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 Texas:

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Allen 
Following a solid 2023 campaign that included a 12-2 district record and a regional quarterfinal finish, the Eagles return some major firepower and are poised to be a real threat to win a loaded district and make a deeper run into the playoffs. Senior and two-way star Brady Coe is the engine that makes Allen go. The ACU signee has a deep arsenal on the mound with impressive feel for spin and rising velocity along with skill on the dirt and an impact right-handed bat. All senior Tate Greene (Central Arkansas) did this past summer was hit homers and he has a knack for coming up clutch. Caden Young, who signed with Fordham, gives Allen leadership and stability behind the dish and Dodge City signee Nick Vickery should team with Young to add some thump to the middle of the lineup. 

Allen has a great mix of veterans and impact underclassmen led by two-way star Chandler Hart, who is one of the top left-handed pitching prospects nationally in the 2026 class. Hart controls his long frame uniquely well on the mound and his fastball-slider combo can be devastating. He will be one of the biggest prizes in the 2026 recruiting class. Sophomore Ayden Austin adds athleticism to the outfield and second baseman Kyle Tanksley has an advanced hit tool, which should profile well at the top of the lineup as another sophomore who could be a major recruit. 

In addition to Coe and Hart on the mound colleges should pay especially close attention to senior Jonathan Van Eerden. A one-time TCU commitment who has dealt with some nagging injuries in the past, Van Eerden could once again emerge as one of the top right-handed pitching prospects in the state and is certainly one of the top uncommitted seniors in Texas. He’s been up to 93 MPH already this season and we recently saw him throw a sinking a fastball in the 87-90 MPH range consistently.

Americas (El Paso)
During last year’s Five Tool Festival, no team competed better than Americas. If you lined up opposite the Trailblazers, you knew you were in a for a battle. After a 31-win season in 2023, expect that same mentality to take the diamond this week. Heck, they might be more competitive because they know how much talent they lost from last year’s club. A good representation of Americas’ competitive spirit is senior center fielder Andres Suarez, who simply figures out ways to beat you. Sharing the outfield with Suarez is El Paso College signee Jose Luis Cabrera and he should add a notable punch to the lineup. 

On the mound, junior Isaac Arrieta is back to lead the rotation. The righty caught our eye during last year’s festival with an impressive performance against a loaded lineup. And keep an eye on sophomore third baseman and key bullpen arm Drew Gonzalez. Those around the Americas program think he has a chance to be a surefire D1 prospect. Sophomore Ruben Hernandez is an impressive athlete who should be a key starter on the mound and can impact the game with his legs and bat, too.

Argyle
The clear-cut favorite to win the 5A state championship after finishing runner-up in 2023, Argyle will arrive to the Five Tool Festival with a loaded roster and arguably the most talent of any club. A relentless lineup is loaded with seniors like Colton Roquemore (DBU), Park Prater (DBU), Alex D’Angelo, Micah Roberts (Louisiana-Monroe) and Brayden Rosckes. After establishing himself as one of the best freshmen in the nation, sophomore Grady Emerson is on track to be one of the best left-handed hitters and infielders in the nation for the 2026 class. 

In addition to having a deep lineup, the Eagles boast depth on the mound, too. Led by junior lefty and TCU commitment Baron Mannis, the rotation has a chance to be a real strength. Mannis can really spin a quality breaking ball and his velocity is climbing. Hard-throwing righty Hudson Emeterio, who signed with North Texas to play football, has impressive physicality and raw stuff. He’s slotted behind Mannis in the rotation and D’Angelo gives Argyle a third quality starter. How deep is Argyle’s pitching? It has the luxury of using Prater in a hybrid/relief role, which seems a bit unfair when you consider a fastball up to 92 MPH from the left side out of a tall, long frame. 

Marcus
During last year’s Festival Marcus outfielder Caden Sorrell won MVP honors and established himself as an unquestioned dude in the 2023 class. He’s moved on to hammering baseballs at Texas A&M. Could Marcus have another hitter emerge with a MVP-like performance? Five Tool Academic Team standout Rock Duer, a switch-hitting infielder in the 2025 class, should be one of the top leadoff hitters in the tournament and three-hole hitter Major Spence is a senior colleges should pay attention to. Sophomore Austin Allen is definitely one to watch. The athletic second baseman should hit near the top of the lineup. 

On the mound, Marcus could have one of the best rotations in the state. Griffin Lewis, one of our favorite uncommitted seniors, really impressed last year with a future plus changeup and notable pitchability and competitiveness. His velocity as been on the rise, too. Sophomore Logan Schultz, among our breakout picks for the 2024 season, is a major name to know in the 2026 class and has the potential to be one of the top pitching prospects in the state. This team always competes and always challenges the opposition in a variety of ways. This season will be no different. 

READ: MARCUS' SCHULTZ LISTED AS A BREAKOUT PLAYER BY FIVE TOOL STAFF

Frenship
After a strong showing in last year’s Festival, Frenship returns a lot of experience and talent and will be especially motivated to get deeper into the playoffs following an early exit in 2023. The projected lineup features eight seniors and one junior, which should make it one of the most experienced lineups in the event. Landon Hutcheson (Blinn) and Hudon Hutcheson (Kansas State – football) are back to torture pitchers at the top of the lineup with competitive at-bats and also provide very strong defense up the middle of the diamond. Landon had some of our favorite highlight reel plays in center field last season. Panola signee Brady Boles returns to man shortstop and is one of the best ballplayers in the state who is beloved by coaches. Tall left-handed hitter and pitcher Bryce LeBlanc (Odessa) really impressed with his at-bats this past weekend against premium velocity. While those seniors get a lot of deserved attention, keep an eye on uncommitted left-handed hitter Blaine Chancy. He’s expected to be of the top hitters in the middle of the lineup.

On the mound, Brooks Roberson, a 2024 Five Tool Texas 55 member, is set to unleash an improved breaking ball, velocity and his usual excellent changeup against hitters. His arrow is pointing up. Tall, 6-7 lefty Bryce LeBlanc is a new addition to Frenship and should slot behind Roberson in the rotation. He’s an interesting name to follow. Junior righty Weston Reynolds was an impressive performer with a deep arsenal for the Five Tool Academic team and Nano Mendoza threw well during last year’s Festival. Sophomore Nick Mendoza is a talented arm to track closely. 

Hebron
Any conversation about the top pitching rotation in the event probably needs to start with Hebron. After a 28-10 season in 2023 that included an area round finalist playoff finish, the Hawks return three of the best pitchers in the state: juniors Marcos Paz (LSU), Minjae Seo (Florida) and Ethan Hunt (Houston). Paz and Seo have some of the best pure stuff in the nation for their class and Hunt was one of the top performers in all Five Tool events this past summer. Add Cisco signees Austin Smith and Nathan Cook to the staff and it’s loaded and deep. 

Offensively, junior shortstop and Oral Roberts commitment Austin Nicholson followed an impressive sophomore season with a strong summer and is poised to take another step forward this season. His bat-to-ball skill near the top of the lineup should really play well. Junior P.J. Crayton is an impressive athlete at the top of the order and sophomore Casey McGinnis is a name to watch because he should hit in the heart of the lineup. If Hebron can consistently push across a few runs each game that might be enough for its pitching staff to lead the way to a lot of wins.

RANKINGS: HEBRON'S PAZ, SEO AMONG PITCHERS SELECTED TO FIRST 2025 FIVE TOOL TEXAS 55

Highland Park
Speaking of pitching, the Scots will bring a talented staff to the Festival, too. Duke signee Max Stammel, who coaches say is one of the best competitors to come through the program in some time, leads the way and uncommitted left-handed senior Jordan Stribling should have the attention of any college coach in attendance and some pro scouts, too. Stribling missed most of last spring and will be anxious to help lead the Scots deeper into the playoffs this season. Charlie Kinkaid (McLennan) gives Highland Park another talented senior in the rotation.

Pitchers will benefit from senior shortstop (High Point College) and cleanup hitter Charie Schneider playing behind them. Do-it-all player Caden Liner is the engine that makes this team go. He can catch and do a bit of everything in addition to profiling at the top of the lineup. 

Memorial (Spring Branch)
From the Houston area, Memorial will arrive to DFW with one of the state’s best, most talented outfield trios. Sophomore Jake Earnest, junior Will Van Wie and junior Andrew Baay are talented enough to carry the offense and will also bring strong makeup and athleticism to the roster. As a freshman on varsity last season, Earnest hit .312 and possesses one of the top left-handed hit tools for his grade while Van Wie is just beginning to tap into his immense potential and future tools. Baay is a steady competitor with impressive makeup and hitting ability. 

The Mustangs are young but talented on the mound. Seniors Cole Joyner and Matthew Hedrick (McLennan) will provide some experience and production in the rotation, but the Mustangs could have a future star in sophomore lefty Matthew Manis. Known for his ability to spin a breaking ball and high ceiling, there has been some buzz that Manis could make a jump with velocity and performance this season. Sophomore right-hander Cash Scarborough has a fastball with unique traits thanks to his release and is a pitcher colleges should be tracking. Classmate Tanner Drda flashed impressive stuff this summer and gives Memorial more talent in the bullpen. Also, freshman Grant Sperandio, a Texas commitment, is going to be fun to watch. A two-way talent, expect him to make his mark as a starting pitcher at least early in the season and his upside is sky-high.

Lovejoy
Pitchers beware. Lovejoy is going to arrive with one of the most imposing, deep, powerful lineups in the tournament. Oklahoma signee and shortstop Kyle Branch leads the way with his impressive right-handed hitting ability and gets on base for the mashers: senior catcher Matthew Mainord (Oral Roberts) and junior third baseman/catcher Reese Ogden. Ogden really caught our attention this fall with his left-handed swing and developing power; he’s among the most obvious breakout candidates in the 2025 class. Do-it-all two-way star Logan Corley (TCU) is going to hit near the top of the lineup and give Lovejoy one of the top sophomore pitchers in the state. Garrett Hutchins, a junior committed to Air Force, is another two-way standout who will impact the game with his bat and also serve as the key bullpen arm. Aarren Marshall (Louisiana) gives Lovejoy a solid bat and presence in the middle of the infield to add even more depth to the lineup.

Uncommitted senior righty Grant Harlan is a player colleges should be tracking. He has a quick arm, athletic delivery and touched 90 MPH last season with a two-plane curveball that can get whiffs and true feel for a changeup that’s a definite third pitch. He projects to lead the rotation this season, which is quite a statement given how talented this club is. 

McKinney Boyd
Heading into the season, the Five Tool staff felt McKinney Boyd is a true sleeper capable of making a lot of noise this season and reaching the playoffs armed with enough pitching to be a tough out. Junior Texas commitment Brody Walls was outstanding in the fall playing with the Rangers North Texas Scout Team and easily reached 94 MPH with a high-spin breaking ball. A true two-way talent, Walls should man shortstop when he’s not pitching and can really swing the bat, too. If McKinney Boyd is going to be the team we think it can be, it’ll be because of the arms to support Walls. Nick Wesloski looked sharp in front of Five Tool Texas earlier this season with a fastball climbing above 90 MPH. Jacob Gilbert, a recent ACU commitment, is another junior who can run his fastball into the low 90s. St. Michael's commitment Vinny Armellino is a perfect complement to the hard-throwing righties. The left-hander uses a deep arsenal and feel for pitching to baffle lineups. 

In the batter’s box Austin Frye (Howard) has impressive all-around ability and is also known for being able to drive the baseball from the left side. Royce Davis (Letourneau commit) is an athletic ballplayer capable of playing all over the diamond to impact winning and colleges looking at senior outfielders should keep an eye on speedy Byron Burrell. He’ll play center field, will hit leadoff and will be a threat to steal second and third anytime he’s on first base.

Prosper
Unsurprisingly, Prosper should again be one of the top teams in the DFW area with an impressive balance of position player athleticism, hitting and pitching. Uncommitted junior Luke Billings might be the top uncommitted player in his class nationally. A true two-way star, Billings should catch a lot this season for Prospect with the ability to play in the infield and also serve as one of the best starting pitchers in the area. Billings has a knack for coming through in the clutch and can pull homers about as well as anyone; on the mound he features a deep arsenal, feel for spinning distinct breaking balls and strike-throwing ability. Surrounding Billings in the lineup are athletic, speedy seniors and future Weatherford teammates Cole Giametta and Nick Nava. 

Just from the senior class alone this program features 12 college commitments. Erick Thompson, a hard-thrower committed to Utah, and Micah Melott (Paris) give Prosper more two-way punch. This team is very deep and this program is always unafraid to use its depth to its advantage. 

Walnut Grove
The new kids on the block are going to arrive with more than enough talent to do some damage this season. Walnut Grove has the good fortune of beginning its baseball program with seniors like left-handed pitcher Trent Collier (Weatherford), catcher Ethan Ho (Tyler College) and outfielder Enoch Alvarenga (Western Texas). Ho can impact the game on both sides of the ball and Collier has shown notable gains on the mound with a fastball that is adding velocity and plays up thanks to the release/shape. By now a lot of people know Joshua Viars, especially after he won Newcomer of the Year while at Rock Hill last season. The sophomore shortstop is a gamer on the dirt with an advanced hit tool, but he’s also recently reached the low 90s on the mound as a right-handed pitcher. Major dude. Walnut Grove is also excited about its junior class, including Jack Jones, Brett Hennigan and Jacob Reish. 

Rockwall
Following a 36-9 season that included being a regional semifinalist, Rockwall aims to reload. The Yellowjackets graduated some very talented, productive familiar faces but also bring back some, too. Pearson Riebock, an Oklahoma signee, leads the way at the top of the lineup as one of the best left-handed hitters in the state and also one of the best right-handed starting pitchers with impressive command of a three-pitch mix. Senior catcher Jake Overstreet (Weatherford) gives Rockwall a lot of leadership and production at a key position and in the heart of the lineup, and junior Landyn Locke is a legit switch-hitter who is a tough out from both sides of the plate.

Could Dylan Cheek be the next superstar prospect at Rockwall? A dynamic sophomore infielder with impressive bat speed from the right side, Cheek should slot into shortstop or third base on the infield. On the mound, he possesses a very quick arm with a breaking ball that flashes as a hammer swing-and-miss pitch. In addition to Cheek and Riebock, senior Keller Lindeman, one of the state’s best strike-throwers, returns to anchor the starting rotation. The Midland College signee should pitch deep into every game when he toes the rubber. Freshman Hudson Holt could crack the starting lineup immediately in the outfield and is a definite name to watch while Victor Montanez is a junior who embodies “ballplayer.”

Rockwall-Heath
Caleb Hoover is one of the top competitors, two-way prospects and winners in the state. And the Oklahoma State signee is back to lead another talented Heath squad. He’ll give his team an outstanding presence on the mound with a deep arsenal, strikes and elite makeup and also perhaps the best left-handed power presence in the state. Dude. Recent Arizona commitment Jack Sharp regained his form this past fall and started to look like the pitcher of old. The Heath pitching staff boasts impressive depth because Ethan Atchley, a Rice signee, will come at hitters with one of the state’s best sliders that can rack up whiffs in a hurry. Plus, junior lefty Landon Ammerman had an outstanding summer, was named to the Five Tool All-Summer team and gives his staff a unique look from the left side. 

Junior DBU commitment Brady Ladusau will help provide some impact offensively. As he continues to fill into his frame and add more strength, Ladusau is a candidate to drive baseballs over the fence. Drew Smith adds a very speedy, athletic presence to the lineup and outfield. He remains uncommitted but is more than talented enough to keep playing. Senior infielder Jabin Moore, juniors Maddox Webb and Parker Ivy and sophomore Preston Lewis are more names to watch. After getting a look at him this past weekend against a loaded San Antonio Johnson lineup, sophomore righty Kolt Flowers is definitely one to follow closely because of his advanced feel for pitching and strong three-pitch mix. Hunter Bulin, another sophomore, is a talented left-handed hitter who adds impressive depth to the lineup.

Southlake Carroll
Don’t sleep on the Dragons. They didn’t have the season they wanted to follow their 2022 state championship, but they have the talent and balance to get back to their winning ways. Offensively, the team goes as senior Houston signee and catcher Cody Cashon goes. He sets the tone. The team features some impressive speed and athleticism in the outfield with seniors Anthony Llera (Odessa) and Grant Moore, one of our top uncommitted seniors in the state. The middle of the lineup’s thump is going to be provided by some juniors, including 2025 Five Tool Texas 55 members Davis Perkins (Oklahoma) and Tanner Carson. Carson is a prototypical third baseman prospect with budding power and impact bat speed along with a physical frame while Perkins is a true two-way talent who can play shortstop and spin the baseball very well with a quick arm on the mound. 

UTA signee Hayes Melville should lead the way for the pitching rotation and junior righty Ethan Baiotto has arm strength along with a funky splitter that is fun to watch unless you’re hitting against it. Junior lefty Jack Fuller was a Five Tool All-Summer performer and his fastball-changeup combo can rack up whiffs at an accelerated rate to accompany an improving sweeper. He tossed 4.0 shutout innings against Rockwall-Heath this past weekend and looked the part of a major contributor this season. Throw in that he’s a projectable 6-2 with a promising delivery, and Fuller should be on college coaches’ radars. Could Hezekiah Rodriguez, a sophomore, be the next star hitter for the Dragons? We watched him drill three hard doubles in one game against quality pitching and both his swing and approach look very promising. Shawn Arterburn is another exciting sophomore with a top-of-the-order approach and bat from the left side.

The Woodlands
After a deep playoff run last season expect the Highlands to ride some impressive pitching in 2024. Junior Texas State commitment Erich Daigle, a righty, pitched some big innings late last season, followed that with an impressive summer and his slider is one of the better breaking balls in Houston. Like Daigle, Caleb Holifield threw some clutch innings in the playoffs and should move into a rotation role with a lively fastball leading to some weak contact. Rice signee Nolan Roycraft will give The Woodlands a veteran lefty presence and when he’s on, he can dominate a lineup. Perhaps the biggest boost The Woodlands will receive is from two-way prospect Jack Smejkal. Already a popular name in the 2026 class, especially after his outstanding Team USA performance, Smejkal pairs a big heater with a developing slider and changeup that will show against lefties. He could end up being an even better right-handed hitter and shortstop, too. Exciting talent. 

Offensively, Salt Lake College signee Kyle Hubert, and College of Charleston signee Declan Magee should provide some steady performance. Also keep an eye on junior infielder Israel Vega.

Dustin McComas
Senior Editor and National Scout