect in the prep class, Ferguson commanded from the first pitch. He pairs a loud arsenal with a unique, deceptive delivery that hides the ball well with a deep arm stroke. Even with that kind of noise, Ferguson peppers the strike zone with a fastball that sits in the mid-90s with electric life. He gets explosive carry that mixes with considerable tailing action, and batters struggle to touch it. Ferguson’s mid-80s change-up is a plus pitch that he sells extremely well, and it became a true weapon in his second inning of work. The pitch has significant depth and fade, and he commands it well. His mid-80s slider is a tight offering with solid bite and shape, though he didn’t throw it a ton. He has the potential for three above-average or better offerings with average or better command.

SS/OF Cole Flashnick (Highland Park HS, Arkansas commit)

Flashnick didn’t have the loudest week, but the swing and defensive utility are something that will attract suitors in some capacity. He’s a wiry athlete with a simplistic swing, displaying quick hands and adjustability. He has some swing-and-miss, especially when his arms get outside his body, though he has a solid bat path through the zone. He had a good showing in batting practice, and his swing has good leverage, which gives him power potential as he grows into his frame. It’s worth following his profile to see offensive growth over the next year. He played at multiple positions throughout the week, including shortstop and center field. It wouldn’t be a shock to see Flashnick get some love within the draft community, especially if the tools continue to tick up.

OF Luke Gladchuk (Aledo HS, Texas commit)

It’s worth noting that Gladchuk broke his finger a couple of weeks prior to Area Codes on a bunt attempt gone awry. With that out of the way, you would not have noticed it was broken. Gladchuk laced a few line drives in batting practice and held his own against premium pitching during the event. He’s a twitchy outfield prospect with a sound approach, staying within the zone and flashing adjustability. He’s a burner on the bases, posting plus run times, and that speed translates to center field, where he’s expected to stick at the next level. He also has outstanding arm strength and accuracy. He’ll be an exciting prospect to watch in Texas next spring, especially once he’s fully healed.

OF/1B Drake Hawpe (Liberty Christian HS, Louisiana State commit)

The son of former Rockies standout Brad Hawpe, Drake has performed at every stop this summer. He’s a fantastic hitter with excellent bat-to-ball skills, swing decisions, and size present. He hasn’t sold out a ton for power yet, as his in-game swing prioritizes the hit tool and his batting-practice swing lets him open up and find easy power. That said, he’s a threat to get on base often, either via a hit or a walk. It’s a promising offensive outlook for someone with big-league bloodlines. Defensively, Hawpe projects best in a corner outfield role, especially given his arm strength and surprising athleticism for his size and running style. He’s a good bet to get drafted next July.

LHP Jake Ivey (Gunter HS, Arkansas commit)

Ivey didn’t have his best stuff or command at Area Codes, but he’s one of the more intriguing southpaws in the class regardless. There’s a lot of noise mechanically, but Ivey has loud arm speed and crossfire action that can befuddle hitters when he’s in the zone. His heater is a high-spin offering with significant late tailing action, averaging 92.1 MPH and reaching 94 MPH early. He pairs the heater with two distinct breaking balls: a mid-80s slider with tight shape and bite, and a mid-70s curveball with depth and sweeping action. He spins both pitches well, and they can be tough on lefties. He threw one change-up, though it was more of a “show-me” offering. He’ll need to find a consistent armside offering, but the feel to spin, athleticism, and arm speed point to future success.

RHP Casen Reedy (Monsignor Kelly HS, Texas A&M commit)

A powerful, albeit undersized, right-hander from Southeast Texas, Reedy breezed through his two innings of work, mixing his pitches well and attacking the strike zone. He has loud arm speed from a high three-quarters slot, and he repeats his delivery well. His fastball sat in the mid-90s, featuring some downhill plane and late run through the zone. It’s not an outlier in terms of shape, but he spins the ball well and should pile up groundballs aplenty. His mid-80s slider is a tightly spun breaker with late bite and some depth, though the powerful upper-80s cambio was the star of the show. Reedy sells the pitch well with significant depth, and he kills a ton of spin, with spin rates under 1,000 RPM. His size may limit him to a relief role, but it’s loud stuff regardless.

RHP Ryder Renfro (Kingwood HS, Texas commit)

Renfro’s outing was not the most spectacular, getting hit around and losing velocity, but scouting isn’t about the results. It’s about the mechanics and the athlete, among other things, and Renfro checks both of those boxes. He’s a solid mover with impressive lower-half usage, and while his arm action is long, he’s on time and has tons of scapular retraction. While the heater only topped out at 91 MPH, he has the makings of an arm that could sit in the mid-90s or higher in due time, especially in relief. He pairs the heater with a mid-70s sweeper and a firm low-80s change-up, both of which are serviceable. Most of Renfro’s scouting report will be about what he *could* be, and the upside could be loud, especially once he makes it to Texas’ pitching lab.

SS Lubin Rincon (The Bennett School, Texas commit)

Rincon is a fun prospect who blends solid tools with impressive projection as a left-handed hitter. There’s another echelon to his game to unlock, but here’s the selling point: excellent bat-to-ball skills with solid plate discipline and actions befitting of a shortstop at the next level. He’ll be a hit-over-power bat at the next level, though I would like to see him get more level at contact to avoid groundballs. He’ll grow into more power as he physically matures, though he may end up with fringe-average pop at best. He’s a good runner with solid actions in the dirt, plus the arm strength plays from the left side of the infield. This off-season will be big for Rincon, and if his tools and play improve in the spring, he has top-of-the-draft upside.

3B/SS Hank Rippy (Anderson HS, Texas commit)

Rippy has struggled to stay on the field due to a myriad of injuries, but you’d never know that with how he played in Long Beach. The expected rust was not there, as Rippy collected four base hits and put the ball in play at a frequent clip. Using a slightly open stance and loose hands, he put heavy emphasis on the opposite field, lining baseballs in that direction all week long. He showed solid power to both sides of the field in batting practice, and the lanky nature of his frame suggests more pop is coming. An average or better runner, Rippy has the actions and arm strength to stick on the left side of the infield, though the frame fits third base better. What was a sleeper pick to perform at the event has now become one of the premium bats to follow.

RHP Tyler Scarborough (Lovejoy HS, Georgia commit)

An extremely lanky, thin pitching prospect, Scarborough threw one of the best fastballs of the event. Despite modest shape and low-90s velocity, he missed a lot of bats due to significant crossfire and extension, making for a tough at-bat for opposing hitters. Scarborough also has the look of a future flamethrower, thanks to impressive arm speed. He pairs the heat with a short, low-80s slider that plays off the angle he generates, and he has feel for a solid fading change-up. If Scarborough comes out throwing harder in the spring, he will certainly have draft interest to sign away from his Georgia commitment.

RHP/3B Cullen Scott (Melissa HS, Uncommitted)

Playing in the event as one of the best 2028s in the country, Scott has recently reclassified into the 2027 ranks, where his size, power, and arsenal fit well. On the mound, he struggled to find the strike zone, but he flashed a deeper arsenal than at previous events. His fastball sat in the 94-98 MPH range, peaking at 99 MPH, with tailing life out of the hand and some carry. He threw a harder cutter-slider hybrid in the upper-80s, a bigger breaking ball in the mid-80s, and flashed a change-up. The strikes will need to trend up, though the arm strength is hilariously good for his age.

The upside may be better as a bat, though. He takes tight turns to the baseball and flashed significant power in batting practice, and while he didn’t register a hit, he showed keen zone awareness and rarely whiffed. He did not strike out at the event. His body and movements also suit third base at the next level. There’s a need for some polish, but the upside is immense on either side of the ball.

RHP Grant Sperandio (Memorial HS, Texas commit)

Sperandio isn’t as projectable as some of his classmates, standing on the mound at six-foot-two and 210 pounds, but his athleticism, arm speed, and delivery soundness stand out. He lands closed and pitches with slight crossfire at release, unleashing the aforementioned arm speed. The fastball can be heavier down in the zone, while flashing good carry when he locates up in the zone. Sperandio spent most of the outing in the mid-90s, reaching 96-97 MPH, and he could throw harder with some mechanical tweaks. He spins a low-80s breaking ball with 2,800+ RPM on average, morphing between a curveball and slider at times. It has solid depth and bite when he gets around it. He also worked in a couple of solid change-ups. He has the makings of a high-floor starter, with more upside on the way as he refines his breaking ball.

Reds (Pacific Northwest)

C Pete Browand (Peninsula HS, Fresno State commit)

A little-known Washington bat coming into the event, Browand left his mark on the baseball and the scouting contingency. A physically mature right-handed bat, Browand put together one of the week’s better power displays, consistently torching the baseball with EVs over 100 MPH. There’s noise in the swing mechanics, but he has strong hands, stays short to the ball, and makes mature swing decisions. Defensively, he has the tools to stay behind the plate, flashing decent athleticism and blocking skills, though the arm strength needs more power. Browand is likely a college guy given his position and handedness, but it’s worth following his future.

OF Taylor Dodd (Casteel HS, Southern California commit)

A smaller outfield prospect that I have dubbed “The Doddler,” Dodd has the makings of a future top-of-the-order sparkplug who will annoy infielders and pitchers alike. He’s a slappy hitter who relies on elite speed to burn infield defenses, and when he’s on base, he’s not afraid to show off the legs. His best time to first base on the week was 3.93 seconds. For those without a scouting scale, that’s really, really good. He’s a polished center fielder, too, and these two traits give his profile some run as a prospect. He’ll need to add more impact over the winter, and if he does, it will elevate his profile to another echelon.

RHP Soren Etheridge (Phoenix Country Day School, Wake Forest commit)

A projectable arm with a distinct drop-and-drive delivery, Etheridge struck out six batters against the Rangers, breezing through a lineup filled with high-end prospects. He’s an elastic athlete with impressive extension down the mound for his size, which helps his fastball viability despite sitting in the 90-92 MPH bucket. At times, it’s a legitimate “invisiball” that hitters struggle to make contact with, and he should touch the mid-90s in due time. He pitched heavily off the fastball, but used a mid-80s cambio well, featuring solid depth and some fade. He also has a big bending curveball and a firmer slider in his arsenal. His below-average command currently hampers starter aspirations, but it’s a fun arm to watch this cycle.

OF/1B Cooper Goff (Mountain Ridge HS, Texas Christian commit)

Goff had one of the louder showings in Long Beach, crushing three extra-base hits, including a home run against a left-on-left breaking ball. While he is smaller at six-foot-one and 185 pounds, he coils well, and his easy power plays to both sides of the field. He put together numerous 100+ MPH EVs, pointing towards potential above-average power down the line. The hit tool leaves a bit to be desired, as he did have a few whiffs, though the impact is undeniable. He can handle a corner outfield role, though he’s not as twitchy as some of his peers. His athleticism will need to improve to stave off a potential first-base move, though he’s got time to work on it. The bat is good enough to attract draft attention regardless.

RHP Liam Radke (Faith Lutheran HS, North Carolina commit)

One of the better spin masters at the event, Radke struck out five batters in his outing against the White Sox, and while he did get hit around a bit, the stuff is intriguing. He’s not as projectable as some of his peers, as his build is on the stockier side, but the stuff and moxie give him an advantage. There’s slight crossfire to his delivery, pitching from the third-base side of the rubber, and he can land the breaking ball for strikes. It’s a potential hammer curveball in the low-80s, featuring spin rates as high as 3,160 RPM and nasty bite. His fastball has decent life in the 88-92 MPH range, and he has feel for a high-spin change-up with fading action, but the breaking ball is the best pitch in the arsenal. He’s likely a college guy, but he could get early usage at North Carolina, as Scott Forbes has confidence in his younger arms.

SS Conor Rae (Corona del Sol HS, Arkansas commit)

A sneaky shortstop prospect from Corona del Sol, Rae quickly became one of my favorite guys to watch throughout the week. Despite a deep hand load to trigger his swing, Rae stays on plane and likes to lace the baseball around the field. He has a clean bat path and good bat speed, and he should develop solid power, especially if he adds some loft to his swing. He can play shortstop at the next level, whether in an organization or at Arkansas, though his arm strength may relegate him to second base. If he goes to Arkansas, he would be a draft-eligible sophomore in 2029.

LHP/OF Jake Turner (Centennial HS, Texas Christian commit)

One of the biggest two-way stars in the country, Turner has monster bat speed and power, winning the Home Run Derby in Long Beach. That said, I fully believe Turner’s future resides on the mound. Turner has the physicality and stuff to belong there, and his crossfire delivery adds deception to the menu. The fastball was the dominant pitch of the outing, a mid-90s behemoth that plays up thanks to the release and arm speed. Topping out at 97 MPH, it’s easy to see Turner sitting there in due time, and there’s feel for creating different shapes, as well. The pitch generated eight of his eleven whiffs, throwing strikes at a 68% clip. He has two breaking balls: a firm mid-80s cutter and a bigger low-80s curveball that can be tough on left-handed bats. He threw two change-ups, but both were left above the zone. Command tends to come and go, but with more consistency in his delivery, Turner could be one of the top southpaws taken next July.

Royals (Southeast)

OF Stephen Bobo (Shelbyville Central HS, Vanderbilt commit)

Bobo is one of the toolsiest and most athletic players in the class. His game has a Dante Nori-esque vibe. He’s a plus runner with incredible arm strength that fits perfectly in right field, though he has the instincts and aggressive nature to play at the “eight” long-term. It’s a truly special bag of tricks. At the plate, Bobo is a slasher with exceptional bat-to-ball skills and uber-quick hands, putting pressure on infielders with his speed and lacing line drives otherwise. There’s some impact in the stick, though he’s yet to sell out for power. If he does, it’ll come with a swing change that focuses on adding loft. The glove and speed will give him a reasonably high floor, meaning Bobo should receive plenty of draft interest within the top five rounds.

LHP Nolan Brown (Brentwood HS, Vanderbilt commit)

Brown got hit around a bit during his outing, but his arsenal and projection are worth following, especially with his handedness. He’s a classic projectable lefty, boasting long limbs and clean actions on the mound, hiding the ball well behind his back with a shorter arm action. Brown sat in the upper-80s during the outing, locating the heater well around the zone and displaying two distinct shapes. He likes to throw a bowling-ball sinker low in the zone, pitching inside and tying up hitters’ hands, while flashing decent carry on the top rail. Brown attacked the zone with his low-80s slider, flashing more depth than sweep, with spin rates over 2,600 RPM. His low-80s change-up has strong fading action when located below the zone, and there’s a bigger curveball in the arsenal. He’ll need to add velocity this winter, and if he does, he’ll attract plenty of scouting heat next spring.

RHP Landon Green (TXNL Academy, Florida commit)

Green has been a famous name in this class for a long time, getting into the upper-90s as an underclassman. He still has that velocity as a senior thanks to exceptional lower-half usage and athleticism, sitting 93-96 MPH early before losing velocity in his second frame. Green has some downhill plane to his fastball, releasing the ball from a high three-quarters slot, though when he leaves the heater over the plate, it is susceptible to damage. The star of the show was his low-80s kick-change with exceptional depth and ultra-low spin rates, diving below the zone with ferocious intent. He has feel for spinning an upper-70s slider, though it was rather soft. It’s a relief profile with significant arm strength, and the change-up has serious potential.

LHP Kade Luker (Cedar Creek HS, Louisiana State commit)

A southpaw named Kade committed to Louisiana State? Where have we seen this before?

Bad joke aside, Luker is a very intriguing left-hander with a potentially electric fastball. It’s an easy operation with excellent extension, averaging six-and-a-half feet, from a sidearm slot. This lets Luker create funky angles to the plate, helping his low-90s fastball, especially up in the zone. While his fastball command did lack in this outing, Luker generated four whiffs, all inside the zone. He pairs the heater with a solid low-80s change-up with tumble and a bigger mid-70s curveball with lateral bite, but he struggled to land it for strikes. The traits will captivate scouts and analysts alike, and he should garner a good bit of attention in the spring, especially if he adds more velocity.

RHP/SS Brennan Neal (The Brookstone School, Auburn commit)

Neal is an arm that is going to throw really, really hard in due time. Oozing projection and athleticism, he gets stout usage of his lower half, stretching himself down the mound with impressive elasticity. It’s an explosive operation with solid backside stacking. Neal sat in the mid-90s throughout his outing, locating the fastball armside with solid carry and life through the zone. He was fastball-heavy, throwing it 79% of the time, but it is a strong offering that jumps on hitters quickly. He pairs the heat with a shorter mid-80s slider and a hard change-up, but he struggled to land either pitch for strikes. As a hitter, Neal creates the same kind of stretch in his swing, crushing the baseball to the opposite field, though it’s hard to ignore the arm strength here. He’s a player development program’s dream and should attract plenty of scouting heat.

SS Trip Ostergard (James Island Charter HS, North Carolina commit)

After sharing the same infield as Taj Marchand at James Island Charter last spring, Ostergard is going to take center stage in 2027. He’s an accomplished right-handed hitter with a high floor offensively, especially with the hit tool. Ostergard likes to drive fastballs on a line to both sides of the field, and he’s extremely disciplined against velocity, not whiffing once and chasing just one heater out of the zone during the event. His bat path leads him to swing over breaking balls, which he’ll need to fix, but the fastball affinity helps balance out that wart. He’ll attack the gaps to generate extra-base hits, and he’ll grow into more pop as he matures, but it’s a clear hit-over-power profile. As a shortstop, Ostergard controls his body well and has the arm strength to handle the position. As a result, he has Top 100 pick potential, and he’ll be an attractive bat to follow in the Southeast.

RHP Greyson Parker (Mandeville HS, Louisiana State commit)

An outrageously good athlete with exceptional extension numbers, Parker is an elastic mover on the bump who boasts tons of projection. It’s more than just the seven feet of extension, though, as Parker creates crossfire angle to the plate. It’s a unique look for batters in the box. He lived in the low-90s throughout the outing, creating significant carry with superb spin rates, and he peppered the zone with strikes. Given the projection and traits, there’s a decent chance that Parker will get above-average to plus grades on the heater down the line. Parker threw a firm mid-80s cambio for strikes, flashing some late tumbling action to lefties. His curveball and slider blended at times, but both have sharp bite and late depth. After Area Codes, Parker flipped his commitment back home, committing to play for Jay Johnson in Baton Rouge.

C Quincy Pratt (Magnolia Heights HS, Mississippi commit)

Pratt, the younger brother of current Milwaukee Brewers infielder Cooper Pratt, has a chance to be a solid hitter in this class at a premium position behind the dish. With an even stance and little wasted movement in his load, Pratt stays short to the ball and shows adjustability in his swing. He likes to lace the baseball around the field, staying on the barrel often, though he will need to find more loft in his swing plane to elevate his power potential. That said, the pure hit tool is polished and projects as average or better. While he is taller than your stereotypical backstop, Pratt moves well behind the dish and has clean exchanges. His arm strength is merely average, but he is accurate. He may not have the helium his brother had in his draft cycle, but Pratt should be a close follow in the South.

OF Sebastian “Sushi” Wilson (IMG Academy, Tennessee commit)

Wilson was one of the more polished hitters in Long Beach, and he left his mark on the competition, recording six hits and walking away as one of the event’s biggest winners. He’s a hitter through and through, covering every quadrant of the zone well and easily flicking the ball to both sides of the field. Wilson does have some swing-and-miss against velocity in the zone, but he’ll work the count in his favor and find ways to get on base. He generates significant bat speed for his size, and the power was strong throughout the week. It’s a fun offensive package with feel to hit and intriguing power traits. He played well in center field, though his profile will fit best in right field at the next level. It’s an above-average to plus arm in the grass with accuracy and carry. Scouts will want to see Wilson pull the ball more, but even without that, he looks like a seven-figure athlete.

White Sox (Midwest)

LHP Hayden Anderson (Waukee HS, Texas commit)

Anderson reminds me a bit of Cameron Appenzeller from the 2025 ranks. It’s similar size and projection to Appenzeller, but Anderson generates much more extension, averaging close to seven feet with effortless mechanics. He pitches solely out of the stretch and creates crossfire action at release, which hovers just over five feet off the ground. As a result, Anderson generates a ridiculous approach angle on his fastball, with some -3.50 VAA figures within the upper-third of the zone. This allows his 88-92 MPH fastball to play up, and it can be a tough pitch for hitters to square up. When he elevates, he gets modest carry, though the fastball plays more like a two-seam/sinker when thrown down. Interestingly enough, the upper-70s change-up gets more carry than fade, floating to the plate. It’s a bit soft right now, but there’s feel to turn it over. He also has a sweeping breaking ball in the upper-70s. If Anderson throws harder in the spring, he’ll garner big attention with the fastball traits.

RHP Axton Brewer (Seaman HS, Auburn commit)

A Kansas native, Brewer was the first arm on the mound for the White Sox, and he showed well, striking out four batters across two frames. He’s a solid mover with a deep, stabby arm action that allows him to sink into his back leg well. Brewer operated with two fastballs in the outing: a traditional four-seam with good carry and a two-seam with big tailing action. He creates some downhill plane from a high three-quarters arm slot, which should help him generate a decent amount of ground balls. He pairs the fastball with a solid low-80s breaking ball with two-plane break, playing best as a shorter curveball. There is a change-up, but it was inconsistent. He’s not quite as projectable as some of his peers, though the delivery is sound and he should get looks as a starter at Auburn, assuming he makes it there.

C/OF Cooper Collins (Lincoln HS, Texas A&M commit)

The prep catching demographic is one of the toughest to evaluate in scouting, but Collins made it pretty easy in Long Beach. An uber-athletic backstop with premium arm strength, he has the makings of a solid defender behind the dish or in an outfield role. It’s an easy plus arm with accuracy, and he can rip off throws from his knees with ease. That sort of athleticism is rare in a catcher, and it may be better utilized in the grass. A right-handed bat, he can be overwhelmed by velocity because of his noisy load, but he rarely expands the zone and can drive the ball to both sides of the field. The tools are loud, but the track record with the demographic will create hesitation. That said, it’s worth talking about.

3B Brady Cunningham (Brother Rice HS, Texas A&M commit)

One of the premier power hitters in the class, Cunningham’s swing will remind folks of a certain Cubs player from their 2016 World Series run. It’s an easy swing with legitimate impact and bat speed, as the barrel races through the zone with ferocious intent. He struggled a bit with velocity at the event, but when he connected, he crushed the ball, sending one out beyond the left-field fence on Day 1 and nearly sending one out to center the next day. It’s plus juice at the end of the day, though the approach and plate discipline will need some tidying up. An impressive runner for his size, Cunningham moves well enough at third base to stave off a move across the diamond. If the refinement comes in the spring, Cunningham has top-of-the-draft potential.

RHP Colin Doyle (Downers Grove North, Duke commit)

I’ve talked about fastball quality in this piece before and how important it is to my scouting process, and Doyle fits the process perfectly. An incredibly tall and lanky pitcher who controls his limbs, Doyle’s fastball was impressive, generating nine whiffs and a 76% strike rate during his outing in Long Beach. His drop-and-drive delivery lets him get a lower release point, and with impressive extension, Doyle can blow low-90s velocity past hitters. It’s a cut/ride monster, too. It’s hard to find this kind of fastball quality at this level. Doyle has a solid splitter with good depth, as well as an upper-70s breaking ball that tends to break gradually. Doyle’s best baseball is ahead of him.

RHP Cole Dunlap (Edmond Memorial HS, Texas Christian commit)

An undersized right-hander from Oklahoma, Dunlap possessed some of the loudest stuff in Long Beach. There’s solid pitchability to join the arsenal strength, which is led by a mid-90s fastball. It’s not a bat-misser, and likely never will be, but it sets up his secondaries well. An upper-80s change-up with significant tumble produced plenty of grounders, and he’ll throw some cambios with negative IVB. It’s a stout offering that adds an interesting wrinkle to the menu, plus Dunlap generates more extension on the change-up than his fastball. He has a firm upper-80s cutter that bridges the gap to an impressive mid-80s breaking ball, which features loud bite with two-plane break. He’ll get more sweep than depth on the pitch, and the spin rates averaged north of 2,700 RPM. He has the look of a future reliever that can play in the back end of games, especially at the collegiate level right now.

OF Drake McClurg (Center Grove HS, Texas A&M commit)

Center Grove High has a good plethora of prospects on their squad, and McClurg has a chance to be a top-five round pick thanks to good contact skills, twitch, and defense. A true switch-hitter who plays with his hair on fire, McClurg was on the barrel from both sides all week. He plays above his size, impacting the baseball to both sides of the field, and he has the speed to attack the gaps and turn doubles into triples. Pair that with strong pitch selection, and you have a recipe for success. McClurg has the speed and instincts to handle his own in center field, covering plenty of ground with a good first step and rangy actions.

RHP Kowen Rader (Adams Central HS, Nebraska commit)

A wiry-framed Nebraska arm, Rader dominated his outing against the Rangers, striking out two batters. He’s a dynamic mover on the mound, displaying outstanding arm speed from a three-quarters slot with width at release. With a projectable build to match his athleticism, Rader could throw much harder than the low-90s he showed in Long Beach in due time. The fastball shape was more on the dead-zone side with downhill plane, though he could flash cut/ride traits. He could land his low-80s slider for strikes, possessing sweep and bite. With more power, it could project as average or better. He also has feel for a high-spin cambio.

RHP Traxton Roberts (Armstrong HS, Kentucky commit)

Another dynamic mover on the White Sox squad, Roberts had the best outing on Day 1, striking out five across three clean frames. Roberts creates crossfire at release, coming from an over-the-top slot with a steep angle to the plate. The fastball has a chance to be dominant, as he creates significant backspin and carry through the zone with slight cutting action. He generated seven whiffs with the offering, which sat in the low-90s and topped out at 93 MPH. He struggled to locate his secondary offerings, with his mid-70s curveball the lone pitch he could locate consistently. It’s a bigger breaking ball with significant depth, though it’s a bit soft right now. He also flashed a harder two-plane slider and a change-up in the outing.

3B/SS Isaiah Snavely (R. Nelson Snider HS, Texas A&M commit)

A left-handed bat with a sweet swing and plenty of twitch, Snavely has been a steady performer all summer. He has a sound offensive approach and left-handed bat-to-ball skills, which teams will covet in today’s game. He displayed solid power potential in batting practice, particularly to his pull side, though in games, Snavely put together his best contact on line drives to the opposite-field gap. He drew four walks during the event. He’s likely a hit-over-power bat, though there’s still some projection left in the tank. On defense, Snavely fits best at the hot corner, with massive arm strength and good footwork in the dirt. He’s a swift mover in the dirt and has a quick first step, allowing him to cover plenty of ground. It’s a well-balanced profile with more on the horizon.

OF Grant Westphal (Blue Valley HS, Texas commit)

A physical outfielder with a loud toolset, Westphal is an impressive athlete for his size. He’s a plus runner with outstanding arm strength in the outfield, and he has some intriguing tools at the plate. Westphal employs a quiet swing from the left side, staying short and direct through the zone with a flatter swing plane. This induces more ground balls, but when he can lace the ball, it can be loud. He doesn’t have much swing-and-miss, and he stays within the zone regularly, though he’ll need to refine his hand load. It’s a two-to-three-part operation to stop his bat waggle, push his hands out, and then fire them through the zone. Finding a more efficient way to cut this down will help improve his timing and swing plane. His aforementioned defensive tools give him a chance to stick in center field, too. He could be a true five-tool outfielder if everything comes together in the spring.

Yankees (Northeast/Canada)

RHP Calum Andersen (Vauxhall Academy, Oklahoma commit)

We’ve seen more and more upside-laden Canadian arms in recent cycles, and Andersen is next in line. A highly projectable right-hander with an easy motion on the mound, Andersen has plenty of traits leaning in his favor. He has whippy arm speed from a high three-quarters arm slot and will attack the zone regularly with every pitch in his arsenal. His fastball sat 91-95 MPH, flashing significant ride with some late tailing life in the zone. He leaned heavily on the heater, though he did flip in a couple of good breaking balls in the low-80s. At times, he’ll show a true downer curveball, though he flipped between that and a slurvy breaking ball. He also has a change-up in his arsenal. He’ll be one of the youngest arms in the entire class at 17.8 on draft day, which will aid his profile with model-friendly organizations.

LHP Greyson Bell (Daniel Boone Area HS, Uncommitted)

The other 2028 who found himself pitching for the Upperclass team, Bell battled his way through three innings, striking out three against a prospect-laden Brewers squad. It wasn’t his best stuff, but you can see why he’s got a ton of attention in next year’s class. It’s smooth mechanics with repeatability and excellent extension, boasting some crossfire to create a tough angle for hitters, too. Bell left his fastball in the zone too often, but he showed two shapes: a two-seamer with tailing action out of the zone and a cut/ride four-seamer when he located on the top rail. He can often pitch off his upper-70s breaking ball, which features tight shape and some lateral bite late in the zone. There’s a firm cutter to keep hitters honest, and there’s a fading change-up to round out the arsenal. Bell’s profile is polished for someone his age, and he should add velocity as he gets older.

C Jacob Carrasco (Manheim Township HS, Oregon commit)

Oregon and big boppers, a match made in heaven.

Carrasco was a standout with the bat in Long Beach, recording three doubles and pummeling the baseball consistently during the event. An uber-physical backstop, Carrasco has legitimate bat speed and leverage, lacing line drives to the left-center gap with ease. He put up impressive exit velocities, including a 104 MPH bolt on a double against Liam Nash. He pairs this with excellent plate discipline, whiffing just twice and rarely chasing out of the zone. It was a very nice showing offensively. Carrasco lacks the athleticism and arm strength of his peers behind the plate, leaving his defensive future in question. He likely shifts into a 1B/DH role down the line, but the bat is the storyline here. It has a chance to be quite good.

OF Devlan Daniel (Indian Hill HS, Mississippi State commit)

Another top-of-the-order switch-hitter, Daniel is a physical athlete with squared-off shoulders and a stout lower half. He’s a legitimate toolshed on the diamond. We’ll start with the defensive tools, which fit well in a future right field role. Daniel has massive arm strength at the position, which is paired with an above-average run tool and solid route-running. On the offensive front, Daniel has a patient, albeit slightly passive, approach at the dish. He has more bat speed from the left side and flashed more power from that side in batting practice, though he projects as a hit-over-power bat with solid bat-to-ball skills. He’ll get on base regularly and display aggression on the basepaths. Now QB1 at Indian Hill High School, he’ll be a fun follow in Ohio come the spring.

RHP John Eddis (St. Augustine HS, Alabama commit)

While Eddis profiles as a reliever at the next level, his stuff opened eyes in Long Beach. An undersized right-hander with effort and violence to his delivery, he operates with a north-south arsenal that can be lethal when he finds his command. Eddis held 92-94 MPH during his outing, displaying cut/ride shape with loud IVB numbers (20+ inches), though he struggled to find the zone with the heater. His low-80s breaking ball morphed between a true hammer curveball and a tighter sweeper, but the pitch had ferocious snap. Eddis can spin the ball rather well, featuring above-average spin rates on both pitches. He threw in a couple of change-ups, too. The strikes will need to improve to find success in a collegiate bullpen, but the upside is there to perform in the back half of games at Alabama.

RHP Chris Grasso (St. Joseph’s Prep, Miami commit)

The older the summer got, the better Grasso became on the mound. After hovering around 90 MPH in Cary at 17U Champs, Grasso has found another gear in terms of velocity, now creeping into the mid-90s with serious sink and tail primarily. That said, he can generate solid carry for his arm slot, which creates deception with his arm swing. He’ll have a high elbow behind his back before lowering his slot to near sidearm, which helps create the tailing life. He pairs the heater with a gnarly low-80s sweeper with high spin rates (2,800+ RPM) and bite. It’s an above-average or better breaking ball when all is said and done. There’s certainly relief risk here given the short stride and lack of a third offering, but Grasso’s delivery is smooth and easy. He’s worth watching in this cycle.

LHP Brady Guzzie (Conwell Egan Catholic HS, Virginia commit)

In a world full of throwers, Guzzie stood out as a pitcher. A high-floor southpaw with pitchability and projection, Guzzie commands his entire arsenal well and displayed polished sequencing, keeping hitters off-balance at the plate. It’s a unique angle for hitters to pick up, as well. Guzzie throws across his body and heavily cuts his fastball, which sits in the 88-92 MPH bucket. He gets behind the fastball very well, creating serious backspin, and given his extension traits, the pitch will get on hitters quickly. He throws a solid upper-70s breaking ball with shorter break that acts like a curveball, though he’ll throw a bullet slider, too. He gets more IVB on his change-up than you’d expect, but he sells it well and zones it often. Adding velocity will help him jump up draft boards, but he looks the part on the mound. Expect Guzzie to attract plenty of scouting heat.

C Broder Katke (Brother Rice HS, Vanderbilt commit)

One of the more underrated backstops in the country, Katke made the most of his opportunities in Long Beach. He’s a physical right-handed hitter with broad shoulders and present strength, a stereotypical build for a backstop. A selective hitter who liked to hunt fastballs, Katke was on the barrel when he made contact, driving the ball to both sides of the field. There’s slight loft to his swing path, and all three of his hits at the event were laced on a line. Defensively, Katke held his own behind the dish, featuring solid exchanges with above-average arm strength and good receiving. As a result, Katke’s profile is well-rounded, and he’ll be someone to watch within the top-five rounds next summer.

RHP Cole Kuhn (St. Joseph’s Prep, Duke commit)

An imposing presence with some of the easiest mechanics you’ll find, Kuhn has struggled to sync up his body and throw strikes this summer. However, that was not the case in Long Beach, where Kuhn found the strike zone often and dominated hitters. His velocity did tend to fluctuate at times, though at his best, he ran his sinker up to 99 MPH with huge tailing action. It’s a true bowling ball. He pairs the heat with a firm upper-80s cutter that bridges the gap to a bigger sweeping breaking ball in the low-80s. Despite the easy mechanics, Kuhn does not generate a ton of extension, and his profile works best in a relief role. That said, he’s the kind of arm that will induce a ton of ground balls and break bats at a frequent clip.

RHP Trent Lutz (Souderton Area HS, Wake Forest commit)

One of the easiest movers and most projectable arms on the circuit, Lutz has an intriguing arsenal that plays well despite inconsistent command. He struggled to find the zone in Long Beach, missing frequently with the fastball, though the deep pitch mix and traits are worth buying into. Boasting a stretchy delivery with a deep arm swing, Lutz gets plenty of carry and cut on his fastball, which sat in the low-90s with good quality, especially when he was close to the zone. He throws two breaking balls: a mid-80s slider with some lift and sweep, and an upper-70s sweeping curveball with decent bite. He had confidence in a spin-killing low-80s change-up with solid fading action, as well. His delivery will need some work in order to find more consistency, but this is how you draw up a pitching prospect. Lutz has Top-50 potential if he comes out better this spring.

INF/OF Joseph Rutledge II (Indian Land HS, South Carolina commit)

One of the standouts of the week, Rutledge is a slappy switch-hitter who fits best at the top of a lineup card. He’s a better hitter from the left side with smoother swing mechanics, while his right-handed swing has some rigid edges to iron out. That’s fine, though; he’s still relatively new to switch-hitting. With that out of the way, Rutledge can absolutely fly on the bases. He’s a true plus runner, maybe better, with excellent foot speed and an aggressive running style. He can get beat by velocity, but he had no issues slapping the ball around the field. He’ll add some impact down the line, but for now, it’s a hit-over-power profile. He has defensive utility, playing up the middle primarily with chances at second base and center field. He’s a good enough athlete to handle the “eight” at the next level.

MLB Breakthrough (Nationally)

OF Bryson Bourn (The Woodlands HS, Uncommitted)

“Jesus Christ, that’s Bryson Bourn” was a common quote in my head during the event, and while my humor deserves to be seen by the masses, Bourn is a solid draft talent to keep an eye on. The son of former big leaguer Michael Bourn, he has the same type of game-changing speed his father had. Bourn posted sub-4-second times to first base on multiple occasions, a testament to his speed. He’s a decent hitter with good bat-to-ball skills and patience at the plate, though he’ll need to add more impact and improve his swing mechanics to garner more draft interest. He’s a true burner in center field with rangy actions and athleticism.

LHP Jace Duckett (Madison County HS, Alabama commit)

A lanky, wiry-thin southpaw from Alabama, Duckett has pitched at big events throughout the summer and has performed admirably. That run continued in Long Beach, striking out six batters against the Reds. While he did give up some loud contact, he creates a tough at-bat with a crossfire delivery that leads to a sidearm release. His fastball sat in the 88-91 MPH range, tailing heavily into the hands of left-handed hitters with sink. He liked to pitch there often, and it should become a ground ball machine in the future. He tunneled his low-80s change-up off his fastball, which dove to the dirt with similar horizontal movement. There’s a sweeping upper-70s curveball in the arsenal, as well. There are traits to buy into here, and if he adds velocity over the off-season, he’ll draw draft interest.

OF Jaxon Haynes (Providence HS, Uncommitted)

One of the more intriguing uncommitted bats at the event, Haynes caught my attention early. His batting practice was solid, showing a smooth left-handed swing with some power off the barrel, and he put together quality at-bats against tough arms throughout the week. Haynes laced the ball around the field, showing a clean bat path through the zone with adjustability. The power display in batting practice was solid, though it didn’t show up often in games. Haynes played all three outfield positions and can handle all three, giving him versatility, which is always a plus.

LHP Mason Sims (Corona HS, Texas commit)

Sims is a well-known southpaw from Corona High, a school that has had plenty of spotlight on them over the past couple of seasons. While he is an undersized prospect, he has solid extension and a flat approach angle to the plate, especially up in the zone. He has some tailing life to his fastball, but he’ll create solid carry upstairs, which tends to help the 88-91 MPH heater play up. He also pairs the fastball with a sweeping mid-70s curveball and a solid upper-70s change-up. He reminds me a lot of Lucas Gordon when he was at Texas, which is where Sims is committed.

SS Zowen Watson (Eastlake HS, Louisiana State commit)

One of the best bats of the event, Watson did not let a pitch sneak past his bat. He’s an undersized right-handed hitter with excellent bat-to-ball skills, even with a slightly aggressive approach. His swing is compact with few moving parts, staying short and direct to the ball and driving his contact on a line to both sides of the field. He projects to be a tough out for opposing pitchers. His defensive chops in the dirt are solid; he’s a steady defender with some range and instincts. He fits best at second base, but he should start his career at the “six” until he’s pushed off.