Perfect Game's World Wood Bat Association World Championship, which wrapped up on Monday in Jupiter, Fla., is a team tournament. And it was the Florida Burn Platinum that won the title, beating a talent-laden Canes National team, 2-0.
Major League Baseball's Breakthrough Series team fared well in its first appearance in the 18-and-under event, winning its pool, then advancing to the second round in the championship bracket.
The scouts on hand all weekend, while appreciating the opportunity to watch players in a team competition, watch the hundreds of games for individual performances in this event that more or less marks the end of the summer showcase season.
There were plenty of good ones to note, especially on the offensive side of things. Many of the top high school pitchers did not attend the event, either shut down for the year or preparing to pitch for USA Baseball's 18U national team in international competition next month. After talking to several scouts in attendance, here is a top 10 performers list:
1. Bobby Witt Jr., SS, Colleyville Heritage HS (Texas): Witt has been at the top of nearly all Draft rankings, especially among high schoolers, and he showed why in Jupiter. The shortstop went 9-for-25 with a pair of doubles, five RBIs and six steals while recording among the top exit velocities (103.4 mph) and distances (367.7 feet) in the tournament. Even those who doubted walked away impressed, as one national crosschecker said, "I wasn't sold on Witt, and now I'm 100 percent sold."
Gif: Witt Jr. Batting
2. Brennan Malone, RHP, IMG Academy (Fla.): The only pitcher to make the list, Malone did what he's done all summer and lit up the radar gun better than any arm in attendance. The athletic right-hander touched 97 mph, though he struggled some with his command, with some feeling he's the best prep arm in the class.
3. Corbin Carroll, OF, Lakeside HS (Wash.): The numbers don't look great, as he went 3-for-20, though one was a home run and scouts praised his overall approach (.370 on-base percentage despite hitting just .150). Scouts see a true center fielder who can defend with a plus hit tool, one with more extra-base ability than home-run power currently.
4. Riley Greene, OF, Hagerty HS (Fla.): Thought by many to be the best pure high school hitter in the class, Greene lived up to that billing by hitting .429 (6-for-14) with a double and two triples. He profiles well as a plus hitter and a future corner outfielder.
5. Brett Baty, 3B/1B, Lake Travis HS (Texas): He has as much, if not more, raw power from the left side as anyone in the Draft class, and while he didn't go deep in Jupiter, he recorded one of the better distances (395.2 feet) in the tournament. Some think he could be the 2019 version of '18 first-round pick Triston Casas.
6. Rece Hinds, SS, IMG Academy (Fla.): Hinds might be the only one in the high school class with more power than Baty, and he showed it off with an opposite-field home run at the start of the tournament that traveled 389.4 feet and left the bat at 99 mph.
Gif: Hinds Batting
7. Matthew Lugo, SS, Carlos Beltran Baseball Academy (P.R.): One of the top talents in Puerto Rico for 2019, Lugo shows good pop for his size and an advanced approach at the plate. That has even more value given many feel he can stay at shortstop long-term.
8. Sammy Siani, OF, William Penn Charter (Pa.): The younger brother of Mike, who was drafted by the Reds in the fourth round of the 2018 Draft, hit a homer that was 103 mph off the bat, and he also tripled on Day 3. Playing in only three games, Siani nonetheless stood out by going 5-for-8 with two triples, a homer and five RBIs, showing glimpses of all five tools.
9. Tyler Callihan, 3B, Providence HS (Fla.): While he might be a first baseman when all is said and done, few question his ability to hit, and he went 4-for-12 in Jupiter with a triple. He has shown the ability to make consistent hard contact throughout the summer.
10. Anthony Volpe, SS, Delbarton Prep (N.J.): As consistent as they come, Volpe shows solid all-around tools as a middle infielder with plus instincts. He also went 6-for-21 (.381) with a pair of doubles, five RBIs and three steals at the tournament.