Future Games: The Nation’s Biggest Recruiting Week

Welcome to the biggest uncommitted baseball event in the country. This week, the scouting world descends on LakePoint Sports in Emerson, GA, for the highly anticipated Future Games week. While the week kicked off with the upperclassmen in the Senior Future Games (2027 grads) and features the rising stars of the Junior Future Games (2030 and 2031 grads), July 22nd through the 25th belong to the main event: the Future Games.

Bringing together the premier uncommitted Class of 2028 prospects from across the nation, the Future Games offer an unmatched platform. These elite athletes will be put through a comprehensive pro-style workout before battling it out in a three-game slate. Among the loaded rosters taking the field is Team NC, a powerhouse squad featuring the top uncommitted talent from across North Carolina.

If there was any question about the magnitude of this week, just look at the crowd behind the backstop. Last year’s event drew a staggering 450+ college coaches, and Day 1 of this year's showcase has already matched—if not exceeded—that massive turnout. The spotlight has never been brighter, and for the Class of 2028, it's time to perform.

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Future Games: Team NC Finishes Pool Play Undefeated With 4-3 Rivalry Win Over Team South Carolina

Rivalry Day at the Prep Baseball Future Games once again delivered one of the week's most anticipated matchups as Team North Carolina squared off against Team South Carolina. With both clubs featuring elite uncommitted talent from neighboring states, the game carried a fun tension from the opening pitch.

Team NC answered every challenge, grinding out a 4-3 victory to finish pool play a perfect 3-0. The win secured the top spot in its pool while once again showcasing the depth of talent throughout the roster. North Carolina received contributions from every phase of the game, combining timely offense, premium pitching, and versatile defense to complete an undefeated run through pool play.

Ivan Andino (3B/OF/RHP, Charlotte Christian, 2028) earned Team NC Player of the Game honors after impacting the contest in every facet. One of the premier utility players in attendance, Andino continued to showcase his defensive versatility by first excelling in the outfield before taking over on the mound to record the save. His athleticism was evident throughout the week as he consistently took efficient routes with an explosive first step, allowing him to track balls effortlessly in the outfield. Offensively, Andino delivered one of the game's biggest swings, launching an opposite-field home run that highlighted his advanced bat speed, balance, and easy carry through the baseball. He then closed the door on the mound, working at 91 mph while commanding three pitches. Both the slider and changeup generated swings and misses in the strike zone as he struck out two during a dominant final inning.

Lawson Tyndall (C/OF, Eastern Carolina Academy, 2028) continued one of the week's more complete performances by displaying his versatility on both sides of the ball. Behind the plate, he handled another talented pitching staff with confidence while showing advanced arm strength, carry, and accuracy on his throws. Later transitioning to the outfield, Tyndall looked equally comfortable, reinforcing his value as a player capable of impacting the game at multiple positions. At the plate, he lined a single through the pull side while once again showing advanced bat speed and a mature offensive approach. Throughout the week, Tyndall consistently limited swing-and-miss while narrowly missing several extra-base hits that came just short of finding gaps or clearing the fence.

Troy Haynes (3B/OF, Eastern Carolina Academy, 2028) continued to demonstrate the athletic versatility that has become a hallmark of his tournament. Team NC deployed Haynes at a third different defensive position in as many games, and he once again looked comfortable. His active feet, reliable hands, and arm strength suggest third base could become another long-term defensive home. Offensively, the left-handed hitter continued to flash advanced bat speed, producing firm contact on line drives and hard ground balls. As he continues to mature physically and naturally incorporates more loft into the swing, the power ceiling remains extremely intriguing.

The pitching staff once again proved to be one of Team NC's greatest strengths.

Duncan Carver (RHP, A.C. Reynolds HS, 2028) established the tone early, attacking hitters with confidence while filling the strike zone with a polished three-pitch mix. Working up to 89 mph, Carver commanded the fastball to both sides of the plate, freezing hitters while mixing in a sharp slider with explosive lateral action that generated both chase and in-zone swing-and-miss. He struck out three over two innings, continuing to show advanced feel for sequencing and command beyond his years.

Parker Williams (RHP, North Lincoln HS, 2028) made his first live appearance following late-summer downtime and showed why he remains one of the state's more intriguing arms. Although he elevated more pitches than is typical based on previous evaluations, Williams still worked up to 89 mph with a fastball that featured quality ride through the top of the strike zone. His changeup proved to be his best secondary offering on the day, generating two strikeouts while continuing to flash as a legitimate weapon against both right- and left-handed hitters.

Jesse Covington (RHP/OF, Wesleyan Christian Academy, 2028) capped an outstanding week by taking the mound in the tournament finale. Already one of Team NC's biggest offensive performers, Covington translated his elite athleticism and twitch into premium stuff on the mound. His fastball exploded through the strike zone at 93-95 mph, consistently creating uncomfortable swings and in-zone whiffs. The slider featured heavy horizontal movement, giving hitters another difficult look while complementing his explosive fastball. Covington leaves LakePoint firmly established as one of the nation's premier two-way prospects, with both college and professional evaluators likely to follow his development closely.

Hudson Simmons (OF/LHP, Charlotte Christian, 2028) added another layer to his versatile skill set during the final game. After the primary center fielder spent time at first base showing advanced footwork and soft hands around the bag, Simmons climbed the mound to deliver a clean inning of work. His fastball worked at 86-88 mph while pairing effectively with a firm 76-77 mph breaking ball. While his long-term profile may ultimately be strongest as a position player, Simmons showed more than enough polish on the mound to provide meaningful pitching depth at the next level.

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Team North Carolina’s 3-0 record, combined with an explosive workout day, defined a week where the squad drew rave reviews from college coaches, scouts, and opposing teams alike. As we approach August 1st—the official opening of the recruiting window for the 2028 class—we expect many of these players to have the opportunity to select the school of their choice in the coming months, while pro scouts will certainly keep a close eye on their development over the next two years. The Future Games remains the premier event of the summer, serving as the ultimate platform for these prospects to achieve their highest goals.

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Team NC: Future Games Coverage