Team Michigan: Future Games Continues To Grow And Impress

Andrew Abler RHP / 1B / Novi, MI / 2023

PBR: What were your Future Games highlights?
My two strikeouts and the double play while I was pitching.

PBR: Assess your performance.
I am not proud of my performance because I was wild but it ended out alright. 

PBR: Give your thoughts on being part of Team Michigan and what stood out.
Team Michigan gave me a cool experience playing with the top players in the state and I learned a lot by talking to the players. I also loved the way that we picked each other up after a bad play.

PBR: Touch on the competition you faced at the event.
The competition was very good but we matched it.

PBR: How can participating in the Future Games help you in the future?
I learned ways to deal with pressure when everyone is watching and also to not be intimidated by the radar gun.

PBR: What, if any, college coaches did you talk to at the event or hear from since the event ended?
Western Michigan, Eastern Michigan, and Dartmouth.

Grant Bradley RHP / SS / Napoleon, MI / 2024

PBR: What were your Future Games highlights?
My Future Games highlights were getting to know the guys on my team, and just being around a great atmosphere.

PBR: Assess your performance.
I thought my performance went over really well. I could’ve done better locating my pitches in the first inning, but as I got comfortable it went great. 

PBR: Give your thoughts on being part of Team Michigan and what stood out.
Being on Team Michigan was an amazing opportunity and I'm glad I was a part of it. What stood out was the play level of all the guys. They want to be better, and they are amazing ball players. 

PBR: Touch on the competition you faced at the event.
The competition I faced was like no other I've faced. All the best guys from around the country came to play. 

PBR: How can participating in the Future Games help you in the future?
The Future Games will help me in the future to be more confident in myself, because if I can perform well in front of the best, then there is no reason I can't do it whenever. 

PBR: What, if any, college coaches did you talk to at the event or hear from since the event ended?
I’ve been in contact with Louisville and Michigan since the event.

Jackson Haywood RHP / 1B / Lakeview, MI / 2023

PBR: What were your Future Games highlights?
My favorite highlight of my performance was my first inning when I pitched only 6 pitches and my teammates made great plays behind me. 

PBR: Assess your performance.
I think I showed great location with my fastball and even better with my off-speed pitches. My game plan going into that game was to locate the fastball low and try and produce strikeouts or ground balls for my infield. I think I executed my pitching as planned. 

PBR: Give your thoughts on being part of Team Michigan and what stood out.
Being a part of Team Michigan was an amazing opportunity. The guys I was teamed up with are outstanding ball players and I see bright futures for everyone on the team. You could see that all 9 guys on the field wanted the ball every pitch and that’s something a pitcher wants behind him every game.

PBR: Touch on the competition you faced at the event.
In the week leading up to my outing, I spent time researching Team Canada’s roster, which included watching their recent PBR showcases and studying their hitting and swing techniques. Knowing I’d be on a big stage like the Future Games, I wanted  to know the most I could about my opponents so I could have a strong approach to the game.

PBR: How can participating in the Future Games help you in the future?
The Future Games, in my opinion, is the biggest platform you can be a part of and to show off your skills in front of many universities. If I could be given this opportunity again, I wouldn’t pass up on it. 

PBR: What, if any, college coaches did you talk to at the event or hear from since the event ended?
Some schools I have been in contact with have been: St. Louis University, Xavier, Indiana State, Indiana, Boston College, and Villanova. I have also received an email from Northern Kentucky.

Jamie Henderson RHP / 3B / Orchard Lake St. Mary's, MI / 2023

PBR: What were your Future Games highlights?
My future games highlight would have to be hanging around the guys in the dugout and just having fun with them and making the best out of the experience.

PBR: Assess your performance.
It wasn’t my best outing for sure, but I continued to battle and finished with only one hit and no runs.

PBR: Give your thoughts on being part of Team Michigan and what stood out.
Being a part of Team Michigan was a great experience. Just being around all the guys and laughing and having a good time is what made the event so special. 

PBR: Touch on the competition you faced at the event.
We definitely saw some great competition from the other states, some really high-level pitching and hitting for sure. Facing that high competition is just another reason why the event was so great. 

PBR: How can participating in the Future Games help you in the future?
This event can help in the future by realizing that I just need to stay within myself and not try to do too much no matter how many scouts or anyone is watching. 

PBR: What, if any, college coaches did you talk to at the event or hear from since the event ended?
Illinois State was following me heavily going into the Future Games, they gave me an offer about a week before the event so I had some time to go visit and think about it before and after Futures.

Layne Holmes RHP / OF / Mattawan, MI / 2023

PBR: What were your Future Games highlights?
My Future Games highlights were being around new faces and people I haven’t seen for a long time. This was very special because we all had the same goals, to win and to be seen and we all worked together and were able to accomplish these things. 

PBR: Assess your performance.
My performance was decent but did not meet my expectations. 

PBR: Give your thoughts on being part of Team Michigan and what stood out.
Being a part of Team Michigan was a blast. We all got along and had fun with each other but when it was game time we dialed it in and took care of business. 

PBR: Touch on the competition you faced at the event.
I pitched against Team Ohio and they were good! They did not chase pitches out of the zone and crushed balls that were in the zone so it was pretty tough to pitch to them but I tried to adapt and got out of it. 

PBR: How can participating in the Future Games help you in the future?
Playing in the Future Games can help me in the future by getting me in front of new coaches and putting my name on a high platform for maximum exposure. 

PBR: What, if any, college coaches did you talk to at the event or hear from since the event ended?
No new colleges have contacted me from the event but hopefully I will get a few in the near future. Thank you PBR for letting me compete in the Future Games. I will never forget that game.

Gavin Moczydlowsky RHP / 3B / New Boston Huron, MI / 2023

PBR: What were your Future Games highlights?
My Future Games highlight was when I threw 90 mph.

PBR: Assess your performance.
I would say I did pretty good, striking out 4 of 6 batters I faced.

PBR: Give your thoughts on being part of Team Michigan and what stood out.
Being a part of Michigan was awesome because I got to play with friends that I have never played with which was cool.

PBR: Touch on the competition you faced at the event.
It was great competition.

PBR: How can participating in the Future Games help you in the future?
Hopefully, participating in the Future Games goes a long way in helping me earn a scholarship.

PBR: What, if any, college coaches did you talk to at the event or hear from since the event ended?
I have been in contact with Toledo and Michigan State.

Wyatt Novara LHP / OF / Dexter, MI / 2023

PBR: What were your Future Games highlights?
While pitching against Team Canada was obviously the purpose of my participation in the Future Games, the highlight of the event for me was the atmosphere in the dugout with the guys. It was this kind of surreal moment where you’re surrounded with so many great baseball players, yet at the same time you’re just a bunch of guys playing a game for the fun of it and competing.

PBR: Assess your performance.
While I didn’t necessarily have my greatest stuff while I was on the mound, I was able to record outs even against some adversity. When I walked a guy, we twisted a double play. When I gave up a single, we turned another. It was important to trust the defense in the guys behind me as well as my catcher, Noah Miller, and I was able to rack two strikeouts as well along the way. I am truly happy with how I performed and how the team performed as a whole.

PBR: Give your thoughts on being part of Team Michigan and what stood out.
It means everything to be able to wear your state proudly on the front of your jersey and represent so much bigger than just yourself or your community. I think everyone in the dugout knew that it meant much more to put on that uniform for the Future Games, and it meant even more when we could mark one down in the win column after each game.

PBR: Touch on the competition you faced at the event.
The competition was nothing like I had ever competed against before. While the pitchers were some of the best that each state/region had to offer, the batters were able to fight and compete just the same, and it showed true competitors because you couldn’t rely on just talent or skill to beat another guy or team, which is something that is so prevalent in the higher levels of baseball.

PBR: How can participating in the Future Games help you in the future?
Future Games is huge in terms of exposure to coaches and colleges that may not have seen or even heard of you before, however, it gives you a platform to showcase your abilities and drive beyond just that. Future Games gave me a chance to compete against some of the best ball players around, and I chose to thrive in that competition, not only portraying my heart, drive and competitive nature, but continuing to build upon it.

PBR: What, if any, college coaches did you talk to at the event or hear from since the event ended?
Before/During the event I have been in contact with Michigan, Michigan State, Clemson, Columbia, Eastern Michigan, UC San Diego, Ball State, Butler and Purdue. Post Future Games I have been in contact with Northwestern, and am waiting and ready for further contact and opportunity if and when it comes my way.

Jay Tuttle C / RHP / Owosso, MI / 2023

PBR: What were your Future Games highlights?
My Future Games highlight was pitching against Pennsylvania. I was very pleased with my performance over the 2 innings I was given. I hit a new career high in velo and did not allow anyone to reach base.

PBR: Assess your performance.
I believe I pitched very well. I would’ve liked to have had my change-up working a bit more but I had a good slider that day to compliment my fastball.

PBR: Give your thoughts on being part of Team Michigan and what stood out.
What stood out to me as being part of Team Michigan was the playing level. Everyone you saw was a phenomenal baseball player. It was very cool to see all that talent in one place.

PBR: Touch on the competition you faced at the event.
The competition I faced pitching was very good. Everybody who got invited to attend from every state is more than likely a collegiate baseball player so I was happy to see where I stacked up against them.

PBR: How can participating in the Future Games help you in the future?
Participating in the Future Games will help me in the future by getting my name out in front of college scouts.

PBR: What, if any, college coaches did you talk to at the event or hear from since the event ended?
The schools I have contacted since the Future Games are Nebraska, Bowling Green, and Michigan State.

Trae Cassidy C / SS / Detroit Catholic Central, MI / 2023

  We are waiting to hear.

Oliver Service C / OF / University Ligget, MI / 2023

PBR: What were your Future Games highlights?
My highlights were defensively being a part of 4 outs in 2 innings, which included playing the catcher's position and throwing behind a runner at first who wasn't paying attention for a pickoff, Then I put down a quick tag at home for an out at the plate. Lastly, while playing in the outfield, I grabbed a ball hit to left field and got a quick throw into the cutoff point person which led to a double play of outs by SS and 2B. Then in the following game, I threw out a guy stealing 3rd base. 

PBR: Assess your performance.
My performance was overall pretty good. I was very proud that I improved on my metrics in 4 areas as my exit and arm velos were both in the Top 10 results. My catching pop time improved and was in the Top 20 results. Also, my run time improved since last recorded in June. I definitely did better on defense than offense. I could have hit a little better than I did but in 6 AB I got on base 4 times from a couple walks, HBP and single.

PBR: Give your thoughts on being part of Team Michigan and what stood out.
I was proud to be a part of this team because we were able to show the country that Michigan baseball is better than they thought and we can compete at any level.

PBR: Touch on the competition you faced at the event.
The competition was very good, almost every pitcher we faced was above 86 mph on the mound.

PBR: How can participating in the Future Games help you in the future?
It got me in front of a lot of college coaches which will really help my future. 

PBR: What, if any, college coaches did you talk to at the event or hear from since the event ended?
I have been in contact with several college coaches from the Michigan area as well as other areas, but no new contacts as of yet since the event ended.

Jack Bakus 1B / 3B / H. H. Dow, MI / 2023

PBR: What were your Future Games highlights?
My Future Games highlights included being in the top 25 for exit velo and max distance, as well as playing at the beautiful Lakepoint facility with and against some of the best players in the country.

PBR: Assess your performance.
I was happy with my showcase performance. I was able to improve almost all of my metrics as well as get some good hard hits during the BP session. I was also happy with my defensive performance in both games. I made every play that I could’ve . I was able to put some balls in play the first game, but the second game is when my hitting picked up. I unfortunately got sick with strep throat and was unable to play in the third game.

PBR: Give your thoughts on being part of Team Michigan and what stood out.
It was an honor being a part of Team Michigan and being able to compete in the Future Games. My teammates were great and it was very fun playing with them.

PBR: Touch on the competition you faced at the event.
The competition was good and it was fun playing against some of the best players my age from all over. 

PBR: How can participating in the Future Games help you in the future?
Being seen by hundreds of college coaches helps gain exposure. Also updating my profile with the new numbers, and getting some good video helps a lot.

PBR: What, if any, college coaches did you talk to at the event or hear from since the event ended?
I have been talking with U of Michigan before the event.

Nathan Ball 1B / RHP / Bay City John Glenn, MI / 2023

PBR: What were your Future Games highlights?
My highlights were getting to play with some of the best players in my state and competing at a high level.

PBR: Assess your performance.
I saw the ball really well and worked the count. Defensively, I didn’t have much happen. 

PBR: Give your thoughts on being part of Team Michigan and what stood out.
What stood out to me was that I wanted to compete more being around some of these really great athletes. 

PBR: Touch on the competition you faced at the event.
The competition we played was really good. Every pitcher we saw had good velocity and mixed pitches well. 

PBR: How can participating in the Future Games help you in the future?
It helped me get out there in front of coaches. It also helped me understand what I have to work on.

PBR: What, if any, college coaches did you talk to at the event or hear from since the event ended?
None at this time.

Alex Cheeseman SS / 2B / Brother Rice, MI / 2023

 We are waiting to hear.

Sebastian Jaimes C / 3B / Western international, MI / 2023

PBR: What were your Future Games highlights?
I feel like my personal highlight at the Future Games was to get on base almost every time I went up to bat. I didn’t try to do too much and I just tried to help my team win.

PBR: Assess your performance.
I feel like I did really well and I enjoyed every minute of it. I had a great time with my teammates. I feel like I could've done a lot better but I'm still glad with the way I played.

PBR: Give your thoughts on being part of Team Michigan and what stood out.
It was such a great experience being a part of Team Michigan. Everyone on the team was having fun and we all worked our butts off. The best part of playing with Team Michigan was making all the great memories and that we all had the desire to beat Team Ohio. 

PBR: Touch on the competition you faced at the event.
I think the competition down at the Future Games was the best competition I’ve ever faced. Everyone was throwing really hard and had really good off-speed. Overall everyone was hitting the ball and playing great. 

PBR: How can participating in the Future Games help you in the future?
Participating in the Future Games can actually help you out tremendously in the future. It gives you so much exposure and you have the opportunity to show your talent and potential in front of all the college coaches there. 

PBR: What, if any, college coaches did you talk to at the event or hear from since the event ended?
I wasn’t in any contact with the coaches but I really hope I am soon!!

Ryan McKay 2B / SS / St. Marys Preparatory School, MI / 2023

PBR: What were your Future Games highlights?
I ran a 6.78 60-yard dash and I had a great batting practice and was really smooth in the infield. 

PBR: Assess your performance.
I had 5 at-bats with 2 walks and I had some nice barrels throughout the games. I had about 6-7 plays in the infield and made a few diving plays and unassisted double plays. 

PBR: Give your thoughts on being part of Team Michigan and what stood out.
Being a part of Team Michigan was an honor and I’m very blessed to be selected to compete against other states. It was especially fun meeting a whole bunch of new guys and making new friendships.

PBR: Touch on the competition you faced at the event.
The competition was amazing. We faced some great arms that were in the upper-80s and low-90s and that was awesome to face. 

PBR: How can participating in the Future Games help you in the future?
Participating in this event will help me in the future because it will help me get to the college I eventually want to attend.

PBR: What, if any, college coaches did you talk to at the event or hear from since the event ended?
I’ve been in contact with some Big Ten schools and MAC schools.

Aamir Mitchell 3B / SS / DeLaSalle Collegiate, MI / 2023

PBR: What were your Future Games highlights?
My favorite thing about the Future Games was meeting players from other teams and playing with players on my team.

PBR: Assess your performance.
I didn’t do too well at the plate but performed well fielding. Showcase wise, I put up some impressive numbers.

PBR: Give your thoughts on being part of Team Michigan and what stood out.
I loved the opportunity to represent Michigan. What stood out to me is the other players on the team were trying to achieve the same goals.

PBR: Touch on the competition you faced at the event.
The competition was like no other. Defense making impressive plays, pitchers pitching gems, and hitters crushing the ball. 

PBR: How can participating in the Future Games help you in the future?
Participating in the Future Games gives you an opportunity to showcase yourself in front of many coaches.

PBR: What, if any, college coaches did you talk to at the event or hear from since the event ended?
I have talked to Ball State since the Future Games.

Jonah St. Antoine SS / RHP / Forest Hills Northern, MI / 2023

PBR: What were your Future Games highlights?
The highlight of my Future Games was when I took infield for the showcase. The sun was setting and there were coaches everywhere. It was what every kid dreams of and a surreal moment for me as a lover of baseball. I also enjoyed meeting and playing with new players from Michigan.

PBR: Assess your performance.
I think I did very well hitting considering we were facing the best pitchers from Canada and all over the U.S. Everywhere you go you are getting assessed by college coaches, and the pressure was on to perform. 

PBR: Give your thoughts on being part of Team Michigan and what stood out.
I loved being part of Team Michigan. I am from the west side of the state so I never have a chance to meet kids from the other side. It was really cool getting to know them through the Futures Games. 

PBR: How can participating in the Future Games help you in the future?
The Future Games can benefit you immensely. I am heading out to ACC visits, Big 10 and MAC schools over the next couple of weeks. I am so thankful to have been a part of the Future Games.

Adrian Epps OF / 2B / West Bloomfield, MI / 2023

PBR: What were your Future Games highlights?
Probably one of the catches I made where I ran back to the warning track to make it and getting mic’d up was really fun.

PBR: Assess your performance.
I feel my performance was good but always could’ve done better. I went 1-3 with a couple walks and a HBP.

PBR: Give your thoughts on being part of Team Michigan and what stood out.
Being a part of this team was great. Everyone was really talented and it was a whole lot of fun.

PBR: Touch on the competition you faced at the event.
The competition is what I expected. It was great ... we made plays and other teams made plays.

PBR: How can participating in the Future Games help you in the future?
It definitely helps by getting your name out there in front of all the coaches that were there and starting to make connections.

PBR: What, if any, college coaches did you talk to at the event or hear from since the event ended?
I haven’t been in contact with any yet but it’s still early and I could possibly in the near future.

Dylan Larkins OF / 1B / U of D Jesuit, MI / 2024

  We are waiting to hear.

Carson Smith OF / RHP / Grandville, MI / 2023

  We are waiting to hear.

Brennan Hill LHP / OF / Grosse Pointe North, MI / 2024

PBR: What were your Future Games highlights?
I’m just excited I was given an opportunity to be a part of the Future Games. Seeing the high level of baseball from all states was quite remarkable. No way there’s a better exposure event out there. 

PBR: Assess your performance.
I wish I would’ve pitched a little better. Hopefully, I will get an opportunity like this in the future. 

PBR: Give your thoughts on being part of Team Michigan and what stood out.
Being part of Team Michigan was truly an honor. To be included with that group of people and players humbles me. Such good people to be around.

PBR: Touch on the competition you faced at the event.
The competition was extremely good across the board. It’s exciting to see some of the northern states beginning to make their mark as far as player development and actually having northern and midwestern players accepting more scholarship opportunities down south.

PBR: How can participating in the Future Games help you in the future?
Being a part of the Future Games is certainly prestigious. I’m hoping that facing that level of competition will be yet another step in helping me prepare to play high-level college baseball.

PBR: What, if any, college coaches did you talk to at the event or hear from since the event ended?
No contact as of yet but I’m patiently waiting!!

Drew Hill OF / LHP / Grosse Pointe North, MI / 2023

  We are waiting to hear.

Noah Miller C / RHP / Monroe, MI / 2023

PBR: What were your Future Games highlights?
My highlights included winning Player of the Game against Pennsylvania, showing out at the workouts event and also behind the plate.

PBR: Assess your performance.
I thought I did well behind the plate and well as a hitter. On the mound my velo was good but my command was off at times. I’ve got to throw more strikes.

PBR: Give your thoughts on being part of Team Michigan and what stood out.
It was awesome. Everybody was bringing a lot of energy. It felt like we had been playing together for years.

PBR: Touch on the competition you faced at the event.
It was really good. Team Canada could swing it, Pennsylvania had some good defenders, especially the catcher who threw out Alfredo and Ohio was gritty. Their pitcher shut us down and they ultimately came back. Props to them.

PBR: How can participating in the Future Games help you in the future?
It helped getting in front of all those coaches. We had 50-60 right behind home plate during work outs which gave an opportunity like no other.

PBR: What, if any, college coaches did you talk to at the event or hear from since the event ended?
A couple reached out.

Alfredo Velazquez OF / LHP / Brother Rice, MI / 2023

PBR: What were your Future Games highlights?
Some of my highlights during Future Games was hitting a good round of BP showing my pull-side power. The whole weekend I showed why I can play at the next level as a two-way guy. I was up to 89 on the mound striking out 4 in two innings. I also reached base every game we played. 

PBR: Assess your performance.
I performed great throughout the weekend. I put the ball into play, while finding the barrel for most of the hits. I also showed how well I can run the bases in the games. Defensively I played great, did not give up an error in the field and was dominant on the mound.

PBR: Give your thoughts on being part of Team Michigan and what stood out.
Playing with Team Michigan was exciting, I was able to meet new people and win some games with guys in our area. Team Michigan showed out scoring tons of runs on opponents.

PBR: Touch on the competition you faced at the event.
I played great competition throughout the weekend. I saw most kids 86+ fastball with a good curveball. Most teams made amazing plays on both sides hitting and fielding.

PBR: How can participating in the Future Games help you in the future?
The Future Games can help me in the future with recruiting. With the 300+ recruiters watching, they can see everyone play and how they represent themselves. It can also help me get better by playing great competition.

PBR: What, if any, college coaches did you talk to at the event or hear from since the event ended?
I was in contact with 8 coaches before the event, with two offers. Now I am talking to 13 schools.