By: Austin Alexander – June 3, 2025 Perfect baseball weather shines on new names at 20th Annual event Saturday at River Bluff High School was Mother Nature’s June version of perfection as the radar was never a threat, a very rare occasion when a DP event goes off without a weather hiccup, it was nice to simply execute our gameplan at DP’s 20th Annual Summer Showcase! We deployed a little different schedule than in the past as longtime college coach Stuart Lake (26 years in Division I, 13 in SEC) presided over the participants and their parents in Gator Commons when he conducted Recruiting 101 before any baseball activities began. From there each player ran the 60, performed in a defensive workout, took batting practice on the field then bullpens wrapped up the session before games cranked up. Each 7/8-inning contest was played with every pitcher facing four hitters per frame giving all arms a chance to go from the mound and all players to get 2 AB’s. As explained to the players, this ‘open’ event allows them to get viewed by college coaches but also serves as a huge tool for the DP evaluation process. It allows players to be locked in on for updated summer rankings and also serves as an opportunity to punch a ticket to DP’s “Grand Daddy of Them All”, The Palmetto Games – quite a few participants took advantage of the platform! Though we took in well over 250 games this spring and will see more in the summer/fall seasons, we are bound to miss a player or two and this event ensures the players have their “moment in the sun”. The Fall Showcase encompasses 60’s, defensive workouts, BP, bullpens and a game setting that allows players to display all that is in their toolbox. Some of the keynote performances in the workout portions all came from uncommitted players. A top 60 time of 6.71 was turned in by Wren 2027 Carson Bryant…Two arms eclipsed the 89 MPH mark: Alex Abreu (91, Cardinal Newman, 2026) and Gavin Henderson (Boiling Springs, 2027)…From the infield, Kaido Greene (JL Mann, 2026) fired 88 MPH across the dirt…In the outfield, Cameron Craft’s (Waccamaw, 2026) 92 MPH bolt was the top outfield velo…Newt Hinson (West Florence, 2026) and Brody Caudle (Westside, 2026) posted a pop time of 1.93 edging out two others who chimed in under 2.00…York 2026 Connor Sweatt (pictured at top) took the loudest round of BP, then backed up that performance with a mound outing sitting on 87 with a 75 MPH yakker! Enjoy the info below as we unpack a full 11.7 hours of action! Event Data / Player Accolades Extra Innings Mark Bonnette & River Bluff Staff: River Bluff HS provided us with a top-notch facility to run the Summer Showcase…again! We thank the RB coaching staff (especially Coach Lucas Hummers) for their support of DP and allowing us to use this field and surrounding areas all these years! Buzzy Myers: Once again, Buzzy comes through in the clutch by delivering Chic-Fil-A for our staff and the college coaches on hand. On days like this, nothing is better than a pick me up like the “Original” Chicken Sandwich! You Da Man Buzzy! College Coaches: Right after a long season and Portal Kombat ramping up, 15 different schools were present to evaluate players going into the summer season. We cannot thank these guys enough for trusting DP to be a resource in identifying prep talent in our state! JJ Joye: When you come to a DP event, the music never misses a beat either (even with technical difficulties) and this is because of USC Salkehatchie’s head man! The tunes never disappoint and are always right on cue. You know you have arrived when you have your own logo! Thanks coach! DP Staff: As always, these guys never disappoint. Though down a few folks due to last second surprises, it’s doubtful that anyone in attendance noticed us missing a beat. Thanks to the hard work of our usual staff members and valuable rookie Chipper Johnson, another successful DP event was logged into the books. Without a doubt, I would put this team of winners against anyone in the biz!
