Prep Baseball Report

PBR Success Stories: 2017 Future Games


Colin Gray
PBR Florida

Our goal at Prep Baseball Report is to provide athletes with a platform to showcase their talents and be able to play baseball at the next level. One of the biggest events for uncommitted players is the PBR Future Games. The Future Games is an event for uncommitted sophomores and juniors that allows them to represent their home state and showcase themselves in front of over 300 college coaches. Over the last three years, 45 players from the Future Games have gone on to commit to play college baseball.

We looked back at the 2017 Future Games that featured 18 players committing to colleges. We interviewed some of the players from that 2017 team and asked them how the Future Games and other PBR events impacted their future in baseball. Take a look at what they had to say.

Connor Aldrich, SS, Trinity Christian Academy, 2019, Charleston Southern

Class of 2019 graduate Connor Aldrich from Trinity Christian Academy came to PBR as a freshman. Connor was a 2017 PBR Futures Games participant and went on committing to Charleston Southern.

Question:

How did Prep Baseball Report help you during big showcases where colleges would be looking to recruit you?

Answer:

Prep Baseball Report helped me to not panic about finding a college right away and that the guys with PBR are there to help and will do everything they can to get those recruiters to see me.

Question:

What PBR events stood out to you most and how did you benefit from them?

Answer:

The PBR event that stood out to me the most was the PBR Future Games in Indiana and the trials leading up to them. I built relationships with the PBR coaches so when we were in Indiana I was completely comfortable with them.

Question:

What impact did PBR have on you when committing to Charleston Southern?

Answer:

Prep Baseball Report had an impact on me just the fact that the guys there cared more about the right fit for me versus just getting a college period. They cared about my career once there and not just getting me there.

Ryan Bruno, LHP, American Heritage Delray, 2020, Stanford

Ryan Bruno, a LHP from American Heritage Delray High School Class of 2020 committed to Stanford along with his brother Jaden Bruno. Ryan had a stand out performance at our 2017 PBR Future Games. He is ranked No. 15 in the Florida 2020 Class and should see his name called in the 2020 MLB Draft.

Question:

How did attending PBR showcases help you get recruited?

Answer:

Attending Prep Baseball Report showcases helped me in the college baseball recruiting process by really getting my name out there.

Question:

How did playing in the 2017 PBR Future Games help you stand out from the rest of the 2020 class?

Answer:

The 2017 Prep Baseball Futures Games was my first showcase ever and really helped me get on high D1 college radars.

Derek Crum, OF/LHP, Gaither, 2019, Wake Forest

Class of 2019 Derek Crum from Gaither High School came to the 2017 PBR Futures Games as one of the most highly touted unsigned position players. The OF/LHP was ranked 38th in the state of Florida and signed with Wake Forest where he currently attends. 

Question:

How much exposure did you receive participating in the 2017 PBR Future Games?

Answer:

I received a lot more exposure than I thought, I mean every game there were at least 30 college coaches at my games. Right after the Future Games I received some offers as well.

Question :

How does attending a PBR event uncommitted help you become recruited by colleges?

Answer:

It helped me so much, like I said before it gets your name out there.

Keniel De Leon, MIF, Central Pointe, 2019, Chipola

Middle infielder Keniel De Leon from Central Pointe Christian Academy Class of 2019 has been a standout player in our PBR events since the Underclass Games in 2016. Keniel played in our 2017 Futures Games showcase and committed to Chipola College where he’s currently attending. 

Question: 

What role did PBR play when it came to colleges recruiting you?

Answer:

Prep Baseball Report was extremely important and I could say that they gave me the opportunity to expose myself to many colleges which led me to make a decision between several colleges.

Question:

How much exposure did you receive at PBR events?

Answer:

I started getting exposure my sophomore year of High School which was the first showcase I went to after I moved to Florida. After that showcase I started seeing where I was compared to the other players in the states. Also, I played on the Future Games as part of the Florida team in 2017. That event was packed with college coaches and surely was the one event that gave me the most exposure at that time. Also, the events throughout the year are a great opportunity to get exposure where I attended many events where they had 30+ college coaches.

Raymond Trey LaFleur III, OF, J.M. Tate, 2019, Ole Miss

Class of 2019 standout Raymond Trey LaFleur III came to Prep Baseball Report as an underclassmen at J.M. Tate High School. The two way LHP/OF attended a number of our PBR events, putting him on a spotlight to being one of the top prospects in his class. Raymond was a 2017 PBR Florida Future Games participant where he committed to Ole Miss shortly after the event. LaFleur was also drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 21st round of the 2019 Major League Baseball Draft. 

Question:

How did participating in PBR showcases help groom you to be able to compete at the collegiate level.

Answer:

It helped me in ways I couldn’t even imagine. Everybody I was competing/playing with and against in PBR events were extremely good players, and that helped me become the player that I am today. Everyone that works for PBR wants the best for everyone that attends, and that’s really all you can ask for.

Question:

How much exposure did you receive from college coaches when attending PBR showcases?

Answer:

When I attended my first PBR event my sophomore year of high school at USF, that’s when colleges started to contact me. As a whole, PBR does a great job with helping players get exposed to college coaches. They let you showcase all your skills during any event. They don’t limit you to doing only one thing or one position, and that’s what makes them so great. PBR has done a lot for me to get me where I am today, and I thank them greatly for it.

Ryan McCauley, RHP, Tarpon Springs, 2020, State College of Florida

Ryan McCauley, a class of 2020 graduate from Tarpon Springs high school has succeeded on the mound during PBR showcases. Ryan was a participant in the 2017 PBR Future Games and has committed to State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota.

Question:

What did you gain from attending PBR events?

Answer:

I have gained a lot of exposure and friends through PBR events. The showcases have been a great way for me to get my name out there along with playing with some of the best players in the nation. PBR is also great for getting media out to not only college scouts but pro scouts as well. It was also great to be able showcase at any time of the year which really helped coming off 2 surgeries.

Question:

How much exposure did you receive participating in the 2017 PBR Future Games?

Answer:

I was very blessed to be a part of the 2017 Future Games where I got to compete with the best around the country. There were at least 200 colleges there and a big majority of them were D1 schools. Which was awesome. I had a lot of options on where I wanted to commit to after the event.

Travis Stapleton, C, South Lake, 2020, North Florida

North Florida recruit Travis Stapleton out of South Lake High School was a 2017 PBR Future Games participant and ranked No.19 at catcher for the Florida Class of 2020.

Question:

How did PBR help you become recruited by North Florida?

Answer:

The videos and highlights put together by PBR helped me a ton for getting stuff out to coaches for exposure.

Question:

What PBR events stood out to you most when it came to college coaches recruiting players? 

Answer:

The events that stood out to me the most were the Future Games and Preseason All-State.

Justin Turk, OF, Sickles, 2019, St. Petersburg College

Sickles High School Class of 2019 graduate Justin Turk was a participant in the 2017 PBR Future Games and signed with St. Petersburg College as an outfielder. 

Question:

How did PBR help you become recruited by St. Petersburg College?

Answer:

it helped more than you know, it showed coaches and scouts what I’m capable of and allowed me to pursue my dreams.

Question:

How much exposure did you receive attending PBR showcases?

Answer:

I probably got 15 followers from college coaches after attending the Future Games and breaking the 60 yard dash record. An experience I wish every athlete can attend.

 

If you are still looking for that college commitment, check out our summer showcase schedule and receive the exposure you need to have the opportunity play at the next level.


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