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The New Balance Future Stars Series Caribbean Classic gets underway January 16 in Puerto Rico, and the event’s return lasts four days, pitting rosters from numerous Latin American and Caribbean countries, as well as a full roster of U.S. players.
In the first iteration of the Classic in 2022, the likes of Cooper Pratt, Raudi Rodriguez, Boston Baro, Zion Rose, Tre Phelps, Luke McNeillie, and Alex Kranzler competed as high school standouts before moving on to pro ball or big-time college baseball.
For the next several weeks, let’s talk about some of this year’s participants. Earlier this week, we profiled Eastern Illinois commit Tommy Georgelos.
Jax Van Valkenburg first hit the Future Stars Series radar in the spring of 2023 and drew quite encouraging reports from the scouting staff for his soft hands, strength, baseball IQ, and ability to swing the bat.
The switch-hitter is a class of 2027 C/1B from Claremore High School He’s committed to Arizona State, and recently served as a captain in the 2025 Future Stars Series Underclass Elite at Globe Life Field.
Van Valkenburg stands 6-feet on a 215-pound frame, showing bat speed and legitimate power potential.
Big strong kid. Good start. 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. — Scouting Staff
At Globe Life, he showed off his left- and right-handed swings, peppering the walls to the opposite field and finding exit velos in the upper 80s consistently. He maxed out in batting practice at 93 mph.
GRADE CHARACTERIZATION 20 Poor, not of MLB quality, no value 30 Considerably below average 40 Below average 50 MLB average 60 Plus, firmly above average 70 Plus-plus, near elite 80 Elite Right-handed, he really stays in his legs well, is a little long with the swing, but makes solid contact. As a lefty, his hands work, is very coachable, stays in his legs, and squares it up. I see Jax as a switch-hitting catcher in the middle of the order. Can move to 1B and be a +defender with power from both sides of the plate. — Scouting Staff
- Caribbean Classic Player Analysis: John “JT” Reyna, RHP - December 8, 2025
- Caribbean Classic Player Analysis: Brody Crane, RHP - December 6, 2025
- FSS Alums on the brink of the Show include Walcott, Troy, Long - December 2, 2025
