The 2024 Area Code Games, held at Blair Field in Long Beach, California, concluded with a showcase of high-caliber talent from some of the top high school baseball players in the United States. The event, renowned for featuring future MLB stars, lived up to its reputation with several standout performances and memorable highlights.

Event Overview

The Area Code Games brought together over 240 players from the high school classes of 2025 and 2026, divided into eight regional teams representing various parts of the country. These teams competed in a series of games from August 5 to August 13, 2024, observed by scouts from all 30 Major League teams and numerous collegiate coaches.

Pure Talent

The primary purpose of the Area Code Games is to provide a platform where high school players can showcase their skills against equally talented peers from across the country under the watchful eyes of scouts and recruiters. This exposure can be crucial for their future baseball careers, either in college or professionally.

This format supports a high level of competition and visibility, making the Area Code Games one of the most important events on the high school baseball calendar for players aspiring to reach the collegiate or professional levels.

• Games and Showcases: Unlike traditional tournaments that aim to crown a champion, the format of the Area Code Games is designed primarily for scouting. The event features multiple games for each team, allowing players numerous opportunities to perform in front of MLB scouts and college recruiters.
• No Elimination Rounds: This event does not have playoffs or elimination rounds. Instead, the focus is on individual performance rather than team outcomes, which differs from typical competitive baseball tournaments.
• Exposure and Evaluation: The setup is ideal for scouts to evaluate players in various contexts—during games, batting practices, and other skill drills. This multi-faceted approach helps scouts assess each player’s abilities and potential more comprehensively.

Area Code Games Team Player Format

The Area Code Games are divided into regional teams, each representing different parts of the United States and sponsored by Major League Baseball (MLB) teams. Here’s a breakdown of the regions typically represented at the Area Code Games:

• Yankees (Northeast)
• Nationals (Southeast)
• White Sox (Midwest)
• Rangers (Texas)
• Reds (Midwest South)
• Brewers (Southern California)
• Athletics (Northern California)
• Royals (Upper Northwest Corner)

Each region brings a unique style and skill set to the games and reflects the diverse baseball cultures across the United States.

Player of the Week

Upperclassman – Omar Serna from Lutheran South Academy- Texas

• 4-9 (.444BA)
• 2.028-0PS
• 4-XBH
• 2-HR
• 13-TB
• 5-RBI

Underclassman- Landom Thome from Nazareth Academy- Illinois

• 5-8 (.625BA)
• 1.700-0PS
• 2-XBH
• 2-R
• 8-TB

Pitcher of the Week

Upperclassman- Angel Cervantes from Warren, California

• 3-IP
• 0-H
• 0-ER
• 8-K

Underclassman-Gary Morse from Orange Lutheran, California

• 3-IP
• 0-H
• 0-ER
• 7-K

Area Code Games Skill Assessments

The Area Code Games employ a comprehensive skill assessment framework designed to evaluate high school baseball players across various dimensions of the game. These measurements are not just numbers; they reflect the fusion of their training, athletic genetics, coaching, and the increasingly professional approach to sports training in high school athletics.

With these results, college and professional scouts can see average or elite ability and what needs to be trained. But with these results here, scouts must have been drooling like a dog with a bone over these players.

Area Code Games FB Velo

FB Velo is how fast a pitcher can pitch the ball. The average fastball velocity varies by the level of play. In Major League Baseball (MLB), the average fastball speed is around 93-94 mph, with top pitchers regularly clocking speeds of 97 mph or higher. In contrast, college and high school pitchers generally have lower velocities. For instance, an excellent high school fastball might range from 85 to 90 mph, while collegiate pitchers typically throw between 87 to 95 mph. So, these high school pitchers are pitching above their mark at the professional collegiate level.

Daily Best FB Velo

Day 1- Seth Hernandez (Brewers) 100 mph

Day 2 – Mason Pike (Royals) 97 mph

Day 3- John Paone (Yankees) 96 mph

Day 4- Holden Hering (Texas) 95 mph

Day 5- Nate Schlote (White Sox) 95 mph

Area Code Games Exit Velo

Exit velocity, often abbreviated as “exit velo,” is a metric that measures the speed at which the ball comes off the bat immediately after contact. Exit velocity is an essential indicator of a player’s ability to generate power; higher velocities often correlate with more potent hits, increasing the likelihood of the ball traveling farther, which can lead to extra-base hits and home runs.

In terms of experience, these top five players have professional-level batting swing speed. They are already primed for MLB and have given the scouts some jaw-dropping results. Major League Baseball players have an exit velocity above 100 miles per hour. At lower levels, such as high school athletes, the exit velocity is 85mph, and college is 95mph.

Daily Best Exit Velo

Day 1- Tate Southisene (Reds) 104 mph

Day 2- Omar Serna (Texas) 104 mph

Day 3- Sean Gamble (Nationals) 104 mph

Day 4- Kruz Schoolcraft (Royals) 104 mph

Day 5- Sebastian Norman (Royals) 103 mph

Home Run Derby Champion – Jason Fultz Exit Velo- 109mph

Jason Fultz won the home run competition, crushing the ball a jaw-dropping 423 feet. And with an exit velocity of 109 mph, the ball takes off like a rocket. Fultz is a true slugger, leaving the crowd in awe.

Top 5 Area Code Games Counter Movement Jump Test (CMJ) Results

The countermovement jump (CMJ) height is a measure used to assess an athlete’s explosive leg power and neuromuscular efficiency. It involves the athlete starting from an upright standing position, performing a quick downward movement followed by an immediate upward jump without a preliminary step.

CMJ height can vary widely based on factors like the athlete’s age, training, sport, and physical condition:

• Elite Athletes: CMJ is above 30 inches.
• Great Athletes: 25 to 29 inches.
• Good Athletes: 22 to 24 inches.

Top 5 CMJ’s

1. Matthew Ferrara- 29.4

2. Philip Cheong- 26.0

3. Joe DuSell- 24.7

4. Cannon Goldin- 23.9

5. Jayden Stroman- 23.9

Top 5 Area Code Games 30-Yard Dash Sprint Times

The 30-yard sprint is a standard test used in sports to assess an athlete’s speed and explosive power. This short-distance sprint is particularly valued in sports like baseball, where quick bursts of speed are essential.

For various levels of athletic performance, 30-yard sprint times can vary significantly:

• Elite Athletes: Professional and top collegiate athletes might complete the 30-yard sprint in under 4 seconds, showcasing exceptional speed and acceleration capabilities. Elly De La Cruz is the fastest player in MLB, clocked at 3.67mph for a 30-yard dash.
• Collegiate Athletes: In college sports, competitive sprint times might range from about 4.0 to 4.6 seconds, depending on the sport and the athlete’s specific role or position.
• High School Athletes: High school athletes generally have slower times due to varying levels of development, with times commonly ranging from 4.5 to 5.0 seconds.

Top 5 Times for 30-Yard Dash

1. Philip Cheong -3.566 seconds

2. Mason Ligenza- 3.608 seconds

3. Brock Ketelsen- 3.633 seconds

4. Nick Becker- 3.636 seconds

5. Matthew Boughton- 3.638 seconds

As the dust settles on this year’s tournament, the focus now shifts to the future, with many players preparing for their next steps in collegiate or professional baseball. The amazing performance and skills keep driving coaches, fans, and scouts back for more each year. The Area Code Baseball Finals is a must-watch event, offering a sneak peek at the stars of tomorrow. It is incredible to see high school athletes producing professional results for years.

To learn more about Area Code Baseball and all the high school baseball showcases and series events they offer, please visit https://www.areacodebaseball.com/.