Bill L
Don't forget the 2007 AL Rookie of the Year (most likely..lol) Dustin Pedroia !!!!
I live in New england so I think our perspective is different then other regions. I can think of one stud from our league who is entering his senior year of HS, he holds all the records for our Ripken league etc.. He has been a stud right through HS and is headed to Boston College on a scholarship. So that is a case of a stud at 12U continuing on..but I can also say that he has worked his butt off to maintain his so called stud status. I think that is the key...physical talent can only take you so far without refining it and nuturing it through hard work, especially here in New England.
We also had Jeff Locke from northern NH who was drafted 50th by the braves in last year's draft. He was a stud at 12U and usually played a few years up because of his talent. But if you read articles about him you'll read about how hard he worked to stay ahead of the curve as well, sneaking into the gym to throw regularly during our brutal winters etc... Physical tools + hard work is what keeps you a stud after 12U studom!!
(My son is actually a 12 now. While he is one of the better players at his age I would NOT call him a stud. He is big for his age (March B-day) 5' 7" and 140lbs but puberty hasn't really hit him yet either, so I think he will just grow into his size 11 1/2 feet..lol But hard work and good coaching will get him on his HS team and who knows from there..left-handers who can throw hard with movement and a solid change-up are liked..especially if he hits the 6' 2" - 6' 4" range his doctor expects him to peak at...only time will tell!)