Week in Review: 2/24 to 3/1
March 1, 2024
Looking back at the past week for Prep Baseball, Coffee & Curveballs take a deeper dive into the first 2024 High School National Rankings, David Seifert caught a glimpse of up and coming MLB Draft Prospects, uncommitted spotlights and more from around the nation.
NATIONAL NEWS
After a week that saw more high school baseball begin across the country, the first 2024 High School Rankings of the year from Prep Baseball and an action packed Georgia Dugout Club, VP of scouting Shooter Hunt and LakePoint Sports’ Corey McCartney talk about all the happenings in the latest edition of “Coffee and Curveballs”.
Draft HQ
+ Globe Life Field in Arlington, T.X. was home to the Kubota Baseball Series on Feb. 23-25. The weekend saw the likes of several MLB Draft prospects out of Arkansas, Michigan, Oklahoma and Oregon State that featured arguably the best single-game performance in the NCAA. Director of college scouting David Seifert took in all the action at the home of the Texas Rangers as he presents his weekly “College Crosscheck”.
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 the NJCAA season over a month in, the JUCO Wire staff of Andy Sroka and Josh Fields reevaluate their top-25 rankings as a new team rises to the No. 1 spot. See how the new JUCO Wire NJCAA Division I rankings look and Division II.
FEB 26 @PBR_JUCO: RCC at PALOMAR
— Dan Cox (@HawaiianScout) February 27, 2024
? Ian Halverson @ianhalverson3
? @PMARComets
? Soph
✍? @SLUBaseball
6-00/180…gets on top of 90-up for HR to LF, QAB’s today, bat starting to heat up…can play all three INF spots w/enuf arm for left-side…gritty gamer…Saint Louis U commit. pic.twitter.com/Jpskom11cv
FEB 23 @PBR_JUCO: PALOMAR at CYPRESS
— Dan Cox (@HawaiianScout) February 24, 2024
? Tommy McGuire @tmcg32
? @CypressColl_BSB
? Fr
✍? @PBR_Uncommitted
6-05/210…91-93 w/min effort, 2600+ spin & late ride…hit on a few short SL’s (2400), makings of solid out-pitch…showed decent split…10 strikes to start, pounded zone. pic.twitter.com/OZEwUsN82m
Uncommitted
+ Preseason All-State events allow coaches an initial event to help form their lists of who to keep an eye out for this spring. Shooter Hunt takes a look at eight uncommitted underclassmen to keep an eye out for in “On The Hunt”.
+ On Saturday, Feb. 10, Prep Baseball Tennessee held its Preseason All-State event. An invite-only event that saw players range from the class of 2024 to 2027 taking part in a pro-style workout and evaluation. Looking back on the event, Tennessee’s scouting director Hunter Martin looks back on the top underclassmen catchers in the classes of 2026 and 2027 with his “Quick Hits”.
+ The past two weeks of winter showcases in the Virginia/D.C. area brought forward uncommitted prospects that college coaches should keep their eye on heading into spring. The Prep Baseball Virginia/D.C. staff looked over what uncommitted prospects have been getting the early attention as they identify who has been trending up.
+ Uncommitted Spotlights
- ‘24 LHP Benton O’Banion - Texas
- ‘25 SS/3B Brady Hernandez - California
- ‘25 SS/OF Cole Clark - California
- ‘25 OF/RHP Gavin Kramer - California
- ‘25 C Ian Stewart - California
STATE-BY-STATE
Illinois
The MAX in McCook, Illinois, home of the Super 60 showcase saw the return of Prep Baseball in the form of the Illinois Preseason All-State. Featuring prospects all across the high school level, the Prep Baseball Staff of Illinois presents their takeaways and data dives:
Michigan
Many dream of the chance to play college baseball. For the class of 2025’s Luke Demasse, that dream became a reality last year with a fastball velocity jump of over 10 mph. Senior writer Bruce Hefflinger sat down with the Ball State commit about his recruitment process and development in the “Commitment Insider”.
New England
A powerful bat for the class of 2025’s Cole Hambly was a selling factor for schools in his recruitment process. Since eighth grade the corner infielder was ambitious to play at the NCAA level. Having been to Prep Baseball’s Future Games, ProCases and other showcase events, Hambly eventually announced his commitment to Siena College. Hefflinger writes about the left handed bats journey and process in the New England “Commitment Insider”.
North Carolina
+ With the North Carolina baseball season underway, N.C. and Mid-Atlantic director of scouting Brandon Hall and staff are keeping tabs on games around the state. See how teams from across the Tar Heel State fared in “Inside the Box”.
+ Recaps:
- Cleveland (6) at Triton (4)
- No. 11 Burns (4) at No. 18 South Point (0)
- Carolina Royals (0) at No. 5 Metrolina Christian Academy (10)
- Newton-Conover (0) at No. 16 Fred T. Foard (10)
- No. 20 Wake Forest (5) at Garner (3)
- Fuquay Varina (2) at No. 25 Holly Springs (4)
- Apex (3) at Millbrook (5)
- Apex (1) at Broughton (0)
- Union Academy (8) at Carmel Christian (1)
Ohio
Ohio’s 107th ranked prospect in the class of 2024 felt an increase in stress as he looked for the right place to extend the opportunity to play in college. Not receiving any offers until his senior year, a coaching connection opened the door to a two day camp with Davidson. Hefflinger met with outfielder Will McCullough on his recruitment journey.
South Carolina
The sixth annual Shipyard Showdown in South Carolina kicked off on Thursday, Feb. 29 and runs through Sunday, March 3. Featuring 12 premium programs from around the state, the Shipyard Park complex holds an action packed group that the Prep Baseball staff of South Carolina break down in its “Scout Blog”.
Virginia
On Sunday, Feb. 25, John Nolan and Jason Burton sat down with three alumni of the 2023 Prep Baseball Future Games to discuss their experiences, the events impact and more on “High & Tight”
WHAT’S TRENDING
4️⃣ homers in 1️⃣ game for @GTBaseball's @drew_burress08?
— Prep Baseball (@prepbaseball) February 28, 2024
We’ve seen that kind of pop from the @pbrgeorgia 2022 POTY, #Super60 and #PBFG21 alum before ?
? https://t.co/ncmPMbnbJ3 | #BeSeen pic.twitter.com/lv29Aogyj7
2026 LHP Gio Rojas put on a pitching clinic last night ?
— Connor Holdren (@ConnorHoldren_) February 29, 2024
The @CanesBaseball commit was PERFECT through 6.2 innings
26 whiffs.. 2️⃣6️⃣‼️
7 IP 1 H 18Ks w/ 76% strikes
FB: 90-93 T94 (2463) ?
SL: 77-79 (2802) ?️@ShooterHunt || @SDEagleBaseball pic.twitter.com/VKhikwQm0K
? ?? ??? ????: ????? ?@ShooterHunt touched down in @PBR_Texas this week where the high school season is well underway and as expected, there is no shortage of talent in the Lone Star State. #BeSeen @PBRGowins pic.twitter.com/E0h4vMI2dn
— Prep Baseball (@prepbaseball) March 1, 2024