Prep Baseball Report

2022 Future Games - PNW Pitching Recap


Dan Jurik
Scouting Director - Pacific Northwest

The 2022 Future Games took place on July 27-30 at LakePoint in Emerson, Georgia. The event features the top uncommitted 2024 and 2025 prospects from across the country and was attended by more than 350 colleges from across all parts of the country. 

Day 1 of the event is a pro-style workout for all participating position players with all of our standard showcase elements including the 60, vertical jump, defensive workouts and batting practice. 

After that, each team of prospects plays a single game on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. For the PNW, the schedule consisted of games against Team Select, Michigan and Wisconsin

The Pacific Northwest roster was comprised of 17 players in the 2024-2025 class, all of whom must be uncommitted. 

Here are notes and a brief recap from what we saw out of the Pitcher Only prospects on the roster across 3 games of action. 

2022 FUTURE GAMES

PACIFIC NORTHWEST PITCHERS

Shane Johnson LHP / OF / Lake Washington , WA / 2025

Crafty southpaw who pitches with advanced feel for the game and noticeable moxie. Johnson came out and spun 2 solid innings with his full repertoire on display. FB held 81-83 and topped at 84.4 mph from a lower release point and ¾ slot. Works to both sides of the plate against both LHH and RHH while keeping the ball down in the zone. Has ability to manipulate FB and will work in an occasional sinker. Showed the ability to spin a tight, sweeping SL at 74-77. Understands how to adjust shape when he needs a strike vs when he’s expanding the zone. Utilized his CH well on this look at doesn’t shy away from it in big spots. Coming from the left side, it will be a viable weapon against RHH and should only get better against more advanced, aggressive hitters. Overall, Johnson flashed all of the make-up and poise you want to see from a LH starter with quality stuff that should continue to improve as he racks up innings in HS.

Alexander Via RHP / 3B / Summit, OR / 2025

After a dominant opening frame to begin the FGs against Team Select, Via came back out against Wisconsin and continued his impressive showing down in Georgia with 2 more quality frames. A lean, wiry athlete with a side-arm slot. Via can dial it up with more velo than you typically see from younger guys with a lower slot. He topped at 85.9 in his Game 1 debut and pitched 83-85 throughout the event. FB gets exceptional carry up in the zone and can manipulate the ball north & south. He repeats his release when going to the SL and it works as a cutter but with slightly more depth/shape. He didn’t need the CH often but with his FB command and arm action it should continue to improve. CH has hard tumble at 73-74 and he really understands how to kill spin. The arm is extremely loose throughout with a whippy finish and strong decel from his lower half. From a competitive standpoint, Via pitches with his hair on fire and a no-nonsense demeanor that defenses love to play behind

Carter Nelson RHP / 1B / South Salem , OR / 2024

After a clean debut on Thursday vs Team Select with a scoreless inning, Nelson came back on Saturday and fired 2 more scoreless frames, giving him 2 APP, 3 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 2 BB and 3 K for the event. That stat line landed Nelson on the “Top Performers” list. At 6’3, 170 with a wide upper half and wiry build, Nelson is still growing into his frame and possesses some of the best pure projection on the roster. Pitched 82-84 across both appearances from a high ¾ slot with downward plane. Nelson excelled with his CB command down south and it was a legit weapon for him. At 70-72 and 2500 rpm, it has tight shape with late downer action and depth. Capable of staying within the zone and still generating swings and misses. CH gives him a 3rd offering at 77-78 and he does a solid job killing spin and sinking it out of the zone. Overall, Nelson works with a clean, polished delivery and great arm action. He’s a mature competitor with quiet confidence.

Alec Ammerman RHP / Richland, WA / 2024

In G1, Ammerman took home Player of the Game honors after 2 perfect innings on the mound, retiring all 6 batters he faced on only 16 pitches with 2 punchouts. At 5’9, 160, Ammerman has terrific body control and fluid, athletic mechanics. From a high ¾ slot he topped at 87.3 on the FB and worked 84-86 across the event. He’ll move the ball to all 4 quadrants of the zone and holds his stuff whether he’s from the wind-up or stretch. When he fills up the zone, it makes his 70-73 mph SL even more effective as he can land it for strikes or expand when ahead in the count. He has the makes of a CH for a quality 3rd offering but his outings were so quick that he rarely needed it. Given the mechanics, arm action and present stuff, he can rack up innings quickly while having the versatility to handle multiple roles. Finished the FGs with 2 APP, 3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4K. Retired all 9 batters faced. Named to the “Top Performers” list.

 

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

SHOWCASE STATE DATE LOCATION
Seattle Preseason ID WA 01/28 EL1 Sports - Puyallup, WA
Super 60 Pro Showcase NATIONAL 02/05 The MAX - McCook, IL
Pacific Northwest Preseason ID WA 02/05 NW Sports Hub - Centralia, WA
Central Washington Preseason ID WA 02/11 The SIX Athletic Training Facility - Moses Lake, WA
2022 Scout Day - Baden Baseball WA 02/20 EL1 Tacoma
Pacific Northwest Preseason All-State (Invite-Only) WA 02/21 NW Sports Hub - Centralia, WA
Oregon Preseason ID WA 02/25 PK Park - Eugene, OR

 

 

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