Week in Review: 2/17 to 2/23
February 23, 2024
Looking back at the past week for Prep Baseball, we released the first edition of the National Top-50 High School Rankings, meanwhile, 2024 MLB Draft prospects begun their march July as opening day arrived for collegiate athletes as well as prep players in warm-weather states, including at Prep Baseball Florida’s seventh annual Preseason Classic. Plus, see what prospects are showing their tools off in the latest ‘Hotlist’ and more.
NATIONAL NEWS
Last year saw the first ever national power rankings from Prep Baseball containing the top-25 programs in the country that was routinely updated. On Thursday, Prep Baseball unveiled the first national ranking of 2024, expanding the list from a top-25 to a top-50 overall. See where schools across the country rank along with outlooks for the top-25 here.
Draft HQ
+ The NCAA Division I season commencing last weekend saw a flood of scouts down in the southern and warmer regions with invitationals and weekend series. Among those was Prep Baseball’s director of college scouting, David Seifert who made his way down to Myrtle Beach and Charleston, S.C. to catch top-25 programs and 2024 MLB Draft prospects featured in the College Crosscheck: Week 1.
JUCO WIRE
Our staff presented everything you need to know this season. For more information and to stay up-to-date on all things JUCO, follow @PBR_JUCO on X and @pbr_juco on Instagram.
+ With another week of NJCAA baseball in the books, Josh Fields takes a dive into how Prep Baseball JUCO Wire’s Preseason Top-25 has performed in the latest JUCO Wire update.
+ In week three of the JUCO season, Central Coast/North LA area scout Steven Hardesty made his way to Santa Clarita for the Clash at Canyons tournament where South College of the Canyons took on North Allan Hancock. A game filled with players that can successfully make the jump to 4-year programs, find the game recap and players to know here.
Uncommitted
+ ICYMI: Last week the dates and new additions to the event were announced for the 2024 Future Games held at LakePoint Sports in Emerson, GA. With the return of the 16U division and the 14U Junior Future Games division, this year will introduce a 17U division to allow rising uncommitted seniors a prime opportunity to be seen by college coaches. See the full announcement for the 2024 Future Games as well as the 2023 Commitment Tracker.
+ With the northern winter event schedule heating up, Pennsylvania’s VP of scouting Charlie Spano breaks down 20 uncommitted prospects that stood out in the third edition of weekly standouts from 2024.
+ Uncommitted Spotlights:
- ‘25 OF Emmett Johnson - California
- ‘25 1B/LHP Josh Stonehouse - California
- ‘25 RHP Taylor Werth - California
- ‘25 RHP Toby Kwon - California
- ‘27 RHP/1B Colt Briggs - North Carolina
- ‘26 RHP Quinn O’Rourke - North Carolina
- ‘26 RHP Wilson Aubut - North Carolina
- ‘25 RHP Jackson Carter - South Carolina
WALK OFF ?!!! @PBR_Uncommitted 2024 Diego Corrales calls game with this no-doubt solo HR to right field, as the Bucs defeat Live Oak 2-1 in 9 innings. #BeSeen@prepbaseball | @ShooterHunt | @AlexArmandPBR pic.twitter.com/2qhlaViruw
— Prep Baseball Louisiana (@PBR_Louisiana) February 23, 2024
STATE-BY-STATE
The ‘Hotlist’
Across Prep Baseball, Preseason ID, All-State and Scout Day events begin to wrap up with the high school season beginning. From these events, directors and scouts observe and find talent that have made a jump in development or that have displayed tools that rank at the top of statistical categories, otherwise known as “Data Darlings”. Managing editor of scouting Andy Sroka asked directors who their “Data Darlings” are from this winter in the latest edition of The ‘Hotlist’.
Alabama
The South Alabama Showdown kicked off on Thursday, February 22 for the three day event that ends Saturday, February 24. Its second year of operation, the event expanded from 14 teams to 15. Scouting director Austin Sharp breaks down each program participating in the event’s preview.
Florida / On The Hunt
With the 7th annual Florida Preseason Classic wrapped up, prospects across the state in multiple classes were on display and caught some eyes. Kick starting MLB Draft quests and recruitment journeys, Shooter Hunt gives his takeaways in the “Florida’s Preseason Classic: Dispatch”.
Georgia / On The Hunt
+ Georgia kicked off their high school season with The Georgia Dugout Club, where 64 programs competed in a three-game round-robin tournament over two weekends at LakePoint Sports in Emerson. Winners being crowned with the best record in their respective divisions, participating coaches each submitted nominations to be named on the All-Tournament Team.
+ The Georgia Dugout Club saw several prospects start their season with a bang. From electric two-way players, to entire programs clicking and even some 2024 MLB Draft Prospects. In the latest edition of “On The Hunt”, Shooter Hunt presents his takeaways from the event and notes on its displayed prospects.
Louisiana
Louisiana state director Alex Armand and Texas scouting director Brandon Gowins premiere the brand new series “Bayou Buzz”. Kicking things off, Armand and Gowins discuss the standout performers from the preseason as well as previewing opening week across the state.
Maryland
On the latest episode of “Crabcakes & Baseball”, Maryland executive director Jerry Shank and scouting Director Jamie Naill Jr. sit down and discuss the latest Scout Days and Preseason All-State events from Maryland and Delaware.
Crabcakes & Baseball 2/22: Event Review - Wow Factor ScoutDay, PAS Moco, & PAS II https://t.co/wETKiQWfQT
— Prep Baseball Maryland (@PBRMaryland) February 23, 2024
Mississippi
As the season rolls on throughout Mississippi, several players come through with productive performances that help elevate their programs. Each week, state director Matt Miller and the rest of the Mississippi staff compile together all of the performances before presenting the Mizuno Player and Pitcher of the Week.
WHAT’S TRENDING
? The Hotlist: Impact Freshmen (NCAA) ?
— Prep Baseball (@prepbaseball) February 18, 2024
LHP @EthanMcElvain89 (TN): W/ a FB up to 97 mph, McElvain can see himself in a closer-type role w/ a late push for the starting rotation for @VandyBoys. @_HuntMartin @PBRTennessee
? https://t.co/bgyHfFmvNQ | @ShooterHunt pic.twitter.com/zV3qBFERFT
Parker Byrd had his leg amputated after a boating accident 19 months ago.
— Prep Baseball (@prepbaseball) February 17, 2024
Last night he became the first player in D-1 Baseball history to play a game with a Prosthetic leg. ??? https://t.co/GAF3oqqWqt
???? ???? ???????? ?????? ?????
— Prep Baseball (@prepbaseball) February 18, 2024
ICYMI: Details were released yesterday which includes dates, a new expanded format featuring a 17U division, and more. @LakePointSports #PBFG24
? https://t.co/ZFX3z9gfaT | @PBRGeorgia pic.twitter.com/T8lqmoIvhP
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