THE WORLD'S LARGEST AND MOST COMPREHENSIVE SCOUTING ORGANIZATION
| 2,401 MLB PLAYERS | 15,805 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
2,401 MLB PLAYERS | 15,805 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
Sign in Create Account
Sign in Create Account
Tournaments  | Championship | 7/14/2020

Champions crowned in Tomball

Jerry Miller
Photo: Banditos 17u Black (Perfect Game)
17U Central Elite

Semi-Final



Michael Hogan (2021, Crosby, TX), Charles Mooney (2021, Crosby, TX), and James Woodruff (2021, Crosby, TX) pitched the Sons of Thunder into the 17U Central Elite Finals by holding down the always explosive Hunter Pence Baseball Academy-Cunningham, 3-2. The three-headed Crosby HS pitching staff battled through some command issues, but they held the HPBA to only one hit. Hogan and Mooney did most of the work, throwing 6 2/3 innings between them. Although they walked nine, they only gave up the one knock. They struck out nine HPBA hitters. Woodruff came on and retired the only hitter he faced, throwing only two pitches to get the 21st and final out of the game, enabling the Sons of Thunder to advance to the finals.

In the other 17U semi-final, the Texas Twelve Gold 2022 squad beat their rivals, the 16U Banditos Elite 2-1 in 10 innings. In a game dominated by pitching and defense, 12 Gold was finally able to break through to score the winning run on a clutch knock by Ryan Franden (2022, Katy, TX) who lined a single through a drawn in infield. The 6-1, 150 pound Seven Lakes HS rising junior, and lefthanded swinger, drilled a fastball on the outside corner into left field, setting off a gigantic celebration and pushing the Texas Twelve Gold 2022 club into the finals.

Championship Game

The 2020 17U Central Elite Championship hardware, via a 6-0 win over a very competitive Sons of Thunder team, will find a place in the Twelve organization’s trophy case because of the Gold 2022’s ability to command the strike zone and make plays.

The phrase “Attention to Detail” is probably written somewhere on a wall at the Texas Twelve facility in Katy, Texas. Few programs are as rooted in fundamental development than 12. It is ingrained early on in each player’s mind-set as they pass through the Twelve system. The Texas Twelve Gold 2022 club best exemplifies all that is right with the program mantra of the 12 organization.

The entire pitching staff took great pride in routinely throwing strikes. Each pitcher works with a certain pace and rhythm, which helps their defense. Although the fastball velocities weren’t necessarily eye-popping, the staff worked the edges and stayed off the middle of the plate. The 12 staff were also adept at mixing in sound secondary pitches inducing a number of feeble efforts by their opponents.

Most importantly, the 12 Gold pitchers consistently pounded the zone all weekend long.

Offensively, the Texas Twelve Gold 2022 are, as a collective, solid hitters. They practice great plate discipline. Most, if not all, of their hitters, use a short, compact swing operation and get their barrels on path with a middle of the field mentality. Rarely does anyone see the 12 club unnecessarily expand the zone. They get the good part of the bat to the ball quickly and with force and the results are fairly evident. Loud contact!

What separated the 12 Gold 2022 club from all the other teams at this year’s 17U Elite Championship, however, was their ability to play great defense. It appears that this club takes great pride in not only making the routine play, but in always being in position to support each other. To say that Texas Twelve Gold 2022 plays great team defense, would be the understatement of the tournament.

To select a particular individual performance over another is really tough, and contrary to the collective efforts of the Texas Twelve Gold 2022 club. They are a true team and they are very well-coached. Unlike a number of teams, this group can take coaching, which is rare in this day and age. They respond, individually and collectively, to adversity and they produce in the clutch. Most of all, an obvious trait that is the hallmark of this team, is that they play for each other. That was evident throughout the Texas Twelve Gold 2022 run to the 17U Central Elite Championship.

Congratulations to the 2020 Perfect Game 17U Central Elite Champions – The Texas Twelve Gold 2022!

MVPitcher – Connor Pratka (2022, Magnolia, TX) – Texas Twelve Gold 2022

MVP – Andrew Berg (2022, Conroe, TX) – Texas Twelve Gold 2022

18u South World Series

Semi-Finals

The Texas Trappers National Scout Team staged a furious late game rally, overcoming a 4-1 deficit, to defeat the Scorpions Team EASTON, 5-4. Trailing 4-2 entering the bottom of the 6th, the Trappers plated one in that frame to pull within a marker. They completed their comeback in the bottom of the 7th in dramatic fashion. Alejandro Zozaya (2021, Houston, TX) drove in the tying run with a hustle, infield single to shortstop. The 5-10, 155 pound rising senior at Langham Creek HS was not to be denied as he sprinted through the first base bag as the big run crossed the dish. Ethan Bowen (2023, Atoka, OK) completed the comeback with a ground single to right field which pushed across the game winner for the victorious Trappers, setting off a gigantic celebration around the first base bag. The young, 5-10, 155 pound Oklahoman has been stellar for the Trappers and his clutch knock pushed the Texas Trappers to the championship game against PG traditional power, the 17U Banditos Black.

The 17U Banditos Black, behind Baylor commit, Mason Marriott (2021, Tomball, TX) dominated the Hunter Pence Baseball Academy 2021 Rachal 3-0 to advance to the 18U South World Series title game. The 6-1, 170, rising senior at Tomball HS could not have performed much better. In front of a large professional scout presence, all Marriott did was throw a 97 pitch complete game one-hitter. He allowed three walks and struck out 13. He worked off his well-commanded 88-92 mph fastball and his wipe-out, swing and miss 78 mph slider.

Slade McCloud (2021, Robinson, TX) gave Marriott and the Banditos all the offense the club needed when he drove a 3-2 fastball for a towering three-run homer well over the right field fence in the top of the 3rd inning. The Robinson HS rising senior and Seminole State (OK) commit, used a slightly open stance and a classic lefthander’s swing path to get his barrel to contact. It did not take long for everyone in the park to know his drive was gone. The three run blast was all Mason Marriott would need.

Championship Game

This edition of Banditos Baseball was on a mission from Day One. They arrived in Tomball on Thursday with a steely-eyed focus and they carried that all the way through to the 18U South World Series Championship. The 17U Banditos Black completed their goal of a PG World Series Championship on Monday morning, with a dominant 13-0 victory over a game Texas Trappers National Scout Team.

It is well known throughout the amateur baseball circuit that it takes a certain mindset to play in the Banditos organization. Players who wear the Bandito “B” on their jersey and hat must have thick skin, a short memory, and be able to perform at a high level under constant scrutiny. The eyes of college coaches and pro scouts are always present when any Banditos team takes the field. A learned and vocal coaching staff that expects perfection or at the least, perfect effort, is a constant. Not every age group player can or wants to be a Bandito. Those who can handle all the trappings that go into being a part of this organization usually find a great deal of success. But, first and foremost, they had better be tough, inside and out!

This Banditos team – the 17U Black – could not only handle the attention and the pressure – they could perform – as proven throughout their march into the PG winner’s circle.

The 17U Banditos Black club is a collective group of get down and dirty, old-school type players. They played the game hard all weekend and they, for the most part, played it right. They hustled. They threw strikes with dominant stuff. They made plays with the leather. And, they hit. And, hit. And, hit some more!

Many of the young men who suited up for the Banditos Black 17U club will see their careers continue after high school. Many, if not all, on this roster, will play college ball. Some, who will use the lessons learned while playing in Bandito Black and get a little better at the next level, will have the opportunity to play professionally. All will be prepared physically and mentally for the challenges that lie ahead because of what they have learned in the Banditos organization.

Congratulations to the 2020 Perfect Game 18U South World Series Champions – Banditos 17U Black!

MVPitcher – Mason Marriott (2021, Tomball, TX) – 17U Banditos Back

MVP – Slade McCloud (2021, Robinson, TX) – 17U Banditos Black
Give us your feedback
Tournaments | Story | 3/31/2026

14u East Spring Opener Scout Notes
Perfect Game Staff
Article Image
Roman Keister (2030, Dade City, FL) Could not miss the barrel this weekend tallying 6 hits including 2 triples and 4 RBI. Starts the load early and controls his body well, the up the middle approach really plays in game. Also worked from off the mound for an inning and picked up a punch out.  Colton Russo (2030, Coral Springs, FL) Showed off the power burning outfielders all weekend. 5 hits including two triples that carried over the CF and RF heads. Has a good understanding about using the lower half in the swing and the bat to ball skills really impressed.  Karson Blakney (2030, St. Augustine, FL) Made his impact in a big way this week, collecting the win in the quarterfinals. In his outing he went 5 shutout innings and struck out 5 while only allowing 2 hits. Worked in the mid 70s with the FB and topped out at 78. Also produced on offense driving in 5 RBI on 4 hits. ...
Read More
Juco | Story | 4/8/2026

JUCO Top 25: April 8

Troy Sutherland
Article Image
Another week of conference play down and Johnson County continues there tear through the spring of 2026, they retain the top spot with Gaston nipping their heels at number 2 for the third consecutive week. McLennan jumps up to number 3 with a big series sweep over rival Texas powerhouse, Weatherford. Out west, Cochise just keeps rolling in the desert and California looks to be hotly contested all the way down the final stretch. A couple of debut appearances down the board with Harford, CCF, and Linn Benton all earning their spot on our top 25 for the first time in the first week of April. So many great records out there it will be interesting to see how it all shakes out with so many teams vying for seeding and conference championships on this final stretch run. Rank Team Record 1 Johnson County (KS) 38-2 2 Gaston (NC) 38-3 3 McLennan (TX) 29-7 4 Chipola (FL) 34-7 5 Walters State (TN)...
Read More
College | Rankings | 4/8/2026

DII/DIII/NAIA Rankings Update: April 8

Nick Herfordt
Article Image
We are past the midpoint of the college baseball season and the stakes are rising by the week. Conference races are tightening, schedules are getting harder, and the résumés that will matter in the selection room are being written right now — one series at a time. This week's most significant development came in Division II, where North Greenville swept Young Harris in three consecutive one-run games to claim the top spot for the first time this season, knocking Tampa from a perch they've held most of the year. It's a genuine changing of the guard at the top, and it's exactly the kind of shakeup that makes this stretch of the season worth paying close attention to. Across all three divisions the picture is coming into focus. In Division I NAIA, Georgia Gwinnett remains the standard while Taylor and Cumberlands continue to make their cases from behind. In Division III,...
Read More
High School | General | 4/7/2026

Iowa Spring League Notes: Week 1

Perfect Game Staff
Article Image
Brooks Mitchell-Birdsell (2027, Atkins, Iowa) was solid on both sides of the ball this weekend. He was able to show a clean move working into it, with the feel to impact it out in front and drive hard through contact. He had good barrel accuracy with feel to drive the ball well, especially working pull-side. He was 4-for-8 on the weekend with a double to his credit, driving in 7 runs as well. Mitchell-Birdsell also put together a good outing on the mound, delivering 2 innings of scoreless work with 3 punchouts. He worked the low 80s with some run, flashing a mid-70s curveball with good 11-5 shape and depth.  Maddux Mueller (2026, Amana, Iowa) LH bat with plenty to like in the batter’s box, and he put together a solid showing this weekend. He finished 2-for-3 with a double, demonstrating both contact ability and the capacity to drive the baseball for extra bases. Mueller...
Read More
College | Story | 4/7/2026

College Players of the Week: April 7

Craig Cozart
Article Image
April 7th Perfect Game/Player of the Week:  Andrew Williamson, OF, UCF  The UCF Knights (20-9) are coming off one of their biggest series victories in years when they went to Morgantown and took down the Mountaineers to take control of the Big 12 regular season standings.  The offense put on quite the performance and Andrew Williamson set the tone by leaving the yard in his first at-bat of the weekend launching a towering home run over the centerfield wall.  The 6-0/195 lefty from St. Petersburg, FL has one of the sweetest strokes in the college game today and when he goes, so do the Knights.  In the 3-game series, the junior collected 6 hits in his 10 at-bats, scoring 6 runs, on 5 walks, a double and he launched 3 home runs all told.  While he had a stretch earlier in the season where he was searching for his stroke a bit, he is getting locked in at the...
Read More
College | Rankings | 4/6/2026

College Top 25: April 6

Vincent Cervino
Article Image
With another week in the books, some teams at the top continue to prove they are elite, and others continue to fall by the wayside.  Meanwhile, there were several teams that had been lingering outside the Top 25 that had huge weekends to put themselves in the thick of things as every weekend has significant consequences for good or for bad.  The No. 1 UCLA Bruins (29-2) have now pushed their win streak to an incredible 23-games as they swept USC (27-6) who was previously ranked No. 7 in the poll.  The Bruins are off to a perfect (15-0) start in Big Ten play and are without a doubt the most complete team in the country right now.  The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (26-5) move up to No. 2 this week after they dismantled now No. 12 Auburn (22-9) in the midweek and then swept Cal on the West Coast last weekend.  Texas (26-5) moves down one spot to No. 3 this week after...
Read More
Draft | Mock Draft | 4/3/2026

PG Staff Mock Draft

Jheremy Brown
Article Image
Welcome to another Perfect Game Mock Draft. This is not your typical mock draft as it features 15 different GMs drafting the first two rounds of the draft. Each member of the mock draft was assigned two teams and as such will be drafting all of the picks in the first two rounds for each responsible team. The actual draft order will be presented below and we will dive into how teams made their selections and how they feel about the players drafted. It is important to note that this is not how we think the draft will play out in almost any capacity. This is simply an exercise 4 months ahead of time with a large portion of the scouting staff and some picks fall under personal favorites, best available, and a multitude of other factors. Chicago White Sox 1:1 Roch Cholowsky, SS, UCLA | 1:41 Jack Radel, RHP, Notre Dame The White Sox don’t overthink here and select Roch Cholowsky, who has...
Read More
High School | General | 4/2/2026

High School Notebook: April 2

Steve Fiorindo
Article Image
Lennex Minor (‘28 CA) absolutely destroys this offering to the PS for a 2-run shot. 2-4 on the day w/ 4 driven in. Athletic in the box w/ a quick stroke and strength throughout the frame. Also closed out the game running the FB up to 88 in a St. Bernard win #PGHS @PG_Scouting pic.twitter.com/KF7BsKGcm7 — Perfect Game California (@California_PG) March 29, 2026 Lennex Minor, MIF/P, St. Bernard (2028) Minor had a massive day in my look this past Saturday in a game being played at the University of San Diego.  The sophomore had a pair of hits, one which was a no-doubt homer, and drove in four.  Minor’s athleticism jumps out on the field with twitchy actions both at the dish and in the dirt.  He features a 6-foot, 170-pound frame with room to add and generates from a strong lower half and exceptionally quick hands.  Showing two-way potential, he made an...
Read More
High School | General | 4/2/2026

NHSI Scout Notebook

Cam McElwaney
Article Image
An extended look at ‘26 RHP Wilson Andersen… 6 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 6 K. @HailStateBB signee. #NHSI26 @JesuitBaseball @Florida_PG @PG_Draft @PGAllAmerican https://t.co/VLwECd2qZ8 pic.twitter.com/JbTFR3Gd2l — Perfect Game Scout (@PG_Scouting) March 30, 2026 Wilson Andersen, RHP, Tampa Jesuit  Andersen got the ball on day two of the event and showed a quick tempo, pounding the zone with a power mix. He ran the fastball up to 97 mph, working comfortably in the mid-90s, with a power curveball/changeup mix he showed confidence in. He’s one of the top right-handers in the class that saw his stock rise in Cary. Andersen is signed with Mississippi State.    An extended look at ‘26 RHP Cooper Sides… 5 IP, 6 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 3 K. @LSUbaseball signee. #NHSI26 @olubaseball @PG_Draft @California_PG https://t.co/Ag1MfBAR5a pic.twitter.com/5wSszVjBn8...
Read More
All American Game | Story | 4/2/2026

All American Classic Heading to Citizens Bank

Article Image
  667 Progress Way | Sanford, FL 32771 | 319-298-2923 www.perfectgame.org | facebook.com/perfectgameusa | @PerfectGameUSA     FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   PERFECT GAME DICK’S ALL-AMERICAN CLASSIC HEADED TO CITIZENS BANK PARK IN 2026   Perfect Game makes debut at iconic Phillies venue during America’s 250th birthday celebration   Former Phillies Manager Charlie Manuel named Honorary Chairman of All-American Classic   Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Thursday, April 2, 2026) - Perfect Game, the world’s largest youth baseball and softball platform and scouting service, today announced that the 2026 Perfect Game DICK’S All-American Classic will be played at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, marking the first time a Perfect Game event has ever been held at the iconic home of the Philadelphia Phillies.   The game will take place on...
Read More
College | Rankings | 4/1/2026

DII/DIII/NAIA Rankings Update: April 1

Nick Herfordt
Article Image
Welcome to another week of Perfect Game Small School baseball — and if you're looking for clarity at the top, you've come to the wrong place. Across all three classifications, the No. 1 spot is very much an open question, and nobody is sleeping comfortably right now. In NCAA Division II, Pittsburg State is stumbling at precisely the wrong moment, leaving the door cracked wide open for hungry challengers to come knocking. In the NAIA, defending national champion LSU Shreveport has dropped four straight and suddenly looks far more vulnerable than a program of their pedigree ever expects to be. And in NCAA Division III, the race for the top ranking is less a competition and more a ten-car pileup of elite programs, none of whom have done enough to pull away — and all of whom have done plenty to deserve it. Three classifications, three vacancies at the top, and a whole lot of...
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.