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Director's List: 15u National Championship

July 11, 2024
Hudson Graham and Ian Smith
Prep Baseball Georgia Staff

Emerson: GA: With Top Prospect Games and NPI in the rearview mirror, the summer circuit is fully underway at Lakepoint Sports and that means National Championship season. The 15U National Championship exceeded our expectations. There is so much young talent coming up the ranks throughout the country. While Quick Hits and Scout Blogs are available from each day, Our scouting director Hudson Graham and assistant scouting director Ian Smith  wanted to take a deeper dive into some of the biggest standouts from the event. 

You can check out the Quick Hits and Scout Blogs HERE

Ian Smith (@IanSmittyGA)

Biggest Winner: RHP/OF Jack Johnson (ProStock)

Favorite Hitter: OF Grant Westphal (Building Champions)

Favorite Pitcher: RHP Grant Sperandio (Wow Factor National)

Sleeper Favorite: 3B Jackson Norwood (Nelson Baseball School)

Jack Johnson, RHP/OF, 2027, Harrison
One of Georgia's top two-way prospects in the 2027 class, Johnson had the loud profile on full display throughout the week. Starting at the plate where the incoming sophomore lived on the barrel, coming through with multiple loud extra-base hits. Utilizing a quiet, simple approach in the box, Johnson does a great job keeping his hands back while transferring weight well and incorporating his physical 6-foot-1, 197-pound frame. On the mound, Johnson flashed some of the loudest stuff we’ve seen this summer from the right-handed pitcher. Running the high-spin fastball (RPM 2400+) up to 91, living 88-90 creating easy in-zone misses with deceptive carry and feel to land throughout the zone. Sweeper continues to make strides at 70-72 with hard horizontal and innate feel to spin (RPM 2750+). Shows the making of a put-away pitch as command grows and he starts to throw with more intent. Changeup is quickly developing into a go-to offering as well at 78-80 while killing spin and generating hard arm-side fade from the same fastball tunnel. The two-way tools are very real for Johnson but the potential for a substantial ceiling on the mound looks very interesting.

Grant Westphal, OF, 2027, Blue Valley (KS)
The superlatives continue to stack up for the #16 ranked player in the Class of 2027. A few weeks removed from a standout performance at NPI, Westphal carried his Building Champions Navy team to a 15U National Championship with an impressive all-around showing. Armed with a potent left-handed cut that boasts advanced feel for the barrel paired with great length through the zone. An all-fields approach allowed the centerfielder to fire balls into both gaps as well as a pair of ringing triples to dead CF. Athleticism stands out in CF and on the bases where the above-average run tool shines, including sub-4.1 home-to-first times and tremendous range in all directions in the outfield. With a highly projectable 6-foot-2, 185-pound frame and legit tools throughout, Westphal has the profile to be a household name for years to come.

Grant Sperandio, RHP, 2027, Memorial (TX)
A week removed from tons of high-level velocity throughout the 16U National Championship, the Texas commit provided the fuel to open up 15U. With a physical 6-foot-2, 195-pound frame, Sperandio shows electric arm speed from a compact arm action while operating out of a high three-quarters slot. Fastball will jump out of the hand with carry and some arm-side run at 89-92 while showing the ability to reach back for 93-94 when needed. Command really stood out, being able to throw darts anywhere he wanted throughout the zone for called strikes and elevate for swing-and-miss whenever needed. Tight mid-70s curveball pairs well with some depth and some horizontal break that misses bats at will. Excellent feel to spin (RPM 2700+) and budding command can make this an above-average offering in the future. Low-80s changeup shown in warm-ups but lived off the FB/CB combo with impressive results. The feel to pitch is present with Sperandio, and might be easy to predict even more velo as he continues to develop.

Jackson Norwood, 3B, 2027, Etowah
The rich get richer as Norwood is showing real flashes of yet another high-level bat for the defending 6A State Champion Etowah Eagles. Standing a projectable 6-foot-4, 185-pounds, the third baseman shows an advanced feel for the barrel in a simple, potent right-handed cut. Creates quality hip to shoulder separation in a hanging leg load before firing above-average bat speed in a well-leveraged swing that creates carry with ease. Picked up more than a handful of 95+ exit velocities throughout the week, with most going for extra bases. There is significant raw power to project here and already showing signs to tap into it in-game. Big arrow up for Norwood as the 2027 class in general continues to make statements this summer, especially in the peach state.

Smitty’s Standouts

1. Max Hemenway, SS, 2027, Puyallup (WA)

2. Judge Dillow, C/3B, 2027, Abingdon (VA)

3. Sushi Wilson, OF, 2027, Lane Tech (IL)

4. Connor Salerno, LHP, 2027, Legion Collegiate Academy (SC)

5. Casen Reedy, RHP, 2027, Nederland (TX)

6. Luke Winbush, C/3B, 2027, Pope

7. Dominic Naylor, SS/RHP, 2027, Cedar Park (TX)

Hudson Graham (@Hudson_PBR)

Biggest winner: OF/RHP Haydenn Downes

Favorite Hitter: SS Rocco Maniscalco

Favorite Pitcher: RHP Bryce Fontenot

Sleeper Favorite: MIF Ryan Johansen

Rocco Maniscalco, SS, 2027, Oxford
Uncommitted. 6-foot. 188-pounds. This is my 3rd look of the summer at Maniscalco, and he continues to perform with above average traits all over the diamond. He is extremely young for the class at 15 and 2 months. The actions in the field are elite with a strong arm that allows him to make all the tough plays. Confidence flows throughout his game, and at the plate is no different. He gets it done from both sides of the plate with above average power from the left side. He has great pitch recognition and looks to do damage early in the count. Rocco is one of the top players in the class of 2027 for Alabama and will soon be climbing the ranks on the national level.

Ryan Johansen, MIF, 2027, Buford
Uncommitted. 5-foot-9 160-pounds. The 2023 Junior Future Gamer continues to progress his game. With added strength and size Johansen is beginning to take his game to the next level. He can stick in the middle of the infield long term with easy actions and a strong arm. He runs well, and is quick side to side allowing him to make the plays in the hole. At the plate the hit tool for average is his biggest attribute. He does a great job looking away and reacting. He is never out of any at bat, and can also lay perfect bunts down at any time. He is a high IQ player, and will be fun to watch over the next few years at Buford.

Bryce Fontenot, RHP, 2027, Cherokee Bluff
Uncommitted. 6-foot-2 205-pounds. It is hard not to love the projection from Fontenot. The fastball is already electric, running it up to 88. He settles into the mid 80’s and can really compete. The average fastball velocity will continue to climb with time on the mound. Fontenot also has a tone of upside at the plate with present power and feel for the barrel. He could see significant time on the mound at Cherokee Bluff next spring, and could really take his game to the next level.

Haydenn Downes, OF/RHP, 2027, Carrollton
Uncommitted. 6-foot-2 180-pounds. Downes is new to the peach state, and is really making a name for himself in his first summer. He has real potential to make a big impact at Carrollton next year. They are loaded with underclass talent and Downes is going to make them that much better. Downes has some serious power potential at the plate with 2 way upside on the mound as well.

Hudson’s Standouts

1. Amaree Griffin, LHP/OF, 2027, Holy Innocents

2.Jensen Morneau, C/2B, 2027, Pope

3.Eli Primm, OF, 2027, Jefferson


3.Andres Jimenez, RHP/SS, 2027, Parkview

4.Grant Barden, RHP, 2027, East Forsyth

5.Taylor Markakis, OF, 2027, Kings Ridge Christian

6.Colton Brown, RHP, 2027, Walton

7.Parker Troughton, SS, 2027, Pope

8.JJ Sims, RHP, 2027, Mill Creek