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 | 7/28/2021

Winning ways boost CBA at 17u WS

Jeff Dahn
Photo: Ryan Ward (Perfect Game)

SURPRISE, Ariz. – As the players from the first teams taking part in this week’s 10th annual Perfect Game 17u World Series began filtering into the Surprise Spring Training Complex Tuesday morning, it was no surprise at all to see Jon Paino’s CBA Marucci National team among the entrants.

After walking into the Royals’ side of the complex – Kansas City shares the state-of-the-art Cactus League Spring Training facility with the Texas Rangers – Paino, the longtime CBA director and 17u head coach, couldn’t help but feel at home.



CBA Marucci has been a regular at the PG 17u World Series since 2015, when it advanced to the final-four in its inaugural appearance. It has never won a 17u PGWS championship but is always in the hunt for one it seems, and on Tuesday Paino recalled many of the format changes and the unique challenges each new year brought. It has, however, remained one of his favorite events.

“Obviously now, expanding the field a little bit [to 35 teams] makes it a little more interesting with teams coming in from other places that we don’t normally see,” he told PG on Tuesday. “It’s always good to play new teams and new people and get the kids that much more exposure at an event like this. It’s on the schedule every year and we definitely look forward to it.”

Ryan Ward, a talented 2022 infielder/outfielder and recent performer at the PG National Showcase in St. Petersburg, Fla. who just recently de-committed from Arizona, is here as the No. 103-ranked overall prospect in his national class.

The son of the late big league outfielder Kevin Ward, Ryan has a real appreciation for the game and the opportunities he’s been given through his association with CBA and Perfect Game. And he’s certainly happy to be here this week.

“I feel like this is the best competition here on the West Coast,” Ward said when asked about being at the invitation-only 17u PGWS. “I’ve really been looking forward to competing with my teammates and having fun like we always do as a team.”

The whole “having fun” theme runs non-stop throughout the entire CBA organization. It’s a program that has proven time and again that fun fuels passion and passion leads to an overt sense of competitiveness that in turn leads to the players wanting to be on the biggest stages. Welcome to the PG 17u World Series.

“I feel like there’s a lot of good competition here and I think we’ve got a pretty good chance of winning this,” No. 207-ranked and uncommitted infielder Cutter Coffey told PG Tuesday. “It’s going to be fun.”

Marucci National seemed to be enjoying themselves in their tournament-opener Tuesday, a 4-1 win over Colorado-based Slammers Holzemer in which CBA led 4-0 after six with Slammers scoring its lone run in the top of the seventh.

The CBA Nats’ Ethan Hott (No. 419, Stanford) doubled and drove in two runs; Maddox Haley (t-500, San Diego State) tripled with an RBI; Coffey, Brady Reynolds (’23 No. 165, Stanford) and Victor Heredia Jr. (’22 t-500) all doubled as part of a six-hit attack. 2022 lefty Ben Jacobs (t-500, UCLA) threw the first 3 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing just one hit with four strikeouts and two walks.

This is a CBA Marucci National team that kicked-off the summer by going 3-0-1 at the PG 17u Ultimate Baseball Challenge-West in San Diego June 30-July 3. The CBA Nats then hopped on a plane and jetted to Atlanta where they competed at the blockbuster PG WWBA 17u National Championship in the north suburb of Marietta. And they competed extremely well, by the way, finishing 6-1-1 after a second-round playoff loss to fellow SoCal entrant BPA, which is also here this weekend.

CBA Marucci is no stranger to success playing at the WWBA 17u National Championship, having won the title in 2015 and sharing it in 2018. Paino said there is a different kind of energy that comes with playing in the South, something that is difficult to replicate here in the desert or in Southern California.

And, he said, there is also the adversity his players face that comes from numerous weather delays and all of the unknowns that accompany playing teams from other regions of the country.

“With this group, more specifically, I think in Georgia we became closer as a team,” Paino continued. “[They] became a lot more resilient as players learning to play on the road, learning to deal with some weather and some other things outside of what we deal with [here]. It helps contribute to preparing a kid as best you can for college and professional baseball.”

Eight CBA Marucci National players earned all-tournament recognition in Marietta, including the previously mentioned Coffey, Haley and Jacobs, and 2022 top-500s Andrew Carroll (Arizona), Austin Charles (UC Santa Barbara), Jack Smith and Andrew Walters (UCLA).

If anything, the CBA Marucci National players were able to use the weeklong stay in rain and lightning-plagued north Georgia as a learning experience. Maybe even more than any valuable lessons they learned, it was definitely a maturation process at a variety of levels, as well.

“It’s a lot of fun mixed in with some of the adversities of the game (like) having a game get rained-out and having to adjust mid-tournament,” Ward said. “That’s a big part of the game and you have to learn how to deal with those things, and I think that we did and we kept playing...

“We did everything we could, we battled our hearts out and we had another fun trip as a team; I think that’s what it’s about, honestly.”

Paino brought a roster here this week that is largely intact from the WWBA 17u NC. It did lose 2022 outfielder Justin Crawford (No. 73-ranked, uncommitted), ’22 pitcher Xavier Cardenas III (No. 152, San Diego State) and ’22 outfielder/third baseman Payton Brennan (No. 345, UCLA) to the USA Baseball PDP in Cary, N.C., but everyone else is present and accounted for.

Some adjustments were necessary so Paino added local Phoenix-area outfielder Ethan Hott (No. 419, Stanford) and right-hander/third baseman Kole Klecker (t-1000, TCU) to fill a couple of spots. Taken as a whole, it’s a collection of talent that won’t take a seat at the end of the dugout to any other team here this week, all boasting rosters that are as equally as impressive as that of CBA National.

“It does make you play your hardest and not take anybody lightly during the games,” Coffey said of the stellar competition they’ll face. “By wearing ‘CBA’ we’ve got a name for ourselves already and we just have to go out and prove it. I feel like we do that most of the time; we go out and play hard [and the winning] it’s kind of contagious. Once we start winning I feel like we can keep on going; I love playing with these guys.”

This event marks the end of the PG summer travel ball season for the teams here this week, although a full fall season awaits in September and October for quite a few of them. Coming into a season-ending tournament like this one, Paino is kind of the mind that he’s said all that’s need to be said by this point – his message has been heard and his players have responded in kind.

After all, he admitted, one of his great strengths is knowing the right time just to shut up. It all goes back to allowing the players to have as much fun as possible while performing in what can be a demanding, stressful and often pressure-packed environment.

“We don’t want to restrict them at all. We want them to play free; we want them to play without the fear of failure,” Paino said. “As long as they prepare themselves the best they can, hustle all the time and play the game the way it’s supposed to be played, there is no failure for us. We want them to play free and understand that and I think this group really has taken that and ran with it.”

It’s an approach that resonates with his players: “Coach Paino, he’s a good leader,” Ward said. “He knows how to fire up a team when it needs to be fired up and he also knows how to put the brakes on when they need to be put on; he lets us have own space and I really appreciate that. He just encourages us to play hard, honestly; play hard and have fun are his two things.

“There’s three things you can control: having fun, your attitude and your hustle. I think our team conveys those three things on the field while we play.”

When asked about this CBA Marucci National’s collective personality, Paino smiled and even chuckled a bit before finally saying – not surprisingly – they just like to have fun. Providing experiences that allow these talented teen-aged baseball players to enjoy themselves as much as possible has long been a cornerstone of the CBA program and it certainly applies to this group.

“Being on the road now for a long time this summer they’ve grown super close together,” Paino said. “I think they all play for one another; they look forward to each other’s success and they celebrate each other’s success whenever it happens.”

As of Wednesday morning, four days of what promised to be some pretty intense action remained at the PG 17u World Series. There were teams that took their lumps during day one but, mathematically anyway, there’s time to rebound.

Paino knows it’s important to keep his players in some sort of routine and that won’t be nearly as challenging here as it was with all the weather-woes in Georgia. Keeping focused and at the ready at all times won’t be an issue for the CBA Marucci National; it’s all about perspective.

As an example, Ryan Ward believes it’s vitally important for he and his teammates to remember that this is just a kids’ game they’re playing. If that notion gets lost in the shuffle, the outside pressures and expectations will, in his words, “eat you up and spit you out.” Now, that doesn’t sound like much fun.

And remember, fun fuels this group. It’s a team that has become tighter and more close-knit with each passing tournament and the players all feel like it’s just a great time to be wearing the letters “CBA” across the front of their game jerseys.

“This group is as energized as ever,” Ward said. “I’ve played on some special teams in my very, very young career, and it’s a good vibe, it’s a good energy, a lot of good players; our depth is probably second to none. After this, I’m looking forward to the [PG 17u Fall Championship], Jupiter [WWBA World Championship] and whatever else is yet to come.”

Certainly no surprise there.
Give us your feedback
Tournaments | Story | 1/9/2026

PG Leaderboard: Class of 2030
Jheremy Brown
Article Image
Complete PG Leaderboard Database PG Leaderboard: Class of 2026 | Class of 2027 | Class of 2028 | Class of 2029 Today we wrap up our reviews of the 2026 thru 2030 class where we looked back on some of the eye opening metrics we saw from around the country, both in a showcase and tournament setting. To those not inside the youth baseball world, some of the metrics below would seem truly unattainable from current 8th graders, from the pair of 90 mph heaters courtesy of Amani Tuiasosopo and Kingston George, to upper-80s velocity from all over the field and multiple players north of 90 mph on the exit velocity testing (with wood), this 2030 class is one that has a chance to be special as we continue to watch it unfold moving forward.  Top Fastball Velocity  Rk Player FB Event School Hometown 1 Amani Tuiasosopo 90 2025 WWBA 14U World Championship Renton...
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 | 1/14/2026

2026 College Preview Index

Perfect Game Staff
Article Image
From Preseason All-Americans to a Top 25, make sure to check back daily as we will continue to pump out content as a staff. Every conference preview will include a Preseason All-Conference Team as well as Draft/Prospect lists for each of the next 3 years (2026, 2027, 2028) while also breaking down every team within each conference. Publish Date Content Wednesday January 7 Preseason All-Americans Thursday January 8 Preseason Top 25 Monday January 12 Top 100 Freshmen Tuesday January 13 Top 100 Sophomores Wednesday January 14 Top 100 Juniors Thursday January 15 Top 100 Seniors College Conference Previews Publish Date Conference Friday January 16 Atlantic Coast (ACC) Monday January 19 Southeastern (SEC) Tuesday January 20 Oregon State Preview Wednesday January 21 Big 10 Thursday January 22 Big 12 Friday January 23 American (AAC) Monday January 26 Atlantic Sun (ASUN)...
Read More
Softball | Softball Tournament | 1/14/2026

Perfect Game Softball Turf Wars

Ashley Mears
Article Image
2026 Perfect Game Softball Turf Wars January 9-11 Ashley Mears   The 2026 season kicked off in impressive fashion at the Fun City Dome in Burlington, Iowa, featuring a highly competitive field across both age groups. The 18U division was loaded with talent, including over 20 Division I and II commits and several high-upside prospects, leading to intense bracket play and multiple walk-off finishes. Iowa Nationals claimed the championship over a well-rounded Iowa Prospects Gold team. The 14U division brought together quality programs from Minnesota, Iowa, and Illinois. The tournament championship was an exciting matchup where Southeast Iowa Swarm edged a tough Black Dragons squad. 18u Lauren Hagedorn (2026, Adel, IA) of Iowa Nationals and future Iowa State Cyclone earned weekend MVP honors after a strong two-way performance. In the circle, she consistently kept hitters off balance...
Read More
College | Rankings | 1/15/2026

Top 100 Collegiate Seniors

Vincent Cervino
Article Image
Top 100 Collegiate Freshmen | Top 100 Collegiate Sophomores | Top 100 Collegiate Juniors This senior board is one of the deepest we’ve assembled in years. From experienced weekend arms with power stuff, to proven position players coming off loud 2025 spring seasons, to former prospects returning from injury and looking to reestablish their status, impact players are scattered throughout the group. Headlining the board is Maika Niu, now at Arkansas after a strong season at Marshall and an MVP summer on the Cape. Nui is a high-level athlete in center field and a legitimate offensive force who should slide seamlessly into the heart of the Razorbacks’ lineup. Close behind are two premium arms in Ole Miss’s Hunter Elliott and Kentucky’s Jaxon Jelkin. Elliott is coming off a monster 2025 spring, going 10–3 with a 2.94 ERA and 104 strikeouts, and...
Read More
College | Rankings | 1/14/2026

Top 100 Collegiate Juniors

Vincent Cervino
Article Image
Top 100 Collegiate Freshmen | Top 100 Collegiate Sophomores As we look ahead to another season of college baseball and continue our week of class-by-class lists, we look at the Junior class and we’ve got our Top 100 Juniors in the 2026 college season. This list aligns with the PG Draft lists we compiled at the top, with Roch Cholowsky, Drew Burress, and AJ Gracia rounding out the top three. There’s a litany of storylines to follow this year, with players who have tons of draft upside or players looking to be impactful players among their respective programs. These are the players who we feel are in a position to make some serious noise during the 2026 season. Talent is present all across the board, with players who could make some serious statements this year. Looking all the way up and down the board, there are impact bats, players primed for a breakout, Friday...
Read More
College | Rankings | 1/13/2026

Top 100 Collegiate Sophomores

Vincent Cervino
Article Image
Top 100 Collegiate Freshmen As we creep toward opening day here in a month or so, the draft team has put together the Top 100 sophomores on campus this spring.  This list is chalk full of talent, with future draft prospects littered top to bottom. The headliner of this group is Derek Curiel, a draft eligible sophomore that took the SEC by storm last spring. The Perfect Game All-American posted a .990 OPS over the course of a full season and is projected to vault himself further up the board during his ‘26 campaign. An electric arm in Dax Whitney follows up Curiel, with Strosnider, Lawson and Franco rounding out the top five.  Keep tabs on the draft eligible sophomores in this group come the summer. The rest of the pack are eligible for next year’s draft and figure to feature at the top of many draft lists in ‘27.  Rk. Name Level Pos. B-T School Hometown...
Read More
Draft | Rankings | 1/12/2026

Top 100 Collegiate Freshmen

Vincent Cervino
Article Image
As we creep toward opening day here in a month or so, the draft team has put together the Top 100 freshmen on campus this spring.  Three high-end arms lead the way, starting with Jack Bauer. The Mississippi State left-hander reached triple digits as a prep and is sure to make an immediate impact this spring. UCLA right-hander Angel Cervantes was selected in the 2nd round of last year’s draft but held firm on his commitment and should be an impact arm for the Bruins. Following the arms, a collection of bats rounds out the Top 10. There is loads of upside to the group with the potential and they should draw considerable playing time as freshman.  As the list gets deeper, there are plenty of players that should pop up and make significant contributions both this year and years down the line. The class has both depth and talent, making for a very intriguing group of...
Read More
Tournaments | Story | 1/8/2026

PG Leaderboard: Class of 2029

Jheremy Brown
Article Image
Complete PG Leaderboard Database PG Leaderboard: Class of 2026 | Class of 2027 | Class of 2028 These players below are just entering their freshmen year's of high school, a scary though as you scroll through the 11 categories and see some of the eye opening numbers from the fastballs to the infield and outfield velocities, down to the Diamond Kinetic testing and their three sub-categories.  Top Fastball Velocity Rk Player FB Event Commitment School Hometown 1 Brody McCorkle 92 2025 18U PG Mid-Atlantic Fall Elite Championship Uncommitted Ranney Forked River, NJ 1 Caleb Polk 92 2025 14U Perfect Game Select Festival Uncommitted IMG Academy Dallas, TX 1 Knox Myers 92 2025 PG WWBA Freshman World Championship Uncommitted East Bay Riverview, FL 2 Alex Bello 91 2025 16U PG Fall World Series Uncommitted Montverde Academy Orlando, FL 2 Alex Bello 91 2025 14U Perfect Game...
Read More
College | Story | 1/9/2026

LSU Reloads & Returns; Opens No. 1

Vincent Cervino
Article Image
“How do you get to success? You have to honor the process that you built to get to that success…The standard is how we operate, train, and get better each day.”” Process-oriented leadership is a popular coaching strategy here in the mid-2020s but no one exemplifies that more than LSU head coach Jay Johnson. He’s won the Tigers two national titles during his time in Baton Rouge and expectations won’t be any lower in 2026 as LSU is the No. 1 team in the country in Perfect Game’s Preseason Top 25.  Johnson is heading into his fifth season at the helm in Baton Rouge and it’s fair to say that he has already experienced enormous success. There have been two national titles in four years (2023, 2025), a Golden Spikes winner (Dylan Crews, 2023), a first overall MLB Draft pick (Paul Skenes, 2023), and five first-round MLB Draft picks during...
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.