To put it bluntly, the 2016 Perfect Game All-American Classic on Sunday night was a borderline disaster, at least from a competitive standpoint. The West ended up beating the East squad 13-0 in a game that saw the East commit six errors, issue six walks and look overmatched in every aspect of the game. Numerous times I saw multiple scouts look visibly uncomfortable by the talent disparity, and there was a great sense of relief when the proceedings came to an end.
Fortunately -- for me, anyway -- I was there to scout the game, not evaluate the fairness of the teams, and there were some good things on display.
Here’s a look at the players that stood out in the Perfect Game All-American Classic:
West roster
If it’s possible for a player to establish themselves as the best player in the class from just a summer, Hunter Greene from Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks, California, might have done it. Greene started the game on the mound, and he was 94-97 mph with his fastball, showing an above-average slider -- though not consistently -- and average changeup. If that weren’t enough, he also put on a show during batting practice, and ended up winning the home run derby before the game. Add in the fact that he can hold his own at shortstop, and you have a special player. He’s almost assuredly going to be drafted as a pitcher, but if that doesn’t work out, a power-hitting middle infielder is a pretty nice fallback.
Calvin Mitchell of Rancho Bernardo High School in San Diego was the runner-up to Greene in the derby, and while he doesn’t have elite size, he’s able to generate power thanks to above-average bat speed and a natural loft in his left-handed swing. He’s not just a power hitter, however, as the swing stays in the zone, and he should be able to make hard contact to all parts of the field. There are questions as to where he profiles defensively, but the bat might just play anywhere in the outfield.
Nick Allen, from Francis W. Parker School in San Diego, is going to be divisive among the industry because of his size (or lack thereof), but old-school scouts are going to love him because of how hard he plays. The word “scrappy” has come up multiple times when discussing him with scouts, and it fits. That said, Allen has talent as well. He has quick hands both at the plate and in the field, and he did a solid job of shooting the ball the other way. He’s an above-average runner with solid arm strength, so he has a chance to play a premium position. If he’s at second base, the value drops substantially, but someone is gonna give him a chance to play shortstop, especially in a class that’s lacking in players at the position.
I missed Alex Scherff (Prestonwood Christian Academy in Plano, Texas) at the Area Code Games, so I was pleased to get a chance to see him pitch Sunday night. The right-hander was up to 96 mph with his fastball, and he showed the makings of a plus changeup from excellent arm speed, although he didn’t command the pitch very well Sunday. He also showed an average curveball with decent spin and depth, and he threw all three pitches for strikes. The ceiling isn’t huge, but anytime you see a right-hander who can have two out pitches, you have to be pleasantly surprised.
Others of note: Royce Lewis (JSerra HS, San Juan Capistrano, California) was the game’s MVP after going 2-for-3 with a triple and three stolen bases. I have no idea where he’s going to play, but he’s darn interesting. Cole Turney (William Travis HS, Richmond, Texas) continues to be one of the few outfielders who has a chance to hit for average and power, and he had several quality at-bats during the event. Joe Boyle (Fort Zumwalt West HS, O’Fallon, Missouri) didn’t get a chance to throw many pitches, but he hit 95 with his fastball, and he has prototypical pitcher size (6-foot-6, 225 pounds).
East roster
Almost all of the East pitchers struggled, but things actually started out pleasantly enough with left-hander D.L. Hall (Houston County HS, Warner Robins, Georgia). The southpaw sat 92-94 mph with his fastball, and he showed the ability to spin a curveball, with the pitch flashing plus. He was also one of the few pitchers not on the West who showed the ability to locate those pitches, and the delivery was clean.
Greene and Mitchell may have been the stars of the home run derby, but no player showed more power potential than Alejandro Toral (Archbishop McCarthy HS, Southwest Ranches, Florida). The left-handed-hitting first baseman crushed several balls out of the park during batting practice, and he also showed the ability to hit the ball with authority to left field. The lack of athleticism means he’s going to have to play first base, but with a chance for 70-grade power (on the 20-80 scouting scale), it may not matter.
There’s always a surprise standout at these events, and this year that player was Tim Elko (Hillsborough HS, Tampa). A right-handed-hitting third baseman, Elko showed a swing that can make hard contact to all fields, with plus bat speed, while doing an excellent job of keeping his hands in. He’ll need to add some loft to his stroke, but if he does, there’s a chance for above-average power as well, maybe even plus. He showed a strong throwing arm as well, and there’s just enough athleticism here to give him a chance to stay at third base.
Others of note: After a spectacular showing at the Area Code Games last week, Jo Adell (Ballard HS, Louisville, Kentucky) wasn’t quite as good on Sunday, making an error on an overthrow and missing a few pitches he crushed in Long Beach. Terriez Fuller (Griffin, Georgia, HS) is massive, and the power potential is obvious. The question is if the other skills will allow that power to come into play. Logan Allen (University HS, Orange City, Florida) was the smallest pitcher on display, but also one of the most effective; the lefty touched 92 mph and threw two average secondary offerings for strikes.