NPI Day 1: Shooter's Standouts
June 7, 2024
The 2024 National Program Invitational kicked off yesterday at the LakePoint Sports Complex in Emerson, GA. Several of the top programs from across the country are set to compete as the week rolls on, with 140 teams registered across the 15U, 16U, and 17U classifications.
We'll have content coverage of the event throughout the week on various different social media channels, which you can find HERE. Below, you'll learn more about a few players that popped on the first day of NPI as the arms stole the show.
PITCHERS TAKE THE CENTER STAGE...
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Caden Crowell LHP / Valparaiso, IN / 2025Having climbed up to being the #5 left-hander in the class after a strong spring performance, Crowell kicked off his senior summer circuit in impressive fashion. The 6-foot-4, 195-pound southpaw came out flooding the zone at 90-92 from near ¾ slot while collecting swords with a sharp slider 80-81 and flashing feel for a slowed down changeup at 82-83. A premium athlete on the bump who fielded his position with the grace expected from a basketball standout, Crowell was ultra confident and polished as he worked exclusively out of the stretch while generating a plethora of whiffs in the zone early before expanding late. Supreme mound confidence blanketed the outing and the ease of operation held strong starter upside. A real weapon in this look, Crowell’s tunneled slider has ticked up a grade over the past year, and should it maintain that upward trend, there is a chance that he rises even higher in the class.
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CJ Gray SS / A L Brown High, NC / 2025Already a major mover in the pre-summer class rankings, Gray capped a star-studded first day with an electric performance. The 6-foot-2, 193-pound dual-sport (football) prospect flooded the zone at 93-96 with north of 2500 rpm as the fastball sizzled through the bottom of the zone en route to 7 strikeouts over 3 innings. A dynamic mover whose rides the back side and uncoils with athletic fluidity, the explosive right-hander possesses top end hand and arm speed with what appears to be one of the top fastballs in the class. Jumping out of the hand and at the plate with some late heaviness, the ease of operation promises a potential tick even higher. Playing up in the twilight, the breaking ball took more 11/5, curveball shape at 74-78, but given the hand speed, there is likely the potential for a firmer slider throughout his future development. Even without the firmer slider, he exhibited some aptitude for the spin, and dropped the pitch in for a strike fairly easily. The changeup (81 mph) appeared to be more of a distant third offering. As scouts in the Carolina’s eye a bounceback year, Gray got things rolling in the right direction with his summer kickoff.
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Carson Bolemon LHP / SOUTHSIDE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL, SC / 2026An initial must-see in the ‘26 class, Bolemon suffered a setback with an injury well over a year ago, but looked primed to assert himself as one of the premier arms with his performance on Day 1. The 6-foot-4, 210-pound southpaw looked the part of a workhorse arm, dominating a strong lineup with a fastball that worked 88-91 early on with a big, 1/7 curveball dropping in at 74-77 and a faded changeup rounding out the arsenal at 82-83. An exceptional mover, especially given his size, Bolemon utilized a shorter arm stroke to get to a near over-the-top slot that created a steeper angle with the fastball creating ride and run while generating a significant number of whiffs. The curveball, ripped off with intent, was tightly spun with considerable depth, and should elevate into a near plus-pitch in the future while he also showed plenty of confidence in a quality, faded changeup. A rarity in summer baseball, it was refreshing to watch as Bolemon worked deeper into the game forcing him to flip the lineup multiple times in demonstrating his true starter value.
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MORE NAMES TO KNOW
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Ethan Holliday SS / Stillwater, OK / 2025
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James Tronstein OF / HARVARD-WESTLAKE, CA / 2026
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Jacob Parker OF / Purvis , MS / 2025
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Parker Granse LHP / Pensacola Catholic, FL / 2026
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Jaden Fauske C / Nazareth Academy , IL / 2025
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Hudson Alpert SS / Regis Jesuit, CO / 2026
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Blake Bryant OF / Citizens Christian Academy, GA / 2026
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Erick Jaylen Jimenez RHP / Sandra Day O'Connor High School, AZ / 2027
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Wilson Andersen RHP / Jesuit, FL / 2026
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Grady Westphal RHP / Blue Valley, KS / 2025
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AJ Rice SS / Pickens, GA / 2026
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Parker Rhodes RHP / Greenfield Central, IN / 2025
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