2026 PW NextGen Firecracker Classic Player Spotlights

2030 Markis Kim

Braves Baseball Academy National

Markis has an athletic build and showcased his ability to impact the game on both sides of the ball throughout the event. Offensively, he features a balanced setup with a smooth, rhythmic load, quick hands, and a consistent bat path that allows him to drive the baseball to all fields with authority. Over the course of the tournament, he collected 8 hits, drove in 6 RBIs, scored 4 runs, and posted an impressive 0.615 batting average. On the mound, he was equally dominant, displaying a smooth, repeatable delivery while consistently attacking the strike zone with a polished two-pitch mix. He worked with a fastball that topped out at 79 mph and paired it with a sharp curveball at 58-60 mph, keeping hitters off balance throughout his outings. Over 10 innings of work, Markis allowed just 3 earned runs while striking out 20 hitters. Markis’ outstanding two-way performance was instrumental in leading his team to a championship and earned him well-deserved MVP honors.

2030 David Castillo

Braves Baseball Academy National

David is a quick-twitch athlete with a projectable frame and plenty of upside as he continues to develop. Offensively, he features a balanced setup with good rhythm and timing, along with a short, compact swing and advanced bat-to-ball skills that allow him to consistently put quality swings on the baseball. Over the weekend, he collected 6 hits, drove in 4 RBIs, scored 7 runs, and posted a 0.364 batting average. He also made valuable contributions on the mound, tossing 3.1 innings while allowing just 1 earned run and striking out 3 hitters. David’s ability to impact the game on both sides of the ball played a key role in helping lead his team to a championship finish.

2030 Lennon Castro

ZT Prospects 14u Jones

Lennon has a strong, athletic frame that projects well to the next level. Offensively, he features a wider stance and does an excellent job staying in his lower half, creating good hip rotation and maintaining a consistent bat path through the zone. His approach allowed him to consistently drive the baseball with authority throughout the event. He collected 7 hits, scored 3 runs, drove in 8 RBIs, and posted an impressive 0.412 batting average. He also made an impact on the mound, tossing 3 scoreless innings while allowing no earned runs and striking out 2 hitters. Lennon’s ability to contribute on both sides of the ball was a key factor in helping lead his team to a runner-up finish.

2030 Luke Garcia

Prime 2030

Luke has an athletic frame and showcased his ability to impact the game on both sides of the ball throughout the weekend. Offensively, he features a smooth, repeatable load with quick hands and excellent barrel control, allowing him to consistently square up the baseball. He collected 4 hits, scored 3 runs, and posted a 0.333 batting average. He was equally impressive on the mound, tossing 8 innings while striking out 8 hitters. Luke attacked the zone with a fastball sitting 78-80 mph and complemented it with a tight curveball at 63-65 mph that kept hitters off balance. His all-around performance played a key role in his teams success throughout the event.