RISING STARS
Luke Armijo, LHP, Class of 2027
L/L, 6-0/185, Whitter, Calif.
The strongly-built southpaw accumulated nearly 60 innings on the summer, a span in which he struck out 88 due in large part to a true three pitch mix he can throw with confidence and conviction. Remaining compact through the backside before working to an extended slot, Armijo makes for an uncomfortable at-bat as he routinely sits in the low-80s with a heater that looks to jump out of his hand. Mix in both a quality changeup as well as a short breaker, and it’s quick to see how he has racked up all the strikeouts.
Ethan Armbruster, RHP/C, Class of 2027
R-R, 6-0/160, Austin, Texas
A long and projectable 6-foot right-hander, Armbruster made the most of his time on the bump to round out his summer circuit, impressing with the type of pitchability and poise you don’t often see at the 13u level. It’s a simple, athletic delivery for Armbruster as he shows a loose and quick arm stroke up to a higher slot, filling the zone with the makings of four pitches while putting his athleticism on display which allows him to also stand out both behind the plate and in the batter’s box. The fastball currently sits in the low-80s and given just how low-effort the operation is, it’s only a matter of time before that number pops. Armbruster pairs the heater with a variety of off speed pitches, including a slider, cutter and curveball, all of which are tunneled and mixed with intent.
Carson (Bear) Calvo, SS, Class of 2027
R-R, 5-11/165, Fullerton, Calif.
Stronger to the eye than his listed measurables, Calvo moves around with a bounce to his step, showing lateral range to either side and a big arm which has also produced a peak fastball of 84 mph on the bump. The young California product was perhaps even more impressive in the box though as he shows a simple, yet fluid and low effort stroke, producing plenty of hard contact around the yard. On the year he slashed .396/.516/1.225 and proved to be a valuable piece to one of the top programs in the country.
Noah Everly, 3B/RHP, Class of 2026
R-R, 6-0/175, Pasadena, Calif.
A primary shortstop with the footwork and arm strength to stay on the left side, Everly is also an accomplished pitching prospect with a fast arm and a heater that’ll approach the mid-80s, though it was the short, late biting curveball he showed at the National Showcase that could set him apart. That said, Everly’s production with the bat may be too loud to ignore as he had an outstanding 13u World Series in which he hit .550, collecting 11 hits (4 doubles, 3 triples), showing very real present strength to either gap with a compact, repeatable stroke.
Dominic Giametta III, RHP, Class of 2027
R-R, 6-2/195, Richmond, Texas
A quick look at Giametta and you certainly wouldn’t think he’s a 13u level pitcher, already standing at a stronger 6-foot-2 and what he’s able to produce on the mound isn’t like many others his age either. Bumping into the mid- to upper-80s with his fastball throughout the summer, Giametta saved arguably his best performance of the year for his showing at the National Showcase where he punched out three in two innings of work, ran the fastball up to 86 mph with plenty of heavy and late life, and showed some present feel for three distinct pitches. Despite his size the Texas native keeps things simple on the mound as he works exclusively out of the stretch and shows some real intent in challenging hitters and living in attack mode.
Carter Hadnot, SS, Class of 2027
S-R, 6-0/145, Rialto, Calif.
A switch-hitter who was a mainstay at the major summer circuit events, Hadnot accrued 170 plate appearances in 2022 and finished with a .351 average and a near .500 on-base percentage, speaking to the success he was able to enjoy. Hadnot, unlike others his age who are listed as a switch-hitter, has legitimate offensive tools from both sides of the plate, showing real hand quickness and barrel accuracy from either side with a longer, fluid path that’s easy to project for some real strength moving forward. While the offense is noteworthy and stands out amongst his peers, so too does his defensive actions up the middle. It’s at shortstop where he continues exudes athleticism with quick-twitch actions, soft and snatchy hands, all leading up to a loose arm across the diamond, rounding out what’s a pretty exciting profile overall.
Lash Henderson, OF, Class of 2027
R-R, 6-2/180, Frisco, Texas
Already listed at 6-foot-2, it’s easy to see Henderson developing into some real power down the road, though his current stroke already possesses more than enough bat speed to do damage while working on a linear plane and utilizing all fields to his advantage. Despite the age/size combination, Henderson’s athleticism still shines through as he shows plenty of coordination in his actions as evidenced by a 6.82 in the 60-yard, a number that’ll only continue to lower down the road. Take the offensive ability and 6.8 speed then add in a mid-80s arm strength, and you have the makings of a high-end prospect.
Zayne Hookala, LHP/1B, Class of 2026
L-L, 5-10/155, Waialua, Hawaii
While Hookala isn’t the most physical just yet, the arm speed and strength already stand out amongst his peers as he’s already running his fastball up to 85 mph with some seriously late and heavy life through the zone. Add in the ability to pump the zone while mixing a pair of quality secondary pitches and Hookala looks to be one of the next big prospects from the 50th state and that’s before even factoring in his offensive tools.
Broder Katke, C, Class of 2027
R-R, 5-11/175, Bloomfield Hills, Mich.
A key piece in his summer team’s deep run in the 13u World Series, Katke is impressive on both sides of the ball with an accurate arm and solid carry behind the dish where he also receives the ball with comfort. The right-handed swing might be the loudest part of his game however as he does a very nice job of staying short to the ball with some serious jump off the barrel to all parts of the field.
Jorvorskie Lane, OF/C, Class of 2026
R-R, 5-9/165, Fort Worth, Texas
Though he’s already physically built he retains plenty of fast-twitch muscle, proving to be a menace on the bases for opposing teams to control, while the athleticism allows him to shine in a variety of spots around the diamond. Whether it’s in the outfield or behind the plate, you can expect his right-handed swing will make an impact with any given just how much bat speed and strength he’s able to generate at the point of contact. Lane finished the year with a .426 mark with 8 home runs, 2 of which game during the 13u WWBA where he managed to make Spring Training parks look small.
Maddux Lessard, C, Class of 2027
R-R, 6-0/165, Muskego, Wis.
Lessard does an excellent job of uncoiling into contact, showing the ability to drive the ball just as hard the other way as he can to his pull side, truly utilizing all parts of the field. On top of the offense, he also received plenty of high-end arms throughout the summer circuit and did so well while showing a big arm of his own down to second base.
William McIntire, SS/RHP, Class of 2027
R-R, 5-11/150, Boyd, Texas
A primary catcher but just as talented in the infield dirt and on the mound, McIntire’s athleticism takes over as does his arm strength. The operation on the mound is simple with an extreme uptick in pace, pumping the strike zone with a heater that has been up to 84 mph with all sorts of life while showing a real feel for a short, late biting slider as well. He does a nice job of keeping things relaxed at the plate too, showing solid bat-to-ball skills and refined hand-eye coordination as evidenced by just 5 strikeouts in 133 plate appearances.
Joshua Priest, OF, Class of 2027
R-R, 5-10/160, San Diego, Calif.
Over the course of 76 plate appearances in 2022 Priest managed to hit .461 with a 1.354 OPS with a handful of home runs, though it’d be hard to imagine any being more impressive than the shot he put out during the 13u National Showcase, clearing the wall in left field at FITTEAM Ballpark by a good margin. While the offensive tools are simply too loud to ignore, his athleticism needs to be noted as he posted a 6.88 in the 60-yard which aids him well in the outfield where he continues to show an advanced set of tools.
Taytum Reeves, C, Class of 2026
R-R, 5-10/180, Menifee, Calif.
Though physically built already, Reeves’ athleticism and ability to retain looseness in his actions stand out behind the plate, showing a sense of ease and comfort receiving the ball while also possessing one of the better arms at the 13u level. From an offensive standpoint it’s a true all fields approach as he regularly went with the outer half pitch this summer, driving it with some serious authority, though that’s not to say he can’t turn on the ball as we also saw him do just that regularly throughout the 13u World Series.
Francisco Renteria, OF, Class of 2027
R-R, 6-1/165, Maracaibo, Ven.
Renteria came to the states for the first time this summer to take part in the 13u National Showcase where his right-handed swing stood out amongst his peers, showing a loose and fluid stroke with real barrel whip and natural lift out front. The young Venezuelan then continued to swing it throughout the Florida Summer Select tournament, hitting .400 with a 1.460 OPS while collecting 4 extra-base hits with 11 RBI. He moves well for his size already with sound fundamentals in the outfield and will undoubtedly draw attention from pro teams when he’s eligible to sign as an international free agent.
Logan Schmidt, LHP, Class of 2027
L-L, 6-1/175, Villa Park, Calif.
A long 6-foot-1, 175 pounds, Schmidt has seen a surge in velocity since last fall’s All State Games and given just how fast his left arm is, there’s no reason to think he’s anywhere near hitting his ceiling. The ball jumps out of his hand and it shows some serious sinking life through the zone which he compliments with a sharp breaking ball and for as good as he is on the mound, Schmidt has proven to be just as impressive with the bat in his hands as he hit .452 this summer.
Grant Sperandio, RHP, Class of 2026
R-R, 5-10/165, Houston, Texas
Strongly built at 5-foot-10, 165 pounds, Sperandio possesses one of the better fastballs that’ll be in Knoxville, bumping as high as 86 mph this summer and will run it into the mid-80s during any given outing. Of course, that type of velocity at the 13u level takes some special arm speed which the young Texan possesses while showing the ability to still command either side of the plate and flash a potential out-pitch in a late sweeping slider in the upper-60s. And like his peers, Sperandio shows real potential with the bat in his hands as well, creating separation in his swing and some serious jump at the point of contact.
Nomar Torres, SS, Class of 2026
R-R, 6-0/160, Hurst, Texas
A versatile defender who you’ll see in the dirt or behind the plate during any given game, there’s no mistaking his right-handed swing as his calling card on the diamond; then again, a .487/.591/1.347 slash line speaks for itself. At the plate Torres employs an all-fields approach, just as willing to go backside as he is pull side, truly speaking to his ability to control the barrel head through the zone with a long, fluid swing. While it’s more of a contact-oriented approach right now, don’t be surprised when he starts hitting for power, sooner rather than later.
Andrew Bennett, RHP, Class of 2027
R-R, 6-1/170, Mobile, Ala.
Bennett possesses some of the better arm speed that’ll be in attendance in Knoxville as he routinely peaks in the upper-80s with his fastball and has already topped out at 89 mph w5ith some hop through the zone. That type of velocity will naturally help rack up the strikeouts at the 13u level, but the breaking ball is just as much of a weapon when it’s on, showing real biting life to the bottom of the zone in the low-70s.
Will Brick, C, Class of 2027
R-R, 5-11/160, Memphis, Tenn.
The stat line reads more like a video game than real life for Brick in 2022 as he hit .554 on the summer with 26 double and 5 home runs while driving in 73 and for as good as the offense is, the defensive is at yet another level. Brick’s receiving ability stands out amongst his peers as does his ability to shift his weight to either side, knocking down nearly anything bounced in the dirt while keeping most pitches in front of him. The catch-and-throw skills are the cherry on top of Brick’s overall profile, showing very real arm strength and carry down to second base, leaving runners second guessing when on the bases.
Jeb Craven, RHP, Class of 2026
R-R, 5-11/150, Jessup, Ga.
The arm strength has been at the forefront of Craven’s game and it has continued to show an uptick, most recently bumping 85 mph on the gun while showcasing a fast arm and plenty of life on the heater through the zone. There’s no doubt the velocity stands out but Craven’s ability to work three pitches around the zone, which includes a sharp two-plane slider and late tumbling changeup, highlighting what he’s capable of bringing to the mound and serving as a strong indication of things to come.
Cole Crawford, C, Class of 2027
R-R, 6-1/181, Cartersville, Ga.
Crawford’s receiving skills stand out as he’s able to consistently get his thumb under the ball and stick it out front while the arm has proven to be yet another highlight in an already impressive arsenal of tools. There’s already plenty of juice in his right-handed swing as well as his 8 home runs on the year suggest, showing the ability to impact the ball to all parts of the field regardless the type of bat he’s swinging.
William Cutshall, 2B/RHP, Class of 2026
R-R, 6-0/150, Covington, Ga.
Of the tools possessed by Cutshall, the bat-to-ball skill might stand the tallest as he has knack for squaring up quality pitching as suggested by his eye-opening .512 average over 121 at-bats this spring and summer and an eye-opening one (1) strikeout on the year. The quickness of his hands and overall whip to the barrel both stand out on any given swing and so too does his defensive versatility as you never quite know where you’ll see him on the field in any given game as his low-80s arm strength and overall athleticism allow him to shine in a variety of rolls.
Caden Dawson, OF, Class of 2027
L/R, 6-0/185, Marietta, Ga.
Part of the reason for the continued offensive success for Dawson is just how short and direct his left-handed stroke is while implementing his physical strength, showing real bat speed through the zone and plenty of impact at the point of contact. The bat is the calling card as he had no problem turning around upper-80s heat, but he also plays a solid outfield with a nice combination of foot speed and arm strength, all playing well into the long-term profile.
Tyler Durkin, RHP, Class of 2026
R-R, 6-4/160, Poughkeepsie, N.Y.
Throughout the 2022 summer circuit, right-hander Tyler Durkin proved to be a must-watch type arm whenever he toed the rubber. Already an intimidating presence at 6-foot-4, the New York native makes an uncomfortable at-bat even more difficult for opposing hitters as he attacks from a lower three-quarters slot. The slot allows his 81-84 mph heater to play up even more given the short sinking life he’s able to generate, spearheading a three-pitch mix he’ll show on any occasion. His changeup is the go-to secondary pitch with maintained arm speed and a replicated release, generating fading life in the low- to mid-70s to help either induce weak contact or miss bats all together. The feel for a short, tight 11-5 shape breaker is certainly a contributing factor to Durkin’s success as he’s averaging just shy of a strikeout per inning in 2022.
Chase Fuller, SS/RHP, Class of 2027
R-R, 6-1/165, Tallahassee, Fla.
Physically built with his strongest days still ahead of him, Fuller stood out throughout the circuit at all the major stops as he hit north of .400 with a bevy of extra base knocks, including 7 home runs. The young Floridian already shows sub-7 speed in the 60-yard and very real bat speed through the zone, whipping the barrel head with ease while regularly getting to some of the beset juice in the class. Add in fundamentally sound actions in the dirt and upper-80s arm strength on the mound and you have one very exciting prospect moving forward.
Landon Green, RHP, Class of 2027
R-R, 6-0/165, Clearwater, Fla.
There’s no denying the arm strength possessed by Green after he bumped 90 mph at the 13u National Showcase, but the truly scary part is just how easy the velocity comes as he remains short and fast with his arm path without exerting much effort at release. Unlike other high octane arms we’ve seen over the years at a young age, Green is able to command his heater around the zone, generating hard running life while mixing in a big 12-6 shaped curveball that has the makings of a true swing-and-miss type offering down the road.
Jordin Griffin, INF/OF, Class of 2027
L-R, 5-5/125, Lake Charles, La.
A table setter-type with an OBP of nearly .600 on the summer, Griffin does an excellent job of uncoiling out of his load while generating torque with extension out front, allowing him to drive the ball with some real backspin to the pull side. On the other side of the ball Griffin has shown some versatility throughout the summer, manning both second base as well as roaming in the outfielder where both spots allow the athleticism to shine with a quick first step and sound fundamentals.
Patrick Hassan, RHP, Class of 2027
R-R, 5-10/155, Statham, Ga.
The Georgia native showed a strong arm throughout the summer, comfortably working into the low-80s but during his stint down in West Palm we saw a rather big jump in velocity as he topped out at 86 mph and lived towards the upper end of the 82-85 mph range. That type of velocity will open eyes at the 13u level, but so too will the arm speed Hassan possesses and the late, hard running life on the heater, not to mention the late biting slider he’s capable of spinning in the mid-70s.
Harry Chubb Jones Jr., SS/RHP, Class of 2027
R/R, 6-1/168, Powder Springs, Ga.
Jones Jr. checked in as one of the fastest players at the National with a 6.79 in the 60-yard and brought that athleticism with him around the field, both in the infield and outfield, as well as on the mound where he truly shined. His arm action and overall operation on the bump are both loose and clean while showing real intent in manipulating the shape of the baseball, both cutting it and sinking it around the zone while living in the low-80s. Couple the ability to pitch with his arm speed and athleticism and you have a highly intriguing prospect to follow.
Ricky Lopez, SS, Class of 2027
R-R, 5-8/135, New York, N.Y.
It takes all of one ground ball hit in his general direction for you to notice Lopez in the dirt as he simply moves differently on his feet than others his age, showing refined footwork and the type of internal clock you don’t often see at the 13u level. His hands are as soft as they are quick, snatching balls hit to either side of him with solid lateral range and quality arm strength across the diamond. Lopez’s defense is certainly at the forefront of his overall game but he’s not lacking in the offensive department either by any means. A right-handed hitter, Lopez shows simple movements in the box but also plenty of quickness and strength in his hands, showing the ability to impact the baseball with authority to all fields without having to alter his approach at the plate.
Brendan Pyle, 3B/RHP, Class of 2026
R-R, 5-10/165, St Peters, Mo.
Another familiar name having appeared in last year’s 12u Select Festival, Pyle continued to swing the bat throughout the summer and into the 13u National Showcase where he seemed to do nothing but barrel the baseball with big time juice, collecting a couple of loud doubles in live action. The overall bat speed ranks amongst the best in attendance in Knoxville and when combining the bat-to-ball skills and physicality he possesses, it becomes pretty easy to see how he’s able to impact the baseball the way he does. Pyle moves around the hot corner with comfort, showing coordinated actions with body control on the mound, bringing the same low-80s arm strength we’ve seen on the mound, allowing for the long throw across the diamond.
Bryan Ravelo, OF, Class of 2027
R-R, 6-3/160, Miramar, Fla.
Of all the players on the East squad, Ravelo is most likely to capture your attention just walking into the stadium given his long 6-foot-3 frame and near endless physical projection moving forward. He’s must more than just a projectable frame and the athleticism was immediately on display at the 13u National Showcase as he led the way with an event best 6.74 in the 60-yard, truly highlighting just how coordinated and fluid he is in his movements. Throughout the summer, Ravelo played mostly at the 14u level where he fit right in, though given the bat speed and arm strength he possesses, it’d be hard to surmise he was 13u-eligible. There’s simply no denying the power potential that awaits Ravelo at physical maturation with how loose and leveraged his swing already is.
Kevin Roberts Jr, SS/RHP, Class of 2026
R-R, 6-3/190, Meridian, Miss.
Roberts Jr may just be entering his freshman year of high school this upcoming fall, but he’s already a well-known name around the baseball world, though working in the upper-80s on the mound and throwing 91 mph across the diamond (a 14u National Showcase record) will tend to do that. A two-time Select Festival alum who has appeared in both the 12u and 13u iterations of the game, Roberts Jr returns for a second trip to the 13u Festival, and you can be certain he’ll bring a collection of loud tools along for the ride. Though young for the 2026 class, he’s currently ranked No. 6 nationally thanks to the aforementioned collection of tools, none of which are often found at this age, as he also shows big bat speed from the right side and intriguing jump coming off the barrel.
John Stowers, C, Class of 2026
L-R, 5-11/185, Mobile, Ala. | College Commitment: Auburn
Strongly-built already, the left-handed hitting Stowers knows how to get into his lower half well, showing fluid stroke through the zone with strength in his hands and the ability to make a field look small at any moment. He’s a complete player as he shows very real tools behind the plate as well, receiving several high velocity arms throughout the summer circuit and did so with ease, sticking pitches out front while showing quality arm strength and carry on throws down to second base. Young left-handed hitting backstops with tools on both sides are often off the recruiting board quickly as we see with Stowers.
Malachi Washington, OF/SS, Class of 2026
R-R, 5-11/170, Stone Mountain, Ga.
Washington’s athleticism and defensive versatility were on display once again during the 13u National Showcase where he ran a 6.88 in the 60 and showed well both in the outfield and in the dirt with his overall actions and arm strength. Throughout the summer, Washington put on a bit of a show with the bat, launching the only home run in batting practice at the National before showing it truly plays in game, again depositing a ball over the left field wall, showing off some of the faster hands at the 13u age level with real backspin coming off to his pull side.
SOURCES:
https://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=21195&src=hmrep
https://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=21194&src=hmrep