2023 Future Games: Heff's Hits
August 5, 2023
The 12th annual Future Games took place on July 26-29 at LakePoint in Emerson, Georgia. Top uncommitted prospects in the classes of 2025 and 2026 participated in one of the most popular events of the year.
There were 32 teams, including Team Ohio, with players representing 44 states plus Canadian prospects. Each team played three games the final three days of the event after all position players were put through a showcase workout on Wednesday. More than 375 college coaches from across the country were looking on as approximately 500 players participated in this year’s event.
Having a close look at each of these area's teams, I decided to come up with an article that features numerous things that I saw in my time down in Georgia.
To view all the stats/articles related to the 2023 Future Games for these areas, see below:
- Team Ohio, click here.
- Team Michigan, click here.
- Team Canada, click here.
- Team Massachusetts, click here.
- Team Connecticut, click here.
To view the entire 2023 Future Games stats, including the Trackman/Blast Analytics, please click here.
2023 Future Games: Heff's Hits
EMERSON, Ga. - The Future Games at LakePoint was once again one of the top events in the entire nation for uncommitted prospects to be seen. With 375+ scouts/coaches from around the nation, these prospects were seen by colleges from each corner of the nation.
For myself, this was my 10th Future Games (I missed out in 2020 and 2012) and with each year, I see the growth of the event ... The facility is top notch, the talent opens eyes, the amount of coaches is mind-blowing, the PBR staff puts in work, etc... I could go on and on.
This is the third edition of Heff's Hits, with the focus being on the 2023 Future Games... Enjoy!
Single: The Landmark
The summer Georgia heat is no joke (I am thankful for shady spots, a little breeze and of course a cooling towel around the neck), but we couldn't ask for a better setting, better weather, or better facilities. LakePoint is a beautiful complex. The setup was perfect for the games. The scouts/coaches had more than enough space to scope out the prospects and communicate with each other, while the parents were able to relax under the shade and watch some outstanding baseball.
The weather cooperated for the most part, but of course there was the dreaded lightning delays on on Friday and Saturday.
Double: Seeing The PBR Guys And College Coaches
One thing that always brings a smile to my face when we have national events is being able to see all of the guys that I converse with throughout the year, but only get to see a couple times. Seeing the coaches in person that I have conversations with weekly was great. Getting to have a quick chat and fist bump with Sean Duncan or a nice conversation with Shooter Hunt about prospects in my area or thanking Yarbs (Matt Yarber) for all he does to help me with the back end of the website ... all of these things bring a smile to my face.
Being able to see all my Canadian friends and seeing the interactions with them along with my Ohio and Michigan guys ... way too many stories and laughs there. The interactions with the baseball guys from the Northeast always brightens my day as well! Great guys all around is what make Prep Baseball Report a great place to work with!
“The coaches are what stood out to me, 375 college coaches paid a visit to see the finest uncommitted underclassmen in the country,” related Shooter Hunt, vice president of scouting for PBR. “With the NCAA rule changes in effect, it was astounding seeing some of the premier programs in the country bringing FOUR coaches to cover the event. I think that more than quantifies the significance and importance of the event from the recruiting side. It was a true one-stop-shop.”
Triple: The Talent Being Seen
Every year at the Future Games, the focus is on the talent on the field, as it should be. In 2023, the talent level was high and the coaches/scouts loved what they saw ...
“Every player at the Future Games has been evaluated by the PBR staff, so their presence alone means that they have next-level talent,” explained Hunt. “Many players had strong, breakout weeks, but even the guys who didn't see in-game success are still likely very much on college coaches' radars. I think it is important for those kids who didn't think that they performed well to understand that it was only four days, and college coaches are evaluating much more than whether or not they produced in that short window.”
Home Run: Family
This may be a "homer" pick for me, but the "home run" from the 2023 Future Games was getting to experience all of this with my dad, Bruce Hefflinger (PBR OH, MI, NE, Canada Senior Writer). Whether it was the talks during the flight trip down to the ATL, the numerous drives to the field each day, doing the "Dugout Chatter Interviews", the fun hotel talks about the prospects we saw that day, the outstanding southern food, etc ... This was a memorable trip that won't be forgotten. Thank you as always to Chris Valentine for allowing this to happen! I can't wait until next year!!
2023 Heff's Hits Elite 25: PBR Future Games
*** To view the full list in PDF form, click here.
The Elite 25 from the Future Games is a listing of the 25 guys that stood out to me from our areas (Ohio, Michigan, New England, Canada). The list consists of 25 guys who had outstanding performances in-game or during the showcase portion, or just stood out in their own way on the field and off. Congrats to the 25 prospects who made the list and thank you to all of the participants down at the Future Games for providing outstanding baseball on the field for us to watch!
Pitchers
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Case Bosch LHP / 1B / Jenison, MI / 2025Rankings StateRank: 14 / POS: 2
Report: Imposing 6-5, long/lanky frame. The fastball was in the upper-80s, topping at 88.5. Showed a plus changeup with good run. Breaking has a 2/7 shape in the low-70s. Very projectable arm. |
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Cooper Gilkerson RHP / 3B / Hilliard Darby, OH / 2025Rankings StateRank: 9 / POS: 3
Report: 6-1, 180-pound frame with room to add. Consistent movements that translates a clean arm slot. Easy juice on the fastball that creates several inches of horizontal movement. Plus change that tunnels well off the heater. FB: 88-89 (2100 rpm), CH: 78-80 (1200 rpm), CB: 76-78 (2200 rpm). |
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Grant Jolly RHP / MIF / Wapakoneta, OH / 2025Rankings StateRank: 14 / POS: 6
Report: 6-0, 170-pound frame. Uses a variety of ways to get outs. Three-pitch arsenal that featured a fastball with ride, which sets up the plus change that showcases heavy fade. The breaker shows swing/miss stuff and tunnels well from the same slot as the fastball. FB: 87-90 (2200 RPM), CH: 82-84, CB: 72-75. |
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Grant Keffaber RHP / 3B / Lebanon, OH / 2025Rankings StateRank: 71 / POS: 18
Report: 6-0, 170-pound frame. Strong lower-half. Throws an efficient, heavy FB (up to 89.8) that sets up a wipeout BB. Easy juice that shows promise for more. High follow. |
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Keagen Kohlhoff RHP / OF / Birch Run, MI / 2025Rankings StateRank: 18 / POS: 8
Report: Electric arm with highest fastball at the Future Games, at 93.7. Competes with intent and loads of confidence. Spins a breaking ball with good spin and tilt. Many calls and offers to come from P5 programs. Physical athlete all-around. |
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Slade Moore LHP / OF / West Bloomfield, MI / 2025Rankings StateRank: 52 / POS: 6
Report: 6-1, 170-pound southpow with an ease to his delivery. Topped out at 89 mph with the fastball. Solid lefty, ball comes out easy and more to gain as he adds strength from head to toe. Features a sweeping slider that was able to get swings and misses in game. A top arm to keep close tabs on this off season. Big follow. |
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Josiah Romeo SS / RHP / Mayfield Secondary School, ON / 2025Report: Romeo was Team Canada's main attraction among the arms and had the complex buzzing as he took the mound. The fastball sat 90-92mph early on before settling in at 88-90mph. The heavy FB pairs well with the SL 76-80mph and tunnels the two. Generated several whiffs during three strong innings of work. Big-time arm that showed well on the big stage. Also swung the bat throughout the week where there's upside with the size, but the mound where will be where he makes his money. |
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Braylon Schneider RHP / 3B / Fremont Ross, OH / 2025Rankings StateRank: 17 / POS: 7
Report: 6-foot-2, 185-pound. Solid on the mound, showing quick arm speed he had a high ¾ arm angle and a loose longer arm action. Drop-and-drive type pitcher who uses some effort. Balance point is tall with a downhill shoulders during delivery. Had slight running action. Ran the FG up to 91mph and sat in the upper 80s (Max spin 2213; Avg 2085). Showed a 11/5 curveball with gradual action. (Max spin 1857; Avg 1857). His 10/4 slider showed late action. |
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Tyler Stone RHP / SS / Cheshire Academy, CT / 2025Report: Simple, compact delivery, clean arm on the backside, length out front. Has a nice 5 pitch mix and is able to throw any pitch in any count. Late biting slider, dominated his two innings. Gave up no runs in 2 innings and struck out 2. FB: 86-88 T89, SL: 76-77 (+), SNK: 87-88, CT: 81-82, CH: 76-77 |
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Ethan Armstrong RHP / 3B / Garden City, MI / 2026Report: Top 2026 arm in the state showcased some electric stuff on the mound. The fastball sat 86-88 with the ability to spin for strikes, garnering swings and misses.Plenty of growth to be had on the mound. Projectable. |
Two-Way
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Jack Ryan 3B / RHP / St. Xavier, OH / 2026Report: One of the top two-way prospects in the country. 6-foot-2, 180-pound physical / projectable athlete who showed off the hit tool today. LH stick with high-end raw power. Every time we see him the bat grades higher and higher. Landed on balls in BP (regular mid 90s jump T98EV) with obvious middle of the order traits. Ran it up to 88.4 while bullying hitters with an aggressive fastball & finishing w/ a short, tunneled slider at 76-77. Big, physical frame with bulldog mentality. |
Infielders
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Carter Christenson SS / 2B / Archbishop Moeller, OH / 2025Report: Explosive athlete who recently reopened his recruitment. Started off the day by running a 6.5 flat - laser timed. That speed translated in game, as he was a menace on the bases. In the box, it was fast-twich with quality physicality. Also showed premier batspeed at 80+mph with barrels coming off in the mid 90s. |
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Philip Cheong SS / CF / Bill Crothers, ON / 2026Rankings StateRank: 2 / POS: 1
Report: Cheong took home Player of the Game in our first matchup with a pair of hits, including a double. Small stature 5-10, 165lbs but there's quick twitch and tools across the board. Ran a 6.45, was up to 87mph on both the infield and outfield and produced 98.2mph exit velocity. Game-changing speed, moves well around the bases and has bat-to-ball skills. Quality showing from Cheong who will be able to return to the event next year. |
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Charlie Criscola SS / RHP / Uxbridge, MA / 2025Rankings StateRank: 29 / POS: 5
Report: 5-foot-11, 155-pound lean athletic frame. Projectable and athletic during batting practice. Even setup with an uphill path and clean hands. Twitchy. Stays inside the ball well. Defensively, he shows athletic actions with clean hands. Arm plays on the left side. In game went 3-4. 4 walks, 2 doubles, 2 runs scored , 2 stolen bases |
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Isaiah Domey 1B / OF / Anchor Bay, MI / 2025Rankings StateRank: 15 / POS: 1
Report: Not many in the nation have the speed/power combination that this RHH has, and likely none with the size of the 6-1, 240-pound Domey. Hit a no doubter our last day at FG on a low breaking ball to left field. 6.6 runner that moves extremely well for his size. Has all capabilities to hit in the middle of the order down the road in college. |
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Brendan Horne SS / 2B / Pinkerton Academy, NH / 2025Rankings StateRank: 16 / POS: 4
Report: 5-foot-11, 165-pound lean athletic build. Very projectable middle infielder with quick hands at the dish. Twitchy prospect. Buggy whip witha flat path and even finish. Very good athlete defensively with clean and simple actions. |
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Jordan Jacob 3B / SS / Bill Crothers, ON / 2025Rankings StateRank: 8 / POS: 2
Report: Jacob was the big winner on Showcase Day for Canada and his strength at the dish caught LakePoint's attention. Present strength from the right-side at 6-1, 198lbs and generated 99.5mph exit velocity (90.2 avg) and distance of 376ft (288ft avg). Hit balls hard throughout the week but didn't have a ton to show for it. A power bat in Ontario who should garner plenty of interest going forward. |
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Robert Omidi SS / 3B / St. Martin Secondary, ON / 2027Report: Being a 2027, Omidi is the first underage player that Canada has brought to the Future Games and he did not dissapoint. Omidi impressed on Scout Day with his advanced left-handed bat and had college coaches wanting to see more. Carried that momentum into Game One with a two-run double and multiple hard-hit balls. |
Outfielders
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Quinn Carson OF / St. Ignatius of Loyola CSS, ON / 2025Rankings StateRank: 6 / POS: 2
Report: Carson was one of Team Canada's main attractions heading to LakePoint and his coming out party came during Game Two with a two-run shot off the scoreboard in LCF. Tons to like in the frame at 6-3, 195lbs and comes with plenty of tools. Ran a 6.83 on Workout Day, was up to 88mph from the outfield and produced a 96mph exit velocity. Has quickly turned himself into one of the top outfielders in Canada's 2025 class. |
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Kacin Robinson OF / SS / Avon Old Farms, CT / 2025Rankings StateRank: 14 / POS: 4
Report: 6-foot-1, 170-pound lean athletic build. Right-handed hitter. Athletic plus runner, 6.6 runner, log athletic strides, can go get it in the outfield. Above average projectable at the plate. Bat speed was there while having a short, flat swing plane and high finish. Projection is high. |
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Ryan Stalony OF / Loyola Catholic, ON / 2025Report: Stalony is now a two-time Future Gamer and his game has really trended upwards since last summer's event. Quality defender in the outfield with a good first step, arm strength (90mph) and runs well with a 6.62 60-yard. 6-1, 190lbs and the strength plays at the dish with a 96mph exit velocity and 360ft distance. Came through with a pair of hits during the week and has the ability to hit to all fields. |
Catchers
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Taylor Belza C / 3B / Saint Ignatius, OH / 2025Report: Top 5 rated player in the 2025 class. 6-foot-1, physical bat with some of the louder pop we saw at of the group, running it up to 99mph off the bat several times with a peak EV of 100.2mph. Does things most can't do in the box. During game play, went 5-6, 2B, 2 RBI, BB, SB. The only out was a fly ball to warning track. Also crushed workout day! |
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Benjamin Kautto C / OF / Western Technical Commercial, ON / 2025Report: Kautto has been on our radar for some time now and continues to flash upside on both sides of the ball. Proportionate frame at 5-11, 190lbs and has the ability to find the barrel left-side, generating plenty of hard contact through the week with multiple hits, including a triple. Threw out three runners thanks to his quick actions behind the plate with 1.88 pop-times. Well-rounded game and continues to stand out every time he steps on a big stage. |
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Lukas Le Gras C / 3B / Lambrick Park, BC / 2025Rankings StateRank: 4 / POS: 1
Report: Le Gras caught four runners in his 10 innings behind the dish, thanks to his 1.88 in-game pop-times. Projectable frame at 5-foot-11, 165-pounds and has a quick-twitch barrel that led to some hard hits and hard outs against high-level arms. Le Gras’ bat accelerates through the zone and allows him to work gap-to-gap with ease. Beyond his physical traits, the Victoria Eagles product manages his pitchers well and it was evident that he’s able to slow the game down back there. |
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Austin Rose C / 1B / Newark, OH / 2025Rankings StateRank: 45 / POS: 5
Report: 6-foot-3 / put together and still has substantial projection to frame. Smooth swinger with quality present tools (100.6 TEV / 80+mph batspeed) and much more to come. Doesn't take a seasoned scout to see the run producer profile here. Behind the dish it's clean, athletic, and catch % throw/receive at a high-level. A rare high floor, high ceiling prospect. |
2023 Heff's Hits Elite 25: PBR Future Games Starting 9
The Starting 9 from the Future Games is who I would make my starting lineup with all of our areas combined (Ohio, Michigan, New England, Canada). This was an impossible decision to make, as there were so many talented players I had to leave off. Congrats to those who made the Starting 9.
2023 Heff's Hits Elite 25: PBR Future Games "Starting 9"
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| Lineup | Name | Position |
Class | High School |
| 1 | Carter Christenson | SS |
2025 |
Archbishop Moeller (OH) |
| 2 | Philip Cheong | CF | 2026 | Bill Crothers (CAN) |
| 3 | Taylor Belza | LF | 2025 | Elyria Catholic (OH) |
| 4 | Isaiah Domey | 1B | 2025 | Anchor Bay (MI) |
| 5 | Jack Ryan | 3B | 2026 | St. Xavier (OH) |
| 6 | Brendan Horne | 2B | 2025 | Pinkerton Academy (MA) |
| 7 | Jordan Jacob | DH | 2025 | Bill Crothers Secondary (CAN) |
| 8 | Benjamin Kautto | C | 2025 | Western Technical Commercial (CAN) |
| 9 | Ryan Stalony | RF | 2025 | Loyola Catholic (CAN) |
| SP | Keagen Kohlhoff | SP | 2025 | Birch Run (MI) |
*** To view the full list in PDF form, click here.