Scouting the Area Code Games: Gustus, Rutledge electric, Sushi, Hawpe rake

The following is from the scouting notebook of Butch Baccala from the Area Code Games.

East Coast Pro Standouts |  Area Code: Gladchuk, Adams, Pratt Shine

Ethan Gustus, RHP — Roseville High School (CA) | 6-6/195

It took 28 years.

In 1998, I watched Josh Beckett turn in the most dominant inning I’ve ever seen at the Area Code Games. Thursday, Gustus threw the most dominant inning since, electrifying scouts and college coaches with a 96-100 mph fastball, flashing 2600 rpm spin rates. The Vanderbilt commit was on a different orbital planet. After giving up a leadoff hit, he struck out the side, touching 100 twice. The electricity of his stuff through the strike zone was Beckett-like.

Caleb Rutledge, RHP — Liberty University online Academy (TN) | 6-4/175

In present-day scouting, as numbers can project talent, an old guy like myself still goes to ballparks trusting, through experience, how analytics will often match what your eyes see. First, when I see a rangy frame with life, start his delivery with a hand over-head pump. It gets the blood flowing. Then, a delivery that works easily and with no hickies usually means we’re on the right track to a prospect.

Rutledge was making a spinning mess of his opponents; Fastball at 89-92 mph with spin rates over 2700, and a slider, which I graded as a 60/70 pitch, at 79-81 with spin rates at 2769-2869. The movement and spin of the ball justified what my eyes saw: A Prospect.

Sebastian ‘Sushi’ Wilson, CF — IMG Academy (IL) | 6-0/190

Sushi made the list today after two fantastic at-bats in the Yankees-Royals game. Not every day do you see a high school hitter take two pitches up in the strike zone and away and throttle two line drives oppo at 98 and 99 mph exit velocity. He is a low-chase rate hitter and knows his hitting zone. Sushi was laying ropes on the table today. Tennessee commit.

Drake Hawpe, OF — Liberty Christian School (TX) | 6-4/220

Talk about good at-bats; you could not go without noticing the hitting prowess of Hawpe today. He put up three really good ABs, and the ball was hot off his barrel in the 94-102 mph exit velocity range. It was a really good approach and great attack angle on the ball down. Hawpe is committed to LSU.

Nico Busalacchi 1B/OF — Del Oro High School (CA) | 6-1/218

Facing ace right-hander Jordan Ayala pitching at 92-97 mph and getting into a two-strike count, fighting your way to a single with a 99 mph scorcher through the 3-4 hole is to be expected from Busalacchi, one of the best hitting prospects in Northern California. In his next AB, he hit a 99 mph bullet to right-center, and out of the box he sped to a double. He has done a great job of getting his body right, and that work was evidenced by the hustle double. The good ones thirst for greatness. Busalacchi is getting after his.

Landon Green, RHP — TNXL Academy (FL) | 6-1/184

Let’s start with 92-97 mph with spin rates over 2500. Loved his confidence in his dying-duck changeup. It was like watching Mario Soto have at hitters with the FB/CH combo. It’s a whip of an arm, and I love the life through the strike zone. Again, another arm that you could say may throw 100 mph.

Jake Turner, LHP — Centennial High School (NV) | 6-4/215

If there was no Ethan Gustus today, this left-handed stud may have stood out the most. Electric stuff and the Tarik Skubal comp is real. Today it was electric 92-96 mph, up to 2550 rpm spin rates. A slider at 79-82 mph with 2700 rpm spin, and his diving changeup at 79-80 mph. High pick potential, round 1-2. He should be one of the most scouted left-handed pitchers in the country. Premium position pitchers fly off the board. This guy is a Double Dude.

Chayce Formosa, OF — Liberty High School (CA )| 6-3/210

Wednesday, Formosa took an exceptional BP. The ball off his bat leaves a vapor trail. Hitting in the three-hole for a deep Athletics team, he drove balls Thursday that, in flight, just kept going — 101-105 mph exit speeds. I think he will have a long line for his baseball services.

THE PITCHING LINE

Jace Duckett, LHP — Madison County High School (AL) | 6-4/205

FB: 89-91 mph, 2200-2480 rpm
CB: 75-78, 2350

Axton Brewer, RHP — Topeka Seaman (KS) | 6-2/200

FB: 91-93, 2380-2553
SL: 80-81, 2350-2377
CH: 82-84 1440

Traxton Roberts, RHP — Armstrong High School (IL) | 6-3/185

FB: 91-93, 2400-2540
CB: 74-76, 2500-2579
CH: 82-84, 2063

Kowen Rader, RHP — Adams Central High Schook (NE) | 6-4/185

FB: 91-94 2350-2553
SL: 80-81, 2499-2553
CH: 82-86, 1535-1609

Striker Pence, RHP — Santiago High School (CA) | 6-6/210

FB: 96-98, 2500-2800
SL: 83-86, 2460-2600

Davis Wilson, RHP — Clovis North (CA) | 6-3/193

FB: 90-95, 2100-2350
CH: 84/85 1445-1450

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Butch Baccala

Butch Baccala has built a distinguished career in professional baseball spanning scouting, coaching, and executive leadership. He began as a scout and pitching coach for the Seattle Mariners in the late 1980s before coaching at Casa Grande High School. He subsequently held prominent scouting roles with the Atlanta Braves, Cincinnati Reds, and a return stint with the Mariners, serving extensively as a crosschecker and national evaluator.

Transitioning into leadership, he served as Vice President of Scouting for Program 15 Sports and the Future Stars Series and National Director of Scouting for Prospect Wire. Since 2019, he has served as President and Owner of Athlete911 Baseball.

Latest posts by Butch Baccala (see all)

• Scouting the Area Code Games: Gustus, Rutledge electric, Sushi, Hawpe rake - August 7, 2026
• Scouting the Area Code Games: Gladchuck, Adams, Pratt shine - August 6, 2026
• Scouting the Area Code Games: Underclass Arms Dazzle - August 4, 2026