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New Balance Future Stars Series announced its award winners for 2025 in Lake Charles, Louisiana.
Seven players were honored. Let’s learn more about each one.
Player of the Year: Jax Van Valkenburg, C/1B — Claremore High School (Okla.)
I’m so grateful to receive Player of the Year for @ftrstarsseries! ALL GLORY TO GOD! I am so thankful for the time that @_JeremyBooth and his staff have invested in me helping me continue to grow as a ballplayer. Glad to be part of this family! pic.twitter.com/1BoHHxmj6c
— Jax Van Valkenburg (@jax_van2) December 28, 2025
Van Valkenburg is a class of 2027 prospect with a chance to hit for average and power, and the tools to stick behind the plate.
High baseball IQ. High rev motor. Acts like a catcher should. Field general type. Engaging personality. Has leadership qualities. He has some juice in the bat.
— FSS Scouting Staff
The switch hitter — an Arizona State commit — had a terrific 2025 through three NBFSS events, starting with a Regional Combine in May before an impressive summer effort at the Underclass Combine in Houston.
He finished out his fall at the Main Event at Globe Life Field, finding extra bases to the gaps from both sides of the plate, and displaying growth from the spring and summer.
Prospect of the Year: Landon Brown, 3B/RHP — Iowa Colony High School (Tex.)
There aren’t enough superlatives in the English language to describe Brown, so how about one in Spanish? Brown is simply sobresaliente. He stands out at the plate and on the mound every time we see him on the field.
It’d be easy to see him pitch and think “this kid is a really good pitching prospect” and forget he’s a legitimate two-way talent. The kid can flat-out play baseball and is headed to Mississippi State in the fall — unless a pro team sees what the Future Stars Series staff sees and drafts him high and makes sure to get his name on the dotted line.
Despite numerous talents serving as bona fide candidates for the Prospect of the Year award, it’s not remotely surprising Brown is the selection.
Brown pitches into the mid-90s with good fastball value, setting up a slider with a chance to be a true wipeout pitch.
Pitchers frame, now strength, loose arm with a three-quarter delivery. Slider has tight rotation and late break, and he locates it for strikes. Fastball shows late life, sink to both sides of the plate. — FSS Scouting Staff
Pitcher of the Year: Kyndall Tausch, RHP — Whitehouse High School (Tex.)
Tausch (2028) is an athletic right-hander with projectable velocity, present ground-ball ability, and a short breaking ball with tight rotation.
He’s been on tour with FSS since 2023 and has added 10 mph in velocity since, with time to continue to add organically. He throws from a lower three-quarter slot with arm speed. He repeats well and throws consistent strikes.
Hitter of the Year: Isaac Torres, SS — Steele High School (Tex.)
Torres is known for his consistent, quality at-bats, line-drive stroke, and he’s never looked overmatched versus the better arms in the country.
He’s headed for San Jacinto College next fall, where his defensive skills and advanced feel to hit should get him on the field early and often.
Defensive Player of the Year: Dom Pellegrin, SS, Holy Cross High School (La.)
The Tulane commit can really hit, drawing rave reviews from our scouting staff, but he’s also a terrific glove.
He has good hands, his feet “work well,” and he shows good instincts and enough arm to work up the middle.
He has enough arm strength for middle of diamond. Hands and feet work fine together. He has plenty of ability for the collegiate level… real shot at pro ball.
— FSS Scouting Staff
Base Stealer of the Year: Collin Thomas, SS — Georgia Premier Academy
Thomas, a long-time Future Stars Series veteran, has solid speed and good instincts all over the field, giving him the ability to efficiently swipe bags in volume.
Thomas is not just a base stealer, however. He’s headed to Auburn on the strength of five tools. The FSS Scouting Staff has consistently raved about Thomas’ ability to hit, citing “balance, rhythm, and timing,” and good feel from both side of the plate. There’s some pop on the way, too.
In the field, he shows good body control, a solid-average throwing arm with carry, and good accuracy. His athleticism and swing offer a high floor, but he has value all over the field.
Heart and Hustle: Hunter Lynch, 3B/RHP — Novato High School (Calif.)
Lynch (2026) first showed up on the Future Stars Series radar in March of 2022 and has been in 13 events overall.
He garners plus grades for future power and arm strength from the FSS staff, and “has a good idea of the strike zone, does not chase often, and his head stays still throughout swing … takes aggressive swings with bat speed, he uses his lower 1/2 pretty well.”
Lynch is a tireless worker.
Here is preparing for Instructs (who prepares for a preparation event? Players like Lynch, that’s who)
- JUCO Showdown: Furcal Jr., Lewis lead San Jac into Globe Life - January 21, 2026
- JUCO Showdown: Lake Land brings big bats, ace to Globe Life - January 20, 2026
- JUCO Showdown: Wabash Valley returns key bats, arms with upside - January 19, 2026
