We’ve published countless videos, conducted several interviews, completed a lengthy podcast with a full breakdown and now we’re completing the final part of our comprehensive coverage of Area Code Games. Beginning with the underclass event, we’re going to provide a breakdown and scouting notes for each of the eight teams that participated in the event. Let’s continue with a team with a collection of prospects from the Southeast and all over – the Nationals.   

(All prospects are in the 2025 class unless otherwise noted.)

NATIONALS
Dean Moss (IMG Academy) arrived at Area Code with a reputation as one of the best left-handed hitters in the nation for the 2025 class. It didn’t take me long to see why. Blessed with the type of processing and pitch-tracking different from most of his peers, Moss showcased excellent bat-to-ball ability and plate skills. while also unleashing impact bat speed despite being just 6-0, 180 pounds. Against a really good right-handed breaking ball during one of his first at-bats, Moss looked slightly baffled by the shape and spin of the pitch. As most good pitchers and catchers would, Moss was challenged with the same pitch immediately and proceeded to whack a hard liner right at the shortstop. 

It wasn’t just the swing; it was stuff like that Moss did that was a little bit different than the rest of the pack. Sure, he hit just .250/.500/.250, but Moss just missed a couple of pitches, including a very deep fly out to the warning track. His left-handed swing was among the event’s best with balance, athleticism, a steady head and good barrel path. He’s able to create loft off the bat with his paths and surprising juice for a 2025 player his size. A longtime Vanderbilt commitment from California, Dean wasn’t the only Moss who had bright moments at Area Code. His younger brother Dillon proved to be a 2026 standout who is committed to Stanford and shared some similar hitting traits from the right side – bat speed, good path, processing. Unlike his older brother, who is an outfielder who likely gets a long look in center field and ran down the line in 4.2 seconds, Dillon is a catcher. Undersized for the position currently, Moss will continue filling out and his combination of agility, athleticism, motor and arm strength should give him a real shot to stick behind the dish for years to come. 

Both underclass and upperclass portions of Area Code delivered a lengthy list of left-handed hitting center fielders who profiled at the top of the order with strong hit tools. Cannon Goldin (Buford; Georgia) was among those standouts and worked counts consistently well with a promising hit tool and competitive makeup. An Ole Miss commitment, Goldin covered ground in center field, was quick to the ball off the bat and also showed a strong arm. Sign me up as a fan of right-handed hitting infielder Jackson Roper (A3 Academy; Florida). A Florida commitment, Roper hit .571/.625/1.000 with just one strikeout in eight plate appearances. At 5-10, 180 pounds but with some present strength, I think Roper is a candidate to tap into more power in the future because he had a knack for transferring his energy out to his front foot early. An infielder, Roper shared a trait with Golden – they both played very hard. 

Boerne products Brooks and Dylan Perez, the former committed to Houston and the latter Baylor, both have promise as left-handed hitters. Brooks looked a bit taller and more projectable physically with an impressive diving catch in left field while Dylan flashed more of an impact bat. Evan Hankins often hit in the heart of the Nationals lineup with an imposing, 6-5, left-landed hitting presence. He didn’t have a loud performance statistically, but the visual look kind of reminded me some of Atlanta Braves left-handed hitting first baseman and masher Matt Olson. 

Then, Hankins got on the mound and showed an operation that looked like his highest upside, which is saying something because he’s undoubtedly a talented hitter with potential to hit for both power and average. Assuming he makes it to Tennessee, his future college coaches won't be able to resist putting him on the mound where he profiles as an impact starter from the left side. Up to 91 MPH with a fastball that sat comfortably at 88-91 MPH, Hankins showed good bend in his delivery, especially for a 6-5 junior, and had one of the event’s best sliders (80-81 MPH; 2700 RPM) and a very promising changeup (81 MPH; 1300 RPM) with plus potential, too. With a strong lower half and impressive movements, Hankins was able to straighten his lead leg quickly after release and put his chest in good position. There’s a lot to like about everything – stuff, execution, mechanics and future upside. 

Another lefty who really stood out during 3.0 very strong innings was Cartersville (Georgia) product Avery Shiflett. The Georgia commitment possessed some of the best control, had one of the best curveballs in the event and routinely fired strikes. His curveball at 74-77 MPH with spin around 2700 RPM was so good that he breezed through a really talented lineup with just that and his fastball, which wasn’t overpowering at 87-88 MPH. After a shaky start, IMG Academy right-hander Peyton Miller was dominant and ended up striking out five batters in 2.0 innings. He gave up one unearned run on one hit and two hit batters. Listed at 6-3, 205 pounds, Miller’s operation on the mound offers some exciting opportunities for growth down the road because of some tweaks that could occur to unlock more control/command and because you can see the visible scap loading at foot plant/hip-to-shoulder separation. His fastball was up to 92 MPH with much more in the tank and his slider (79 MPH; 2500 RPM) was a sharp, short, swing-and-miss offering that right-handers really struggled with. Miller is committed to Clemson.

It was easy to spot the impressive lower half strength Fleming Hall leverages to create some giddy-up on the mound. In 3.0 innings, the right-hander gave up just one hit and struck out three thanks to a fastball up to 92 MPH and a quality slider at 81-83 MPH with true shape and spin around 2400 RPM. An Auburn commitment, Hall is a good bet to continue throwing quality strikes at the next level. He didn’t generate good results, but there’s a lot to like about what Ma’Kale Holden (Hoover; Alabama) showed on the mound. The strong, athletic right-hander committed to Alabama flashed a future plus curveball at 76 MPH with around 2800 RPM and he clearly has advanced feel for spinning a breaking ball. Holden’s stuff did play down some, which might be the result of fastball shape and possibly lack of deception. But there’s a lot to like and work with as he continues to develop. Holden was also one of the team’s main catchers with an ideal catcher’s build and good athleticism/arm strength for the position. 

Holden his joined at Hoover by talented 2026 infielder and Tennessee commitment Jaxson Wood. A right-handed hitter with some quick-twitch actions, Wood more than held his own and had some bright moments with the bat and showed some promising range at second base. Arkansas 2025 commitment Alexander Peck moved around the dirt with the type of long frame that makes him an obvious projection candidate down the road. He struggled with some swing-and-miss issues, but when he did make contact, there was some impact off the bat. Peck was also up to 90 MPH on the mound. Another very tall player and obvious projection candidate is RJ Cope. Listed at 6-7, 225 pounds, the left-handed pitcher and hitter is an intriguing development candidate long-term with a fastball up to 89 MPH. 

Dustin McComas
Senior Editor