2015 WWBA East Memorial Day Classic Championship Feature

FORT MYERS, Fla. – There were numerous top players on hand for this past weekend’s 14u, 16u and 18u WWBA East Memorial Day Classic. Below are several particular performances that wowed the eyes of fans and scouts alike.

Ronald Washington, the No. 1 player in the 2017 class, took his talents to southwest Florida and failed to disappoint. When his Elite Squad Prime 17u team was tied going into the bottom of the eighth he blasted a 0-1 88 mph fastball over the left field fence for a walk-off grand slam to advance. The tales of Washington’s power have become something of legend given his batting practice performances at showcases and he put every bit of it to use on that swing.

North East Baseball’s starter, Jesus Gamez, was one of a handful high end prospects playing the quarterfinal game against Elite Squad Prime 16u. He pitched a phenomenal 6 1/3 innings allowing just one earned run on two hits and one walk, while striking out seven batters. He showed pinpoint command with his fastball that touched 94 mph on the mound with good extension and a quick arm to go with a smooth delivery. The last time Gamez was seen by PG scouts was at the 2014 South Top Showcase when he topped out at 88 mph. With a considerable rise in his velocity could help his draft stock as a 2015 graduate.

Elite Squad pitchers failed to disappoint as well. Nick McDonald took the mound to start the game tossing four innings allowing just two hits and three walks while striking out two batters. McDonald used an assortment of pitches comprised of an 82-87 mph fastball with a 72-76 mph curve and a 76-77 mph slider.

Gregory Veliz of Elite Squad Prime 17u entered their Quarterfinal game from the bullpen to fire three perfect frames, including escaping the bases loaded one out situation to start the seventh and eighth innings. Scouts saw his fastball light up the radar guns hitting 96 mph. Not only did he top out at 96, but he saw his fastball climb in velocity for each inning on the mound. To add to the hysteria that this game provided, to end the top of the eighth inning Brandon Chinea threw out Briggs Benson trying to score the go-ahead run.

Parker Pillsbury dominated on the hill for his GCBA Black Sox throwing five no-hit innings allowing merely one runner aboard on a walk, while striking out an impressive 10 batters. He threw 67 percent of his pitches for strikes, mixing a 78-83 mph fastball with a deceptive 68-72 mph changeup and good 60-63 mph curveball. He showed good mound presence while attacking opposing hitters inside with his fastball. His changeup was key for him on the mound, relying on it to put hitters away with two strikes. At the plate, he collected a base hit, scored a run and reached base a second time on an error as the Black Sox leadoff hitter.

16u MVP honors were handed down to Jordan Butler in part due to his Sunday performance against the Miami Suns for the Florida Burn Pennant on Sunday. The Florida commit and ninth overall rated player for the 2017 class showed off the sweet swing that has scouts clamoring over him. He went 2-for-3 at the plate with a double and two RBI. If his performance at the plate was not enough, he dominated on the hill tossing three shutout innings allowing just one hit and striking out an impressive seven batters. Butler showed good velocity on the bump seeing his fastball hit 90 mph and he mixed in a hammer curveball that sat 69-73 mph.

Daniel Federman took the mound for Elite Squad Prime 16u in their quarterfinal game earning a dominating win as he tossed four shutout innings allowing just two hits and recording seven strikeouts. Federman featured an arsenal of pitches comprised of a 82-86 mph fastball, a 67-71 mph curveball and a deceptive 75-79 mph changeup.

Pitching for the Pokers Elite 16u was Max Lazar in their second pool play game. Lazar dazzled on the mound tossing seven perfect innings and striking out 13 batters. He threw a little over 70 percent of his pitches for strikes and saw his fastball top out at 81 mph. Lazar also mixed in a 64-69 mph curveball and a 70-73 mph changeup.

Matt Hurley led the offensive charge for the SWFL Player Development Center 16u team on Saturday. Hurley went 3-for-3 at the plate reaching base a total of four times on the day with a three-run home run. He was not done after that though smacking a two-run double later in the game.

Earning 14u MV-Pitcher honors was Alex Ballard of the runnerup Florida Burn Pennant 2019 team in large part for his performance on Saturday against the Bengals Blue. Ballard fired six one-hit innings and struck out 12 to help his team earn the win. Ballard changed speeds and was around the plate with all of his pitches including his fastball that touched 82 mph. He mixed in a good 67-72 mph curveball that flashed potential and a low-70s changeup.

In the championship game for the 14u side, Steven Parker Farris stepped up in the first inning for Florida Burn Pennant and blasted a two-run home run out of City of Palms Park to give them an early lead.

Tyler Burton started for the Caloosa Cats in their game against the Elite Squad Select 14u and dominated in all facets of the game. Burton started on the mound and tossed four no-hit innings allowing just one walk, while striking out eight batters. Burton showed a smooth delivery and an effortless arm action with his 75-78 mph fastball and 64-69 mph curveball. He also made an impact offensively going 1-for-2 with a stolen base.