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Tournaments  | Story | 1/17/2019

West, East MLKs jump-start '19

Photo: Hayden Travinski (Perfect Game)

GLENDALE, Ariz. – Ball fields stationed on opposite ends of the country will be busy places over the upcoming Martin Luther King Jr. memorial weekend, when the annual PG West and East MLK Championships are contested in the Phoenix, Ariz., and Fort Myers, Fla., metropolitan areas Friday through Monday (Jan. 18-21). They are the first major events on PG’s 2019 tournament schedule.

This marks the eighth year the Upperclass, Underclass and Freshman West MLK Championships will be played in Phoenix’s West Valley, with the Camelback Ranch spring training complex in Glendale serving as the host venue; seven high school fields in close proximity to Camelback will also be used.

One top travel team organization really looking to make some noise in the desert this weekend is Little Rock, Ark.-based Sticks Baseball Academy (SBA), with strong entrants in all three tournaments. The Sticks are the Underclass West MLK defending champions.

SBA is one of 34 teams from 14 states and Canada (one each from British Columbia and Saskatchewan) rolling the dice in the Upperclass West MLK. The Las Vegas-based Recruits won the 2018 Upperclass championship and another LVR team is in the field this weekend.

The Sticks come in with a roster anchored by 2019 catchers Hayden Travinski (PG All-American, No. 37-ranked, LSU signee) and Kurtis Byrne (No. 56, TCU). It also includes top 2020 outfielder Nicholas Griffin (No. 34, Arkansas commit), 2020 third baseman Ethan Long (No. 41, Arkansas) and 2021 outfielder Braylon Bishop (No. 10, Arkansas). Griffin and Bishop are also rostered with the Sticks’ entrant in the Underclass West MLK.

2019 outfielder Cole Hinkelman, a Stanford signee ranked No. 45 nationally, is expected to be suited up for the University Place, Wash.-based Pacific Northwest Regional Baseball Upperclass Royal.

Thirty-two teams from nine states and Canada will be in pursuit of the Underclass West MLK crown, and dozens of highly regarded prospects fill their rosters. If Griffin and Bishop play for the Sticks’ underclass team – they could play in both events if the schedule permits – they will be joining 2020 right-hander Markevian Hence (No. 160, Arkansas), 2021 left-hander Hunter Elliott (No. 33, Ole Miss), 2021 righty Samuel Dutton (No. 61, LSU) and 2022 outfielder Josh Pearson (No. 28, LSU).

GBG NW Marucci, also out of University Place, Wash., features four 2020s ranked in the top-434 nationally, including the left-hander Ronan Kopp (No. 198, Arizona State). Menifee, Calif.-based Dykstra Baseball has several highly ranked 2021s and 2022s on its roster with 2021 shortstop Isaac Rodriguez (No. 42, USC) and 2022 outfielder Mason Neville (No. 43) leading the way.

Another 24 teams from nine states and Canada comprised the Freshman West MLK field, and last year’s under-the-radar champion, Elite Squad 15u Texas, is not among them. Keeping with the theme of this year’s West MLKs, Sticks Baseball Academy has two of the highest ranked 2022 prospects with Pearson and shortstop Colton Sims (No. 71, Arkansas) both rostered.

The New Jersey-based Tri-State Arsenal Scout Team carries a roster with four 2022s ranked in the top 100: right-hander Brock Porter (No. 58), righty Drew Lafferty (No. 70, Kentucky), left-hander Dylan Dreiling (No. 73, Tennessee) and catcher Ike Irish (No. 100).

Nearly 80 teams will be competing at the five PG East MLK Championships – the 2nd annual Underclass, 4th annual Freshman, 3rd annual 14u, 4th annual 13u and 3rd annual 12u – with play taking place at the Lee County Player Development 5-Plex, Terry Park, City of Palms Park, the CenturyLink Sports Complex and various high schools.

The Underclass East MLK Championship features 24 teams, 20 of which are based in Florida; the other four are from Illinois, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Puerto Rico. The Elite Squad Underclass Prime took home the title a year ago, and the Pembroke Pines, Fla., program returns with another strong club this weekend.

First baseman CJ Kayfus (No. 49, Miami) and outfielder Enrique A. Bradfield Jr. (No. 51, Vanderbilt) are the top 2020s rostered; 2021 right-hander Nick Anello (No. 28, Miami) is also in the Elite Squad fold. 2021 outfielder Bryant Colon (No. 49, Miami) is another high-profile prospect expected to be on-hand, and he’ll be suiting up with the Banditos Prospects 2020.

Hit Factory PRO out of Tampa comes in with seven 2021s that are ranked in the top-499, including catcher Satchell Norman (No. 76, Florida State) and right-hander Austin Grause (No. 114).

Six teams – five from Florida and Turn 2 Baseball out of Fremont, Calif. – are in the PG Freshman East MLK field, and 2022 shortstop Nazier Mule (No. 26) is rostered with the Gamblers Elite (Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.).

Eighteen teams are entered in the 14u East MLK, 15 in the 13u and another 14 in the 12u. Fifteen of the 18 14u teams are from Florida (two from Texas, one from Ohio), 14 of the 15 13u squads are Florida-based (one from Pennsylvania) and 11 of the 14 12u squads are playing in their home state (Georgia, Ohio, Puerto Rico are also represented).




Tournaments | Story | 1/27/2026

MLK East Scout Notes Recap

Perfect Game Staff
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‘28 OF Jakob Groeschel (OH) continues to impress with the bat on the circuit, picked up 2 2Bs in the first game today. Really athletic, went 4.4 on turn; easy to dream on all the traits. #MLKEast @PG_OhioValley pic.twitter.com/wOIwnGKnkg — Perfect Game Florida (@Florida_PG) January 17, 2026 2028 OF Jakob Groeschel (Springfield, Ohio) broke out at this event last year hitting a casual .909, and although he didn’t turn in quite the same performance, he hit a strong .462 with 4 extra-base hits, 5 walks, 5 bags and only struck out once. He’s a pretty dynamic athlete who can do a lot of things well, but the bat is the calling card as he just lives on the barrel and has no problem handling all kinds of pitching. It’s a simple swing, but he’s got fast hands and he can really impact the ball without being overly physical yet.  2030 RHP Michael Vazquez...
High School | General | 2/12/2026

Coastal Region Top Teams

Tyler Russo
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Coastal All Region & Top Tools Rk Coastal Record 1 Charlotte Catholic (NC) 22-6-1 2 Metrolina Christian Academy (NC) 28-3 3 James Island Charter (SC) 30-4 4 Battlefield (VA) 23-3 5 Charlotte Christian (NC) 26-6 6 Dorman (SC) 22-7 7 Marvin Ridge (NC) 21-8 8 Grace Christian (NC) 23-7 9 Berkeley (SC) 22-10 10 T.C. Roberson (NC) 27-6 11 Lexington (SC) 22-11-1 12 Providence (NC) 23-6 13 Southside Christian Schools (SC) 33-2-1 14 Bishop O'Connell (VA) 20-6 15 Cuthbertson (NC) 26-6 16 Wesleyan Christian Academy (NC) 18-11 17 Blythewood (SC) 24-7 18 The Miller School (VA) 34-6 19 Stratford (SC) 22-6-2 20 Laney (NC) 25-7 21 Gaston Christian (NC) 18-4 22 Airport (SC) 27-6 23 Hurricane (WV) 28-7 24 Gainesville (VA) 23-4 25 Oceanside Collegiate Academy (SC) 27-8
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Coastal All Region & Top Tools

David Rawnsley
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COASTAL REGION (NC, SC, VA, WV)  The first thing that stands out about the players on the Coastal Region team is that this is undoubtedly the fastest All-Region Team in the country.  There are four or five players who could legitimately have 80 grades on their running speed from the region and all have other tools to back up their speed. Another thing that jumps out is the quality of the juniors on the team.  While the region features only one 2025 PG All-American in left-handed pitcher Carson Bolemon, there are six juniors on the All-Region team who are ranked in the top 34 in the 2027 class, with plenty more talented underclassmen just behind them.  Three region high schools break into the Top 50 in the Perfect Game Pre-Season High School Rankings.  Charlotte Catholic at 33rd overall and Metrolina Christian Academy at 42nd represent the North Carolina schools...
College | Story | 2/12/2026

2026 Staff Picks: College Edition

Perfect Game Staff
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2026 College Preview Index With the D-I season opening up right around the corner, our staff came together and took a shot at who they'd pick within 7 different categories. Most are self explanatory while the "Sleeping GIant" category is in reference to a draft prospect outside of our latest Top 50 on the MLB Draft Board. It's also worth noting that once a player was selected for a category, he was unavailable for others to choose, outside of the Golden Spikes category, where we do see some double-ups.  Enjoy the weekend, there's sure to be plenty of excitement as baseball is officially back across the country at all collegiate levels!  Category Cohen Sutherland Cervino Billock Henninger Rankin Russo Impact Freshman Mason Braun Angel Cervantes Cooper Underwood Marcos Paz JD Stein Alec Blair Sam Cozart Impact Transfer Jake Schaffner Will Gasparino Brady Frederick Andrew Whalen...
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Southwest Region Top Teams

Tyler Russo
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Southwest All Region & Top Tools Rk Southwest Record 1 Casteel (AZ) 23-10 2 Basic (NV) 25-7 3 Corona Del Sol (AZ) 27-6 4 Faith Lutheran (NV) 22-18 5 Brophy College Prep (AZ) 16-13 6 Regis Jesuit (CO) 22-9 7 Queen Creek (AZ) 18-13 8 Spanish Fork (UT) 18-17 9 Mountain Ridge (UT) 20-12 10 Liberty (AZ) 17-13 11 Bishop Gorman (NV) 19-14 12 Rio Rancho (NM) 23-7 13 Cherry Creek (CO) 23-5-1 14 Palo Verde (NV) 24-10 15 Sandra Day O'Connor (AZ) 21-12 16 Pleasant Grove (UT) 23-6 17 La Cueva (NM) 25-4 18 Desert Mountain (AZ) 16-12 19 Snow Canyon (UT) 23-8 20 Hamilton (AZ) 25-9 21 Millennium (AZ) 21-10 22 Centennial (NV) 24-9 23 Valley Christian (AZ) 29-2 24 Mountain Vista (CO) 15-9 25 Williams Field (AZ) 15-11
High School | General | 2/11/2026

Southwest All Region & Top Tools

David Rawnsley
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SOUTHWEST REGION (AZ, NM, NV, UT, CO)  The most dominant tool in the Southwest Region for the 2026 season is undoubtedly power at the plate, as most players featured below not only have the size and bat speed to drive the ball but have put up the numbers as well.  While that isn’t exactly surprising given that virtually the entire region plays at elevation, it certainly stands out on the individual top prospects. The Region features four Perfect Game All-Americans in OF Ryan Harwood, IF Rookie Shepard and C Alain Gomez-Gudino and RHP Dylan Blomker.  The 2027 class is looking very promising as well, with four juniors gaining mention on the All-Region team below and Arizona in particular having a very talented class.  Keep an eye out especially for 2027 3B Colton Floyd (Corona Del Sol HS, Ariz.), one of the best and biggest power hitters in that class. Two Region...
Press Release | Press Release | 2/11/2026

Perfect Game Partners with Goodles

Perfect Game Staff
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    667 Progress Way | Sanford, FL 32771 | 319-298-2923  www.perfectgame.org | facebook.com/perfectgameusa | @PerfectGameUSA      FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE    PERFECT GAME ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH GOODLES    Sanford, Florida (Wednesday, February 11, 2026) - Perfect Game, the world’s largest youth baseball and softball platform and scouting service, today announced a new partnership with  GOODLES, the brand that reimagined boxed mac and cheese, naming the brand the Official Mac & Cheese of Perfect Game. The collaboration will bring delicious, nutrient-packed mac and cheese to families and players during premiere events and tournaments.    While practice makes perfect, a player’s diet can’t be...
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DII Top 25: February 11

Nick Herfordt
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Preseason rankings are less about certainty and more about expectation. Experience, continuity, and proven production tend to win in Division II baseball, but every spring reminds us how thin the margins can be. The teams below enter 2026 carrying varying combinations of momentum, pressure, and opportunity. Some are defending a standard. Others are chasing it.  At this level, projection is rarely about raw talent alone. It is shaped by familiarity, by the players who have been through a season together, by staffs that know how to manage the quiet stretches as well as the loud ones. Injuries, turnover, and postseason moments leave marks that don’t always show up in the numbers, but they shape how teams respond when games tighten.  The programs at the top of these rankings carry more than returning statistics. They carry memory and momentum. They remember what it felt like...
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Texas Region Top Teams

Tyler Russo
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Texas All Region & Top Tools Rk Texas Record 1 Grapevine 36-3 2 Memorial 28-6-1 3 Lake Travis 28-12-3 4 Kingwood 39-4 5 Aledo 31-8 6 Atascocita 33-12-2 7 Calallen 35-2 8 Pleasant Grove 36-6 9 Prestonwood Christian 25-5 10 The Bennett School N/A 11 Lovejoy 30-9 12 Allen 16-16-1 13 Prosper 33-10-1 14 Flower Mound Marcus 30-13 15 Tomball 34-7-1 16 Waco Midway 35-8 17 Dallas Jesuit 23-9-1 18 Flower Mound 21-12 19 Buda Johnson 26-13 20 The Woodlands 29-6-1 21 Katy Taylor 26-13-1 22 Rockwall Heath 15-9 23 Rockwall 29-10 24 Lutheran South 34-3-1 25 Keller 29-11
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Jheremy Brown
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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 Akron 20 34 9 21 Ball State 36 22 21 9 Bowling Green 33 22 19 11 Central Michigan 20 35 11 19 Eastern Michigan 21 30 12 18 Kent State 38 18 23 7 Massachusetts* 14 34 7 23 Miami  35 23 23 7 Northern Illinois 21 33 9 21 Ohio 14 37 9 21 Toledo 32 29 17 13 Western Michigan 19 32 12 18 *record in the A-10 Preseason All-Conference Team Pos. Name School Stats/Notes C Brody Williams Kent State .341-7-53; .457 OBP w/ zone awareness, leader on both sides, power in the...
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Conference Preview: America East

AJ Denny
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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 Binghamton  13 11 28 26 Bryant  18 6 36 18 Maine  13 11 20 31 NJIT  14 10 27 26 UAlbany  10 14 22 32 UMass Lowell  8 16 18 35 UMBC  8 16 18 28 Preseason All-Conference Team Pos. Name School Stats/Notes C Levi McAllister UAlbany 2025 2nd Team America East All-Conference; hit .310 last season w/ 9 HRs and 25 XBH. Do-it-all guy for UAlbany, reliable behind dish w/ ability to hit for both AVG + power offensively 1B Sean O'Leary UMass...
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