2023 National High School Invitational | Official Event Program

2023 OFFICIAL EVENT PROGRAM

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A MESSAGE FROM THE

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR/CEO

ON BEHALF OF THE NATIONAL GOVERNING BODY FOR BASEBALL IN THE UNITED STATES, I AM HONORED AND PRIVILEGED TO WELCOME YOU TO THE TENTH ANNUAL USA BASEBALL NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL INVITATIONAL, PRESENTED BY THE GREATER RALEIGH SPORTS ALLIANCE!

After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, we brought the National High School Invitational back last year to tremendous success. Not only did we crown a new champion for the first time since 2017, but USA Baseball's commitment and celebration to prep baseball once again was also highlighted on a national stage.

You should all be proud to have been invited to this event as it solidifies the hard work and commitment everyone involved in your program has given to earn this national recognition. We firmly believe in the competitive and personal experiences of playing high school baseball and are thrilled to continue to champion such a prestigious event that honors the country's top prep programs and baseball players.

Did you know the National Training Complex has hosted some of the best Major League Baseball players during their amateur careers? To name a few: players like Gerrit Cole, Bryce Harper, Francisco Lindor, and Kyle Schwarber have played here. And, en route to their All-Tournament honors and silver medals at the World Baseball Classic earlier this month, Trea Turner and Mike Trout have also played on this field. The National Training Complex is a place that welcomes, develops, and helps launch young, talented baseball players to the next level, and USA Baseball takes that responsibility seriously.

As you enter the National Training Complex, you will notice the latest investment in developing young baseball talent in our country is under construction. Last year we broke ground on our new offices and indoor high-performance training center as the organization continues to transform and grow, matching our goals to our commitment to baseball players in the United States. We cannot wait to show you the finished product by the end of this year. However, in the meantime, we ask you to pardon the mess and feel free to learn more by visiting USABaseball.com/About/Build-For-Glory.

USA Baseball is committed to bringing first-class competition to the field, so we wish you all the best of luck as you strive to win this national championship. The experiences the athletes, coaches, and families will go through during this tournament will create memories and present numerous challenges and opportunities that could remain with you forever. We hope your time in Cary playing in the National High School Invitational is a highlight of your high school career that you will fondly remember.

Once again, welcome to the 2023 USA Baseball National High School Invitational! On behalf of our staff, we cannot wait for you to get here and show us what you've got.

Yours in baseball,

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The National High School Invitational is proud to be a FULL COMPLIANCE Pitch Smart event.

For more information, visit PitchSmart.org

Paul V. Seiler Executive Director/CEO USA Baseball

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29

THURSDAY, MARCH 30

FRIDAY, MARCH 31

THE NHSI BY THE NUMBERS

When Doral Academy (FL) and St. Xavier (KY) take the field on Wednesday to kick off the National High School Invitational (NHSI) presented by the Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance, it will mark the beginning of the tenth edition of the event. Beginning in 2012, the NHSI has continuously hosted the best high school programs in the nation, welcoming future big league All-Stars to the USA Baseball National Training Complex on a yearly basis. Over the tournament’s first nine years, there have been 225 games played, 4,455 runs scored, 30 complete-game shutouts, 13 four-hit games, six different champions, and one no-hitter. This year’s field is full of loaded rosters, Team USA alumni, future college stars, and more, and is sure to provide another thrilling tournament.

Two teams in this year’s NHSI field are coming off state championship seasons in 2022. Doral Academy (FL) had a season to remember last spring, winning the 6A Florida State Championship. The Firebirds compiled a 25-4-1 record a season ago en route to

capturing their first baseball state title in program history. St. Xavier (KY) also comes to Cary after winning its ninth state title in school history last season. The Tigers went 34-10 in 2022, capping the campaign with a championship game over Russell County.

Six players at this year’s

NHSI boast experience playing for Team USA. Talan Bell (Hagerty) and Matthew Champion (JSerra Catholic) donned the stars and stripes in 2022 at the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup Americas Qualifier in La Paz and Los Cabos, Mexico, helping the U.S. capture a gold medal in the event. Drew Burress (Houston County) was a member of the 15U National Team in 2019, where he and Team USA earned gold at the WBSC U-15 Baseball World Cup. Michael Torres (Doral Academy) is a three-time Team USA alum and two-time gold medalist, as he won gold at both the 12U and 18U levels at the WBSC Baseball World Cup Americas Qualifier. Two-time 12U National Team alums Owen Egan (Aquinas) and Ralphy Velazquez (Huntington Beach) are both world champions, earning gold at the 2017 WBSC U-12 Baseball World Cup.

The six Team USA alums in the NHSI field have combined for a .909 winning percentage in international competition. Talan Bell, Matthew Champion, and Michael Torres all own spotless records for Team USA, as they went 8-0 at the 2022 WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup Americas Qualifier and Torres’ 12U squad went 8-0 at the WBSC U-12 Baseball World Cup in 2017. Drew Burress and the 2019 15U National Team went 8-1 en route to a world title, while Owen Egan and Ralphy Velazquez helped the 12U National Team go a combined 15-3 in 2016 and 2017, including a gold medal at the 2017 WBSC U-12 Baseball World Cup.

Illinois, Nevada, North Carolina, Kentucky, and Oregon all boast one team in this year’s tournament.

10 players at the NHSI competed at the 2022 Prospect Development Pipeline (PDP) League in 2022: Calvary Christian’s Hunter Dietz, Landen Maroudis, and Liam Peterson, Doral Academy’s Adrian Santana, Hagerty’s Garrett Baumann, Houston County’s Drew Burress, Huntington Beach’s Ralphy Velazquez, Jserra Catholic’s Andrew Lamb, Jesuit’s Noble Meyer, and Santa Margarita Catholic’s Blake Balsz. The PDP League, which is the primary identification event for the 18U National Team, allows athletes to take part in a dynamic, development-centric experience throughout the eight-day exposure. Athletes engage in individualized strength, conditioning and wellness training, on-field instruction, competitive game play, seminars and more.

Programs from nine different states are represented at this year’s NHSI.

California and Florida each have four representatives to lead the field, while Georgia features two teams. Arizona,

160 players at the 2023

NHSI are committed to play college baseball, which averages out to nearly nine players per team. JSerra leads all teams in the field with 19 college commits, while Basha follows with 15. Bishop Gorman’s roster features 14 players committed to play in college.

Of the 160 college commits, 69 of them are headed to play in a Power Five conference. The Pac-12 features a tournament-most 32 future players in the NHSI, including eight Oregon commits. Sixteen players from this year’s tournament will compete in the ACC next year, while nine are committed to SEC schools.

Only one of the 16 teams in this year’s event have hoisted the NHSI championship trophy. Huntington Beach High School became NHSI champions in 2016, when the Oilers defeated Chaminade Prep in the title game. After being eliminated by eventual 2015 champion San Clemente a year prior, the Huntington Beach ran the table in 2016 to win the tournament, clinching gold with a 7-2 title game victory. The Oilers were led by future second-round MLB Draft pick and current Toronto Blue Jays prospect, Hagen Danner.

SPEND LESS ON BASEBALL

USA BASEBALL CELEBRATES TENTH ANNIVERSARY OF NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL INVITATIONAL

Since 2012, the National Training Complex in Cary, North Carolina, has hosted many of nation’s the top high school teams and players through the National High School Invitational. The 2023 edition marks the 10th anniversary of the event as USA Baseball has prided itself in building a reputation of bringing the best prep baseball competition to Cary over the years.

Many of the teams that compete at the NHSI are rated as the top high school programs in the nation, as they not only have the reputation of winning championships at the regional and state levels year in and year out, but they also produce numerous top draft prospects. Thanks to the reputation that the NHSI has cultivated by bringing together the nation’s best talent, it has become a premier destination for Major League Baseball scouts in their search for baseball’s next stars.

A combined 171 MLB draft picks, including 37 firstround selections, have participated in the prestigious event. Notable alums like Cody Bellinger (2012), Joey Gallo (2012), Jack Flaherty (2012), and Austin Meadows (2013) all took part in the NHSI on their way to the big leagues. Even with those notable alums, though, are countless players who have put themselves on the national map and planted a seed for their future careers thanks to their performances at the NHSI.

For those past participants who were not drafted by a Major League team out of high school, they have still had very successful paths. Most NHSI alums have gone on to

play collegiate baseball, and several have made their way onto the professional scene through the college route.

“I think what sets the NHSI apart is that scouts get to see some of the top draft prospects in the country against really good competition, but in a team setting,” explained MLB.com Draft and prospect expert Jonathan Mayo. “Showcases are great, but there is something a little more artificial about those in that there may not be as strong of opponents, or the stakes may not be as high.

“I think that this event affords scouts the ability to see how the players that they are interested in carry themselves when there is a big spotlight and when there's something at stake. It’s like a playoff atmosphere within their own team setting.”

Not only has the NHSI been a chance for players to catch the attention of scouts in hopes of getting their chance to play professionally, but it has also allowed top prospects to enhance their draft stock. Players like Harvard-Westlake’s (Los Angeles, Calif.) Max Fried and Lucas Giolito, as well as Green Hope’s (Cary, N.C.) Jordyn Adams were able to cement themselves at the top of the draft boards in their respective draft years thanks to their showings at the NHSI.

In addition to the success past participants have had in relation to the MLB Draft, the NHSI has also played host to many USA Baseball alums who have contributed to Team USA’s 66 gold medals in international competition. The National Training Complex is rich in its history of the long list of players who have come through its grounds on their way to stardom.

Like how the NHSI serves as an opportunity for MLB scouts to observe the nation’s top high school talent for future drafts, the event also gives players a springboard to get on USA Baseball’s radar in hopes of one day representing their country on the diamond.

“The NHSI has become a premier event that USA Baseball thoroughly enjoys being able to put on every year,” said NHSI and 18U National Team Program Director Brett Curll. “Not only does the NHSI allow our organization to bring in the nation’s top high school talent to Cary, but it also gives the organization an opportunity to establish a connection with some of those top players in effort towards forming future national teams that will represent our country in international competition.”

Along with the on-field success the NHSI had provided to the game of baseball, the event has also had a tremendous impact off the field in the greater Raleigh area. The NHSI has not only helped give Cary a national reputation for being a marquee destination to see the nation’s best sports talent, but it has also provided economic success for many local businesses.

“The GRSA is excited to celebrate the 10th year of the NHSI,” said Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance Director Tori Collins. “Each year, the NHSI not only gives a boost to our local economy through the tremendous economic impact, but it also provides our local community with

the opportunity to witness our country’s best talent as we host our nation’s top athletes. We have always valued our relationship with USA Baseball and are proud of the NHSI and its success at the National Training Complex in Cary each year.”

One of the most significant aspects of the fields that are put together for the NHSI is that not only are local fans able to see what the talent from areas aside from the East Coast has to offer, but the players competing in the event have the chance to broaden their prep baseball experience by having the unique opportunity of facing teams from around the country.

Aside from two occasions, every NSHI champion has hailed from the West Coast. In 2014, The First Academy (Orlando, Fla.) took home the title after Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) won the first two editions in 2012 and 2013, and at last year’s event, Stoneman Douglas (Parkland, Fla.) came out on top as they took down three-time champion Orange Lutheran (Orange, Calif.) in the semifinals after it captured titles in 2017, 2018 and 2019.

By truly facing the nation’s best talent at the NHSI, the event gives these high school programs an extraordinary chance to evaluate how their rosters stack up against the competition as well as a taste of what they might face in postseason play.

“For these high school programs that compete in Cary, the NHSI can serve as an early measuring stick for coaches to see where their team is competitively,” explained Mayo. “Regardless of where they are from, teams are able to go back home with a huge boost of confidence or maybe a chip on their shoulder that helps carry them through their seasons as they look to make runs at those titles they are competing for back home.

“Nothing like the NHSI had really existed before its inception, and to have a bit of national bragging rights, if you play really well or if you're the last team standing, is extremely meaningful for high school programs.”

BRACKET 1 PREVIEW

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DORAL ACADEMY VS. ST. XAVIER HIGH SCHOOL

SANTA MARGARITA CATHOLIC VS. T.C. ROBERSON

Bracket One of the 2023 National High School Invitational (NHSI) features three teams that will make their first-ever appearance in the event, with two of them fresh off a state championship title. For Doral Academy (Doral, Fla.), St. Xavier High School (Louisville, Ky.), and Santa Margarita Catholic High School (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.), the 2023 edition will be their first trip to Cary, North Carolina. Doral and St. Xavier, who is the first Kentucky school to be invited to the NHSI, won a championship title in their respective states in the 2022 season. Meanwhile, T.C. Roberson High School rounds out the pod and is the only school with prior experience at the event.

T.C. ROBERSON HIGH SCHOOL

This year will be T.C. Roberson’s third appearance at the NHSI with its previous two coming in 2013 and 2014. They may own just a 2-6 all-time record in the event but don’t let those numbers fool you, as the Rams are historically one of the most famous high school teams in the state of North Carolina with four 4A State Championship titles to their name.

The Rams return seven starters from last year’s squad that went 22-8 and reached the semifinals of the state championship, including its top six hitters along with its top two starting pitchers and closer. Among those returners is senior shortstop Nick Parham, as he will be a name for fans to keep their eye on in the event. With a

Alyson Boyer Rode

smooth left-handed swing and solid defensive range in the middle infield, the Asheville, N.C., native is one of the top players in the state and has committed to attend East Carolina University in the fall.

DORAL ACADEMY

Doral Academy is one of the top teams in this year’s field as it finished 12th in last year’s Baseball America high school team rankings and is ranked No. 15 in MaxPreps’ Preseason Top 25 high school rankings. The Firebirds compiled an impressive 25-4-1 record last year and capped off its 2022 campaign by winning the Florida 6A State Championship.

Doral returns all but three wins from last year’s pitching staff along with eight of nine position players from their 2022 roster. Of that group of returners, senior left-handed pitcher Frank Menendez, senior shortstop Adrian Santana, and junior outfielder/left-handed pitcher Michael Torres are three of the top high school players in the country.

Menendez and Torres have committed to play for Miami while Santana will attend Florida in the fall.

Torres is no stranger to USA Baseball as he is a threetime alum and two-time gold medalist, having been on the 2018 12U National Team that won gold at the COPABE U-12 Pan-American Championships, the 2021 15U National Team, and most recently the 2022 18U National Team that won gold at the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) World Cup Americas Qualifier in November. Additionally, Santana will be making his second trip to the National Training Complex in Cary, North Carolina, in less than a year as he participated in the Prospect Development Pipeline (PDP) League last summer.

Santana, a switch hitter with plus speed on the base paths, is listed as the No. 106 overall prospect by Baseball America in the 2023 Major League Baseball draft, while Torres, a two-way player, is ranked No. 83 on Baseball America’s Top 100 High School List for the 2024 class. Both will be key pieces for Doral as the Firebirds look to make a deep run in its first-ever appearance at the NHSI.

ST. XAVIER HIGH SCHOOL

Like Doral, St. Xavier is also fresh off a state championship title in 2022, having won its ninth title in program history and first since 2018 after going 34-10 on the year. The Tigers return their entire infield from last year along with starting pitcher Jake Gregor.

Gregor, a junior right-hander who has committed to Louisville, is listed at No. 84 on Baseball America’s Top 100 High School List for the 2024 class. Standing at 6’4”, he has a good fastball in the low 90’s but could potentially touch the mid-90’s in the event. In a single-elimination tournament, someone like Gregor can be a difference maker for a team going deep in a tournament.

SANTA MARGARITA CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL

Despite this year being Santa Margarita Catholic’s first trip to Cary, the Eagles have a bit of a reputation to uphold being a school from California, as seven of the past nine NHSI winners have come from The Golden State.

Santa Margarita Catholic returns nine position players along with its top four arms from last year’s team that reached the second round of the California Interscholastic Federation (CFI) Southern Section Division I State Championship last year. This year’s squad has a lot of experience and talent as 18 of the 25 players are seniors and 11 of them, nine from the 2023 class and two from the 2024 class, have committed to play Division I baseball after graduation.

For senior Blake Balsz, the National Training Complex is a familiar place for him as he was invited to the PDP League last summer and participated in the 16U/17U National Team Development Program in 2021. He, along with Luke Lavin, who was tabbed a Second Team All-American and All-CIF Southern Section Division 1 mention in 2022, return as two of the team’s top hitters from last season with .325 and .433 batting averages, respectively. Those two along with Blake Humphrey are considered the team’s best position players and all have roots as catchers.

On the mound, southpaw Sammy Cova will look to anchor the pitching staff along with Collin Clarke, Zach Fjelstad, and Hayden George, as they were all apart of last year’s championship squad. Additionally, Blake Wilson continues his role as the Eagles’ closer while contributing at the plate as he tallied three home runs and 16 runs batted in while compiling a 2-0 record and four saves with a 1.00 earned-run average.

The tenth annual National High School Invitational is set to begin on Wednesday, March 29, at the National Training Complex in Cary, North Carolina, with the championship game slated for April 1 on Coleman Field. The event is a single-elimination championship tournament, with each participating team guaranteed to play four games.

All games for the 2023 NHSI will be streamed on USABaseball.TV.

For more information on the NHSI, visit USABaseball. com or follow @USABEvents on Twitter and Instagram and @USABaseball on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

BRACKET 2 PREVIEW

• HOUSTON COUNTY VS. JSERRA CATHOLIC

• HAGERTY VS. BROTHER RICE

Bracket Two of the 2023 National High School Invitational features three returning schools in Brother Rice High School (Chicago, Ill.), Hagerty High School (Oviedo, Fla.), and JSerra Catholic High School (San Juan Capistrano, Calif.) along with Houston County High School (Roswell, Ga.) who will be making its NHSI debut next month.

This bracket shows a lot of depth, with three of the four schools making runs in their respective high school state tournaments last year, highlighted by Brother Rice’s Super Sectional Championship title and JSerra’s California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) SoCal Division I Championship runner-up finish.

BROTHER RICE

Brother Rice will return to Cary for the first time since 2017, when the Crusaders made their debut in the NHSI. As aforementioned, they are fresh off a Super Section Championship title and reached the Illinois 4A State Championship semifinals after compiling an impressive 36-6 record, including a 16-2 ledger in conference play, in the 2022 season.

The Crusaders finished in the top 40 of Baseball America’s final high school rankings last year and were

tabbed the No. 39 team in the nation in MaxPreps’ 2023 preseason rankings as it returns a lot of its pitching depth, speed, and defense from last year’s squad.

Among its returners are all-state caliber players Cole Van Assen (RHP), Amir Gray (INF), and Bryce Nevils (OF/C). Van Assen, who is currently uncommitted, is one of the top pitchers in Illinois, while Gray is slated to play at Purdue next year and Nevils is a Western Kentucky commit. These three seniors will play a key role in Brother Rice’s potential to have a strong showing at this year’s event.

HAGERTY

The 2023 edition of the NHSI will be Hagerty’s second appearance in the event, with its first time coming in 2019. The Huskies are a perennial power in Florida and have produced several impressive draft prospects as they will look to bring those strengths back to Cary.

Last year, Hagerty finished with a 17-12 record on the diamond and reached the semifinals of the Florida 7A State Championship.

For two key players on its squad, seniors Garrett Baumann and Talan Bell, the National Training Complex will be a familiar place for them. Baumann, a right-handed

pitcher who has committed to UCF, participated in last year’s Prospect Development Pipeline (PDP) League in Cary. He is slated to be one of the more physical players at the event, standing at 6’8” and weighing 240 pounds. With a unique fastball, changeup combination, and the potential to touch 96 mph, Baumann has the chance to dominate on the mound and give hitters a tough time at the plate.

Bell is a two-way player who will attend Florida State next fall and has been tabbed the No. 64 player by Baseball America in the 2024 high school class. Bell was invited to the 16U/17U National Team Development Program last summer in Cary and helped Team USA win gold at the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-18 Baseball World Cup Americas Qualifier in the fall. Bell has a lot of projectability on the mound; at the plate he is someone with a patient approach who can hit for gap power.

HOUSTON COUNTY

Houston County will look to make some noise in its NHSI debut next month after a strong 2022 high school campaign where the Bears went 28-6, highlighted by a 9-0 record in region play, and reached the third round of the Georgia 6A State Championship. Houston is set to bring a wealth of experience and pitching depth to Cary with 17 returners, including 11 with starting experience from last year’s squad.

Standout infielder/outfielder Drew Burress, a Georgia Tech commit, is no stranger to USA Baseball as he was a part of the 2019 15U National Team that won gold at the WBSC U-15 Baseball World Cup Americas Qualifier and was invited to last year’s PDP League at the National Training Complex. Burress led all players in Georgia with 17 home runs and is listed as the No. 86 prospect in Baseball America’s 2023 draft class. With his impressive bat speed, plus running skills, and ability to play defense all over the field, Burress will be someone for fans and other teams to watch in this event.

JSERRA CATHOLIC

JSerra Catholic, a West Coast powerhouse, is set to make its second overall appearance next month at the NHSI after a strong debut in 2015. After a tough 1-0 loss in its opener, the Lions managed to win out in consolation play and outscore their opponents 13-5.

JSerra is coming off a 25-11 season and clinched the CIF Division I Championship. The Lions finished 28th in Baseball America’s final 2022 high school rankings and were tabbed the No. 2 team in MaxPreps’ 2023 Preseason Top 25 Poll.

In the CIF SoCal Division I Regional Championship, JSerra fell short to Huntington Beach in the title game. With Huntington Beach being on the other side of the bracket, there is potential for a highly anticipated CIF

SoCal Division I Regional Championship rematch between the Oilers and Lions.

JSerra returns 20 players from last year’s squad, including 16 pitchers, which makes the Lions’ pitching staff capable of making some noise at the NHSI. USA Baseball alum and LSU commit Matthew Champion, along with UC Santa Barbara commit J.J. Hollis, will look to anchor the pitching staff as the two right-handers threw a combined 106 innings and collected nine wins last year. Champion will return to Cary for the second time in less than a year as he participated in the 16U/17U NTDP last summer and was on the 18U National Team with Houston County’s Bell, winning gold at the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup Americas Qualifier.

On the offensive side of the ball, senior infielder Trent Caraway, an Oregon State commit, is ranked the No. 70 overall prospect in Baseball America’s 2023 draft class. He is an offensive-oriented infielder with plus power who has the ability to be a top-three-round draft pick this summer.

The 10th annual National High School Invitational is set to begin on Wednesday, March 29, at the National Training Complex in Cary, North Carolina, with the championship game slated for April 1 on Coleman Field. The event is a single-elimination championship tournament, with each participating team guaranteed to play four games.

All games of the 2023 NHSI will be streamed on USABaseball.TV.

For more information on the NHSI, visit USABaseball. com or follow @USABEvents on Twitter and Instagram and @USABaseball on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

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BRACKET 3 PREVIEW

• JESUIT (PORTLAND) VS. CALVARY CHRISTIAN

• HUNTINGTON BEACH VS. BASHA

Bracket Three of the 2023 National High School Invitational features two returning programs in 2016 champion Huntington Beach High School (Huntington Beach, Calif.) and Calvary Christian High School (Clearwater, Fla.), as well as first-time participants Basha High School (Chandler, Ariz.) and Jesuit High School (Portland, Ore.).

With a returning champion in Huntington Beach, combined with one returning program and two teams making their NHSI debuts, the first-round matchups in this bracket will be one to watch for fans at the National Training Complex. Will experience lead the way or will a newcomer make a name for themselves in Cary?

HUNTINGTON BEACH

Huntington Beach looks to capture its second NHSI title in what will be its sixth appearance in the last seven editions of the event. When it makes the trip to Cary, the Oilers will tie the record with Orange Lutheran High School (Orange, Calif.) for most appearances at the NHSI. Huntington Beach has had a lot of success in Cary, as it has one of the top win percentages among all participants in the event with a .700 mark. Not only did they take it all

in 2016, but they also reached the tournament semifinals in 2015 and 2022.

One of Huntington Beach’s top players and potential top draft prospects is catcher and first baseman Ralphy Velazquez. A two-time USA Baseball alum, Velazquez helped Team USA earn a silver medal at the 2016 World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-12 Baseball World Cup Americas Qualifier and win its third consecutive gold at the 2017 WBSC U-12 Baseball World Cup. Additionally, he participated in the 2019 14U National Team Development Program. Ranked No. 59 in the MLB Draft Class by Baseball America, Velazquez is an advanced hitter who makes it difficult for pitchers to get him out at the plate.

The Oilers return 14 players who are all Division I commits from last year’s squad that advanced to the NHSI semifinals, went 25-9, and defeated JSerra Catholic in the finals to clinch the CIF Southern California Division I Regional Championship. JSerra Catholic is also in this year’s NHSI field. If both win their brackets, the NHSI could see a rematch of last year’s CIF Regional Championship in the championship game on Saturday, April 1.

CALVARY CHRISTIAN

Calvary Christian returns to Cary for the first time since 2018, when it reached the semifinals. A perennial powerhouse in the state of Florida, the Warriors finished 18th in Baseball America’s final high school rankings last year and are ranked No. 3 in this year’s MaxPreps’ Preseason Top 25. Calvary returns 13 players who are headed to play at the college level from last year’s team that advanced to a regional semifinal in the Florida 3A State Championship.

Within that core group of returners are top 2023 MLB Draft prospects Liam Peterson (No. 69), Hunter Dietz (No. 115), and Landon Maroudis (No. 129). The three of them combined for 20 of the team’s 26 wins on the mound last season and all three participated in last year’s Prospect Development Pipeline (PDP) League at the National Training Complex in Cary. With their size and control, this trio of seniors is bound to help the Warriors make a deep run by giving other teams’ hitters a tough time at the plate.

BASHA

Basha will be making its first-ever trip to the National Training Complex this year and will look to make some noise in this tournament. The Bears, historically one of the best baseball programs in the state of Arizona, are coming off a 17-13 season in 2022 where they reached the second round of the 6A Arizona State Championship. One key player for fans to keep their eye on is junior outfielder Max Madrid, a Washington commit. Last year he led the team in batting average (.418), on-base percentage (.515), and slugging percentage (.636).

JESUIT

Like Basha, Jesuit (Portland) is ready to showcase its talent in its NHSI debut. The Crusaders compiled a 20-4 record, including an 11-2 ledger in league play, and made it to the second round of the Oregon 6A State Championship in 2022.

Facing senior right-handed pitcher Noble Meyer will be a daunting task for Jesuit’s opponents to get past. Standing a 6’5” and 200 pounds, he has been rated the No. 15 prospect in this year’s MLB Draft and a top prep pitcher by Baseball America. With a fastball that sits in the mid-90’s and a deceiving slider, Meyer was named a unanimous Baseball First Team All-American last year and participated in the PDP League last summer in Cary.

With Meyer’s elite arm on the mound and Calvary’s top tier pitching trio of Dietz, Maroudis, and Peterson, Jesuit’s matchup with the Calvary Christian Warriors will be a marquee game in the first round of the NHSI.

The 10th annual National High School Invitational is set to begin on Wednesday, March 29, at the National Training Complex in Cary, North Carolina, with the championship game slated for April 1 on Coleman Field. The event is a single-elimination championship tournament, with each participating team guaranteed to play four games.

All games of the 2023 NHSI will be streamed on USABaseball.TV.

For more information on the NHSI, visit USABaseball.com or follow @ USABEvents on Twitter and Instagram and @USABaseball on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

BRACKET 4 PREVIEW

• BISHOP VEROT VS. AQUINAS

• BLESSED TRINITY VS. BISHOP GORMAN

Bracket Four of the 2023 National High School Invitational features three returning schools in Bishop Gorman High School (Las Vegas, Nev.), Bishop Verot High School (Fort Myers, Fla.), and Blessed Trinity Catholic High School (Roswell, Ga.), along with first-time participant Aquinas High School (San Bernardino, Calif.).

All four of these schools have experienced rosters that showcase some of the nation’s top prospects, and with three of them having prior experience at the NHSI, this bracket is a tough one to advance from into the semifinals.

AQUINAS

Aquinas will make its NHSI debut this month and will bring a talented roster to Cary. Last year, the Falcons put together an impressive 28-3 record, including an 11-1 ledger in league play, and reached the semifinals of the CIF Southern Section Championship. This year they were tabbed the No. 31 team on MaxPreps’ Preseason Top 25 List.

Aquinas’ top player on its roster is senior shortstop Eric Bitonti, rated the No. 42 prospect in this year’s draft class by Baseball America. Standing at 6’5” and 215 pounds, the Oregon commit has plus raw power and is anticipated to do some damage at the plate during the NHSI. Bitonti is already familiar with the National Training Complex as he is a two-time National Team Development Program participant and took part in last year’s Prospect Development Pipeline (PDP) League and 18U National Training Camp. So, returning to the NTC for the NHSI could warmly welcome the West Coast native.

In addition to Bitonti, 10 other players on its roster have committed to play Division I baseball, including two-way player Owen Egan, who will attend UCLA in the fall. Like Bitonti, Egan has USA Baseball ties as he is a two-time alum, having played on the 2016 and 2017 12U National Teams that earned a silver medal at the COPABE Pan Am “A” Championship and won gold at the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-12 Baseball World Cup, respectively. Additionally, he is a three-time NTDP participant as he was at the 14U NTDP in 2018 and 2019 and the 16U/17U NTDP in 2021.

BISHOP GORMAN

Bishop Gorman will be returning to Cary for the first time since it took part in the inaugural edition of the NHSI in 2012. One of the more iconic high school programs from the western part of the country, the Gaels finished 10th on Baseball America’s final 2022 high school team rankings after finishing runner-up at last year’s Nevada 5A State Championship with a 35-9 overall record.

The Gaels began the season ranked 26th on MaxPreps’ Preseason Top 25 List and returned five players who earned All-Southern Nevada Team honors. Among that core group of returners are infielders Maddox Riske and Easton Shelton. Riske, a sophomore committed to play at Southern California, led last year’s offense as he slashed .417/.466/.625 at the plate. Likewise, Shelton is the team’s leading power threat after hitting 12 home runs last season.

BISHOP VEROT

The 2023 edition of the NHSI will be Bishop Verot’s third overall appearance at the event, including its second straight after participating last year. Its debut

was in 2014, when it closed out the event with three wins by outscoring its opponents 23-4.

Last year, the Vikings compiled a 16-11 record, including an appearance in the first round of the Florida 3A State Championships. This season will be intriguing for Bishop Verot as several underclassmen made a big impact on last year’s squad, and they will be expected to lead the team in 2023.

Key returners from last year’s squad include junior shortstop Maddix Simpson and senior right-hander Aidan Knaak. Simpson led the team offensively last year with a .460 batting average, .500 on-base percentage, and .597 slugging percentage, while Knaak, a Clemson commit, posted a 1.77 ERA in a team-high 51.1 innings in the 2022 campaign.

BLESSED TRINITY

Blessed Trinity returns to the NHSI this year after making its debut in 2019 when it made a run to the semifinals with wins over Marist High School (Chicago, Ill.) and IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.).

The Titans put together a 22-11 overall record in 2022, highlighted by a 13-2 ledger in region play, and reached the second round of the 5A Georgia State Championship.

Pitching will be Blessed Trinity’s key to making a run at this year’s event as it returns top prospects Porter Buursema and Jake Lankie from last year’s team. Buursema, a right-hander committed to Georgia Southern, will be one of the harder throwers in this event, as he can touch 95 mph. Lankie, a Georgia commit, has a solid three-pitch mix and can throw any pitch at any time to keep hitters off balance in the box.

The 10th annual National High School Invitational is set to begin on Wednesday, March 29, at the National Training Complex in Cary, North Carolina, with the championship game slated for April 1 on Coleman Field. The event is a single-elimination championship tournament, with each participating team guaranteed to play four games.

All games of the 2023 NHSI will be streamed on USABaseball.TV.

For more information on the NHSI, visit USABaseball. com or follow @USABEvents on Twitter and Instagram and @USABaseball on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

AQUINAS HIGH SCHOOL SAN BERNARDINO, CALIF.

Eric Campa, Danny Garcia, Ian McGregor, Tony Garcia

BASHA HIGH SCHOOL CHANDLER, ARIZ.

Coaches: Jim Schilling, Eric Albright, Kurt Popkins, Brodie Douglas

BISHOP GORMAN HIGH SCHOOL LAS VEGAS, NEV.

BISHOP VEROT HIGH SCHOOL FORT MYERS, FLA.

Coaches: Casey Scott, Steve Cunningham, Ricky Flock, Bryan Marotta

Rosters are submitted by coaches and are current as of March 28, 2023.

BLESSED TRINITY CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL ROSWELL, GA.

Coaches: Jamie Wagner, Brandon Harwell, Jameson Contratto, Cornell Dore

BROTHER RICE HIGH SCHOOL CHICAGO, ILL.

CALVARY CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL CLEARWATER,

FLA.

Coaches: Greg Olsen, Anthony Markle, Mike White, Joey Bozeman, Erik Brown

DORAL ACADEMY MIAMI, FLA.

Coaches: Ralph Suarez, Williams Durruthy, Christian Hernandez, Richard Gronlier, Armando Rodriguez

Rosters are submitted by coaches and are current as of March 28, 2023.

HAGERTY HIGH SCHOOL OVIEDO, FLA.

Coaches: Mike Sindone, Allen Tuttle, Jacob Colquhoun, Kevin Gallaher, Conner Gray, Ben Delacruz

HUNTINGTON BEACH HIGH SCHOOL

HUNTINGTON BEACH, CALIF.

Coaches: Benji Medure, Adam Springston, Jeff Ruziecki, Brett Urabe, Joel Bernstien

JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL PORTLAND, ORE.

Coaches: Colin Griffin, Jeff Jensen, Jason Hildreth, John Santiago, Mike Lowe, Luke Peevyhouse

Rosters are submitted by coaches and are current as of March 28, 2023.

JSERRA CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CALIF.

SANTA MARGARITA CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, CALIF.

Raising the standard

The USA Baseball Coaches Certification Program is a certification pathway for individuals who are currently coaching baseball or aspire to coach at any level of the game.

The program aims to create a higher standard of coaching education and enhance the ability of coaches to better serve their athletes, their team and the communities.

To learn more about this free program, visit USABDevelops.com

ST. XAVIER HIGH SCHOOL LOUISVILLE, KY.

Coaches: Andy Porta, Damon Amlung, Ben Cottrell, Chad Lyons

T.C. ROBERSON HIGH SCHOOL ASHEVILLE, N.C.

Coaches: Eric Filipek, Shane Galloway, Dave Heath, Carson Anderson, Cody Jones

Rosters are submitted by coaches and are current as of March 28, 2023.

USA BASEBALL ALUMNI AT THE NHSI

TALAN BELL

Talan Bell (Hagerty) made his Team USA debut in the fall of 2022, helping the 18U National Team secure a gold medal at the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-18 Baseball World Cup Americas Qualifier in La Paz, Mexico, as a two-way player. Bell made two appearances on the mound and posted a spotless 0.00 ERA over four innings, including three one-hit frames in a start against Panama in the Super Round. He also turned in a scoreless inning of relief in the Opening Round against Puerto Rico. At the plate, Bell had nine at-bats and scored four runs while swiping three bases. Bell, who participated in the 2022 16U/17U National Team Development Program (NTDP), is committed to Florida State.

MATTHEW CHAMPION

Matthew Champion (JSerra Catholic) joined Bell on the 18U National Team this past fall that won gold at the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-18 Baseball World Cup Americas Qualifier in La Paz, Mexico. He made two appearances on the mound and tossed a combined two innings. Additionally, made one plate appearance in the tournament.

DREW BURRESS

Drew Burress (Houston County) was a member of the 15U National Team in 2019, joining a stacked roster that featured 2022 first-round MLB draft picks Termarr Johnson and Mikey Romero. Burress played in five games en route to Team USA’s gold medal at the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-15 Baseball World Cup Americas Qualifier in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico. The outfielder, who drove in a run over five at-bats, was one of ten U.S. players to score at least four runs in the tournament. Burress also participated in the 2022 Prospect Development Pipeline (PDP) League and is committed to play baseball at Georgia Tech.

OWEN EGAN

Owen Egan (Aquinas) is a two-time USA Baseball alum, having played for the 12U National Team in 2016

TALAN BELL

and 2017. The two-way player appeared in six games, including three on the mound, in 2016 and helped the stars and stripes earn a silver medal at the COPABE Pan Am “A” Championships in Puebla, Mexico. In 2017, he started in all nine games and batted .286 (6-for-21), tallied five RBIs, and scored seven runs while also tossing 6.2 innings on the mound en route to helping the U.S. win gold at the WBSC U-12 Baseball World Cup in Tainan, Taiwan. Additionally, the UCLA commit is a threetime National Team Development Program participant as he took part in the 14U NTDP in 2018 and 2019 and the 16U/17U NTDP in 2021.

MIKEY TORRES

Three-time Team USA alum and two-time gold medalist Mikey Torres (Doral Academy) brings with him plenty of international experience to the NHSI. Torres made his U.S. debut with the 12U National Team in 2018 and won a gold medal at the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-12 Baseball World Cup Americas Qualifier in Aguascalientes, Mexico. He appeared in five games and hit two homers, also driving in five runs. Torres then batted .545 (6-for-11) during the 2021 15U National Team Training Camp and was named to that year’s team, which did not compete in international competition. His most recent appearance with the U.S. was at the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup

Americas Qualifier in 2022, where he batted .308 (4-for13) and posted a 4.20 earned run average in five innings pitched to help Team USA win a gold medal. Torres, who is committed to Miami, also participated at the 2019 13U Athlete Development Program (ADP) and the 2022 16U/17U National Team Development Program (NTDP).

RALPHY VELAZQUEZ

Ralphy Velazquez (Huntington Beach) is a two-time USA Baseball alum, suiting up for the 12U National Team in both 2016 and 2017. Velazquez made his Team USA debut at the 2016 World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-12 Baseball World Cup Americas Qualifier and batted .500 (3-for-6) to help the U.S. earn a silver medal. The catcher and infielder then returned the following year, starting in eight of the team’s nine games and hitting .409 (9-for-22) with a homer as the U.S. won gold at the 2017 WBSC U-12 Baseball World Cup, its third consecutive title at the tournament. He was one of just five U.S. players to drive in nine or more runs in the tournament. The Arizona State commit also participated in the 14U NTDP in 2019.

MIKEY TORRES

NHSI PAST CHAMPIONS

2012: MATER DEI

Mater Dei High School (Santa Ana, Calif.) earned the inaugural National High School Invitational (NHSI) presented by the Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance championship in 2012 with a 3-2 walk-off victory over Harvard-Westlake School (Studio City, Calif.). Despite the Wolverines jumping out to an early 2-0 lead, Mater Dei rallied with two solo home runs in the fourth and seventh innings, respectively, to send the game to extra innings. After holding Harvard-Westlake scoreless in the top of the eighth, the Monarchs used a bases-loaded single in the bottom half to secure the first-ever NHSI title in dramatic fashion.

2013: MATER DEI

In a rematch of the 2012 National High School Invitational (NHSI) presented by the Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance, Mater Dei High School (Santa Ana, Calif.) and Harvard-Westlake School (Studio City, Calif.) once again went head-to-head with Mater Dei defending its title with a 4-0 victory. In the second edition of this matchup, the Monarchs got on the board first and never looked back. The team plated its first run in the top of the third before adding two more in the sixth and one in the seventh for the final 4-0 score to secure its second consecutive championship.

2014: THE FIRST ACADEMY

After Mater Dei High School (Santa Ana, Calif.) repeated as National High School Invitational (NHSI) presented by the Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance champions in the first two editions of the event, The First Academy (Orlando, Fla.) became just the second team to claim the trophy with a 5-3 defeat of Clovis High School (Clovis, Calif.). After a slow start on offense for both squads, The First Academy broke onto the scoreboard first in the contest with back-to-back RBI doubles for a 2-0 advantage in the third. Clovis responded in the fourth to take a 3-2 lead before The First Academy was able to rally two innings later with three runs of its own to make it 5-3. The Royals held Clovis off in the seventh to secure its victory and claim the 2014 NHSI title.

2015: SAN CLEMENTE

San Clemente High School (San Clemente, Calif.) used a strong run in 2015 to claim the National High School Invitational (NHSI) presented by the Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance championship. The squad outscored opponents 17-9 in its first three games of the event to

secure its spot in the title game where it took on College Park (Pleasant Hill, Calif.) for the trophy. In the final, San Clemente opened the scoring in the second and plated runs in every inning that followed to remain in control throughout the contest. College Park broke through in the fourth and the fifth but couldn’t overcome the deficit as San Clemente cruised to an 8-3 victory and the title. The game marked the largest margin of victory in the history of the event’s championship game to that point.

2016: HUNTINGTON BEACH

After falling in the semifinals of the 2015 National High School Invitational (NHSI) presented by the Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance to eventual champion San Clemente High School (San Clemente, Calif.), Huntington Beach High School (Huntington Beach, Calif.) came roaring back one year later to claim the 2016 title. The team outscored its opponents 30-15 en route to the championship, including defeating Chaminade Prep (Los Angeles, Calif.) 7-2 in the final. Chaminade broke onto the scoreboard first though, taking an early 1-0 lead in the first inning with an RBI single. But Huntington Beach wasted no time responding as the offense came alive in the bottom of the second for four runs before adding one in the fifth and two more in the sixth for a strong 7-1 advantage. Chaminade got one run back in the seventh but couldn’t get anything else as Huntington Beach finished off the 7-2 victory and secured its NHSI championship.

2017: ORANGE LUTHERAN

Orange Lutheran (Orange, Calif.) started its dominant run at the National High School Invitational (NHSI) presented by the Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance with its first championship in 2017. After victories over Merritt Island High School (Merritt Island, Fla.), Trinity Christian Academy (Jacksonville, Fla.), and South Hills High School (West Covina, Calif.), the Lancers faced off against Dana Hills High School (Dana Point, Calif.) for the NHSI title. The two teams traded runs in the second and third innings for a 2-2 tie that would hold until the sixth inning when Orange Lutheran finally broke through with a sacrifice fly that made it 3-2 in its favor. Dana Hills tried to put together rally in the seventh with two hits that fell short as the Lancers got a double play to end the game and secure their first NHSI championship.

2018: ORANGE LUTHERAN

The 2018 edition of the National High School Invitational (NHSI) presented by the Greater Raleigh

Sports Alliance featured just the second repeat champion and a historic run to the final. After outscoring opponents 16-4 in its first three games of the event, Green Hope High School (Cary, N.C.) secured its spot in the 2018 NHSI championship game and became the first school from North Carolina to advance into the finals at the NHSI. The team’s opponent was Orange Lutheran (Orange, Calif.) which was looking to defend its 2017 NHSI title and become just the second team in event history to repeat as champions. Both offenses were quiet through the first three innings before the Lancers finally broke the game wide open with six runs throughout the fourth and fifth innings for a 6-0 lead. The Falcons responded in the bottom of the fifth to cut the deficit in half but it wouldn’t be enough as Orange Lutheran added three more insurance runs to claim a 9-3 victory and its second consecutive NHSI title.

2019: ORANGE LUTHERAN

In its seven-year history, the National High School Invitational (NHSI) presented by the Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance had seen just two teams defend their titles in the event. But never had there been a threepeat – until 2019. Coming into the most recent edition of the tournament, Orange Lutheran (Orange, Calif.) had won nine straight NHSI games and hadn’t dropped a contest since 2014, and the Lancers picked right back up in 2019 where they had left off. They cruised into the championship game outscoring opponents 22-3 to take on Harvard-Westlake (Studio City, Calif.). But HarvardWestlake had also defeated its three opponents by wide margins to reach the final, outscoring them 16-1 with two shutouts, and the Wolverines were looking for redemption after falling in both the 2012 and 2013 NHSI championship games. The Lancers proved to be

too strong though and they wasted no time in their title defense, plating a pair of runs in the first inning to open the scoring and never looking back. They would add three more runs before Harvard-Westlake got on the board with two runs of its own in the fifth to cut the deficit to three but a final insurance run for the Lancers in the sixth sealed the 6-2 victory and Orange Lutheran’s third NHSI title.

2022: STONEMAN DOUGLAS

At the 2022 National High School Invitational (NHSI) presented by the Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance, Stoneman Douglas (Parkland, Fla.) became the first team outside of the state of California to win the title. The Eagles had a dominant showing in Cary, going undefeated with a 4-0 record and allowing its opponents to score just four runs to its 43 in the tournament. Stoneman Douglas opened play with a 15-0 victory over D.H. Conley (Greenville, N.C.), followed by an 11-1 defeat over Yucaipa (Yucaipa, Calif.) in the quarterfinals. In the semifinals, the Eagles were matched up with three-time defending champion Orange Lutheran (Orange, Calif.) and handed the Lancers their first loss in the event since 2014. The 11-0 five-inning run-rule result snapped a 15-game win streak for Orange Lutheran at the event. Stoneman Douglas met St. Johns Country Day (Orange Park, Fla.) in the championship game, which proved to be tightly contested back-and-forth matchup. Despite the Eagles plating three runs in the first to take an early lead, the Spartans knotted the game at 3-3 in the top of the third inning. Stoneman Douglas retook its lead at 4-3 in the bottom of the third and plated an insurance run in the fifth en route to its first-ever NHSI title in program history.

NOTABLE ALUMNI

Playing in the National High School Invitational (NHSI) presented by the Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance has become almost a rite of passage for top high school prospects, as the prestigious event provides players with a stage to showcase their talents early in the high school season in front of countless scouts from the college and professional ranks.

As a result, the NHSI has a long track record of producing high-round MLB Draft picks, including more than 35 first-rounders since the event’s inception in 2012, as well as an extensive list of notable alumni that have already made their mark in the big leagues.

CODY BELLINGER

After an impressive showing at the 2013 NHSI with Hamilton High School (Chandler, Ariz.) Cody Bellinger was selected in the fourth round of the 2013 MLB Draft by the Los Angeles Dodgers and made his big league debut with the club in 2017. He crushed 39 home runs in his rookie campaign, combining what would become his signature power with 87 runs and 97 RBIs to earn 2017 National League Rookie of the Year honors and an All-

Star Game nod. Bellinger has since tallied 152 dingers, 434 runs, 652 hits, 134 doubles, and 422 RBIs en route to being named a two-time All-Star in 2017 and 2019, the 2019 NLCS MVP, both a 2019 Gold Glover and Silver Slugger, and winning a World Series championship with the Dodgers in 2020.

JOEY GALLO

Joey Gallo was regarded as the top prep slugger at the inaugural NHSI as a member of Bishop Gorman High School (Las Vegas, Nev.). He has since furthered that reputation in the majors after being selected in the fourth round of the 2012 MLB Draft by the Texas Rangers and making his big league debut in 2015. Gallo hit 41 home runs in 2017, another 40 in 2018, and was named an AllStar in 2019. Two two-time Gold Glover made his second All-Star Game appearance in 2021 after clubbing 38 home runs and drawing an American League-best 111 walks with the Rangers and the New York Yankees.

LUCAS GIOLITO

Lucas Giolito, along with Jack Flaherty and Max Fried, helped power Harvard-Westlake School (Los Angeles, Calif.) to the championship game of the 2012 NHSI. He was then selected with the 16th overall pick in the 2012 MLB Draft by the Washington Nationals before getting the call to the big leagues in 2016. He put together an All-Star season in 2019, allowing just 69 runs in 176.3 innings of work to tally a 3.41 ERA for the Chicago White Sox.

JACK FLAHERTY

Jack Flaherty was also a member of Harvard-Westlake School’s (Los Angeles, Calif.) dominant pitching staff at the inaugural NHSI in 2012 before being selected in the first round of the 2014 MLB Draft. The Burbank, California, native made his MLB debut in 2017 with the St. Louis Cardinals and has since recorded a 3.41 ERA, allowing just 198 runs over 523.1 innings on the mound. In 2019, Flaherty started 33 games for the Cardinals and surrendered just 62 runs in 196.1 innings to finish the season with a career-low 2.75 ERA and a career-best 231 strikeouts and earn All-MLB Team honors.

MAX FRIED

Max Fried joined Jack Flaherty and Lucas Giolito on the Harvard-Westlake School’s pitching staff that guided the squad to the 2012 NHSI title game. Afterwards, Fried was taken with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2012 MLB Draft by the San Diego Padres. He was traded to the Atlanta Braves in 2014 and made his MLB debut for the club in

Alyson Boyer Rode

MAX FRIED

2017 where he has been a mainstay in the rotation ever since. Fried collected a perfect 7-0 record and tallied a 2.25 ERA during the 2020 season before helping lead the Braves to a World Series championship in 2021 with a 3.04 ERA and just 61 runs allowed over 165.2 innings of work.

AUSTIN MEADOWS

After boosting his draft stock with a strong showing for Grayson High School (Loganville, Ga.) at the 2013 NHSI, Austin Meadows was selected with the No. 9 overall pick in the 2013 MLB Draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates. He made his MLB debut with the Pirates in 2018 and shortly after was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays where he tallied 308 hits, 65 home runs, 212 RBIs, and a .256 average in just over three seasons. He recorded a career-high 33 home runs, 154 hits, 83 runs, and seven triples while collecting 89 RBIs to earn All-Star honors in 2019 before being traded to the Detriot Tigers in 2022.

MATT OLSON

Matt Olson, a participant in the 2012 NHSI with Parkview High School (Lilburn, Ga.) and a firstround pick in the 2012 MLB Draft, has hit 176 home runs for the Oakland Athletics since making his debut in 2016. In 2021, he recorded a .271 average with career highs in runs (101), RBIs (111), home runs (39), doubles (35), and walks (88) to earn his first selection to the All-Star Game.

AUSTIN RILEY

Austin Riley was a two-way standout for Desoto Central High School (Southaven, Miss.) at the 2015 NHSI, showing power on the mound and tallying six hits at the plate. Following his performance in the tournament, Riley was

taken in first round of the 2015 MLB Draft by the Atlanta Braves and played a big role in the team’s 2021 World Series championship. He hit .303 that season for the Braves with 33 home runs, 107 RBIs, 91 runs scored, and 52 walks en route to the Fall Classic title, as well as 2021 Silver Slugger honors and a spot on the All-MLB Team. He earned All-Star honors last season after tallying 168 hits, 38 home runs, 93 RBIs, and a .528 slugging percentage.

Alyson Boyer Rode

MATT OLSON

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FUTURE TEAMMATES

NHSI PARTICIPANT COMMITMENTS

ARIZONA STATE

5 Bradyn Barnes Basha 2023

24 Ralphy Velazquez Huntington Beach 2023

ARKANSAS

24 Hunter Dietz Calvary Christian 2023

BELLARMINE

11 Landon Akers St. Xavier 2023

BREVARD

8 Cole Penland T.C. Roberson 2023

BROWN

3 Andrew Hanlon Bishop Verot 2023

13 Brandon Chang Jserra Catholic 2023

BYU

25 Seth Rajacich Aquinas 2023

CAL STATE FULLERTON

44 Frank Estrada Aquinas 2023

CALIFORNIA-BERKELEY

15 Jake Lavin Santa Margarita Catholic 2024

38 Dominic Smaldino Jserra Catholic 2023

CHAPMAN

6 Charley Sturm Jesuit 2023

CLAREMONT MCKENNA

24 Dillon Martin Jserra Catholic 2023

CLARK

16 Quentin Anguay Bishop Gorman 2023

12 Landon Criste Bishop Gorman 2023

1 Andrew Israel Bishop Gorman 2023

CLEMSON

19 Aidan Knaak Bishop Verot 2023

COKER

15 Carter Kamm Hagerty 2023

COLORADO STATE PUEBLO

2 Tyler Clementz Basha 2023

CORNELL UNIVERSITY

7 Luke Johnson Santa Margarita Catholic 23-Feb

CORNELL COLLEGE

16 Lucas Brutsche Basha 2023

COVENANT

4 Jaden Carlson Calvary Christian 2023

DALLAS BAPTIST

23 Aiden Pollock Bishop Gorman 2023

EAST CAROLINA

33 Trent Guzek Brother Rice 2023

ELMHURST

1 Nick Parham T.C. Roberson 2023

FLORIDA

12 Frank Menendez Doral 2023

15 Liam Peterson Calvary Christian 2023

FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL

1 Sebastian Berrios Doral 2024

14 Robert Rodriguez Doral 2023

FLORIDA STATE

1 Austin Jacobs Hagerty 2024

FLORIDA STATE COLLEGE OF JACKSONVILLE

1 Alex Monile Calvary Christian 2023

GEORGIA

6 Ryker Chavis Houston County 2023

9 Jake Lankie Blessed Trinity 2023

14 Cooper Milford Blessed Trinity 2023

GEORGIA SOUTHERN

11 Porter Buursema Blessed Trinity 2023

GEORGIA

GONZAGA

11 Billy Scaldeferri Bishop Gorman 2023

GULF COAST STATE COLLEGE

23 Ben Purnell St. Xavier 2023

HARVARD

HIGH POINT

8 Jace Kohler Calvary Christian 2024

20 Justin Ruiz Doral

NOVA

24 Keyler Gonzalez Doral 2023

NYU

3 Paul Guerne Calvary Christian 2023

OHIO STATE

2 Zachary Fjelstad Santa Margarita Catholic 2023

10 Maddix Simpson Bishop Verot 2024

OLE MISS

34 Grayson Gibson Calvary Christian 2025

OREGON

10 Eric Bitonti Aquinas 2023

24 Nate Christman Aquinas 2024

12 Ryan Cooney Jesuit 2023

51 Sammy Cova Santa Margarita Catholic 2023

45 Josh Hollis Jserra Catholic 2025

5 Burke Mabeus Bishop Gorman 2024

9 John Meyer Jesuit 2023

10 Kaden Soder Bishop Gorman 2023

OREGON STATE

22 Trent Caraway Jserra Catholic 2023

8 Levi Jones Jesuit 2023

4 Anthony Marnell IV Bishop Gorman 2023

47 John Petrie Huntington Beach 2025

23 Ethan Porter Huntington Beach 2025

PEPPERDINE

14 Tyler Bellerose Huntington Beach 2025

PIEDMONT

15 Cole Harof Blessed Trinity 2023

PITTSBURGH

4 Eli Fleming Hagerty 2024

12 Andrew Tess Calvary Christian 2024

POLK STATE

10 JT Long Calvary Christian 2023

POMANA-PITZER

14 William Wallace Jesuit 2023

PURDUE

23 Amir Gray Brother Rice 2023

28 Cole Van Assen Brother Rice 2023

REDLANDS

9 Jordan O'Dell Bishop Gorman 2023

REGIS

5 Carson Gantz Jesuit 2023

SAINT LEO

27 Luis Rivero Hagerty 2023

SAN DIEGO

50 Jayton Greer Huntington Beach 2025

15 Dallin Harrison Basha 2023

SAN DIEGO STATE

42 Thomas Gonzales Jserra Catholic 2025

21 Drew Rutter Santa Margarita Catholic 2023

31 Colby Turner Huntington Beach 2023

SAN FRANSISCO

11 Bryce Humphry Santa Margarita Catholic 2023

SANTA CLARA

10 Ty Alleman Jesuit 2023

SEATTLE

15 Josh Cunnigan Aquinas 2024

SEMINOLE STATE

2 Wilfred Gonzalez Doral 2023

SOUTH GEORGIA STATE

4 Luke Flading Blessed Trinity 2023

SOUTH MOUNTAIN

9 Brady Lord Basha 2023

SOUTHERN CAL

1 Dean Carpentier Huntington Beach 2023

17 Andrew Lamb Jserra Catholic 2023

39 Brodie Purcell Jserra Catholic 2023

2 Maddox  Riske Bishop Gorman 2024

30 Cole Strane Jserra Catholic 2025

SPRING HILL

1 Preston Hall Bishop Verot 2023

ST. MARY'S

25 Kamdyn Perry Bishop Gorman 2023

STANFORD

13 Luke Lavin Santa Margarita Catholic 2023

9 Ben Reimers Jserra Catholic 2023

5 Jack Svinth Santa Margarita Catholic 2023

TCU

27 Trevor Goldenetz Huntington Beach 2025

6 Landon Young Aquinas 2024

18 Marcus Greis Jserra Catholic 2026

TROY

3 Cooper Smith St. Xavier 2023

UC RIVERSIDE

13 Josh Torres Aquinas 2023

UC SANTA BARBARA

4 JJ Hollis Jserra Catholic 2023

27 Jonathan Mendez Jserra Catholic 2023

36 Jordan Marian Jserra Catholic 2025

UCF

11 Garrett Baumann Hagerty 2023

8 Timothy Lawson Bishop Verot 2024

UCLA

17 Blake Balsz Santa Margarita Catholic 2023

20 Logan de Groot Santa Margarita Catholic 2024

16 Tyler Dunning Jserra Catholic 2025

99 Owen Egan Aquinas 2023

9 Aidan Espinoza Huntington Beach 2023

UNLV

53 Carson Lane Huntington Beach 2023

8 Gunnar Myro Bishop Gorman 2023

28 Easton Shelton Bishop Gorman 2023

USF

20 Jason Bello Bishop Verot 2024

18 Blake Opie Calvary Christian 2023

33 Owen Rardin Bishop Verot 2025

20 Brayden Toro Hagerty 2024

UTAH VALLEY

4 Jordan Vigil Basha 2023

17 Landon Zaborowski Basha 2024

WASHINGTON

1 Max Madrid Basha 2024

27 Blake Wilson Santa Margartia Catholic 2023

WASHINGTON STATE

14 Justin Chambers Basha 2023

WESLEYAN

20 Dariusz Lukowski Jserra Catholic 2023

WESTERN CAROLINA

5 Elijah Smith Houston County 2023

WESTERN KENTUCKY

19 Bryce Nevils Brother Rice 2023

WESTMONT

8 Manny Soto Aquinas 2023

YAVAPAI

11 Carter Boone Basha 2023

12 Nelson Koenig Basha 2023

6 Nathan Nichols Basha 2023

YOUNG HARRIS

6 Jackson Morgan Blessed Trinity 2023

INDIVIDUAL GAME RECORDS

BATTING

PITCHING

TEAM GAME RECORDS

PITCHING

TEAM TOURNAMENT RECORDS

PITCHING

INDIVIDUAL TOURNAMENT RECORDS

BATTING

Keith Isaacs