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Future Games: Game Recaps

July 30, 2021
Brett Thorney / Cade Walker
PBR Staff

Thats a wrap at the 10th annual PBR Future Games that took place this past week on July 28th-31st at LakePoint Sports Complex in Emerson, Georgia. Some of the top uncommitted prospects throughout the country in the classes of 2023 and 2024 classes were gathered in one place for one of the biggest draws of the year for college scouts. There 330+ scouts at this years event which made it one of the biggest in the events history.

There will be 32 teams in attendance at this years Future Games, including Team Arizona with players representing over 38 states. Players participated in a showcase on day one of the event while competing in 3 games against the top players from other states over the next couple days. 

Arizona kicked off the event with their showcase workout at 5:00PM with California, Nevada & PNW. Their first game was on Thursday against Pacific Northwest.  They will also play against Team California on Friday and against Nevada on Saturday.

To view the schedule for the Future Games, please click here.

GAME ONE RECAP: VS PACIFIC NORTHWEST

Arizona opened up the Future Games with an impressive pitching performance. The offense wasn't overwhelming, but there were some positive notes on that end. 

2023 RHP Bryce McKnight (Desert Vista)- Started Game 1 for Team Arizona allowing 1 earned run on 2 hits while striking out one. McKnight throws outs of a clean & easy delivery while showing off a quality 3-pitch arsenal. His fastball sets the table for a quality changeup and slider. He hides the pitches well in his arm slot and throws his whole arsenal for strikes. McKnight also displayed quality feel for spin, topping at 2297 on his fastball, and 2431 on his breaking ball. Repeatable mechanics & advanced polish with his pitch mix for his age make McKnight an intriguing prospect.

2023 RHP Will Shelor (Hamilton)- Entered the game in the 3rd inning. Immediately caught attention with his electric arm. Walked his first two batters, but was unfazed as he proceeded to proceeded to strike out the next three batters. Primarily relied on his fastball to power by some batters, changing elevation effectively. He showed off a solid slider that he commands well enough, and a splitter as well. Generates his velocity sinking into his back leg as he drives down the mound. In his second inning of work, Shelor also racked up another three strikeouts, gave up one double, but stranded him at second. Very solid showing for Shelor, displaying his velocity and change of pace pitches that could lead to success for him at the next level. 

2023 RHP Sam Round (Pinnacle)- Threw the 5th & 6th innings in this game. Was effective in his outing, using a two pitch mix, fastball and curveball. Fastball was consistently between 85-87, though he did touch into 88 once. With his frame, adding velocity should be a very reasonable possibility. Breaking ball was mixed well, having both horizontal and vertical bite to it. Spin numbers were also encouraging, spinning both pitches in the 2300s.

Of the position players, Andrew Grenert went 1-2 with the lone RBI in the game for Arizona and played impressive defense. Footwork and routes to the baseball were his strengths shown. Grant Smith also went 1-2. Jackson Forbes got on base in both of his plate appearances, getting a solid knock and walking.

Defensively, worth noting was CJ Snowden, showing his range from center, diving for a ball in right center field, saving a run. 

GAME TWO RECAP: VS CALIFORNIA

Arizona continued their impressive display of pitching in this game, while stringing together some offense as well. 

2023 RHP Grant Smith (Pinnacle)- started this game on a strong note, allowing no hits over his two inning appearance. His fastball ran up to 91.6 and drew swings and misses and weak contact. Fastball had low spin, but behaved like a sinker, causing barrels to miss over top. With a tall, 6'5" frame and natural strength, Grant projects to be an effective arm. 

2023 Matthew Hart (Canyon View)- was effective in his two innings. Strong hip drive down the mound and a low 3/4 arm slot creates uncomfortable angles for hitters. His primarily three-pitch mix has potential to be an effective tunneling trio, with a sweeping slider breaking off from a firm fastball up to 87, and a change with some slight armside fade. 

2023 Josh Butler (Sandra Day O'Connor)- finished the final three frames of this game, in which he allowed no earned runs to a talented California squad. He uses his 6'7" thin athletic frame to deliver with a steep angle downhill. Uses heavy fastball, which was 86-88 early on, but mixes a breaking ball. Breaker has more lateral movement than vertical. With a frame that should support more mass, Butler should have a high ceiling.

Offensively, the highlights were 2024 Jackson Forbes (Mountain Ridge), 2023 Grant Smith (Pinnacle), and 2023 Jordan Vigil (Basha). Forbes backed up his his on the first day with an additional 2 for 2 day against California, including both a run scored and an RBI. He has displayed great bat-to-ball skills and keeps his barrel through the zone. 2024 Landon Hairston also put some nice ABs together with a LD in RF.

Grant Smith, also the starting pitcher of this game, had a 1 for 2 day, with his one hit coming with runners on 1st and 3rd, for a 2 RBI 3B. His drive of the ball deep to right-center shows his natural strength, implying some power to all fields. Jordan Vigil also complimented the offensive performance of team Arizona with his own 2-2 day. His strengths at the plate include his discipline, balance, and bat-to-ball skills.

 

GAME THREE RECAP: VS NEVADA

After two ties, Arizona came into this game looking to win the pool. A combined effort of offensive performance and apt pitching, Arizona was able to seal it.

2023 RHP Will Shelor (Hamilton)- Started this game and again showed off his fastball touching low 90's. Once Nevada started to catch up, he relied on his off-speed and the mix was effective.

2023 RHP Sam Round (Pinnacle)- relieved in the third inning. He had a little issue with control but still was effective, striking out 4 batters and flashing impressive spin numbers, including up to 2600 on his breaking ball. 

2023 RHP Bryce McKnight (Desert Vista)- was impressive again in this performance, allowing no hits or walks in his two innings of relief. His fastball also got up to 90.4, a solid number to set up his changeup and breaking ball, both plus potential pitches. 

2024 Jackson Forbes (Mountain Ridge)- closed this game. He ran his fastball up to 87, mixing in a curveball and changeup as well. He showed his potential as a two-way player here, allowing no runs in the final frame to protect the one run lead.

This game was more eventful on the offensive end. Grant Smith continued his hot bat by stroking a double down the right field line in the first inning. A few miscues by Nevada and timely hitting by Arizona allowed for a couple of runs to be scored in the second inning. Jackson Forbes also continued hitting well, ending 5-6 on the weekend, 2-3 in this game, headlined by a shot over the right field fence, which ended up being the difference in this game. 2023 Anthony Diaz didn't log a hit in this one but put two quality team ABs together to drive in two runs in the close game. 

Josh Butler also cranked a ball to deep left center for a ground rule double, flashing some two-way potential and displaying clear natural strength. Also collecting hits this game were Cam Grenart, Ashton Zacher, CJ Snowden, and Cooper Neville. 

 

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