The annual WWBA World Championship in Jupiter, Florida, hosted by Perfect Game USA, is one of the premier opportunities for amateur baseball players from around the country to put their skills on display for college coaches and professional scouts and executives. The five-day event is a culmination of the regional WWBA qualifiers that occurred throughout the summer and early fall, and pits the elites of the high school baseball circuit against each other in an 80-plus team tournament consisting of a four-game pool play round followed by a 32-team single-elimination playoff.
Over the coming weeks we will be featuring video highlights from this year’s action in Jupiter, as well as other amateur action from the summer and fall, all in preparation for the 2017 MLB Draft. These videos, and more, can be found in our MLB Draft Video Library – we are updating regularly, so check in early and often.
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Zach Sehgal, SS, La Jolla (La Jolla, CA)
Ht/Wt: 6’1”/220 B/T: R/R Age (as of 2017 MLB Draft): 18y, 6m
Commit: Stanford Univ.
Despite collecting just three hits in his 16 Jupiter at-bats, Sehgal impressed with his ability to drive the ball to each part of the park. Additionally, Sehgal was perfect in his stolen base attempts throughout the tournament, swiping three bases without being caught. The Stanford commit got the start at shortstop for Tri-State Arsenal Prime in their matchup against the Houston Banditos.
Nick Allen, SS, Francis W. Parker (San Diego, CA)
Ht/Wt: 5’9”/154 B/T: R/R Age (as of 2017 MLB Draft): 18y, 8m
Commit: Univ. of Southern California
A consistently impressive performer on the summer showcase circuit, Allen saw just two hits fall in 20 at-bats down in Jupiter. Nevertheless, Allen contributed greatly from the shortstop position, showing plus ability all around at the six-spot including quick hands and transfers, a good first step, and solid range to go with a well-above average arm.
Joey Loperfido, SS, Haddonfield Memorial (Haddonfield, NJ)
Ht/Wt: 6’4”/195 B/T: L/R Age (as of 2017 MLB Draft): 18y, 1m
Commit: Duke Univ.
Boasting a strong, athletic build, Joey Loperfido made most of his hard contact to the opposite field while in Jupiter, showing solid feel for the barrel. The Duke commit had three hits in 17 at-bats overall, including an opposite field double to left. He was a perfect three-for-three on stolen base attempts, as well.
Brendan Bean, 1B, Gloucester Catholic (North Wildwood, NJ)
Ht/Wt: 6’1”/212 B/T: L/L Age (as of 2017 MLB Draft): 17y, 10m
Commit: Univ. of Pennsylvania
Tri-State Arsenal Prime’s first baseman totaled three hits at Perfect Game’s flagship event, showing some patience and approach along the way collecting three walks. The thickly-built lefty showed solid pop to the pull side and produced a deep fly out to left, as well. In addition to his contributions at the plate, Bean tallied two saves and tossed four total innings. He struck out seven and allowed one run.
David Lamanna, C, Bergen Catholic (Saddle River, NJ)
Ht/Wt: 5’11”/170 B/T: R/R Age (as of 2017 MLB Draft): 18y, 9m
Commit: Univ. of Notre Dame
Used primarily as a catcher for Tri-State Arsenal Prime, Lamanna went three-for-11 at the plate, including one double. Lamanna’s gap-to-gap ability was impressive, as he peppered each part of the outfield with line drives and fly balls throughout the weekend. Behind the plate, the Notre Dame commit gunned down one runner but was a bit inconsistent in his catch-and-throw game. He doubles as a shortstop for Bergen Catholic, though he did not get the chance to play in the middle infield in Jupiter.
Ivan Johnson, SS, Kennesaw Mountain (Atlanta, GA)
Ht/Wt: 6’0”/188 B/T: S/R Age (as of 2017 MLB Draft): 18y, 8m
Commit: Univ. of Georgia
Johnson totaled seven hits at the WWBA World Championship, including two triples, and drove in four runs and scored five times for Team Elite Prime. The Georgia commit started at shortstop throughout the tournament and was successful on 21 of his 22 chances. He turned two double plays, as well. Johnson, a switch-hitter, made solid contact to each part of the field, and had base hits to both left and right field.
Connor Tate, SS, Oconee County (Bishop, GA)
Ht/Wt: 6’3”/182 B/T: R/R Age (as of 2017 MLB Draft): 18y, 7m
Commit: Univ. of Georgia
Tate singled five times and reached base twice via walk during a highly successful tournament showing. In addition to his offensive contributions, the Peach State product held down shortstop for Team Elite Prime and handled himself well, going a perfect 13-for-13 on defensive chances.
Bo Majkowski, OF, Johns Creek (Johns Creek, GA)
Ht/Wt: 5’11”/180 B/T: L/R Age (as of 2017 MLB Draft): 18y, 11m
Commit: Clemson Univ.
The Johns Creek native had six hits in 14 trips in Jupiter, including a double. Like many of his teammates, Majkowski showed a gap-to-gap approach throughout the tournament, though most of his hard contact was to the opposite field. The Clemson commit started in left field in Team Elite Prime’s matchup against the Orlando Scorpions. The son of former NFL quarterback Don Majkowski, Bo projects as a corner player long term, with experience in both corner-outfield spots.
Tyler Freeman, SS, Etiwanda (Rancho Cucamonga, CA)
Ht/Wt: 6’0”, 170 B/T: R/R Age (as of 2017 MLB Draft): 18y, 0m
Commit: Texas Christian Univ.
Freeman had one of the most impressive performances of anyone at the WWBA World Championship, notching 10 hits in 19 at-bats, including a double and a triple, while also stealing four bases in four attempts. Freeman, who started at second base for CBA Marucci, was successful in each of the 12 defensive chances he had. He showed a strong arm in his matchup against the Astros Scout Team/Elite Squad Prime, including on one occasion making a laser throw to third base from the outfield grass to record an out on a relay from right field.
Antonio Menendez, RHP, Herndon (Herndon, VA)
Ht/Wt: 6’4”/190 B/T: R/R Age (as of 2017 MLB Draft): 18y, 3m
Commit: Wake Forest Univ.
Sidearm pitcher Antonio Menendez utilized a fastball, changeup and two breaking pitches in a complete game shutout effort against CBA Marucci. The fastball, which sat 84-to-86 mph and topped out at 87, had above-average run and sink. His primary breaking pitch was a slider that showed two-plane depth, though he showed a frisbee curve, as well. A Wake Forest commit, Menendez struck out seven and walked one against the tough CBA Marucci lineup. For the tournament, he threw 10-plus innings, allowing just one run and fanning eight.
