With the Summer season in full swing, our staff was able to gather some of the best 2023 teams from across the state of Texas and one from Louisiana to battle it out for the PBR Texas Summer championships. We will go through some of the top prospects that stood out in multiple parts 

+ FINAL RESULTS

 

Texas Angels - Keeton

+ Javier Torres - 2023 - RHP/SS - Judson - Texas State Commit

The Texas State commit had the performance of the tournament with his semi-final outing against a loaded Team Louisiana squad. Torres ran the fastball up to 93 but sat comfortably in the 88-92 range, still touching 91’s in the 7th inning. The athletic right hander showed the makings of a future weekend arm with the ability to spin two different breaking balls and showing great feel for each in the zone, as well as a changeup that he used occasionally and effectively to both RHH and LHH. It was a great early summer look at one of the most complete right handed arms in the 2023 class. 

 

+ Josh Munoz - 2023 - RHP/SS - Los Fresnos - Uncommitted

Munoz did a little bit of everything on the weekend. Hitting in the two hole the majority of the time for the tough Angels team, Munoz was a pest in the box and on the bases. On the mound early in the tournament, the undersized right hander showed a loose whippy arm that was up to 90mph and sat more in the  86-89 mph range. There was plenty to like about the arm speed and ability to spin the breaking ball, and feel for pitching. With plenty of more room for physical development, one would only think there should be a little more velocity to come and show the ability to hold that velo for an entire outing. 

 

+ Reese Borho - 2023 - OF - Abilene Wylie - Uncommitted

One of the more fun players to watch on the weekend was Borho. He played with a high motor and stood out on both sides of the ball. He batted .333 on the weekend with some of those hits coming in big moments.  He is a 6.5 runner and it showed on the field. He hit a 3B in the tournament where he showed off the speed, and he showed a lot of range in CF throughout the entire week.  He covered both gaps and got good jumps on the balls that went in his direction. Borho has an athletic frame with some projection left.  He will be one to monitor the rest of the summer. 

 

+ Ryan Alaniz - 2023 - 1B/LHP - Churchill - Uncommitted

Alaniz steps in the box and has a presence to him from the left side. The Churchill first basemen showed lots to like about his offensive game moving forward showing the ability to hit for power to all fields. Alaniz gets on plane early in his swing and shows the ability to drive the ball to all fields with power. There is still plenty to develop as an all around hitter but he shows plenty to like now and even more down the road.

 

Team Louisiana - Ardoin

+ Camden Breaux - 2023 - OF - North Vermillion - Uncommitted

Breaux was a constant table setter for the talented Team Lousisana lineup. The scrappy RHH will do a little of everything in the box. Breaux had multiple at bats of 8 plus pitches and worked a walk in one and recorded a single in the other. At the same time, Breaux gets in the box ready to hit and isnt afraid of hitting early in the count if his pitch shows up as well. Breaux is one of those guys you just want on your team. 

+ Jake Smith - 2023 - SS - Rosepine - Louisiana Tech Commit

The Louisiana Tech commit was able to show his all around game over the course of 4 games on the weekend. In the box, Smith showed the ability to stay on the ball away and drive it to right field for power as well as stay inside a fastball in to keep it fair down the left field line. On the infield, he was able to show his natural actions and ability to defend at both SS and 2B. There is a lot to like about the future for Smith now and even more to like as he continues to refine his game at the next level.

 

+ Tate Hess - 2023 - RHP - Singer - Louisiana Lafayette Commit

Hess showed why he is an early Louisiana Lafayette commit during his outings in the PBR Texas Summer Championships. Hess has a durable build and lots to like about his ability to become a future starter and handle a 100 inning workload at the next level. Hess attacked early with the fastball and tried to finish guys with the slider. The fastball worked from 86-88 mph and showed the ability to throw it to both sides of the plate. The slider was a bright sport for Hess, throwing it 79-81 mph with late action showing the ability to get swings and misses in the zone with it.

 

+ Sam Ardoin - 2023 - MIF - Sam Houston - Texas Commit

The lean high waisted middle infielder shows a ton to like about his future as a ball player. The Texas commit plays with a high IQ and does everything you want to see from a guy playing up the middle of the field. Offensively, he shows a flat stroke with present gap to gap power with plenty more to come as he continues to add natural weight and strength. Defensively Ardoin’s hands and feet work well around the ball and it will only continue to get better.

 

+ Griffin Cooley - 2023 - OF - Kinder - LSU Commit

Cooley is a long lean outfielder that bounces around the field and shows a future power bat from the left side. The LSU commit shows present power now to pull side with the ability to still drive the ball to left center field. Cooley is a 6.7-6.8 runner that can cover ground in center now but as he continues to add weight and strength, he should be able to slide to a corner spot if needed. The Future Game alumni shows a bright future for the Bayou Bengals.

 

+ Luke Benoit - 2023 - C - Sulphur - Uncommitted

The uncommitted left handed hitting catcher had his bright spots on the weekend with the bat and shows bat speed and the ability to back spin the baseball to all fields. Behind the dish, he will flash everything you want to see but still has plenty of room to refine his game. Benoit’s bat should help carry him to the next level, and will have the framework to stay behind the dish.

 

+ Jake Brown - 2023 - LHP - Sulphur - LSU 

The ultra athletic left hander didn't have his best outing during the tournament, however he still showed flashes of why he will be followed all year by scouts for the 2023 draft. Brown shows a clean athletic delivery with a repeatable arm path and slot, a quick arm, and is going to throw a lot harder over time. Brown’s fastball creates angle into the RHH from his slot and slightly across his body stride. The fastball worked 87-90 mph with up to 2462 RPM, and the breaking ball worked 77-79 with power CB shape and up to 2678 RPM. Brown also mixed in an occasional changeup at 79 mph but is used mainly as his third pitch. The LSU commit shows a bright future ahead of him on the mound and the ceiling is high.

 

+ Owen Smith - 2023 - UTL - Klein Oak - Uncommitted

Originally from Louisiana but now resides in Klein, Smith is the only Texan on Team Louisiana. Smith hit all weekend and hit balls hard to all fields. Smith has a strong build and shows present bat speed and ability to put the barrel on the ball consistently. Smith played all over the field and showed his versatility both on the dirt and in the outfield. Smiths bat is his carrying tool and should be able to hit all summer and into his senior season.

 

+ Grant Cohn - 2023 - C - Dunham - Tulane Commit

The Tulane commit looks and acts like a catcher out on the field. Cohn showed flashes of being able to really defend at a high level behind the dish. Cohn shows the ability to receive quality arms, block in both directions, and throw consistently between 2.0-2.1 seconds. Cohn isn't a polished product yet but we see no reason he won't become a quality defender for the Green Wave.

 

Marucci Elite - Holle

+ Zion Stephens - 2023 - INF - Ridge Point - Abilene Christian Commit

Stephens stood out on the field every time the ball was hit his way on the dirt. The ultra athletic left side infielder continuously made plays on all different types of ground balls. The Abilene Christian commit showed the ability to come in on a slow roller and throw from a low slot as well as take the right angle and get the short hop on a high chopper to in the 6 hole. Stephens shows flashes of being able to hit at the next level with present bat speed, but is still jsut scratching the surface of what he could become as a ball player. 

 

 

+ Ben Polleschultz - 2023 - LHP - Bridgeland - Uncommitted

Polleschultz came out of the gates in game 1 of the tournament showing polished stuff from the left side. The first 3 innings of work were dominant and showed the ability to get quality hitters out with both his fastball and breaking ball. The long armed, lean left hander works from a ¾ slot with a natural rhythm to his delivery as he strides slightly across his body and creates a tough angle on hitters. The fastball worked from 81-83 mph and breaking ball was 70-72 mph with up to 2700 RPM. Polleschultz pounded right handers inside with his fastball and continuously got swings and misses with his breaking ball showing true curveball shape and depth. The uncommitted left hander isn't the hardest thrower out there but showed the ability to pitch and get good hitters out one time through the order.

 

+ Parker Lewis - 2023 - OF - Cy Fair - Uncommitted

One of the better offensive weekends in the tournament belonged to Lewis. The LHH hit a robust .636 for the tournament with multiple big hits.  There is some bat speed and gap power in Lewis’s game.  He gets out of the box well and is an above avg runner.  Overall, Lewis profiles as a top of the order bat who can get on base at a high clip and drive the ball all over the field. 

 

+ Kyle Chambers - 2023 - OF - Cy Fair - Uncomitted

Another top performer for Marucci Elite Hollie was Chambers. The fleet footed outfielder batted .417 on the weekend.  Chambers shows good barrel to ball skills and the willingness to use the whole field.  He is a good runner, and can be a threat to steal once he gets on base.  The RHH plays with a high motor and stood out all weekend with his play. 

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