It’s Festival Week!

The Five Tool High School Festival returns for its second season and after a highly successful debut in 2023, the event is even more loaded in 2024. Many of the same outstanding programs are making their return while Five Tool welcomes some new programs to the festival, including the best of the best from Hawaii, the favorite to win the 5A state title in Texas, one of the true consistent, powerhouse programs in Texas, California’s 2023 champion and more. To preview the event, we’re presenting reports on each participating team that include players to watch, notes, expected roles and much more. This story will focus on just the participating teams from outside Texas:

CHECK OUT THE EVENT HUB PAGE FOR ALL INFORMATOIN AND MAKE SURE YOU FOLLOW THE LINE

Bixby (Oklahoma)
Bixby won 14-straight games to end 2023 and was crowned 6A state champions in Oklahoma. Yeah, the Spartans were hot to end the season. In 2024, they’ll be much younger and not as experienced. However, they’ll have some exciting pieces and the potential to make another run when it matters most, especially because of the ability on the mound. The Spartans will lean on two-way star and Oklahoma State signee Jett Hope. As a right-handed pitcher, Hope has an explosive heater and when he’s not pitching, he’ll play in the outfield and hit cleanup. Bixby also has two of the top junior pitchers in Oklahoma – longtime Oklahoma commitment Kaemyn Franklin and hard-throwing, uncommitted right-hander Brian Justice. Justice had one of the event’s top curveballs last year, one of the best changeups and has experienced a recent velocity increase. College coaches will want eyes on Justice when he pitches and both he and Franklin will be key hitters in the lineup, too. 

Sophomore outfielder Cord Nolan is a heck of an athlete. A major football player, he’s already received offers from the likes of Kansas State, UNLV, Tulsa and more. An impact hitter, he should hit in the middle of the lineup. Cooper Leggett is another sophomore colleges should pay close attention to. At around 6-5, Leggett has already been working in the upper-80s with his fastball and has major potential.

Conway (Arkansas)
Conway was one of the final eight teams standing in the 6A state playoffs last season and has the pieces to make another run at a state championship. Shaun Cover, a two-way player, was among the top freshmen we saw at last year’s Festival, and he returns to hit leadoff and give some quality innings on the mound. Even as a freshman, he led the team in hitting last year. Max Holland is another sophomore who experienced varsity success last season and should slide into the heart of the order. The catcher is definitely a prospect to follow closely. Shortstop Tucker Satterfield (ASU Three Rives) made the All-Festival Team last year and is poised for a big senior season and has been a varsity contributor since his freshman season. Seniors Braden Bramlett (Lyon) and Will Thompson (ASU Three Rivers) will add a significant veteran presence to a deep lineup.

On the mound, expect Conway to give a lot of pitchers looks as it works to solidifying roles. Junior right-hander Beau Billick should be a big part of the rotation. A Louisiana commitment, Billeck is a physical, 6-2 right-hander with a hard heater. Senior and Ouachita Baptist signee Prestyn Ribbing is a two-way player who should log a lot of quality innings for Conway.

Deer Creek (Oklahoma)
The state of Oklahoma’s 6A baseball is well-represented in the Five Tool Festival and Deer Creek was another program who reached the quarterfinals of the state tournament. Do-it-all senior Logan Hedrick (Connors State) is projected to be team’s leadoff hitter and one of its top starting pitchers. After what he showed in last year’s event, it makes sense. Hedrick’s left-handed swing and hitting ability stood out while he threw strikes with a mid-80s fastball on the mound. Ethan Hedrick (Rose State) should be a go-to-pitcher out of the bullpen. Right-handed hitter Ashton Hartwig (Johnson County) caught our eye during Five Tool events in the past and had one of the best swings we caught on camera last spring when he drilled a deep homer off fireballer and one of the nation’s top pitchers, Owen Hall. Senior second baseman Kellen Frizzell (Murray State) gives Deer Creek another experienced, all-around productive player who is a tough out. Caden Allen (Murray State) is an impressive athlete behind the dish, should hit in the heart of the order, will likely be one of the team’s top pitchers and threw out two runners stealing in one game during last year’s Festival. 

Edmond Memorial (Oklahoma)
After a playoff appearance last season, Edmond Memorial will lean on some youth to grow during the season and potentially make some more noise in the postseason. There’s optimism around the club thanks to the team’s competitive makeup, which begins with junior Rhett Winchester, sophomore Jase Winchester and sophomore Cooper Kardokus. The three position players should add a notable presence in the lineup and winner’s mentality. We’re bummed we won’t see DBU commitment and junior left-handed pitcher Noah Entrekin because he’ll be throwing in the team’s district game the following Monday, but Garrett Baker, Noah Humphreys and Cooper Wilson are three starters the team is excited about. Baker and Caleb Hines could give the club the boost it needs to do some damage in district play and postseason. 

Kamahameha-Kapalama (Hawaii)
We’re thrilled to welcome the best of the best from Hawaii to this year’s festival. Kamahameha Kapalama will arrive to the DFW area with an outstanding roster led by Texas Tech signee and center fielder Jace Souza. A toolsy left-handed hitter who added notable strength over the offseason, Souza could attract the attention of professional scouts. Matthew Zarriello (Embry-Riddle), Bruce Boucher (Hawaii Pacific), Logan Akaka will help Souza provide some punch in the lineup. Akaka and Kia’i Sylvester, both juniors, impressed during the Hawaii Sandlot Classic. Speaking of punch, junior Dillon Andres won the Home Run Derby at the Hawaii Sandlot Classic and is a threat to mash a big fly each time he’s in the batter’s box.

On the mound, junior lefty Elai Iwanaga (BYU), junior righty Kainoa Kaneshiro (Nevada), junior lefty Alaka’i Kiakona and senior righty Blade Paragas are big reasons why our Hawaiian friends arrive with one of the best pitching staffs in the event. Kiakona, who is also a talented outfielder, was up to 89 MPH during the Hawaii Sandlot Classic and his sharp curveball flashed as a major swing-and-miss pitch when paired with his fastball up in the zone. He should be one of the top uncommitted pitchers in the event.

Magnolia Heights (Mississippi)
Magnolia Heights finished 40-3 and won the state title last season. Sound familiar? It should because the title was the Chiefs’ fourth-straight. Last year’s event helped prepare Magnolia Heights for its run because its only three losses of the season came during the Festival. Unsurprisingly, it’ll arrive with a ton of talent and perhaps a chip on its shoulder. Sophomore and Ole Miss commitment Cole Prosek is the next star at shortstop for the Chiefs after Cooper Pratt graduated and signed with the Brewers for $1.35 million. A compact athlete with bat speed and skill, Prosek should be one of the top left-handed hitters in the event and he’ll also be one of the team’s top starting pitchers, too. Pratt’s younger brother Quincy more than held his own as an eighth grader competing in the event last year and should slide into third base as another exciting starter in the infield. Senior Harlin Hovater (Meridian College) is an athletic backstop with impressive size and talent. He’ll provide another strong option near the top of the lineup. After losing so many key seniors from last year’s team, Magnolia Heights will look for a lot of new faces to step up.

Mater Dei (California)
Mater Dei will arrive to the DFW area with one of the top pitching staffs in the tournament and after a successful 2023 season that featured its first playoff berth since 2017. UCLA signee Wylan Moss should strongly be in the mix as one of the top pitching prospects in the event. He has a loose, quick arm with an explosive heater and his impressive hand speed is especially noticeable when he has his hard slider working. Brandon Thomas (Washington) is an impact two-way player who adds physicality and pop to the heart of the lineup while also being able to fill up the strike zone with strong stuff as a key right-handed starting pitcher. And USC commit Landon Gordon is another solid righty with a strong three-pitch mix that played well in the loaded Trinity League last season. 

Offensively, the Monarchs bring back a deep, loaded lineup. Sophomore left-handed hitting outfielder Ezekial Lara will likely be one of the most heavily recruited prospects in California when the contact period opens for his class in August. Old Dominion signee Brody Connors is a corner infielder with power in his bat in the cleanup spot and Cal 2025 commitment Dylan Wetzel impressed us during last year’s festival with his quick, active hands and “hitterish” qualities. USC commitment Johnny Elliott provides a big presence in the cleanup spot and St. Mary's commit Braden Ruiz gives the team a steady presence in the middle of the infield. If you want a glimpse a little deeper into the future, keep an eye on freshman lefty Luke Armijo. He’s been up to 89 MPH already and has earned positive reviews about his mound makeup being beyond his years.  

Queen Creek (Arizona)
Queen Creek battled its way to an outstanding runner-up finish in the 6A Arizona state playoffs and will join the Five Tool festivities for the first time. We certainly hope it’s the first of many because the Bulldogs are consistently among the best in Arizona. This year will be no different. Star shortstop Ryker Waite, a 2025 Vanderbilt commitment, should again be one of the top players in the state and certainly in the mix as one of the top prospects in the Five Tool Festival. He’s a compact, physical athlete with impressive bat speed and a short swing that makes him hard to strike out. Jesse Aguirre is among the top uncommitted seniors in Arizona. He can play all over the diamond defensively and has infectious energy along with athletic actions and quick hands. Senior left-handed hitting first baseman Braden Belcastro (Chandler-Gilbert College) returns to provide some thump in the middle of the lineup. 

Tait Reynolds, who is also a heck of a quarterback, is an impressive athlete and one of the best right-handed hitters in Arizona. The Arizona State commitment will be one of the most exciting players in the event. Speaking of excitement, Jet Berry provides plenty of it as a skilled switch-hitter and second baseman. Berry is growing into more impact as a hitter and has always possessed advanced actions and bat-to-ball skill. Junior infielder Alex Gamboa is another uncommitted position player to watch. 

Santa Margarita (California)
The reigning Southern California Regional Division 1 champions are taking their talents to the Five Tool Festival. And when Cade Townsend arrives at the Five Tool Festival, he’ll likely arrive with maybe the event’s best breaking ball. When the curveball is right, it’s a beautiful yet vicious, high-spin hammer that can buckle even the strongest knees. An Ole Miss signee, Townsend might have a crowd of pro scouts tracking his outing and we saw him touch 93 MPH at Area Code this past summer. Junior right-hander and UCLA commitment Hayden George gives Santa Margarita another very talented starting pitcher. At around 6-4 with a starter’s build and delivery, George has the ingredients to fill up the zone with promising stuff. Chris Saucedo is another experienced junior pitcher who threw crucial innings for Santa Margarita in the playoffs. 

In the batter’s box, it all starts with leadoff hitter Logan de Groot. The UCLA signee and center fielder was a Five Tool favorite from Area Code because of his athleticism, motor, makeup and right-handed bat. He should be one of the top hitters in the event and Cal signee Jake Lavin hitting behind him makes up quite the one-two punch at the top of the order. Talented players like junior infielder Brody Schumaker (TCU) and junior outfielder Ben Finnegan add impressive depth to the lineup. 

Westmoore (Oklahoma)
Westmoore is coming off an excellent 2023 season and reached the 6A state quarterfinals. With a good blend of talented youth and veteran performers, it should make another deep run in 2024. Senior second baseman Deacon Frazee sets the tone with his competitiveness, intangibles and performance. He should hit near the top of the lineup and probably slots in right behind star leadoff hitter Josiah Kemp. A sophomore committed to Oklahoma, Kemp has loud all-around tools and immense potential. After setting the school record for career tackles and breaking his own single-season record for tackles, Connor Cavnar (Johnson County) is going to provide some strength and toughness in the heart of the lineup. He had a great summer for the OK Fuel and repeatedly hammered baseballs in Five Tool events. Tanner Fallwell (Cowley County) cleaned up some of those tackles Cavnar didn’t make and should slot right behind him in the lineup to provide more physicality and strength. Expect lefty and Seminole State signee Bradley Ruby to lead the way on the mound with the ability to pitch deep into games.

Dustin McComas
Senior Editor and National Scout