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 that featured some of the best position players and a collection of the best from places like Arizona, Nevada and Colorado – the Reds.   

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

REDS
Pound-for-pound, there wasn’t a better baseball player than Tate Southisene. At 5-10, 160 pounds, the USC commitment was a joy to watch because of his outstanding skill, motor, instincts and impact ability on both sides of the ball. With quick hands and good bat speed, Southisene created surprisingly loud contact for a 2025 prospect his size and hit .400/.455/.600 from the right side. A constant threat to steal second or third base, the Basic Academy of International Studies (Nevada) product swiped five bases, terrorized opposing pitchers and catchers when he was on the bases, and played faster than his 4.26 run time. 

A standout middle infielder, Southisene showed his impressive baseball instincts when he played center field and naturally tracked fly balls and played the position so well, he could impact the game out there, too; Southisene made an impressive running grab near the wall in center field and also a sensational grab on the run in foul territory from shortstop. Southisene was part of a loaded group of infielders. Ethan Clauss, a 6-2, left-handed hitting shortstop with physical projection committed to Texas A&M, gave us some Walker Martin vibes while watching. He had impressive plate skills, swung a heavy barrel and is going to grow into more pop with a real chance to stick at shortstop (he ranged to his backhand and nearly made what would have been the play of the event among infielders, which was even better than the slick play linked below). Clauss hit .400/.700/.400 with five walks and two strikeouts. 

Often sharing some of the middle infield duties for the Reds was Virginia commitment and Colorado product Thomas Stewart, whose all-around skill and strike zone awareness stood out. As Stewart adds his strength, his offensive profile will be elevated to another level. Oregon State commitment and Queen Creek (Arizona) prospect Ryker Waite had one of the shortest swings in the event, which made him tough to strike out, and really competed well in the batter’s box. At 5-10, the left-handed hitting middle infielder had noticeable strength packed onto his athletic frame. 

In the outfield, Caleb Danzeisen proved to be one of the best hitters on the roster. An Arizona commitment from Valley Christian (Arizona), Danzeisen was a smooth operator in the batter’s box with impressive barrel accuracy and a low-heartbeat approach. In an event that can make some hitters look flustered and overwhelmed, the left-handed hitter had no fear in two-strike counts because of his confidence to make contact. Ryan Harwood, who also played some first base in addition to left field, looked the part of a special power hitter in the 2026 class. While some young, 6-3 power hitters tend to get too long with their swing, Hardwood kept his swing short, repeatable and capable of covering the zone with impact. Simply put, he had one of my favorite left-handed swings in the tournament. 

Another productive hitter who spent some time at first base and in a corner outfield spot was Arizona commitment Ganon Dwyer. At 6-2, 195 pounds, Dwyer had some of the best bat-to-ball ability on his team and while his swing was more contact-over-impact, there’s potential to drive the ball with more authority in the future. He ended up hitting .429/.636/.429 with one strikeout and four walks. Hagen White is a power-over-contact hitter that struggled to make contact, but when the 6-5, 220-pound right-handed hitter connects, he can hammer the baseball as anyone who was in the event. Among the bummers of the event was Hamilton standout center fielder and uncommitted prospect Jaylen Payne getting banged up because in six plate appearances he hit .500 with zero strikeouts while showcasing his impressive speed in center field. 

Arizona commitment and Mountain Ridge (Arizona) prospect Joe Forbes pulled double duty. After catching in the underclass tournament, he was called up to the upperclass team and caught innings there, too. He had a 1.97-second in-game pop time, was very impressive physically, showed promising receiving skill and is going to hit with some power in the future. As Forbes sees more quality spin over time, he should be able to better adjust to it and unlock some more hitting potential. Regardless, his future behind the dish looked promising, and he caught his fair share of stuff during the underclass tournament. 

Among the most impressive pitchers on the roster was a future college teammate of Forbes’ – Brophy Prep (Arizona) right-hander Jack Lafflam. Up to 93 MPH, the 6-6, lean right-hander used a natural cutter to overwhelm hitters out of a crossfire look and was able to get the pitch to his glove side despite the approach. For a young player with his size and length, Lafflam was an especially good mover on the mound with a clean arm and is a candidate to throw much harder in the future. The righty also spun a quality curveball at 73-77 MPH with spin around 2800 RPM and struck out three batters in 3.0 innings. 

At 6-6, 247 pounds, Mountain Pointe (Arizona) right-handed pitcher Brett Crossland looks the part of a strong, imposing, sturdy starting pitcher with power stuff. Up to 94 MPH with his fastball that carried 90-94 MPH through 3.0 innings, Crossland has the ingredients to be that type of pitcher in the future. Given his size and his age, I thought Crossland’s delivery was promising. He mixed in a curveball around 72-76 MPH (around 2500 RPM) and an 85-86 MPH changeup with spin around 1800 RPM. Crossland’s fastball played down a tick (3.0 IP, 2ER, 3H, 3SO), likely the result of shape and the cleanliness of his arm path with his delivery not creating deception. Given how he spins the baseball and his age, I think he’s a candidate to throw harder in the future and improve how his fastball performs. An uncommitted prospect, Crossland should certainly have the attention of every major D1 program in his region and perhaps beyond. 

A few other pitchers that caught our attention: uncommitted righty Ryan Caruso (Corona del Sol; Arizona) was up to 88 MPH, recorded some whiffs with a 77 MPH slider with spin around 2700 RPM and although his arm swing was long, it worked fine out front. Zane Burns (Chandler; Arizona), another uncommitted right-hander, flashed one of the events best sliders at 81-85 MPH that he was able to get to his glove side/bury despite some fastball arm side misses, and he should become a better strike thrower as he finds consistency with his low three-quarters/near sidearm slot and delivery. And another uncommitted right-hander with a curveball that flashed with promise was Brock Cross (Lake Havasu; Arizona), who pounded the glove side with his fastball and recorded a strikeout with a changeup, too. Lefty Ethan Felling, from Mahtomedl High School in Minnesota, showed a four-pitch arsenal led by an 88 MPH fastball and 79-80 changeup combo that proved difficult for righties to handle, and despite the appearance of a very active delivery with lots of moving parts, Felling showed promising body control on the mound. He’s also uncommitted. 

Dustin McComas
Senior Editor