In a strong group of 2030 and 2031 grads, it was five-foot-eleven, 155-pound lefty bat Benjamin Conforti who stood above the rest to take home the honors as the Best Hitter at the 2026 New Balance Baseball Future Stars Series Fresh 50. The annual event, held this year for the first time at Dudy Noble Field at Mississippi State University, once again put roughly four dozen of the top talent from the incoming freshman class on display in front of college coaches, big league scouts and other evaluators.
Conforti, a standout with the Durham Stallions program in Canada, earned his way to the signature event with standout showings at a Scout Day in May, and then at both our National Tournaments and Underclass Combine in Houston this July. Our scouts saw a player with “two-way D1 upside” this summer, and one who needs to continue to work on getting stronger to add to a frame with some projection in it, as “strength and conditioning will improve his ability to manipulate barrel.”
Conforti was part of a Canadian trio to sweep the Fresh 50 awards; Matteo Boccinfuso was named MVP, while Easton Wilkinson earned Best Pitcher honors.
About New Balance Future Stars Series
New Balance Future Stars Series is a global platform for amateur baseball development and scouting, powered by a commitment to impact, integrity, and player-focused innovation. Its alumni can be found throughout professional baseball, and its events and partnerships have reshaped how talent is identified, nurtured, and celebrated.
Connect with New Balance Future Stars Series by visiting our website, www.futurestarsseries.com, by visiting our YouTube page, and by checking out the social media channels listed below.
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Since 2003, he has six World Series and has worked high-profile events ranging from the MLB All-Star Game to the World Baseball Classic. In addition to his role working for the Future Stars Series that he's held since 2017, Ashmore currently serves as the beat writer of the Double-A New York Yankees affiliate, the Somerset Patriots, as well as national hockey writer and New York Jets game day beat reporter for The Trentonian.
A regular contributor to Baseball America, Ashmore has worked eight Super Bowls, 13 Stanley Cup Finals, the 4 Nations Face-Off, the NBA Playoffs, the NCAA D1 Men's Basketball Tournament, College Football Playoff National Championship Game, Frozen Four, Daytona 500, major UFC events and much more as he approaches 3,300 games covered in his career.
An avid trading card enthusiast and motorsports fan, he lives with his wife, Sarah, their son, future No. 1 overall draft pick in 2042, William, their beloved dog, Bailey, and occasionally well-behaved cat, Smokey.
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