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13U/14U National Championship: Center Cut - Impact Players at Premium Positions

July 8, 2023
Justin Goetz, feat. Nick Gehrke
Assistant Scouting Director

There’s a philosophy that has long been followed by college and pro organizations for ages and ages, championships are won up the middle of the field. C, SS, 2B, and CF are the most difficult positions to play on the field. This is why they are called premium positions, because just being able to play them well gives a player more defensive value than any other position. But in today’s game, being able to hit for average and power is just as important to stick at those positions every day. However, having and advanced defensive skill set at a premium position can extend the career of a player for a very long time because of what value that brings for a pitching staff. Here are some of best premium position players from the 13/14U National Championships.

Jackson Eaddy CF, 2027 (SC)
Uncommitted. 6-foot-2, 160 pounds. Not only does he immediately pass the eye test as soon as he steps on the field, but every action he takes shows effortless athleticism. The swing mechanics are very advanced yet natural. Jackson’s controlled forward move and good separation timing brings optimal torque at foot strike. His weight distribution at landing is perfect and he’s in a very good position to hit with the front hip cleared and hands in ideal launch position for an efficient knob led path. The barrel stays in the zone forever and his posture in the swing and ability to manipulate to any pitch location bode well for his long term success and all fields power potential. The approach was all fields focused and his advanced plate discipline put him in good FB counts throughout the tournament. He produced loud contact on a consistent basis. As a defender he glides to both gaps with ease and long strides. The arm action is fluid and his throws carry with ease. This is a prototype CF who whose speed will only increase as he continues to fill in the frame.


Jaycob Veloz SS, 2028 (GA)
Uncommitted. 5-foot-7, 135 pounds. When beginning to project on a player who hasn’t even reached HS yet, it’s important not to put much weight into the strength aspect of their game. What I'm looking for are which players have the athletic actions and intangibles you would see on a D1 baseball field or at the professional level. For the last 10+ years I have studied the international market and its MLB signing day which begins on January 15th each year. MLB teams scout the Carribean, South America, Asia, and Europe to evaluate players well before they have physically matured. Growing up going to the Atlanta Braves academy in the Dominican Republic yearly, I got an early feel for evaluating advanced talent in this age group and what it is supposed to look like. In Veloz's case, he has the prototype swing mechanics and bat speed that you would typically see in a young player on the International market. While he wasn’t swinging a wood bat at this tournament, I have zero doubt he will be immediately successful with it as soon as he hits 15U. Jaycob’s timing of release points, pitch recognition, and ability to manipulate the barrel are on another level for his age. The ideal lower half direction and linear swing path allows him to backspin balls from foul line to foul line. The bat speed stands out with his ability to turn the barrel in tight space, and will only increase as he gets stronger and it will likely be a stocky build with bat speed+bat strength.. As a defender he anticipates very well, with the advanced footwork and exchange that only heightens his cannon of an arm. While he should end up with a more stocky frame, he will not lack in the fast twitch or footwork department and will stay up the middle regardless of position. This is easily one of the better players in the class.
Jaxston Brown CF, 2027 (GA)
Uncommitted. 5-foot-6, 130 pounds. While he is not one of the larger players in his age group, he certainly makes up for it with loud tools across the board and bat 2 ball skills you rarely see. In my 2 game look at Brown, he barreled 6 baseballs from foul line to foul line. The obvious trait other than his exceptional hand-eye coordination is the bat speed, but that's far from the only thing that makes him so quick to the baseball on a regular basis. Firstly, his swing is perfectly sequenced. The #1 indicator is that he doesn’t load his hands back on the negative move (when his hips rock back to create lower half momentum toward the pitcher in stride), which leads to wasted torque in separation. At the exact same time Jaxston’s front hip & stride begin to move forward, his hands load at an identical pace so that he’s at full stretch just as his foot begins to land. The hands work close to the body and get into a perfect hitting slot just off the back shoulder, so he’s throwing them from a powerful position. He’s able to shrink the elbows so close to the body as the hands are thrown that he’s able to use the rotational strength of his largest muscles (core, shoulders, legs) to make a lightning quick move to the baseball. His swing path is so efficient and lightning quick that he can take longer time to track pitches without ever having to worry about being late to a ball. Brown accelerates out of the box and on the basepaths quicker than most in the class, with the fast twitch fibers of a sprinter. He uses this instincts, advanced speed, and quick 1st step to roam CF freely, and he’s an easy bet to stick in CF long term. This is an absolute natural in all facets of the game and is sure to be a plus runner. We look forward to tracking his progress and he has no doubt D1 potential with the tools sure to tick up year by year as he gets stronger.
Dexter McCleon Jr. CF/RHP, 2028 (GA)
Uncommitted. 6-foot-2, 180 pounds. I’ve been scouting Peach State talent for the last 10+ years, and cannot think of a player who was this sure fire of a prospect at such a young age. Not only is it a pro frame, its pro swing mechanics and delivery. Dexter is putting up numbers in showcase and games that would stand out for an upperclassmen in HS before even beginning 8th grade (6.86 60 yd, 100+ EV’s, 90+ mph FB’s). This term should not be used lightly, but this is simply a prodigy of the highest quality. While he made waves at the 13U National Championship for his incredible velocity and stuff on the mound (see tweet below), his bat is far and away more advanced. So advanced in fact, that I feel pitching will strictly be a backup plan for him by the time he nears his senior year of HS. While he didn’t get much to hit in the tourney, his pitch recognition and plate discipline had him on base 2-3 times in each game. He refuses to let the lack of control from a pitcher get him out, as he gladly took multiple BB’s in multiple games (3 in one game). He spits on quality breaking balls in his age group like they are nothing, which is exactly the case. He’s been playing in 15U-17U tournaments for a couple years now, honing his offensive skill set and developing quickly by being thrown in the fire. Just like his delivery his taken big steps mechanically, so has the swing. He’s into his legs much more in the setup which leads to an immediate lower half sink on the negative move. This stacks the backside promoting early connection, minimizes head movement, and puts him on a much better plane to match pitch trajectory. The result is more consistent ball flight (backspin), more hard contact, and a more efficient swing path. Just like his dad did as a pro bowl+SB Champ Safety, Dexter’s anticipation, ability to change direction with fluid hips, routes, and instincts create a no fly zone in CF. His incredible arm speed+arm strength combo will play up what is already sure to be impact defense. Watching the next 5 years of his career in person will be like the beginning of a legendary documentary.
Andrew Akopov CF, 2028 (GA)
Uncommitted. 5-foot-11, 170 pounds. This is an exciting power/speed combo who plays the game effortlessly in all facets and is one of the most interesting follows in the class. His standout body control at the plate and simplified swing mechanics allow his pure talent to take over on the regular, producing line drives to all fields and using well above average speed for his age to torment opposing teams every time he gets on base. His swing checks every box and the bat speed is not only eye opening but he produces it with controlled violence. The advanced lower half sink allows him to stack the backside in stride for optimal linear connection, allowing his largest muscles to work together in the extremely smooth forward move. He really understands how to stay in rhythm at the plate and every action he shows is fluid, low effort, and very explosive for his age. This carries over defensively where he currently plays all over the field, but feel he will profile best in CF as he stops growing in height and begins to fill in the frame. This will be an easy A/AVG runner in the future at worst, as he has many characteristics of his brother who is a top of scale runner. Other than the feel to hit, raw power, and speed, his arm stands out as he’s already up to 82 on the mound. We look forward to seeing him show out at JFG’s.
Jeremiah McGeachy SS, 2027 (GA)
Uncommitted. 6-foot-1, 155 pounds. He was under the radar before 13U National Championship, but that will be a distant memory  here at PBR. This is simply one of the best athletes in the class, showing loud tools and advanced intangibles in a prototype frame. The writing is on the wall for a plus run tool and plus raw power in the future. He has ridiculous bat speed for his age and there’s ideal fluidity in the swing that allows him to build effortlessness and accelerate through the zone. As he learns to develop a lower half sink on his negative move, he will become an even better hitter. Right now the sink is just before he lands which causes extra head movement and makes it tougher for tracking. He’s such a good athlete with gifted hand eye that he can overcome the late head movement. Jeremiah hit a foul ball to the pull side about 370, showing his ability to turn the barrel in tight space. The most encouraging signs about him offensively other than his tools are the ability to recognize spin, and the ability to decelerate (slow down and stretch his separation) to get on time with them. He was right on numerous offspeed pitches that he fouled off or just missed, which you don’t typically see in a player this age. While we will need an extended look on him defensively to see where he profiles in the future, it’s a high likelihood it will be up the middle of the field due to his speed, range, and instincts.  
Graham Virag SS, 2028 (NC)
Uncommitted. 5-foot-8, 130 pounds. The best way to identify a big time player at such a young age is athletic actions that you’d see on a D1 field or in a pro system. Obviously there is a long way to go in his development, but high end swing mechanics for his age are a great place to start. To have such good body control for his age at the dish and in the field is not something you see every day. If there was an award for the cleanest inside-out swing in the entire tournament, Graham wins that with ease. His efficient swing path and balanced hands allow his top hand to stay palm up through contact, creating backspin for extra carry on everything he hits. The lean frame and longer levers for his age body very well for his long term athleticism and for the tools to continue to tick up year by year. We didn’t get to bare down on him defensively, but he the actions and checks every box to be a solid defender up the middle for years to come.

Matthew Lazarus CF, 2027 (GA)
Uncommitted. 5-foot-6, 130 pounds. There were few hitters in all of 13U with the advanced hitter traits this GAC Spartan showed. He repeats the swing better than almost anyone his age and is as dynamic as he is simplified+controlled. Matthew spends minimal time on his negative move, allowing him to time up release points with ease and create lower half momentum and direction to the ball to catch it accurately in front of the plate on a consistent basis. He repeats the trigger, coil in stride, and launch position perfectly. This is the player who can manipulate the barrel at an extremely high level, who’s hands work in & out of the hitting slot effortlessly and always stays inside the baseball. His hands and back elbow are so connected to the body that they work as one with his shoulder rotation to match plane with ease regardless of a pitchers stuff or approach. His linear swing path is impeccably clean and everything jumps off the barrel with backspin due to his balance in the hands and discipline to keep the top hand palm up thru contact. Lazarus has advanced baseball IQ that shows in his approach at the plate, but is just as noticeable in CF where he’s always 1 play ahead. While his speed may not standout as much as the bat, he makes up for that with good reads off the bat and advanced instincts.


Taylor Markakis CF, 2027 (GA) 
Uncommitted. 5-foot-11, 150 pounds. This high level athlete stood out with his twitchy actions and feel for the game. This is going to be extremely exciting to follow as he continues to mature. His already present ability to anticipate off the bat with accurate reads, the speed and range to cover ground in the OF stood out immediately as he effortlessly tracked down fly balls in CF that other players his age would have to lay out for. With his father being a 3 time Gold Glove OF in MLB, it's easy to see the track Markakis is on defensively. Growing up around a player with so much big league experience and defensive prowess are just as much a distinct advantage as the genetics he was born with. Offensively, it’s a simple & controlled RH swing with twitch in the wrists and ability to hold the hip hinge in stride with athleticism throughout all phases. He collected multiple barrels but his ability to match the elevated FB was impressive. Big time player in the class for years to come and a dynamic table setter!
Gianni Gandy SS, 2028 (GA)
Uncommitted. 5-foot-5, 130 pounds. Gianni turned in one of the more eye popping performances last weekend at the 13U National Championships, his glaring confidence and quiet swagger radiated throughout his dugout and only made his team better. He showed the ability to play a savvy SS with light feet and smooth hands, he instantly stood out when he ranged to his glove side, spun on a dime and delivered a strike to 1B making it look all too easy. The instinct, glove, and arm sure have the look of a future impact defender who will stick at SS. A switch hitter, he used strictly the left side in my look, fluidity throughout with a repeatable trigger and feel for the barrel with some present bat speed, a simple forward move put him in ideal positions to make consistent contact. The advanced hand eye separates him from others his age. Another exciting young SS to follow as he continues to mature.

Trip Ostergard SS, 2027 (SC)
Uncommitted. 5-10, 153 pounds. A high motor and dynamic defensive ability are what immediately stood out when watching Trip. The actions and instincts were well advanced for his age, his light feet and soft hands were always in sync and he seemingly got every ideal hop. The ability to anticipate, play on the run and balance his body was impressive. Hitting at the top of the Canes order, he showed he could work counts, control the strike zone and ultimately turned in multiple QABS. A RH swing that is built on an athletic forward move and an ideal knob led path promoting consistent contact and bat to ball skills. Exciting athletic infielder who is going to continue to ascend up.
Amari Reynolds SS, 2027 (OR)
Uncommitted. 5-foot-8, 140 pounds. A switch hitting SS that was the table setter for Georgia Jackets 14U last weekend. He consistently turned in long at bats and barrels to all fields. The ability to hit with 2 strikes was impressive and is only going to get better as he matures. Routinely made ideal swing decisions and controlled the strike zone. Strictly from the left side in my look, he possesses a natural LH swing with all the ingredients to continue to hit. Proper sequence between the hands and stride with fluidity in and out of his launch position. Consistently landing centered, he showed he could adjust his body and manipulate his path for multiple pitch locations, sinking the back knee post landing and staying on a below the zone FB and then shrinking the front arm and staying through an inner half FB. Exciting Follow!
KJ Anderson, 2027 C (TN)
Uncommitted. 5-foot-11, 185 pounds.  Mature and advanced are 2 words that instantly came to mind when watching KJ. His LH swing that is compact and connected throughout will consistently give him the best chance to hit as he continues to advance in levels. His ability to slow the game down in multiple high pressure situations was extremely impressive and point to his maturity at a young age. The frame and bat speed+bat strength combo are obvious as soon as you see an AB. Although the hit for average and power production are his standout tools, KJ has the ability to consistently handle his pitching staff and receive at a high level, is a willing blocker, and has overall leadership qualities that are going to make pitchers love throwing to him.
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