Five Tool is thrilled to officially announce the first-ever Five Tool Festival. 

While district matchups and playoff baseball present some of the best games in amateur baseball, there’s nothing quite like a jam-packed, early-season tournament. Fans and scouts are afforded an opportunity to settle in for great baseball from morning to evening, and teams, players and coaches are given a fantastic opportunity to test themselves ahead of the quest to win championships. And I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the outstanding Five Tool coverage. No bias, of course.

On March 2nd through 4th in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, it’ll be tough to find better high school baseball anywhere else. 

To say we’re excited is an understatement. Thanks to commitments from powerhouse Texas programs and nationally elite high school brands, the Five Tool Festival is poised to be one of the premier early-season high school baseball events in the nation. In addition to top programs from Texas, Five Tool welcomes big-time teams from Arkansas, Mississippi, Oklahoma and California. 

Southlake Carroll (TX)

Coming off a 6A state championship, Southlake Carroll (34-8, 10-2) headlines a very strong collection of Texas programs and is poised to chase back-to-back crowns. The Dragons will need to replace their rotation of Owen Proksch (Duke) and Griffin Herring (LSU), which was nearly unhittable in the playoffs, but will simply reload. Uncommitted 2023 right-handed pitcher Jared White, who is fully healthy and will be nearly two years removed from Tommy John/brace surgery, should be a significant contributor on the mound along with Weatherford signee Caden Orr.

The status of elite 2023 shortstop and right-handed hitter Ethan Mendoza (Arizona State) is up in the air following a shoulder injury, but he could be ready to suit up to begin March. Regardless, the Dragons will have one of the top lineups in the event, led by DBU signee Ben Tryon, Duke signee Colin Robson, Case Western Reserve University signee Nate Arterburn, University of Dallas signee Luke Gil, 2024 Houston commitment Cody Cashon and more. 

Rockwall-Heath (TX)

What would a major event in Dallas be without Rockwall and Rockwall-Heath? Last season, Rockwall-Heath nearly did what Southlake Carroll will try to do this season. The Hawks (35-7, 12-0) followed a 2021 6A state title by reaching the state semifinals before losing to Reagan. Unsurprisingly, Greg Harvey’s club is loaded again. Replacing 2022 Five Tool 55 No. 1 prospect and New York Mets first-round pick Jett Williams will be very difficult, but the Hawks have an experienced group of position players. 

Oklahoma State 2024 commitment Caleb Hoover should provide power in the middle of the lineup and veterans Collin Adams (Grand Canyon), Collin Liles return production and experience. Junior outfielder Drew Smith is very athletic, had a solid summer and can really run. On the mound, Rockwall-Heath always has a lot of depth. 

Junior righty and Five Tool 55 member Jack Sharp will be one of the best uncommitted junior prospects in the event. Senior righty Trevor Tranberg, also uncommitted, should step into an important role along with the likes of Landry Powell, Adams was a good contributor on the mound last season, and Five Tool Academic team standout Ethan Atchley will bring a hard fastball to the mix. Also, keep an eye on 2025 prospects Brady Ladusau and Parker Ivy, who also plays basketball.

Rockwall (TX)

A good case could be made Rockwall has the best infield in the state. Ole Miss signee Brayden Randle and 2024 Oklahoma commit Pearson Riebock, who could also profile in the outfield, were excellent last season, had strong summers and should be even better in 2023. They’ll be joined by TCU signee Micah Kendrick, who is a stud switch-hitter with good baseball instincts and impressive all-around skill. All three players are Texas Five Tool 55 members in their respective class. So is Mac Rose, a McLennan signee who was a dude on the mound last season and swung the bat well at Area Code. 

In addition to having a great infield, Rockwall (28-13, 9-3; regional finalist) also has outstanding catching depth. Rose has been a standout catcher and uncommitted 2024 prospect Jake Overstreet, a first-team all-district selection, returns after a solid sophomore campaign. College coaches are in heavy pursuit of 2026 elite talent Dylan Cheek and he could be the starting third baseman. Named Co-Offensive MVP of the Max Muncy World Series, Cheek is one of the top 2026 hitters in the state and maybe the nation. Pitchers like Rose, Liam Thompson (Northern Oklahoma College - Tonkawa signee), and Peyton Martin (Howard) should appreciate the run support and defense. 

Prosper (TX)

Another team that reloads is Prosper (26-11, 10-3; regional quarterfinalist) and it’ll be asked to replace some major contributors. Tennessee commitment and do-it-all sophomore Luke Billings should follow Newcomer of the Year honors with an even better 2023. Combine that elite young talent with good seniors, like two-way talent Harrison Rosar, College of Southern Nevada signee Jacob Nelson, Dodge City Community College signee Jason Miller, infielder and Murray State College signee Skyler Raley and infielders Cole Giametta and Lincoln Skinner, and Prosper should make another deep run. 

Mississippi State signee and left-handed pitcher Dane Burns returns from injury and could become one of the top left-handed pitchers in the state. Five Tool Academic team standouts Aiden White and William Adimora, who can absolutely fly, are two uncommitted juniors to follow. Cole Stanley, a two-way prospect in the 2025 class, showed some exciting tools this summer with a fastball up to 89 MPH recently and a 6.75 60-yard dash. 

Rock Hill (TX)

Like rivals Rockwall and Rockwall-Heath, you can’t have a DFW baseball event with just Prosper. Rock Hill needs to be in that mix, too. And the Blue Hawks will be led by senior shortstop and DBU signee Uriah Walters and left-handed pitcher Aidan Lamar, a Texas A&M-Corpus Christi signee. Zach Fike (Catawba Valley Community College commit, but program is ending after this season) is a talented catcher who will provide key contributions and keep an eye on 2026 two-way talent Josh Viars, the younger brother of 2021 third-round pick Jordan Viars. He swung the bat very well this fall, has a future plus arm on the dirt and is emerging as a possible dude on the mound, too. 

The final DFW powerhouse on the list is Marcus High School. We send our well-wishes, thoughts and prayers to the program after a scary car accident involving several players, and we hope everyone returns to good health soon. Texas A&M signee and left-handed hitting outfielder Caden Sorrell will have the attention of MLB scouts and his package of tools and athleticism makes him one of the most exciting, talented prospects in the class. Zach Kirkpatrick, a McLennan signee after a strong fall, should be one of the top pitchers in the area. And Air Force signee Van Klein is one of the best catchers, leaders and fiercest competitors in the state. 

Navarro College signee Hank Harp will again be one of the top infielders in the region. Oklahoma Christian University signee and two-way prospect Colton Boyd is coming off a strong fall. Right-handed pitcher Logan Boertje was a great pickup by Blinn and looks to follow up an excellent nine-win season with an even better senior campaign. Brock Golwas is an exciting, talented 2025 prospect poised to make a big jump. Following a 30-8, 13-1 season and regional semifinalist appearance, Marcus will need to replace a lot from a loaded 2022 club, but it has the pieces to be a major force again. 

Frenship (TX)

We head west for the final two Texas teams participating: Frenship and Americas. Frenship, one of the top programs in the Lubbock area, returns key pieces from a 25-11, 15-3 season that ended in the regional quarterfinals. Recent 2024 Louisiana Tech commitment Brooks Roberson, a standout at the Pudge Rodriguez World Classic, should team with uncommitted senior lefty Ryland Morin and Howard College signee Nick Blevins to form a very good rotation. Morin is a tall lefty who creates some carry to his fastball and spins a quality hook with depth; he should be one of the top uncommitted 2023 pitchers in the event. 

Landon and Hudson Hutcheson were summer standouts for Lubbock Baseball Academy and both are strong, athletic players who are threats to smack extra-base hits all over the field. In the fall, Hudson, who is a stud catcher and infielder, was District 2-6A MVP at quarterback with absurd stats - completed 74% of his passes for 3,742 yards with 36 passing touchdowns and 11 rushing scores - and many of those stats were aided by Landon, who had 941 receiving yards. Also, keep an eye on junior shortstop Brady Boles. A solid contributor last season, Boles has added physicality. 

When discussing Americas, a top program from the El Paso area, one must start with the ‘Water Moccasin’ - Stephen Sepulveda. Following a dominant performance at the AABC Don Mattingly World Series, the right-handed pitcher became a Baylor commitment. Heading into his senior year, Sepulveda possesses one of the best sliders in the state, outstanding competitiveness on the mound and is probably an arm MLB scouts will want to take a peek at to see if the velocity has taken a jump. 

Fortunately for head coach Jesse Munoz, he returns experience from last year’s 30-5, 12-2 team that won the district and was an area round finalist. Infielder Gael Bernal, two-way talent Adrian Quintana, and infielder Easton Moomau return following all-district seasons. Undersized senior catcher Armando Marquez has a quick bat and should be one of top catchers in El Paso.

Bixby (OK)

Oklahoma will be well represented. Bixby finished 33-8 last season with a deep playoff run and should again be a solid bet to eclipse the 30-win mark. Oklahoma State signee Maxwell Knight is one of the top two-way talents in the nation with big power and a fastball that can routinely beat hitters. Catcher Cooper Moore, a Kansas signee, is in the mix as the best catcher in the state. Outfielder Jack Williams (Hillsborough Community College) and left-handed pitcher Owen Bailor (Oral Roberts) are two more big names on the roster. 

Uncommitted seniors Carson Miller, Grayson Connell, and Connor Kirby will be players colleges are tracking. Logan Stevens and Cody Crull are promising juniors and Brian Justice, a middle infielder, has shown signs of becoming a major dude in the 2025 class. 

Deer Creek (OK)

Deer Creek is coming off an excellent season as a 6A semifinalist with a 31-11 record. And they’ll have an angel watching over them this year after the heartbreaking loss of Nathan Rogalski, who tragically passed away this past summer. Looking to honor him on the mound will be right-handed pitcher and Wichita State signee Brady Hamilton, uncommitted junior Ethan Hedrick and sophomore right-handers Aidan Allred and Britton Goodger. 

Taylor Tomlin, a Houston signee, is one of the top outfielders in the state and Oklahoma Christian signee Tyler Joplin showed some big power in Five Tool events this summer. Junior outfielder Ashton Hartwig has the look of a D1 prospect and classmate Caden Allen is one to follow. 

Edmond Santa Fe (OK)

Santa Fe’s Savion Sims is definitely one of the young players we’re most excited to see. A major two-way prospect in the 2026 class, Sims is 6-5 with plenty of physical projection, intriguing arm speed and ability on the mound and developing power and hitting in the batter’s box. But Sims might not even be the best young prospect on the roster because junior shortstop and right-handed pitcher Carson Brumbaugh emerged as a major dude this summer. With big, developing power in the batter’s box, quality defense on the dirt and a strong arm, Brumbaugh will be one of the top uncommitted prospects in the Five Tool Festival.

Tarleton State signee Devin Mitchell is one of the top hitters in the state, Barton Community College commit Jackson MacWilliams will provide some left-handed thump in the lineup, and do-it-all player Jack Merrell, a Southwestern College commit, should again be a key factor. 

Conway (AR)

Arkansas will be represented by powerhouse Conway, who is led by Arkansas signee Kyler Spencer. Senior right-handers Preston Prock and Gage Law are likely arms colleges are tracking closely. Conway might lack some of the established, upperclassmen studs that some other teams competing possess, but its 2026 class is both exciting and talented. We’ll see who makes the varsity cut and contributes in March. 

Magnolia Heights (MS)

Magnolia Heights will be traveling from Mississippi and it’ll certainly bring some talent with it. Oh, I should mention it’ll be going for its fourth-straight state title this season. Over the last three years, the Chiefs are 93-14. Not too shabby. 

A couple familiar names have us very excited: Ole Miss signee Cooper Pratt might be the top prospect in a loaded event. A projectable 6-4 with outstanding hitting hands, Pratt’s short swing takes efficient paths to the baseball, can time elite velocity and create some loud exit velocity numbers. He has a track record of performing, not whiffing and has a chance to stick at short despite his unique size for the position. 

We saw him up close at the 2021 Pudge Rodriguez World Classic when he put on a show with the bat, glove and on the mound. He’s only gotten better since then and should be in the mix as a day one MLB Draft pick. Another player we’ve seen up close is 2024 catcher Harlin Hovater. The right-handed hitter was easily the best prospect at our Sam Houston State event last June, hammering balls all over the outfield and boasting impressive physicality with solid catching tools. Undoubtedly a major D1 prospect, Hovater should be one of the top players in the event and junior Will Howell is another uncommitted prospect from Magnolia Heights colleges will be tracking closely. 

Missouri signee Keondre Fields, South Alabama signee Ethan Melton and Gulf Coast State College signee Drew Posek should join Pratt as formidable veteran hitters in the lineup. Looking down the list to the freshmen class, Ole Miss has already secured a commitment from infielder Cole Prosek, who has the potential to develop into one of the top prospects in the nation. 

Mater Dei (CA)

Finally, we’ll head west to Southern California to discuss Mater Dei, one of the most recognizable high school names in the nation. And it’ll arrive with one of the best pitching staffs. Senior righty and Vanderbilt signee Brennan Seiber is a physical presence on the mound with a lively heater, sharp slider and pitchability. Junior Wylan Moss, a recent UCLA commitment, showed an impressive three-pitch mix this fall with a firm heater with angle, physical projection, and a quick, loose arm that worked well out front. And 2025 right-hander Landon Gordon turned a strong summer into a USC commitment. 

Uncommitted senior outfielder Derek Gonzales is a player we recently highlighted who is a standout hitter with above-average speed and certainly talented enough to keep playing. Johnny Elliott is a junior catcher to follow; Dylan Wetzel and Brandon Thomas are infielders to watch in the 2025 class and freshman Ezekial Lara is a future left-handed hitting stud outfielder. 

Clear your calendar. Mark it in your planner. The first weekend in March is going to be a ton of fun. 

Dustin McComas
Senior Editor