EMERSON, GA: The 14u National Championship delivered all week long as the next wave of prospects made a strong impression amongst our staff. Check out a loaded scout blog with talented players from the 2029 and 2030 grad classes mentioned throughout. 

14u National Championship: Scout Blog 

Wyatt Venters, RHP, 2030, Buford (GA)
Venters was given the start to begin the tournament for the Rawlings Tigers, and he delivered a 2-run effort that kept them in it, and eventually propelled them to the W. His FB sat comfortably in the upper 70s all outing, and it stood out in the 5th inning during his two batters with some extra life. He had a CB/SL mix that was around the same speed, but changed shape to keep hitters off balance. What’s most impressive is the feel for the zone as he went right after hitters all 4.2IP with only 60 pitches, collecting 3Ks and weak hits littered throughout. The arm action is snappy from a 3/4 slot and should allow for quality stuff and growth in his arsenal. 

Chase Howard, MIF, 2029, Jackson Academy (MS)
Howard looked great in the box in his early ABs as he made an impact on the game quickly. The load utilizes a nice stride with a slight lift to get on time, he then unloads with a very quick and twitchy trigger allowing for very quick bat speed. His first AB he worked a good count and with 2RISP, he shot the BS with a GB at 95 EV for the RBI 1B. His next AB was an early approach as he went after the first offering and smoked it into the gap for the long F8 as it left the bat in the upper 80s. The final AB was more tough luck as he worked it long after going down to 2Ks, and shot a L8 at 95EV again. Howard’s athletic build and quick movement all around the field look natural and should continue to develop nicely.

Beckett Weller, C, 2030, Delran (NJ)
The late night was no issue to the backstop as he put together loud ABs alongside his team as they had an offensive explosion. On the first pitch of the game, Weller saw one up ITZ and smoked it on a line right back where it came from for the 1B and would come in to score. He had a QAB his second AB but resulted in an out. To keep the pressure on, he was up with a chance to do big damage with juiced bases, then proceeded to clear them with a BS shot into the gap for the 3RBI 3B. Weller is a great fit in a leadoff role as he can get on with both a patient and aggressive approach. The gamer attitude and overall feel for the flow of the game behind the dish are obvious.

Luke Lockhart, 3B, 2030, Shawnee (NJ)
It was a night shift full of extra bases and RBIs for Lockhart as he kept a middle-away approach in his handful of ABs. The stance is very quiet but oozes comfort and confidence as he isn’t afraid to crowd the plate a bit. His first XBH was a 2B that burnt the CF on a long FB and hopped to the wall for a RBI. The strong base and ground up strength give way to an upward cut through the zone which produces effective backspin. His next AB, he lasered a ball BS into the gap, again rolling to the wall for a RBI 3B this time. With the nicely connected levers and strong lower half, Lockhart has a solid floor with the potential for quick growth. 

Colin Ryan, C, 2030, Malvern Prep (PA)
It was two ABs with opposite approaches but similar results as Ryan put together a really nice day, collecting 2 hits and a BB. His first AB was a lengthy battle that showed great looks in the box as he spoiled many, keeping a good cut on it with each attempt. He got one on the inner part and rocked it into LF at 99.2 EV. The short and flat swing were shown next time on the second offering as he worked the BS on a line for extra bases, this one at 96.8 EV. His feel for the barrel was obvious and the load through contact was repeated with each hack. The frame looks primed to fill out and the juice that was flashed should only continue to develop. 

Brantley Beal, C/OF, 2030, Cherokee Bluff (GA)
Beal put together an impressive offensive showing, finishing with a .455 batting average that included two doubles, a triple, and three walks. He consistently put together quality at-bats while showing a patient approach at the plate. Beal repeatedly found the barrel, driving the pitch with authority to the gaps while staying through the middle of the field. Defensively, he showed solid blocking behind the plate and handled the position well throughout the tournament.