A tradition unlike any other, the Perfect Game All-American Classic once again showcased the top prep talent in the country Sunday night at in San Diego.
Returning to Petco Park in San Diego, California after an unconventional 2020, the Perfect Game All-American Classic was highlighted by some dynamic pitching performances by a crop of kids sure to hear their names called next July. The arms were so good in fact, the West squad didn’t tally a single hit. The East squad handled their business from wire to wire, winning 8-1.
It was an electric first inning with Dylan Lesko and Brock Porter handling their business, looking like elite first round talents. Lesko sat 95-97 showcasing elite command with the fastball, striking out two of the three batters he faced. He showed off an awfully impressive changeup, as well locking up super-prospect Jayson Jones with a knee-buckling breaking ball on the outer-black. Porter would follow suit, running his heater up to 97 and dropping in a few spectacular double-plus changeups with exceptional illusion-esque tug.
While the first inning highlighted what was to come for much of the night, there were a handful of players that really stood out all night. This is about as small a sample size as you can find, but nonetheless, some players did well for themselves in front of big league brass and evaluators.
Luke Heyman, Catcher
One of the better catchers in the 2022 class. Heyman has big power potential thanks to a strong feel for optimizing lift and getting to the ball out in front. That was certainly on display Sunday night as the Longwood, Flor. product sent a 94 mph Andrew Dutkanych IV fastball deep into the San Diego night — the only homer of the showcase. Heyman really gets into his legs well at the plate and extends well. A Florida Gators commit, Heyman did well for himself Sunday night.
Nazier Mule, Right-Handed Pitcher
Mule considers himself a two-way prospect with a bright future at shortstop, but after Sunday night he may have stapled his name into future professional lineup cards as an arm. The New Jersey product posted one of the more impressive outings of the night, touching 100 mph twice and 99 mph seven more times. Mule threw nine fastballs and only two of them registered on the radar gun under 99. Mule mixed in a couple sliders, one for a strike. He did walk a batter, but the fastball command was plenty usable.
Brandon Barriera, Left-Handed Pitcher
In the fourth inning for the East squad Barriera walked speedster Justin Crawford to start the inning. Crawford and his 80-grade wheels proceeded to take both second and third base. But Barriera would have the last laugh. Barriera locked down the inning, striking out two and inducing a weak ground ball. It’s about as heavy a fastball as you can find with darting gyro action and some natural cut, topping out at 94. He mixed in a slower mid-80s slider with two-plane break and a big, deep curveball he threw around the zone to keep hitters timing off. It was a professional showing from Barriera who has the stuff and operation to project a starter at the next level with high-level, advanced stuff.