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Director's List: 16u National Championship

July 2, 2024
Hudson Graham and Ian Smith
Prep Baseball Gerogia

Emerson: GA: With Top Prospect Games and NPI in the rearview mirror, the summer circuit is fully underway at Lakepoint Sports and that means National Championship season. On the docket first we have 16U, which left the entire staff blown away. While Quick Hits and Scout Blogs are available from each day, Our scouting director Hudson Graham and assistant scouting director Ian Smith  wanted to take a deeper dive into some of the biggest standouts from the event. 

You can check out the Quick Hits and Scout Blogs HERE

From the number one overall player in the class of 2027 rankings to multiple past and present Future Gamers, the talent stood out from across the country. 

Ian Smith (@IanSmittyGA)

Biggest Winner: RHP/OF Landon Green (USA Prime National)

Favorite Pitcher: RHP Nic Stutzman (5 Star Carolinas)

Favorite Hitter: OF Lash Henderson (USA Prime National)

Sleeper Favorite: OF Calvin Brown (Devine Baseball)

Landon Green, RHP/OF, 2027, A3 Academy (FL)
The 16U National Championship is a week-long grind and we got lucky enough to see Green throw twice with USA Prime National in a run to the championship game while playing up. Standing an athletic 6-foot-1, 175-pounds, the incoming sophomore is an effortless mover on the mound, creating huge extension while staying in-sync with his lower half and repeating extremely well. Arm works well from a higher three-quarters slot with present above-average arm speed and some whip. Fastball is as loud as you’ll find in the class, running it up to 95 multiple times in the championship game while with nothing under 94.3 in the first inning. Settled 90-93 in both outings with consistent carry through the zone with late life and run that misses barrels at will. Green has made immense strides in fastball command over the last 12 months and is now living in the zone fairly consistently. The incoming sophomore pairs a true power curveball at 79-81 that is tough to pick up out of hand out of the same fastball tunnel with intent and depth. Confidence to live off of it early in counts with ability to land for both strikes and in-zone misses while hitters are geared for the premium fuel. Green has the aptitude to mix in a quality changeup in the mid-70s as well with some late, arm-side fade that compliments both the fastball and curveball well. It sounds bullish, but the first inning that Green had in the championship game may have been the best look I've ever seen at the 15U level. The #8 ranked player in the 2027 class presents truly sky-high arm talent and potential alike.

Nic Stutzman, RHP, 2026, Stuart Cramer (NC)
In a week filled with standout pitching performances from across the country, the uncommitted RHP out of North Carolina may have shown the best pitchability at the event. Showing four pitches with electric arm speed and advanced command, Stutzman repeats a tighter arm circle well in a three-quarters slot. Fastball comes out of the hand well, living 88-91 while reaching back for some 2s and 3s early in the outing. Sharp arm-side run and feel to spin (2300+ RPM) allows pitch to play well in-zone with ability to paint the corners. Changeup flashes as a potential plus pitch at 77-79 with consistent fade out of the same tunnel and the advanced feel to throw R/R in any count while creating whiffs. Mixes in a shorter, low-80s cutter that plays well to left-handed hitters while being able to land on the black. Rounds out the strong mix with the curveball at 72-75 with some depth and snap to it to keep hitters off balance. Stutzman is going to continue to fill out a wiry, athletic 6-foot-0 frame with potential for more velo to come, but the present stuff and ability to pitch will carry the profile with ease.

Lash Henderson, OF, 2027, Prestonwood Christian (TX)
With the Class of 2027 national rankings going live just days before, the #1 player aimed to make a statement at #16uNat24 and that's exactly what Lash Henderson did. With a well-proportioned 6-foot-4, 205-pound frame that screams “what they look like” and while still holding significant projection remaining, Henderson is an imposing presence who already shows tools to profile across the outfield and top of the class power potential. Armed with a simple, yet potent right-handed cut, Henderson maintains excellent balance while creating significant hip-to-shoulder separation in a short leg lift trigger that gets his front foot down quickly and puts himself in quality hitting positions seemingly at all times. There’s above-average to plus accuracy in the barrel and big-time strength in the frame that allows Henderson to create loud contact regularly with carry showing to all-fields. Took three balls deep into the trees to the pull-side throughout the week, including an absolute no-doubter in bracket play, traveling 386ft. to LF at 100.1 off the bat. Not a burner with pure foot speed but Henderson covers ground quickly utillizing his frame well with long strides and advanced instincts. Loves to attack on the base paths and shows a willingness to steal bases regularly. Theres easy to see tools with Henderson and has a clear path towards a highest-level hit/power combo.

Calvin Brown, OF, 2026, North Gwinnett
Summer is always a time where you have a chance to find a breakout every week, and walked away from #16uNat24 with a huge arrow up for the uncommitted outfielder. Athletic 5-foot-11 frame with some present twitch and ability to run that leads to some impressive actions both in the outfield and on the base paths. Showed an impressive first step on an infield single where he was sub-4.2 down the line as well. Simple actions at the plate with ability to create some separation with a strong feel for the zone as well. Gap-to-gap approach where the run tool can thrive for Brown with a willingness to work backside frequently. Still just 15 years old, Brown already presents a higher floor with the defensive capabilities but can take the profile to a different level if the development continues in the bat.

Smitty’s Standouts

1. Harry “Chubb” Jones, RHP/SS, 2027, McEachern

Fresh off of a big performance at Top Prospect Games last month, Jones put together one of his best pitching performances of his young career while playing up at the 16U National Championship. Fastball was electric, sitting 89-92 while touching 94 with immense carry and feel to spin (2500+) that created heavy swing-and-miss in the outing. Low-80s slider is a quick-improving put-away pitch showing ability to manipulate and sharp bite. Flashed a devastating splitter later in the outing at 82-84 with parachute-like action at 750 RPM. The upside on the mound looks substantial for the #2 in Georgia’s 2027 class.

2. Samir Foster, RHP, 2027, Jesuit (FL)
The definition of a power arm and may not even be hyperbole to say Samir Foster has a chance to be a triple-digit candidate in the future. Standing an imposing, XL 6-foot-5, 230-pounds with an extremely loose delivery with advanced body control to repeat with ease. Fastball will explode out of the hand at 91-93, touching 94 with arm-side run and the ability to maintain velocity deep into outings. Curveball can be a hammer at times in the mid-70s with some aptitude to bury it for swing-and-miss. Foster will show the changeup sparingly at 79-81 with some spin-killing traits that can develop into a strong third offering.

3. Brody Bumila, LHP, 2026, Bishop Feehan (MA)
Hard to have a better coming out party than Bumila did for GBG Northeast last week. A pair of two-inning outings without a fastball under 90 MPH and running it up to 96 in the second look. Standing 6-foot-8, 220-pounds with a highly deceptive low three-quarters arm slot, Bumila offers one of the most uncomfortable looks you’ll see from either side of the plate. Huge extension and late hop allows the fastball to get on hitters quickly without even adding the premium velocity. Showed a low-to-mid 80s slider and changeup at 76-78 as well that both flashed potential, but lived off the fastball with impressive results. This is the type of frame and arm talent that doesn’t come around daily and will be highly sought after on August 1st.

4. Hayes Holton, RHP, 2026, Loranger (LA)
Hard to understate how loud Holton was in a quick look out of the bullpen. An exceptional mover down the mound at 6-foot-3, 185-pounds creating a tough downhill angle from pairing massive extension and near over-the-top arm slot. Fastball exploded through the zone at 92-95, touching 96 with ride and run. Holton showed the command to land it anywhere in the zone as well. Low-80s slider compliments well with tight, late horizontal break and an innate feel to spin (2500+ RPM). Has shown the feel for a quality changeup in the past but wasn’t needed in this outing. There is highest-level projection remaining with Holton and will attract serious attention next month at Prep Baseball Future Games 2024.

5. Cole Duhaime, LHP/OF, 2026, Brother Rice (MI)

6. Dexter McCleon Jr., RHP/OF, 2028, Buford
Only just 14 years old, but the five-tool potential continues to shine for Dexter McCleon Jr. The incoming freshman was all over the barrel throughout the week, launching a pair of loud pull-side home runs as well as multiple other hard-hit extra base knocks. The combination of plus bat speed and barrel accuracy while taking extremely tight turns on the ball at this age cannot be understated and already producing in-game, even against competition that's two plus years older. Already a 6.6 runner, McCleon flashed the impressive run tool as well, scooting 12.23 H-3rd on a trip. The entire profile is loud and that’s not even including the arm talent. A true two-way, McCleon jumped on the mound living 88-92 with impressive ride that's extremely tough to barrel up. Feel for a sweeper at 77-80 is quickly improving with present feel to spin (2550 RPM). Changeup lacks behind the FB/SW combo currently but shows feel with some fade at 77-79, and could develop into a strong third offering. I really have no idea how high the ceiling will be for Dexter McCleon Jr. will be, but I do know it’s immense and not slowing down anytime soon.

7. Christian Colon, RHP, 2026, Locust Grove

8. Branson Crawford, C, 2026, North Hall

Crawford has taken no time getting back to normal after having most of the spring season off, and consistently showing why he's the top ranked catcher in Georgia’s 2026 class. Above-average to plus tools behind the plate show in-game regularly as shown by throwing out 5 runners over the course of the week. Advanced barrel feel and bat-to-ball skills at the plate allows Crawford to show a strong hit tool and tap into his sneaky raw power without selling out.

Not to mention, Crawford can fill it up on the bump with a high-level fastball/curveball combo that misses bats at will.

Hudson Graham (@Hudson_PBR)

Biggest Winners: Reiston Durham (GBSA Rays)
Favorite Pitcher: Beckett Doane (Indiana Bulls)
Favorite Hitter: Carter Hayes (ATL Lightning)
Sleeper Favorite: Andre Sweet (ECB Astros Navy)

Reiston Durham, SS, Dacula, 2026
This was my first look of 2024 at the 2023 Future Gamer. Ian went out to see him in the spring for his first look of Durham. At first glance Durham has added a couple inches and maintained the strong, athletic frame. He has the ability to create more leverage at the plate, and showed it with a no doubt home run that got out in a hurry. He then followed that up with a double off the wall and a web gem at SS the following day. The way Reiston plays the game stands out, he slows everything down and always stands out as a top athlete on the field, no matter the competition.


Beckett Doane, LHP, Noblesville, 2026
6-foot-6 200-pounds. Doane got the start on the mound in the semi-final match up against the East Cobb Astros (Navy). He is an imposing figure on the mound, and has a deceptive/intimidating delivery to pair with it. It comes with a high ¾ slot and a high, fast tempo leg lift that can really mess with the timing of hitters. He ran the fastball up to 90, and settled in to the upper 80’s throughout the outing. He threw 3 pitches for strikes with a low spin change-up/splitter like pitch that froze hitters after seeing a high spin fastball with run on it. The 2023 Future Gamer will be a name to know in Indiana as he heads into his junior year.


Carter Hayes, SS, Wesleyan, 2026
Hayes was a guy that popped last summer as an athletic defender that had a great feel for the barrel. He was a consistent performer throughout the summer. I got the chance to see him in the spring and saw much of the same at SS. Hayes is the type of player that can keep himself in the line up with the glove. He has the glove to stick long term at short, and with the arm continuing to get stronger he can be an everyday guy there at the next level. At the bat he does not try to do too much. He stays through the middle of the field with a strong barrel path through the zone.


Andre Sweet, OF, Cherokee, 2026
Uncommitted. 6-foot 160-pounds. Sweet was a guy that stepped up this spring, and played a big role for Cherokee. The athleticism allows Sweet to play all over the field. He continues to develop at the plate, after seeing quality pitching in a tough classification at Cherokee. He will be a big piece for them next year.


Hudson’s Standouts:

  1. Thadd Royal, RHP, 2026, Irwin County
  2. Alex Penrod, RHP, 2026, Creekview
  3. Maverick Chitwood, OF, 2026, Habersham Central
  4. Carson Adomniik, RHP, 2026, South Paulding
  5. John Whitt, RHP, 2026, East Cobb Academy
  6. Ryder Register, SS, 2026, Blessed Trinity
  7. Joseph Park, RHP, North Gwinnett, 2026