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A rocket-like grounder came his way but JJ Feliciano never flinched. He immediately fielded the ball, wheeled and fired a perfect strike toward shortstop Chase Anderson who sprinted toward the bag and tagged second. Anderson made a turn Ozzie Smith would admire and completed the double play, hitting first baseman DJ Mieses chest-high.
It was a pretty play and also a pivotal one, snuffing out a potential rally as Lake Mary, Florida marched its way toward the Southeast championship. It also was the type of play which has become the norm from all 20 teams competing at the Little League World Series.
They are only 11- and 12-years-old but these all-stars often play like the Major Leaguers they admire. All have their fingerprints upon their teams' amazing successes and the following is 10 U.S. Ppayers to watch as Series opens Wednesday afternoon.
SOUTH DAKOTA’S DEVIN CARGIN
His team was busy at the Midwest Regional, playing five games and Cargin made a big impact in each one, helping Sioux Falls reach the Series for the third time since 2017. Cargin hit .462 while bashing a home run, a double and driving in a team-best seven runs. Cargin hit a key two-run single in a 6-1 Midwest championship win against Missouri. Cargin also served as South Dakota's closer and went Mariano Rivera in the final, entering with the bases loaded and retiring the first two batters he faced to preserve victory. Cargin allowed no hits or walks in three appearances.
NEW YORK’S PETER GIACCIO
One of the most best hitters at the Metro Region Tournament, Giaccio repeatedly produced clutch hits for a team which handed New Jersey its first loss this summer in the championship. Giaccio belted a two-run triple in that 5-0 victory and delivered three multiple-hit performances in Bristol. He compiled a .615 on-base percentage, hit two doubles and drove in a U.S.-high nine runs. Giaccio also scored four times and showed off his speed, stealing four bases. The 12-year-old also is an excellent fielder and made just one error in 42 chances.
NEW HAMPSHIRE’S JACOB GUERRERO-LOMBA
A fabulous all-around player, Guerrero-Lomba dazzled at the New England Regional, igniting the New Hampshire offense, running the bases well and providing excellent infield defense. Guerrero-Lomba produced a hit in all four games and hit a team-high .636 with a home run, double, RBI and three runs. He added two more hits in a 2-0 championship win against Maine, while reaching base in eight of 12 plate appearances. Guerrero-Lomba was a rock defensively as well, making no errors in 27 chances.
TEXAS’ JULIAN HURST
The team's catalyst from the lead-off spot, Hurst also is quite a pitcher. The hard-throwing right-hander earned the win in the Southwest final, throwing 5 1/3 gutsy innings and closing the tournament with 18 strikeouts in 9 1/3 innings, including 10 in the championship. Hurst pitched in four games, surrendering just four hits and striking out multiple batters each time. The five-tool threat also led the team in hitting at Waco, batting .444 with a home run, two doubles, and three runs. He also made just one error in 21 chances.
NEVADA’S OLIVER JOHNSON
A major reason Nevada stormed back from an opening-round loss and won four straight games to capture the Mountain Region championship, Johnson wore out opposing pitchers. Strong and athletic, Johnson hit a team-high .615, hitting safely in each of the first four games. Twice, Johnson collected three hits in a game and three went for extra bass. He also drove in six runs and scored four times. Johnson provides pitching depth behind Wyatt Erickson who threw no-hitters in the state and regional finals, striking out seven batters in three innings at regionals.
FLORIDA’S DJ MIESES
One of many players who produced tremendous Southeast Tournaments, Mieses produced a pretty good Roy Hobbs impersonation. The slugging first baseman was nearly impossible to get out, hitting .857 and reaching base in nine of 10 plate appearances. Mieses walloped two home runs, hit three doubles and drove in nine runs, while collecting two hits in all four games. The 12-year-old generated RBIs in all four games. He can do just about everything and also stole a base and played flawless defense.
PENNSYLVANIA’S TYLER NEELD
A big part of a balanced and explosive offense which is hitting a collective .442, Neeld was at his best at the Mid-Atlantic Regional. There, Neeld used both his bat and arm to help Pennsylvania thump three straight opponents. He hit safely in each game, batting .778 with two triples, a double, three RBIs and three runs. Neeld collected an an extra-base hit in all three wins as well. He was equally effective on the mound, going 1-0 and closing out the regional final with two no-hit innings and six strikeouts. Neeld has allowed just two earned runs in 23 innings and fanned 41 this summer.
ILLINOIS’ DILLON PHELAN
There are not many left-handed shortstops out, but Phelan is not like many players because few 12-year-olds possess his kind of talent. The athletic shortstop/pitcher made no errors and dominated on the mound while helping Hinsdale, Illinois capture the Great Lakes championship. Phelan went 1-0, with a 2.25 ERA while allowing just three hits in eight innings with 11 strikeouts. Phelan also has a sweet swing and hit a two-run home run in the Great Lakes final, finishing the tournament with a .429 average, three RBIs, a steal and a .556 on-base percentage.
HAWAII’S EVAN TAVARES
One of the country's top 12-year-old pitchers, Tavares put on a pitching clinic at the West Regional in San Bernardino. The hard-throwing lefty went 2-0, not allowing an earned run in two masterful performances against hard-hitting Northern and Southern California squads. Spotting a devastating curveball as well, Tavares allowed just five hits in 11 1/3 innings, struck out a U.S.-best 27 and walked none. He also threw a remarkable 137 of 172 pitches for strikes. Tavares also is a strong hitter, batting .500 at regionals and collecting a hit in each game. He also scored five times and stole a base.
WASHINGTON’S JETT TAYLOR
One of many offensive standouts at the Northwest Regional, Taylor highlighted Washington's remarkable, last-inning comeback win against Idaho when he tattooed a three-run home run. That capped a tremendous tournament in which Taylor batted .636 and produced hits in all four games. Taylor delivered multiple-hit performances in three consecutive elimination wins, while also smashing two home runs and two doubles. Taylor also tied Kohen Willis with a team-best eight RBIs and scored five runs.