National High School Invitational Quickly Builds Rich History

USA Baseball’s National High School Invitational, now in its sixth year, has become the top high school regular-season event in the country. This year’s event features 16 of the country’s top teams, populated with 11 members of Baseball America’s Top 100 High School Prospects. Records and rankings are through games of March 19.

American Heritage HS, Plantation, Fla.

2017 Record (Ranking): 8-3 (NR).

Prominent Baseball Alumni: Shaun Anderson, rhp (Red Sox); Zack Collins, c (White Sox); Eric Hosmer, 1b (Royals); Deven Marrero, ss, (Red Sox)

In American Heritage’s only previous trip to the NHSI, the Patriots made it to the semifinals. Led by head coach Bruce Aven, Heritage has one of the most talented offenses in the country this season. Senior shortstop Mark Vientos was a first team All-American, thanks largely to his explosive bat speed and power potential. Junior Triston Casas starred for the 18U national team last summer; he has arguably the best power of any prep player in the country. On the mound, senior righthander Christian Santana (a Florida International signee), Barry (Fla.) commit Israel Cordero and junior lefthander Bailey Mantilla lead the way.

Archbishop McCarthy HS, SW Ranches, Fla.

2017 Record (Ranking): 10-0 (1).

Prominent Baseball Alumni: Alex Avila, c (Tigers); Nick Castellanos, 3b (Tigers); Nick Travieso, rhp (Reds)

Head coach Rich Bielski has built Archbishop McCarthy into one of the nation’s best programs, with six Florida state Class 6-A championships in the last seven years, and the 2017 Mavericks may be one of the best teams in program history. Armed with 13 players who are committed to play Division I baseball so far, McCarthy is as deep as high school teams come. The Mavericks have two of Baseball America’s preseason Top 100 Prospects in Miami recruits Alex Toral (No. 46) and Joe Perez (No. 57). On the mound, senior righthanders Daniel Federman, Johnny Leone and Jose Martinez offer poise and experience, while Perez has shutdown ability with a mid-90s fastball and power slider. Freshman Albert Hernandez can already reach 90 mph with his fastball. Toral, the leader of the team, is an on-base machine batting in the middle of the lineup and hitting for power. Perez also provides a power bat.

Arlington (Tenn.) HS

2017 Record (Ranking): 6-0 (NR).

Prominent Baseball Alumni: Brady Bramlett, rhp (Ole Miss); Taylor Cox, lhp (Padres); Jonathan Van Eaton, rhp (Angels)

Under head coach Chris Ring, Arlington has reached the Tennessee 3-A sectional championships in six of the past seven years, winning a state championship in 2012 and finishing as the state’s runner-up in 2016. Of their 11 losses in 2016, five came by one run. On average, the Tigers outscored their opponents by more than four runs per game. Arlington has posted an impressive record of 91-23 over the past three seasons. Ring has at his disposal two-way prospect Tyler Gentry, a 6-foot-2, 200-pound Alabama recruit, who will provide veteran leadership in the middle of the lineup and on the mound. Junior Tate Kolwyck, a Vanderbilt recruit, is a righthanded-hitting middle infielder with advanced bat control and bat-to-ball skills that work well at the top of the lineup. The Tigers have a third player bound for college baseball in senior Blake Dallas (Christian Brothers, Tenn.).

Brother Rice HS, Chicago

2017 Record (Ranking): 0-1 (NR).

Prominent Baseball Alumni: Jim Adduci, of (MLB 1983-89); Bob Cummings, c (Giants, 1978 first-round pick); Pete Mackanin, if (MLB 1973-81; manager, Phillies)

The reigning Chicago Catholic League champions are poised for a run in 2017. The Crusaders went 35-4 in 2016, and they return many of their key players this season. Leading the way will be righthander/first baseman Ryan Kutt. An Illinois commit, Kutt is a better prospect on the mound, with a fastball in the low 90s and a breaking ball that gives hitters fits. Head coach John McCarthy has another two-way weapon in senior Illinois State recruit Jack Guzek. On the mound, Guzek has a fast arm and an imposing 6-foot-4 frame. He’ll also play third base. Up the middle, the Crusaders have senior Michigan State recruit Ryan King and junior Indiana commit Sam Jones. Senior catcher Andy Lopez, a St. Joseph’s recruit, provides steady defense behind the plate and can handle the electric stuff of Kutt and Guzek.

The Canterbury School, Fort Myers, Fla.

2017 Record (Ranking): 9-0 (21).

Prominent Baseball Alumni: N/A

Head coach Frank Turco brings back most of last year’s team, which went 31-1 and cruised to a Florida 3-A state championship. The Crusaders’ roster is loaded with Division I recruits, starting with Clemson recruit Sam Keating, who went 10-0, 0.34 in 2016, and he will once again team up with Florida Gulf Coast recruit Tyler Shuck and Florida State recruit Cooper Swanson. All three are strong two-way players for Canterbury. Swanson is a quick-twitch athlete who shows promising power potential and bat speed. In the middle of the lineup, powerful juniors Danny Cunningham and Giovanni DiGiacomo, a Louisiana State recruit, will pace the Crusaders’ offense.

Cullman (Ala.) HS

2017 Record (Ranking): 14-3 (NR).

Prominent Baseball Alumni: Caleb Clay, rhp (Red Sox, 2006 supplemental first-round pick); Josh Rutledge, ss (Rockies/Red Sox)

Over the past three seasons, Cullman has gone 126-37, finished as Alabama’s 6-A state runner-up twice and won a state championship (in 2015). Led by head coach Brent Patterson, the Bearcats have been a consistent power in Alabama, and they have an elite senior class this season. Lefthander Jacob Heatherly, the No. 6 prospect in Baseball America’s preseason rankings, gives Cullman a chance to win every time he toes the rubber. Heatherly’s fastball has reached the mid 90s and he has a plus breaking ball. Senior outfielder Owen Lovell offers a unique bat in the middle of the lineup. The Mississippi State recruit batted .389 and hit 14 home runs as a junior in 2016, while also going 7-0 on the mound. Senior Levi Thomas, a Troy commit, hit .360 as a junior while posting a 24-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Seniors Kade Williams and Carter Bowen are also back on the mound. Williams went 8-2 in 2016, while Bowen went 3-0.

Dana Hills HS, Dana Point, Calif.

2017 Record (Ranking): 4-5 (NR).

Prominent Baseball Alumni: Seth Etherton, rhp (Southern California/Angels); Tanner Scheppers, rhp (Fresno State/Rangers)

The Dolphins and head coach Tom Faris have built an extremely competitive schedule this year. Dana Hills may be up for the task. On the mound, senior righthander Hans Crouse is a fiery competitor; he turned in a masterful performance for the 18U national team in the gold medal game of last summer’s COPABE Pan Am Championships. The Southern California commit can run his fastball into the upper 90s and throws a plus breaking ball. A 6-foot-5 Brigham Young recruit, righthander Jack Sterner has a physically imposing frame and a loose arm. Freshman lefthander Dante Jackson could also compete for the Dolphins right away. In the lineup, sophomore Zach Waters joins a promising lineup with seniors Joe DeBaca, Jeremy Ciolek and Jordan Mathews.

Hamilton HS, Chandler, Ariz.

2017 Record (Ranking): 9-3-1 (NR).

Prominent Baseball Alumni: Cody Bellinger, 1b/of (Dodgers), Eric Farris, 2b/of (Brewers)

Head coach Mike Woods, at the helm for 19 years, has built Hamilton into a perennial power in Arizona. Since the school opened in the 1998-99 school year, Hamilton has won five state championships, including one in 2016. The Huskies have had 18 players drafted and 26 go on to play Division I baseball. Hamilton is well-rounded in 2017, and Stanford commit Nick Brueser is one of the best high school hitters in the country, with ability to drive the ball with authority from gap to gap. Brueser batted .442 and hit nine home runs as a junior last season. The Huskies have a strong senior class around Brueser, with slick-fielding shortstop Drew Swift, strong two-way player Cole Bellinger (brother of Cody) and outfielder Brayden Merritt, who batted .402 as a junior. Bellinger tossed four innings in last year’s state championship game, giving him big-game experience that should serve him well in the NHSI.

Hough HS, Cornelius, N.C.

2017 Record (Ranking): 5-1 (NR).

Prominent Baseball Alumni: N/A

Hough, a school that just opened in 2010, brings a team from the strong Charlotte baseball scene to represent the NHSI’s host state. In 2016, Hough went 23-6 and won its 4-A conference. Over the past three seasons, the Huskies have gone 65-21, and their senior class this season could allow them to contend for a 4-A state title in 2017. The ace of Hough’s pitching staff is senior lefthander Nicholas Swiney, who went 10-1, 0.76 in 2016. Swiney, an N.C. State signee pitches with an upper-80s fastball that has touched 91 mph and a quality breaking ball. Following Swiney, sophomore lefthander J.D. Brock, a Clemson recruit, will look to build on a promising freshman year in which he went 3-1, 0.98. Penn State commit Bailey Dees will slide into the rotation after serving as Hough’s closer as a junior. Seniors Hunter Baker and Carter Williams can pace the offense and provide quality defense.

Huntington Beach (Calif.) HS

2017 Record (Ranking): 6-0 (5).

Prominent Baseball Alumni: Collin Balester, rhp (Tigers), Hank Conger, c (D-backs)

Head coach Benji Medure’s Oilers are coming off a 20-11 season that included the 2016 NHSI championship. Seniors Hagen Danner and Nick Pratto both could be selected on the first day of the draft. Both starred—along with many Huntington Beach players—in California’s 2011 Little League World Series victory and both went on to become decorated players for the 18U national teams that dominated international competition in 2015 and 2016. The righthanded Danner throws a mid-90s fastball and tight breaking ball, while also showing consistent game power and advanced feel for hitting. Some scouts believe the lefthanded Pratto to be the best pure hitter in this year’s high school class. He pitches in the upper 80s to low 90s and has an outstanding changeup, but did not play in last year’s NHSI after transferring in to play for the Oilers. Promising sophomore Josh Hahn bats cleanup. Santa Barbara recruit Cory Moore complements Danner and Pratto in the rotation.

Merritt Island (Fla.) HS

2017 Record (Ranking): 7-3 (NR).

Prominent Baseball Alumni: Clint Hurdle, of (Royals; Rockies/Pirates manager); Taylor Jordan, rhp (Nationals)

Lead by All-American shortstop Brady McConnell, the Mustangs are poised for a run in 2017 as they look to build off a strong 20-8 campaign last season. McConnell, a Florida recruit, offers a blend of speed, defense and pure hitting ability. He has the potential to be a first-round draft pick in June. Head coach Greg Plecki will rely on McConnell, senior Connor Allen (a Miami commit) and junior Mason Denaburg (a Florida commit) to provide steady offense in the lineup. The righthanded Denaburg has a high ceiling on the mound, with a lively low-90s fastball and the ability to generate late top-to-bottom action on his breaking ball. Denaburg has the stuff to compete against the nation’s top hitters.

Orange (Calif.) Lutheran HS

2017 Record (Ranking): 5-1 (22).

Prominent Baseball Alumni: Gerrit Cole, rhp (UCLA/Pirates); Brandon Maurer, rhp (Padres); Josh Morgan, if/c (Rangers)

Orange Lutheran has a storied tradition, having been ranked in Baseball America’s Top 25 in six of the past eight years. Coming off a 22-9 season in 2016, the Lancers have seven returners in their lineup for 2017, led by senior All-American outfielder Garrett Mitchell. The UCLA recruit is a five-tool talent with an elite combination of power and speed. Senior shortstop Tristan Hanoian, a Texas Christian recruit, should also provide veteran leadership in the lineup and on defense. Sophomore outfielder Jasiah Dixon gained valuable experience with the 15U national team last summer.
Head coach Eric Borba will rely on senior lefthander Jason Farese, a San Diego commit, to anchor the rotation. Senior righthander Korey Cirks could also provide quality innings. In total, the Lancers have 10 Division I commits.

Rocky Mountain HS, Fort Collins, Colo.

2017 Record (Ranking): 0-0 (NR).

Prominent Baseball Alumni: Andy Burns, ss (Blue Jays); Marco Gonzales, lhp (Cardinals)

Returning to the NHSI for the second consecutive season, the Lobos will look to build off their impressive offensive outburst on the final day of last year’s tournament. The Lobos scored an NHSI-record 17 runs to secure the first victory of their 2016 season, and would go on to score double-digit runs in nine of their next 11 games. Head coach Scott Bullock returns a promising offense from last year’s 19-8 squad, led by seniors Jason Uhrich, John Sorenson and Spencer Gendreau. Uhrich batted .438 and lead the team with five home runs last season, while Sorenson batted .400 and Gendreau hit .431. The Lobos will look to Sorenson, who went 4-3 as a junior, to make the next step forward in his pitching development. The Lobos’ season will just be getting going as NHSI rolls around.

South Hills HS, West Covina, Calif.

2017 Record (Ranking): 5-1 (17).

Prominent Baseball Alumni: Jason Giambi, 1b (Athletics/Yankees); Cory Lidle, rhp (Yankees); Aaron Small, rhp (Blue Jays/Yankees)

In 2016, South Hills was the CIF Southern Section Division II champion after a magical 26-7 season. After all that success, the Huskies return most of their key contributors from last year’s squad. The squad is so well-rounded that it isn’t clear exactly who their top prospect is. The Huskies are very talented defensively, with senior shortstop Jacob Amaya, a Cal State Fullerton recruit, forming a double play duo with junior Brandon Dieter, who is committed to Stanford. Dieter will also play a key role at the top of the rotation, where he has excellent command and pitchability. Joining Dieter in the rotation, the Huskies have seniors John Dearth, a San Diego State commit, and Karlos Morales, who is committed to Long Beach State. Dearth, who led the team in hitting last year, touches 90 and shows promising command. Morales, a lefthander, can reach into the low 90s with his fastball and he shows the ability to hit for both average and power.

Trinity Christian HS, Jacksonville, Fla.

2017 Record (Ranking): 7-3 (NR).

Prominent Baseball Alumni: J.C. Flowers, of (Florida State); Todd Lott, of (Louisiana-Lafayette)

Trinity Christian returns to NHSI after going 2-2 in the tournament in 2016. They lost key seniors (and 2016 draftees) in J.C. Flowers and Todd Lott, but the Conquerors return two prominent 2017 prospects in righthander A.J. Labas and shortstop Austin Martin. Labas served as the ace of the staff as a junior, going 5-0, 1.19. He throws his three-pitch mix for strikes. Martin, a Vanderbilt recruit, has quick feet and excellent infield actions. He was the No. 34 prospect in Baseball America’s preseason rankings. Beyond their senior stars, the Conquerors have plenty of talented underclassmen. In total, they have seven players committed to play Division I baseball, and another five who will go on to play in junior college. Sophomore Dylan Simmons, a Florida State commit, is an elite two-way player, batting in the four-hole and touching 92 on the mound.

Winder-Barrow HS, Winder, Ga.

2017 Record (Ranking): 12-1 (NR).

Prominent Baseball Alumni: Travis Demeritte, 2b/3b (Braves); Max Pentecost, c (Blue Jays)

Under head coach Brian Smith, the Bulldogs went 25-7 and reached Georgia’s 5-A state elite eight in 2016. In 2017, they bring back a strong senior class that includes five players committed to play college baseball, including three who will play Division I. Winder-Barrow’s strength should be its offense. Vanderbilt commit Pat Demarco is a high-contact hitter with plus speed, and could be a significant on-base threat for the Bulldogs at NHSI. He’s joined by promising hitters such as Beau Hanna, a Kennesaw State recruit with power at the plate, and Will Hardigree, a USC Upstate commit as a two-way player with an outstanding arm behind the plate. Seniors Trent Maddox and Casey Thurmond add to the Bulldogs’ depth, while sophomore Zack Smith is a projectable talent committed to Mississippi.