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.
This week’s video package highlights 10 players from the 2018 MLB Draft class who stood out in Jupiter. 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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Manny Gonzalez, OF, Escuela Basilio Milan Hernandez (Toa Baja, PR)
Ht/Wt: 6’3”/ 160 B/T: R/R Age (as of 2018 MLB Draft): 17y, 9m
Commit: Florida International Univ.
Gonzalez, who started in right field in the Padres Scout Team/Chandler World’s matchup against Elite Squad Louisville Slugger, did not have many opportunities to contribute offensively throughout the WWBA World Championship. He did manage a double, however, in a matchup against Midland. Tall and athletic, he showed impressive speed and an above-average arm in the outfield.
Alexandro Bello, SS, City of Hialeah Education Academy
Ht/Wt: 5’8”/ 147 B/T: R/R Age (as of 2018 MLB Draft): 18y, 8m
Commit: Univ. of South Florida
Bello makes up for his undersized frame with plus speed, which he put on display repeatedly throughout his time in Jupiter. The South Florida commit went two-for-seven overall, though both of his times on base were due to beating out ground balls. Bello, who is used primarily as a shortstop, has compact, quick arm action, and solid carry on his throws.
Will Banfield, C, Brookwood (Lawrenceville, GA)
Ht/Wt: 6’0”/ 200 B/T: R/R Age (as of 2018 MLB Draft): 18y, 6m
Commit: Vanderbilt Univ.
In 20 at-bats, Banfield managed two doubles and a home run to go along with three walks. He showed impressive ability to hit the ball hard to each part of the field, as one of his doubles was to deep right field, and his other double and home run were to left field. Despite his power display, the Vandy commit is more heralded for his polish behind the plate. A skilled pitch framer and blocker, Banfield managed to show off his arm several times, including catching a would-be basestealer.
Sean Guilbe, SS, Berks Catholic (Reading, PA)\
Ht/Wt: 6’2”/ 190 B/T: R/R Age (as of 2018 MLB Draft): 18y, 5m
Commit: St. Johns Univ.
An important part of St. John’s 2018 class, Guilbe brings a muscular frame to the plate, and it translates into regular hard contact. Listed as a shortstop, second baseman and catcher, the versatile Guilbe started in right field against Palm Beach Select, though did not get many opportunities to show off his arm or his range.
Owen Meaney, 1B/RHP, St. Thomas (Houston, TX)
Ht/Wt: 6’5”/ 220 B/T: R/R Age (as of 2018 MLB Draft): 18y, 5m
Commit: Louisiana State Univ.
A two-way player, Meaney did not manage a hit in five trips while in Jupiter, despite making contact in each at-bat. Meaney started at first base in his matchup against the Braves Scout Team/Ohio Warhawks, and pitched in relief on two separate occasions. Meaney relied heavily on a fastball that topped out at 90 mph, while mixing in a curveball as well.
Mateo Gil, SS, Timber Creek (Keller, TX)
Ht/Wt: 6’1”/ 165 B/T: R/R Age (as of 2018 MLB Draft): 17y, 10m
Commit: Salem International Univ.
Gil managed two hits in 10 at-bats at the WWBA World Championship, his most impressive being a pinch-hit triple against Palm Beach Select. In that instance, Gil recorded a 4.3 second HP-to-1B time (with the turn), though he ran considerably harder once he reached second base, as he realized his chance at three bases. The Salem International University commit is capable of playing all over the infield, and also tossed one inning of relief against the Mets Scout Team.
Jimmy Glowenke, 3B/RHP, Marcus (Lewisville, TX)
Ht/Wt: 5’10”/ 180 B/T: R/R Age (as of 2018 MLB Draft): 18y, 3m
Commit: Dallas Baptist Univ.
Starting at third base in the Texas Scout Team Yankees’ matchup against Midland, Glowenke made several impressive throws across the diamond. His clean arm action and strong finishes were a plus, as were his reactions. A member of Dallas Baptist’s 2018 class, he had two hits in eight at-bats, and drove in three runs during the tournament. Glowenke is also listed as a pitcher, though he did not get the opportunity to take the mound in Jupiter.
Chayce Bryant, 1B, Redan (Stone Mountain, GA)
Ht/Wt: 6’5”/ 225 B/T: R/R Age (as of 2018 MLB Draft): n/a
Commit: Georgia State Univ.
A native of Stone Mountain, Georgia, Bryant will stay close to home for college, as he is committed to Georgia State in Atlanta. He collected two hits in Jupiter – a single and a double – and walked three times. He has a large, thick frame that’s prototypical of a first baseman, and he also threw in relief twice, allowing no runs or hits in either appearance, with his go-to pitch being a low-80s fastball.
Charles Mack, SS, Williamsville East (Williamsville, NY)
Ht/Wt: 5’11”/ 185 B/T: L/R Age (as of 2018 MLB Draft): 18y, 7m
Commit: Clemson Univ.
One of several Clemson commits to make an appearance in Jupiter, Mack totaled five hits in 20 at-bats in Jupiter, all of them being singles. He shows strong spray-hitting ability, as he made solid contact to each part of the field. The majority of his hard contact came to the opposite field, however. Mack had one chance to pitch in relief, throwing one inning against Team Elite Prime and striking out one batter. Mack relied on a curveball and mid-80s fastball in that inning of work.
Joe Gray Jr., CF, Hattiesburg (Hattiesburg, MS)
Ht/Wt: 6’1”/ 185 B/T: R/R Age (as of 2018 MLB Draft): 17y, 3m
Commit: Uncommitted
Gray stands out for his plus athleticism in center field, which translates into above-average range and plus arm. The Hattiesburg native had three singles in 12 at-bats, while also walking twice. Each of his hits came on ground balls that he beat out, one of which generated a 4.2 second HP-to-1B time.
