Junior Future Games: Position Player Recap
August 3, 2021
The 2021 Junior Future Games featured the top players representing their states from around the country in the 2025-2026 classes. The 8th Annual Invitation-Only event features the best identified prospects from across the PBR Coverage Area in a five-day event at LakePoint Sports in Emerson, GA. Participants were given the unique opportunity of competing against other top-level players while representing their respective state in a high-level atmosphere.
The success in this tournament proved Nevada is in good hands for years to come with not only the talent in the upcoming classes, but the toughness they played with makes this next generation of players an exciting one to follow. Game 1 against an always elite Ohio team saw Nevada come away with a 5-1 victory that caught the attention of more than a few colleges in attendance with Team Nevada then backing up their performance with another win verses a talented and physical Arkansas group posting a final score of 6-3. A back and forth game in Game 3 verse Kentucky ended in a 7-5 loss, but Nevada still managed to win the pool and advance to the playoff round.
Playoff day began with a 4-1 victory over a stacked Tennessee group that routinely makes deep runs in the Junior Future Games and the boys followed it up by taking down the #1 overall seed, Georgia, 3-2 to advance to the Final 4. In the Semis, Team Nevada matched up against Texas, unfortunately coming up short in the end, but setting the bar for the Junior Future Games groups in the future.
Today, we highlight the standout position player performers for Team Nevada at the 2021 Junior Future Games.
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Clauss had come into the Jr. Future Games as one of the projected top incoming freshman in Nevada and he solidified that projection after the weekend he posted on both sides of the ball. Offensively, his presence at the play and advanced eye for the zone helped him to lead the team in walks and a .444 on-base percentage with a number of quality at-bats throughout his 18 plate appearances. Defensively, he shined at each infield spot during the infield rotation, posting 0 errors while making high level play after high level play that proved critical in the outcome of almost each game. His improved footwork and fluidity through the ball will only continue to improve has his foot speed continues to improved over the coming years with self positioning and IQ already well beyond his years. Clauss is a player that will be on many radars over the next few years and I would not be surprised if he is one of the first 2025's off the board.
⚾️2021 PBR Jr. Future Games⚾️
— Brett Harrison (@B_HarrisonPBR) July 30, 2021
2025 IF, Ethan Clauss (@ethan_clauss), rolls a double play with 2026 IF, Jayzic Matos, to get out a jam and keep the score tied at 0 after 1 #PBRJFG21 @prepbaseball | #TeamNevada pic.twitter.com/aCu55pk0bl
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The 6-foot-1, incoming freshman knew he could play at this level and it showed in the box, in the field and on the mound. Though he may not have hit to his standards, his .412 on-base percentage and clutch hits showed the toughness he possesses throughout his game. He held down the centerfield position throughout most of the weekend, where he showed his ability to range to both sides with each, but his standout moment was when he was playing left field and made a Web Gem caliber diving catch in the left-centerfield gap to end the game vs. Arkansas. On the mound, he started Game 2 vs. Arkansas and closed out Game 5 vs. #1 overall seed, Georgia. He competed fearlessly in both of his outing where he combined for 7 total inning, striking out 4 while allowing 4 earned runs.
⚾️2021 PBR Jr. Future Games⚾️
— Brett Harrison (@B_HarrisonPBR) July 31, 2021
Nolan Eberwein (@nolan_eberwein)
2025 OF/RHP
LVR (@lvrbaseball)#TeamNevada strikes first with this RBI single to LCF, scoring Ethan Clauss to put us up 1-0 after 1 #PBRJFG21@prepbaseball | @ShooterHunt pic.twitter.com/0oO9ztNgII
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Team Nevada's catalyst at the top of the batting order, Farrer seemed to never not be on base, whether it was by walk or his impressive ability to find the barrel, his .632 on-base percentage and .462 batting average put us in a position to strike early in each of the six games. His ability at the plate was only half the story as he put in work in left field, centerfield as well as behind the plate where he produced exceptional performances at each spot. Farrer quickly accepted a leadership type role on the team, bringing endless energy to each game, even after a three game day on Sunday he wanted to finish the job and bring home the Championship.
⚾️2021 PBR Jr. Future Games⚾️
— Brett Harrison (@B_HarrisonPBR) July 31, 2021
Brad Farrer
2025 C/OF
CBA Bulldogs (@CBABaseballUSA)
Farrer gets it’s started for #TeamNevada in the top of the 1st with a sharp single to left #PBRFutureGames @prepbaseball | #PBRJFG21 pic.twitter.com/5anz8t5RkX
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Ferry has the makings of an interesting prospect with physical development expected to take his game to the next level, he still plays within himself with a line drive type swing and easy, fluid actions in the infield. Offensively, he drew four walks with a .385 on-base percentage and one stolen base on the weekend. On the defensive side of the ball is where he stood out, showing comfort at each of the infield positions with an ability to range well to both sides and excellent hands that allowed him to handle a variety of hops with ease.
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The big bat in the line up produced the only homerun for Team Nevada on both the Future Games and Junior Future Games team and it could not have come at a better time, giving us the lead verse Arkansas. He lead our team in a number of categories including: average (.500), hits (7), doubles (2), homeruns (1) and RBI's (6). Hunter held down a perfect defensive performance at first base as well as behind the plate where his future may lie as he used his present physical strength to show quality receiving skills that should have him in the mix behind the plate early in his high school career. His power potential already shining through will push him towards the top of Nevada's 2025 power bats with much more projected to come.
⚾️2021 PBR Jr. Future Games⚾️
— Brett Harrison (@B_HarrisonPBR) August 1, 2021
?PBR BOMB SQUAD?
Ryan Hunter
2025 C/RHP
GBG Navy
Hunter goes BIG FLY to give #TeamNevada a 2-1 lead heading into the 5th #PBRJFG21 @prepbaseball pic.twitter.com/BjLQhkBRCc
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What Matos lacks in physical size, he makes up for in effort with a handful of key defensive plays that impressed the everyone in attendance. His improvements over the past year only make you wonder where he will be two or three years from now with the projected addition of size and strength. At the plate, he showed quality plate discipline with a pair of walks in his eight at-bats coming up with a clutch line drive single in the first playoff game against Tennessee to keep the line moving in a big inning. Defensively, he showed an advanced understanding of his defensive positioning along paired with the confidence to play an infielder spot though the projects to end up at the 2B position where he turned a critical double play early in the game against Arkansas that helped set the tone for the rest of the game.
⚾️2021 PBR Jr. Future Games⚾️
2025 IF, Ethan Clauss (@ethan_clauss), rolls a double play with 2026 IF, Jayzic Matos, to get out a jam and keep the score tied at 0 after 1 #PBRJFG21 @prepbaseball | #TeamNevada pic.twitter.com/aCu55pk0bl
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Xander played a huge role in Nevada's first two games with wins over Ohio and Arkansas racking up four hits in his first six at-bats. His consistent quality at-bats had set the tone for the young Nevada group and he continued to produces throughout the tournament on both sides of the ball. He separated himself behind the plate as he threw out three baserunners in one game (6 total) to shut down a Tennessee group who relied heavily on being able to advance bases by putting pressure on opposing catchers. His game has seen some significant improvements over the past year with his receiving being the most obvious improvement as he showcased his ability to receive and stick pitches with ease paired with some quickness the feet and accurate throws to gun down any potential baserunners.
⚾️2021 PBR Jr. Future Games⚾️
— Brett Harrison (@B_HarrisonPBR) August 1, 2021
Xander Mercurius (@AlexanderMercu9)
2025 C/IF
LVR (@lvrbaseball)
Xander gives #TeamNevada back the lead with this sac fly to CF as we head into the 6th up 3-2 #PBRJFG21 pic.twitter.com/u4n5ILTN28
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The future Coronado Cougar proved he belonged early and often with his ability to perform wherever you put him whether it be on the mound, in the outfield or behind the plate. He came up with number of clutch at-bats, including a huge leadoff double down the left field line in the first playoff game verse Tennessee, eventually scoring to provide some insurance for Nevada late in the game. On the mound, he went four innings allowing only three hits and one earned run finishing the weekend with a 1.75 ERA. Defensively, his athleticism played a key role in his ability to block and receive with only two attempted steals over his ten inning behind the plate and played a perfect outfield for Team Nevada as well.
⚾️2021 PBR Jr. Future Games⚾️
— Brett Harrison (@B_HarrisonPBR) August 1, 2021
Brayden Sakowski (@braydensakowski)
2025 C/OF
Golden Spikes (@NVGoldenSpikes)
Sakowski leads off the 5th with a double down the left field line for #TeamNevada pic.twitter.com/MwNLn7FJHL
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The lone 2027 player on the Nevada roster, Springall held his own and then some, racking up a pair of triples over the first two games that cleared the bases to give Nevada the lead in each game. He found himself at or near the top of almost every hitting category with a .500 BA (T-1), 1.372 OPS (2), 6 Hits (2), 2 Triples (1) and 5 RBI's (2). His offensive games overall is well advanced for his age and is projected to only get better as he continues to add physical strength 5-foot-10 frame. Defensively, he flashed his confident actions at each spot his name was called to play whether it was in the infield or outfield, his showed present range with excellent footwork to get himself in the right position. This a very young player who you can expect to hear his name quite a bit over the next few years.
⚾️2021 PBR Jr. Future Games⚾️
— Brett Harrison (@B_HarrisonPBR) July 30, 2021
Colten Springall (@coltspringall7)
2026 IF/OF
Texas Canes / GBG Vegas
Springall clears the bases with his second stand up triple of the JFG’s giving #TeamNevada a 3-2 lead after 3 complete #BeSeen@prepbaseball | #PBRFutureGames pic.twitter.com/I8yd7WBhBk
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UPCOMING EVENTS
SHOWCASE | STATE | DATE | LOCATION |
PBR West Coast Games (Nevada Invite) | NV | 08/13 | UNLV & College of Southern Nevada |
Northern Nevada Prospect Open | NV | 08/21 | Bishop Manogue |
RELATED CONTENT
- NV Future Games: Position Player Recap 8/09/21
- NV Future Games: Pitching Recap 8/06/21
- NV Future Games: Statistical Analysis 8/05/21
- NV Junior Future Games: Pitching Recap 8/04/21
- NV Junior Future Games: Position Player Recap 8/03/21
- PBRPlus Future Games: Team Nevada Catchers 7/26/21
- PBRPlus Future Games: Team Nevada Pitchers 7/26/21
- PBRPlus Future Games: Team Nevada Infielders 7/24/21
- PBRPlus Future Games: Team Nevada Outfielders 7/22/21