THE WORLD'S LARGEST AND MOST COMPREHENSIVE SCOUTING ORGANIZATION
| 2,459 MLB PLAYERS | 15,806 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
2,459 MLB PLAYERS | 15,806 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
Sign in Create Account
Sign in Create Account
Tournaments  | Story | 3/17/2018

Showdown-Academies Scout Notes

Greg Gerard
Photo: Perfect Game

2018 PG High School Showdown-Academies: Event Preview | Player Stats | Daily Leaders

On his way to earning the Most Valuable Pitcher of the tournament, Daniel Espino (2019, Statesboro, Ga.) turned in an outstanding six inning start and showcased some of the best velocity in the entire 2019 class. Sitting 94-96 early on with his fastball and not releasing a fastball below 89 mph throughout his six innings, Espino’s start was impressive in every way. The command of his fastball was outstanding and the velocity was completely overpowering. Swings and misses were a common trend as Espino piled on 12 strikeouts on the day.

His arm action is quite long and wrapped through the back, but the arm continually gets through the circle on time and out in front. The recent verbal commitment to LSU gets outstanding extension out in front as well. His 6-foot-3 200-pound frame and excellent extension help generate a 98 mph best effective velocity per TrackMan. Espino gets up to eight feet of extension reaching way out in front at release getting some occasional run to his explosive fastball. The LSU commit dominated the entirety of his start and showed why he is a top of the line pitcher in the class of 2019. 

Zachary Ottinger (2018, Marietta, Ga.) put together an outstanding start to open up the tournament for East Cobb Baseball and showed why he committed to West Virginia in doing so. The righthander from Marietta, Georgia’s fastball topped out at 90 mph early on in the game and consistently lived in the upper-80s throughout the contest. In his four inning start, Ottinger struck out six batters with his fastball and slider combination. The slider was short breaking and the fastball showed short life occasionally to armside. His delivery is simple and shows good tempo as he repeats it well getting good command of both of his pitches. The arm action is clean and full as he releases with little effort. Ottinger repeatedly live low in the strike zone and missed lots of barrels.




Jose Cabrera Jr. (2018, Santiago, Dominican Republic) displayed his overpowering fastball in a relief appearance for CBC Elite and earned the win in doing so. Cabrera’s fastball was the top fastball of the day on Thursday as he peaked at 92 mph. The big righthander from the Dominican Republic showed heavy life to his fastball and good command of two pitches. His fastball completely overpowered hitters on this day as it was his primary pitch in route to tallying all six outs via the strikeout. When Cabrera was head in counts, which was quite often, he liked to go to his tight 11-to-5 breaking curveball. The pitch was well located like his fastball and was a solid secondary pitch to accompany his fastball. Cabrera’s arm action is pretty long and wraps some around the backside before coming through continually on time. He gets solid lower half usage down the mound, but it appeared he could get even more of his lower half incorporated for added velocity to the already impressive fastball.


Carlos Francisco (2018, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic) may be the most projectable pitcher in the entire tournament standing at 6-foot-5 215-pounds with some present strength especially in the lower half. He brought with him to the mound a fastball up to 90 mph and a hard biting curveball in the upper-70s. To go along with his projectable frame, Francisco has an explosive delivery and a full arm action that really works. The velocity was maintained in the upper-80s but projects for more moving forward. The uncommitted Francisco, unfortunately took the loss even though he only allowed one earned run. 

Kyle Riesselmann (2019, Tyrone, Ga.) had one of the more impressive offensive performances of the tournament and showed big-time physical tools in doing so. Standing at a highly projectable 6-foot-2 181-pounds Reisselmann has good bat speed and showed the ability to run as well. Sprinting multiple sub-4.30 home to first times from the righthanded batter’s box with his best time coming in at 4.20-seconds. The swing is simple and the timing is good. He gets the barrel head out in front squaring up the ball continuously. On a triple in his final game of the weekend, Riesselmann showed the potential pop in his bat driving the ball deep to center field. The uncommitted outfielder turned the bag at first with a run time of 4.69-seconds scampering to third without a throw. Riesselmann showcased his raw tools all weekend long.

Tyler Driver (2019, Wake Forest, N.C.) helped Pro5 Academy earn a Game 1 win as they began their tournament. The junior righthander ran his fastball up to 88 mph in doing so as well. Driver throws three different pitches and has the ability to command all three well. Driver’s fastball sat mostly in the mid-80s with a top velocity of the aforementioned 88 mph pitch. The first secondary pitch he went to was his short-breaking slider. The pitch was effective in getting hitters to swing and miss especially when buried. Driver seemed to have more feel of his changeup, however. Especially when fastball arm speed was maintained, Driver’s changeup was the better of the two secondary pitches. The UNC-Charlotte commit’s three pitch mix continuously kept hitters off balance and helped him tally five strikeouts in three innings of work. 




Having been up to 94 mph in past PG events, Makenzie Stills (2018, Fayetteville, Ga.) was back on the mound this time for Citadels Baseball Academy and showed similar arm strength Friday night. Stills filled up the strike zone for the duration of his six inning start with a fastball that ranged 88-91 with lots of heavy sinking action. Quite frequently the fastball showed 80-grade sink on a 20-80 scale and hitters had trouble doing any sort of damage to the pitch. Only allowing one run on the day, Stills received an unfortunate loss but still went home with a quality start.

Stills is a Vanderbilt commit and has a long arm action as he comes to the plate. The 5-foot-11, 180-pound Stills has obvious arm strength and incorporates his lower half well in his windup. To go along with his fastball, Stills has a pair of secondary pitches that make him a full arsenal pitcher. His slider is very tight and short as it breaks late on hitters. Stills’ changeup may be better than his slider as it shows similar sink to the fastball and dives late. The senior from Georgia is an impressive pitcher and he showed that talent in Friday night’s game.

Trent Harris (2018, Raleigh, N.C.) came into Pro5 Academy’s quarterfinal matchup to close out the game and ran his fastball up to 90 mph. The High Point commit showed off an arm that really works well. Coming from a full arm action and a high three-quarters, his fastball is mostly straight, but he spots it up well. The projectable 6-foot-1 190-pound righthander mixed in a mid-70s curveball with good depth to accompany the fastball. Harris earned the save in Pro5 Academy’s 1-0 win striking out two along the way. Harris helped Pro5 in a big way to earn them a trip to the semifinals of the PG High School Showdown-Academies.

Daniel Cerda (2018, Statesboro, Ga.) was the most impressive hitter of the tournament and he showed big-time actions in the infield as well. The starting shortstop for the Georgia Premier Academy Sox showed all weekend long his soft, sure hands and good arm strength across the diamond. At the plate, Cerda finished the PG High School Showdown-Academies 7-14 (.500) and consistently put the barrel to the baseball showing off his outstanding barrel to ball skills. Cerda’s arm strength was noticeable in the infield as well as on the mound. Cerda came into close out a pair of games for the Sox and topped out at 89 with his fastball. The senior Chipola JUCO commit is an exciting player to watch that plays with outstanding energy game in and game out.




Shep Hancock (2020, Sharpsburg, Ga.) pitched on two different occasions during the weekend. First, in a closing role Friday night the sophomore faced three batters striking out one of them. The velocity was more impressive on the first night as he sat 85-87 consistently without the appearance of an offspeed pitch. Secondly, on Saturday afternoon, this time in a starting role, Hancock’s fastball was down some from the night before but the command was even more impressive. The 6-foot-3 225-pound righthander throws with little effort and creates some good plane on his fastball especially when down in the zone. Hancock’s arm action is very clean and easy as he comes through and releases out in front. He appears to be able to get even more drive from his lower half as well for more velocity as he continues to mature. 

Lucas Torres (2021, Cayey, Puerto Rico) was one of the younger pitchers in the event, but still showed that he can pitch with the older guys. Torres showed really good command for his young age and it resulted in three strikeouts and no walks in his 2 2/3 innings of relief. Torres has a deliberate delivery getting his lower half going down the mound as the arm comes through from a mostly clean arm action. The fastball topped out at 86 mph, but sat 83-85 mph mostly. He never did show an offspeed pitch during the outing, but being that he is a primary shortstop the added repetitions and maturity should include the addition of a secondary pitch to his arsenal. As a primary shortstop, Torres is interesting on the mound and definitely worth noting early on because of his present arm strength.

The PG High School Showdown-Academies MVP was Auburn commit Troy Bearden (2018, Trussvile, Ala.) as he showed all weekend that he can swing the bat and make loud contact. Bearden is as physical of a presence in the box as any. Listed at a believable 6-foot-2, 225-pounds with present strength throughout, Bearden’s strength is present in his swing as he generates good bat speed. When squared, the ball comes off of the barrel with authority and the exit velocities were on display continually over the course of the tournament. Bearden collected eight hits in the event and on numerous occasions produced 90-plus mph exit velocities off of the barrel with the best coming on a line drive single up the middle that left his barrel at 94 mph.




Jacob Gilliland (2018, Ocean Springs, Miss.) pitched Next Level Baseball Academy to a championship on Saturday evening. After a lightning delay pushed back the start of the semifinals and championship game, Gilliland finally received the ball and showed his ability on the mound. The righthander sat 90-92 mph in the first before settling in the 88-90 mph range for the remainder of his start. The commitment to junior college powerhouse Chattahoochee Valley has a good curveball that was mixed in and effective to get hitters to swing and miss especially when ahead in counts. Gilliland was ahead in counts often in this contest as he finished with five strikeouts 5 1/3 innings.

His mechanics are more fluid than in previous viewings as his arm works fully through the arm circle. He gets good drive from his lower half and releases with minimal effort. In this outing the fastball was mostly straight and he commanded it well. Overall, the 6-foot-2 180-pounder is an interesting arm in this year’s loaded draft class.
Give us your feedback
Tournaments | Story | 6/2/2026

Southeast Elite Scout Notes: Days 3-5
Perfect Game Staff
Article Image
Southeast Elite Scout Notes: Days 1-2 Auburn commit Brennan Neal (2027, Columbus, Ga.) had a good showing on Sunday on the mound, putting the clean, athletic delivery on display in an inning of work. Neal worked in the 90-93 range with the fastball with plenty of life, and showed some run to it when working to the arm side. Neal also worked in a tight slider in the upper 70s, but also showed confidence in a fading changeup in the mid 80s. Neal also has room to add strength to his lanky frame, which could be big for him to continue to add velocity. South Florida commit Taylor Casson (2026, Atlanta, Ga.) had an impressive showing on the hill with the stuff and results, going 5 innings of no-hit baseball with 10 strikeouts. The fastball worked in the 89-92 range with downhill angle and tail, and was in the zone often. He worked a 3-pitch mix, showing some impressive swing and miss stuff...
Read More
Tournaments | Story | 6/2/2026

WWBA South Invite Notes: Days 3-5

Perfect Game Staff
Article Image
WWBA Scout Scout Notes: Days 1-2 Raylen Hunter (‘30 TX) stays living on the barrel; this one burning the CFer for a double. Just an electric ballplayer. #WWBASouth https://t.co/1LThRBqN80 pic.twitter.com/z5RF5dy47o — Perfect Game Texas (@Texas_PG) May 30, 2026 Raylen Hunter (2030, Cypress, Texas) took home MVP honors for the tournament and helped lead his team to a big championship win. Was a big standout on a loaded Banditos team that steamrolled their way to the championship. He ended the week going 10-16 with a pair of doubles while scoring ten runs atop the lineup. Hunter is a true spark plug who makes consistently hard contact line to line. The swing is short and works to all fields with plenty of twitch and bat speed. Bat to ball plays at an extremely high level as he rarely gets cheated never taking an at-bat off. Once on base, Hunter causes havoc on the base-paths, a...
Read More
High School | Rankings | 6/2/2026

High School Top 50 Update: June 2

Tyler Russo
Article Image
With another few weeks in the book of the high school season, we’ve already had state champions crowned with playoffs happening in some northern states. There have been some upsets so there has been a good amount of movement in the National High School Top-50. We have a new number-one this update with Tomball (TX) taking over the top spot and will be playing for a state championship this week. They sport a 42-1 record heading into the title game and have been one of the best teams from start to finish this year. St. John Bosco (CA) has now gone back-to-back with Trinity League and CIF Southern Section titles and take over the No. 2 spot. No. 3 Aledo (TX) continues to win, No. 4 Trinity (KY) has been dominant in Kentucky play and No. 5 Norco (CA) lost the Southern Section title game and had a great year. Magnolia Heights (MS) moves up a few spots to No. 8 after winning their 8th...
Read More
Tournaments | Championship | 6/2/2026

EC Astros Win Back-And-Forth Thriller

Will Dembo
Article Image
In a highly anticipated matchup between two of the nation’s top 17u teams, the East Cobb Astros defeated eXposure National 9-8 in a thrilling extra-inning battle to claim the PG Southeast Elite Championship. The Astros completed the weekend undefeated, opening their summer season with a hard-fought, statement victory. “I mean, it's fun, it's been a grind today,” said Astros Head Coach, Josh Burress. “Been out here a long day, but our guys are competitors, they come out compete, they want to compete and win, so it's just fun to watch them come out here and not quitting playing to the end... so the guys did very well today, and they competed all the way through.” eXposure began the opening frame by taking the early lead on an error but quickly gave their lead away as the Astros came out of the gates hot, plating six runs in just the first inning. Mason Peek,...
Read More
Tournaments | Story | 6/2/2026

Central Florida Invite Scout Notes

Perfect Game Staff
Article Image
Leanderson Argueta (2027, Panamá) absolutely outmatched every arm he faced this weekend ending up with seven hits, five of which were doubles and also hit a three run home run in game three. In the fifth inning against Freshwater Storm National Argueta got his pitch and deposited it over the wall for a go ahead three run home run. Showed real comfort in the box and was able to repeat the stroke well. Fires his hips with intent and the direct bat path plays to all parts of the park.  Jayden Pagan (2028, St. Cloud, Fla.) would not be denied this weekend slashing .500/.684/1.434. The championship game was no different for Pagan getting a first pitch heater and scorched it into left for an rbi triple. He would later add a double in the seventh inning that carried over the center fielders head. The bat to ball skills paired with his up the middle approach translate. The 2028...
Read More
Tournaments | Championship | 6/2/2026

Biscuits Elite Go Perfect at Kick-Off

Emily Hicks
Article Image
After several days of competitive baseball, the Summer Kick-Off came down to one final matchup between Biscuts Elite and BTA 18U. In the end, Biscuits Elite came away with the championship, earning a 26-13 victory at Goodyear Ballpark. “We're a hardworking group; we never give up," said JJ Utash. Biscuits Elite set the tone early, scoring 7 runs in the 1st inning and never looked back. “We just worked together as a team the whole time; we scored runs, and running the ball offensively was good,” said Utash. Nikolas Ramirez led the offense, finishing 3-4 with 2 doubles, 1 triple, and 2 runs scored. Kyle Wisniewski added a 3-4 day at the plate which included a triple, and a run scored to help fuel the attack. Wisniewski hit .444 through 4 games. On the mound, Sean McDaniels got the start, throwing 2.2 innings while allowing 1 hit and striking out 3 batters. The pitching...
Read More
Tournaments | Championship | 6/1/2026

Turn 2 Comes Back to Take BCS

Alyssa Golden
Article Image
A mostly clear day at Lee Health Sports Complex in Fort Myers, Florida set the stage for a tightly contested championship matchup between Florida Burn 2028 Myrback and Turn 2 Garcia. Behind two triples from Quinn Seglem, Turn 2 rallied for a 5-4 victory to claim the BCS Qualifier title. Left-hander Carter Brunco started on the mound for Turn 2, allowing six hits and four walks while striking out two over 3.2 innings. Burn jumped out to an early lead in the first inning. Luke Straw singled and later advanced to third on a wild pitch before Joe O’Brien delivered an RBI single to score the game’s first run. Blake Dubiel followed with another RBI single to give Burn a 2-0 advantage. Right-hander Straw carried the momentum onto the mound for Burn, holding Turn 2 hitless through the first two innings while recording a strikeout in each. In the top of the second, Spencer Meachum...
Read More
College | Story | 5/29/2026

Cali Mid-Major Draft Notes

Joey Cohen
Article Image
California annually produces its share of high-profile prep and college draft talent, but this spring also offered quality depth especially on the mid-major side. I wanted to highlight a group of semi under-the-radar prospects who have quietly put together strong seasons and caught the attention of our staff whether it was with in-person looks or just by some performance/data metrics that popped. The bulk of this group comes out of the Big West, with additional names from the WCC, WAC, and Mountain West mixed in. Matthew Thomas - OF - CSUN  Few hitters in the Big West have matched Thomas’ offensive impact this spring, as he slashed a strong .335/.411/.679 with 15 home runs. Long and still mostly viewed as a power-first profile, he’s taken a meaningful step forward in the hit tool, cutting down a bit on significant swing-and-miss concerns while increasing his on-base...
Read More
Tournaments | Story | 6/1/2026

EBC 17U-Griggs Making a Run in Hoover

Kinley Kitchens
Article Image
Talent may have helped EBC 17U-Griggs arrive at the 2026 Perfect Game Hoover Invitational as one of the tournament favorites, but team chemistry is what has carried them to Championship Monday. After a dominant weekend that included multiple shutout victories, and a dramatic comeback win, EBC 17U-Griggs earned its place in the championship round and sits just two wins away from bringing home the title. The roster is loaded with college commits and nationally ranked prospects, but throughout the tournament, EBC’s success has come from contributions across the lineup rather than relying on a single star. After an opening 5-12 victory setting the tone, followed by a huge 17-0 victory where nine different players recorded at least one RBI, highlighted the depth that has made this club one of the most dangerous teams in the field. Throughout the weekend, players such as Clayton Tolbert,...
Read More
Tournaments | Story | 5/31/2026

Blalock's Consistency Shines in Hoover

Kinley Kitchens
Article Image
Blalock’s Consistency Continues to Shine at Hoover Invitational While many players his age are still learning how to handle the spotlight, Tristan Blalock has already become accustomed to it. The Madison, Alabama Native entered the 2026 Perfect Game Hoover Invitational as one of the most highly regarded players in the country, carrying a national ranking of No. 23 overall in the 2029 class and the distinction of being Alabama’s top ranked player. Yet despite the attention and high approval, Blalock’s approach remains remarkably simple.  “Just 100% effort,” Blalock said when asked about his defensive mindset. “Going out there every single time and giving it my all, do or die, no matter what the play is.” That mentality was on display Saturday as Blalock helped lead East Coast Sox Prime to a 14-0 victory over EBC 15U-Bell. Although the...
Read More
Loading more articles...
About Perfect Game :: Contact us :: Terms of Use :: Privacy Policy :: Testimonials :: Job Opportunities
Copyright 1994-2026 by Perfect Game. All rights reserved. No portion of this information may be reprinted or reproduced without the written consent of Perfect Game.