Our high school showcase all-star team is made up of standout performers and notable prospects from a variety of high-profile events.
This year, in-person notes come from USA Baseball's PDP League in Cary, N.C.; Perfect Game's National Showcase (PGN) in Phoenix, the Area Code Games (ACG) in San Diego and Baseball Factory's All-America Game (BFAA) in Arlington, Texas.
Because we can't be at every event, supplemental information for events such as East Coast Pro (ECP) in Hoover, Ala., was incorporated.
In contrast to the 2023 high school class, scouts consistently talked about the 2024 group being down on talent and lacking a clear-cut No. 1 player.
Last year, our summer showcase all-star team highlighted five players who went on to become first-round picks in 2023: Max Clark (third overall), Walker Jenkins (fifth), Blake Mitchell (eighth), Noble Meyer (10th) and Aidan Miller (27th).
C
CADE ARRAMBIDE
TOMBALL (TEXAS) HS
Arrambide has a chance to follow Blake Mitchell's path as a Texas-based LSU commit who becomes the first catcher drafted. He entered the summer with a sterling reputation for his defensive chops behind the plate and double-plus throwing arm. He's a vocal defender who sticks and presents the ball well, though at times this summer his blocking got a bit inconsistent. His arm strength is clear, and he led all catchers at PGN with a 90 mph throw from behind the plate, as well as a 1.94-second pop time at ACG. Arrambide also showed impressive opposite-field power at ACG by homering twice and hitting six balls harder than 90 mph. He faces some contact questions versus spin but offers plenty of impact.
CI
CALEB BONEMER
OKEMOS (MICH.) HS
Bonemer was the most impressive player this summer who didn't enter the circuit ranked on our top 100 draft list. The 6-foot-1, 195-pound third baseman is on a rocket ship up draft boards thanks to his exciting power-speed combination and solid run of hammering the baseball in live games this summer. He homered twice against 93 mph fastballs at PGN, then went 6-for-11 (.545) with three doubles, four walks and three strikeouts at the ACG-including four batted balls hit harder than 93 mph. Bonemer recorded the 10th-fastest 60-yard dash at PGN, the 7th-fastest at ECP and clocked a 4.26-second home-to-first time at ACG. He also made a number of smooth body control plays at the hot corner.
CI
ETHAN SUROWIEC
GULFPORT (MISS.) HS
A 6-foot-2, 205-pound third baseman, Surowiec stood out for his rhythmic swing and raw power this summer. In 28 logged games, he hit .378/.447/.608 with two home runs. He has a solid frame with physical projection remaining, though he already has impressive bat speed and straightaway raw power. In the box, Surowiec makes consistent hard contact and has good rhythm and solid swing decisions, though his bat path is a bit long and his impact comes with some swing-and-miss tendencies. He has enough arm strength for third base.
MI
CHARLIE BATES
PALO ALTO (CALIF.) HS
A 6-foot-1, 180-pound lefthanded hitter, Bates entered the summer as the No. 5 shortstop in the prep class. He has a simple and repeatable swing, with a track record of making contact. While his offensive numbers this summer don't jump off the page, he showed solid swing decisions (19% chase rate), a mature approach and solid raw power to his pull side. Bates has some strength in the lower half now, but has plenty of room still to fill out and add more. He should stick at shortstop with fluid, smooth actions, solid arm strength and body control.
[https://cdn.magzter.com/1398697516/1693837706/articles/xS87yE0k41693910630276/T4G_qmdsm1693910921149.jpg]
MI
CARTER JOHNSON
OXFORD (MISS.) HS
Johnson is the sort of player who doesn't jump out at scouts immediately with raw tools, but he has a steady, reliable presence on both sides of the field. He is a lean, high-waisted shortstop with a 6-foot-2, 180-pound frame and simple, compact swing from the left side. Johnson won't punch too many balls over the fence right now, instead relying on snappy hands, good rhythm and standout contact ability to put the ball in play to the gaps. In a 233-pitch Synergy sample, Johnson had an impressive 89% overall contact rate. He's a steady defender with solid actions at the position and average arm strength, though this summer he was a below-average runner.
OF
SLADE CALDWELL
VALLEY VIEW HS, JONESBORO, ARK.
Caldwell is an electric, top-of-the-order table setter and speedy center fielder. Listed at 5-foot-9, 177 pounds, he doesn't offer much physical projection or over-the-fence power potential, but he should impact the game in every other dimension. In the box, he has good rhythm, fast hands, a line-drive-oriented swing and also employs a sound batting eye and selectively aggressive approach. He doesn't head to the plate searching for a walk, but he will take them where they come and lay off pitches outside the strike zone (14% chase rate). Caldwell is a double-plus runner who consistently runs hard down the line. He covers plenty of ground in center, where he has sound jumps and route-running ability.
OF
PJ MORLANDO
SUMMERVILLE (S.C.) HS
Morlando is one of the most fearsome hitters in the 2024 class thanks to a tremendous combination of bat speed, raw power and pure hitting chops. He hit three home runs in seven games with USA Baseball's 18U qualifier team last fall, then won the high school home run derby at the All-Star Game in Seattle. He also was one of the most impressive hitters in the high school all-star game, with a number of hard-hit balls against live competition. Morlando has a physical, 6-foot-3, 200-pound frame and utilizes an ultra-wide stance and a setup with minimal movement. He's a pull-heavy hitter at times, with an uphill path perfect for impact flyball contact. He has shown solid zone skills, swing decisions and the ability to hammer velocity.
OF
GARRETT SHULL
ENID (OKLA.) H...
This year, in-person notes come from USA Baseball's PDP League in Cary, N.C.; Perfect Game's National Showcase (PGN) in Phoenix, the Area Code Games (ACG) in San Diego and Baseball Factory's All-America Game (BFAA) in Arlington, Texas.
Because we can't be at every event, supplemental information for events such as East Coast Pro (ECP) in Hoover, Ala., was incorporated.
In contrast to the 2023 high school class, scouts consistently talked about the 2024 group being down on talent and lacking a clear-cut No. 1 player.
Last year, our summer showcase all-star team highlighted five players who went on to become first-round picks in 2023: Max Clark (third overall), Walker Jenkins (fifth), Blake Mitchell (eighth), Noble Meyer (10th) and Aidan Miller (27th).
C
CADE ARRAMBIDE
TOMBALL (TEXAS) HS
Arrambide has a chance to follow Blake Mitchell's path as a Texas-based LSU commit who becomes the first catcher drafted. He entered the summer with a sterling reputation for his defensive chops behind the plate and double-plus throwing arm. He's a vocal defender who sticks and presents the ball well, though at times this summer his blocking got a bit inconsistent. His arm strength is clear, and he led all catchers at PGN with a 90 mph throw from behind the plate, as well as a 1.94-second pop time at ACG. Arrambide also showed impressive opposite-field power at ACG by homering twice and hitting six balls harder than 90 mph. He faces some contact questions versus spin but offers plenty of impact.
CI
CALEB BONEMER
OKEMOS (MICH.) HS
Bonemer was the most impressive player this summer who didn't enter the circuit ranked on our top 100 draft list. The 6-foot-1, 195-pound third baseman is on a rocket ship up draft boards thanks to his exciting power-speed combination and solid run of hammering the baseball in live games this summer. He homered twice against 93 mph fastballs at PGN, then went 6-for-11 (.545) with three doubles, four walks and three strikeouts at the ACG-including four batted balls hit harder than 93 mph. Bonemer recorded the 10th-fastest 60-yard dash at PGN, the 7th-fastest at ECP and clocked a 4.26-second home-to-first time at ACG. He also made a number of smooth body control plays at the hot corner.
CI
ETHAN SUROWIEC
GULFPORT (MISS.) HS
A 6-foot-2, 205-pound third baseman, Surowiec stood out for his rhythmic swing and raw power this summer. In 28 logged games, he hit .378/.447/.608 with two home runs. He has a solid frame with physical projection remaining, though he already has impressive bat speed and straightaway raw power. In the box, Surowiec makes consistent hard contact and has good rhythm and solid swing decisions, though his bat path is a bit long and his impact comes with some swing-and-miss tendencies. He has enough arm strength for third base.
MI
CHARLIE BATES
PALO ALTO (CALIF.) HS
A 6-foot-1, 180-pound lefthanded hitter, Bates entered the summer as the No. 5 shortstop in the prep class. He has a simple and repeatable swing, with a track record of making contact. While his offensive numbers this summer don't jump off the page, he showed solid swing decisions (19% chase rate), a mature approach and solid raw power to his pull side. Bates has some strength in the lower half now, but has plenty of room still to fill out and add more. He should stick at shortstop with fluid, smooth actions, solid arm strength and body control.
[https://cdn.magzter.com/1398697516/1693837706/articles/xS87yE0k41693910630276/T4G_qmdsm1693910921149.jpg]
MI
CARTER JOHNSON
OXFORD (MISS.) HS
Johnson is the sort of player who doesn't jump out at scouts immediately with raw tools, but he has a steady, reliable presence on both sides of the field. He is a lean, high-waisted shortstop with a 6-foot-2, 180-pound frame and simple, compact swing from the left side. Johnson won't punch too many balls over the fence right now, instead relying on snappy hands, good rhythm and standout contact ability to put the ball in play to the gaps. In a 233-pitch Synergy sample, Johnson had an impressive 89% overall contact rate. He's a steady defender with solid actions at the position and average arm strength, though this summer he was a below-average runner.
OF
SLADE CALDWELL
VALLEY VIEW HS, JONESBORO, ARK.
Caldwell is an electric, top-of-the-order table setter and speedy center fielder. Listed at 5-foot-9, 177 pounds, he doesn't offer much physical projection or over-the-fence power potential, but he should impact the game in every other dimension. In the box, he has good rhythm, fast hands, a line-drive-oriented swing and also employs a sound batting eye and selectively aggressive approach. He doesn't head to the plate searching for a walk, but he will take them where they come and lay off pitches outside the strike zone (14% chase rate). Caldwell is a double-plus runner who consistently runs hard down the line. He covers plenty of ground in center, where he has sound jumps and route-running ability.
OF
PJ MORLANDO
SUMMERVILLE (S.C.) HS
Morlando is one of the most fearsome hitters in the 2024 class thanks to a tremendous combination of bat speed, raw power and pure hitting chops. He hit three home runs in seven games with USA Baseball's 18U qualifier team last fall, then won the high school home run derby at the All-Star Game in Seattle. He also was one of the most impressive hitters in the high school all-star game, with a number of hard-hit balls against live competition. Morlando has a physical, 6-foot-3, 200-pound frame and utilizes an ultra-wide stance and a setup with minimal movement. He's a pull-heavy hitter at times, with an uphill path perfect for impact flyball contact. He has shown solid zone skills, swing decisions and the ability to hammer velocity.
OF
GARRETT SHULL
ENID (OKLA.) H...
You're reading a preview of
Baseball America (Digital) - 1 Issue, September 2023