The Youth World Series gave us here at PBKC a fitting end to an absolutely fantastic Spring, full of top end teams and players. The 144 team event featured teams from 8 different states throughout the country competing in 11 divisions for their chance to take home a World Series banner. Down below we'll go over some of the best performances from the weekend with our Standouts portion as well as the teams who came out of the weekend victorious. Before we get into the action, I on behalf of the PBKC cannot overstate how much we appreciate each and every parent, coach, and player who has made their way out to the events this Spring. The players make the event and none of it is possible without the sacrifices of the parents and coaches in order to make these events run, so from us here in Kansas City thank you!

Standout Notes:

2030 C Logan Johnson (5 Star Great Lakes 2030 National): The athletic, right handed hitting backstop made his presence known throughout the weekend in 5 Star Great Lakes semi final run in the 14u D1 ranks. The top of the order bat churned out productive ABs with consistency, reaching base multiple times in 4/5 games including a pair of multi hit bouts. At the plate, Johnson showed the ability to drive the baseball from line to line with a direct path, producing line drives with consistency. Behind the dish, the IN product showed off solid arm strength, controlling the basepaths with some success. 

2031 INF Jax Thompson (Canes MW National): Thompson once again put the PBKC staff on notice with an impressive performance at the plate, pairing with stellar defense at the hot corner all weekend long to make the Standouts list for the 2nd time in two trips to KC this Spring. Thompson reached base multiple times in all four games played this weekend including 3 multi hit games. Offensively, Thompson's bat to ball skill stands out, comfortable to grind out ABs and get off B and C swings in order to find himself in the hit column while possessing present XBH power. Defensively, he carried himself with composure, showcasing strong reactions and pairing advanced arm strength for the class to create an intriguing follow for years to come. 

2030 MIF Kash Abbott (Millard Elite National - Centeno): Abbott was the pace car for Millard Elite's offensive prowess over the weekend. the Millard leadoff hitter found himself on base at a .550 clip over a 6 game weekend slot. Abbott showed as a pure contact bat in game setting spraying the ball from line to line with plenty of speed to take an extra base. Defensively, The Nebraska native delivered at the highest level making a variety of tough plays all over the infield, lateral quickness suggests he'll stick in the middle infield throughout his high school career. As Abbott continues to fill out his frame he has the framework in place to become an impact player in the state of Nebraska. 

2030 UTL Paxton Lynch (Rawlings Arkansas Prospects 2030): Lynch played well above the 5'7 frame with consistency this weekend with a full tool belt on display. Finished the weekend with an average over .600 in 11 trips to the dish, collecting a pair of XBH with an advanced approach and confidence in any count. Defensively, Lynch impressed as a reciever behind the plate, handling a mid 8's arm with ease. In the infield there was a present lateral quickness adding to a soft set of hands, comfortable getting rid of the ball in a timely manner from multiple angles. Lynch will be a must know name in the state of Arkansas as the frame continues to progress. 

2030 RHP Max Roenfanz (Wow Factor Midwest 14u National): Roenfanz put together one of my favorite performances on the mound this spring against a strong lineup in his quarter final start. The 6'2, 195 pound righty lacked for little athleticism utilizing the lower half well while getting down the mound in sync consistently. Working out of a natural 3/4 slot with some present arm speed, Roenfanz dazzled with a polished 3 pitch mix, racking up 11Ks to just 2BBs throwing strikes at a 63% clip. The fastball played to some occasional run living in the low 8's with the ability to reach back for a 4 or 5 at will. The righty was comfortable working backwords, delivering the breaking ball in zone to start out at bats ahead with consistency. Arguably his best offering, the CH was delivered with consistent arm speed, playing to in zone swing and miss as well as chase off the bottom third. Roenfanz will undoubtably make some noise down at lake point with team Midwest in the Junior Future Games this summer. 

Tournament Champions 

14u D1 

Millard Elite National brought one of the deepest rosters in the tournament into this weekend and seemingly continued to improve as they progressed through each game. Steller performances from the offense top to bottom leveraged Millard into a 6-0 record on their way to a Youth World Series win. Key contributors include Kash Abbott (.550 OBP), Drew Beard (.470AVG, 4XBH, 2HRs), Trey Devine (.437AVG, 3XBH, HR), Kellan Rozgay (.500AVG, 4XBH, HR), and James Racker (.647OBP). Millard Elite moves to a perfect 11-0 in PBKC events as they look to continue their winning ways in the the Summer Classic later this summer. 

Finalist 

The Texas Generals 14u National squad did not disappoint in their PBKC debut, upsetting the #1 overall seed in a quarter final matchup before falling just short in a 2-1 championship game finish. The Generals played their brand of clean baseball all weekend long relying on contributions from the entire roster to secure wins on both sides of the ball. Notable performers include Cayman Stowers, Carlos Rosillo, Flint Bridges and Garrett Lester.

14u D2

DOC Baseball Navy 2031 completed the cinderella story of a lifetime to claim their first PBKC title of the year. DOC came all the way back from a play in between the #15 and #18 seed and went on a 5-0 bracket run to claim their World Series banner. DOC's offense led by Tripp Russell and Hudson Irons, plated an overwhelming 11 runs per game in their bracket run in order to to claim their title. 

Finalist 

Team KC - Taylor played some of their best baseball of the spring, including an upset of the #1 overall seed on their way to their podium finish in the Youth World Series. following their 4-2 weekend, Team KC moves to 9-6-1 on the year with a chance to go for gold again in the Summer World Series at the end of July. 

14u D3

The BTL Hornets came all the way back from the last overall seed in the bracket to take home a World Series banner behind a hot hitting performance. The Hornets plated over 11 runs per game in their 3 bracket play bouts in order to take home the gold. 

Finalist

MMW Missouri National made another strong run in a PBKC event, this time on the back of a strong offense plating 10 runs per game on the weekend to find themselves fighting for a banner. 

13u D1

The BPC Reds continue to display their prowess in the 13u ranks after a 5-0 finish in the Youth World Series, running up the run differential to +29 over the course of their 5 game slate. 

Finalist

Building Champions Hernandez fell just short in a 3-2 thriller of a championship game after an astounding upset of the #2 overall seed in run rule fashion. 

13u D2 

Upper Deck made it clear to the rest of the 13u D2 field who the best team was on the weekend. They finished off an impressive 6-0 run with a +41 in the run differential column.

Finalist 

Wow Factor 217 ran the gauntlet in their bracket run defeating the #2, #3 and #6 seeds before falling just short in the championship game making a lasting impression in their PBKC debut. 

13u D3

MMW Missouri National's offense caught fire in the bracket in order to bring home a Championship in the Youth World Series. The MMW bats scored over 10 runs per game in their 3 game bracket set in order to claim their banner. 

Finalist

The MO Gators brought a strong +39 run differential into the Youth World Series final before falling just short in their championship game matchup. 

12u D2

Sandlot - Taylor made a statement in their PBKC debut sweeping the field as the #1 seed and finishing a perfect 6-0 weekend with a +44 in the run differential column. 

Finalist 

The SC Warriors made another strong showing in the PBKC Circuit handling business on their side of the bracket as the #2 overall seed before falling just short in the championship game. The Topeka, KS product moves to 16-2 on the year after their 5-1 finish in the Youth World Series. 

11u D1/D2

Stormchasers - White turned in a strong performance in the Youth World Series with a 4-1 finish to the weekend, defeating Building Champions 11u - Navy in a rubber match to claim the title. 

Finalist 

Building Champions 11u Navy moves to a solid 17-10 in the PBKC Circuit after a 4-1 showing in the Youth World Series by way of a +43 run differential in their 5 game slate. 

11u D3

Outside of being crowned best team name for the weekend, the Wichita Blueclaws claimed their World Series banner by way of a high powered offense. The Blueclaws finished the bracket plating over 10 runs per game on their way to a title.  

Finalist 

The Topeka Rookies took an overwhelming +27 run differential and the #1 overall seed into bracket play before falling short in the championship with a podium finish. 

10u D1/D2

Canes Iowa - Arter rode a +33 run differential through to a Championship win in the Youth World Series for their first PBKC tournament win of the Spring in their debut. 

Finalist  

Illinois Tigers - Black made a statement showing in their debut of the PBKC Circuit, going 3-0 before falling just short in the finale. 

10u D3 

The BPC Cannonballers took home their PBKC Youth World Series banner in upset fashion, defeating both the #1 and #2 seeds on their way to claiming the championship. 

Finalist 

Engaged Athletics - Beavers move to an impressive 9-2 in the PBKC Circuit after a 4-1 weekend in the Youth World Series, falling just short of a title in the championship game.