Today, we caught up with Gio Melchione and his father, Raf. They answered some questions for us below about their Junior Future Games experience as part of Team Arizona in 2019. 

PBR Arizona will be selecting some of the top 2024 & 2025 grads to represent Team Arizona in the 2020 Junior Future Games at the LakePoint Sports facility in Emerson, GA. The 7th Annual Invitation-Only event will feature the best identified prospects from across the PBR Coverage Area in a five-day event. Participants will be given the unique opportunity of competing against other top-level players while representing their respective state in a high-level atmosphere.

This event will run in conjunction with the PBR Future Games. The Future Games features the top uncommitted players in the Class of 2022 and 2023 from across the Prep Baseball Report’s 35+ state coverage area. It is one of the most highly recruited events of the summer and attracts more than 300 college coaches from across the country each year.

This one-of-a-kind event will include individual workouts and a 4-game guarantee with single elimination bracket play to determine a champion in each age group.

PBR: How did it feel to be selected to play on Team Arizona in the Junior Future Games?

Gio: I felt very honored and excited to go represent my state and take my talents against other players of the same caliber.

 

PBR: As a parent, was the decision to commit to an event like this hard for a player at a young age? What went into that decision? Satisfied with that decision?

Raf: Once I researched and talked to some parents and players that went the year before and how they expressed to me the atmosphere plus exposure you get it was a easy decision. We were very satisfied with going especially after noticing over 300 D1 schools there plus the competition.

 

PBR: What was the atmosphere & facility like? Were you impressed?

Gio: The atmosphere was indescribable it felt very welcoming as a player and the facilities in my opinion were none like i’ve ever seen before. My favorite part was the all turf fields.

 

PBR: What was it like to compete against top players from other states in this showcase and tournament format? Were you nervous?

Gio: It was definitely and eye opener to see how many other players are very talented just like my teammates and I were, every game was a fought hard game. I was more excited than nervous for the most part but seeing all the players different arsenals of pitches made me a little nervous. But you get used to it.


PBR: Did you get a chance to go watch the older guys in the Future Games? What was that like? Learn anything for the future?

Gio: Yes, I did, I went to go see the second half of one of their games, it was really cool to see our natives go out there and show what they had for everyone in attendance. I learned a couple of things like gaining the ability to be selective in my pitch selection.

 

PBR: Did you see any scouts roam over to Junior Future Games? As a parent, what does that tell you about the state of recruiting?

Gio: Yes, I saw a ton of different scouts from all different parts of the country in both the junior side and the older side of the complex.

Raf: We didn’t expect any college or pro scouts to come over to the juniors but we were wrong because every game that was played you would see 5 to 10 scouts roaming around field to field which says a lot because they are mostly up at the upperclass games.

PBR: Would you recommend other young players attend the Junior Future Games as you did last year? What was your favorite part?

Gio: Of course, it was a really cool place to go play. My favorite part was definitely the facilities as a whole.

 

PBR: As a parent, do you feel comfortable recommending other parents to bring their son to this event? Any advice?

Raf: I’ll say this if it wasn’t for the junior games my son wouldn’t have what he has now as a freshman. After we came back we had third party contact from three D1 schools something we never expected. My advice to a parent and player don’t go there with expectations to get a offer or talk to colleges just play hard have a great attitude and they will put your name down to follow you at other events down the road.

 

PBR: In the future, Is the older Future Games an event that you would want to attend? Why?

Gio: Yes, because getting that chance to play in front of that many scouts at that level of competition is something you live for.

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