New Balance Future Stars Series. The Underclass Elite.
Breakdown of the performance of the Underclass Elite Squad over the weekend.
This weekend the New Balance Future Stars Series took over North Texas as it rolled into Frisco Friday, and then proceeded South to over take Globe Life Field in Arlington.
This is a Series where it brings some of the top Underclassmen and Class of 26’ players in an event to truly develop their craft and compete at a high level with the top of their respected classes across 3 fantastic days of play.
Truth be told the first day of play at Frisco you could see the rust, the overthinking, over adjusting and potentially even the nerves seep into these players. It could’ve been just first day jitters, playing with some of the top talent, or simply everyone shaking the rust off from the flights on down to Frisco. However, in baseball bad days can and will happen, so it’s how you respond after those days that will truly show your potential and who you are as a player.
That was the message from Director Jeremy Booth as the whole weekend you could hear the phrase “Excellence is the Expectation” echoing both ballparks this weekend. He took pride in challenging these young men to get better, work on their craft and truly become a better Baseball Player.
Saturday and Sunday these boys took what they heard to heart and truly stepped up for some great baseball at Globe Life Field.
First I truly want to highlight the Underclass Elite game and start with the stellar pitching matchup we had to start the game on Saturday. On the mound for the Red/white team was RHP and Baylor Commit Jamie Chipman who threw 42 pitches over 3 innings, struck out 3 and only allowed a single, and a walk. He topped 93 at one point while staying steady at 90-91 while mixing in an upper 70’s Slurve. He looked very comfortable on a big league mound, and had absolute control over the game which could easily be a look into his future.
Now in the other dugout it was RHP and eventual Outstanding Pitcher of the Series Calum Anderson. Anderson flashed his 3 pitch mix while sitting in the mid to upper 80’s with his FB over his 3 innings, striking out 5 and only allowing 2 hits. The Uncommitted Righty knew how heavy the task would be to match the big time righty he faced in Saturday and he matched it and then some. For overcoming that pressure making quick work of the white/red lineup that vaulted him to the top to be named the outstanding pitcher and truly deserving of that honor he earned.
A few other players I want to highlight is 2B Ryan Angell who had an Inside the Park Home Run. But aside from him showing off his abilities going with a pitch to Right and showing off his wheels, he was the most Vocal on the team really showing a leader quality and always having the backs of his Pitchers and his Peers. He’s a very talented two way talent and surely hope to see him more in FSS events.
Jett Urbas had a great weekend knocking in 3 RBI’s over the 2 games he participated in going 2 for 4 with a walk and a stolen base. He hit the ball hard and reaching base 4 of the 5 Plate Appearances even lacing a ball to second base that caused the Second basemen to Fumble the scorched ball allowing Jett to Reach base. The righty had a great weekend out in North Texas.
For the Black and Yellow team, LHP and LSU Commit Kade Luker really had it going as he came on to “close” the game Sunday afternoon. He completely dominated his outing showcasing his Upper 80’s to lower 90’s FB and lower 80’s Slider with good late break. He truly commanded an unreal presence on the mound and totally took over the game when he was out there. You could clearly tell he also truly commanded the respect of his peers as his team cheered and called out from the dugout each time he blew a fastball by someone or caught them looking on a great late breaking slider. LSU sure have a good one in Kade and it will be a blast to continue to watch him hone in more on his craft.
Lastly it would be hard to not include the Underclass MVP Ramsey Chung. Ramsey pitched Phenomenally on Friday going 4IP, 1H, 1R, 5K and 0BB. The next 2 days he swung the bat great getting great contact multiple times and really showing a knack to go the opposite way in his AB’s. His presence was truly felt in the event whether it was in the crowd and hearing all the parents chatter or on the field with the teammates where he was the captain of the team and obviously took that role with heart and passion. He’s the true definition of a Ballplayer and surely great things are to come from the young Canadian.
From the Captains of the squads Ramsey Chung and Jax Van Valkenburg whom also got an award with an Outstanding hitter award, to all of the their peers on the field these young men showed true ability to get better and always have a learner’s mindset. They already command a high presence on the field and truly took every single lesson and words of advice to heart and got better and better over this weekend.
It was so unbelievably hard to narrow down just 6-7 players to talk about because I feel I could make articles on over 15 of these players, they truly were a great group of players and it was truly on honor to see them work on their craft and play the game they love. These are the future of our sport and it was so good to see the future will be in great hands with these eager and hardworking players coming up and showing out in these events. Hopefully most of the players will return next year to continue their growth and continues to make Excellence the expectation.