The 2024 Under Armour Next All-America Game brought a fresh wave of young talent to Camden Yards. The game itself ended in an 11-11 tie after a wild 3 hours and 40 minutes.
But honestly, the scoreboard almost felt like an afterthought. All eyes were on the next generation of MLB hopefuls, and you could feel the anticipation in the air.
This year, several marquee 2026 MLB Draft prospects—like consensus No. 1 Grady Emerson—missed the event because they were off at the U-18 World Cup in Japan. That left the spotlight to a mix of promising second- and third-round caliber players, with just a handful of possible first-rounders trying to make their mark.
Offensive Standouts at Camden Yards
Even without the biggest names, the event didn’t lack for offense. Young hitters flexed everything from raw power to patient approaches at the plate, giving scouts a real sense of both current skill and future upside.
Rising Hitters Who Shined
One of the most memorable performances came from outfielder Blake Bowen. He racked up three hits, including a thunderous 110-mph home run that turned heads.
Bowen also flashed sharp instincts on the bases. His blend of power and aggression definitely makes him a name to remember.
Jaxon Matthews had a headline moment with an opposite-field grand slam that earned him game MVP honors. His power’s legit, no question, though some scouts still aren’t sold on how consistent his swing mechanics are.
Still, that clutch slam put Matthews on the map as one of the game’s most impactful players. It’s hard to ignore that kind of big-game performance.
Switch-hitting infielder Rocco Maniscalco—widely considered the top prospect in attendance—showed off his skills at shortstop, but didn’t do much at the plate this time. Easton Autrey, a strong first baseman, chipped in steady offense with advanced bat control and drove the ball to all fields.
Catcher Alain Gómez-Gudiño smoked a right-handed home run. Scouts, though, couldn’t help but notice a gap in the quality of his swings from each side of the plate.
Pitching Performances That Stole the Show
The bats got plenty of attention, but the arms on display might’ve been even more impressive. Several pitchers brought serious velocity and mature pitch mixes, giving everyone a lot to think about.
Elite Velocity and Command
Tyler Putnam stood out as the top pitching prospect in terms of raw stuff. He flashed a five-pitch mix and touched 97 mph with his fastball—the day’s best number.
Putnam’s ability to keep his command at that speed hints at a really high ceiling. There’s just something electric about watching a kid throw that hard and still hit his spots.
Right-handers Coleton Brady and Dylan Blomker also delivered. Both sat in the mid-90s and paired that heat with sharp breaking balls that kept hitters guessing.
Their poise on the mound suggested a level of maturity you don’t always see at this age. It’s impressive, honestly.
Eli Herst might’ve been the most intriguing pitcher for some scouts. He didn’t have the top-end velocity others showed, but made up for it with projection and really good pitch command.
His outing felt like a nod to the growing trend in baseball: valuing pitchers who pound the strike zone over those who just light up the radar gun. Sometimes, it’s not all about the speed.
Final Takeaways from the Showcase
The 2024 Under Armour Next All-America Game didn’t have every consensus top-tier player. Some skipped out because of scheduling conflicts.
Still, the event delivered a compelling display of skill and competitive fire. Players like Blake Bowen and Tyler Putnam grabbed the spotlight, making sure scouts noticed them.
Others used the stage to highlight specific strengths that might work at the pro level. The MLB Draft is still years away for these high school prospects, but performances like this matter for early scouting opinions.
There were booming home runs. Some pitchers brought electric fastballs that made people take notice.
Even when the biggest stars are playing halfway around the world, baseball’s next generation looks packed with potential. There’s something genuinely exciting about watching these kids go for it.
Here is the source article for this story: Notes on 2026 MLB Draft prospects from the 2025 Under Armour Next game
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