2022 Area Code Games: Thursday's Five Best
August 12, 2022
SAN DIEGO -- The 2022 Area Code Games are underway, in their second year at San Diego’s Fowler Park and Cunningham Field. Many of the nation’s top 2023 prospects are in attendance, split up on eight regional teams: Athletics (NorCal), Brewers (SoCal), Nationals (Southeast), Rangers (Texas), Reds (Four Corners), Royals (Pacific Northwest), White Sox (Midwest) and Yankees (Northeast). As usual, we’ll have plenty of in-depth coverage after the event, but here are some highlights from Wednesday’s action…
Trotting Walker
A day after being featured prominently in the Five Best, SS Walker Martin (Eaton HS, CO) put an exclamation point on a fantastic week with a majestic home run to deep right field. The 6-foot-2, 185-pound left-handed hitter clearly left his mark on the event, and is leaving with some of the biggest helium of any player in the country.
‘23 IF Walker Martin (CO) continues to excel at the plate.
— Shooter Hunt (@ShooterHunt) August 11, 2022
Jumps all over this one for a majestic home run over the RF wall. Ball exploded off the bat. Strong wrists/quick hands.
ðŸ‘👠|| @RazorbackBSB recruit#MLBDraft || @pbrcolorado pic.twitter.com/6SFUoGLdrF
Smashing Southsiders
Even without OF Max Clark (Franklin HS, IN) in the lineup, the White Sox squad warranted all the buzz of the day, and OF Easton Breyfogle (Benilde St. Margaret’s HS, MN) set the tone with a handful of base hits. IF Camden Kozeal (Millard South HS, NE) continued to show well at the plate, and delivered a loud triple to close out his residency in San Diego.
‘23 IF Camden Kozeal (NE) continues to swing a heavy barrel.
— Shooter Hunt (@ShooterHunt) August 11, 2022
Hammers this 94mph fastball into the gap for a leadoff triple.
Continues to slow things down at an impressive clip. @VandyBoys recruit#MLBDraft || @PBR_Nebraska pic.twitter.com/oaPOsWQUCj
Jersey Strong
Along with the rest of Yankees roster, a pair of New Jersey prospects helped spur victory over the Brewers. After RHP Hagan Ward (St. Sebastian’s School, MA) cruised through three innings of work, RHP Zachary Konstantinovsky (North Brunswick HS, NJ) was dominant in his two. The athletic right-hander pounded the zone with three pitches including an 87-90 fastball, and showed poise going up against a stout lineup. The defining offensive moment of the game came from fellow Garden State prospect, 3B Ryan Jaros (Cranford HS, NJ), who elicited oohs and aahs from the crowd with a no-doubt home run over the left field wall.
‘23 Zach Konstantinovsky (NJ) punches 2 in his first inning of work.
— Shooter Hunt (@ShooterHunt) August 11, 2022
Effortless 3-pitch mix working 87-90 with some arm side life. Confident in faded change that profiles well & dropping in quality breaking ball. @RutgersBaseball recruit #MLBDraft || @PBRNewJersey pic.twitter.com/G7efOtZImA
All Gas, No Brakes
Although it was Getaway Day, OF Kendall George (Atascocita HS, TX) was unwilling to give away any at-bats, and instead continued one of the hottest summer’s of any player in the country. The speedy center fielder wasted no time applying the pressure, dropping down a perfect push bunt that allowed him to cruise down the line at 3.6.
‘23 Kendall George (TX) continues to have a stellar summer. Speed ALWAYS applying the pressure on the defense.
— Shooter Hunt (@ShooterHunt) August 11, 2022
Leads off the game with this bunt single:
3.6 down the line…@RazorbackBSB recruit #MLBDraft || @PBR_Texas pic.twitter.com/QNpxyYzHXC
Nats Finish Strong
Facing a slew of talented Pacific Northwest arms, the Nationals’ hitters took quality at-bats all day, and finished the week strong. IF Tre Phelps (Georgia Premier, GA) brought immense energy, much as he did all week, working deep into counts and getting off great swings. OF Ashton Larson (St. Thomas Acquinas HS, KS) battled multiple left-handed arms successfully as he continued to showcase himself as one of the better pure hitters in the class.
‘23 OF Ashton Larson (KS) continues to take professional at-bats.
— Shooter Hunt (@ShooterHunt) August 11, 2022
Left-on-left doesn’t try to do too much after falling behind. Leaves the barrel in the zone for this firm single the other way.@LSUbaseball recruit#MLBDraft || @PBRKansas pic.twitter.com/975RtX8mng
‘23 Tre Phelps (GA) has been as fun to watch as any player here.
— Shooter Hunt (@ShooterHunt) August 11, 2022
ENERGY everyday. Gets off aggressive hacks creating quickness in short window w/ some strength.
Singles here. @BaseballUGA recruit #MLBDraft || @PBRGeorgia pic.twitter.com/10qx6SMt9E