There was a ton of talent at LakePoint Sports in Cartersville, Georgia from August 7-10 at Area Code Games. Some of the absolute best players in the country were there, as a plethora of scouts were there to watch the top prep players for the 2021 Draft face off against one another. LakePoint Sports also hosted the Underclass Area Code Games, and although most scouts focus was on the 2021 class, it was nice to see a glimpse of those players that are still a few years away. Here's a look at the top underclass players that stood out to me. I hope you enjoy.
Karson Bowen, C, Orange Lutheran HS- Anaheim, CA
Bowen is an above average defensive catcher that can flat out hit, and hit for power. He has been a member of Team USA since he was 12, and he's proven to be one of the more clutch hitters already. Last year he led team USA in HR at the Pan-Am Tournament as part of their 15U team. His standout moment at the Underclass Area Code Games, was when he hit a grand slam against the UC White Sox. He has a good chance to develop plus power, and be an above average defensive catcher.
Cam Collier, 3B/RHP, Mount Paran Christian HS- Austell, GA
Collier was one of the younger players at the UC Area Code Games. As he's a 2023 Draft Prospect, and the top position player in the country for 2023 according to Perfect Game. When I watched his BP, it was special. When I watch BP, I enjoy seeing loft and carry, as it generally is a good sign that they will develop plus or better power. Collier's BP reminded me of former Philadelphia Phillies MVP Ryan Howard, although at much much younger age then when I first saw Ryan Howard hit BP, but you can easily tell more power is on it’s way. On the mound Collier looked smooth with his delivery and his fastball sat 89-92 mph.
Cooper Dossett, OF/RHP, Har-Ber HS- Fayetteville, AR
Dossett might be the best prep two-way talent in the 2022 draft class. He first caught my attention when he set the Perfect Game Jr. National record for throws from the outfield, with a 100 mph throw. He then stood out to me on the mound at the UC Area Code Games, as he sat around 88-90 with his fastball, while also showing good feel for a curveball and changeup. In his 2 innings on the mound, he gave up no hits while striking out 4 batters. Dossett also has a good feel for hitting.
Elijah Green, OF, IMG Academy- Windermere, FL
Green had the loudest performance among all participants at the Area Code Games, including both the upper class and underclass. He hit home runs on two of the three days out there, and all three of his home runs were no doubters. He hit one ball clear over the batter's eye in center field. Then his second home run of the game was an opposite field home run, and his final home run of the event was to left field. Elijah Green is more than just a power hitter, he's an incredible athlete that can run. His Dad Eric was a former NFL tight end. Elijah has a strong arm and looks to be a legit five-tool talent that has a chance to earn above average or better grades on all of his tools. He has a really good chance to be the #1 prep player taken in what already looks to be a loaded 2022 prep draft class.
Termarr Johnson, 2B/SS, Mays HS- Atlanta, GA
Termarr was an underclass player that played on the upper class Nationals Area Code team. Despite being the youngest hitter to play on the team, it seemed like nothing seemed to faze him. Not even 100 mph heat from Chase Petty. In his fourth Game he showed off his above average defensive ability as he turned in an unassisted double play and had multiple hits. I believe he's the best pure hitter in the 2022 prep draft class, and should be an early pick as he's proven to be an elite player for a while now. He also is an above average defensive player that offers tons of versatility to go along with elite bat to ball skills.
Druw Jones, OF, Wesleyan HS- Suwanee, GA
Jones has probably been one of the most highly regarded and well known prospects from the 2022 draft class. What stood out most to me about Druw wasn't his power, but rather his elite speed. Which should allow for him to make tons of highlight reel type plays in center field like his dad, former Atlanta Braves star, Andruw Jones used to. Similarly to his dad I feel like his power will develop more as he matures. If his power is able to make a leap between now and the time he's eligible for the 2022 draft, he's going to be an early 1st round selection.
Jayson "Jay" Jones, SS, Braswell HS- Savannah, TX
Jones is considered by Perfect Game, to be the best high school player from Texas in the 2022 draft class. What stood out to me the most, was his pure athleticism, which allows him to be a versatile defender that has a strong arm that's capable of playing anywhere on the left side of the infield. But there's even more to like about him. Jones has plus speed, and a great feel for hitting. He was very fun to watch play, and if it weren't for Termarr Johnson, he could easily be considered the top infield prep prospect. Jones has all the tools that you look for in an infielder to go along with plus makeup, which should allow him to be an easy 1st round talent in two years.
Kaden Martin, LHP/OF, Knoxville Catholic HS- Knoxville, TN
Martin was an underclass player that played on the loaded Nationals upper class team. He is a nice strong, left handed hitter that has the ability to hit for power. But his standout moment came when he robbed Kurtis Reid of a home run in Game 1. His dad is former college football superstar Tee Martin, who also coaches football at the University of Tennessee, where Kaden is committed to playing both sports. It'll be interesting to see what sport Kaden Martin stars in, but he definitely is a very intriguing two-sport athlete.
Ian "JR" Ritchie, RHP, Bainbridge HS- Bainbridge Island, WA
Ritchie was the only underclass pitcher that was on the Area Code Games roster that pitched for the upper class team. Right away, I loved what I saw from him. As he has a nice, projectable frame, that will continue to add more velocity. But what impressed me the most, was how he did a great job of controlling the strike zone while not being afraid to challenge hitters. He did such a good job of keeping hitters off balance, that he was able to strike out a few of the big name hitters on the Rangers upper class team. Like Jordan Lawlar, Luke Heefner, and Creed Willems, while allowing zero runs across two innings. His fastball sat 90-93 and his slider sat around 81. He has a great feel for pitching, with stuff that already plays, which makes me think he has a great chance to be one of the first prep pitchers taken in the 2022 draft.
Shai Robinson, 2B, Homewood-Flossmoor HS- Matteson, IL
Robinson is an intriguing hitter that has a chance to develop plus speed, that also has a very good batting eye. I think if he can continue to get faster, he has a chance to be an impactful offensive player, as he's a skillful hitter that has a good feel for hitting to all fields. Going 3-for-7 at the event, while possessing the plate vision and discipline to be an on-base machine. It's still early but he's my under the radar stand out performer.
Nolan Schubart, 1B, St. Mary's HS- Durand, MI
Schubart has been a fairly well known name heading into the Perfect Game Jr. National Showcase. As one of his high school coaches is Brian Sakowski, who is the national scouting supervisor for Perfect Game. He also made a loud impression on his first day there at the Jr. National Showcase, as he homered out to the trees in right field at the Hoover Met Stadium. While at the UC Area Code Games, he continued to show his ability to be a middle of the lineup run producer, as he collected 6 RBI as their clean up hitter. His size, power, and left handed swing reminds me a lot of Justin Morneau.
Noah Schultz, LHP, Oswego East HS- Aurora, IL
Heading into the UC Area Code games, Schultz was considered one of the top prep pitchers in the 2022 draft class. He stood out right away, as when you watch him pitch, you see the projectability right away in his 6'8", 200 pound frame. Whereas most young players his size typically have trouble repeating their delivery and throwing strikes. Schultz does a great job of pounding the strike zone with his low 90s fastball. He also has a good feel for both a changeup and a slider. With his slider being farther along, and it shows glimpses of being a potential plus pitch. He's the top left-handed prep pitcher in the 2022 draft class, and he has a great chance to develop into the top prep pitching prospect for 2022. He threw two shutout innings, allowing one hit while striking out 3 batters.
Cole Young, SS, North Allegheny HS- Wexford, PA
The state of Pennsylvania has produced plenty of exciting prep hitters over the past few years, with Austin Hendrick and Benny Montgomery. Cole Young is hoping to follow in their footsteps, in being a potential first round pick. And he's doing a great job with that, as he has the talent to stick at shortstop, with an arm that produces 90+ mph throws from the infield, with plenty of bat speed from the left side. His standout moment came when he hit a HR against the Brewers underclass team.