Prep Baseball Report

Michigan Insider: An Amazing Experience for Team Michigan



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By: Dylan Hefflinger and Bruce Hefflinger
PBR Michigan Editor in Chief/NW Ohio Scout

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Daily Future Games Scout Blog: Day 1/Day 2/Day 3

Michigan Insider: An Amazing Experience for Team Michigan

“PBR has created a one-of-a-kind experience.”

Team Ohio’s Logan Danzeisen of Sylvania Southview came away with that opinion after competing in this year’s prestigious Future Games.

Team Michigan’s Tyler Helgeson of Portage Northern echoed what Danzeisen said.

“Thank you so much for allowing me to participate in the Future Games,” Hegelson said. “It was an amazing experience which I will forever remember.”

Held at Grand Park in Westfield, Ind., just north of Indianapolis, the 2017 version of the Future Games featured around 400 players representing 20 teams and 28 states participating in front of 247 college and professional coaches and scouts.

It was a boost from past years, with the 2016 Future Games attended by 150+ and the 2015 event by 125+.

“The Future Games are everything a baseball player with aspirations of playing D1 baseball could ask for,” said Jordan Chiero, Ohio Director of Scouting for PBR. “These guys get to perform against elite level talent and do it in front of over 250 college/pro scouts from each region of the country. It can and has changed the entire landscape of a prospect’s recruitment. It’s not only the biggest stage PBR offers but one of the biggest stages in the country.”

Michigan Director of Scouting Aaron Wilson points out the value of the event.

“The Future Games has been a huge piece of the recruiting process of several ball players from Michigan and other participating states,” Wilson said. “The lucky gentlemen that are selected are able to compete against some of the country's best in front 200 plus coaches. In my time with PBR I've seen guys go from no offers entering the Future Games, to leaving with a grocery bag full of offers.”

Players, such as Detroit Country Day sophomore Parker Pilat, came away impressed.

“Anybody I talk to I will strongly encourage participating in the Future Games if given a chance,” Pilat said. “I was lucky enough to be a part of Team Michigan and have an experience I will remember.”

With so many coaches on hand, exposure is obvious.

“It was eye opening seeing all of the high-level players from the other states,” noted Jon Campbell of Country Day. “I was also amazed by the number of college coaches scouting players. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for me.”

Chiero enjoys being part of the Games.

“It’s my favorite event of the year,” Chiero said. “It’s the best of the best representing their state...I’m not sure how it gets better than that. The cool thing outside of the baseball aspect is getting to see relationships grow throughout the week. These kids not only leave with the a baseball experience they’ll never forget but also with new friendships made.”

With the Games continuing to grow, the future looks brighter than ever.

“The Future Games has quickly become the most highly scouted showcase event in the country by college coaches,” noted Chris Valentine, PBR Executive Director for Ohio, Michigan, Ontario and New England.  “As PBR adds new coverage areas, it brings new players and new college coaches to the event. It is exciting to think of the potential as we move forward.”

A PBR thank you to all that participated and a special thanks to the following players on Team Michigan, which won all three games played during the Future Games, that gave their thoughts about the event (including what schools that have been in contact with them since the event):
***** If you were on Team Michigan and did not share your thoughts, feel free to email us and we will get them included within this article.

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