THE WORLD'S LARGEST AND MOST COMPREHENSIVE SCOUTING ORGANIZATION
| 2,031 MLB PLAYERS | 14,466 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
2,031 MLB PLAYERS | 14,466 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
Sign in Create Account
Sign in Create Account
Leagues  | Story | 3/26/2021

Specht carries Dubuque Co. banner

Jeff Dahn
Photo: Tommy Specht (Perfect Game)

MARION, Iowa – The Mississippi River stands alone as an impressive front porch to the Iowa city of Dubuque, which sits west of a wide bend on the iconic river with the states of Wisconsin and Illinois positioned side-by-side on the opposite banks.

And while no one can say for sure that the Mighty Miss plays any noteworthy role in what has been happening on the amateur baseball scene in that corner of the state recently, one cannot help but wonder if there really is something special in the water the residents of Dubuque County are drinking.



For a third straight high school graduating class, one of the top two-ranked prospects in the state of Iowa calls Dubuque County home, with Dubuque Wahlert Catholic High School junior Tommy Specht the most recent member of the coalition.

Standing there with him are 2019 Perfect Game All-American Calvin Harris from Peosta, a 2020 graduate of Western Dubuque HS in Epworth, and 2020 PG All-American Ian Moller from Dubuque, a senior at Wahlert Catholic who walks the same school hallways as Specht.

It’s a small world, indeed, in that little pocket of northeast Iowa, made even smaller by the fact that all three either were or still are active participants in the PG Iowa Spring League, which began its 26th season last weekend (25th if you consider the 2020 season was cancelled by COVID-19 after one week of play).

The catcher Harris, ranked the No. 2 overall prospect in Iowa in 2020, played in the PGISL in 2018-19, and was named the League’s MVP in 2019. The catcher Moller, the No. 1-ranked overall prospect in the state (No. 5 nationally) in 2021, is playing in his fourth PGISL season this year.

They cleared the path for Specht, an athletic outfielder ranked as the No. 51 overall national prospect (No. 1 in Iowa) in the class of 2022, who played in the PGISL in 2019 and was rostered again in 2020 before the shutdown. He is teammates this season with Moller on an Iowa Select Evans 2021 squad that features many of the League’s top prospects.

“It’s good to finally get outside after being inside for so long,” Specht told PG last Sunday before Select Evans was set to take the field at the Prospect Meadows Sports Complex for a nine-inning game against Iowa Sticks Scout 2021. “Even though it’s cold and the pitchers normally dominate these types of spring games, it’s just good to get out here and start seeing some live action.”

The chilly – OK, full disclosure here, it was cold – and windy conditions at Prospect Meadows on March 21 didn’t seem to effect the players all that much, although most were wearing sweatshirts under their game jerseys.

And as Tommy’s dad, Mike Specht, pointed out, it’s really one of those things that these Midwestern players can wear as a badge of honor as they show college recruiters and pro scouts they’re ready to perform at a high level regardless of the conditions; more than ready, in fact, to do all the little things that won’t go unnoticed.

“It’s great to be out here in the Iowa Spring League and get some live looks and get the ice chips off of you,” Mike said. “As it progresses into April and it warms up a little bit, the more you can see live pitching the better you are. (Tommy) works day-in and day-out in the cage and it’s time to see the open field now.”

Tommy Specht, a 6-foot-3, 195-pounder who hits from the left side and throws from the right, knows all about getting out on the open field and performing at a very high level. Keeping in mind that Iowa plays a summer high school season that can limit a player’s summertime travel, he’s now been rostered at 24 PG events since the fall of 2017; Specht has also played on the Wahlert Golden Eagles varsity team since the summer before his freshman year when he was still classified as an eighth grader.

Iowa’s summer season creates conflicts for the most high-profile prospects, especially for those who will be seniors in the fall. The summer between a player’s junior and senior years is very important from the standpoint of valuable exposure in front of college recruiters and pro scouts, and those decision-makers won’t necessarily be sitting at a high school field in rural Iowa in June and July.

Specht, who has committed to SEC stalwart Kentucky, is blessed in that he can enjoy the best of all worlds. He is very close with Wahlert head coach Kory Tuescher who, according to Mike Specht, has played a big role in his son’s development as both a player and a person, and Tommy has excelled in that environment.

He played in 39 varsity games as a freshman, hit .345 (30 hits, 10 extra-base) with nine RBI and 19 runs scored and in last year’s Covid-shortened sophomore season, he played in 18 games and hit .525 (21 hits, 8 extra-base) with 20 RBI and 16 runs. And now his junior season awaits.

“I’m going to definitely make what I’m able to make,” Specht said of his plans for playing with the Golden Eagles this summer. “There are definitely other events scattered here and there, but as of right now I’m going to play what I’m able to, for sure.”

One of those “scattered” events that Specht referred to is the 2021 PG National Showcase, to which he has already accepted an invitation to attend. The PG National, the most heavily scouted amateur baseball showcase in the country for incoming seniors, will be held July 14-18 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla., the home of the Tampa Bay Rays.

Because of his high national profile, Moller – an LSU signee and a projected first round pick in the 2021 MLB Draft – headed south to play travel ball from the outset of what has been a brilliant career, so he never played a summer season with Wahlert Catholic. That hasn’t kept the two standouts from becoming huge fans of one another.

“Ever since I was really young I’ve heard about Ian Moller, just being in the area and with all the stuff he’s done, so finally getting to play with him is really cool,” Specht said. “He’s someone I can definitely learn from and he’s for sure a great talent.”

For his part, Moller has started paying closer attention to the exploits of his schoolmate and likes what he sees.

“Tommy is a humble dude and I didn’t really know who he was at first because I’m not on social media like that; he’s so humble you’d never even know that you’re around him,” Moller said. “Then I saw some things about him, how he’s climbing (the prospect) rankings and he continues to climb; that’s important that you keep getting better.”

Specht was a four-time all-tournament selection at PG WWBA tournaments in 2020, three times while playing with Iowa Select Evans 2021, including at the PG WWBA World Championship (Jupiter); he was also all-tourney at the PG WWBA Underclass World Championship while playing with the Mississippi-based East Coast Sox Founders Club.

“I just love playing against good competition,” he said. “Whether you do good or bad, you’re always going to benefit from playing with top-level competition because it’s always going to challenge you. That’s why I love getting out to these big tournaments and just showing what I can do while I’m also improving as a player.”

In addition to his standout play at tournaments, Specht has earned Top Prospect List recognition at three PG showcases, most recently at the 2021 National Indoor Showcase held Feb. 20 in Lake St. Louis, Mo. He continued to open eyes at that event when he ran a 6.46-second 60 and threw 96 mph from the outfield.

There is no doubt that Tommy Specht’s development and progression with his game is continuing at a rapid pace, and it’s something he’s not only noticed but something he can use as a driving force on his way to maximizing his seemingly boundless potential.

“I think I’ve come a long way since I was a small, undersized eighth grader,” Specht said with a smile. “But I know I still have a lot more to (do) and I’m never content; I’m always looking for the next thing...It’s really just about being patient, knowing that everything is going to work out if you ultimately put the work in.

“Some things aren’t going to be there currently but if you just keep pushing and keep believing in yourself, ultimately things are going to pan out...I’m looking forward to what’s ahead of me.”

Tommy Specht credits his parents, Mike and Jennifer, as having had the biggest impact on his progression to date, if for no other reason than the sacrifices they’ve made just getting him everywhere he needs to be.

They are parents who fully understand the sacrifices athletes make on their respective journeys, having both been NCAA D-III athletes at Loras College in Dubuque, Mike in baseball and Jennifer in track and field. Jennifer, in fact, was a two-time All-American which led Mike to note that any role genetics may have played in Tommy’s ability to run that 6.46-second 60 definitely came from his mother.

“I think my parents have had the biggest impact just by believing in me from a young age and believing in my ability to do something great in this game,” he said.

Added Mike: “It’s a dream come true for a parent, and my wife and I have been really fortunate to have a kid that grinds, that works hard. He’s been focused ever since he was 10 years old that baseball is what he wants to be good at. In all walks of life you want to be great but with baseball he absolutely has a lot of drive.”

Mike Specht also goes out of his way to give credit to the many coaches who have helped his son along the way. It starts with Coach Tuescher at Wahlert Catholic and extends to his hitting coach, former Big League catcher Eric Munson, who owns and operates Gold Standard Athletics in Dubuque.

There is also coach/instructor Tim Evans from Perfect Game and coaches Joe Caruso, Eric Dubose and Mark Willoughby from the East Coast Sox organization.

Specht committed to Kentucky last September when virtual recruiting was the norm, telling PG that he just clicked immediately with Wildcats head coach Nick Mingione, recruiting coordinator Will Coggin and the rest of the Wildcats staff.

There were several other programs he was having conversations with at the time as well, but there was a connection he felt with the people in Lexington that he didn’t feel elsewhere. There was a sense of family, he said, and a sense of belonging right from the beginning.

“It’s been a great ride,” Tommy’s dad said. “The recruiting process was fantastic and he learned a lot. He grew a lot as a person which we thought as parents was invaluable when you get to talk to adults and the parents aren’t around. And then you get some good feedback that schools are interested in him because he’s a good kid, as well, and means more than anything.”

Mike Specht was effusive in his praise of Harris and Moeller, elite players who have provided a detailed road map for Tommy Specht to follow. Mike called Calvin and Ian “just good kids, good people” who reached PG’s biggest stages – the PG National Showcase and the PG All-American Classic – the summer before their senior years.

Count Moller among those who feels like Specht, who already has the PG National invite, belongs on those biggest of stages.

“I can see the progress from old videos up to now and you can tell he loves putting the work in; he’s a grinder,” Moller said. “I’m happy for him and I’m proud of him, especially coming from the same school and everything. I hope he continues to climb and goes to the PG All-American (Classic) this summer, in 2021, and goes to all those events that I went to last year.”

The PG Iowa Spring League gives Specht and Moller one final opportunity to perform together as teammates while continuing to grow their games. Specht has been involved with the Iowa Select since he was that kind of scrawny eighth grader and he loves getting out on the field during these PGISL games and mixing it up with a bunch of other talented players from across a three-state area.

And especially those from Iowa, with a little extra love thrown the direction of Dubuque County. Just listen to the way Moller, the highest-ranked prep prospect the state has ever produced, puts it.

“There are a lot of guys up there who are great that don’t get the credit for it just because it is Iowa,” Moller said. “I’m happy that Dubuque is starting to get on the map more, with Cal doing his thing down at Ole Miss now and me and Tommy are next in line whether it’s college or the draft...

“I’m happy that Dubuque is getting some publicity now; we deserve it,” he concluded. “I’m happy that the kids from Dubuque are starting to make it out.”
Give us your feedback
Leagues | Story | 4/18/2023

Iowa Spring League Notebook: Week 3
Perfect Game Staff
Article Image
Joey Oakie (‘24, Ankeny, IA) touching 94 early this morning sitting 90-92. Oakie collected 4 K’s through 3 IP. Explosive arm and gets good ride on his fastball. Also flashed a good slider for strikes. Able to work himself out of a jam early. #PGSpringLeague #Iowa commit. pic.twitter.com/Ihdk3FsVOZ — Perfect Game Iowa (@IowaPG) April 15, 2023 Joey Oakie (2024, Ankeny, Iowa) threw his first warm up pitch of the day at 94 mph and did not disappoint in the rest of his performance. Oakie went on to throw three innings collecting four strikeouts, no base on balls, and one earned run. Oakie also adds a wicked slider that dips all the way down to 76 mph, keeping hitters honest. He has elite separation in his upper body and creates a ton of whip with explosive arm speed. Oakie was working the whole zone this weekend and showed some cut on his fastball as well. Oakie has already...
Read More
Tournaments | Story | 9/27/2023

Midwest Invitational Scout Notes

Tyler Kotila
Article Image
Creighton Tuzzio (2024, Clarinda, Iowa) took the ball in the semi-final game and was able to get on the bump and carve for his team. Tuzzio is a taller 6-foot-6, 210-pound frame with plenty to like in the operation. The right-handed pitcher has a slower and more controlled operation as he works through the delivery. He lifts the leg up around the belt and then works through a three-quarters release with good whip through it. The fastball worked up to 86 mph on the fastball and held in the low- to mid-80s. He creates some angle on it with the taller & projectable frame. It runs arm-side and can be a problem for right-handed hitters. He also showed a low-70s curveball with a bigger 11/5 tilt to it and good depth to miss some bats. The Iowa Western commit threw 5.0 innings, allowing just 1 run, with 4 walks and 6 strikeouts to his credit.   There’s no surprise here, but...
Read More
Tournaments | Story | 9/26/2023

WWBA World Championship Pool Preview

Perfect Game Staff
Article Image
Pool A Team Top Pos. Player RK Class Top Pitcher RK Class Location Boston Red Sox Scout Connor Lane 500 2024 Tague Davis 59 2024 Boston, MA Cangelosi Sparks Tyler Bell  122 2024 Brady Chambers 500 2024 Lockport, IL Dirtbags National 2024 Dalton Wentz 74 2024 Riley Leatherman 251 2024 Sedalia, NC Florida Burn Colton Schwarz 214 2025 Presley Woodson 500 2025 Sarasota, FL Projected Pool Winner: Dirtbags National 2024 With one of the deepest and most physical lineups in the nation, the Dirtbags National 2024 club have been putting up runs in bunches. No hitter is hotter than Austin Irby, as the ECU commit is While sluggers Dalton Wentz, Will Craddock and Palmer Hornick won’t be in attendance, Lee Sowers, Will Brooks, Jon Young Jr. and spark plug Carter Richardson lead an offense that averages over 7 runs per game. They can cover ground on...
Read More
Tournaments | Story | 9/26/2023

Coastal Soph. Fall Invite Scout Notes

Todd Coffey
Article Image
Michael Flores (2026, NC) looking great through 4 innings pitched with 11 k’s. Great command and completely missing barrels. #2023WWBACoastalSophmoreFallInvatational pic.twitter.com/Oqd3WD0E05 — PG Coastal Scouting (@PG_Coastal) September 24, 2023 Michael Flores (2026, Mooresville, NC) put on an electric performance to watch for the SBA Futures 2026 in their matchup versus the Carolina Reds. The 5-foot-10, 175-pound, RHP did his job for his team today to keep them in the game. Flores throws with a high leg lift and creates some good motions towards the plate with his whippy action. Flores has a great feel for the zone and pounded strikes at a 66% rate. Flores generated swing and miss after swing and miss and it was clear he was in control out there on the mound. He sat in the 70-mph range to 79-mph range with his fastball with the ability to pinpoint it wherever he pleased....
Read More
Tournaments | Story | 9/26/2023

Fall Frenzy Scout Notes

Jason Phillips
Article Image
James Sherry (’26, Aiken, S.C.)- the 6-foot-1, 155-pound right-handed pitcher tossed a complete game for Xtreme Xposure Baseball-Bennett in an 8-1 win over 2 Way Athletics 16U. A primary outfielder, Sherry finished with 15 strikeouts and just one walk while controlling the zone at a 65% strike rate. Appearing in only his second PG tournament, Sherry turned in another great pitching performance after being selected to the All-Tournament Team at the 2023 16U PG Southeast Labor Day Classic. Aidan Petrocco (‘24 GA)- singles here into LF to load the bases for @643DPAthletics Primary MIF 2-for-4 w/ run scored on the day. #FallFrenzy @PG_Uncommitted pic.twitter.com/Ly7zEuRwyg — Perfect Game Georgia (@PG_Georgia) September 24, 2023 Aidan Petrocco (’24, Johns Creek, Ga.)- the 5-foot-9, 160-pound right-handed hitter for 643 DP Cougars 18U led the 18U Southeast Fall Frenzy...
Read More
Tournaments | Story | 9/27/2023

Sophomore WWBA Scout Notes: Day 3-5

Kyler Peterson
Article Image
A high speed look at this 2B from Keon Johnson... #WWBAWorlds @PG_Georgia https://t.co/Ejl8GirIgk pic.twitter.com/ate7ro35cp — Perfect Game Scout (@PG_Scouting) September 24, 2023 Keon Johnson (2026, Macon, Ga.) started off the morning loud, going down to get a pitch down and smoking a double that split the opposite field gap at a 92 mph exit velocity. The shortstop has one of the best hit tools in the class and has tremendous feel for the barrel. The swing is quiet and simple, staying loose through the zone. The ball jumps and the parts really work. At short, Johnson looked silky with good actions, range, and plenty of arm strength across. The game comes easy for the Georgia native, and still just 15, the all-around game is very well-refined for the age.  Jaxson Wood (2026, Hoover, Ala.) finished batting .500 over the tournament, including three extra-base hits. The primary...
Read More
Tournaments | Story | 9/25/2023

Deep South Fall Invitational Scout Notes

Alex Dorso
Article Image
Patrick Kovacs (2026 Knoxville TN) was dominant in his outing in game two of pool play for Exposure National. The southpaw tossed three scoreless innings allowing two hits while striking out eight. He showed plus command of the fastball dotting it to both sides of the plate while working off the corners at times. Patrick sat 75-78 topping at 79 multiple times throughout. He mixed in a tight breaking ball with two plane movement that he had no problem mixing in any count keeping the opposing hitters off balanced in the box. Coming from a mid 3/4s slot there was some deception within the operation making it tough to pick the fastball up out of the hand. The frame has plenty of athleticism within with plenty of more room for additional strength as he continues to mature. Kovacs should be a fun follow as he continues to progress through high school. Ryan Riojas (‘26 TN) drives this...
Read More
Tournaments | Story | 9/24/2023

Sophomore WWBA Scout Notes: Day 3

Troy Sutherland
Article Image
Sophomore WWBA Scout Notes: Days 1-2 Extended look at Gunnar Garrison... 7 IP, 1 H, OER, 13 K, 1 BB (70% K) #WWBAWorlds @PG_FourCorners https://t.co/V89oASpD8r pic.twitter.com/tsP1mWCoNz — Perfect Game Scout (@PG_Scouting) September 21, 2023 Colorado right-hander Gunnar Garrison (2026, Eaton, Colo.) was magnificent in his start for Slammers Anderson 2026’s. The big and physical 6-foot-4, 210-pound arm threw a complete game, seven inning, one-hit shutout, striking out 13 and walking one. The fastball had downhill life to it, sitting in the 85-88 range for the entirety of the game. Garrison held the velocity and reached back for his fastest bullet of the game, at 89, in the seventh inning. Finishing the outing with 70% strikes, he filled up the zone and went right at hitters. He also induced swing-and-miss on a curveball, featuring late...
Read More
Tournaments | Story | 9/22/2023

Northeast Qualifier Scout Notes

John McAdams
Article Image
Jack Harley (2024, Mendham, NJ) put together a dominant performance at the plate in the WWBA NEQ, leading his team to a coveted Jupiter bid while also earning MVP-honors. The 6-foot-1 left-handed hitter showcased his advanced bat-to-ball skills on several occasions. He batted .643 with two doubles, a home run and six stolen bases. Harley utilizes a repeatable, synced-up stroke with clean separation into launch. He has a great feel for the barrel and creates good strength at impact to all parts of the diamond. The future Hokie recorded a hit in all six of his games and proved to be a reliable bat at the top-of-the-order for Clubhouse 2024 EvoShield. Harley’s build offers a good balance of strength and athleticism, making him a well-rounded prospect with intriguing upside moving forward.  .#VandyBoys commit Aiden O’Connell (‘24, NH) is back on the bump in the #NEQ...
Read More
Tournaments | Story | 9/23/2023

Sophomore WWBA Scout Notes: Days 1-2

Vincent Cervino
Article Image
Nathan Caldwell (2026, Columbia, S.C.) looked the part in the batter’s box as the Team Elite three-hole hitter had one of the hardest hit balls of the day. There’s really impressive bat speed and the ability to create violence and rotational acceleration through contact. He missiled a single during the game and there looks like there’s going to be pretty significant impact potential long term. He’s a strong kid with good indicators and offensive tools to like. Drew Borkowski (2026, Huntley, Ill.) showed plenty to like in the arm as he got the start in game one on the day for GRB. At 6-foot-1, 170-pounds he’s got a lanky frame with long limbs and plenty of room for physical projection. It’s a quick arm with solid arm speed throughout and he opened up sitting 85-87 mph with the fastball. The fastball showed good sinking life and he used it to get a lot...
Read More
College | Story | 9/22/2023

Cape Cod Top 2025 Prospect List

Vincent Cervino
Article Image
Earlier this week we debuted our Cape Cod Top 100 Prospect List and mixed amongst the 100 names were some 2025 graduates who will be eligible for the upcoming 2024 MLB Draft. Below, each of the 50 names are eligible in 2025 and those listed with an "^" are continuing their careers at a new school this fall.  Name Pos. Team School Hometown State Adonys Guzman^ C Bourne Arizona Valley Cottage NY Aidan Jimenez RHP Chatham Oregon State Elk Grove CA Anthony Martinez 1B YD UC Irvine Fairfield CA Ben Jacobs LHP Bourne UCLA Huntington Beach CA Bradley Hodges LHP Hyannis Virginia Fleming Island FL Brady Neal C YD LSU Tallahassee FL Brody Donay^ C/1B Hyannis Florida Lakeland FL Caden Bodine C Bourne Coastal Carolina Haddon Heights NJ Cam Leiter^ RHP Orleans Florida State Island Heights FL Cannon Peebles^ C Cotuit Tennessee Mechanicsville VA Drew Faurot^ SS Orleans Florida State Tallahassee FL...
Read More
Loading more articles...
About Perfect Game :: Contact us :: Terms of Use :: Privacy Policy :: Testimonials :: Job Opportunities
Copyright 1994-2026 by Perfect Game. All rights reserved. No portion of this information may be reprinted or reproduced without the written consent of Perfect Game.