National Program Invitational: Scout Blog

EMERSON, GA: The summer is is in full swing and the National Program Invitational continues to delivery some of the top talent of the summer. Our national scouting staff made the trip down to cover one of the top tournaments in the country. 

National Program Invitational: Scout Blog 

Payton Walker, 1B, 2027, Buford
Uncommitted. From the first offering Walker saw at NPI, he was living on the barrel as he pounced on the inner FB and sent it out in the LCF gap for an impressive solo shot. In his next AB, it was more aggression early on as he took the second pitch to deep CF off the base of the wall for a leadoff 3B. He pairs his big 6-foot-2, 225-pound frame with a violent cut to produce easy pop. Despite his 3rd AB ending in an out, he showed ability to fight, spoil, and spit on tempting OTZ pitches. With the present power and good BTB ability, Walker will be a really fun, slugging 1B to watch this summer.

Shane D’arcy, 1B/3B, 2027, JSerra Catholic (CA)
UC-Irvine Commit. It was a punishing afternoon on the barrel for the stout 6-foot-1, 200-pound corner infielder today as it did not take long to make noise. With a chance to do damage, he came through with a screaming HR to the PS gap, 98.6EV. The cut has some upward tilt that allows for quality backspin, paired with a very snappy/quick upper half. Later in the game, he worked UTM with a low LD off the bat that deflected off the P for a 1B as he hustled hard out the box. His swing shows a clear middle of the field approach and he executes by living on the fat of the bat. D’arcy’s slugging tool is already obvious with a projectable ceiling. 

Carson Reeves, OF, 2027, Buford
GA State Commit. Game two was a high intensity effort from Reeves as he collected a trio of knocks, two of which got him extra bases. Against low 90s velo, he stayed within himself and kept a good I/O approach as he shot one into the RCF gap to bring home a run on the standup 2B. His next AB, he showed his ability to grind and be a tough out as he fought off a handful of pitches and won the 2K battle with a simplified swing to line a 1B into CF. Reeves had one more opportunity at the dish and he showed more oppo ability as he lined a ball into the RCF gap again, hustling out the box and getting himself an extra base for his second 2B. The speed also proved to be a solid piece manning the OF as he covered a lot of ground on a couple occasions in CF. At 6-foot-even, 162-pounds, Reeves looks to be a table setting piece with respectable pop. 

Wyatt Cantella, LHP, 2028, John Paul Catholic (FL)
Cantella was given the rock for ECA 16U for their day 2 game, and he delivered a good performance that kept them in the game and in line to the W. He has the classic FB, CH, CB mix, but uses each well and in any count. The FB was 83-86 and always reliable to get ahead and get outs. His CB broke with very slight sweep at 70-73 and enticed many weak hits off end caps. The CH also produced weak GBs and pop ups at 74-76 and was his go-to offspeed as he could throw it whenever he pleased. Across his 4.2IP, he collected 5Ks, gave up 3H, two of which were weakly hit, and 3R (only 1 earned). With quality velo coming from the left side and feel for the breakers, Cantella will be a fun southpaw to keep an eye on. 

JonLuke Harper, MIF, 2029, Northern (NC)
Harper’s name can be seen in every aspect of the exciting extra-innings walk-off W for the start of bracket play as he went 2-4 with 3 QABs. The first of which was a BS 2B that he went up to get and matched plane for the LD as he hustled into second and put pressure on the OFs. His next AB he showed some PS ability as he whipped the hands to a middle-in offering and roped it at 94EV, again hustling into 2B for another XBH. Despite getting out in his last AB, he came through in a huge role with runners on 1st and 2nd in extras with no outs he made sure to keep in on the ground as he grounded into a FC as the winning run advanced to 3B and soon after score. The hit and speed tool were on display in each PA as Harper projects to be a fun, scrappy sparkplug for any squad. 

Elijah Prisciandaro, 2028, OF, TNXL Academy (FL)
Prisciandaro had a great day at the plate for the Orioles Scout Team day 2 game. In Prisciandaro’s first AB he got a first pitch FB that he ambushes and drives through the 5-6 hole for the RBI and to extend the early lead. In Prisciandaro’s third AB of the day he again ambushes the first pitch FB but this time he drives it 103.9mph over the CF head for the easy standup 2B. Prisciandaro has a really smooth level swing which allows him to hit the ball to any parts of the field and always generate good contact with the ball. Whenever he came up to the plate today he knew that if the pitch was there he was going to take it regardless of the count. Building with Prisciandaro’s good day at the plate he looked really smooth in the OF as well. Whenever a ball was hit in his direction he constantly had good reactions and routes to whichever way the ball led him. Prisciandaro looks like he will be ready for a great upcoming high school season and to finish out summer strong. 

Daylen Woods, 2029, MIF, Buckhorn (AL)
Woods had a very impressing day at the plate in his second pool play game against a loaded Jason Kidd squad. Woods got the hands inside on an upper 80s fastball and rifled it down the left field line for a double, then later in the inning against the same arm, fired one through the six hole for two hits in the same inning. Woods moves very well, extremely athletic and physically mature at the dish. Defensively, his actions are smooth. For as good of an athlete as he is, his arm also allows him to make throws from deep in the hole at short, but could play anywhere on the infield. As Woods continues to grow into his body, he’ll tap into more strength and physicality, further propelling his baseball career. 

Will Schaefer, LHP/OF, 2028, Fayetteville (AR)
Schaefer came in out of the pen early in his squad’s quarter final game against a loaded East Cobb team. Schaefer had some ridiculous action on all of his pitches. FB was upper 80s and 2400 RPM with sinking action. Was really effective away to RH, but also tunneled it extremely well and off the hands against LH. He used his slider with extreme command and it was nasty all day. The slider was scraping 3000 RPMs all day, sitting around 2900 with some gnarly bite. As Schaefer continues to fill out, his pitches will continue to find more bite and miss even more barrels, Schaefer didn’t pitch into a barrel all day long. Lots of upside with an advanced feel for command on the mound. 

Kensen Johnson, 2028, SS/OF, Bonita Vista Senior (CA)
Johnson opened up his quarter final game against an extremely talented East Cobb squad with two very hard hit singles. Johnson set the table for his team that helped them get a lead early and never look back. Johnson touched triple digits on his second single of the day, showing a real feel for the barrel. At 6’4 180, Johnson has an extremely projectable frame, and will continue to fill out physically. Defensively, he was extremely sound and fielded every ball cleanly, positioned himself accordingly, and used plus arm strength to make plays deep in the six hole. Johnson is a very gifted athlete and ran well all day, used his speed well on both sides of the ball. 

Francis Conners-Schmid, OF/LHP, 2028, Salisbury (CT)
The New York native had an extremely impressive outing this week at the NPI. Schmid impressed on both sides of the ball. Schmid was finding barrels all week with a very dynamic swing that incorporates the lower half and the hands accordingly. Schmid has a quick load that allows him to cover pitches on all sides of the plate and a very mature approach that keeps him from chasing pitches out of the zone. In his quarter final game against the Astros, he started the scoring for his squad by burning the CF for a 2 RBI double at 98.6 EV. Not the only time he reached base on a swing like that this week either. Off the mound, Schmid touched 90 multiple times. With feel for 3 pitches, Schmid commanded the zone by attacking hitters early in counts and tunneled well with a sharp slider. Schmid will make a college extremely happy with very legitimate two-way upside. N2K! 

Barrett Standley, 2027, OF, 2027, Bixby (OK)
ULM Commit. Standley came locked in for the second game of pool play and started his bat early. He went 2-for-3 with two hard-hit doubles, showing his power to all fields. He stayed aggressive in all of his at-bats, attacking any pitches in the zone early. He worked counts as well, spoiling pitches until he got one back over the plate to drive. The 2025 Futures Games participant will only continue to fill out his 6-foot, 200-pound frame as the summer goes on. Barrett led the way for his Louisville squad all weekend and will continue to me a name you will see before he enters his senior season.

David Gundel, RHP, 2029, Timber Creek (FL)
Gundel looked fantastic in his start on Thursday morning. The 6-foot-5, 205-pound righty went 5 scoreless innings while just allowing 1 hit. With his tall frame, hitters have to react even quicker to his long release point. Batters swung through the fastball throughout the game, as well as taking the breaking ball for strikes. FB sat 83-86, topping 87, with a mid-70s slider that tunnelled well off of it. He continuously lived on the black, rarely missing over the plate. With his size, he will definitely need to be on radars as he continues to get stronger. 

Holden Borland RHP/OF, 2029, South Forsyth
Holden had a solid weekend both at the plate and on the mound. In his one start this weekend, the righty went 3.1 innings, just allowing 1 run on 1 hit, and striking out 8 out of the 10 outs he got. The fastball sat 84-87, topping 89, and generating a ton of whiffs. At the dish, Borland delivered for his squad as well, driving in 5 runs on the weekend, including 3 during the first round of bracket play on Sunday. He went 2 for 3 with an RBI single and a LOUD 2-run home run. Standing at 6-foot-1, 175 pounds, Borland has plenty of room to add muscle as he develops.

Noah Goettke OF/RHP, 2027, P27 (OH)
Ohio State Commit. Goettke had himself an outstanding weekend here in Lakepoint, finishing his tournament 8-for-16 including a walk-off grand slam to win a game back in pool play. Goettke established himself not only as a great hitter, but showcased some of his other elite tools including his speed and arm in the outfield. Standing at 6-foot-1, 190-pounds, Goettke is just scratching the surface of what he can develop into someday soon.

Cole Schott, 3B/RHP, 2027, Marcus (TX)
Uncommitted. Schott made it his mission this weekend to try to stand out and he did just that. Schott went 4-for-8 including not one, but two homer runs. Schott also showcased his elite plate discipline by working four walks as well. 5-foot-11, 193-pounds, Schott is our 70th ranked player in all of Texas, and should he continue to play the way he currently is, we could see him rise way up the boards. 

John Dahlberg, LHP/1B, 2029, Ashley Ridge (SC)
In his start on Saturday, Dahlberg was firing on all cylinders. He was commanding the strike zone with the ability to throw all three pitches for strikes. His FB was around 78-84 with tons of arm-side run. His curveball was extremely effective and loopy and was sitting around 73-74 with and average of 2404 RPM’s. Changeup was around 75-76 and generated plenty of swings and misses/weak contact. Standing at 6-foot-2 and weighing 177-pounds, Dahlberg has the potential to gain more and more velo as he gets older and grows into his frame.

Colton Small, LHP, 2028 Porter Ridge (NC)
Small got the start for the 2028 Orioles Scout Team’s second game of pool play and he did not disappoint. Small standing at a staggering 6-foot-7 and weighing 190 pounds, is an intimidating pitcher from the left side. Small worked a three pitch mix in the game with the pitches being FB, SL, and CH. His FB was a very firm FB that got on batters quick especially when he topped out at 91mph and consistently sat around 88-90 with RPMs up to 2125. To pair with his FB he had a wipeout SL that could tunnel very well off the FB and generate tons of swing and misses. Then Small’s CH was just as good as his other pitches. The CH caused a lot of hitters to buckle with a good speed differential between the CH and the FB. Throughout his whole outing he consistently kept batters unbalanced and having to guess which pitch was coming. Small finished his outing at 3.0 IP, 7 SO, and 0 R. Small looks to carry this outing with him throughout the rest of summer ball and next his upcoming high school season at Porter Ridge. 

Carter Taldo, OF, 2027 Olathe West (KS)
Uncommitted Carter Taldo had a great day at the plate Sunday morning. In Taldo’s first AB he crushed a baseball at 96.4 EV over the CF head for a 2 RBI 2B which extended BC Baseball’s early lead in the game. Then in Taldo’s third AB of the game he sees an outside FB and takes it the other way in the oppo gap for a 2 RBI 3B. Taldo has a very mature approach in the box especially when there are RISP. Taldo’s approach is never pull happy but instead he hit the ball wherever it was pitched. He did not just have a great day in the box but he also had a very good game out in the OF. He looked very developed and mature in the OF. He would constantly make the right at a very fast pace and would never have to think about where the ball would have to go if it was hit to him. Taldo looks to bring this momentum with him for a strong summer season with BC Baseball and a strong High School season with Olathe West.

Dylan Hicks, LHP, 2029, Chaparral (CA)
Hicks got the start for the Friday morning game for the 15u Canes West team and came to the field with intriguing, if not explosive stuff. With a frame to fill out at 6 '1, 165 pounds, Hicks showed feel to consistently land his low-80s FB. Throwing from an over-the-top slot, the pitch has good carry, which he utilized at the top of the zone for whiffs. His main offspeed weapon was his CB in the low-70s. The pitch has a big, true 12-6 shape, leading to plenty of buckled takes and some S&M. He sparingly used both a SL and CH in the mid-70s and upper-70s respectively. Both showed potential as quality offerings with some more refinement and usage. I expect Hicks to continue to grow into his frame and gain velo and feel for his offspeed offerings over the next few years. 

Landyn Dugas, SS/RHP, 2029, Destrehan (LA)
Dugas is a legit athlete with real arm speed. Although he is a SS by trade, he started the game out in CF, showing his versatility defensively. Dugas put together impressive ABs throughout the weekend, but he stood out on the mound. His athleticism shows on the mound, with efficient movement patterns. Dugas worked with a three pitch mix led by his FB in the upper-80s, grabbing multiple 90s. He was able to command the pitch to both sides of the plate and against both RH and LH hitters. He paired the FB mainly with a SL in the upper-70s, even getting up to 81. The pitch truly shows his ability to spin it, getting up to 2924 RPM, creating that late, sharp bite to get whiffs and ugly swings. He sparingly used a solid CH around 80 MPH that had some fade and was able to get whiffs against LHH. Dugas showed ability throughout the weekend as a legit prospect on both sides of the ball.

Caleb Cox, LHP, 2028, Nash Central (NC)
Cox came in relief on Saturday and showcased legit stuff. A long, lank machine at 6 '4, 190 pounds, Cox showed a surprising ability to command the ball. The delivery led to some deception, hiding the ball for most of the throw, specifically to LHH. He worked with a three pitch mix, led by his FB paired with a SL and SPL. The FB sat in the 86-88 range, grabbing an 89. The pitch has some ASR to run in on the hands of LHH and off the barrel of RHH. The SL was deployed mostly against LHH in the mid-70s, showing a good feel to land it early for Ks and late for chase. The SPL was eye-opening at times, as the first one he threw got a swing as it went back to the backstop. It showed quality depth, spinning consistently in the 700-900 RPM range. Cox is an intriguing follow, with projectability paired with present strikes and feel for multiple pitches. 

Dylan Mahoney, RHP 2029, Arlington (CA)
Mahoney presents a wiry frame at 6 ‘0, 160 pounds with present arm speed and real pitchability. He leads his arsenal with the FB that lives in the mid-80s, getting up to 87 throughout his start. The pitch is more of a SNK, as he used the pitch to bore in on RHH and live on the outer half against LHH. He had a real feel to get ahead with the pitch, allowing him to mix late in counts and remain unpredictable. He utilized a firm gyro SL in the upper-70s, into the low-80s. He was able to manipulate the shape of this pitch, using it in different spots and to keep hitters off balance. He also flashed a good CH in the upper-70s that was a real weapon against LHH, grabbing consistent whiffs and weak contact. Mahoney is an intriguing follow as he continues to fill out, matching his current ability to pitch. 

Colten Stephens, SS/OF, 2027, William T. Dwyer (FL)
Uncommitted. Stephens impressed over the weekend, consistently finding the barrel in the East Coast Marucci lineup. He shows clear twitch and athleticism in the swing, utilizing an aggressive leg kick to drive his weight and energy to his backside. He pairs this leg kick with his hands shooting back, as if his knee and hands are tied with a string to maximize that uncoil effect in the swing. On Sunday, he found a pitch he could do damage with, driving the ball over the LCF fence at a 100 EV, showing that juice in the swing. He showed the ability to repeat a difficult move in the box and is an intriguing uncommitted bat with real athleticism that can play all over the field. 

Brooks Robinson, RHP, 2028, Greene County Tech (AR)
Robinson lived in the strike zone with each offering during his outing. A physical presence on the mound at 6’2”, 193lbs, Robinson delivers from a high ¾ slot and explodes down the mound following a belt-high leg kick with a slight hip coil. FB plays with a natural sink and works well low in the zone at 88-90. SL shows more depth than sweep and tunnels well off the FB, sat 78-80. Robinson kills the spin off the CH to get plenty of S/M at 77-79. Already at the top of Arkansas’ 2028 class, Robinson looks to continue climbing national rankings with further refinement of the secondary offerings to pair with the heavy FB. 

Tavian Ladenthin, UTL, 2028, St. Pius X (MO)
Ladenthin possesses extreme athleticism and mature instincts, enabling him to find success across the diamond. At 6’1”,163lbs, the frame has room to fill out and gain strength and add velocity. Ladenthin moves well on the mound, being able to generate plenty of extension and arm speed through a simple, repeatable delivery. In his outing, the FB sat 83-85 and topped 86 with plenty of ASR. Ladenthin was able to get ahead with the FB by backdooring it to RHH and throwing it off the front hip of LHH. The SL was the S/M pitch and sat 74-76 all day. Ladenthin was able to manipulate the SL pitch shape while maintaining velocity, utilizing one with more sweep and one with more depth. Ladenthin showed off the defensive ability on the mound by snaring a LD back at him to get himself out of a RISP situation. Similar to the mound, Ladenthin shows clear athleticism in the box. Offensively, Ladenthin came up big for the Royals Scout Team early with a bases clearing 2K 2B with a 94.5 EV after a competitive AB. Ladenthin starts slightly open and upright before delivering the barrel on a flat path with noticeable bat speed. Tavian will be fun to follow and a N2K in the Missouri 2028 class. 

Colton Burtch, RHP, 2027,Union Grove
Following a very strong spring with Union Grove, Burtch is one of the top uncommitted RHPs in GA. Burtch delivers from a low ¾ slot out of his 6’ 196lb frame. He has a good feel for all 3 offerings, landing each for a K throughout the outing. Burtch can spin both the FB and SL at a plus rate, with the FB averaging 2250 rpm and the SL averaging 2650 rpm, and he can kill the spin on the CH, averaging 1600 rpm. During the outing, the FB was used to get ahead early in counts and played well on the outer third and up. FB sat 87-89 and T90. The SL froze hitters, generated plenty of S/M, and sat 80-82. SL played well on the front hip of RHH. The CH also generated whiff and was well located at the knees all day. Sat 76-78. Burtch is an ultimate competitor and looks to carry his spring season success into the summer. 

Cian Stephens, RHP, 2027,North Port (FL)
Uncommitted. Works with tempo and shows a controlled confidence on the mound. Delivers from a ¾ slot after a high leg kick and explodes down the mound with plenty of arm speed. Stephens generated plenty of S/M and weak contact throughout his outing. Paired a heavy FB with a CH and a distinct SL and CB. The FB worked 87-89 and lived on the outer third of the plate. The CH sat 78-80 and tumbled out of the zone. SL showed plenty of sweep and sat 76-78 while the CB showed tons of depth and sat 72-74. Stephens looks to carry this outing into a strong summer with Florida Burn.

Cameron Miller, RHP, 2027, Nixa (MO)
The TCU commit and #7 ranked player in Missouri’s 2027 class filled up the strike zone in the outing and generated tons of S/M. Miller primarily worked a FB and CB mix but threw the CH at times. Miller works a high leg kick into a slow load before accelerating down the mound with a loose, whippy arm action from a ¾ slot, generating plenty of extension using his long levers. With runners on the leg kick is abbreviated into a much lower, almost slide step delivery. The FB sat 86-88 T89 with ASR. His best pitch of the day was the ~2550 spin rate 11-5 CB sitting 74-76. Miller would throw this pitch in any count to any handedness and it generated the most S/M of any pitch in the arsenal. The CH was used sparingly but showed good tumbling action and kept hitters off balance sitting 79-81 at ~1500 rpm.

Alex Rodriguez, SS, 2028, Plant City (FL)
Rodriguez showed off a great bat throughout the NPI. On Friday, he put together a two hit game with two doubles. The leadoff hitter showed a lethal combination of contact and the ability to shoot the ball in the gaps from the left side..The first double was driven to the right center gap. Rodriguez puts together a beautiful cut with great flow and rhythm while engaging his lower half into the swing. The second double was smoked to the left center gap. His direction stayed to the middle/back side of the field with a flat bat head through the zone. Rodriguez shows a lot of confidence at the dish with an all fields approach. Look for him to have a breakout summer. 

Jackson McDonald, 1B, 2028, St. Thomas Aquinas (KS)
The 6-foot-2, 243-pound rising junior started off the NPI with a bang as he hit a solo shot in his first AB of the tournament. McDonald really showed off his power as he deposited this homer over the right field wall at an exit velo of 100 and a distance of 371. He showed a really strong and solid lower half with explosive hands to the baseball. Mcdonald displayed a really violent swing but controlled at the same time in terms of a level path through the zone. He also showed the ability to lay off borderline pitches and chase pitches while waiting for his pitch in the zone. Look for McDonald to blossom as he continues to develop and grow into his frame. 

Dylan Schmidt, RHP/SS, 2028 Rabun Gap Nacoochee School (GA)
The 6-foot-1, 173-pound rising junior spun a quality start on Friday going four innings of scoreless baseball. Utilizing a two pitch mix, Schmidt consistently missed barrels and generated soft contact throughout his start. His fastball sat 85-86 with some arm side run. His secondary pitch was the curveball which sat 73-75. He wasn't afraid to attack hitters early with both pitches showing an excellent two pitch mix keeping hitters off balance the entire game. Really impressive outing for Schmidt. Look forward to him developing more over the next two years. 

Jude Smith, OF, 2028 Holy Innocents
Smith continued to impress during the NPI as his bat was on full display in Friday’s game. The 6-foot, 163-pound rising junior collected three hits including a double to add to his total. Smith really turned heads with his ability to hit the ball hard all over the yard. The two singles he collected were missiles up the middle. The swings almost mirrored each other with how effortless they were coming off the bat at 94 and 92 EV.. Smith engages his lower half well with an explosive firing of the hips and his path through the zone is flat. He also shows great flow and rhythm to the middle/back side of the field. Look for Smith to continue his hot start to the summer. 

Todd Raleigh, 1B/C, 2028, Rabun Gap (NC)
Raleigh showed a lot of potential this week at the NPI, putting together some good swings and a lot of loud contact. On Friday, he picked up an opposite field double that one hopped the wall. Raleigh did a really good job getting beneath the low pitch and using his strong frame to drive it to the other way. He also showed great flow and direction to the opposite field allowing him to stay on the pitch on the outer half. On Sunday, Raleigh picked up where he left off, hitting another opposite field double in game one, and a pull side line drive single in game two. He displayed a really smooth swing through the zone with great rhythm and timing which allowed him to use every part of the field throughout the weekend. Good name to look out for in the next year. 

Braylon Hubbard, SS, 2028, Duncanville (TX)
2028 SS Braylon Hubbard overall is a physical stud and is one of the more dynamic athletes in the class. The 6-foot-0, 175-pound ranked 33 in the class, a middle infielder that has a projectable frame with smooth transfers and athletic actions that enable him to play well at short. Hubbard has continued to refine his approach at the plate and shows the ability to make contact with a high degree of frequency. He exhibited elite bat speed in game as he used a relaxed and balanced approach to hit three balls in play including two doubles at the warning track. His loudest hit of the day was a 2-RBI double that went off the center field wall. Hubbard drove in five runs to go along with two stolen bases. His tools on both sides of the baseball are impressive as he has a 6.8 sixty along with quick hands, high bat speed and athletic middle infield actions. Hubbard is definitely one to follow in the 2028 class. 

Caleb McAusland, 3B, 2028, American Christian Academy (AL)
2028 3B Caleb McAusland, 5’10” 190 lbs, was one of the better bats around during the event. The strong looking 3B had a number of quality at bats throughout the weekend including an early game where he took an aggressive approach and launched a bomb off of his best throw of the tournament in the 1st inning. In his round of batting practice his first at bat featured a strong swing using his lower half, extending his hands, and having a solid back leg based coil allowing for a solid amount of leverage throughout the hitting zone. He followed that up with a line drive double to right in his next at bat. McAusland found his barrel in several of his at bats throughout the day including in his last at bats of the day. McAusland was very comfortable playing third base throughout the event using his nice feet and smooth hands to make several quality plays. McAusland is a 2028 follow using his strong physical as well as his quality hitting approach. 

Jordan Ayala, RHP/OF, 2027, Norco HS (CA)
Was a loud look in a short stint on the mound entering late in the game on Sunday night. The 6 foot,175-pound right-hander ranked 12 overall in 2027 class on PBR, has an athletic and projectable frame with great arm speed and present explosiveness, live with whippy action. His fastball sat 92 to 96 mph. Worked well on both sides of the plate and his undeniable fastball has late ride and carry averaging above 2300 RPM. fastball was presented early in counts aggressively taking the first pitch through multiple at bats. His separator was his hard breaking ball, a wipeout slider at 86 to 87 mph With tight spin and late depth, hitting 2850 Plus RPM. Generated several swings and misses through his time on the mound along with not allowing a barrel. He also showed some ability to hit a hitter, finding barrels and taking quality ABs by showing great discipline at the plate. Ayala is uncommitted with his arm talent and frame there won't be long till someone comes looking to scoop this guy up, has the tools to be a real player and develop with a high ceiling.

Brennan McKenna, RHP, 2027, Holly Springs (NC)
2027 RHP Brennan McKenna threw well from the mound. A live arm avoiding lots of barrels with a quality 3-pitch mix. He works from a somewhat rhythmic windup with a high leg kick and loose arm action; intent is solid as the ball leaves his hand. His fastball sat in the 87-93 mph range with some arm-side run to it and the ball spun frequently at a pace of over 2300 RPM as it traveled through the strike zone. His 76-81 mph curveball previewed solid shape as he used it effectively early in counts back door or down on aggressive batters.He also showed an 80-84 mph change-up to go along with his other 2 pitches giving him a third option to keep hitters off of his fastballs. The RHP has a great tempo to his delivery, good arm speed and he appears to have a good feel for mixing in all his pitches making for a very intriguing uncommitted 2027 prospect to follow. 

Cooper Albart, RHP, 2028, Martin (TX)
2028 RHP/C Cooper Albart, at 6 foot 2 and 190lbs is a catcher but has the ability to perform on the mound as well. He has an over the top arm slot with an extremely whippy arm action. He was able to throw a variety of different types of pitches generating lots of swing and misses. His four seam fastball sat in the 87-90mph range and his best secondary was a sharp 12/6 hook peaking at 73mph with the pitch topping out at 2706 rpm. He also has a quality changeup that he was able to throw in the 80-81mph range. Albart had an effective feel for the mound and worked with smooth rhythm and control. He was able to sequence the breaking ball with the fastball well and had 6 strikeouts in 3 innings of work. Looks comfortable behind the dish with 1.87 - 2.00 pop-time and along with that Albert is definitely a player to follow in the 2028 class. 

Clayton Moore, RHP, 2028, Greenbrier Christian Academy (VA)
2028 RHP/OF Clayton Moore tossed 2+ innings, the Virginia right-hander is 6-foot-1, 184lbs with a projectable frame. Moore’s arm action is unique in quality with a 3/4ths slot. His fastball had high spin with two-way run and velo ranging from 88 to 91 mph. He was able to get the fastball down in the zone consistently creating a lot of tough angles on the pitch. His lower half sank into the backside of his delivery well creating good internal rotation. The 73-75 mph breaking ball showed a lot of depth. His mix proved to be a difficult combination for hitters to square up against during his time on the mound. Ranked No. 12 in Virginia and No. 4 at his position for the 2028 class, Moore is definitely one to keep an eye on.|

Max Shepherd, RHP/OF, 2027, Liberty North (MO)
Uncommitted. Shepherd got the start in Game 3 of pool play and did everything he could to keep his team in the game. A smooth mover down the mound, he showed sound mechanics and the ability to effectively utilize a three-pitch mix. The fastball sat 88-90 mph, topping out at 91, with ride through the zone and the ability to command it to both sides of the plate. He went to a slider that tunneled well off the fastball and generated plenty of chases out of the zone. Shepherd also flashed a changeup that maintained the same arm speed and slot as the fastball, helping keep hitters off balance. Overall, he possesses a quality frame, and the pitchability stands out as one of his biggest strengths. 

Quinn Birdsong, 1B/RHP, 2028, Shiloh Christian (AR)
Birdsong lived on the barrel in the evening game for his team. At 6-foot-3, 225 pounds, he possesses a strong, physical frame with present power to all fields. In his first at-bat, he did not miss a fastball, driving it to left-center field at 103.3 mph off the bat and off the base of the wall. In his second at-bat, he launched a two-run home run over the left-field fence, traveling 370 feet at 100 mph off the bat. Overall, Birdsong generates tremendous strength from the lower half and swings a heavy barrel that produces loud contact throughout the zone. His combination of size, strength, and impact power makes him a tough out. As he continues to refine his approach and cut down on the swing-and-miss, the offensive profile has a chance to take another step forward. The power potential is significant and already shows up consistently in game action. 

Owen Lester, OF/SS, 2027, Lawrence Free State, (KS)
Lester put together competitive at-bats against quality pitching throughout the game. At 6-foot-3, 185 pounds, the frame is projectable with plenty of room to add strength as he continues to develop. He shows good balance and rhythm in the lower half with the ability to use the entire field. Worked deep counts and stayed within his approach throughout the game. In his final at-bat, he drove a ball at 95.2 mph to left-center field for a stand-up double. Athletic defender who shows versatility around the diamond and moves well defensively. The bat-to-ball skills stand out, and he consistently found ways to put together quality plate appearances. With added strength and continued experience, Lester has the tools to make an impact on both sides of the ball.  

Joseph Nystrom, MIF/3B, 2028, Denmark
Nystrom impressed throughout the week on both sides of the ball. Defensively, he showed smooth actions with soft hands, good footwork, and an above-average arm. He works hard to get into position and displayed quality range to both sides, making plays look routine. At the plate, Nystrom showed loose, hitterish actions with the ability to use the entire field and flash emerging power. The hit tool stands out, and there is more power to come as he continues to mature physically. He stays balanced throughout the swing and consistently finds the barrel with quality bat-to-ball skills. Expect Nystrom to continue getting stronger and developing into a name to follow moving forward. 

Noah Harris, SS/2B, 2028, Benedictine
Harris was impressive this weekend on both sides of the ball. At 6-foot-3, 183 pounds, he possesses an athletic frame with plenty of room to add strength as he continues to develop. Defensively, he makes the routine play look easy and shows confidence with the glove. He moves well in the dirt, displays quality range to both sides, and pairs it with an above-average arm. At the plate, Harris sticks to his approach and does a good job controlling the strike zone without expanding. He shows an all-fields approach with consistent barrel accuracy and emerging power. Multiple productive at-bats resulted in hard-hit contact, highlighting the quality of the hit tool. Expect Harris to continue improving with experience and develop into an exciting prospect to follow. 

Braden Little, OF, 2027, Gordon Lee
Uncommitted. Little has a very good feel for the game as he put together many competitive at bats and was lockdown out in Center Field. His tournament was headlined by an amazing catch made out in center tracking down a deep shot out in RCF saving multiple runs and a possible triple in the top half of the inning. In the bottom half of the same inning he would wind up hitting a HR to the pullside w/ a quick bat and a smooth on-plane swing. Little is someone to keep an eye on as he is uncommitted and looks to be a 5 tool player with his outstanding defense combined with his contact and pop off the bat. 

Maceo White, SS, 2027, Maynard Jackson
The Vanderbilt commit Maceo White had a top notch tournament where he put together good at bats and was flashing the leather everywhere you looked. White smoked a double into LCF that looked like it was getting out but wound up hitting the top of the wall, White has a very rhythmic load getting his foot down right before the pitch gets to the plate letting him generate power from the ground up, He has a very smooth on plane swing w/ quick hands. Look for White to continue his success throughout the summer as Vandy got themselves a very versatile player who shows flashes of all the tools needed to succeed. 

Whitton Butler, 1B, 2029, High Point Christian Academy (NC)
Butler the 6-foot-3, 205 pound sophomore put together a very good tournament having quality at bats every time through the line up. Butlers tournament was headlined by his 99.8 MPH exit velocity home run over the RCF wall. Butler was in a wide 2 strike approach load protecting the zone. When he got his pitch he did not miss it as he had very minimal movement in his swing from head to toe. Butler shifted his weight back and then onloaded on one while protecting. Keep an eye on Butler as he has the frame and mechanics as a sophomore to be very dangerous not only this summer but for years to come as he only has time to get bigger and better. 

Hudson Sage, OF/3B, 2029, St. Thomas (TX)
Sage showed an impressive performance, finishing with a .400 batting average that included a double and two home runs. At 6-foot, 192 pounds, he has a strong, physical frame with present strength. He showed quick hands through the zone and consistently produced loud contact throughout the weekend. The combination of strength and bat speed stood out, allowing him to drive the baseball with authority while maintaining an aggressive approach at the plate.

Collin McGowan, 3B/C, 2028, Battle Ground (WA)
McGowan finished with a .444 batting average that included two doubles and three walks. Standing at 6-foot-5, 210 pounds, he offers a highly projectable frame with significant physical presence. His biggest offensive moment came on a two-run walk-off double that sent his team to the semifinals. On the mound, McGowan worked five innings while allowing just three hits and no walks, striking out eight hitters. He was productive on both sides of the ball. 

Theo Swafford, SS, 2028, Sierra Canyon (CA)
Swafford consistently produced quality at-bats throughout the tournament, going 9-for-17 with a triple, a home run, and four walks. He consistently found the barrel, striking out just once in 17 AB while displaying advanced contact skills. His swing features minimal wasted movement, allowing him to get the barrel to the baseball efficiently and square up pitches throughout the zone, particularly lower offerings. Swafford's ability to control the strike zone and produce quality contact was shown all weekend. He also flashed above-average athleticism in base running as well. 

Maxton Baracy, OF/RHP, 2030, Harvard-Westlake (CA)
Baracy had a strong four-inning outing on the mound in which he allowed just one hit and no runs while striking out two. At the plate, he finished with a .667 batting average, including a triple and two walks. The 6-foot-2, 195-pound prospect possesses a physical frame with substantial projection remaining. Defensively, he demonstrated arm strength and control from the outfield, consistently making accurate throws and showing the athletic traits that project well as he continues to develop. 

Witton McCammon, SS/RHP, 2027, Providence (NC)
McCammon, the Campbell commit, delivered a strong offensive showing, finishing the tournament with a .429 batting average that included two doubles and a home run. McCammon's swing is efficient and repeatable, featuring minimal wasted movement and a smooth weight transfer into his front side. He remained balanced throughout his operation and demonstrated the ability to drive the pitch with authority. The swing worked with rhythm and balance throughout the weekend, keeping him consistent at the plate. 

Xavier Rodriguez, C/1B, 2029, Archer
The top player in Georgia's 2029 class continues to shine on a daily basis. Throughout the weekend, Rodriguez seemingly found nothing but loud contact. The catcher finished the tournament hitting .500, including a 101 EV/375 foot home run late Sunday night. At 6-foot 211-pounds, Rodriguez showcases a balanced, fluid swing, with his effortless power being supplied by an explosive lower half. Day in and day out Rodriguez consistently impresses, and the trend will only continue throughout the rest of the summer. 

Anthony Black, C/SS, 2029, James F. Byrnes (SC)
Black quickly put together an impressive performance this weekend, contributing both offensively and defensively. The catcher turned in a 2-hit game on Friday in which he also caught 3 runners stealing from behind the dish. Black showcases a smooth, balanced swing, and displays a great feel for the barrel. At 6-foot-2 169-pounds, he features a projectable frame, with some tools already beginning to shine. Expect the 2029 to continue turning heads throughout the rest of the summer and his high school career. 

Leo Reina, OF/LHP, 2027, A3 Academy (FL)
Reina put together a big outing in the 17u NPI semi-finals, tallying 4Ks and only 1 hit allowed through 5 innings pitched. The lefty uses his body well, with his fastball sitting 84-87 (T88) out of a 5-foot-8 165-pound frame, sinking deep into his back hip before working downhill. Reina attacked hitters early with the fastball, and showed a great feel for spin late in counts to put hitters away. His slider (70-72, 2500+ RPM) showed to be his most effective pitch, consistently generating swing-and-miss from both lefties and righties. The uncommitted 2027 impressed throughout his outing, and will be an intriguing name to follow for the rest of the summer. 

Crew Chance, OF, 2028, Christ Presbyterian Academy (TN)
Chance proved to be a tough out, going 3/3 in his game early Saturday morning. In his first two at-bats, the lefty hit nearly identical line drive singles up the middle, one being 97 EV and the other 103 EV. Chance showcased explosive hands and an advanced feel for the barrel throughout the weekend, consistently finding loud contact to all parts of the field. The 2028 is quickly turning heads, and will continue to be an intriguing follow throughout the summer. 

Rylan Jenkins, OF, 2028, Washington County
The 2028 is a competitor, and shows that throughout the course of every game he plays in. Went 6 for 10 on the weekend, and was able to drive in some runs during those at bats as well. He always found a way to get on base whether that be getting a hit or getting walked or hit by pitch. He does a great lead off job and always puts himself into position to score. An exceptional athlete when it comes to base running and playing the field. The ability defensively to track the ball, make crazy catches and have a cannon to throw people in is elite. His ability on the bags to steal, get a good jump and a feel for when the pitcher is going to try to pick him off is steallar. Rylan has a great chance this summer to continue to raise his game and become one of the top OF in the country. 

Bryce Conner, 1b. 2028, Melbourne (FL)
What a weekend for the 2028 batting .500. The kid has a physical presence already standing at 6’4 225 and pairs that well with his hitting. At the plate you see in his swing the power he generates from his hips and how uses his lower half to help crush the baseball. Had a bomb this weekend and there was no doubt, the way he was able to generate power in his stance was like no other. The Florida native is also stellar on defense and uses his frame well when he plays 1B to help keep the ball in front and stretch to get batters out. With his physical presence and strength the 2028 will for sure continue to be on the uprise as this summer continues. 

Abrahm Howard, SS/2B, 2027, Madison Central (KY)
The uncommitted 2027 had a great weekend all around and showed off his skillset both defensively and offensively. His ability as a leadoff hitter to get on base was something that stuck out this weekend. Him being able to give the 2,3, and 3 hole an opportunity to drive in a run is something you want from your leadoff. A great swing with fast whippy hands. His bat speed is something you notice when you watch him bat, seeing that through all types of pitches. His ability to recognize the inside pitch and turn on it is something amazing to see as well. An athletic frame at 6-foot-1 and 210 pounds which helps him defensively to make plays. Mainly was at 2B and rarely saw errors from him, always was in the right spot and made the right play every time. With his frame and lead off ability the 2027 will be on the charts rising as the summer continues. 

Bowen DeRosso, OF/RHP, 2027, Colquitt County (GA)
Uncommitted. DeRosso had a strong day for the Jackets going one for one with a HBP bringing his OBP up and passing the torch onto his teammates. Throughout the tournament, he would continue to hit with a .600 AVG including a 2B and an OPS of 1.514. DeRosso has easy hands through the zone and an explosive lower half led by a strong hip coil. He can catch balls out front with twitchy fast hands allowing him to let the ball travel if needed. DeRosso also has a robust arm in the OF and is still developing. Watch out for DeRosso to impress this summer and continue to stir up eyes. 

Tanner Russell, OF, 2029, Lake Brantley (FL)
Russell delivered for his team when they needed him most. Not only did he hit .600 throughout the entire tournament with an OPS of 1.467 but he also showed off his clutch abilities. Russell is an exciting young player to watch with a strong 5-foot-11, 168-pound frame and understands how to use the ground to produce power. He works counts and barrels mistakes in the zone. He uses a rhythmic load in his hands and a strong, balanced lower half with flat shoulders to help keep his bat path flat through the zone. All of these parts of his swing result in twitchy hands allowing him to get to the FB outfront and barrel them into LF. It will be exciting to see what Russell does the rest of the summer. 

Logan Hurn, OF, 2029, Neosho (MO)
Hurn is an intriguing N2K out of MO with a strong feel for the stick and an advanced approach going with it. He went 2 for 6 hitting .333 with knocks coming when his team needed them most. He has a more level swing with strong hands and fast hips catching the ball deep at contact. Hurn extends through the zone with strength in his forearms and sits UTM/OPPO with the approach he has. Look for Hurn to continue racking up knocks as the summer carries on. 

Titus Marasco, SS/OF, 2029, Blue Valley Southwest (KS)
In 4 games, Marasco had 2 multi hit games. He hit .600 with 6 hits in 10 AB including 3 XBH. There is plenty of accuracy in the barrel as he did not strikeout once in the whole tournament. He is aggressive in the zone looking to do damage on the first pitch. He has a simple stroke with balance on the backside and has whippy hands catching velocity out front easily. Marasco is a captivating 2029 to watch and will climb up the rankings fast if he keeps raking like this. 

Jaxon Barrett, RHP, 2027, Siegel (TN)
Vanderbilt commit. Barrett posted a 1.59 ERA through 5.2 IP, 3 BB, 10 K, and only gave up 4 hits. He was in command for the whole outing using his FB, sitting 89-94, to get ahead of guys mixing in the CT, CB, SL, and CH. Barrett’s CB sits 73-75 with straight 12-6 break, SL sits 76-78, and CH sits 81-85 with late ASR. He also breaks off a CT giving his FB a different look. He showed a great feel for the breaking and offspeed stuff in the middle of counts blowing hitters away with the heater and great CMD throughout. He has an exceptional delivery as he rides down the mound and gets complete hip and shoulder separation. With this delivery, he is able to hide the ball really well making the offering even harder to pick up for the batter. Barrett is an exciting arm coming out of TN with a long summer ahead. 

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