FAB 50 16U Club Rankings: 30-21

Pictured: the California Cruisers - AE 16U team out of Southern California.We continue our look at the top 2016 club rankings for the 16U age division by sp

Dec 16, 2015 by Brentt Eads

Pictured: the California Cruisers - AE 16U team out of Southern California.

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Pictured: the California Cruisers - AE 16U team out of Southern California.

We continue our look at the top 2016 club rankings for the 16U age division by spotlighting the teams ranked 30-21.

Each day this week we’re revealing 10 teams as we march to our Top 10 squads to be listed on Friday!

Teams were selected based on fall performances and results in events (showcases and tournaments) as well as how they did last year and the amount of talent returning for this upcoming run at Nationals.

Input was also provided by dozens of top club and college coaches from around the nation.

Click here to see previous rankings lists: 50-41, 40-31

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Rank	Team	Bio
30	Oklahoma Exclusive	Donnie Hughes’ Oklahoma Exclusive team combined with Cornelius Davis’ Oklahoma Twisters team this offseason, providing the Exclusive with depth in the roster from top to bottom. The new additions from the Twisters will add to the already athletic and versatile Exclusive team that won the TCS National Championship in the Platinum division. The team could be even better his year thanks to his standout battery of pitcher Kylie Dadson and Breley Webb, both uncommitted 2018’s. Another key returner is Zoe Jones, a 2018 utility player committed to Texas Tech.
29	Sante Fe Inferno - Nowling	Several Florida club coaches are saying the top team from the Sunshine State in the 16U division could be Jason Knowling’s Inferno squad which already has 10 of the 12 players on the team committed to major programs including ACC and SEC schools. Already ASA qualified, the team has pitching depth, big bats, is skilled on the base paths and is very skilled on defense. Don’t be surprised if the team ends up qualifying for PGF Nationals if it enters qualifiers.
28	Lil Rebels - RC	The Lil Rebels move up from the 14U rankings where Rick Christopher’s team finished in the top 25 and has gotten better this fall highlighted by a 3rd place finish at the prestigious PGF Shootout in October which matched 32 top 16U teams. The Rebels won the first three bracket games with a combined score of 19-1 before falling to the powerful Corona Angels-Slye team in the semis. Half of the team (7-of-14) is now committed including two more this fall: Tatum Spangler, a 2018 lefty pitcher to Kentucky, and Lauryn Barker, a 2018 third baseman to UNLV
27	Team Mizuno Impulse - Woodall	Tony Woodall’s team went 25-3-4 this fall with the only losses coming to the Birmingham Bolts 18U team and two strong 16U’s: So Cal A’s-Briggs and Texas Blaze. A team of 2018 and ‘19’s, the Impulse peaked late this fall at the Surf City Early Thanksgiving tournament where it went 6-0-1, scoring 58 runs while giving up only five runs. The team has two shut-down pitchers in Mattison Boyd, a 2019 grad who threw two no-hitters, and Paxton Scheurer, a 2018 commit to Texas-Arlington who had a .930 WHIP for the fall.
26	OC Batbusters - Smith	The premier 16U team in the powerhouse OC Batbusters organization, the Mike Smith-led team looked good at this fall’s PGF Ultimate Challenge with a 5th place finish after an uncharacteristically quick exit at PGF Nationals. What makes the team dangerous are some key pick-ups from the Batbuster-Campbell 14U team that won PGF Nationals. Two of those are Colleen Sullivan, a 2018 commit to UCLA, who is a Hot 100 honoree and one of the top catchers in the nation, and middle infielder/first baseman Alyssa Podhurcak, a 2018 verbal to BYU who will help anchor the infield along with shortstop Ariana Quinones (2018, Washington), third baseman Lynzie Pacheco (2016, Hawaii) and middle infielder Taylor Okada (2018, Maryland).
25	California Cruisers - AE	The Cruisers, coached by Ashley Evans, hit .343 in 30 games this fall and scored 182 runs and had 66 steals so opposing pitchers will know they are in for a battle. The Cruisers can hit the ball over the fence or bunt for a hit as the team is extremely fast and athletic. Dani Kahn and Raeonna Flores are the top pitchers with both looking strong in the PGF Shootout including a 2-0 shutout over the Texas Blaze by Flores. Two players are committed in 2017 outfielder Seanna Garewal (California-Riverside) and 2017 catcher Janie Hammond (Belmont) with several more having offers on the table.
24	Atlanta Vipers - Moore	The Atlanta Vipers-Moore team, led by head coach Charles Echols, suffered at the hands of the rain gods and only played in one tournament in the fall, but made it count by going 4-0-1 and outscoring opponents 27-3 at the Veteran’s Tribute Showcase in Atlanta. The team has brought in six new players and an assistant coach who should make an immediate impact: Jerome Walton, the former MLB player with the Cubs and Giants who was Rookie of the Year in 1989. Players to watch are newcomer Briana Butler, a 2018 pitcher/utility player committed to Duke and Charla Echols, a 2018 catcher/infielder headed to Michigan State.
23	Illinois Chill Gold	The Chill returns eight players from last year’s squad so there is reason to believe they are poised to finish well at Boulder and PGF Nationals this year. The team finished 3rd at the PGF Shootout in Huntington Beach, California and is led by two standout 2017 pitchers: Hailey Baker (Illinois) and Hannah Nommensen (uncommitted). Both pitchers throw consistently in the low-to-mid 60’s and mix in improving change-ups and spins. The offense is sparked by 2017 shortstop Kalyssa Koehn (Wisconsin-Green Bay), 2017 catcher/first baseman Kira Mickelson (Northern Illinois) and 2018 infielder Claire Swedberg (Penn State).
22	Lady Lightning Gold Elite	Based out of North Carolina, the Jeff Fain-coached Lightning 16U team had a strong summer before struggling at PGF Nationals, but there’s too much talent coming back to think the team won’t be a threat to do some damage next summer, especially with the pick-up of 2017 pitcher Leah Shipp, a Michigan State commit. She will join some returning Hot 100 talent including 2017 shortstop Chandley Garner (North Carolina State), 2018 pitcher Sydney Nester (North Carolina State) and 2018 third baseman/catcher Hannah Faulkenberry (North Carolina).
21	Firecrackers - Brashear	The Firecrackers, coached by Francisco Rodriguez, went 46-11-5 this fall, winning the Brenda Marsh Thanksgiving tournament and not losing more than one game in any of the their other five events. Infielder Alyssa Graham, a 2018 commit to San Jose State, is the sparkplug on the team as a strong power hitter who can play every position but pitcher. What makes the Firecrackers dangerous is their offensive explosiveness and ability to score runs in bunches and put teams down early in games.