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Tournaments  | Story | 10/7/2012

Burn eyes 2nd PG national title

Photo: Perfect Game

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- The Florida Burn Orange aren't exactly boiling in their boots with championship fever, but there's certainly something percolating inside the Burn's bloodstream.

Only about 2 1/2 months after the Florida Burn won the inaugural 16u Perfect Game World Series in Marietta, Ga., to claim the organizations' first PG national championship, many of the same young prospects that won championship gold in Marietta are in position to make another run for the rings here on Monday. And they couldn't be more relaxed.

"It's fun just getting out and playing the game just for fun, with no pressure or anything or no one really looking at stats," Dalton Guthrie, one of the country's top shortstop prospects in the class of 2014, said Sunday afternoon from the jetBlue Player Development Complex. "It's just about having fun and winning the games for your team."

Dalton Guthrie's comments came after the Burn Orange beat Baseball U Texas Orange, 4-0, Sunday in a second-round playoff game at the PG WWBA Underclass World Championship.

The second-seeded Burn Orange then clipped the No. 15 Dulins Dodgers, 3-2, in the third round to advance to Monday's quarterfinals. Florida Burn Orange earned the No. 2 seed in the playoffs by whipping three pool-play foes by a combined 19-1.

The quarterfinals were originally scheduled to be played on Sunday night, but rain on Friday and Saturday made several of the fields in the area intended for use unplayable. Consequently, the quarters were pushed back to Monday at 8:30 a.m. on four fields at the jetBlue Complex, with the semifinals slated to begin at 11 a.m. on two jetBlue practice fields; the championship game is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. at sparkling jetBlue Park.

All eight quarterfinalists are 5-0 heading into Monday morning, with the parings as follows: No. 18 Orlando Scorpions 17u Black vs. No. 8 NVTBL Stars-White; East Cobb Braves vs. Orlando Scorpions 17u Purple (yes, there are two Orlando Scorpions squads left standing in the final eight); No. 2 Florida Burn Orange  vs. No. 10 Team Elite Chain; and No. 3 Palm Beach County PAL vs. No. 22 Marucci Elite.

No real surprises there at all.

"We expect to do well in this tournament," Dalton Guthrie said. "We're trying to perform and get seen and help each other get seen."

This team is coached by and the organization was founded by former big-league pitcher Mark Guthrie, Dalton's dad. Guthrie pitched for 15 years from 1989 through 2003 in the major leagues with eight teams, including his first seven seasons with the Minnesota Twins. He was a seventh-round draft pick of the Twins out of LSU in the 1987 MLB amateur draft.

"We're not scalding the ball, but we've had some pretty decent pitching and our pitchers have done a really nice job of moving the ball around," Mark Guthrie said Sunday. "We've played really solid defense -- knock on wood -- but it's just been a great experience again for our guys. To get the exposure they get down here ... and we've had a few games in the (spring training) stadiums, so it's been really nice."

Dalton Guthrie is one several highly ranked prospects on the Florida Burn Orange roster. The highest-ranked is outfielder/first baseman/right-hander Brandon Elmy (2014, Osprey, Fla.) who comes in at No. 74 nationally. Dalton Guthrie (2014, Sarasota, Fla.) is ranked No. 92 nationally and right-hander Chris Hopkins lands at No. 238.

Dalton Guthrie, top-1,000-ranked Deacon Liput (2014, Oviedo, Fla.) and unranked Michael Rivera (2014, Venice, Fla.) are all University of Florida commits. Unranked Ryan Miller (2014, Sarasota, Fla.) has committed to Florida Atlantic.

Coach Guthrie had Liput, his son Dalton, Elmy and Rivera batting 1 through 4 in the lineup against Baseball U Texas Orange.

"We're very fortunate to have them," Guthrie said. "They've really worked hard ... but really all of these kids have. We have a lot of kids that still aren't committed for one reason or another that we're excited about, and they still draw a lot of attention and people come out to see them play.

"It's my theory that the kids learn more from each other than they do from us, and to be around a solid group like they are is the most important thing."

Coach Guthrie said that after the 16u PG World Series that first week of August, his 16u team basically took the next six weeks off. It played in one fall event a week ago, but this is otherwise its first taste of action since winning the 16u PGWS. Unofficially, 11 players that are the roster here this weekend were on the national championship roster in Marietta in early August.

Dalton Guthrie remembers well that championship feeling from nearly seven weeks ago.

"Just being up there with your team for the whole week and hanging out in each other's hotel rooms between games, it was more like a vacation," Dalton said. "And then, you get to play a game that you love, but really it was more like a vacation then anything. There wasn't any pressure."

Coach Guthrie will have a Florida Burn team in the field at this week's PG WWBA Florida Qualifier here in Fort Myers with the hope it can win the darn thing and earn an expense-paid invitation to the PG WWBA World Championship in Jupiter on the Atlantic Ocean side of the state.

"That will be these guys, and we'll have our seniors with us, too, so we'll be in good shape pitching-wise," Guthrie said of the team he will bring to the Florida Qualifier. "This event is great and the competition is awesome but we're not going to sell our souls to win it. We're going to hold our (pitchers') innings down."

Mark Guthrie is also keeping an eye on the other prize. He's fully aware that only three of the young prospects on his 20-man roster here have secured college offers, and he'd like that to change. He just doesn't want anyone doing anything goofy.

"It's our theory that as long as you immerse yourself into the game, the other stuff will take care of itself," Guthrie said. "We don't want guys getting showcase happy or doing things to impress the scouts; just do what they do and play the game and try to get noticed that way."

Dalton Guthrie prefers to take the practical approach.

"We play like we expect to be an elite team and we expect good things from ourselves," he said. "We play like we expect we should be winning tournaments like this."


Tournaments | Story | 9/27/2023

Midwest Invitational Scout Notes

Tyler Kotila
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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...
Tournaments | Story | 9/26/2023

WWBA World Championship Pool Preview

Perfect Game Staff
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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...
Tournaments | Story | 9/26/2023

Coastal Soph. Fall Invite Scout Notes

Todd Coffey
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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....
Tournaments | Story | 9/26/2023

Fall Frenzy Scout Notes

Jason Phillips
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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...
Tournaments | Story | 9/27/2023

Sophomore WWBA Scout Notes: Day 3-5

Kyler Peterson
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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...
Tournaments | Story | 9/25/2023

Deep South Fall Invitational Scout Notes

Alex Dorso
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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...
Tournaments | Story | 9/24/2023

Sophomore WWBA Scout Notes: Day 3

Troy Sutherland
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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...
Tournaments | Story | 9/22/2023

Northeast Qualifier Scout Notes

John McAdams
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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...
Tournaments | Story | 9/23/2023

Sophomore WWBA Scout Notes: Days 1-2

Vincent Cervino
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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...
College | Story | 9/22/2023

Cape Cod Top 2025 Prospect List

Vincent Cervino
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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...
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