Top performers at 2017 WWBA World Championship

The 2017 Perfect Game World Wood Bat Association World Championship came to an end on Monday, with the Canes Prospects defeating the FTB/SF Giants Scout Team, 8-7, on a walk-off single in extra innings.
Preston Hartsell (2018, Newport Coast, Calif.) was named tournament MVP after he batted .421 (8-for-19) with three extra-base hits, seven RBIs and two stolen bases in eight games for the runner-up Giants Scout Team. The Southern California commit produced solid exit velocities throughout the tournament, averaging 87.4 mph and topping out at 101.2 mph, while also contributing to his team's success on the mound.
• Top performers: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3
Dylan Delucia (2019, Port Orange, Fla.) was named the event's MVPitcher after he finished with a 0.60 ERA and 17 strikeouts, tying him for the lead with 11 2/3 innings for the champion Canes Prospects. The uncommitted 6-foot, 205-pound righty was dominant versus the AZ D-backs Scout Team in the semifinals, striking out eight over 7 2/3 innings in an eventual extra-innings victory. He sat at 84-87 mph in the outing, also showing feel for both a curveball and a changeup.
• 2018 Draft order set | Early mock
Here is a list of the top overall prospects from this year's event, with a focus on prospect status as well as performance at the tournament:
1. Will Banfield, C (2018, Lawrenceville, Ga.)
Banfield laid to rest much of the concern about his lack of hitting over the summer with a strong offensive showing for Team Prime Elite, including an impressive 2-for-3 performance in his team's opening game. The Vandy commit continues to stand out more for his defensive prowess, with elite catch-and-throw skills and innate feel for framing that separates him from his peers behind the plate.

2. Austin Becker, RHP (2018, Sunbury, Ohio)
Arguably the top pitching prospect to take the mound at this year's PG WWBA WC, Beck's top fastball of 96 mph in his Day 3 start for Canes National proved the best velocity in the event. The 6-foot-6, 185-pound righty, a Vandy recruit, was consistently 93-94 mph in the first inning before working at 90-93 mph in his second and final frame. He struggled to command his heater in the outing, often missing above the zone or off the plate to his glove side, but the sheer velocity from such a projectable frame and easy delivery offers plenty on which to dream.

3. Hunter Barco, LHP (2019, Jacksonville, Fla.)
Barco, a Virginia recruit, dazzled in his start for Braves Scout Team/East Cobb, posting seven strikeouts against zero walks over three scoreless innings. What's more, the 6-foot-4, 205-pound southpaw showed present command of a low-90s fastball that reached 93 mph, all while effectively mixing in sharp slider in the low-80s as well as a fading changeup. It was yet another impressive performance from Barco, who already is viewed as one of top prep hurlers in the Class of 2019.
4. Cole Winn, RHP (2018, Orange, Calif.)
Winn, a Mississippi State commit, took the loss in his start for the Houston Astros Scout Team/Elite Squad despite giving up one run on two hits with five strikeouts in three innings. His top fastball velocity of 93.9 mph was the eighth-best in the event, while his 92.1 mph average velocity ranked second among all hurlers. The 6-foot-2, 195-pounder posted max spin rates of 2500-plus rpm with both his fastball and curveball in the outing.

5. Simeon Woods-Richardson, RHP (2018, Houston, Texas)
The 6-foot-3, 200-pound Woods-Richardson showed consistent downhill plane on a fastball that reached 93 mph in his start for the Texas Scout Team Yankees. The Texas recuit complemented it with a promising mid-70s curveball, ultimately striking out four while tossing four innings of one-run ball.
6. Matthew Thompson, RHP (2019, Cypress, Texas)
Loaded with projection at 6-foot-3, 194 pounds, Thompson posted the event's third best velocity of 94.9 mph while sitting 92-94 with an impressive, late-breaking 80-83 mph curveball for the Banditos Scout Team. The Texas A&M recruit struck out a pair and allowed three hits over 1 2/3 scoreless innings on Day 3, and then he tacked on 10 more strikeouts while tossing 4 1/3 innings on the event's final day. Though he struggled with his control in both outings, Thompson's all-around package of size, athleticism and present stuff give him one of the highest ceilings in the Class of 2019.

7. Brennan Malone, RHP (2019, Matthews, N.C.)
Regarded by evaluators as one of the Class of 2019's premier pitching prospects, Malone, a 6-foot-4, 205-pound righty, confirmed that much in his Day 3 start for the On Deck O's, combining present strength and athleticism with a lightning-quick arm to produce a fastball that sat 90-92 mph and reached 93.5 as late as the fourth inning. The North Carolina commit's curveball had its moments in the outing, and he also mixed in a slider and a changeup, showing the ideal foundation that pro teams covet in the Draft.

8. Nander De Sedas, SS (2018, Montverde, Fla.)
One of the top prep prospect for the 2018 Draft, the Florida State-bound De Sedas batted just .136 (3-for-22) over eight games for FTB/SF Giants Scout Team but still showed well on both sides of the ball, working plenty of deep counts at the plate and showcasing his athleticism, range and advanced instincts at shortstop.
9. Riley Greene, OF (2019, Oviedo, Fla.)
Greene showed over the five-day event exactly why he's regarded as one of the top Class of 2019 high school position players by hitting .381 (8-for-21) with eight RBIs and seven stolen bases for the FTB/SF Giants Scout Team. He employs a beautiful left-handed swing that's explosive but also very efficient and compact, giving him the ability to drive the ball with authority across the entire field.
10. Xavier Edwards, SS (2018, Wellington, Fla.)
The Vanderbilt commit has prototypical leadoff-man tools, as he's a switch-hitter who has a knack for making contact, rarely strikes out and knows how to use his plus speed once on base. Though he batted just .176 over six games for Canes National, Edwards showcased his usual strong on-base skills (.333 OBP) while standing out at shortstop defensively.

11. Joe Gray Jr., OF (2018, Hattiesburg, Miss.)
A Mississippi recruit, Jones put on a hitting display for Canes National on Day 3 as he tallied a pair of doubles as well as two RBIs in a perfect 3-for-3 showing at the plate. All three hits were barreled, too, as he recorded exit velocities of 92.9 (double), 90 (single) and 96.9 mph (double)  in the game. The 6-foot-3, 195-pounder also impressed with his overall athleticism and tools, showcasing plus speed on the basepaths and considerable range in center field.

12. Jacob Meador, RHP (2019, Burleson, Texas)
The Texas Christian recruit stole the show on Day 2 under the lights as he racked up 13 strikeouts over five no-hit innings in a dominant start for the Dallas Tigers. Though undersized at 5-foot-11, 170 pounds, Meador has a lightning-quick arm that generates explosive stuff in a 90-93 mph fastball and a power, swing-and-miss curveball in the upper 70s that featured one of the event's better spin rates (2779 rpm). Meanwhile, the fact that Meador missed bats at an event-best 43.8 percent clip speaks to the filthiness of his stuff.

Best of the rest:
Ryan Bliss, SS, East Cobb Yankees (2018, Lagrange, Ga.; Auburn commit)
Joseph Charles, RHP, Central Florida Gators (2019, Celebration, Fla.; North Carolina commit)
Sanson Faltine III, RHP, Banditos Scout Team (2019, Richmond, Texas; Texas commit)
Adam Hackenberg, C, Canes National (2018, Palmyra, Va.; Clemson commit)
Seth Halvorsen, SS/RHP, MN Blizzard Elite (2018, Plymouth, Minn.; Missouri commit)
Jeremiah Jackson, SS, East Coast Sox Select (2018, Mobile, Ala.; Mississippi State commit)
Blaze Jordan, 1B, Dulin Dodgers (2021, Southaven, Miss.; Mississippi State commit)
Yeankarlos Lleras, RHP, Padres Scout Team/Chandler World (2018, Carolina P.R.; Florida International commit)
Garrett McDaniels, LHP, Upstate Mavericks (2018, Nichols, S.C.; Coastal Carolina commit)
Parker Meadows, OF, Team Elite Prime (2018, Grayson, Ga.; Clemson commit)
Noah Naylor, C, Ontario Blue Jays (2018, Mississagua, Ont.; Texas A&M commit)
Drew Rom, LHP, SF Giants Scout Team - Christman (2018, Fort Thomas, Kent.; Michigan commit)
Camden Sewell, RHP, Chet Lemon's Juice (2019, Cleveland, Tenn.; Tennessee commit)
Ethan Smith, RHP, Team Elite Prime (2018, Mount Juliet, Tenn.; Vanderbilt commit)
Victor Vodnik, RHP, BPA (2018, Realto, Calif.; Uncommitted)
Owen White, RHP, South Carolina Panthers (2018, Mt. Ulla, N.C.; South Carolina commit)