MLB Draft Video Highlights: 2016 Jupiter (Vol. 1)

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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Brock Mathis, C, Fairfield (Fairfield, OH)
Ht/Wt: 6’1”/200       B/T: R/R         Age (as of 2017 MLB Draft): 19y, 1m
Commit: Univ. of Louisville

A Louisville commit, Mathis went 3-for-12 in Jupiter (three singles) for the Palm Beach Select squad, accompanied by three stolen bases. The righty has a thick build and broad frame fitting of a catcher/corner talent, and he logged time at all three positions over the course of the tournament.

Easton Murrell, SS, Prosper (Prosper, TX)
Ht/Wt: 6’0”/195       B/T: S/R         Age (as of 2017 MLB Draft): 19y, 7m
Commit: Univ. of Arkansas

Murrell, a switch-hitting shortstop/third baseman, collected three singles in eleven at-bats for the Marlins Scout Team. The Prosper, Texas native is on the older side for the high school class (he turned 19 while playing down in Jupiter) with limited physical projection remaining, and already good present strength in his upper half. As a junior, Murrell was named the division 10-5A Defensive Player of the Year as a shortstop, en route to Prosper High School winning the 5A State Title.

Christopher Troye, C, Heritage (Brentwood, CA)
Ht/Wt: 6’4”/230       B/T: R/R         Age (as of 2017 MLB Draft): 18yrs, 5m
Commit: Univ. of California – Santa Barbara

Despite being 6’4” and 220 pounds, Troye moved well behind the dish for the Marlins Scout Team. While he was not really tested in-game, Troye flashed good arm strength on pops between innings and looks the part.  The UC Santa Barbara commit went hitless in nine at bats in Jupiter despite making hard contact, and topped out with a 94.1 mph exit velocity per TrackMan’s daily leaderboard.

Nathan Webb, C, Martin Luther King Jr. (Riverside, CA)
Ht/Wt: 5’10”/ 200   B/T: R/R         Age (as of 2017 MLB Draft): 18y, 10m
Commit: Univ. of California – Riverside

The two-way talent was limited to work in the field and as a designated hitter while in Jupiter with the Marlins Scout Team, putting together several impressive at-bats against Palm Beach Select. In one such plate appearance, the UC Riverside commit battled through 14 pitches before ultimately drawing a walk, later on compiling a seven-pitch at-bat that resulted in a groundout. He finished the tournament going 3-for-14 with a double and two stolen bases to go along with four walks.

Caleb Balgaard, SS, Howell (Howell, MI)
Ht/Wt: 6’3”/190       B/T: R/R         Age (as of 2017 MLB Draft): 19y, 1m
Commit: Indiana Univ.

Balgaard showed impressive hitting ability throughout the weekend in Jupiter, with a final line that included four hits, two of which were doubles, over ten at-bats. He took good angles to ground balls and showed the arm strength you would expect out of a rostered shortstop (though he played second base exclusively in deference to Texas commit Trent Brown (Victoria East, Victoria, TX).

Michael Jensen, RHSP, Holy Family Catholic (Eden Prairie, MN)
Ht/Wt: 6’5”/225       B/T: R/R         Age (as of 2017 MLB Draft): 18y, 1m
Commit: Univ. of Oklahoma

A member of the Minnesota Blizzard Blue squad that won the Perfect Game Kernels’ Foundation Championship this fall, the big right-hander sat 83-to-85 mph against Georgia PG Texas Orange, topping out at 87 mph and showing the ability to make the pitch cut and run to both sides of the plate. Jensen relied on a slider as his main breaking pitch, showing occasional late bite and two-plane action. He is committed to Oklahoma.


Austin Martin, SS, Trinity Christian (Deltona, FL)
Ht/Wt: 6’0”/170       B/T: R/R         Age (as of 2017 MLB Draft): 18y, 2m
Commit: Jacksonville Univ.

One of the more versatile athletes to make the trip to Jupiter, Martin is a key member of Jacksonville University recruiting class and started at shortstop for the Padres Scout Team/Chandler World squad, showing quick hands and an advanced approach. He tallied three hits over 15 at bats, including a double and a stolen base. Though he went hitless in a key match-up against Elite Squad Louisville Slugger, he reached on a walk and showed feel for the barrel over the course of his plate appearances.

Heliot Ramos, CF, Alfonso Casta Martinez (Manaubo, PR)
Ht/Wt: 6’2”/185       B/T: R/R         Age (as of 2017 MLB Draft): 17y, 9m
Commit: Florida International Univ.

A native of Maunabo, Puerto Rico, Ramos was another impressive contributor for Padres Scout Team/Chandler World. Ramos is primarily a center fielder, and was used as such throughout the tournament in Jupiter, although he has experience playing corner outfield spots, as well, and can hold down all three positions as needed. Ramos went 5-for-18 overall with a double and three stolen bases. The FIU commit shows good bat speed to go along with all-around plus athleticism. According to TrackMan’s daily leader boards, Ramos reached 104 mph of exit velocity.

Bryce Teodosio, OF, Mauldin (Mauldin, SC)
Ht/Wt: 6’3”/190       B/T: R/L         Age (as of 2017 MLB Draft): 17y, 11 m
Commit: Clemson Univ.

Tall and lean, Teodosio already appears to have the body of a professional athlete, despite being just 17. A 2017 Clemson commit, the outfielder went 3-for-14 in Jupiter with two doubles, providing loud contact throughout the weekend. Against Elite Squad Louisville Slugger, Teodosio showed the ability to drive the ball pull side, in addition to being able to battle quality breaking balls.

Nicholas Egnatuk, 3B, Immaculata (Somerville, NJ)
Ht/Wt: 6’2”/185       B/T: R/R         Age (as of 2017 MLB Draft): 18y, 6m
Commit: Univ. of Pittsburgh

Despite managing only one hit while in Jupiter, Egnatuk contributed defensively to the Padres Scout Team/Chandler World in a positive way and also managed to score twice and drive in one run. His lone hit was a ground ball single to left field with an exit velocity of 93 mph. Egnatuk started at third base against Elite Squad Louisville Slugger, though he has experience at shortstop, as well.