skillshow

All-Century Team: Best High School 3rd Baseman of This Century

Mon, 22 Dec 2025 18:15:00 GMT

High school baseball is where the future starts to take shape: the raw tools, the swagger, the flashes of greatness. Before they were All-Stars or MVPs, these guys were just teenagers lighting up local diamonds.

At third base, we’re talking about cornerstones. Big arms. Bigger bats. Players who owned the hot corner and the batter’s box. And the three we chose? All future pros. All high school legends.

Let’s break it down.

Kris Bryant (Bonanza High School, Nevada)

Some Kris Bryant wasn’t just mashing baseballs in Las Vegas — he was rewriting record books. As a senior at Bonanza, he hit .489 with 22 home runs and 51 RBIs , earning him First-Team USA Today All-American honors.

He had one of the most powerful right-handed swings in the country, a frame built to grow, and discipline beyond his years. Though he opted to play college ball at the University of San Diego, he was drafted 18th overall out of high school — and eventually went #2 overall in 2013 after winning the Golden Spikes Award .

Stat Line (Senior Year):
.489 AVG | 22 HR | 51 RBI

Manny Machado (Brito Miami Private, Florida)

Machado’s high school numbers are the stuff of Florida baseball legend. His .639 average , 15 home runs , and 57 RBIs as a senior were matched only by his elite tools. He stole 27 bases , played both shortstop and third, and had scouts buzzing with every throw across the diamond.

He was the Gatorade Florida Player of the Year , a Perfect Game All-American , and taken 3rd overall in the 2010 MLB Draft by the Orioles. Even in high school, Machado looked like he belonged in a big-league lineup.

Stat Line (Senior Year):
.639 AVG | 15 HR | 57 RBI | 27 SB

Nolan Arenado (El Toro High School, California)

Arenado didn’t come with the loudest numbers — but the eye test told you everything. At El Toro High School in Southern California , he hit .456 as a senior with 5 home runs and 32 RBIs . But more than anything, it was the glove.

His defense was already elite. The hands. The footwork. The arm. He was a quiet assassin at third base, a student of the game who never took a play off. Scouts saw it early, and the Rockies took him 59th overall in 2009 . Today? He’s one of the greatest defensive third basemen of all time.

Stat Line (Senior Year):
.456 AVG | 5 HR | 32 RBI

Why Arenando Is Our Pick

Bryant had the power. Machado had the flash. But Arenado had everything, and brought it every day. His combination of offense, glove work, and baseball IQ made him the most complete third baseman of the era.

That’s why he’s our pick to lock down the hot corner for the All-Century Team.

Catch the Whole All-Century Team Series

Since 2001, SkillShow has been helping tomorrow's stars get discovered.

Watch the full All-Century Team Series on YouTube and follow along on Instagram for behind-the-scenes reels, scouting notes, and more.

When there, don't forget to subscribe to our social channels to see even more of baseball's past, present, and future greats.

All-Century Team: Best High School 2nd Baseman of This Century

Wed, 17 Dec 2025 05:47:58 GMT

Every generation has its own definition of greatness. At second base, greatness shows up in different ways. Flash. Grit. Complete dominance.

For the All-Century Team, we narrowed the field to three players who define what the position has been since 2000. Each took a different path. Each brought a different style. And each forced the game to adjust around them.

This is the All-Century Team at second base, SkillShow style.

Javier Báez (Arlington Country Day School, Florida)

Some players make the routine look difficult. Javy Báez makes the impossible look normal.

At Arlington Country Day School in Jacksonville, Florida, Báez was already a five tool shortstop with a big arm , explosive bat speed , and rare athletic instincts . Scouts saw the upside immediately.

Drafted ninth overall by the Chicago Cubs in 2011, Báez turned raw talent into one of the most electric careers in modern baseball.

In the big leagues, he became a three-time All Star , a Silver Slugger winner at second base, a Gold Glove recipient , and the 2 018 National League MVP runner-up . That season, he hit .290 with 34 home runs and 111 RBIs.

Báez plays defense like the game is moving in slow motion. His tags are art. His creativity is unmatched. That is why baseball calls him "El Mago.”

Dustin Pedroia (Woodland High School, California)

Dustin Pedroia was never supposed to look the part. He just refused to be ignored.

At Woodland High School in California, Pedroia hit .445 as a senior and built a reputation as one of the toughest outs in the state. He carried that edge to Arizona State, where he became one of the most accomplished hitters in college baseball history , finishing with a .384 career average and starting every game he played.

Drafted by the Boston Red Sox in 2004, Pedroia turned doubt into dominance.

He won Rookie of the Year in 2007 and American League MVP in 2008 . He earned four Gold Gloves and helped lead Boston to World Series championships in 2007 and 2013 .

Pedroia was undersized, overlooked, and relentless. He became the heartbeat of a dynasty and one of the toughest second basemen the game has ever seen.

Mookie Betts (John Overton High School, Tennessee)

There are great players. And then there are players who do everything.

At John Overton High School in Nashville, Tennessee, Mookie Betts was already different. He hit over .500 , stole bases at will, and starred across multiple sports .

Drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the fifth round in 2011, Betts came up through the system as a second baseman before expanding his impact all over the field.

At the Major League level, Betts built one of the most complete résumés in modern baseball. He won the American League MVP in 2018 , earned multiple All-Star selections , collected Gold Gloves and Silver Sluggers , and won four World Series championships with Boston and Los Angeles.

Betts hits for power and average. He plays elite defense. He runs the bases at the highest level. Wherever he lines up, he is one of the best players on the field .

Why Mookie Betts Is The Pick

When you look at the full picture, the hitting, the defense, the speed, and the year after year consistency, Mookie Betts stands above the rest.

He is an MVP, a multi time All Star, a Gold Glove and Silver Slugger winner, and a four time World Series champion. He represents the most complete version of what a second baseman can be .

That is why Mookie Betts is our All-Century Team selection at second base.

Catch the Whole All-Century Team Series

Since 2001, SkillShow has been helping tomorrow's stars get discovered.

Watch the full All-Century Team Series on YouTube and follow along on Instagram for behind-the-scenes reels, scouting notes, and more.

When there, don't forget to subscribe to our social channels to see even more of baseball's past, present, and future greats.

All-Century Team: Best High School Pitchers Since 2000

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 05:35:15 GMT

In high school, pitchers don’t just lead rotations — they define eras.

They throw gas, paint corners, and rack up strikeouts under Friday night lights. They’re the ones who silence bats and electrify scouts. And the three on our All-Century Team? They were already big-league material before they ever signed their first contract.

We’re talking about pure dominance, elite projection, and the kind of prep careers that built legends.

Madison Bumgarner (South Caldwell High School, North Carolina)

Bumgarner wasn’t just a standout — he was the guy in North Carolina.

As a senior at South Caldwell, he posted an 11–2 record with a 1.05 ERA , 143 strikeouts in 86 innings , and hit .424 at the plate. He led his squad to a state championship , was named Gatorade North Carolina Player of the Year , and proved he could do it all — pitch, hit, lead.

The lefty had that bulldog mentality from day one. The Giants took him 10th overall in the 2007 draft , and he quickly evolved into one of the most clutch pitchers of his generation.

Stat Line (Senior Year):
11–2 | 1.05 ERA | 143 K | .424 AVG

Gerrit Cole (Orange Lutheran High School, California)

Power. Precision. Presence.

At Orange Lutheran, Gerrit Cole was a flamethrower with a wipeout slider — regularly sitting in the upper 90s and overpowering hitters across Southern California. His senior year numbers? 8–2 record , 0.47 ERA , 121 strikeouts in 75 innings .

Scouts saw the bulldog demeanor and frontline stuff. He was drafted by the Yankees 28th overall in 2008 , but turned it down to attend UCLA. That bet paid off — Cole returned to the draft in 2011 and was selected #1 overall .

The velocity. The makeup. The upside. All there in high school.

Stat Line (Senior Year):
8–2 | 0.47 ERA | 121 K in 75 IP

Clayton Kershaw (Highland Park High School, Texas)

Our Pick

Kershaw wasn’t just dominant — he was untouchable.

His senior year at Highland Park in Dallas was the stuff of Texas baseball folklore:
13–0 , 0.77 ERA , 139 strikeouts in 64 innings , and a perfect game with 15 Ks .

And by the way — he also hit .517 with 9 home runs .

Kershaw was named USA Today High School Player of the Year , drafted 7th overall by the Dodgers in 2006 , and hasn’t stopped dealing since.

It’s rare to see this kind of command, confidence, and polish at 18. But Kershaw made it look easy.

Stat Line (Senior Year):
13–0 | 0.77 ERA | 139 K in 64 IP | .517 AVG | 9 HR

Why Kershaw Leads the Staff

Cole had the power. Bumgarner had the edge.
But Kershaw had the full package — command, stuff, mindset, and sheer dominance.

When you’re building an All-Century Team rotation, he’s the one you hand the ball to on Day 1.

Who's Your Ace

Drop your rotation in the comments and keep the debate going.

Watch the full All-Century Team Series on YouTube and follow along on Instagram for behind-the-scenes reels, scouting notes, and more.

SkillShow All-Century Team: Outfielder Edition

Wed, 19 Nov 2025 15:13:41 GMT

Some guys just look different in the outfield.

The way they move.

The sound off their bat.

The way crowds stop and stare.

Before they became MVPs, All-Stars, or five-tool pros, these outfielders were high school kids, but the game was already bending around them.

In putting together our All-Century Team , this group might have been the toughest to sort out. The talent pool was loaded, and the highlight reels were endless.

We are naming three outfielders who defined high-level high school dominance since 2000 , each with a different style and a different path.

But first, the one star who just missed the cut.

Runner-Up: Corbin Carroll (Lakeside High School, Washington)

Carroll was a menace at the plate and a terror on the bases. With elite speed , sharp bat control , and mature instincts , he became one of the most projectable high school outfielders of the last decade.

He hit over .540 in his senior year and was a Perfect Game All-American . He is proof that precision, discipline, and explosiveness can be just as dangerous as raw power.

Andrew McCutchen (Fort Meade High School, Florida)

Before the dreads, the swagger, and the MVP trophy, McCutchen was already a national name .

Scouts were watching him as early as ninth grade. At Fort Meade, he showed:

Plus-plus arm strength
Explosive bat speed
True centerfield instincts
Easy five-tool projection

Perfect Game compared him to Lastings Milledge, but with a better motor and cleaner makeup. McCutchen became an AFLAC All-American , went 11th overall in 2005 , and lived up to every bit of the hype.

Why He Is Here:
A true five-tool high school force who delivered exactly what scouts hoped he would become.

Kyle Schwarber (Middletown High School, Ohio)

Schwarber might be the most feared high school hitter on this entire list.

Long before he became a postseason legend and one of the most powerful bats in baseball, he was destroying pitching in Ohio. At Middletown High, he combined raw strength , an advanced approach , and a level of intimidation rarely seen from a teenager.

He hit over .400 in multiple seasons and launched tape-measure home runs on a regular basis. Pitchers often avoided him entirely. Scouts knew exactly what he was.

Drafted fourth overall in 2014, Schwarber became what everyone expected: a big-stage crusher who changes games with a single swing.

Why He Is Here:
The most intimidating pure power threat in high school baseball this century.

Mike Trout (Millville High School, New Jersey)

What else can you say.

Trout did not just dominate. He made people wonder how a kid from New Jersey could possibly look that athletic.

In his senior season, Trout hit .531 , blasted 18 home runs , drove in 45 runs , scored 49 runs , and stole 18 bases . He broke the New Jersey single-season home run record and turned every workout into a showcase of elite tools.

Drafted 25th overall in 2009, Trout became the gold standard of his generation.

Why He Is Here:
A once-in-a-generation phenom who was already mythical in high school.

The Three That Made It

Andrew McCutchen , the five-tool firestarter
Kyle Schwarber , the country-strong power hitter
Mike Trout , the once-in-a-generation phenom

Three different games.
Three undeniable high school forces.

Who Would You Take?

Drop your picks in the comments.
Tag your teammates.
Start the debate.

Then check out the full All-Century Team Series on YouTube and follow along on Instagram for behind-the-scenes reels, scouting notes, and more.

SkillShow All-Century Team: Best High School Catcher Since 2000

Mon, 03 Nov 2025 21:19:22 GMT

Not every great catcher was supposed to be a catcher. Some of the most legendary prep players of the century weren't traditional backstops at all — they were multi-sport stars, position-switchers, or even pitchers who just happened to strap on the gear and dominate.

For the All-Century Team, we wanted to highlight not just the numbers, but the stories. And behind the plate, the stories are anything but ordinary.

J.T. Realmuto: The Quarterback Behind the Plate

Most kids spend the spring focused on baseball. J.T. Realmuto was juggling entire playbooks.

At Carl Albert High in Oklahoma, he wasn't just a catcher, he was also the school's star quarterback , passing for nearly 2,000 yards and rushing for over 1,400 with 25 touchdowns his senior year. And then, when baseball season came around, he casually hit .595 with 28 home runs and a national-record 119 RBI in just 42 games.

Realmuto was the definition of an unorthodox catcher: a multi-sport phenom whose athleticism carried him fields and courts before making him a cornerstone in Major League Baseball.

Bryce Harper: The Catcher Who Became a Superstar Outfielder

When you picture Bryce Harper today, you think of moonshot home runs from the outfield. But in high school? He was the most electrifying catcher in the nation.

At just 16 years old, Harper posted numbers that don't seem real: a .626 average , 14 home runs , 55 RBI , and 36 stolen bases . Baseball America named him the only underclassman on their All-America team , and scouts were already talking about him like he was a future MVP.

He didn't stay at catcher — eventually moving to the outfield and even playing some first base in the pros — but the legend of Harper the teenage catcher is one of the great "what-ifs” in baseball history.

Buster Posey: The Ace Who Became the Gold Standard

While Realmuto was a quarterback and Harper an outfielder-in-waiting, Buster Posey was dominating as both a catcher and a pitcher.

At Lee County High in Georgia, Posey wasn't just calling pitches — he was throwing them. His senior year, he hit .462 with 14 home runs while going 12-0 on the mound with a 1.06 ERA and 108 strikeouts. Scouts compared his bat to Albert Pujols and coaches swore he "negated the running game” every time he put on the gear.

Posey brought the rare combination of polished hitting, elite defense, and mound dominance. He went on to fulfill every ounce of that promise: three World Series titles, and MVP award, a Gold Glove, and a legacy as the era's premier catcher.

Why This Trio Defines the Position

Realmuto. Harper. Posey. Three very different paths — a quarterback, a catcher-turned-outfielder, and a pitcher. None of them were traditional. All of them left a mark.

And in the end, Posey's balance of offense, defense, and leadership makes him our pick to anchor catcher on the All-Century Team.

⚾ What do you think?

Does Posey deserver the nod, or do Harper's video-game numbers as a teen tip the scale? Could Realmuto's all-around athleticism make him the real choice? Join the debate and stay tuned — second basemen are up next.

A SkillShow Story: MLB ALCS 2025 Game 7

Mon, 03 Nov 2025 07:44:49 GMT

Every so often, a story reminds me exactly why we started SkillShow .

Years ago, at a Perfect Game showcase, a dad came up to us.
He told us his son wasn’t getting much attention from college recruiters.
A great athlete and a great person, just flying under the radar.
He asked if we could make a video to help his son get seen.

We said yes. From that event, we made him a SkillShow recruiting video.
Then he asked, “Could you do one for my daughter too? She’s a softball player.”
So we did. Same afternoon on a side field that was across the street from the showcase.

Brother, sister, and dad all out there helping each other, chasing the same dream, together with my father and I as we ran our business trying to help families like them.

Fast forward a few years...
That “under-scouted” kid went on to become an All-American at UConn , a first-round draft pick , and one of the most exciting players in Major League Baseball.

That kid was George Springer , currently on the Toronto Blue Jays. (His sister was Nicole, a highly accomplished collegiate player, Puerto Rican National Team player and college coach!)

Stories like that remind me what this work is really about.
Helping athletes and families believe in themselves, get seen, and find opportunity.

At SkillShow, we’ve had the privilege of working with tens of thousands of incredible families like the Springers. And every time a player’s journey comes full circle, it reinforces one truth:

Talent deserves to be seen. And we help Show their Skills!

Want us to film your athlete ? Or edit a recruiting video using footage you already have? We're here to help!

SkillShow All-Century Team: Shortstop Edition

Tue, 28 Oct 2025 20:10:54 GMT

Shortstop is the position that demands everything: speed, defense, leadership, and instincts you can’t teach.

Since 2000, high school baseball has produced shortstops who didn’t just play the game, they helped define it. With the All-Century Team series, we’re revisiting the players who made scouts stop and stare long before draft day. The question is simple: who was the best high school shortstop of the last 25 years ?

Let’s take a look.

Bobby Witt Jr. (Colleyville Heritage, Texas)

At Colleyville Heritage, Bobby Witt Jr. looked like he had been built in a baseball lab. In 2019, he hit .515 with 15 home runs , 54 RBIs , and 17 stolen bases in just 38 games. Every tool was elite, and he played with the confidence of someone who knew he was different.

Scouts called him the total package. He had pop in his bat, a rocket for an arm, and smooth actions in the field. That season he was named Gatorade National Player of the Year and went second overall in the draft .

Witt didn’t just have potential. He had proof.

Carlos Correa (Puerto Rico Baseball Academy)

Carlos Correa looked like the future of the position .

At the Puerto Rico Baseball Academy, he stood 6-foot-4 with a 97-mile-per-hour arm and effortless athleticism. His game had power and polish, and his maturity stood out just as much as his physical gifts.

In 2012, the Houston Astros made him the first overall pick , the first Puerto Rican-born player to ever be drafted number one. Correa showed that a big shortstop could still be graceful, and that power and defense didn’t have to live in separate worlds.

Francisco Lindor (Montverde Academy, Florida)

Francisco Lindor was the most complete high school shortstop of his generation .

At Montverde Academy, he wasn’t the biggest or strongest, but he had a presence that was impossible to miss. His glove was major league ready before he graduated, his switch-hitting smooth from both sides , and his leadership stood out on every field he played on.

He made difficult plays look easy, carried himself with maturity beyond his years, and set the tone for everyone around him. Lindor was drafted eighth overall in 2011, and from the start, he looked like he was born to play shortstop.

OUR WINNER: Francisco Lindor

Witt had the tools.
Correa had the frame.
Lindor had the instincts and command that make shortstop the heartbeat of the team.

He didn’t need flash or size to dominate. He led with precision, grace, and quiet confidence. That’s why Francisco Lindor is our choice for the All-Century Team shortstop.

Why Lindor Wins the Debate

Witt brought the electricity. Correa brought the blueprint. Lindor brought the balance.

He could hit, he could lead, and he could control a game with his glove. Every team needs a player who steadies the field and sets the tone. That was Lindor.

He wasn’t just a shortstop. He was the standard.

Think we nailed it? Or would you pick someone else? Let us know your choice and tag us.

Next up: the best high school second basemen of the century.

The All-Century High School Team: Best First Baseman Since 2000

Tue, 21 Oct 2025 16:50:38 GMT

High school baseball is where legends first take shape. Before the big-league contracts, ESPN highlights, and packed stadiums, the game belonged to the dreamers — kids with outsized talent and even bigger ambition.

With the All-Century Team , we're digging into the archives to spark the ultimate debate. Who were the top high school players at each position since 2000 that we saw? This series isn’t just about who made it in the pros. It’s about who owned the diamond when they were still rocking metal spikes and eye black under Friday night lights.

Let’s kick it off with a good one and look at first base. Would you take Eric Hosmer over Pete Alonso in high school?

Runner-Up: Eric Hosmer (American Heritage, FL)

Hosmer’s senior year at American Heritage was the stuff of legend. He hit over .470 with double-digit home runs and nearly a .990 slugging percentage . More than just numbers, Hosmer carried himself like a future star. Scouts loved the lefty stroke, the body, the presence. He led his team to a state title and looked like he belonged in a big-league lineup even as a teenager. There was polish, power, and poise. In another group, he might take the top spot. Here, he's our runner-up.

Pete Alonso (Plant High School, Florida)

Alonso wasn’t subtle. He hit baseballs hard, often, and far. At Plant High in Tampa, he slugged his way to a .460 average , racked up nearly 100 RBI , and piled up doubles and home runs like they were BP reps. They called him “Polar Bear” for a reason and not just because he’s colder than a toenail. He played with aggression and a chip on his shoulder. The swing wasn’t textbook, but it didn’t have to be. His power was undeniable. Alonso’s intensity and production made him one of the most feared prep hitters in Florida, and it set the stage for his meteoric rise in New York.

Joey Votto (Richview Collegiate, Ontario)

Votto’s high school career flew under the radar , mostly because he wasn’t in a baseball hotbed. But the foundation was solid. The swing was quiet, efficient, and repeatable. He had an advanced approach that made scouts take notice despite the lack of gaudy numbers. Drafted in the second round straight out of Richview Collegiate, Votto’s precision and discipline at the plate would become his trademarks. His high school career didn’t come with the same fireworks, but it came with clues: subtle, sharp, and long-lasting.

Our Winner: Freddie Freeman (El Modena High School, California)

Freeman had that swing. The kind you remember. At El Modena in Southern California, he hit over .400 , drove in runs with ease, and looked like a natural from the first pitch of the game. He was long, smooth, and deceptively powerful. He also pitched, but no one could take their eyes off the bat. His mechanics were advanced , his timing impeccable , and the sound off his barrel was unforgettable. There was a calm about him, a quiet star in the making. He became an MVP and a World Series champ, but the blueprint was all there in high school. He’s our pick to anchor first base on the All-Century Team.

Why Freeman Wins the Debate

Hosmer had the polish. Alonso brought the fire. Votto was wise beyond his years. But Freeman combined it all: the bat, the balance, the presence. He was the most complete high school first baseman of the last 25 years.

Think we got it right? Sound off and tag us.