Prep Baseball Report

Become a Member

More +

Tournament Takeaways: 2026 Northeast Invite

July 6, 2026
Matthew Laurentino

The Northeast Invite once again brought some of the top talent in the region to The Lumberyard in Cortland, NY, with players from the 2026-2031 classes competing over three days of game action.

Numerous players elevated their stock throughout the weekend, showcasing high-end tools, impressive athleticism, and impactful in-game production. Below, we take a closer look at the top performers from the Northeast Invite and the players who made the biggest impressions throughout the event.

Tournament MVPs

Dylan Shannon 2B / RHP / Pittston Area Shs, PA / 2029

Shannon made a name for himself this week at the Northeast Invite taking away 15u MVP honors. Shannon’s contact/speed combo was a sparkplug for The Grind Athletics 15u lineup hitting .636 with 4 SBs and 5 runs scored.

Christopher Knelly SS / C / Hazleton Area, PA / 2028

Knelly had a big week participating in both the PA State Games and the Northeast Invite. The athletic infielder backed up his big performance with impressive measurable data, posting a 100.3 max EV, 7.10-second 60-yard dash, and a 83 MPH infield velo. At the Northeast Invite, Knelly went 6-12 with 4 doubles, 1 triple, and the walk-off home run to clinch the championship for his team, earning 16U MVP honors in the process. 

Logan Hearity 2B / SS / Hazleton Area High School, PA / 2027

Hearity continues to stay hot in 2026 hitting .500 with 3 SBs and 2 RBIs at the Northeast Invite. The Seton Hall Commit has a quiet setup with rhythmic hands in the box. The quick twitch infielder has a compact uphill swing path that generated pull side power all weekend including this double right here. 

Other Notable Standouts (Sorted by Last Name Alphabetical Order)

Matt Arcara OF / C / St. Mary's, NY / 2027

Arcara put himself firmly on the radar with a big weekend at the Northeast Invite with 4 XBHs leading his team to a semi-final game. Arcara has a lean build with room to fill out but showed off some present pullside power. Arcara has a rhythmic closed off setup with a short level swing with quick hands through the zone that generate backspin upon impact. If he continues to swing it like this, he will become a must follow for the rest of the summer.

Aidan Brokenshire RHP / Mount Carmel Area High School, PA / 2028

Brokenshire stock continues to rise with his pitching at both the PA State Games and the Northeast Invite with standout pitching performances. His quick compact arm in the backswing made it tough for hitters to pickup his mix from a low release height. The FB is a firm riser sitting 85-87 T89 this week with up 19" of IVB getting hitters to miss under the ball. The SL has sharp late action with up to 2370 RPM and -8" of HM. The CH sat 79-80 and generates up to 21.5" of HM making hitters have to cover almost 30" of left to right movement in the box. The 6'3" - 200 lb righty projects well on the mound for the rest of the summer.

Kal Cihocki 3B / RHP / South Lewis, NY / 2028

The 6'0" - 210 lb physically built prospect had a big day on the mound and showed off his defensive versatility playing both SS and 3B at the Northeast Invite. 

 

David Favata SS / Wyoming Area, PA / 2029

Favata arrived at the PA State Games at the start of the week as one of the more intriguing prospects in attendance. The 6-foot-2, 170-pounder features a lean, athletic frame with room for physical development and already displays advanced tools across the board. During workouts, he drove the ball up to 342 ft, ran 7.20 60-yard-dash, and an 80 mph infield velo. While the testing numbers were impressive, it was during the live action that the young prospect truly made his presence felt. The right-handed batter emerged as a force during the events, launching a homer to LF during the PA State Games before maintaining that momentum at the Northeast Invite. Over the weekend, he hit .400 highlighted by a long ball, four RBIs, and five runs, serving as a catalyst for Grind Athletics on their path to the 15U title.

Emmett Nunan SS / 3B / Hamburg High School, NY / 2027

Nunan showed off his gap to gap power at the Northeast Invite registering numerous clutch hits en route to a 16u semi-final appearance. Nunan has a wide rhythmic setup in the box and double taps his front foot during load. Nunan has a short swing with a whippy barrel that deposited hits to RCF all weekend. 

Landon Trout OF / RHP / Pottsville Area High School, PA / 2028

Trout was atop the Primer put out earlier in the week before the Northeast Invite and delivered both on the mound and at the plate. Trout made louder contact than the stats indicated throughout the weekend but delivered when it mattered the most on Sunday getting a win as a starting pitcher in the semifinals and hitting a HR in the championship game en route to a 16u title.