By Doug Hall
Tennessee Director of Scouting

The WWBA 16u National Championship was held July 11-18 in Emerson, Georgia.  With over 300 teams vying for the crown, the Knights 16U National team turned in an impressive performance with a 6-2-1 record.  The squad advanced to the Final 32 teams before being eliminated by the Dallas Patriots. 

Here is a look at some of the standout performers for the tournament for the Knights 16U National team.  All players are currently uncommitted.

Jacob Key, OF/UT, Siegel HS, 2016 
The 6 foot 3, 170-pound Key had a stellar tournament.  Key went 6-for-16 to hit at a .375 clip, but he also drew eight walks giving him an on base percentage of .545.   Key had a top performer day against Mizuno Blue with a 2-for-3 game at the plate with a 2B as well as the key hit that led to the eventual tie. 

Zell Walker, Nashville Christian, 2016
Standing at 6-foot-3, and weighing 190 pounds it’s obvious that Walker has the physical makeup.  Judging by the performance turned out at the WWBA 16U Nationals, he also has the tools to go along with his size. Walker impressed at the plate where he was an RBI machine, posting several multi RBI games and ended the tournament driving in eight while showing his power by leaving the yard against the Evoshield Canes late in the tournament.  On the mound he turned in a 4 IP, 3K, 3BB, 2H performance with his fastball reportedly topping at 82 mph. 

Sam Knell, OF, Christ Presbyterian Academy, 2016
The  6 foot, 170 pound, left-handed hitting outfielder recorded hits, runs and RBI's in multiple games, turning in a big game for his squad against Team Rawlings with a 1B, 3B and an RBI.  Knell finished the tournament going 7-for-17 with two doubles, a triple, five RBI, and nine runs scored.

Mitchell Runnion, C, Fred J. Page HS, 2016
Runnion showed his offensive firepower in launching a home run and hitting at a .357 clip for the tournament.

Ryan Hatten, 1B, Pope John Paul II HS, 2016
The 6-foot-4, 210 pound first baseman showed his power potential at the plate with a home run against the Rawlings Stars Prospects.   

AJ Weed, MIF, Station Camp HS, 2016
The switch hitter collected six hits and drove in seven runs to help lead the offensive attack for the Knights. 

William Wacasser,  RHP, Hendersonville HS, 2016
The 5-foot-11, 165-pound right-hander worked nine innings, allowing four hits and no earned runs while racking up 11 strikeouts.  Wacasser’s fastball reportedly topped out at 87 mph.