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PBR Louisiana Jr. Future Games Recap (2027 Class)

August 3, 2023
Alex Armand
Louisiana Scouting Director

The 2023 Jr. Future Games have come and passed again, and this year's event was as successful as ever.  The week started on Tuesday July 25, 2023 with all prospects participating in a pro-style workout with pool play starting on Wednesday July 26, 2023-Friday July 29, 2023, and eventually ending with bracket play on Saturday July 29, 2023 and Sunday July 30, 2023.  This year's Louisiana 14U group finished the Jr. Future Games with a 1-2 record in pool play, which sent the team to the silver bracket, where they went 1-1 in bracket play, to finish the week going a combined 2-3.  Below, we take a look at a few of the standout performers from last week. 

 

+ 2027 LHP/OF Lawton Littleton (Barbe HS)

Athletic and lean 6'0" 155 lbs. still developing frame that will continue to grow and add strength as he matures.  The future Barbe HS product gave us a glimpse at what's to come over the next four years, as he looks to be on track to contribute to the Bucs sooner, rather than later.  The left-handed hitter had a nice week at the plate for our 14U group, as he finished the week going 3-10 at the plate with 3 R, 2 RBI, and 2 BB.  On the mound, however, is where Littleton really shined in his two appearances at the Jr. Future Games.  He started Game 1 of the tournament and it was a one inning "bullpen" day for him and he ended up striking out the side that lone inning of work.  Littleton then got the start in the first game of bracket play, and was once again really good.  He worked his FB in the 78-82 mph range with an effortless, low-effort delivery, and he was able to command the pitch to all quadrants.  In total, Littleton logged 6 IP and gave up only 2 H and 0 ER with 3 BB and 7 K's.  

+ 2027 OF Clayton Fontenot (St. Michael's HS)

Athletic 5'10" 155 lbs. frame with a strong lower-half.  The St. Michael's HS product left the Jr. Future Games as one of the best all around athletes at the entire event with his speed being standing out, as he posted the top overall 60 time at a 6.69, and his speed also translated to gameplay.  For the week, Fontenot put a modest stat line of 2-10 with a R, 3 RBI, and 2 BB, but he took a lot of quality at-bats and looked the part of a future table-setting offensive performer.  His swing is pretty simple from the left side with minimal head movement, a direct path to contact, and level extension.  He's also not afraid to lay a drag bunt down for a hit, which is another way that he can use his speed to affect the game.  

+ 2027 C/1B Nathan Cervantes (Northwood HS)

Physical and imposing 5'10" 200 lbs. frame.  Cervantes announced his presence on the workout day of the 2023 Jr. Future Games, thanks to the heavy barrel that he delivers from both the left and right side, which translated to game play.  For the week, he went 3-10 at the plate with 2 R and 5 RBI, which included a double that was scorched to left field and registered 102 mph off the bat.  It seemed like everyone was holding their breath each time that the Northwood HS product went up to bat, as it felt inevitable that he was going to catch a barrel.  Defensively, his catch and throw skills are pretty good, as he recorded pop times in the 1.97-2.19 range with a 73 mph positional velocity from the crouch.  If he can improve his receiving and blocking skills, then he'll be a highly sought after backstop in the state's 2027 class.

+ 2027 C/1B Mason Rogillio (West Feliciana HS)

The West Feliciana HS product was another physical right-handed hitter on our 14U team who enjoyed a nice week at the plate, as he finished his 2023 Jr. Future Games going 4-10 with 2 R and 3 RBI.  Working from an upright and balanced stance, Rogillio gets his barrel on plane early and is able to work in a tight window to contact with slightly uphill extension through the baseball.  Defensively, he's an average receiver, blocker, and thrower with room to improve behind the dish, but much like Cervantes above, if he can improve those defensive skills and become a reliable backstop, then he'll also likely be a coveted 2027 prospect in Louisiana.

+ 2027 RHP/3B Brooks Bumstead (Dutchtown HS)

Physical 6'2" 185 lbs. frame; the future Griffin had arguably the best offensive week of any prospect on our 14U Jr. Future Games team.  The Dutchtown HS product was consistently on the barrel and finished the week 4-9 at the plate with 2 R and a RBI.  Bumstead starts in an athletic and balanced stance with hands held at shoulder height and takes a level path to contact with a little length and finishes flat through extension, working mostly up the middle and to the pull-side gap.  He also showed some upside on the mound with a FB up to 82 mph with some arm-side sink and run with developing secondary offerings.  Dutchtown seems to re-load every year and Bumstead looks to be another young and promising prospect that will enter their program in a couple of weeks.

+ 2027 MIF Gatlyn Grace (Parkview Baptist HS)

Athletic and still developing 5'7" 135 lbs. frame with plenty of room to mature and add strength.  The Parkview Baptist HS product was heralded for his glove work coming into the Jr. Future Games, but he also showed well with his bat, as he finished the week 4-11 at the plate with 2 R, RBI, and a BB.  From an upright and balanced stance with his hands held above shoulder height, Grace delivers a direct path down to the ball with level extension and a one-handed finish.  He's also a really good athlete and runner who posted a 6.98 in the 60 yard dash.