Area Code Baseball Newsletter: February 2026
In this edition, we take a closer look at Area Code Baseball and Area Code Select, focusing on the players, preparation, and standards that continue to shape high-level baseball. Written by Caleb Jung
Road to the Codes
The final stop of this 2026 MLB Draft cycle was AC Select, bringing together top talent from across the country one last time before the high school season. Take a look at the top performers across three events.
Area Code Select Recap
Area Code Select is a two-day event featuring 50+ top 2026 draft-eligible prospects plus select underclassmen from across the nation, hosted across three regional stops:
AC Select Central | Rice University & University of Houston
AC Select East | George M. Steinbrenner Field
AC Select West | Loyola Marymount University & Dodger Stadium
Event Standouts
Area Code Select East
William Cutshall (‘26) INF, Seneca HS (SC) | Ole Miss Commit
Cutshall delivered the loudest moment of the day at AC Select East, launching a HR that was 102 mph off the bat. He showed quick, explosive hands through the zone, driving the baseball with authority. Defensively, his athletic actions and strong arm stood out in the infield, giving him the ability to make plays with range and confidence.
Jace Moran (‘27) C, Live Oak HS (FL) | Florida Commit
Moran set the tone offensively for the Brewers, delivering a multi-hit game with an RBI. The Florida commit showed a steady presence at the plate, consistently finding barrels.
A.J. Cruz (‘26) INF, West Broward HS (FL) | Samford Commit
Miami ID Series Alum A.J. Cruz stood out for the Yankees with his ability to consistently produce hard contact, turning in a multi-hit game that highlighted his feel for the barrel. The Samford commit looked comfortable against quality pitching and showed an approach built to translate.
RJ Cope (‘26) LHP, Georgia Premier Academy (GA) | Vanderbilt Commit
Cope impacted the game on both sides, slugging a double at the plate before taking the mound and overwhelming hitters with a fastball that sat 93–95 mph and topped out at 96. The Vanderbilt commit recorded five outs against five batters faced.
Area Code Select Central
James Jorgensen (‘26) RHP, Jesuit College Prep (TX) | Texas Commit
Jorgensen is back and wasted no time making a statement, topping out at 95 mph after missing the spring and summer with a knee injury. The right-hander struck out four of the five batters he faced, showing power stuff with feel while consistently throwing strikes and generating whiffs with all three pitches. He wasn’t just a power arm, attacking hitters confidently with both off-speed pitches.
Anthony Chavez (‘26) 1B/OF, Mount Carmel HS (IL) | Illinois Commit
Chavez put on a strong showing in his BP, showing advanced feel to use the whole field, driving balls to both gaps. That approach carried over into game action at AC Select Central, where he roped a triple to deep left-center field and added a walk.
Jamie Chipman (‘27) RHP, Little River Academy (TX) | Baylor Commit
Chipman pitches with intent every time he takes the mound, and that showed at AC Select Central, where he didn’t allow a hit and struck out four of the five batters he faced. With a tall, projectable frame and strength still coming, it will be interesting to see how he continues to mature physically and on the mound.
CJ Sampson (‘26) OF, Tomball HS (TX) | Texas A&M Commit
Sampson showed why he’s one of the more complete players in the group. The A&M commit impressed with a smooth left-handed swing with a simple toe-tap operation. Legit pull-side pop. He collected two hits on the day, including a single and a double off the right-field wall. Sampson also looked very comfortable at third base and has the arm strength to stick there.
Area Code Select West
James Clark (‘26) INF, St. John Bosco HS (CA) | Uncommitted
Clark separated himself as one of the most polished hitters in the class, pairing elite contact ability with emerging strength and a proven track record against top-tier competition. His offensive game took another step forward at AC Select West, where he delivered a historic performance by hitting for the cycle, a first in the event’s history. Beyond the bat, Clark is a steady defender on the left side of the infield and an aggressive presence on the bases. Clark is currently ranked as the No. 22 overall HS draft prospect by Baseball America.
Julian Garcia (‘26) RHP, St. John Bosco HS (CA) | Long Beach State Commit
Garcia made it clear he was the best arm at the event, striking out four of the five batters he faced. The St. John Bosco right-hander held 93–95 mph with life through the zone, pairing the fastball with a sharp 12–6 curveball and an improved changeup. Fully healthy and stronger coming off an injury in 2024, Garcia looks poised to build on that momentum with a more complete, intentional approach on the mound as he aims to lead Bosco to another CIF-SS Championship in 2026.
Blake Bowen (‘26) OF, JSerra Catholic HS (CA) | Oregon State Commit
Bowen is one of the most physically imposing position players in the class, pairing strength, bat speed, and raw power with a maturing offensive approach. He set the tone early with a leadoff triple to deep right-center field and finished the game with two hits and a walk. The Oregon State commit is the definition of a gamer. The intent and approach he showed in pregame batting practice carried over into his in-game at-bats. Bowen is currently ranked as the No. 7 overall HS draft prospect by Baseball America.
Coaches Corner
Dino Ebel, Los Angeles Dodgers 3B Coach
Success leaves clues, and few figures command the attention of elite players the way Dino Ebel does. His presence at AC Select West was another clear reminder of why the Dodgers continue to set the standard across the game.
Every interaction reflected professionalism, intention, and a deep respect for the game. Whether he was working directly with players on the field or engaging thoughtfully with fans passing through the stadium, the same level of care was present in every interaction.
Ebel emphasized the details that often go unnoticed. Defensive positioning, preparation, routine, and the mental approach required to sustain success at the highest level were constant points of focus. He consistently tied those lessons back to how the best in the world train and prepare in the MLB, giving players rare insight into what truly separates elite performers.
One message stood out throughout AC Select West:
“We practice the game the way we play the game… we practice at game speed.”
The reminder was simple: practice with intent. Every rep should look like the game, feel like the game, and be taken as seriously.
This same message wasn’t just shared with the Dodgers, it’s one that’s been lived and reinforced at home as well. Baseball clearly runs in the family, with both of his sons, Brady and Trey, becoming familiar names in the Area Code Baseball scene. Brady, a three-time Area Code alum, was selected 32nd overall in the 2025 MLB Draft and signed for $2.75 million, opting to forgo his college commitment to LSU.
Trey Ebel, the younger son of Dino Ebel, is a senior at Corona HS and a Texas A&M commit whose advanced feel for the game clearly reflects a lifetime around baseball. Offensively, he shows strong bat-to-ball skills and a disciplined approach with a simple swing. Defensively, he’s proven that he can handle playing at third base as well as up the middle. At AC Select West, Ebel stood out on Day 1 with one of the best batting practice showings of the event, then followed it up on Day 2 with quality game at-bats, including a single up the middle and a scorching lineout.
Alumni Spotlight: Grady Emerson
Grady Emerson continues to separate himself as one of the most complete position players in his class, combining advanced feel at the plate with athleticism and a solid glove on the left side of the infield. A two-time Area Code alumnus, Emerson has consistently shown the ability to translate tools to in-game results against the best.
At the plate, his left-handed swing is compact and efficient, allowing him to consistently find the barrel and adjust to pitches. As his strength has developed, so has his ability to drive the ball to all fields.
That growth is intentional.
“The main thing I focused on this off-season was getting stronger physically and keeping my lateral quickness so I can continue to play shortstop at a very high level.”
That focus translates on both sides of the ball. He moves with ease defensively, showing soft hands, body control, and an arm that can stick at shortstop.
At the Area Code Games, that approach translated into results, as Emerson posted a .417/.533/.417 slash line over five games without striking out once. Emerson is currently ranked as the No. 2 overall draft prospect by Baseball America.
By The Numbers: Understanding Grip Strength
by Shane Foley
Grip Strength represents the maximal force generated by the muscles of the forearm and hand. Measured via high-precision tools like the VALD DynaMo, it serves as a reliable indicator of hand and forearm strength, a critical component of baseball performance. Primarily, grip strength serves as a gauge of an athlete’s ability to transfer energy from their body into the ball or the bat.
For both hitters and pitchers, grip strength is about force transfer and protection:
For Hitters: A strong grip ensures that the energy generated by your legs and torso isn’t leaked at the moment of impact. It allows for better barrel control, helping you maintain your path through the zone.
For Pitchers: The forearm muscles act as armor for the elbow. They function as a muscular brace that absorbs the immense pressure of a throw, potentially shielding the UCL from damage.
Beyond raw power, the real value of tracking this metric with VALD technology is monitoring fatigue. Grip strength is a direct window into your Central Nervous System, and daily monitoring allows athletes to compare current output against a previously measured VALD Baseline. A significant drop (10-15%) signals that the body is still recovering from a previous outing or heavy training week, making joints more vulnerable to injury. If that drop persists over time, it may be a precursor to an injury.
To stay elite, athletes should focus on two goals:
Building a Strength Floor: Use carries and holds to ensure your forearms have the capacity to handle high-level play.
Watching the Trends: Use your VALD DynaMo data to know when to push and when to prioritize recovery.
While a crushing grip is a massive physical advantage, the most durable athletes are those who use data to bridge the gap between peak performance and long-term health.
Partner Spotlight: BRUCE BOLT
Be Better. That mantra is the foundation of BRUCE BOLT. It’s built on the belief that every rep, every detail, and every day is an opportunity to improve. Founded in 2017 by Bear Mayer, BRUCE BOLT was created with a singular goal: design the best batting gloves in the game. Through an obsessive focus on design, premium Cabretta leather, and handcrafted small-batch production, their gear is built to perform and last at the highest level of competition.
That mindset aligns seamlessly with Area Code Baseball. By equipping elite athletes with premium batting gloves and protective gear, BRUCE BOLT ensures the best players are prepared with the best tools long before they reach the next level. The same standard is reflected in the athletes who wear it, including Area Code alumni like Nick Kurtz, Max Clark, and more. BRUCE BOLT’s continued investment in players reinforces a culture of preparation, confidence, and respect for the process.
From the Founder
We caught up with BRUCE BOLT founder Bear Mayer to reflect on the impact of our partnership and its role in shaping player development.
What moments or accomplishments from BRUCE BOLT’s partnership with Area Code Baseball have been most meaningful, and how have they shaped your perspective on youth player development?
Our partnership with Area Code Baseball has been incredibly meaningful for BRUCE BOLT, particularly in providing the opportunity to showcase our products alongside the game’s most elite youth athletes. Being hands-on at the Area Code Games allows us to gather real-time feedback while strengthening our brand presence at one of the highest levels of amateur baseball.
One of the most impactful moments each year is gear distribution day, when we have the opportunity to see the athletes’ excitement as they receive BRUCE BOLT gear and then immediately put it to work in competition. Those moments reaffirm why we invest in youth athletes: to listen to their needs, support their development, and deliver products that perform at the highest level.
How has BRUCE BOLT’s involvement with Area Code Baseball influenced perspectives on talent development and community within the game, and what long-term impact are you most proud to have contributed to?
Our involvement with Area Code Baseball has given us the opportunity to evaluate top prospects for future partnerships while building meaningful relationships with scouts, college coaches, and other influential members of the baseball community.
Most notably, Area Code has played a pivotal role in the rollout of our NIL program, Next In Line. The Area Code Games have provided a trusted environment to identify the right athletes, players who not only perform at an elite level but also align with BRUCE BOLT’s values.
We are especially proud that this partnership has allowed us to support the next generation of players in a way that extends beyond equipment and contributes to their long-term development.
“Our relationship with Area Code Baseball is highly valued by everyone at BRUCE BOLT. They set the standard in amateur baseball, creating an environment built on elite competition, strong player development, and a true commitment to doing things the right way.
We are proud to partner with an organization that invests in the future of the game and gives the next generation a platform to succeed.”
Bear Mayer, Founder of BRUCE BOLT
Thank you
AC Select marked the final chapter of an eight-month Area Code cycle that began last June and carried across the country, bringing together elite players, coaches, and scouts around one shared standard of excellence.
From the early summer events to the final pitch at Select, this process has always been about competing, learning the game at a deeper level, and preparing players for what comes next.
As the focus now shifts back to high school seasons across the nation, we want to wish every athlete the best of luck this spring!