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Tournaments  | Story  | 10/15/2018

Jupiter’s Dynamic Duos

Kenny Gardner     
Photo: Carlos Correa (Perfect Game)

Jupiter Dynamic Duos: Round 1 | Jupiter Dynamic Duos: Round 2 | Jupiter Dynamic Duos: Round 3



Dynamic Duos from the WWBA World Championship

Listed below are some of the more notable player and pitcher duos, year-by-year, during the 20 years of the WWBA World Championship held annually at the Roger Dean Complex in Jupiter, Fla. To vote for your favorite duo please click on the link(s) above (more to become available as the voting progresses).


Zack Greinke and Joey Votto 

Zack Greinke was the 2002 Gatorade National Player of the Year which helped catapult him to the sixth overall pick in that year’s MLB draft. Greinke, the fifth-ranked player in his class per Perfect Game, had an excellent showing at the 2001 WWBA World Championship as well as that year’s World Showcase, cementing him as a top 10 player in his class. Following an outstanding prep career, Grienke spent just one season in the minors before receiving the call up to the Royals and contributing immediately to the Major League club. Greinke is a five-time All-Star, has led the league in ERA twice and won a Cy Young award with the Royals in 2009.

Joey Votto was an impressive young player in high school who we first saw at our Sunshine Showcase in 2001 down in Fort Myers, Florida. Votto, who impressed our staff at this event, earned an invite to the prestigious National Showcase at Tropicana Field that year based on that initial look. While it took Votto a couple more years to make an impact for the Reds compared to Grenkie’s rise with the Royals, he has consistently hit above .300 and has been a league leader in walks numerous times. Votto is a six-time All-Star, won the NL MVP in 2010 and has been named the top Canadian athlete (Lou Marsh Trophy) twice, in 2010 and 2017.


Marcus Stroman and Mike Trout

Marcus Stroman made his Perfect Game event debut in 2007 in Beacon, New York during the Sunshine Northeast Showcase. A two-way prospect early in his career before arriving at Duke, where he began concentrating on pitching, Stroman thrived during his collegiate career and owns the Duke record for career strikeouts (290). Coming out of Duke Stroman was tabbed as one of the most MLB-ready players, taking him just 1 1/2 years in the minors before making his big league debut for the Blue Jays in 2014. Stroman showed his two-way roots as he captured a Gold Glove in 2017 and also earned the MVP at the World Baseball Classic earlier that year.

Mike Trout was a veteran player of the Perfect Game tournaments coming through the circuit with the Tri-State Arsenal organization. During his illustrious high school career Trout set the New Jersey single season home run record with 18 long balls. After two and half season in the minor leagues, Trout continuously makes the 20-plus teams who passed on him wanting a redo. Trout is a seven-time All-Star and made an immediate splash as the 2012 Rookie of the Year before capturing two MVPs (2014 and 2016) and shows no signs of slowing down.


Clayton Kershaw and Brandon Belt

Clayton Kershaw made the trip to the 2004 WWBA World Championship with the Dallas Tigers organization. Kershaw had a good showing impressing our staff mixing in three pitches for strikes with showing good command at the event with good pitching mechanics, setting the tone for one of the more impressive senior seasons, recording 139 strikeouts while earning the Gatorade National Player of the Year. Drafted in the summer of 2006, Kershaw was a fast riser through the minor leagues getting called up in May of 2008. Kershaw is a seven-time All-Star, a pitching Triple Crown winner in 2011, three-time strikeout leader in the National League, has led the NL in ERA five-times and a is a three-time Cy Young winner (2011, 2013, and 2014).

Brandon Belt came up through Perfect Game playing with the Columbia Angels program out of Texas. Belt made his first impression on the Perfect Game staff at the 16u WWBA on the mound, winning the Most Valuable Pitcher after throwing a two-hit complete game shutout while striking out 11 batters. A rarity in that he has been drafted three times in his amateur career; first out of high school, again after a season of junior college and then finally by the Giants after a successful career at Texas. Belt continues to be a big lefty presence in the Giants lineup, helping them to two World Series Championships (2012 and 2014). Earlier this season Belt set a MLB record for most pitches seen in a single at-bat with 21 pitches.


Jose Fernandez and Javier Baez

Jose Fernandez first attended a Perfect Game event in 2010 at the WWBA Memorial Day Classic with the Tampa Bay Warriors, topping out at 92 mph and continued to add velo throughout the summer. He worked his way up to 97 mph in one of the most memorable Jupiter performances against a talented Dallas Patriots in the playoffs, cementing his first round draft status after attending both the National Showcase and PG All-American Classic. Fernandez grew up in Cuba and was good friends with current MLB player Aledmys Diaz. Fernandez’s had a short minor league career making the big league team out of spring training in 2013. In his career Fernandez was a two-time All-Star (2013, 2016) and the NL Rookie of the Year in 2013.

Javier Baez’ first real taste of a Perfect Game event was at the 2010 National Showcase at Tropicana Field. It was at this event that made Baez a selection for the PG All-American Classic later on in the summer and we started to notice his flair and excitement while on the baseball field. Baez has continued to show off his passion for the game of baseball throughout the minors eventually making it to the Cubs MLB roster in August. Baez hit the game-winning home run in his MLB Debut against the Rockies in a 12-inning game. Baez still plays with the same excitement as he did when he first came up, helping the Cubs to a World Series championship in 2016, their first since 1908, becoming an All-Star for the first time this year. He is one of the stars of MLB and will be for some time.


Jeremy Bonderman and David Wright

Jeremy Bonderman went to high school in Pasco, Washington coming to us in 2000 to play in the WWBA World Championship with the Dallas Tigers. Bonderman was originally selected by the Oakland A’s but was traded to the Tigers early in his career. Once he arrived in the Tigers system, he made a rapid ascent onto the big league roster and began to contribute immediately. Bonderman enjoyed a long 10-year long career playing for two teams, mostly with the Tigers before spending the start of the 2013 season with his hometown Mariners.

David Wright played in back to back years at the WWBA World Championship with the East Coast Prospects. Coming from the Chesapeake, Virginia, Wright was able to play with many future big league stars along the way including the Upton brothers (Melvin and Justin) as well as Ryan Zimmerman. The Mets moved Wright up a level each year and by the time he reached AA in 2004 it was apparent he would be helping the big league club sooner rather than later. On July 21 the Mets gave David Wright his first start at third base, a spot he wouldn’t relinquish until late in his career. Wright was a seven-time All-Star, a two-time gold glover and two-time Silver Slugger both in 2007 and 2008.


Matt Cain and Prince Fielder

Matt Cain played in the 2001 WWBA World Championship with Dulin Dodgers where he displayed his three-pitch mix while topping out at 90 mph. Cain had an impressive senior season at Houston High School with an ERA that hovered around a 1.00 and struck out over 80 batters. Cain made his big league debut in August of 2005, cementing a spot in the starting rotation for the next season. While pitching for the Giants Cain helped lead the team to three World Series while being a three-time All-Star. His most outstanding accomplishment in the big leagues came on June 13, 2012 as he became the 22nd pitcher to record a perfect game in MLB history.

Prince Fielder first played in the National Showcase at Tropicana Field in 2001, which he followed up with a performance at the 2001 WWBA World Championships. Fielder, who was launching balls out of Tigers Stadium when he was 12, is known as much for his infectious smile while on a baseball field as for his massive home runs he hit throughout his career. Fielder was the centerpiece of a young Brewers team that reached the playoffs in 2008 for the first time since 1982 and followed that up helping them win the division in 2011. Fielder was a six-time All-Star during his career while leading the National League in home runs in 2007 and all of baseball in RBI in 2009.


Yovani Gallardo and Lorenzo Cain

Yovani Gallardo played in the 2003 WWBA World Championship on a team that included future Indians ace Corey Kluber. Gallardo displayed all the traits in Jupiter that eventually made him the Brewers’ draft him in the second round, earning co-Most Valuable Pitcher in the tournament as he went 2-0 with two-hit shutout in the playoffs topping out at 94 mph. Making his first big league start in 2007, Gallardo was a main stay in the Brewers rotation pitching in Milwaukee for seven seasons, earning an All-Star bid in 2010 while also winning the Silver Slugger award that year. Even though he was a pitcher playing in with a national league team Gallardo was able to show many times that if pitching didn’t work out he had a future as a hitter as well.

Lorenzo Cain played in the 2003 WWBA World Championship with the Tallahassee Titans. Cain showed his strengths in the outfield making an impressive diving catch during the tournament while also showing off his arm. With Cain getting a slow start to his baseball career (he didn’t play until his sophomore year in high school) it took him a little longer to make it to the bigs. Getting his first taste of MLB action in July of 2010. Cain’s first tenure with the Brewers didn’t last long as that winter he was sent to the Royals as part of a package to bring the Brewers back Zack Greinke. While with the Royals Cain helped lead them to the World Series in back-to-back years, winning it all in 2015. Cain has been a two-time All-Star and the ALCS MVP in 2014.


Rick Porcello and Anthony Rizzo

Rick Porcello first attended the WWBA World Championship as a junior with Farrah Builder’s topping out at 94mph and earning himself an invite to the 2006 National Showcase and the PG All-American Classic. Porcello’s dominance earned him the No. 1 ranking in his class for our rankings. Porcello was able to earn a starting job in the Tigers rotation after just one full year in the minor league system. Porcello has been a mainstay in both the Tigers rotation and Red Sox rotation since 2009 earning the AL Cy Young and AL Comeback Player of the Year in 2016.

Anthony Rizzo first started coming to Perfect Game events in 2005 with the California-based ABD Bulldogs. Rizzo was able to parlay a strong fall/spring season into an invite to the 2006 National Showcase. Rizzo was showing off his raw power at a young age hitting multiple Home Runs to any part of the field making him an easy selection for the Red Sox in the 2007 draft. Rizzo's first taste of the big leagues was June 6th 2011 with the Padres. Rizzo was sent to the Cubs during the winter before the start of the 2012 season. Rizzo was called up June 26 by the Cubs and has been the club leader and playing first base ever since. Rizzo was able to help lead the Cubs to ending their curse in 2016 winning all kinds of awards that year while also being selected to his third straight All-Star team.


Corey Kluber and Todd Frazier

Corey Kluber first played in Jupiter as with the Dallas Tigers in 2002 and followed that up playing with them again in 2003. Kluber showed good pitching mechanics at an early age mixing in three pitches topping out at 89 mph his senior year in Jupiter. Pitching in Jupiter in front of the coaches at Stetson University turned out to be a good thing for Kluber as he earned a scholarship to attend school. Kluber made his first appearance with the Indians in 2011 as a September call up. After spending another year in the minors Kluber was called up for good in the middle of the 2013 season. Kluber has been to the All-Star game the last three years while being the AL ERA leader in 2017 and winning the Cy Young award in both 2014 and 2017.

Todd Frazier had his first bout with stardom as a 12 year old in the 1998 Little League World Series for Toms River East becoming the first US team to win the championship since 1993. Frazier came down to the 2003 WWBA World Championship with the Twins Scout team where he continues to show off his hitting skills with plus bat speed and squaring up the ball all weekend. Frazier got his first taste of the big leagues with the Reds in May of 2011. Frazier has played for four teams during his career being voted to the All-Star game twice and winning the 2016 Home Run Derby.


Jeremy Hellickson and Buster Posey

Jeremy Hellickson was a veteran of the Perfect Game circuit by the time Jupiter came around as we were able to see him in the Iowa fall and spring leagues with Jeremy residing in Des Moines. Hellickson is one of the players who came and impressed both his junior and senior years in Jupiter, Fla. topping out at 92 mph in 2004 with good life to his fastball and a smooth delivery. Hellickson earned an invite to the 2004 National Showcase as well as being a participant in the PG All-American Classic in 2004.  Hellickson first made his big league debut in August of 2010 for the Tampa Bay Rays. Hellickson just recently finished up his eighth year in the show winning the AL Gold Glove award for pitchers in 2012 and the AL Rookie of the Year in 2011.

Buster Posey originally played in the 2003 WWBA World Championship with the East Cobb Astros. Posey used his first action in Jupiter as a spring board to a big 2004 for himself including participating in both our National Showcase and AFLAC All-American games those years. Posey was a stud two-way player in high school before eventually settling in as a catcher at Florida State as a sophomore. Posey is a six-time All-Star for the Giants winning the NL rookie of the year in 2010, the NL MVP in 2012, the College baseball player of the year in 2008 helping the Giants win the World Series in 2010, 2012, and 2014.


Matt Harvey and Freddie Freeman

Matt Harvey first came down to the 2005 WWBA World Championship with the East Coast Grays topping out at 94 mph. Harvey put himself on the short list to go to the PG All-American Classic in 2006 with his performance his junior year. Harvey piggy-backed on his first Jupiter experience with a strong summer helping cement his status as one of the top pitchers in his class. Harvey spurned the Angels advances out of high school and ended up signing with North Carolina. While at North Carolina Harvey was able to enter the top 10 in both career wins (22) and strikeouts (263). Harvey made his initial big league appearance in July of 2012 for the Mets. Harvey was selected to the All-Star game in 2013 and the earned NL Comeback Player of the Year with a strong 2015 coming off of Tommy John surgery.

Freddie Freeman is a player we were impressed with from the first time we saw him as a freshman in high school. Freeman played in the 2006 National Showcase as well as the 2006 PG All-American Classic and Jupiter with the Ohio Warhawks. In Jupiter Freeman showed a smooth quiet approach with plus bat speed and consistently drove the ball all over the field. Freeman first got called up in September of 2010 to get a taste of the big leagues. Since 2011 Freeman has been a mainstay in the Braves starting lineup while occupying the middle of the order. Freeman is a three-time All-Star (2013, 2014, and 2018).


Michael Foltynewicz and Christian Yelich

Michael Foltynewicz is someone we first saw at our Pitcher Catcher Indoor Showcase in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Foltynewicz had a strong summer that year while attending our National Showcase and finishing his 2009 year at the WWBA World Championships with Cangelosi Baseball. In Jupiter Foltynewicz sat 90-93 mph with good late life to his fastball with a sharp-breaking slider. Foltynewicz made his big league debut late in 2014 with the Astros showing off his electric arm in mostly a relief role. During the off-season the Astros sent him to the Braves where he bounced back and forth between Gwinnett and Atlanta for the first few years before finally settling into the rotation and becoming the ace of a young Braves team which won the NL East in 2018 and a first time All-Star.

Christian Yelich is another talented player who played with the talented ABD program out of California. Yelich was showing off his swing at a young age for us and continued to improve throughout his high school career. Yelich came to the 2008 and 2009 WWBA World Championship on a loaded ABD team that included Nolan Arenado, Michael Lorenzen and Tony Wolters, who have also made it to the big leagues, winning it all with ABD in 2008. Yelich had a monster 2018 season leading the Milwaukee Brewers back to the playoffs for the first time since 2011 while receiving his first nod to the All-Star game, Yelich also was the NL batting Champion and is one of the front runners to win the NL MVP.


Chad Billingsley and Adam Jones

Chad Billingsley came to the WWBA World Championships in both 2001 and 2002 with Team Florida. Billingsley featured a low-90s fastball both years topping out at 94 mph with a breaking ball that was described as unhittable. Billingsley was one of the most dominate pitchers in the state of Ohio throughout his high school career setting the state record for strikeouts with 502 in his four varsity seasons. Billingsley made his Major League debut during June of 2006. Billingsley struck out over 1,000 batters during his career while playing for both the Dodgers and Phillies and being named to the 2009 All Star team.

Adam Jones was a dynamic two-way player we first saw in August of 2002 in California. It was a pleasure to be able to see him again in October at the WWBA World Championships with the California Blaze. Jones showed well as a two-way guy in Jupiter topping out at 91 mph on the mound but showing even better with a bat in his hand. Jones turned into a top pick by the Mariners in 2003. Originally making his debut with the Mariners in 2006 they eventually traded Jones to the Orioles in 2008 with four others players in exchange for Erik Bedard. Jones career took off with the Orioles becoming the superstar everyone envisioned when he was in high school in California. Jones is a five-time All-Star a four-time Gold Glove outfielder and a silver slugger award winner.


Gerrit Cole and Eric Hosmer

Gerrit Cole had a strong showing in 2007 attending the National Showcase and playing in the PG All-American Classic as well as the WWBA World Championship with the Braves Scout Team. That Braves Scout Team has numerous players to make the big leagues including his teammate for this poll in Eric Hosmer it shouldn’t come as a shock as this team ran through most everyone they matched up against that weekend. Cole mixed in a slider and a changeup during his Jupiter outing but it was his fastball which topped out at 97 mph that caught the attention of the scouts which had lots of arm-side run. Cole quickly made his way through the ranks in Pittsburgh’s system debuting in June of 2013. Cole has since been traded to the Astros and is a large reason many feel the Astros are poised to repeat as the World Series Champions. Cole is a two-time All-Star.

Eric Hosmer played in the WWBA World Championship with three different teams over the years. Eric was a standout player from the first time we saw him in Florida at our Sunshine East Showcase in Florida. Hosmer was also selected to play in the 2007 National Showcase as well as the PG All-American game that year. Hosmer was eventually the No. 3 overall pick his draft year getting called up by the royals in 2011. Hosmer had been a major part of the Royals lineup helping lead them to the World Series in 2015 while being a 4 time Gold Glove award winner and an All-Star selection. Hosmer now with the Padres looks to help build them up to the top just as he did with the Royals when he was first called up.


Mike Clevinger and Nolan Arenado

Mike Clevinger played in the 2008 WWBA World Championship with the Ohio Warhawks whose lineup included future big leaguers Kris Bryant, Steven Matz, Joey Rickard and Tyler Skaggs losing in pool play to a highly talented Cangelosi Baseball squad who were runner-ups that year. Clevinger topped out at 90 mph in Jupiter that year showing a willingness to attack hitters with good arm speed. Clevinger started his college career at The Citadel before transferring to a junior college in order to be able to be drafted sooner. In 2011 the Angels took him in the fourth round of the draft. After spending a few years in the Angels system they traded him to the Indians in 2014. Clevinger has since spent his career with the Indians helping them win the AL Central the last few years in a verity of roles.

Nolan Arenado is another one of those players who came through the travel baseball ranks with the Mike Spiers led ABD Bulldogs, winning it all in Jupiter with ABD in 2008. Arenado attended the 2008 National Showcase in Minnesota that year showing off his smooth swing with tons of pop. Arenado showed off his defensive skills in Jupiter that year making several diving plays and showing good range. Arenado was called up in 2013 and has been in the middle of the Rockies lineup since. He became the first rookie to win a Gold Glove at third base winning it four more times for a total of five, he is a four-time All-Star, three-time NL home run leader and two-time NL RBI leader.


Kevin Gausman and Kris Bryant

Kevin Gausman first appeared in a Perfect Game event at our National Showcase in Minneapolis in 2009 lighting up the radar gun and impressing our staff to earn a bid to the PG All-American game. In the WWBA World Championship Gausman played with the ultra-talented Ohio Warhawks. Where he showed an easy repeatable delivery with good life to his fastball. Gausman spurned the Dodgers best efforts out of high school and went on to attend LSU where he was an All-American in 2012. It took Gausman almost a year to the date he was drafted to get called up to the Orioles big league club and start making a contribution. Gausman pitched for the O’s until July of this year when they shipped him off to the Braves who were looking for rotation help for a playoff run.

Kris Bryant went to Jupiter in both 2008 and 2009 with the Ohio Warhawks playing on teams with many future big leagues including Kevin Gausman. Bryant was no stranger to Perfect Game by his last time coming through Jupiter having attended both the 2009 National Showcase as well as the PG All-American game. Bryant went on to be drafted by the Blue Jays after high school but went the College route attending San Diego University. At San Diego Bryant went on to win freshman of the year as well as player of the year with Mariners pitcher Marco Gonzales. His junior year Bryant showed the power that scouts had been seeing during BP for years crushing 31 home runs during the season winning both major college baseball awards while also being names a First Team All-American and the ABCA player of the year. Bryant spent 1 1/2 years in the minor leagues before getting called up in April of 2015. Since being called up Bryant has been a mainstay in the Cubs lineup earning NL Rookie of the year in 2015, NL MVP in 2016 being a two-time All-Star and helping the Cubs win the World Series in 2016.


Travis Wood and Andrew McCutchen

Travis Wood played in the 2003 and 2004 WWBA World Championships with the Midwest Scout Team. Wood was an aggressive pitcher attacking hitters with his fastball and had hitters taking excuse me swings during his outing. Wood was the Gatorade Player of the Year in Arkansas in both 2004 and 2005. Wood was drafted by the Reds in 2005 who were careful not to overwork the young lefthander having him move up a level a year until 2010 when the Reds called him up at the end of June. Wood spent two years with the Reds before being shipped out to the Cubs. In Chicago Wood became an All-Star in 2013 and the second reliever to hit a home run in a postseason game in 2016 when he homered Game 2 of the NLDS. Wood was also member of the Cubs 2016 World Series winning team.

Andrew McCutchen was a multi-sport athlete coming up in high school exceling in everything he did including running track and playing football. McCutchen eventually settle into baseball and we were able to see him play in the WWBA World Championships twice as well as the National Showcase in 2004. From the National he attended the second annual PG All-American Classic where he established a record that still stands today with four hits during the game. McCutchen was a first round pick by the Pirates in the 2005 MLB Draft and took a similar path as Wood to get to the big leagues. In 2009 the Pirates traded away Nate McLouth to the Braves opening a spot for McCutchen and he roamed the OF for the Pirates until this past year. McCutchen has been a four-time silver slugger winner, a five-time All-Star, a Gold Glove winner in 2012 and the NL MVP in 2013.


Wade Davis and Josh Donaldson

Wade Davis participated in the 2003 WWBA World Championship with the SW Florida Scout Team. Davis topped out at 90 mph in Jupiter showing good command and had an imposing presence on the mound which left a good impression on our staff. Davis wound up being a third round pick by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2004 rising a level year by year until getting called up September of 2009. Davis was kept in the starting rotation until 2012 and being turned into a dominate arm out of the bullpen. Davis and Shields went to the Royals helping bring them a World Series championship in 2015. Davis has been a three-time All-Star and was the NL Saves leader in 2018.

Playing in the 2003 WWBA World Championship with Team Florida USA Josh Donaldson showed off his power and bat speed at the tournament. In high school Donaldson was the Gatorade Player of the Year setting school records his senior year for hits, triples, doubles and RBI’s as well as setting the school record for interceptions in a season. After high school Donaldson went to Auburn University where he played both third base and catcher for the Tigers. Donaldson was drafted in the first round by the Cubs eventually getting traded to the Oakland A’s in 2008 and getting called up by the A’s in April of 2010. Donaldson went to three consecutive All-Star games from 2014-2016 also being the AL RBI Leader in 2015 and the AL MVP in 2015.


Chad Green and Manny Machado

Chad Green played for the Midwest based St. Louis Pirates at the 2009 WWBA World Championship. Green showed a low effort balance delivery with good late life to his fastball and maintained his arm speed when throwing his changeup. Green was a draft pick of the Blue Jays out of high school but decided to go to college and play at Louisville. While in college Green became a dominant arm for the Cardinals eventually leaving school as the career record holder in ERA. After his junior year at Louisville Green was drafted by the Tigers before eventually being traded to the Yankees in 2015 where he has become a light’s out option out of the bullpen for the Yankees.

Manny Machado played in the 2009 WWBA World Championship with the Royals Baseball Club after having played at the 2009 National Showcase. Machado has been showing off his skills in the infield ever since with quick hands, good arm strength and athleticism ever since. Machado shot all the way up to the No. 3 ranked prospect in his class and was the No. 3 overall pick in the 2010 draft. It didn’t take long for him to make an impact with the Orioles getting called up August 2012 and having his first multi home run game in his second career game. Machado had been playing on the Orioles infield since then only to be traded to the Dodgers in July of 2018 to help them in their quest to win a World Series. Machado was a four-time All-Star with the O’s and winning a gold glove in both 2013 and 3015.


Edwin Diaz and Carlos Correa

Edwin Diaz played in multiple Perfect Game events with teams from Puerto Rico playing in the 2011 WWBA World Championship with Team Mizuno of Puerto Rico. Diaz showed an electric arm at the tournament with smooth mechanics and a balanced delivery. The Mariners drafted Diaz in the third round of the 2012 draft and was named the minor league starting pitcher of the year in both 2014 and 2015. The Mariners ended up calling Diaz up in June of 2016 and having him work out of the bullpen. Diaz took control of the closer’s role August 1 of that year and became the first pitcher in 123 years to strike out 50 batters in only 25 1/3 innings. Diaz was selected to his first All-Star team in 2018, set the saves record for a Puerto Rican MLB player in season, set the Mariners single season saves record and ended up leading the AL in saves.

Carlos Correa first played in a Perfect Game event in 2011 earning a bid to the 2011 National Showcase and the 2011 Perfect Game All-American Classic and playing with the PRBAHS at the 2011 WWBA World Championship. Correa wasn’t finished though making one last impression among Perfect Game Staff at the 2012 World Showcase where he set a record on INF velo and hit multiple Home Runs during the games at Terry Park in Fort Myers. In 2012 Correa was the number 1 overall pick in the MLB draft by the Astros becoming the first Puerto Rican born player to be selected No. 1 overall. Correa made steady progress through the Astros system eventually getting called up June of 2005. Correa was a catalyst of the Astros team which won the 2017 World Series and is leading them in the charge to go back to back. Correa earned the NL Rookie of the Year in 2015 and was selected to his first All-Star game in 2017.


Wade Miley and Justin Upton

Wade Miley pitched in back to back years at the WWBA World Championship in 2003 and 2004. Miley showed a smooth delivery at the tournament with a good feel for his breaking ball. Miley went to Southeastern Louisiana out of high school and was drafted in the first round by the Diamondbacks in the 2008 MLB Draft. Miley has played for five teams in his MLB Career being selected to an All-Star team in 2012 and helping the Brewers to a NL Central Championship in 2018.

Justin Upton came to the WWBA World Championships in 2003 and 2004 for All-Star Baseball Academy as well as playing in the 2004 National and PG All-American game. Upton showed of his hitting tools at the 2004 WWBA World Championship showing a quick bat with a strong build and pop to all fields. Upton was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2005 MLB Draft but didn’t sign until the last day to do so. It didn’t take long for Upton to make an impact in the organization and make the team realize he needed to contributing to the MLB club earlier rather than later. Getting called up in August of 2007, Upton ended up making the team’s postseason roster in that same year hitting .357. Upton has been in a big league outfield ever since and currently helps occupy part of the middle of the order with Mike Trout in Los Angeles. Upton has won the silver slugger award 3 times while also being selected to four All-Star games.


Stephen Strasburg and Kyle Seager

Stephen Strasburg played in the 2005 WWBA World Championship with the Braves Scout team that year. Topping out at 91 mph Strasburg showed a strong lower half the ball came out of his hand clean but he wasn’t repeating his arm action. After not being draft out of high school Strasburg went onto San Diego State where he slowly gained the confidence of his coaches and being selected to be the teams closer halfway through the year and becoming co-freshman of the year in the Mountain West Conference. As a Junior Strasburg ended up winning the College Player of the Year as well as National Pitcher of the year. Strasburg was drafted by the Nationals number 1 overall in the 2009 draft and made his MLB debut only a year later against the Pirates. Strasburg has been a main stay in the Nationals starting rotation being selected to three All-Star teams and was the NL Strikeout leader in 2014.

Kyle Seager is a two-year veteran of the WWBA World Championship playing in 2004 with Impact Baseball and then returning in 2005 with the Dirtbags. Seager moved played SS and third base in Jupiter showing range at both spots with smooth actions and an accurate arm. Seager went on to play baseball at North Carolina after high school where he ended his career hitting .353 with 167 RBIs and set the school record for doubles in a season with 30 as a sophomore. Seager was a third round selection by the Mariners after his junior year and quickly became a top prospect in the farm system. Seager was called up July 6 of 2011 and has been playing either short or third base for the Mariners ever since.


Aaron Nola and Trevor Story

Aaron Nola played in the 2010 WWBA World Championship with the talented Marucci Elite group. Nola had a good showing down in Jupiter impressing our staff with a repeatable delivery a sharp curveball and his ability to pitch to both sides of the plate. Nola was drafted out of high school but decided to go to college and attend LSU. In college Nola continued to develop winning SEC Pitcher of the Year as a sophomore and Junior while also winning National Pitcher of the Year as a junior. After his junior year Nola was the seventh overall pitch by the Phillies climbed the minor league system quickly, getting called up in July of 2015. Nola was a 2018 All-Star selection and is in the conversation for the 2018 NL Cy Young award.

Trevor Story we were able to see him play throughout the years with the Dallas Patriots and he came to the 2010 WWBA World Championship on a team that included current Pirate Josh Bell. Story showed up and continued to impress at the tournament displaying tons of bat speed and his aggressiveness on the base path. Story was committed to LSU but once the Rockies came calling making him the 45thselection in the 2011 draft he chose pro ball instead. Story progressed through the Rockies system getting his break in 2016 with Jose Reyes being suspended for the beginning of the season. Story became the sixth player to have a multi-home run game in his debut, following that up with home runs in each of his next two games Story became the first player in history to hit a home run in each of his first three games. Story was also the first player to have six home runs in four games to start a season. This past season Story was named to his first All-Star game.


Touki Toussaint and Rafael Devers

Touki Toussaint is a player who came down to the WWBA World Championship for three years starting in 2011 with the Atlanta Blue Jays and playing with them all three times he came down. Toussaint was fun to watch at the event and plenty of scouts joined in his last appearance with him topping out at 94mph and mixing in a few off-speed pitches as well. Toussaint was a first round pick of the Diamondbacks forgoing his college career to get started on a steady climb to the Major Leagues. In 2015 the Diamondbacks sent Toussaint to the Braves and he began to show more control of his secondary pitches. Toussaint was called up in August of 2018 for the first time to make the start in the first game of a doubleheader for the Braves. Toussaint ended up finishing the year with the Braves and making the postseason roster.

Rafael Devers played in his only WWBA World Championship in 2012 with Yak Baseball West- GBG. Devers was a young player at his only Jupiter experience, working on impressing scouts before the international signing period for the summer of 2013. Devers signed an international free agent deal the next July with the Boston Red Sox who were looking for him to be a corner stone of the lineup for years to come. In July of 2017 after releasing Pablo Sandoval the Red Sox called up Devers and he has been making an impact with the team ever since. Devers first career hit was a home run becoming the youngest Red Sox since Tony Conigliaro in 1965.


Tyler Danish and Austin Meadows

Tyler Danish went to the 2011 and 2012 WWBA World Championship with Chet Lemon’s Juice helping lead the team to a second-place finish at the tournament while earning MVP Pitcher honors. Danish was a player who would take the ball whenever asked and always getting results including not giving up a run during his high school season as a senior. Danish was a second round pick by the Chicago White Sox. Danish made his MLB debut in 2016 with the White Sox making a few relief appearances. In 2017 Danish earned his first big league win throwing five shutout innings over the Tigers.

Austin Meadows participated in the National Showcase in 2012 while also playing in the 2012 WWBA National Championship with Team Elite helping lead the team to the playoffs that year. Meadows showed all his tools off in Jupiter hitting the ball over the yard showing off big time power potential with tons of bat speed. After hitting .535 his senior season Meadows was selected ninth overall by the Pirates in the 2013 MLB Draft. Meadows advanced a level a year having his contract purchased May of this year. Meadows started off his career hot earning the NL Rookie of the Month in May. At the trade deadline Meadows was one of the centerpieces of a trade that sent him to the Rays earning a September call up with them.


Lance McCullers and Corey Seager

Lane McCullers attended the WWBA World Championships in 2008, 2009, and 2010. In 2010 McCullers topping out at 96 mph in one of the more impressive performances of the year in Jupiter. In 2011 McCullers attend both the National Showcase and was selected to play in the Perfect Game All-American Classic. McCullers followed up a strong 2011 summer by being named the 2012 National Gatorade Baseball Player of the Year in 2012. The Astros made McCullers their second first round pick of the draft that year teaming him up with Carlos Correa as future stars of the franchise. The Astros called him up in May of 2015 and inserted McCullers into the starting rotation right away. After earning his first All-Star selection in 2017 McCullers helped the Astros make the playoffs earning a four-inning save in Game 7 of the ALCS to help lead the Astros to the World Series. McCullers earned two starts in the World Series helping the Astros win the first championship for the organization.

Corey Seager was selected to the 2011 National Showcase as well as the 2011 Perfect Game All-American Classic while also playing in the 2010 and 2011 WWBA World Championships with the Dirtbags out of North Carolina. Seager’s Dirtbags team earned a share of the title in 2010. Seager was selected by the Dodgers with the 18th pick in the 2012 draft. Seager was a September called up in 2015 for the Dodgers playing well enough to prove he should be the starting short stop in 2016 for the Dodgers. In 2016 Seager became the youngest player to start at short on opening day since 1944. Seager has been named an All-Star twice, earning NL Rookie of the Year in 2016 and leading the dodgers to the World Series in 2017.


Walker Buehler and Alex Bregman

Walker Buehler played in the 2010 WWBA World Championship as part of a pitching staff which included Matt Wisler and Aaron Nola helping the team reach the quarterfinals of the tournament that year. Buehler used that performance to earn a trip to the 2011 National Showcase. Buehler was drafted out of high school by the Pirates but decided to go to college and pitch for Vanderbilt. While at Vanderbilt he led the team to a College World Series Championship in 2014 getting the start in Game 1. In 2015 the Dodgers made Buehler their first selection with the 24thpick in the draft. In 2016 he was selected as the Dodgers minor league Pitcher of the Year earning a September call up in 2017. Buehler made his first start in 2018 April 23dominating hitters throughout the year Buehler threw a combined no-hitter in May and was entrusted in the Dodgers NL West Tie-Breaker game earning a win to push the Dodgers to be the NL West Champs.

Alex Bregman played in the 2011 WWBA World Championship with FTB Mizuno/Cardinals Scout Team which included current big league stars Albert Almora, David Dahl, Zach Eflin, and Jesse Winker. Bregman was also included in the 2011 National Showcase and Perfect Game All-American Classic. While in high school Bregman set the New Mexico state record for home runs in a season with 19 as a Junior. Bregman was drafted as a senior by the Red Sox but the lure of playing at LSU was too much to pass up and he decided to play college baseball. As a Freshman Bregman had a 23-game hit streak while also being selected as an All-American, SEC Freshman of the year and the Baton Rouge regional Most Outstanding Player. In 2015 the Astros selected Bregman with the second pick of the draft and LSU’s highest drafted position player ever. The Astros called him up at the end of July in 2015 and Bregman has been a mainstay in the Astros lineup ever since, helping lead the Astros to the 2017 World Series Championship and hoping to help them win back to back titles this year.


Michael Fulmer and Francisco Lindor

Michael Fulmer played in the 2010 WWBA World Championship with the Sandlot Sox team. When Fulmer came to Jupiter he was topped out at 91 mph with lots of arm speed and located his curveball for strikes. Fulmer was a first round selection of the Mets where he was with them until 2015 when he was the centerpiece of trade to the Tigers for Yoenis Cespedes. Fulmer made his MLB debut for the Tigers in April of 2016 earning his first major league win that same day. Fulmer won the AL Rookie of the year the following year in 2017 and was selected to the All-Star game in 2017 as well.

Francisco Lindor went to the 2009 and 2010 WWBA World Championships earning a third place finish in 2010 playing with FTB Mizuno and on a team with future MLB players Javier Baez, Zach Eflin, Jose Fernandez, Jakob Junis, Henry Owens, Daniel Vogelbach and Jesse Winker. Lindor was also a participant in the 2010 National Showcase and Perfect Game All-American Classic. Lindor was the eight overall pick by the Indians at the 2011 MLB draft and was has been a superstar ever since. Making his debut in 2015 Lindor has been a three-time All-Star while also winning a Gold Glove in 2016 and leading the Indians to a World Series appearance in 2016 has been in the top 10 of MVP voting in both 2016 and 2017.


Jordan Hicks and Brendan Rodgers

Jordan Hicks played his travel baseball with the Houston Heat organization coming to the WWBA World Championship in 2014. Hicks showed an electric fast arm in Jupiter with his fastball topping out at 93 mph. The Cardinals made Hicks a third round selection in the 2015 MLB Draft. Hicks come to the spring training this year as a non-roster invite and made the Big League team in part because of his explosive fastball. In May Hicks tied the MLB record for fastest recorded pitch with a 105.1 mph fastball. Hicks will be looking to build on a successful season with the Cardinals and become either a main cog in the rotation or a dynamic arm out of the bullpen.

Brendan Rodgers played in numerous events coming up with the Orlando Scorpions 2012-2014 along with participating in the 2014 National Showcase and the 2014 Perfect Game All-American Classic. Rodgers was the third overall pick by the Rockies in 2015 and has been billed as the short stop of the future for them. He made it up to triple AAA Albuquerque this year and looks to be near to making the MLB club.


Ian Anderson and Gavin Lux

Ian Anderson attended the 2014 WWBA World Championship with Syracuse Sports Zone. Anderson showed well enough to earn an invite to the 2015 National Showcase and 2015 Perfect Game All-American Classic game. Even though he was committed to Vanderbilt University the Atlanta Braves selected him with the third overall pick in the 2016 MLB Draft. Anderson made his way to double AA with the Mississippi Braves and will be looking to join the MLB rotation shortly as the Braves look to build on this season’s NL East division Championship.

Gavin Lux played in the 2014 and 2015 WWBA World Championships with a couple of different teams. Lux had a strong showing with Midland Redskins in 2014 helping spring board him to receive an invite to the 2015 National Showcase and showing well enough at that event to be selected to the 2015 Perfect Game All-American Classic game. Lux was selected as the 2016 Wisconsin Gatorade Player of the Year his senior season. Even with a strong commitment to Arizona State the Dodgers selected Lux with their first pick in the first round of the 2016 MLB Draft. Lux signed with the Dodgers forgoing his college career and it’s a move that looks to be paying off for the dodgers. In just his second whole season with the Dodgers Lux spent the end of the 2018 season in double AA Tulsa hitting a combined .324 with 15 home runs between high A and Double AA while also being named the Dodgers Minor League Player of the Year this year.


Matt Tabor and Tristan Beck

Matt Tabor had come to many events by the time the 2016 WWBA World Championship with Northeast Baseball. Tabor topped out at 91mph in Jupiter mixing in two off-speed pitches for strikes. Tabor was selected in the third round of the 2017 MLB draft by the Diamondbacks. Tabor signed with the D-Backs pitching in the Arizona League last year and the Northwest League this year. Tabor had a solid 2018 and is looking to continue working his way to the big league club.

Austin Beck played in the 2015 WWBA World Championship with the Dirtbags and helped them advance to the Quarterfinals. Beck was poised for a big year on the summer circuit in 2016 until an ACL Injury during his high school season derailed him. Beck bounced back with a big senior year proving to scouts he was deserving of a high selection. The A’s made him the sixth overall selection in the 2017 draft signing him to a franchise record contract. Beck spent the 2018 season in the Midwest League.


Matthew Liberatore and Jared Kelenic

Matthew Liberatore played with the Central Florida Gators the last few years of his travel ball career. Liberatore was also selected to play in both the 2017 National Showcase and the 2017 Perfect Game All-American Classic. Liberatore struck out 104 batters in 60 innings his senior year and was chosen as the Gatorade Baseball Player of the Year. With Liberatore having committed to in state Arizona it was going to take a team selecting him early to get him away from college and that’s exactly what the Rays did making him the 16th overall selection in the 2018 MLB Draft. Liberatore had a short stint in the minors this year as teams are normally cautious with high school arms in their first season of pro ball, but in 32 2/3innings Liberatore struck out 37 batters while only allowing five earned runs.

Jarred Kelenic played in most Perfect Game tournament with the Racine, Wis.-based Hitters organization. Kelenic showed he was a star from the first time we saw him earning invites to the Underclass All-American Games, the 2017 National Showcase as well as the 2017 Perfect Game All-American Classic. He was named the MVP of team USA U-18 team which won Gold at the Pan American games and was a Louisville commit. The Mets made him their first pick of the 2018 MLB Draft selecting him with the sixth overall pick. In his first year with the Mets organization he made it to the Appalachian League hitting a combined .286.
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