Hello again.
Following up on yesterday’s Part 1, let’s dive into the second half of the WWBA World Championship standout teams. There’s a ton of talent in this tournament and it simply couldn’t be contained in one article. If you read part 1, you’ll know where we’re going with this. Let’s sink our teeth in. Enjoy.
Padres Scout Team / ECB (Pool V)
Key Players
SS Michael Braswell • Campbell (GA) • PLive #74
OF Thaddeus Ector • Starrs Mill (GA) • PLive #191
SS Termarr Johnson (2022) • Mays (GA)
C Joe Mack • Williamsville East (NY) • PLive #46
C Harry Ford • North Cobb (GA) • PLive #32
SS Christian Moore • Suffield Academy (NY) • PLive #94
RHP Shane Panzini • Red Bank Catholic (NJ) • PLive #105
RHP Dylan Lesko (2022) • Buford
OF TayShaun Walton (2023) • Greensville County (VA)
East Cobb's roster this year might be the best of the bunch. It all starts off with the dangerous bats of Michael Braswell, Thaddeus Ector, and Harry Ford — Ford being one of the biggest risers all summer. Throw in Joe Mack, Termarr Johnson, Christian Moore, and TayShaun Walton, and you've got one of the more dangerous lineups in Fort Myers. Their pitching is led by one of best arms coming out of the Northeast in Shane Panzini, followed by arguably the top 2022 prep arm in Dylan Lesko. Don’t sleep on Nazier Mule either, a two-way standout with an electric arm and a good bat, as well.
Key Question
Can Harry Ford have another loud performance on a big stage? He’s made a push this summer in pursuit of the top prep catcher title.
Will Termarr Johnson show out after a tough Baseball Factory All-American performance?
Scorpions Marcucci Franchise Team (Pool E)
Key Players
OF Ty Evans • Lakeland Christian (FL)
SS Deric Fabian • North Marion (FL)
SS Jake Fox • Lakeland Christian (FL)
RHP Alden Segui • Tampa Jesuit (FL)
OF Corey Robinson • Spruce Creek (FL)
1B Cade Bush • Palm Beach Gardens (FL)
SS Jackson Holliday (2022) • Stillwater (OK)
When your lineup sports four University of Florida commits, you’re off to a good start. Jake Fox, Ty Evans, Corey Robinson and Deric Fabian all lead a close-knit Scorpions group with strong hit tools, and impressive speed. Aidan Meola and Cade Bush should provide some legitimate thump in the heart of the lineup. An underrated pitching staff led by Hagen Banks and Fisher Jameson provide frontline stuff, with some potential breakout performances incoming from TJ Melani and Jarrett Maresco. Alden Segui gives you some of the best stuff on the team in the upper 90s out of the bullpen to tie it all together. Going to be a heavy follow for me this week.
Key Question
Can the likes of Ty Evans, Corey Robinson, or Jake Fox prove enough to scouts to rise up draft boards?
Houston Astros Scout Team (Pool R)
Key Players
RHP Irving Carter • Calvary Christian (FL) • PLive #31
SS Alex Ulloa • Miami Christian (FL) • PLive #104
LHP Devin Futrell • American Heritage (FL)
C Gio Cueto • Belen Jesuit Prep (FL)
SS Dorian Gonzalez • Belen Jesuit Prep (FL)
RHP Samuel Sloan • Lakeland (FL)
OF Reese Chapman (2022) • Grandview (FL)
This South Florida program heads to Fort Myers led by a RHP with one of the best pitches in the entire 2021 draft. Irving Carter and his splitter frontline an impressive group of arms that includes a pair of 6’5” towers in Devin Futrell and Connor Hegan. One thing we’re hoping to see is Samuel Sloan on the mound after suffering a head injury at PG National in June. Dorian Gonzalez provides a strong hit tool at the top of the lineup, with Alex Ulloa and Bryan Loriga injecting some real pop behind him while playing good defense in the dirt. A couple of ACC commits in Gio Cueto (Wake Forest) and Dylan King (UNC) have done nothing but find barrels this summer as well, and look for that to continue this weekend. Darkhorse team to make a run.
Key Question
After another strong showing this past weekend at the BF All-Star Classic, can Alex Ulloa continue to prove his hit tool and firmly pencil his name into upper-tier draft circles?
Dallas Tigers 2021 Hernandez (Pool H)
Key Players
SS Jordan Lawlar • Dallas Jesuit (TX) • PLive- #2
SS Jayson Jones (2022) • Braswell (TX)
1B/OF Trenton Shaw (2022) • Prestonwood Christian Academy (TX)
MIF Luke Heefner • Home School (TX) PLive #141
RHP Ryan Johnson • Home School (TX)
OF Tyler Collins • McKinney Boyd (TX)
Dallas' lineup isn't full of star power, but it is certainly one of the best players in the entire country. Leading off is 2021 super-prep Jordan Lawlar. Following him are good bats in Jayson Jones, Luke Heefner, and Tyler Collins, as well as big time power in Trenton Shaw from the 2022 class. The rotation is led by recent riser Ryan Johnson, who’s unorthodox delivery and strong offerings give Dallas a solid chance to make their way to the playoffs.
Key Question
Will the bats of Jordan Lawlar and Luke Heefner be enough to carry this offense to the knockout rounds?
Canes Prospects (Pool H)
Key Players
LHP Tristan Smith (2022) • Boiling Springs (SC)
SS Cole Young (2022) • North Allegheny (PA)
RHP Brock Porter (2022) • Orchard Lake St. Mary’s (MI)
1B Xavier Issac (2022) • East Forsyth (NC)
OF Roman Anthony (2022) • Cardinal Newman (FL)
RHP Tyler Gough (2022) • Heritage (CA)
OF Nathan Fink (2022) • The Miller School of Ablemarle
OF Paxton Kling (2022) • Central (PA)
You like loaded rosters? Well, Canes always provides that with not only their National squad, but their Prospects squad as well. The lineup is loaded with a ton of talented 2022 prospects, led by the power bats of Xavier Issac and Roman Anthony, followed by great hitters in Cole Young, Paxton Kling, Nathan Fink, and many more. The rotation is spearheaded by a tough combo of Tristan Smith and Brock Porter, with Tyler Gough joining to help lead a fantastic group of arms at WWBA.
Key Question
Which players from this squad can assert themselves to scouts and propel up draft boards for 2022?
5 Star National - Gold (Pool C)
Key Players
INF Cam Collier (2023) • Mt. Paran Catholic (GA)
RHP/INF James Hays (2023) • The Westfield School (GA)
3B Sal Stewart (2022) • Westminster Christian (FL)
OF Drew Burress (2023) • Houston County (GA)
C Riley Jackson (2023) • Eau Gallie (FL)
RHP Connor Crisp (2023) • Locust Grove (GA)
RHP Austin Williamson (2022) • Combine Academy (NC)
RHP Jake Lankie (2023) • Blessed Trinity Catholic (GA)
Still like loaded rosters? Well, this too will do. 5 Star National's Gold squad brings along superb underclassmen, mainly from the 2023 ranks. Cam Collier, Drew Burress, Riley Jackson, and Sal Stewart bring along some serious power and hitting ability, with James Hays looking to show off his two-way potential. On the mound, expect to see the likes of Austin Williamson, Jake Lankie, and Connor Crisp make strong efforts to propel this squad far into the tournament this weekend.
Key Question
Can Cam Collier continue to blister the ball and solidify himself as the top 2023 prospect?
San Diego Padres Scout Team (Pool S)
Key Players
OF Lorenzo Carrier • Appoquinimink (DE) • PLive #178
OF Justin Best (2023) • Hough (NC)
RHP Jacob Miller (2022) • Liberty Union (OH)
LHP AJ Gracia (2023) • DePaul College Prep (IL)
INF Cameron Cauley • Barbers Hill (TX)
INF Travis Sykora (2023) • Round Rock (TX)
C Ike Irish (2022) • Orchard Lake St. Mary’s (MI)
Another lineup dominated by underclassmen, the San Diego Padres Scout Team includes two very solid 2021 prospects, with Lorenzo Carrier and Cameron Cauley leading a lineup that includes Travis Sykora, Ike Irish, and Justin Best. Their rotation is spearheaded by 2022 Jacob Miller, who flashes one of the better FB/CB combos in that class and is fresh off a dominant outing at the Future Star Series. Miller is one of the best arms in the 2022 class.
Key Questions
Can Lorenzo Carrier reassert himself as a Top 100 prospect with an impressive showing in Fort Myers?
Will Jacob Miller replicate his dominant performance at the Future Star Series?
Team Indiana (Pool D)
Key Players
RHP Luke Hayden • Edgewood (IN) • PLive #133
SS Colson Montgomery • Southridge (IN)
RHP Will Koger • Bardstown (KY)
RHP Andrew Dutkanych IV (2022) • Brebeuf Jesuit Prep (IN)
OF Maxwell Clark (2023) • Franklin Community (TN)
C Boston Smith • Butler (OH)
It’s not everyday you find a state team with arguably it’s top player being just a sophomore, but that’s no knock to Team Indiana. Max Clark is just that good. The Vandy commit presents current hit/speed tools with budding raw power. Joining him, and anchoring the lineup is top 2021 Indiana prep Colson Montgomery and impressive backstop Boston Smith. Pitching staff will look for big performances out of names like Luke Hayden and Will Koger, and look for the Indiana team to lean on 2022 RHP Andrew Dutkanych IV who could have the filthiest stuff on the team. Look out for a breakout performance from OF Auston Brewer. (IS)
Key Questions
Can Luke Hayden harness his stuff and help propel this talented squad to the knockout round?
Will Maxwell Clark be able to continue his otherworldly summer and become a household name for 2023?
Can Colson Montgomery impress again after his breakout at Perfect Game National?
Toronto Blue Jays Scout Team (Pool L)
Key Players
3B/SS Gavin Conticello • Coral Springs Charter (FL) • PLive #153
OF Jquann Smith • Georgia Premier Academy (GA)
RHP Erian Rodriguez • Georgia Premier Academy (GA)
IF/RHP Aidan Miller (2023) • JW Mitchell (FL)
RHP Jace Jones • Cypress Lake (FL)
RHP Tyler Kennedy • Georgia Premier Academy (GA)
RHP Karl Hartman • Rockledge (FL)
One of the biggest sleepers in the tournament. Led by one of the best players in the state in Gavin Conticello, the Blue Jays Scout Team can really hit. High ceiling RHPs Karl Hartman and Jace Jones headline the starting rotation, with Mitch Bratt bringing his impressive CB to close it out. This team also features the top 2021 prospects out of Georgia Premier Academy in speedy outfielder Jquann Smith and a pair of flamethrowers in Tyler Kennedy and Erian Rodriguez. Look out for a pair of talented underclassmen to make an impact on this roster as well in top 2023 prospect Aidan Miller and 2022 FSU commit Drake Flowers.
Key Question
After an impressive summer, Can Mitch Bratt find a bit more velocity to build on his curveball, and build his stock into a draft-able prospect?
Will Erian Rodriguez impress and stamp his name as a draft-able arm?
As always, we’ll have a presence at the tournament and will have full coverage! Check back in here for hourly updates. Follow @ProspectsLive, @TylerJennings24, @FlaSmitty and @JoeDoyleMiLB for extensive coverage.