Future Games 'A True One-Stop-Shop' For Recruiting
August 4, 2023
Bruce Hefflinger
PBR Ohio Senior Writer
Follow on Twitter- @PrepBaseballOH
Follow on Twitter- @PBROhioScout
Follow on Twitter- @PBROhioJrScout
Follow on Instagram- @pbrohio
The 12th annual Future Games took place on July 26-29 at LakePoint in Emerson, Georgia. Top uncommitted prospects in the classes of 2025 and 2026 participated in one of the most popular events of the year.
There were 32 teams, including Team Ohio, with players representing 44 states plus Canadian prospects. Each team played three games the final three days of the event after all position players were put through a showcase workout on Wednesday. More than 375 college coaches from across the country were looking on as approximately 500 players participated in this year’s event.
Team Ohio went 2-1, defeating Team Midwest on Thursday and Team Illinois on Friday, while losing to Team Pennsylvania on Saturday.
Future Games ‘A True One-Stop-Shop’ For Recruiting
***To view all the stats/articles related to the 2023 Future Games, click here.
EMERSON, Ga. - The Future Games just keep getting better and better.
The Prep Baseball Report event that initially began in 2011 continues to draw more interest from college coaches, with a record 375 in attendance this year to watch 32 teams with players from 44 states and four Canadian provinces.
“The coaches are what stood out to me, 375 college coaches paid a visit to see the finest uncommitted underclassmen in the country,” related Shooter Hunt, vice president of scouting for PBR. “With the NCAA rule changes in effect, it was astounding seeing some of the premier programs in the country bringing FOUR coaches to cover the event. I think that more than quantifies the significance and importance of the event from the recruiting side. It was a true one-stop-shop.”
For the second year in a row, the schedules for each team featured different opponents from previous years at the Future Games.
“We are constantly reevaluating the process and trying to keep things fresh,” explained Hunt. “A significant amount of time goes into cultivating the scheduling of workout day and game schedule, and I don't think anything is off the table for 2024 including a potential lottery ball drawing … but I also understand the importance of rivalry games and wouldn't be surprised to see rivalries like the Ohio-Michigan battle back on the board for ’24.”
While Ohio did not face Michigan for the first time at the Future Games, the Buckeye State did defeat Midwest and Illinois before falling to Pennsylvania in Saturday’s final game that featured a 90-minute lightning delay.
“This was one of, if not my favorite team that we’ve brought to the Future Games in my eight years doing this,” explained PBR Ohio scouting director Jordan Chiero. “As talented as they were, they were even better kids. The dugout was a blast to be in and that hasn’t always been the case. We went 2-1 beating two very talented teams but couldn’t quite go 3-0 as PA seems to get us every year. I couldn’t be more happy with how Team Ohio performed.”
Facing new teams had its pluses according to Chiero.
“I think it is a 99 percent positive thing,” Chiero said. “It gives our players a chance to play in front of schools they normally wouldn’t have if it was regionalized to neighboring states and Canada. The only negative is we don’t get a chance to beat up on Michigan.”
As for how Team Ohio showed at the event, Chiero was thrilled with the way the squad performed.
“The talent stood out for sure,” Chiero said. “Not only on our squad but across the country. The position players are continuing to get more explosive/talented, and the stuff on the mound was ridiculous.
“It also never gets old seeing the amount of D-I schools at this event,” Chiero added. “I think this year it was 375, if not higher. Just a phenomenal opportunity for our guys to get their names out to schools across the country. Also hats off to (Matt) Yarber (senior vice president of operations and multimedia) and corporate, the efficiency at which this event runs gets better and better.”
Hunt saw a lot to like in the team from Ohio.
“Ohio was in classic form with a steady group of pristine athletes that are sure to make an impact on D-I programs,” Hunt noted.
The new rule regarding contact between college coaches and players not being permitted until Aug. 1 was seen as a positive.
“I like the idea of the rule a lot,” Hunt explained. “Allowing the coaches to evaluate over a longer period will hopefully lead to better decisions and less need for the Transfer Portal. You cannot blame the coaches for the ‘arms race’ that the recruiting world had become where recruiting quantity held a quality on its own. However, now, with the luxury of time to evaluate, look for the process to be slowed down a bit. I see the Future Games playing an even more pivotal part in the process given its massive number of uncommitted players who have been evaluated by trusted PBR state directors and scouts.”
The Junior Future Games, featuring mostly 2027 and 2028 players, is also affected by the new rule which does not permit coaches to talk with players until Aug. 1 heading into junior year of high school.
“As for the Junior Future Games, the ability to get more looks in front of college coaches, or their trusted PBR sources, is of massive importance because while the recruiting process has been slowed down, the need for recruiters to ‘hit the ground running’ has sped up,” Hunt said. “Being added to a list as a follow helps college programs once they turn the page to each new class.”
Chiero was impressed with the play of the Ohio Junior teams.
“Not only did our high school guys show it was one of the top teams there, our younger guys performed extremely well as well,” Chiero related. “Our 2028 team was dominant, entering bracket play as the No. 2 overall seed and narrowly lost to the No.1 seed Louisiana in the championship game. We also had two 2027 teams that performed extremely well, representing the state at a high level. The future is very bright in the state of Ohio.”
The future as well as the present, helped out by an event that drew raves from players.
“It was the most fun I’ve ever had in a baseball setting, forming bonds that will never be broken,” explained Noah Kubasky, a 2025 from Uniontown Lake. “I was honored to play for coach Chiero and represent Team Ohio.”
A PBR thank you to all that participated and a special thanks to the players on Team Ohio that gave their thoughts about the event (including what schools have been in contact with them since Aug. 1):
***** If you were on Team Ohio and did not share your thoughts, feel free to email us and we will get them included within this article.
The Arms
 |
Landen Doll LHP / 1B / Jackson, OH / 2025
PBR: What were your Future Games highlights?
I pitched two innings striking out five walking one, giving up one hit.
PBR: Assess your performance.
I believe I pitched to the best of my ability and showed the college coaches/scouts what I have to offer.
PBR: Give your thoughts on being part of Team Ohio and what stood out.
I thought Team Ohio was filled with great baseball players and even better people. Everyone came together well and had a great time.
PBR: Touch on the competition you faced at the event.
The competition we played was very good with excellent hitters on every team we faced.
PBR: How can participating in the Future Games help you in the future?
The Future Games is going to help me tremendously in the recruiting process while also giving me a life long memory.
PBR: What, if any, college coaches have you been in contact with since the event ended and the Aug. 1 deadline has been reached?
Kent State, Penn State, Marshall, Bowling Green, George Mason, Ohio State, all of them were post Future Games.
|
 |
Cooper Gilkerson RHP / 3B / Hilliard Darby, OH / 2025
PBR: What were your Future Games highlights?
Settling in after letting up a lead-off double and leaving him stranded on the bases.
PBR: Assess your performance.
Very good, I didn’t let up any runs.
PBR: Give your thoughts on being part of Team Ohio and what stood out.
It was great. I loved being around such great players and people.
PBR: Touch on the competition you faced at the event.
I faced a very good Illinois lineup with stacked bats.
PBR: How can participating in the Future Games help you in the future?
Can show college scouts what you are made of and can get your name out to different colleges.
PBR: What, if any, college coaches have you been in contact with since the event ended and the Aug. 1 deadline has been reached?
Wright State, Ohio State, Oklahoma State, Kent State, Butler, College of Charleston, Marshall, East Carolina.
|
 |
Charlie Hoagland LHP / OF / Chaminade Julienne, OH / 2025
PBR: What were your Future Games highlights?
Obviously I enjoyed competing at a really high level with and against some of the best in the country, but just hanging out with the team also stood out. It was a great group of guys that had a lot of fun together. Also, with the coaching staff it was great interacting and talking to them during and after games.
PBR: Assess your performance.
I thought I pitched really well. I commanded my two innings well while showing off my stuff and playing some of my best ball. I feel like I definitely improved my stick and put some schools on notice.
PBR: Give your thoughts on being part of Team Ohio and what stood out.
It was a great group of coaches and players who know the game at a really high level. You could tell we had a fun group that bonded and had a good time.
PBR: Touch on the competition you faced at the event.
It was great facing some of the best competitors in the country and was definitely a challenge that I thought I handled well and showed I can more than hang.
PBR: How can participating in the Future Games help you in the future?
I mean, the amount of coaches there was staggering. I definitely caught some of their attention and improved my stock. I also think that showing me the high level of competition that I can play at and proving I’m good at that level will help me tremendously.
PBR: What, if any, college coaches have you been in contact with since the event ended and the Aug. 1 deadline has been reached?
After the event I’ve been in contact with around 20 colleges and have been on the phone pretty much nonstop since Aug. 1.
|
 |
Grant Jolly RHP / MIF / Wapakoneta, OH / 2025
PBR: What were your Future Games highlights?
My Future Games highlights were striking out two and giving up no hits and no walks.
PBR: Assess your performance.
I thought my performance was about as good as I could’ve pitched.
PBR: Give your thoughts on being part of Team Ohio and what stood out.
Being a part of Team Ohio was an amazing opportunity that was very fun. It was just an amazing experience.
PBR: Touch on the competition you faced at the event.
The competition was just out of this world with how good people from even some of the states you don’t think have good baseball and how good the kids really are.
PBR: How can participating in the Future Games help you in the future?
The Future Games helped my future a lot. It got my name out to many more college coaches so they know what I can do.
PBR: What, if any, college coaches have you been in contact with since the event ended and the Aug. 1 deadline has been reached?
Indiana State, Villanova, Kent State, VMI, Oklahoma State, Kansas State and Arkansas State.
|
 |
Grant Keffaber RHP / 3B / Lebanon, OH / 2025
PBR: What were your Future Games highlights?
My highlights for the Future Games was the way it was set up and all the chances for players to get looks while playing.
PBR: Assess your performance.
I was very happy with the way I played and felt like I showed colleges how I pitch.
PBR: Give your thoughts on being part of Team Ohio and what stood out.
Team Ohio was amazing. The team had a bond that I felt a lot of other teams didn’t have.
PBR: Touch on the competition you faced at the event.
The competition at the Future Games was very crazy and unmatched anywhere else. It is very hard to get that many very good players in one area.
PBR: How can participating in the Future Games help you in the future?
Future Games can help me in my future in showing college coaches how I pitch and see how I compete.
PBR: What, if any, college coaches have you been in contact with since the event ended and the Aug. 1 deadline has been reached?
I have been in contact with Ohio, Rutgers, Penn State, Kent State, Auburn, Kentucky, Louisville and Marshall.
|
 |
Noah Kubasky LHP / 1B / Lake, OH / 2025
PBR: What were your Future Games highlights?
The whole experience from day one meeting my team, pictures and work out. Representing Team Ohio and getting to stand out on that mound in front of all those scouts.
PBR: Assess your performance.
I pitched in Game Two and gave up no runs and it was extremely satisfying.
PBR: Give your thoughts on being part of Team Ohio and what stood out.
The talent stands out. Also, PBR Ohio has the most social media followers across all platforms.
PBR: Touch on the competition you faced at the event.
Like nothing I’ve ever seen before.
PBR: How can participating in the Future Games help you in the future?
Allows players to be seen and scouted on another level entirely with over 300 scouts in attendance.
PBR: What, if any, college coaches have you been in contact with since the event ended and the Aug. 1 deadline has been reached?
Kent State, Kansas State, Ohio State, Auburn, Cincinnati, Ohio U.
|
 |
Harper Lann RHP / Walsh Jesuit, OH / 2025
PBR: What were your Future Games highlights?
The highlights of the Future Games for me was being around guys from my home state working to defeat the different states. The bond that us Ohio boys had was monumental to our success. We came together and started playing like we’ve been playing together for years.
PBR: Assess your performance.
I believe my performance was huge in terms of my recruiting career. PBR has been one of the organizations guiding me throughout my career and to give me the opportunity to come out and show the work I put in is huge for my future
PBR: Give your thoughts on being part of Team Ohio and what stood out.
Being part of Team Ohio is very valuable to me because the state of Ohio is full of very talented baseball players and for me to be asked to play for such a high-level team in a high-level setting will leave me forever grateful.
PBR: Touch on the competition you faced at the event.
The competition I faced at this event was beyond anyone’s imagination. Straight dudes from all over the nation coming to one spot to show off their talent. It built me more as a person and as an athlete to see how my skills go against high-level athletes.
PBR: How can participating in the Future Games help you in the future?
Future Games is going to not only help my future but sculpt it because of the work the organization has put in to be able to get the amount of scouts to come watch young athletes thrive in a competitive setting. I will be forever thankful for PBR and what they have done in my recruiting career.
PBR: What, if any, college coaches have you been in contact with since the event ended and the Aug. 1 deadline has been reached?
When the contact period started on Aug. 1, I was reached out to by East Carolina and Louisville.
|
 |
PBR: What were your Future Games highlights?
I feel like the whole experience was great being around so many great ball players and experiencing playing at a high level.
PBR: Assess your performance.
I felt like my first inning was tough but the second inning I made some adjustments and did really well. The first inning I wasn’t using as many of my breaking pitches and if I did it wasn’t really working, but when I went back into the dugout after the first I made myself some mental cues that helped me perform in the second inning.
PBR: Give your thoughts on being part of Team Ohio and what stood out.
I think Ohio has a great amount of good baseball players and I was very honored to be a part of a great team like that. Some things that stood out were being around some fun teammates, having laughs in the dugout and also meeting other kids and becoming friends.
PBR: Touch on the competition you faced at the event.
The competition in this event was something that I feel like I have not faced in my life. Pitching against a great team like Pennsylvania really made me realize that I need to do a lot of work to be the best of the best.
PBR: How can participating in the Future Games help you in the future?
It can help your future because of all the things you learn when you are down there. When I was not playing I was talking to other players about what has helped them become a great pitcher. Learning stuff like this can potentially make me a better ball player and pitcher by incorporating the stuff other great players do.
PBR: What, if any, college coaches have you been in contact with since the event ended and the Aug. 1 deadline has been reached?
I have had many colleges reach out to me such as Ohio State, Ohio University, Penn State, BGSU, Tulane, St John’s University, and also Wright State.
|
 |
Braylon Schneider RHP / 3B / Fremont Ross, OH / 2025
PBR: What were your Future Games highlights?
I would say my Future Games highlights were my two strikeouts and hitting 91 on my fastball.
PBR: Assess your performance.
I think I could’ve done better at staying ahead in the count better. All batters I faced I got into full counts. Other than that I feel I had a great approach with my off speed and kept the hitters off balance.
PBR: Give your thoughts on being part of Team Ohio and what stood out.
Being a part of Team Ohio is a great opportunity. All the guys on the team were easy to get along with and I had a great time being around them. Something that stood out to me was that though we are all from different parts of Ohio we came together like we knew and played with each other for years.
PBR: Touch on the competition you faced at the event.
The three batters I faced were all smart hitters. They didn’t chase at anything a little above the zone or on the outside of the zone.
PBR: How can participating in the Future Games help you in the future?
Participating in the Future Games will help me in the future with more exposure to colleges, but also gives players a chance to play in front of a big crowd with pressure on them and getting them used to that feeling.
PBR: What, if any, college coaches have you been in contact with since the event ended and the Aug. 1 deadline has been reached?
Colleges that have reached out so far are Wright State, Penn State, Kent State, Michigan State, Morehead State, Ohio State, Toledo, Bowling Green, and Alabama.
|
 |
Joey Watts RHP / OF / Archbishop Moeller, OH / 2025
PBR: What were your Future Games highlights?
My highlight at the Future Games was definitely getting the opportunity to pitch in that environment. It’s so surreal being surrounded by the coaches and staffs around you and I had to take a moment on the mound to soak it all in.
PBR: Assess your performance.
Overall with coming back from an injury - I’ve had three previous starts and I haven’t been able to put all my pieces together in one outing - going into the Future Games I thought this was all gonna click. But unfortunately my command fluctuated and affected my performance. The greatest thing is I’m able to look back and assess my performance and make adjustments for down the road.
PBR: Give your thoughts on being part of Team Ohio and what stood out.
It was awesome being able to represent the state of Ohio at such a premier event such as the Future Games. In the country I feel the Ohio talent is truly slept on and underrated in comparison to other states.
PBR: Touch on the competition you faced at the event.
Being at this stage comes with great competition and this truly is the talent collegiate players are going to be surrounded by down the road. Being friends with other players is even cooler to play against.
PBR: How can participating in the Future Games help you in the future?
Down the road the Future Games, being such a prestigious event, can serve to colleges and scouts in the stands as a sign of how competitive a player can be. In addition it serves as, in my opinion, the best method in the recruiting process for an uncommitted kid such as myself.
PBR: What, if any, college coaches have you been in contact with since the event ended and the Aug. 1 deadline has been reached?
Prior to the Future Games I was talking to UCF, TCU, Iowa, Ohio State, George Mason, Georgetown, Georgia Southern, Old Dominion, Miami (Fla), Notre Dame, Tulane.
|
The Two-Way Prospects
 |
Jack Ryan 3B / RHP / St. Xavier, OH / 2026
PBR: What were your Future Games highlights?
My highlights were showcasing my abilities in Wednesday’s workout and performing in the games to prove I am one of the top two-ways in the country.
PBR: Assess your performance.
I performed well all week. All my numbers and stats improved from the last PBR event I did. I was 3-5 with a double and a walk. My other big highlight was closing Game 2 for Ohio against Illinois. The environment was cool because there were many coaches there watching our game. I was able to get three quick outs and then they gave me three more batters to face and I got three more outs, without anyone reaching base, including two strikeouts. As a result of my performance, I received a great tweet from Shooter Hunt.
PBR: Give your thoughts on being part of Team Ohio and what stood out.
It was awesome to play with and get to know other top players across the state. The amount of college coaches at the event really stood out to me.
PBR: Touch on the competition you faced at the event.
The competition was top notch. There were some really talented players at the event. As a pitcher, I faced some of the top hitters from Illinois. As a hitter, I faced some of the top arms across the country.
PBR: How can participating in the Future Games help you in the future?
My performance at the Future Games showed my continued development to colleges that were interested and offered before and will bring new opportunities.
PBR: What, if any, college coaches have you been in contact with since the event ended and the Aug. 1 deadline has been reached?
The recruiting rule change gives me more time to develop and train. I look forward to learning more about each school and their programs, the coaches and especially the academics. As a 2026, next year is extremely important for me to continue to work hard to get stronger and faster.
|
 |
Joey Buchanan LHP / 1B / Milford, OH / 2025
PBR: What were your Future Games highlights?
Closed the first game on the mound and was very efficient, getting quick outs. 5 up, 5 down.
PBR: Assess your performance.
My hitting was poor. Definitely some holes in the approach and mechanical issues with the swing. I gave away some at-bats. On the mound, statistically I did well, but I wasn’t happy with where the fastball velocity was and didn’t have my best breaking ball that day. But I was able to let my defense work for me and help get me outs.
PBR: Give your thoughts on being part of Team Ohio and what stood out.
I loved being a part of Team Ohio. All the guys got along real well from day 1-4. There were a lot of guys that didn’t know each other before the event, but by the end everyone had meshed together really well. We were able to have fun on and off the field (rain delay). I’m super grateful I was a part of this great group of players.
PBR: Touch on the competition you faced at the event.
The competition really was some of the best you can get. I faced better arms at the Future Games than some of the committed arms I faced during the summer and spring.
PBR: How can participating in the Future Games help you in the future?
Participating at the Future Games can help me in the future because I was introduced to being on a “big stage”. Stepping on the field or even just walking in the complex and seeing 100+ different college scouts can be intimidating for a lot of players. Having experienced that myself now, I will be able to adapt to it better and shake the nerves in the future.
PBR: What, if any, college coaches have you been in contact with since the event ended and the Aug. 1 deadline has been reached?
Georgia Tech, Kansas State, Penn, Ohio State, Yale, Columbia.
|
The Catchers
 |
Taylor Belza C / 3B / Saint Ignatius, OH / 2025
PBR: What were your Future Games highlights?
Future Games highlights - going 5-6 through the tournament.
PBR: Assess your performance.
Through the event I felt super with the bat as well as catching.
PBR: Give your thoughts on being part of Team Ohio and what stood out.
The team was just outstanding. All the guys bonded well together. There were lots of funny moments and it was just a great team.
PBR: Touch on the competition you faced at the event.
The teams we faced were all super good. The pitching was great, too.
PBR: How can participating in the Future Games help you in the future?
Making friends with all D-I guys who are going to be friends down the road and maybe teammates. This allowed me to evaluate myself around the other players, too.
PBR: What, if any, college coaches have you been in contact with since the event ended and the Aug. 1 deadline has been reached?
I won’t say who I had contact with out of respect, but I had 32 calls on Aug 1.
|
 |
Austin Rose C / 1B / Newark, OH / 2025
PBR: What were your Future Games highlights?
Going 2-3 with a single and a home run to left field day one against Team Midwest.
PBR: Assess your performance.
Competed well at the plate and made some solid plays on defense.
PBR: Give your thoughts on being part of Team Ohio and what stood out.
We always had energy and found good chemistry from the start.
PBR: Touch on the competition you faced at the event.
All three teams were great and all had great players. Pennsylvania had the best pitchers and Illinois had the best hitters.
PBR: How can participating in the Future Games help you in the future?
The Future Games is the biggest event of the year with tons of scouts that allows me to get noticed.
PBR: What, if any, college coaches have you been in contact with since the event ended and the Aug. 1 deadline has been reached?
Ohio State, Xavier, Wright State, Kansas State, Maryland, Toledo, Cornell, VMI, Cincinnati have all reached out.
|
The Infielders
 |
Daniel Briggs SS / 2B / Dublin Coffman, OH / 2025
PBR: What were your Future Games highlights?
I’d say that the highlights of my Future Games experience were competing against top-level pitching, learning from the great players around me, and having fun with a great group of teammates and coaches.
PBR: Assess your performance.
I think I put together a good amount of quality at-bats in the games, and overall was happy with how I showed at the first day workout.
PBR: Give your thoughts on being part of Team Ohio and what stood out.
What stood out to me the most about being a part of Team Ohio was the competitiveness that this team brought to all three games that we played.
PBR: Touch on the competition you faced at the event.
The competition at the Future Games was great. You face elite arms every AB and it only made me better as a player.
PBR: How can participating in the Future Games help you in the future?
By participating in the Future Games it allowed me to show out in front of many coaches which may lead to opportunities down the road.
PBR: What, if any, college coaches have you been in contact with since the event ended and the Aug. 1 deadline has been reached?
Liberty University, Ohio University.
|
 |
Ian Cain 3B / RHP / Avon, OH / 2025
PBR: What were your Future Games highlights?
Highlights were three great plays at third base.
PBR: Assess your performance.
I feel that I showed most of my attributes on the field and in the box and did well.
PBR: Give your thoughts on being part of Team Ohio and what stood out.
I’m very blessed to be able to represent my state at the best stage of the summer.
PBR: Touch on the competition you faced at the event.
The competition was the best of the best.
PBR: How can participating in the Future Games help you in the future?
Participating in the Future Games help me show my skills in front of many college coaches and is setting me up for the future.
PBR: What, if any, college coaches have you been in contact with since the event ended and the Aug. 1 deadline has been reached?
Kent State, Bowling Green, Ohio University, University of Maryland, University of Memphis, University of Akron, Morehead State, Wright State, George Mason, St. Louis University, Marshall University, Butler University, Ohio State.
|
 |
Nicholas Frontino SS / RHP / Saint Ignatius, OH / 2025
PBR: What were your Future Games highlights?
My Future Games highlights was the amount of excitement and great competition we faced.
PBR: Assess your performance.
Our performance was very good throughout the games which helped me and my team perform at the highest level.
PBR: Give your thoughts on being part of Team Ohio and what stood out.
My thought on being a part of Team Ohio was the amount of fun we had throughout the event and games.
PBR: Touch on the competition you faced at the event.
The competition we faced during the event was very elite, which made it exciting to participate in.
PBR: How can participating in the Future Games help you in the future?
The Future Games can help you in the future with the amount of attention from other schools around the country. This helped my recruiting process with opening it to other schools that I wasn’t in contact with before.
|
 |
PBR: What were your Future Games highlights?
Game 1: 2-3 with a single and double (both 93 EV).
PBR: Assess your performance.
Overall good showing of my skill set in the box as well as in the field.
PBR: Give your thoughts on being part of Team Ohio and what stood out.
Being on Team Ohio was a blast and a great experience to connect with the top players in the state as well as represent our state.
PBR: Touch on the competition you faced at the event.
The competition was top notch. Top players in the country all coming to one location is very rare, but it was done at this event. Every arm on the mound was consistently 85-90 at 16-years-old which is very rare.
PBR: How can participating in the Future Games help you in the future?
Participating in the Future Games definitely helped me put my name out there and got me lots of attention from colleges all around. It was amazing exposure to colleges throughout the country.
PBR: What, if any, college coaches have you been in contact with since the event ended and the Aug. 1 deadline has been reached?
Since Aug. 1, I have been in contact with a great amount of colleges. Those include USC Upstate, Bowling Green, Yale, Kent State, Toledo, Bellarmine, Ohio State, Ohio University, Oakland, William and Mary, Michigan State, Butler, Cincinnati, Akron, Xavier and Richmond.
|
 |
Drew Tajblik SS / RHP / Lake, OH / 2025
PBR: What were your Future Games highlights?
My Future Games highlights were just a bunch of smooth plays in the infield.
PBR: Assess your performance.
My performance was really good.
PBR: Give your thoughts on being part of Team Ohio and what stood out.
Being on Team Ohio means a lot to me because it’s a one in a lifetime opportunity to compete against the best in the country. It makes me feel special to get the invite.
PBR: Touch on the competition you faced at the event.
The competition was very good. Every team could hit the ball hard, they can throw the ball hard and they can field the ball very well.
PBR: How can participating in the Future Games help you in the future?
The Future Games will play a big role in my future. That’s a place where colleges mainly see you and can determine if they want you in their program or not in the future.
PBR: What, if any, college coaches have you been in contact with since the event ended and the Aug. 1 deadline has been reached?
I had a few colleges contacting me after the Futures Games. It was a great day.
|
 |
Preston Zumwalt 3B / SS / Tippecanoe, OH / 2025
PBR: What were your Future Games highlights?
My Future Games highlights were going 2-1 and beating good teams. I had a great BP and infield round and I felt like that really helped me stay confident throughout the week.
PBR: Assess your performance.
I thought I played well. I didn’t hit great but battled through and played very well on defense.
PBR: Give your thoughts on being part of Team Ohio and what stood out.
Being part of Team Ohio was amazing to say the least! I had a great time playing with all these incredible players. The PBR staff really helped me get my name out there to schools and I can’t thank them enough for that!
PBR: Touch on the competition you faced at the event.
The competition at the event was the best of the best. Every game you had to battle every at-bat. It helps show you what you need to work on to become better and be able to compete with everyone.
PBR: How can participating in the Future Games help you in the future?
The Future Games puts you in front of almost every college coach there is. If you perform well and show your tools it’ll help set you up for college.
PBR: What, if any, college coaches have you been in contact with since the event ended and the Aug. 1 deadline has been reached?
I have talked to Ohio University, Kent State University, Wright State, George Mason, Oklahoma State, Toledo, Akron, Xavier, VMI, VCU, Baylor, Bellarmine.
|
The Outfielders
 |
Gavin Lawler OF / RHP / Grove City, OH / 2025
PBR: What were your Future Games highlights?
A few highlights for me I would say would have to be having a solid weekend at the plate and nice putouts in the outfield. But what really stood out to me was the environment and having Team Ohio play as we did was a highlight of itself.
PBR: Assess your performance.
Some assessment of my game personally I would say is my speed and athleticism on my build, at least I have been told by coaches, giving me a high ceiling and being able to control my own future.
PBR: Give your thoughts on being part of Team Ohio and what stood out.
Something that stood out on Team Ohio would definitely have to be the atmosphere and how everyone just got along. You couldn’t tell that we haven’t played a game before with each other and that was something very unique and special to me and I believe all the guys.
PBR: Touch on the competition you faced at the event.
Faced a lot of great arms, saw upper-80s the majority of the weekend which is nice competition, but I feel the breaking stuff for a lot of guys was elite so you could sit red and get away with it.
PBR: How can participating in the Future Games help you in the future?
Participating in the Future Games has been huge for me and my family, really seeing the type of ball player I am compared to others. It really exposed my flaws and what part of the game I need to work on to keep getting better and succeed at the next level.
PBR: What, if any, college coaches have you been in contact with since the event ended and the Aug. 1 deadline has been reached?
I have been in contact with Wright State and Ohio State.
|
 |
Cam Simmons OF / LHP / New Albany, OH / 2025
PBR: What were your Future Games highlights?
My Future Games highlights were my assist from right field and hanging out with the team during the rain delay.
PBR: Assess your performance.
I thought my performance was solid. I might’ve wished to achieve a better outcome hitting, but I battled through every at-bat trying to help Team Ohio.
PBR: Give your thoughts on being part of Team Ohio and what stood out.
Being part of Team Ohio was a great experience and it meant a lot to me. What stood out to me was our chemistry compared to other teams. I felt like our team meshed very well and got to know everyone well in a short amount of time.
PBR: Touch on the competition you faced at the event.
Speaking about the gameplay more, I felt like we faced some amazing competition this year. Every team had great pitchers with good stuff and very well-rounded hitters. I thought the Future Games was able to showcase some of the best athletes in the country and these players showed all sorts of skills. I know some games were different, but for us we were able to keep on hitting if we worked a walk. I thought that was a really good opportunity for the hitters to display their skills.
PBR: How can participating in the Future Games help you in the future?
These games were a great experience and for most players I think it was a great chance to show what you have in front of hundreds of coaches. These games might give a player the chance he didn’t think was achievable, or lead him closer to his end goal.
PBR: What, if any, college coaches have you been in contact with since the event ended and the Aug. 1 deadline has been reached?
The schools that have reached out since future games are Ohio State, Miami (Fla), VMI, Akron and Butler.
|
 |
PBR: What were your Future Games highlights?
My Future Games highlights were making a crazy catch in the outfield and being able to meet new teammates.
PBR: Assess your performance.
To myself, I thought my performance was pretty good. All my balls that I put in play were hit really hard but just right at people. I felt like I did really well in the outfield, too.
PBR: Give your thoughts on being part of Team Ohio and what stood out.
Being a part of Team Ohio was very special because for me, I don't play with a lot of people from Ohio, so getting to represent my state was phenomenal.
PBR: Touch on the competition you faced at the event.
The competition was great. Being able to face a lot of top arms around the country really helps me push myself to do my best to get a hit.
PBR: How can participating in the Future Games help you in the future?
Participating in the Futures Games is a big part in a lot of players' futures because this might be the only time a college might see you play which could be really good for you.
PBR: What, if any, college coaches have you been in contact with since the event ended and the Aug. 1 deadline has been reached?
As a 2026, no college coaches have reached out since the new rule change.
|
***To view all the stats/articles related to the 2023 Future Games, click here.
Recent Articles
