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Marucci Classic Preview

June 1, 2016


Trey Sofio
Louisiana Scouting Director

Follow us on Twitter: @PBR_Louisiana

It’s that time of year again, the summer circuit is upon us.

The Marucci Classic, held in New Orleans during the first weekend in June, has become almost the signal that the summer select season in Louisiana has started.

Starting Thursday, June 2, 86 teams from Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Texas and Oklahoma will converge in New Orleans, LA for the annual Marucci Classic.

To see the entire schedule of the tournament, click HERE. There are multiple sites for the event, but the premier venues will be Tulane University and the University of New Orleans.

Although we won’t breakdown each team in the tournament, we will look at a few players and programs to watch for if you decide to make it out to one of the venues this weekend.

A full slate of Marucci Elite programs will be participating in the event, and the program once again looks to be strong throughout. Marucci Elite 17U Black, coached by Chad Raley, could be one of the better clubs in the country this summer. Headlined by two of the premier 2017 left-handed hitters in the country, Jacob Pearson (Mississippi State) and Tanner Allen (Louisiana State), they should have plenty of thump in the lineup. Keep an eye on uncommited 2017 INF Taylor Young, as well. He doesn't have the flashy tool-set, but he is an absolute grinder. Coach Raley will send out a pair of 2017 pitchability left-handers, Austin Perrin (Louisiana-Lafayette) and Brock Batty (Louisiana-Lafayette), in addition to projectable right-hander Ma’Khail Hilliard (Louisiana State).

The Marucci Elite 2017 Red and White clubs are loaded with uncommitted prospects like OF Jeff Elkins, LHP Jonathan Fincher, INF Will Ryan, OF Steele Netterville and INF Connor Dupuy, to name a few. The Marucci Elite 2018 group is not short on talent either with players like LHP Tyler Theriot, OF/LHP Zane Zeppuhar, OF Slade Bolden and numerous others.

The Louisiana Knights also have multiple teams in the event, and are deep throughout their program. The Romano 18U group is an impressive group, sporting 20 players with college commitments. 18U Gambill is largely uncommitted 2017 prospects like INF Ryan Zimmerman, OF Dane Simon, OF Jamarian Crain, C Fritz Walker, INF Marc Theberge and RHP Kobe Cazes, to name a few, who should be strong follows throughout the summer.

Bits and pieces of the Louisiana Knights 16U National Under Armour Classic team will be in attendance at the event as well, and in the coming days leading up to that event, we will preview them.

After an outstanding 2015 summer, which saw them make deep runs in major national events, Team Louisiana led by head coach Jeremy Picard, look to build on the momentum gained from last summer. McNeese State commits, Reid Bourque and Andrew Sheridan, will give Team Louisiana some serious firepower in the middle of the order, and left-handed hitting catcher Trent Touchet will give them an advanced catch and throw guy to handle the run game. Right-handers Cole Tracey and Ferguson Cochran will help lead the charge on the bump, as well as Landon Clifton.

A newcomer to the high school select world, keep an eye on the Louisiana Chaos. 2019 prospects Cade Doughty and Lamarcus Jones had strong showings at the Underclass Trials a few weeks. Jones is still a raw product, but posted a blazing 6.65 60 yard dash. While Doughty showed an advanced tool set across the board, following off a very impressive freshmen season for Denham Springs HS.

It won’t be all travel ball this weekend, as legion-based Gauthier & Amadee is set to compete. They will send out multiple division one commits, including the top 2017 right-hander in Louisiana, Blayne Enlow.

The 4A defending state champs, Teurlings Catholic HS, playing under Mizuno Rebels, are also making the trip to NOLA. Led by Louisiana-Lafayette commit, Hayden Cantrelle, and Louisiana State commit, Nick Webre, the Rebels begin their journey to a repeat this weekend in the highly competitive Marucci Classic.

Prep Baseball Report Louisiana will be out and about all weekend long covering the Marucci Classic. Be sure to follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for news and notes on this weekend's tournament!

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