THE WORLD'S LARGEST AND MOST COMPREHENSIVE SCOUTING ORGANIZATION
| 2,384 MLB PLAYERS | 15,802 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
2,384 MLB PLAYERS | 15,802 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
Create Account
Sign in Create Account
Tournaments  | Story | 7/20/2014

Russell highlights Day 1 at PGWS

Todd Gold
Pound for pound, there is no more heavily condensed collection of talent to be found on the summer showcase circuit. With a matchup against a highly talented opponent in every game on the schedule, the prospects that have gathered in Arizona are getting a taste of what professional baseball will be like when their time comes. To stand out in an environment like this speaks volumes about the ability level that these young players have already achieved, and suggests that they are well on their way to successful careers. 

The first time slot of the day featured one of the elite power arms in the country in righthander Beau Burrows (2015, Weatherford, Texas). Burrows was filthy in the first inning, painting the glove side corner at 92-93 with sink and got through it with a quick 1-2-3 inning. His fastball command wasn't as sharp on the glove side, but he worked ahead with the fastball and his changeup proved unhittable. He used it to strike out all-american Brandt Stallings twice, which is not only a significant accomplishment because Stallings is one of the elite hitters in the 2015 class, but also because he's a right handed hitter. Burrows throws his changeup from the same compact release window from an over the top delivery with the same arm speed, and gets plus darting life down and to the arm side anywhere from 81-85 mph. His fastball sat 89-93, which is a bit down from the 94-96 he showed off at the PG National Showcase, but he proved he can pitch and go through a lineup multiple times in his start today. Perhaps just as importantly, his breaking ball wasn't working nearly as well today as it was at the National, yet he still managed to mow through a talented Georgia Roadrunners lineup anyway.

It looked as though Burrows would be the story of day one, but somehow the EvoShield Canes ran out another high level power arm in their second game of the day, one who was equally as impressive, if not moreso.  

Ashe Russell (2015, Indianapolis, Ind.) stole the show and was the highlight of day one, in spite of strong competition from several other highly impressive prospects. The performance couldn't have been much better, as Russell retired all 12 San Diego Show hitters he faced, including seven via strikeout. He sat 91-94 in the first, 90-93 in the second and third and 89-92 in the fourth inning and showed very good command of not only his fastball, but also his hard biting curveball at 77-78. The knock on the power armed right hander has been that with the violence to his delivery and head movement that he would be hard pressed to show the kind of command necessary to succeed at the highest levels of the professional ladder. But the temptation to overthink what a pitching prospect is "supposed to look like" diminishes with performances like the one Russell put up today. At the end of the day, if a pitcher can consistently hit his spots with quality pitches and his delivery makes hitters uncomfortable, what else do you need? That is exactly what Russell did today, and his team won as a result. 

The top velocity of the day came from right hander Matthew McGarry (2015, Menlo-Atherton, Calif.), who topped out at 95 mph. That is one mph shy of the PG World Series record, set by right hander Grant Holmes a year ago. Holmes was selected 22nd overall in the 2014 draft by the Los Angeles Dodgers. McGarry is a Vanderbilt commit with plenty of physical projection remaining, and while he's still learning to harness his power arsenal, he has a live arm and threw five shutout innings tonight. His curveball shows potential and at it's best flashes major league average quality already. Though his control still has a way to go to become one of the top prospects in the country, he has the raw ingredients to get there eventually. 

One "lesser known" prospect who made an impression today was right hander Parker McFaden (2015, Yelm, Wash.) of the West Coast Mariners. Less known is in quotations because he was selected to the PG National Showcase and is well known among northwest scouts, but on the national scene he's not a big name. He came on in relief and worked 91-94. While he didn't have plus command or a plus breaking ball, he has a fast arm and is one of the most highly sought after uncommitted players at the event and drew a large crowd of college coaches. 

In such a pitching dominated first day there weren't as many offensive highlights as there will be in a couple of days when teams start running low on elite arms, but the hitter who stood out the most to this scout/author was left handed hitting infielder LT Tolbert (2015, Piedmont, S.C.). In his first at-bat of the tournament he stepped in against a finesse lefty who featured a sharp angle on his pitches coming from the first base side, behind left handed hitters, and with good command. He went away, away, away to Tolbert. Tolbert recognized this early in the sequence and when he got an elevated fastball on the outside corner he took a low effort stroke and dumped the ball into left field to drive in the first run of the game. It was an impressive adjustment for a young hitter with the kind of bat speed and power that Tolbert possesses and is the type of cognitive presence in the batter's box that allows talented players like him to live up to their potential. It is also the type of moment that condensing this caliber of talent into one place allows scouts the opportunity to see, and tells them more about a prospect than watching him unload on a center cut fastball from an average pitcher.

There were two candidates for webgems of the day, both by athletic shortstops. Lucius Fox (2015, Delray Beach, Fla.) was the leader in the clubhouse after snaring a ball that had center field written all over it and then getting rid of it almost instantaneously. Then Nick Shumpert (2015, Lone Tree, Colo.) took the field later in the day and had an inning where he ranged to his right and nearly robbed a single out of the 5-6 hole with a strong throw off his back foot, and then robbed a line drive up the middle by ranging to his left. Centerfielder Seth Beer (2016, Suwanee, Ga.) gets an honorable mention for his diving catch followed by a strong throw back to first to double off a runner in the Georgia Roadrunners' first game. 


These observations and opinions are those of one member of the PG scouting staff. With games being played on up to eight fields simultaneously, it is impossible for the preceding recap to be fully comprehensive. Rather these are the players and moments that stood out the most while watching some of the top players in the country compete in an intensely competitive atmosphere. 
Give us your feedback
Tournaments | Story | 1/20/2026

Back-to-Back MLK East for Phillies
Hannah Jo Groves
Article Image
TBT Phillies Scout run rules for second straight MLK East Championship The 14U TBT Phillies Scout Team overtook A3 Academy Futures 14-6 in the final game to win their second straight 2026 MLK East Championship. Though the skies were blue and the sun was out in Fort Myers, Florida, the air was very chilly. The wind whipped through the palm trees as players, parents and friends piled into the 5-Plex Player Development Complex bundled up in blankets, hoodies and beanies.  The A3 Academy Futures were first up to bat - and the TBT Phillies struggled through the first frame. The first run came across on a balk; the second came soon after off a double from Gabriel Messing. “I was surprised that they scored right away off the jump,” Kingston George said, an outfielder for TBT Phillies Scout and this year’s MVP of the 14U East MLK championship. “We were kind of quiet...
Read More
College | Story | 1/22/2026

Conference Preview: Big 10

Troy Sutherland
Article Image
2026 College Preview Index | Preseason Top 25 | Preseason Collegiate All-Americans For all of Perfect Game's conference previews as part of the 2026 college baseball preview content, the 2025 records and all-conference teams are available for free. The conference top prospects and individual team breakdowns can be viewed with a subscription. 2025 Records Teams are listed in alphabetical order*  Team W L W L Illinois 30 24 14 16 Indiana 32 24 16 14 Iowa 33 22 21 9 Maryland 27 29 12 18 Michigan 33 23 16 14 Michigan State 28 27 13 17 Minnesota 24 28 10 20 Nebraska 33 29 15 15 Northwestern 25 27 13 17 Ohio State 13 37 5 25 Oregon 42 16 22 8 Penn State 33 23 15 15 Purdue 31 23 11 19 Rutgers 29 28 15 15 UCLA 48 18 22 8 USC 37 23 18 12 Washington 29 28 17 13 Preseason All-Conference Team Pos. Name School Stats/Notes C Mason Eckelman Ohio State Taken steps forward--...
Read More
General | Blog | 1/21/2026

Wolforth Throwing Mentorship: Article 61

Ron Wolforth
Article Image
Demystifying the Curveball, Pitch Counts, and Weighted Balls- Part 1 You know what I love about the holidays? Good food, time with family, and the unspoken rule that nobody brings up religion or politics at the dinner table.   Why? Because they're powder kegs. Topics that bring out deep-seated beliefs and strong emotions.  Well, I accidentally lit one of those powder kegs recently, except it wasn't at the dinner table. It was on social media.   Our team posted a short clip of me at Boot Camp making what I thought was a pretty straightforward point: simply avoiding the curveball is far from a guarantee of arm health.   I wasn't trying to be provocative. I was just stating what I believed to be obvious after 30 years of doing this work.  But boy, did a few people have problems with it.   It became one of the most discussed posts in Ranch history....
Read More
College | Story | 1/21/2026

Conference Preview: Big 12

Tyler Henninger
Article Image
2026 College Preview Index | Preseason Top 25 | Preseason Collegiate All-Americans For all of Perfect Game's conference previews as part of the 2026 college baseball preview content, the 2025 records and all-conference teams are available for free. The conference top prospects and individual team breakdowns can be viewed with a subscription. 2025 Records Teams are listed in alphabetical order*  Team W L W L Arizona 44 21 18 12 Arizona State 36 24 18 12 Baylor 33 22 13 17 BYU 28 27 10 20 Cincinnati 33 26 16 14 Houston 30 25 12 17 Kansas 43 17 20 10 Kansas State 32 26 17 13 Oklahoma State 30 25 15 12 TCU 39 20 19 11 Texas Tech 20 33 13 17 UCF 29 26 9 21 Utah 21 29 8 22 West Virginia 44 16 19 9 Preseason All-Conference Team Pos. Name School Stats/Notes C Jackson Natili Cincinnati .338/9/53; well-rounded bat with bat to ball skills and strong catch and throw 1B Brady...
Read More
Tournaments | Story | 1/20/2026

A New Path to the Next Level

Jim Salisbury
Article Image
A New Path to the Next Level: Inside Perfect Game’s College Instructional Series An important new PG event will help aspiring college players grow, get noticed COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The changing environment of college baseball has led to an innovative new event at Perfect Game, one that will connect high school players looking for an opportunity at the next level with the coaches who may be able to provide one. On top of it all, there will be plenty of expert instruction along with the spirited, tournament-style competition that PG is known for. The College Instructional Series will take place at six regionalized venues starting this summer. “This event will serve an important purpose for players and coaches,” said Adam Revelette, PG’s senior director of events. “Everybody we’ve talked to is very intrigued about the platform.” The event is geared...
Read More
Tournaments | Story | 1/20/2026

MLK West Scout Notes: Days 3-4

Steve Fiorindo
Article Image
MLK West Scout Notes: Days 1-2 Markus Chandler, RHP, Westside HS Class of 2027 A little on the undersized side as a sub 6 footer, but Chandler can generate some velo and spin.  Spun 3 frames of hitless ball for Spects National with zero walks and 6 strikeouts.  Committed to Kansas State, the righty ran the fastball to 92, living 89-92 pumping the zone with 75 percent strikes.  Looked like two different breaking balls, with the SL 80/81 (spin in 2500’s) and curveball 75/76.  No hard contact, little contact at all off the righty in this dominant outing. To follow up the pitching performance, Chandler swung the bat well on Championship Monday (Trademark Pending) with 5 RBI and three hits on the day, regularly on the barrel.  Trevor Alons, RHP, Centennial HS Class of 2028 Lean framed sophomore with a quick, whippy arm.  Playing up a few classes, you might...
Read More
College | Story | 1/20/2026

Conference Preview: Oregon State

Tyler Henninger
Article Image
2026 College Preview Index | Preseason Top 25 | Preseason Collegiate All-Americans For all of Perfect Game's conference previews as part of the 2026 college baseball preview content, the 2025 records and all-conference teams are available for free. The conference top prospects and individual team breakdowns can be viewed with a subscription. 2025 Record W L T Oregon State 48 16 1 Impact Player: Easton Talt, OF Impact Pitcher: Dax Whitney, RHP Impact Freshman: Mason Pike, RHP/MIF 2026 MLB Draft Prospects 1. Ethan Kleinschmit, LHP 2. Eric Segura, RHP 3. Zach Edwards*, RHP 4. Easton Talt, OF 5. Jacob Kreig, 1B 6. Wyatt Queen, RHP 7. AJ Singer, IF 8. Eli Gries-Smith, OF 9. Noah Scott, RHP 10. Paul Vazquez*, IF 11. Nyan Hayes, OF 12. AJ Hutcheson, RHP 13. Tyler Inge*, 3B 14. Bryson Glassco, IF 15. Jacob Galloway, C 2027 MLB Draft Prospects 1. Dax Whitney, RHP 2. Adam...
Read More
Tournaments | Story | 1/18/2026

MLK West Scout Notes: Days 1-2

Steve Fiorindo
Article Image
Cole Migaki (‘29 WA) w/ one of his 5 K’s thru 2-innings. FB 84-86 coupled w/ a firm BB that has 11/5 shape sitting 77-77. Balanced operation w/ a live, loose arm. Athletic frame at 6-ft, 170 that projects #MLKWest @PG_PacificNW pic.twitter.com/iBgAoajNUM — Perfect Game Four Corners (@PG_FourCorners) January 16, 2026 Cole Migaki (2029 Vancouver, WA) Was lights out in his start on Friday at MLK West, only needing 42 pitches to get thru three-innings and did not allow a hit or run while punching out 8.  Migaki overwhelmed opposing hitters, running his fastball up to 86 and mixing in a firm breaking ball at 75-77 with 11-5 shape and depth.  The athletic 6-foot, 170-pound right-hander is the top ranked third base prospect in the state of Washington for the class of 2029, collecting a couple of hits in his five at-bats and drove in a run.  Excellent start to...
Read More
Press Release | Press Release | 1/16/2026

Perfect Game Hires Blakeley As Regional Dir.

Perfect Game Staff
Article Image
    667 Progress Way | Sanford, FL 32771 | 319-298-2923  www.perfectgame.org | facebook.com/perfectgameusa | @PerfectGameUSA      FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE    PERFECT GAME HIRES ERIC BLAKELEY AS REGIONAL DIRECTOR    Sanford, Florida (Friday, January 16, 2026) - Perfect Game, the world’s largest youth baseball and softball platform and scouting service, today announced the hiring of Eric Blakeley as a Regional Director. Blakeley brings more than two decades of experience in elite baseball and softball events, along with an accomplished background as both a collegiate and professional player.    Blakeley joins Perfect Game after building the highly respected Crossroads Baseball Series, where for more than 20 years he developed and operated baseball...
Read More
College | Story | 1/16/2026

Conference Preview: ACC

Kyler Peterson
Article Image
2026 College Preview Index | Preseason Top 25 | Preseason Collegiate All-Americans For all of Perfect Game's conference previews as part of the 2026 college baseball preview content, the 2025 records and all-conference teams are available for free. The conference top prospects and individual team breakdowns can be viewed with a subscription. 2025 Records Teams are listed in alphabetical order*  School  W L W L Boston College 28 29 11 19 California 24 31 9 21 Clemson 45 18 18 12 Duke 41 21 17 13 Florida State 42 16 17 10 Georgia Tech 41 19 19 11 Louisville 42 24 15 15 Miami 35 27 15 14 North Carolina 46 15 18 11 NC State 35 21 17 11 Notre Dame 32 21 14 16 Pitt 28 27 10 20 Stanford 27 25 16 15 Virginia 32 18 16 11 Virginia Tech 31 25 12 18 Wake Forest 39 22 16 14 Preseason All-Conference Team Pos. Name School Stats/Notes C Vahn Lackey Georgia Tech...
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.