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Tournaments  | Story  | 10/16/2024

Jupiter: Staff Picks

Who is going to win it all? The PG scouting staff who'll be on hand take a shot at predicting who they think will be the last team standing in 2024. Naturally there will be underdogs who make a run, and might even win the whole thing, or an underclass team, maybe event a scout team who came together just for this one tournament. 

No matter what ultimately happens, the 2024 WWBA World Championships is sure to be another exciting even full of memorable plays, pop up prospects, and the highest quality of baseball. 




Tyler Kotila's Pick: Cangelosi Sparks
I’ve seen the Sparks play on the circuit in Iowa a good bit, and the team has a stellar roster from top-to-bottom. They have arms who are going to come out and cause problems for opposing hitters, and they have the bullpen arms to back that up. The Sparks also have a lineup full of hitters who can do damage against good opposition. They often make the most of their opportunities and have a middle-of-the-order that seemingly finds ways to produce and churn out runs in clutch spots. The Sparks are going to be tough to beat, and it feels like this group could go on a run down in Jupiter as things get underway. 

Vinnie Cervino's Pick: Canes National/NY Mets Scout Team

Canes National came within one game of winning the 17u WWBA and will look to finish the job here in Jupiter. The offense is a very good one with PG All-Americans anchoring the way like Dean Moss, Ethin Bingaman, and Mason Braun among others. No. 1 2026 Grady Emerson is also rostered here and the depth on offense looks legit and if their pitching can hold up this team has the potential to win the whole thing.

Craig Cozart's Pick: South Charlotte Panthers 2025 Marucci

This will be the last go around in Jupiter for Don Hutchins, founder, general manager and previous owner of the storied SCP organization, as he leads his club onto the diamond one more time. Coach Hutchins started the organization almost 25 years ago as the Pineville Panthers and in 2002 changed the name of the team it uses to this day. He was one of the originators of bringing younger players in to experience Jupiter and evolved that into what he calls his “super team” which is anchored by seniors and supplemented by elite underclass players. Tyler Howe, Nico Soul, Nick Papciak, and Sam Schwamb are veteran sluggers that will hit in the middle of the order and play premium defense. Opponents will have their hands full with the speed and power combo possessed by Ezra Essex, Carter Blankinship, and Brett Beasley. Sam Cozart will make his 6th appearance in Jupiter and anchor a pitching staff with power-armed Patrick Dudley, Caden Glauber and Jackson Toney. As for the underclassmen, Brady Marshall and Gunnar Alm are both ranked in the Top 100 in the 2026 class, while Trip Ostergard is a top ranked player in the 2027 class. I would expect the Panthers to win their pool and don’t be surprised if Coach Hutchins dips into his hat of old tricks to get this club to the end with a chance to take home the crown.

Jason Phillip's Pick: Dirtbags 2025 National

The Dirtbags and their camouflage uniforms always come to tournaments to make a statement and the 2024 PG WWBA World Championship will be no different. Led by shortstop AJ Terry (North Carolina), outfielder Zach Bender (North Carolina) and a pair of two-way stars in Max Luzarraga (Dallas Baptist) and underclassman Chase Kiker (Clemson), the Dirtbags are my pick to win it all. Getting through pool play unscathed is always a key to set up pitching matchups down in Jupiter for bracket play and the Dirtbags will feature 15 primary pitchers on the roster to get the job done. Pitching depth and hitters that grind out at-bats are imperative to winning games and the Dirtbags roster is littered with gamers that are never out of a ballgame. Catcher Danny Tsimbinos and infielder Vincent Lee are ’25 uncommitted players that will look to make an impact and contribute to the Dirtbags run to the Championship as well as uncommitted ’26 right-handed pitcher Carson Moser as all three seek an opportunity at the next level.

Geoff Billock's Pick: Team Elite Scout

Team Elite Scout has a real shot to make a deep run even without some of their top players in Trent Grindlinger and Dax Kilby. They still have a well-constructed lineup that should do damage top to bottom. Players like Mateo Noto, Owen ten Oever, Aiden Ruiz, Colton Sims, and Jaxson Wood will be stepping up big time filling out a deep lineup. Team Elite also boasts a slew of low-90s arms that have performed well on the circuit. Dylan McIntyre and Kyle Hopper will headline the rotation along with Clayton Hicks and Cole Fenton. Team Elite looks like a well-rounded squad that knows how to win and should be able to make a deep run out of their pool.

Tyler Henninger's Pick: SBA Sticks/ White Sox Scout Team

The White Sox Scout Team made a strong run during bracket play a year ago and look poised to make an even deeper run this year. A loaded roster features both a mix of high-end talent and depth. A lineup with players like Luke Billings, Landon Schaefer, and Bryden Bull will be tough on opposing pitchers. Spencer Browning and Luke Esquivel are two young bats that can make a loud impact as well. The pitching staff has enough talent to fill competitive innings throughout the weekend. Tyler Wood and Minjae Seo will lead the way, while younger arms like Shawn Sullivan and Gio Rojas could be x-factors. Taking home the title in Jupiter is an extremely tough task, but the White Sox Scout Team has the pieces to do so. 

Isaiah Burrows' Pick: Top Tier Roos

Going with more of an under-the-radar name as Top Tier Roos have loads of high end pitching talent and depth from the left or right side, either starting or coming out of the bullpen. They are solid up the middle athletically and bring a group of physical right-handed bats that can leave the yard at any moment. It's all about momentum, and this squad has what it takes to catch fire and win it all. 

Blaine Peterson's Pick: Royals Scout Team

As I board the plane from Kansas City to Jupiter it just feels right to be picking the Royals Scout Team to win in Jupiter this year. A roster highlighted by one of the top 2-way talents in the Midwest in Jordan Martin who can be electric on the mound and is also a dynamic athlete at shortstop. Add in a depth of arms including Noah Thompson, Lincoln Boyle, Brody Crane and Jackson Rose and there's depth to last the week on the mound with this roster. Weston Boyle and Jackson Akin are two of the top 2025 grad infielders in the  KC area and have the talent to pace the offense. Look for some uncommitted impact out of the 2026 class on this roster with 2-way talent Cale Fossett and middle infielder Ben Graves, both of whom could really use the Jupiter opportunity this year to establish themselves as high level prospects in the 2026 class. It'll all all have to come together but a lot of this group has played together and been a part of the Royals Scout Team program for awhile now. And that gives them a chance to take home this years Jupiter Championship Trophy.
 
Cam McElwaney's Pick: Knights Knation/Dodgers Scout Team

Knights Knation is no stranger to bringing loaded rosters to events throughout the calendar year and continue to show why they are one of the premier organizations in the entire travel ball space. The 2024 group is heading to Jupiter with expectations of winning the event and they have all the talent to do so. Their offense will be headlined by Florida State commit Ty Harvey, LSU commit Marshall Louque, and Virginia commit Nicky Becker, along with many others set to make a big impact. Overall, this team has 18 commitments and is my pick to click in the 2024 rendition of Jupiter.

AJ Denny's Pick: USA Prime National / Detroit Tigers Scout Team

With two All-Americans on the roster, it’s pretty hard to pick against USA Prime/Tigers here. Sean Gamble and Slater de Brun are equally exciting to watch as Top 15 players in the nation, and you won’t find many rival squads (if any) that have a one-two punch quite like this one. For further insurance, the roster also features the #2 overall prospect in the 2026 class in the form of Jacob Lombard. Expect this team to get off to a fast start and never look back, as 1 through 9 matches up with, and arguably exceeds, most if not all other teams in the field. This squad is clearly built to win, and that’s exactly what many people expect them to do this coming week.

Jered Goodwin's Pick: 5 Star Mafia Black

How can you not go with the org who has been a part of each of the last two Jupiter championships? The left side of the infield will be anchored by hard hitting PG All-American Kelvyn Paulino Jr at third base and Arkansas commit Alexander Peck at shortstop, though the roster is certainly built for a deep run with plenty of depth and bats who can make an impact. Arms are of the utmost importance and they have those too, with with a bevy of arms already committed to play at the next level, whether it be the likes of Jackson Peavy, Briggs McKenzie or Nic Stutzman.

Joey Cohen's Pick: East Cobb/Padres Scout Team

I really like how this East Cobb/Padres ST roster is constructed offensively. They are headlined by PG All-Americans #16 ranked Jaden Fauske and #22 ranked Josh Gibbs (Georgia) but they got a ton of lineup depth as well. Players like Ryan Mitchell (Georgia Tech), Josh Proctor (UCLA), Malachi Washington, and Terrance Bowen (OSU) are bats that will round out the lineup well as they are all T100 ranked players who all have a 1.000+ OPS in 2024 PG tournaments. Pitching will be the question but if they can get quality innings from Will Allen (Georgia), Cooper Underwood (Georgia Tech), Tyler Stone (Virginia Tech) and Nolan Bernard they have a strong shot.

Tyler Russo's Pick: Wow Factor National 18U

This program has exploded over the last couple of years and they’re certainly no stranger to success on the national scene at this point. The roster they’re bringing to Jupiter has both a good balance of senior vs underclass talent and bats vs arms. When looking specifically at the caliber of players, there’s a significant level of tools across the board between speed, power, big arms and more. With double digit primary arms and what looks on paper like a really deep lineup, this team is built for making a big run and wouldn’t be a surprise to win it all.

Michael Albee's Pick: FTB/TBT

This is a quality group of players top to bottom for FTB/TBT that come out and compete year after year on the circuit. This is a well-constructed roster with a good depth of talent and a bevy of arms that can lead them into a deep run after pool play. Headlined by All-American Mario Magana, there are numerous names on this club that can handle themselves in the box and come up with timely hits when needed, such as Jackson Roper and RJ Machado. Pablo David Figueroa Roman is the highest ranked arm in this group, as other talented pieces litter this rotation and bullpen. Keep tabs on this club, as well the bundle of uncommitted talent they are also bringing down to Jupiter with them.

Kyler Peterson's Pick: MLB Breakthrough

MLB Breakthrough is set up to really make a run this year in Jupiter. The roster is loaded up and down with serious underclass and upperclass talent. They are very strong up the middle with Stanford commit Rashad Hayes at short and Texas commit Anthony Pack Jr. manning center, and both will be impact sticks at the top. The depth stands out with the roster spanning across 11 states.

Bailey Srebnik’s Pick: Original Florida Pokers 2025

This Pokers group has proven to be thoroughly battle-tested in Florida over the past 12 months. They were champions of the 2023 WWBA Underclass World Championship and the 2024 PG 17u BCS National Championship. They also earned 3rd Place at the 2024 17u PG East Memorial Day Classic. They consistently make noise at big tournaments, and it is no surprise when they boast such a talented roster. Their top-ranked player Bennett Gary (Miami) will surely set the table nicely from the leadoff spot this week. The lineup features prominent depth behind him, as Jonathan Lopez (FAU) is coming off a big summer and will be manning the hot corner. Furthermore, Andrew Alvarez (SCF) is the reigning 17u BCS MVP, and was the 7-hole hitter in that tournament’s lineup. This roster has plenty of pitching depth to complement the hitting too, as Zach Beyra (UCF), Jhon Abreu (FGCU), Marcelo Young (FIU), and Thomas Glitner all have gifted arms. Glitner in particular was a key cog in the aforementioned 2023 WWBA Underclass run, as he won MVPitcher of that tourney. However, the Pokers got seeded in a daunting pool for this week’s gauntlet, as their matchup on Friday versus the South Charlotte Panthers is sure to be a dogfight. Nonetheless, if they can come out on top in the early games, they indubitably have the depth and talent to run the table at Jupiter in 2024.

Anthony Gambardella's Pick: Scorpions 2025 Dodgers Scout Team

The lineup for the Scorpions 2025 Dodgers Scout Team is dangerous from top to bottom, consisting of elite athletes with potent bats. Ty Kennedy and Lamar Edwards bring plus speed and high-end barrels to the top of the order. Their pitching staff is loaded as well, with a dozen 90+ arms which will help them cruise through the early stages of bracket play. Right-handers Michael Senay and Merrick Beamish are just a couple names that headline the loud Scorpions’ staff.


Troy Sutherland's Pick: East Coast Sox 

In typical East Coast Sox fashion this team is loaded top to bottom with premier talent from across the nation. In the heart of the order head coach Joe Caruso has to feel very good about his chances penciling in PG All-American, Eric Hines and the prolific left-handed bat of Ryan Harwood. On the mound, LSU commit Colton Christman is the headline with a strong staff line up behind him with Tennessee commit, Ari Bethea, South Carolina commit Spencer Krasner, and standout 2029 (!!!) graduate Adam Kramer. A hat tip is well deserved for this roster construction, and they will certainly be a threat throughout the tournament and my official pick to take it all down in 2024. 

John McAdam's Pick: Ghost National/Artillery 

The Ghost National/Artillery squad comes into Jupiter with a roster loaded with talent and to win the gauntlet that it presents takes just that plus more. They have a plethora of arms that all provide different looks from both handedness, while their lineup bolsters a mixture of speed, power and should score plenty of runs. Perfect Game All-American participant Jayden Stroman should hit right in the middle-of-the lineup but he will have help with the likes of Tennessee commit Ty Thompson, West Virginia commit David Perez and Ole Miss commit Kelven Perera Arellano. After deep runs in many of our PG National events, this could be the year that Ghost breaks through precipice and takes home the most coveted tournament in Amateur Baseball. Jupiter Baby! 

Jheremy Brown's Pick: CBA Marucci

Let's show some love to the West Coast here, huh? While CBA does hail from Temecula, California, it's the level of talent they're bringing to Jupiter for which I'm making this pick and it starts with shortstop Ethan Clauss. Having a player of Clause's talent level anchoring the infield at shortstop while also being a top of the order left-handed stick, the left-handed hitting LSU commit will be pivotal in CBA making a deep run. Of course you need more than just one player to win any tournament, let alone one of Jupiter's caliber, and having the likes of Jarett Sabol, Damian Casas, Eric Zdunek and Andruw Giles, amongst others, will more than help. Of the 11 primary arms (10 righties) it's Dylan Harrison, a Clemson commit, leading the charge as the 6-foot-5 hurler impressed throughout the summer circuit and will look to lead this stable of arms out of pool play and into a deep run. 
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