Team Utah Future Games - Team Preview

Johnston is projecting like top college level pitcher project, as he was 80-84 at the Future Games last July, however as he's filling out and the body/strength are maturing, so has his velocity. The Delivery is the same and he shows deception thru a high glove to kick delivery, that stretches out nicely as he gains momentum down the slope. The FB now plays 83-85 T86, and with continued growth physically and his strength matures into man strength over time, the FB projects nicely into a high 80's to low 90's type LHP, that should garner D1 offers. The CB has quality shape and TQ tilt w/depth, and projects for a harder version CB with added bite as time goes on. The type of arm to project over the next 2-2.5 years, as he just made his 1st start of his sophomore season, and the line score read: IP 5 H 2 R 2 ER 0 BB 0 SO 11. This folks is a D1 arm w/pitchability and with former Utah Tech and BYU pitching coach of a decade, as his head coach at Maple Mountain (Jeremy Thomas), Johnston is in good hands throughout his remaining HS years. 

Johnston will be a returner for the 2023 PBR Future Game in Atlanta on July 26-29 a the PBR L:akePoint Sports Complex!

Singleton who I first spotted at the Preseason All-State and was intrigued by his delivery and upside with long lanky features received the prestigious honor of representing Utah at the PBR Future Games, has made significant progress over the past 8 months and especially the last 3 ½ months since the FG’s. The body looks to have added 10 lbs and that can make all the difference as he was 78-80 in Atlanta, but this past weekend, the ball was coming out firmer as the FB was 82-85 T86, that’s a 6 mph increase in just a ¼ of a year! The spin rate jumped from 2106 to 2278. The CB 68-70 with a spin of 1954 and although it was 70-71 and virtually the same spin, it had added depth and he was finishing the pitch much better than before. Dylan worked a clean inning in this look in the game action and with 3 years of HS left, and still filling out his 6-1 175 frame, that has 25 lbs more he can add, it’s not out of the question to vision a low 90’s FB in his future, paired with the breaking ball that will give LHH’s fits. Was excited about what I saw and look forward to him joining us again for the 2023 PBR Future Games once again!

The son of former Utah Tech U / BYU pitching coach and now Maple Mountain HS Head Coach, Jeremy Thomas (Former MiLB RHP). AJ has grown up in clubhouses and ballparks since birth. An athletic mover with a high baseball IQ. Thomas is a switch-hitter with a mirrored stroke from both sides of the plate, yet at his current experience and strength level, he is definitely stronger from his natural RH side. Features an online flat through the zone stroke to hit and as he gets stronger and develops physically, shows the mechanical parts, to really take off as a late bloomer. Defensively he shows twitch and a baseline to continue to refine and develop as a defender. As a catcher, shows leadership qualities and leads by example and how he goes about the game. Has been schooled in the fundamentals. 

An athletic catch and throw defender with near 2.0 second pop times, shows solid movement patterns and the instincts to catch and defend. Comes from bloodlines with the ability to get better and take instruction with his cousins, Noah and Gavin Turley (uncle Jason, played for the Astros), being students of the game and having success at the next level. Carter shows passion and love of the craft, and wants it. Turley has the type of med stature to continue to develop physically to increase his strength and impact the baseball from an offensive standpoint. A slightly uphill approach through the hitting zone from a conventional square even prop stance to hit, needs to flatten the swing and shoot balls on a line vs gearing for power. The hands work in the swing and he stays inside and through the baseball with barrel release out front. An athletic gate to run, also lends to being versatile at 2B as well, much like a Biggio. A Future Game rep at LakePoint coming up, will get attention and we will see where his recruitment takes him, but there is next level ability now and with further improvement over the next two years, he could become a standout defensively with an emerging bat!

A former PBR Future Games alum, is also headed back to Atlanta once again next month, Park is the #1 ranked player in the Utah class of 2025, and was the only ‘25 repping the #BeehiveState at the event. The leader of the Utah 3A State Champions, Park showed his highly projectable tools as he took his turn in the OF and at SS in showcasing his athletic twitchy movement patterns and EZ avg MLB arm strength. A clean throwing arm that also generates upper 80’s FB’s from the mound. After having his way with 3A competition in his first two years of HS, the sky’s the limit for Park moving forward. A fast bat that can already handle velocity at the plate, Park shows a clean stroke and the ball jumps off his bat with backspin and carries through the gaps. Pull HR power now, as he continues to add weight and matures with age, there should be all fields solid avg to plus raw power in his future. With two P5 standing offers from the Future Games a year ago, Park also has CWS teams on his trail as well.

A lean athletic physical look, that appears to continue filling out, the more I’ve seen him. A tall upright approach to hit, from a semi open stance to hit. High hands and takes his hands higher into his load in an unconventional approach in his setup and overall operation to hit. Lays the barrel open on approach to start the hands towards the baseball. Has some funk and a different way of hitting, yet has abv avg hand/eye to find the barrel in a short compact stroke at contact, and a long through finish. The knack to find the barrel in a quirky way to the naked eye to hit, is fascinating, in that he can hit velo and makes adjs to off speed. With a max EV of 100.6 at the Preseason All-State w/a hand speed of 23.4 and max bat speed of 75.5, gives promise that the hands are hitter-ish. At the Top Prospect Games, the BP was solid as he barreled balls at a 70% hard hit rate, while keeping the plane of the bat in direct contact with the baseball at an 86% rate of accuracy. Defensively needs to work on his footwork and his approach to the baseball. Looks to be a more reactive and instinctive type defender that works better on a corner, where he likes to play side to side and not go get the baseball. Could see a more physical 2B type with the bat or is athletic enough to play an OF corner with the bat his carrying tool.

A lean wiry athletic LHH 3B with a frame to add quality weight and add strength with a strong and dedicated weight program to tap into his latent power and swing plane to produce even added distance and carry to a 2B’s type approach to the gaps. “X Patch” had one of the better HS seasons in the state as far as producing some “base” numbers with the base hit, batting avg and 2B’s. A high contact type approach with a low ball approach to hit with a flat bat through the zone with an inside out/long through and full wrapped finish behind the back shoulder. Drives the ball on a line with backspin to all fields, and finds the barrel often w/48 base hits this past spring. One of the better overall hitters in the 2024 class, earning a Future Games spot at LakePoint this next week. Defensively shows the soft hands and side to side agility to stick at the hot corner, yet needs to get his feet set and in sync to utilize his fringy arm, to play even better and add carry. Can’t wait to see what he does against quality age appropriate pitching in Atlanta, to get a better gauge on his instincts and baseball IQ. 

The younger brother of perennial All-State OF'er, Noah Gatti, a USU-Eastern Commit, Noah has the bat and glove to stay on the dirt at 2B, as an offensive 2B at the next level. Should be getting his shot to start at 2B, and team with Future Games SS, Bo Williams for the next two years. Has the base pre-pitch rhythm and timing as his feet hit the ground in his pre-pitch setup, as the ball crosses home plate. Fields out front and from the ground up. Does have bat speed and he accelerates the head of the bat at contact. Is where most top sophomores are at from a EV and data standpoint at his age and see this only getting better and better as he physically matures and grows. Not a runner like his brother, and will need to rely on his baseball instincts, field awareness and being a quality base runner. What does standout, is the bat and it will be fun to watch his development over the next three years. 

Athletic & what they look like. Pleasant surprise, as he was unknown before the event and showed really well. Two way player for now, as he is just a freshman and he shows flashes of next level potential as a hitter and pitcher. Leaning towards the bat right now. Shows fast hands, while producing elite hand and bat speed marks of 26.3 and 79.5 with a very projectable EV of 90.6. With a 6-1 185 Lb build, the hope is that he continues to improve and get stronger, as well as continues to grow and develop. Looks the part right now of an upperclassman and the body is tight and toned throughout! Also produced a 85 mph velo from the OF and on the mound features a loose arm to reach a FB max of 84 with an over the top downer CB 68 and fade life CH 73. Really looking forward to following his progress as his freshman campaign gets underway next spring.