Emerson, GA: Next up in National Championship season is 16U, and with over 170 teams desending on Lakepoint Sports, the talent was very real from across the country. We bring you a look at some of the standouts from our staff from the high-octane week of baseball. 

Griffin Long, RHP, 2026, Sonoraville

Kennesaw State commit. Long continues to stack up quality outings over the past calendar year, as he would open day 2 of the 16u National Championship tournament with an eye-opening start. The pitchability stood out from the jump as Long filled up all quadrants of the zone with above-average feel to land each pitch for either strikes or swing-and-miss. Standing a lean and physical 6-foot-3, 180-pounds, Long shows repeatability down the mound and works extremely fast with intent. The incoming senior would churn out 3.0 IP of no-run ball where he struck out 7. Fastball lived 90-91 (T92 MPH) with arm-side run and feel to land to either half of the plate. Showed advanced feel for spin of the slider at 76-78 with sharp, late-bite and ability to manipulate. Cutter was mixed in at 81-84 and showed east-west movement and played well off the rest of his arsenal. Changeup is a potential future advanced offering at 80-83 as Long kills spin and generates depth with ability to land it R/R at will. The polish stands out in the profile with plenty more to project upon towards a significant ceiling. Name to know.

Pierce Perry, LHP, 2027, Pennsbury (PA)

The southpaw would make a statement in a run-rule win Saturday afternoon. Finishing the outing with a highly impressive stat line: 4.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3K. Standing a wiry, high-waisted 6-foot-1 165-pounds, Perry shows a loose whip to the arm-action with repeatability in the delivery and advanced feel for all three of his pitches. Perry displayed above-average command of his fastball with ability to live on the outer half of both sides of the plate. Changeup kills spin with depth and tunnels extremely well off the fastball at 74-76. Curveball was flipped over at 67-69 and created good depth. There’s much more to project upon throughout the frame/profile for Perry with a certain velo jump looming. Name to follow. 

Nick Machusko, 3B/1B, 2027, Moon Area (PA) 

Machusko would put together a loud afternoon at the plate on Sunday. Going 2-for-2 with an RBI double and a 3-run Home-run (98 EV/ 394 Ft.). Standing a physical 6-foot-3, 220-pounds there is immense strength throughout the frame for Machusko that shows up in-game often as very minimal effort is wasted from the RH swing. Body control stands out as he gets deep into his lower half and stays well-balanced and leveraged through the zone. Machusko stays well-connected in a compact swing with present bat speed and innate feel for the barrel. There is enormous impact in the barrel with much more to project upon. Power projection and ceiling is amongst some of the best in the class for the incoming junior. Must know name. 

Everett Grubbs, RHP/SS, 2027, Pickens

The incoming junior continues to string together quality starts one after another. Grubbs would put together an impressive line in a win for USA Scout. Striking out 6 across 4.0 IP and only allowing 1 ER in a CG run-rule win. Pitchability stands out with ability to mix well and hit spots with all three of his pitches. Grubbs operates from a low ¾ slot with loose whip to the arm action and ability to drop slot that creates an uneasy look for opposing batters. Fastball sat 81-84 in this outing with sharp arm-side run and sink as the RHP has been up to 87 this summer. Grubbs shows advanced feel for his slider at 71-73 (2800+ RPM) with sweep and ability to manipulate for heavy swing-and-miss. Changeup tunnels well off the fastball at 75-77 with depth. A recent transfer this offseason, Grubbs will be a big piece for the Dragons on both sides of the ball in the spring. 

Zachary Floyd, RHP, 2027, Austin Prepatory School (MA) 

Floyd opened the 8 AM slot on the bump for Antonelli and would go on to provide an intriguing look against a potent lineup. As he would punch out eight across 4.0 IP. Standing a physical 6-foot-3, 185-pounds, Floyd shows the ability to repeat well from an over-the-top slot ( 7’1 release height). The RHP flashed intriguing movement patterns and mixed his pitches well as hitters missed the barrel throughout his outing. Fastball sat 85-87 (T88 MPH) with easy life out of the hand and jumped on hitters at “24 IVB for heavy swing-and-miss. Curveball tunneled well off the fastball and showed sharp, 12/6 depth at 72-75. Floyd sparingly mixed in a splitter as well at 75-78. Floyd will be a name to watch come late July at Future Games. 

Tucker Rice, RHP, 2027, Madison Central (MS)

Rice was the definition of electric Monday afternoon as he would provide a dominant start for the East Coast Sox in a win. Striking out 10 across 4.0 IP. Rice, an elite mover, stands a lean and athletic 6-foot-0, 170-pounds with real arm speed. Fastball lived 87-89 (T90 MPH) with ride through the zone and generated substantial swing-and-miss. Rice showed the ability to flip the curveball over for strikes or bury it in the dirt for swing-and-miss with good depth at 76-77. Changeup was also mixed in at 76-77. There is still much more to project upon throughout the frame and Rice is a must know at Future Games as he continues to trend up.