2011 WWBA World Championship
Pool Q
Patrick Ebert's Projected Pool Winner: Dulin Dodgers
Brady Bramlett leads a strong pitching staff that includes five ranked players: Bramlett, John Marc Shelly (no. 338, 2012), Cheyne Bickel (no. 64, 2013), Austin Sexton (no. 96, 2013) and West Covington (no. 189, 2013). Expect them to have the edge in low scoring games, which this pool should see plenty of given the strength of the pitching throughout.
Todd Gold's Dark Horse: Tri-State Arsenal/NJ Super 17
Robert Kaminski is the best known prospect on the team but he's certainly not the only prospect. Sean Kelly, Karl Blum and Mitchell Aker give the Arsenal a pitching staff that rivals the Dodgers for best in the pool. SS Kevin Bradley could be the difference maker, as the Clemson commit can do damage from both sides of the plate and will be counted on along with C Matthew Thaiss.
Impact Matchup: Dulin Dodgers vs Tri-State Arsenal
The opening night matchup between the two favorites in Pool Q will take place in Roger Dean Stadium in what is expected to be a low scoring affair. The winner will hold the head-to-head tie breaker advantage with their biggest competition in the pool and should have plenty of pitching left.
Discuss the results on our High School forum.
Pool P
Patrick Ebert's Projected Pool Winner: PRBAHS
The double play combination of Carlos Correa and Jesmuel Valentin-Diaz make Puerto Rico Baseball Academy the most interesting team in the pool in terms of prospects. They are also the deepest team in the pool which should give them an edge.
Todd Gold's Dark Horse: Cangelosi Baseball
Kyle Funkhouser made a statement at this event last year with an impressive showing with Bo Jackson Midwest, this year he returns as a well established prospect who will be seen by most if not all midwestern area scouts. Cangelosi will have a slight edge in whichever pool play game the choose to utilize Funkhouser in, if they choose wisely they will be in position to win the pool.
Impact Game: PRBAHS vs CBC O's Navy
This game will be the best collection of athletes that Pool P has to offer, as speedy OF KJ Woods and the affore mentioned athletic MIF combo of Correa and Valentin-Diaz will have plenty of speed on display. With as evenly matched as this pool is from top to bottom this game may very well have playoff implications.
Discuss the results on our High School forum.
Pool O
Patrick Ebert's Projected Pool Winner: FTB Mizuno/Cardinals Scout Team
The Outfield of Jesse Winker, Albert Almora and David Dahl is not only the best in the tournament but has a chance to be one of the best in the history of the WWBA World Championship. The three were teammates on the East team of the 2011 PG All-American Game and are all high level prospects with an outside chance of going in the first round. The pitching staff is extremely deep and there is no apparent weakness on this roster. Last year's team suffered a surprising 1-0 defeat in extra innings of the semifinals and this year's team looks just as strong on paper.
Todd Gold's Dark Horse: South Florida PG Kelly Green
The Astros have some very talented younger players but the experience of South Florida's solid ballclub gives them the edge. While it would be a colossal upset if anyone other than FTB were to win this pool, strange things can happen over the course of four baseball games and South Florida PG Kelly Green looks like the best bet to pull the upset of this group.
Impact Matchup: FTB Mizuno/Cadinals Scout Team vs East Cobb Astros
This will be a big game in the development of the young Astros stars, they've all faced top level competition in the 2013 and 2014 classes and have faced some quality from the 2012 class, but they've never come across a team like FTB. It will be good experience for these players who are used to being the better team each time they step onto the field, and at the same time it could be a trap game for FTB as East Cobb could surprise them if they don't show up.
Discuss the results on our High School forum.
Pool N
Patrick Ebert's Projected Pool Winner: ABD Bulldogs
The left side of ABD's infield is arguably the best in the tournament with a pair of PG All-Americans in SS Tanner Rahier and 3B Daniel Robertson. The talent doesn't end there though with sixteen Division I commits on the roster and quality players at each position the Bulldogs, who are perennial contenders, look like they have a good shot to make some noise again this year. Several of these players are making their third trip to Jupiter so don't expect this team to buckle under the pressure.
Todd Gold's Dark Horse: Central FL PG Royal
While ABD has some serious firepower, this is a team that can hang with most anybody. The majority of this roster is comprised of players who finished third at the WWBA Underclass World Championship with FTB Mizuno. Keep an eye out for projectable lefty Ian McKinney who has developed rapidly this year and had an impressive 12 strikeout, 5 inning CG shutout in the playoffs of the Underclass World Championship in which he threw over 80% of his pitches for strikes. CF Manny Rodriguez and SS/3B Christian Arroyo are two other players on this roster who have come on strong this fall and this looks to be a team that could be real dangerous.
Impact Matchup: ABD Bulldogs vs Central FL PG Royal
Saturday's matchup on the Blue Quad should draw a big crowd, as an impressive group of west coast prospects matches up with an impressive group of east coast prospects.
Discuss the results on our High School forum.
Pool M
Patrick Ebert's Projected Pool Winner: Texas Scout Team Yankees
They may not have any players ranked in the top 10, but every player on the roster is very good. This is a well constructed team, from quality Catchers like Steve Bean and Hunter Kopycinski, to a talented infield of 1B Austin Dean, speedy MIF Leon Byrd, power hitting SS/3B Dylan LaVelle and cannon armed 3B/RHP Will Schwanke and speed in the outfield. The Yankees have quality players at premium positions and good pitching depth. While they don't have anyone who looks to be a lock for the first round at this point, nearly every player on the roster is a prospect.
Todd Gold's Dark Horse: Atlanta Blue Jays
The Blue Jays are no stranger to high level national tournaments, and that experience will make a big difference for them in Jupiter. The other two contenders in the pool, the Texas Scout Team Yankees and Sandlot/Midwest Scout Team, are both teams that have been assembled for this tournament. Having played together will give the Blue Jays an edge over the scout teams and the talented Crimson Bandits are comprised of highly ranked 2013 and 2014 players but look to be a year away from contending. Speedy CF Vincent Jackson has solid to above average tools across the board and can contribute on the mound and will be a key player for the Blue Jays, if he has a big tournament they have a chance to make a run.
Impact Matchup: Texas Scout Team Yankees vs PG Crimson Bandits
Friday's matchup will feature the most prospect-laden game of the pool schedule, both teams have several quality pitching prospects to choose from so the pitching matchup is certain to be a good one. The Bandits have a pair of aces to choose from in Matt Vogel and 6' 8" UNC commit Chris Oakley.
Discuss the results on our High School forum.
Pool L
Patrick Ebert's Projected Pool Winner: Chet Lemon's Juice
The defending champions feature a lot of underclass players on their roster who are fresh off a second place finish at the Underclass World Championship in Ft. Myers, including tournament Most Valuable Pitcher Tyler Danish. There are some exciting prospects on the roster but the Juice is a team that has a reputation for getting the most out of their talent and their track record speaks for itself.
Todd Gold's Dark Horse: Texas Sun Devils
The Sun Devils are not only a prospect laden team, but they've had a great deal of success this season as well. The #2 ranked 17u travel team in the nation won the 17u BCS this summer and made a very deep run at the 17u WWBA National Championship. Their pitching depth behind Ty Hensley will be their key to contending for a title. Gavin Cecchini, Stryker Trahan, Kolby Copeland and Charlie Yorks give them the firepower to make contention a real possibility
Impact Matchup: Chet Lemon's Juice vs Texas Sun Devils
Every game is important in Jupiter, and this matchup proves it. Chet Lemon's Juice and the Texas Sun Devils open pool play with a huge matchup on Friday morning in the Blue Quad. Whoever shows up ready to play and pulls out this marquee opening matchup will be in good shape to make a playoff run. It was an opening game loss that prevented the Sun Devils from making the playoffs last year, so expect them to show up with a chip on their shoulder for this one.
Discuss the results on our High School forum.
Pool K
Patrick Ebert's Projected Pool Winner: Midland Redskins/Royals Scout Team
Midland's pitching staff is to the amatuer ranks what the Philadelphia Phillies staff is to MLB. They feature a guantlet of elite pitching prospects that will combined with quality defenders will make scoring runs against them very difficult. All-Americans Taylore Cherry, Lucas Sims, Kayden Porter, Ryan Burr and Matthew Smoral are all top 50 players with high level Division I commitments and will all be attractive draft prospects come June. And the pitching depth doesn't end there either, with several more high level arms on the roster.
Todd Gold's Dark Horse: Florida Legends Scout Team
While there is no doubt that Midland has one of the most impressive teams on paper, the fact that their primary goal is to showcase their players above trying to win the tournament (though they certainly may do that as well) does leave the door open a bit. The Florida Legends have enough talent to pull an upset from Midland if one of those All-American arms has an off day, if that happens the Legends would be in the drivers seat to steal the pool.
Impact Matchup: Midland Redskins vs Florida Legends
If the Legends pitching lines up to allow top Puerto Rican pitcher J.O. Berrios to take the mound against Midland on Sunday's pool play finale it will not only be an elite pitching matchup and a huge draw for scouts, but also the type of game that could come down to one swing of the bat.
Discuss the results on our High School forum.
Pool J
Patrick Ebert's Projected Pool Winner: Houston Banditos
Lineups don't get much more exciting than this. SS CJ Hinojosa is playing his final event as a high schooler before enrolling at the University of Texas in the spring, where he is expected to compete for the starting SS job as a 17 year old freshman. Nick Williams is one of the most electric players in the country with a rare combination of speed and power while the massive Courtney Hawkins is an all around beast with big time raw power at the plate to go with a strong arm and surprising athleticism.
Todd Gold's Dark Horse: All American Prospects/Indians Scout Team
While ABD Victory is a tempting choice the presence of highly talented players up the middle like C Kevin Stypulkowski and SS Carlos Garmendia and two of the top ranked players in the class of 2014 (mentioned above) make the All American Prospects not only an interesting team from a scouting standpoint but also a team that is capable of surprising some people.
Impact Matchup: Houston Banditos vs All American Prospects/Indians Scout Team
Pro scouts will flock to see the Banditos high level 2012 prospects. College recruiters will have their eyes on All America's standout underclassmen. Saturday night's matchup could also be the deciding factor in who makes the playoffs.
Discuss Pool J and vote for a winner on our High School forum.
Pool I
Patrick Ebert's Projected Pool Winner: Orlando Scorpions
The pitching duo of Walker Weickel and Carson Fulmer is as strong as any in the tournament and the Scorpions pitching should be able to carry them. Weickel's ability to pound the bottom of the strike zone with heavy sinkers and Fulmer's blistering mid 90s heat ensure that runs will be at a premium for Scorpions' opponents. Jon Sandfort and Shane Crouse give the Scorpions the option to start a ranked, 90+ mph pitcher in every pool play game.
Todd Gold's Dark Horse: Marlins Scout Team
While the Scorpions are a perennial favorite and the Patriots had a good run last year, the Marlins Scout Team is the lineup that offers the most excitement in pool I. Dominic Smith and Ron Miller are the kind of high upside power hitters that excite scouts and the 1-2 punch of Felipe Perez and Paul Blackburn on the mound can keep the Marlins in just about any game.
Impact Matchup: Orlando Scorpions vs Marlins Scout Team
Saturday morning's matchup at Roger Dean Stadium will feature some great showdowns between highly ranked pitchers and highly ranked hitters. Either of these teams could contend for a title, but winning this tough game will be a prerequisite.
Discuss Pool I and vote for a winner on our High School forum.
Pool H
Patrick Ebert's Projected Pool Winner: Dirtbags
The defending champions feature twelve division I commitments and serve as an unofficial pipeline to two of the most prominent powerhouses in college baseball; North Carolina and the two-time defending National Champion South Carolina Gamecocks. Comprised almost exclusively of players from talent rich North Carolina, Minnesota RHP/OF Michael Hadden is the lone import, providing important pitching depth which can make or break a team in late playoff games.
Todd Gold's Dark Horse: Ohio Warhawks
A case can be made that this is the most difficult pool in the field, with the powerhouse Dirtbags and Ohio Warhawks in the same pool together. The Dirtbags are defending champs but in 2011 the Warhawks feature an exceptional roster, with several big time prospects from the 18u WWBA National Champion San Diego Show, bolstering what was already a strong lineup. Ryan McNeil, Stephen Gant, Stephen Gonsalves and Ian Clarkin form the foundation for a formidable pitching staff.
Impact Matchup: Dirtbags vs Ohio Warhawks
The Camo Clash on Saturday will be easy to spot due to the large crowd of scouts that will gather to watch the matchup featuring high level prospects all over the field. 2011 PG All-American Ryan McNeil is scheduled to pitch for the Warhawks, the defending champs will counter with Reilly Hovis.
Discuss Pool H and vote for a winner on our High School forum.
Pool G
Patrick Ebert's Projected Pool Winner: Marucci Elite
This is one of the most talented teams in the country, and after their disappointing showing at the 17u WWBA National Championship, you can bet that they will have a chip on their shoulder. Their roster includes several players who are coming off a WWBA Underclass World Championship last week and features plenty of quantity and quality at every spot on the diamond.
Todd Gold's Dark Horse: Rays Scout Team
The Rays are essentially an all-star team of players from Arizona, though they will have their work cut out for them drawing a pool with Marucci Elite, they are not a team to be taken lightly as the state has produced some high level prospects in recent years.
Impact Matchup: Marucci Elite vs St. Louis Pirates
The game appears to be a mismatch on paper, but it is exactly the type of trap game that Marucci will need to show up for. A lesson this talented group may have learned the hard way at the 17u WWBA National Championship. The Pirates are a solid team with several players who have played together in the past and they have shown in the past that they are a team who won't roll over for anyone.
Discuss Pool F and vote for a winner on our High School forum.
Pool F
Patrick Ebert's Projected Pool Winner: Canes Baseball
The pitching depth makes the Canes as good a bet as any to make a deep run in the playoffs. They will have some competition in a tough pool but if they can make out of Pool F they have a legitimate shot at the title. RHP Jamie Callahan has been untouchable at times this summer and though he lacks consistency he has as much upside as any of the other high level pitching prospects boasted by the Canes. All 24 players on the roster have made their verbal commitments to D1 schools, which is a very impressive feat in itself.
Todd Gold's Dark Horse: MSL All-Stars
Tough call here between the Syracuse Sports Zone Chiefs and the MSL All-Stars but there are several players on MSL that make me a believer. Jake Thompson may not light up the radar gun (has generally pitched at 88-91 this summer) but he is a big game pitcher who has risen to the occasion at high level tournaments in the past and will give his team a chance against anyone in the pool. Watch out for Tyler Alexander as well, a deceptive low 3/4s lefty with a quick loose arm and hard tailing action on his fastball, one of several relative unknowns for MSL who have a chance to make name for themselves in Jupiter.
Impact Matchup: Syracuse Sports Zone Chiefs vs Canes Baseball
No matter which game you catch, the Canes will have a prospect on the mound. Their matchup with the Chiefs will give scouts a chance to see 2011 PG All-American Rhett Wiseman facing high level pitching. An opportunity that does not come around very often for prospects from Massachusetts. Wiseman's speed and defense are undeniably top notch, if he shows that he can hit high level pitching he may convince scouts that he belongs in the first round.
Discuss Pool F and vote for a winner on our High School forum.
Pool E
Patrick Ebert's Projected Pool Winner: Diamond Devils
They may not feature as much top level firepower from the 2012 class as some of the other favorites in this tournament but the Diamond Devils not only have a lot of depth but talented young players who are hungry to prove themselves against the highest level of competition. While they don't feature a huge name player, the Diamond Devils have nine players who have already made division I commitments and plenty more who will play at the next level.
Todd Gold's Dark Horse: Team Elite
While East Cobb may steal most of the attention, Team Elite lives up to its name with an impressive group of players from Georgia. PG All-American Clate Schmidt is the big name, and his contributions both on the mound and at shortstop could allow Team Elite to take the pool and do some damage in the playoffs.
Impact Matchup: Team Elite vs Diamond Devils
Two south Atlantic powerhouses collide in a game that could determine the pool winner. Schmidt is currently scheduled to pitch Saturday, leaving the door open for the Diamond Devils to wrest control of the pool in Friday's matchup. But the teams are pretty evenly matched and this should be a good game with big playoff implications.
Discuss Pool E and vote for a winner on our High School forum.
Pool D
Patrick Ebert's Projected Pool Winner: Houston Heat
The aplty named Houston Heat feature a talented and deep pitching staff that gives them a chance to not only win Pool D but possibly make some noise in the playoffs. 2011 Perfect Game All-American Mitchell Traver is the marquee name of the staff but don't sleep on Brian Trieglaff and Riley Ferrell, a pair of TCU commits who can both run it up into the low-mid 90s.
Todd Gold's Dark Horse: SGV Arsenal
OF Vahn Bozoian, C CJ Saylor and 3B Ty France make up the nucleus of a quality team that has been together for several years now and made a deep playoff run last year. The Arsenal fell just short to the loaded FTB Mizuno/Cardinals Scout Team in a 3-0 pitcher's duel in the quarterfinals of last year's playoffs. They will miss the top ranked player in the class of 2012, RHP Lucas Giolito, who has decided to rest his arm this fall, but they should score plenty of runs. The quality double play combination of Seve Romo and Timmy Lopes will bolster the defense.
Impact Matchup: SGV Arsenal vs Houston Heat
Both teams are ranked in the top 25 in the nation and have interesting prospects that should draw a large crowd of scouts. The game should also go a long way in determining a pool winner.
Discuss Pool D and vote for a winner on our High School forum.
Pool C
Patrick Ebert's Projected Pool Winner: East Cobb Baseball
The powerhouse East Cobb program out of Georgia features a roster that concentrates the best players from several of the top ranked travel teams in the nation (East Cobb Braves, East Cobb Astros, East Cobb Yankees) into one formidable contender. 2011 PG All-Americans Skye Bolt, Duane Underwood and Tucker Simpson highlight an impressive roster of talented and experience players who have dominated high level national events this year.
Todd Gold's Dark Horse: Palm Beach PAL
East Cobb has found themselves in plenty of battles with Palm Beach PAL in recent years. The two teams locked up in the marquee opening night matchup in Roger Dean Stadium at last year's tournament. PAL crushed East Cobb 7-1 behind a dominant performance by RHP Kyle Smith (4th round KC). The two locked up in a classic battle in the quarterfinals of the 2011 17u WWBA National Championship this summer, with East Cobb getting revenge by coming back from a 7 run deficit en route to a championship. It's always an exciting matchup when these two get together and the outcome is likely to produce a pool winner.
Impact Matchup: East Cobb Baseball vs Palm Beach PAL
While there will be other good matchups in this pool thanks to its depth it is impossible not to pick East Cobb vs PAL. As mentioned above, this matchup has evolved into something of a rivalry between two highly talented teams and typically produces some of the best games of their respective tournament. This game will again be the opening night Stadium Game and will have the largest crowd of any game in the tournament.
Discuss Pool C and vote for a winner on our High School forum.
Pool B
Patrick Ebert's Projected Pool Winner: Royals Baseball Club
The team put together by the Kansas City Royals scouting department is always a favorite coming into the tournament. The Royals do a great job of identifying some of the top available players to compile a stacked roster and 2011 is no exception.
Todd Gold's Dark Horse: South Charlotte Panthers
This is a deep pool with a few solid choices here but the Panthers stand above the rest with a roster that boasts fifteen division I commits, most of whom have played together for years. The Panthers pitching staff is deep, with seven players on the roster who have thrown over 90 mph at PG events in the past. Arkansas commit Ty Buttrey leads the way, having been up to 94.
Impact Matchup: Team Mizuno of Puerto Rico vs Royals Baseball Club
While Team Mizuno doesn't have the depth of a team like South Charlotte, this matchup will provide scouts an opportunity to see some of the top players from Puerto Rico against some of the best competition they will face in their amateur careers.
Discuss Pool B and vote for a winner on our High School forum.
Pool A
Patrick Ebert's Projected Pool Winner: Red Sox Scout Team/Elite Squad
This is a highly experienced group of players who have played together at many high level tournaments in the past and have plenty of hardware to show for it. Like several other high level teams in this field, the group of prospects featured on the Red Sox Scout Team roster is impressive, but what makes them especially dangerous is that most of these players have played together with South Florida Elite for a long time.
Todd Gold's Dark Horse: Kentucky Baseball Club
Kentucky Baseball Club has an elite weapon at their disposal, RHP Clinton Hollon. The top ranked pitcher in the class of 2013, Hollon has been up to 97 mph this summer with a devastating four pitch arsenal, he is capable of beating any lineup in the tournament when he is on his game.
Impact Matchup: Kentucky Baseball Club vs Red Sox Scout Team/Elite Squad
In a game that should draw a huge crowd, Clinton Hollon is tentatively scheduled to take the ball in this big opening game on Thursday night at 5:30 on the Blue Quad. The Red Sox are expected to counter with Hayden Hurst. Prospects Ryne Combs and Nick Travieso are expected to be available in relief in what is one of the most highly anticipated games of opening day.
Discuss Pool A and vote for a winner on our High School forum.