The ‘Hotlist’ is a series that provides insight into the high school baseball scene spanning the country, curated by Prep Baseball’s state directors who are situated nationwide, with vital intel on the prospects who are in their own backyards. Each week, we’ll publish our ‘Hotlist’ on varying topics that are timeliest to the national baseball calendar at that point in time.

MORE 'HOTLIST'

+ Learn of our directors stationed nationwide by visiting the staff directory.
+ View which Prep Baseball events are headed your way next at this page.
+ Read about previously published ‘Hotlist’ topics here.

This week, our state directors were asked to share a player who impressed them over the offseason and has since gone on to thrive this spring season:

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♨️The ‘Hotlist’ (4/25):

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Alabama

+ Bryce Rivers, 3B (Mobile Christian HS, 2026) | Uncommitted:

“After an eye-opening performance at the South Alabama Preseason All-State event in January, Rivers has hit in the middle of the order for a loaded offensive lineup for the 5A No. 5 Mobile Christian Leopards. Heading into the second round of the state playoffs, he is currently hitting .450 (36-for-80) with 18 walks, 14 doubles, and three triples, and he has driven in 31 runs and scored 29.

His report from that event: ‘Uncommitted. 5-foot-9, 180-pounds. Strong, compact frame. One of the more elite pure hitters in the sophomore class in AL that continues to hammer anything that's thrown his way. A top-15 prospect in the 2026 class. More of the same impressive stuff offensively during his round of BP during yesterday's event, where he routinely squared up the baseball with nearly each swing. Possesses an innate feel for the barrel and some of the best bat-to-ball skills in his class. May be a smaller frame, but still doesn't take much to generate loud contact. Was consistently on the barrel during his round and recorded a top EV of 96.2 mph and a max distance of 364 ft., second-best from the event. Offensive-minded infielder that can play third or second base defensively. Doesn't matter what setting or the type of arm he faces, the right-hander is a really advanced hitter for a prospect of his age.’”

– David Sharp, Deep South Supervisor

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California

+ Shane Miranda, C (St. Augustine HS, 2025) | Notre Dame commit:

“Miranda was at the 2023 Future Games, as well as our Preseason All-State, and he has continued to show his chops as a high-level catcher. So far this spring, he has taken a big step in the lineup, hitting in the three- and four-hole, batting .315 with a .435 OBP. His defensive abilities behind the plate stand above most as he holds down the staff for the state's No. 12-ranked team.”

– Matt Monk, California Manager, Operations & Content

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Colorado

+ Sam Harry, OF (Castle View HS, 2025) | Uncommitted:

“Harry is a Future Games alumni who comes with an advanced toolset. The two-sport athlete (also plays football) is a 6.73 runner in the 60-yard dash, has posted a 94 mph max EV, and he throws 86 mph from the outfield. Harry has a projectable frame at around 6-foot-5, and he continues to develop his game. This spring, Harry is hitting .444 with a home run, four triples, four doubles, and seven stolen bases across 62 plate appearances. The uncommitted junior is one of the top available athletes in the state.”

– Caleb Dameron, Colorado Staff

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Idaho

+ Dillon Fine, 3B/RHP (Homedale HS, 2024) | Utah commit:

“Fine, who starred at the Boise Preseason ID in February, has put together an impressive senior campaign, not only on the mound, but at the plate as well. He has shown his dominance with his 90-92 mph fastball, while running it up to 93 this season. He's racked up 72 strikeouts this season in an impressive manner; he set a school record with 18 Ks against Parma, has thrown a no-hitter, and has only allowed two runs over 33.1 innings while remaining a perfect 7-0.

At the plate he has shown his present power and ability to hit the gaps as he's amassed eight doubles, two triples, and two home runs, all while maintaining a .554 batting average and 1.533 OPS.”

– Gareth Dahlgren, Idaho Associate Director

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Illinois

+ Brayden Zilis, SS/RHP (Minooka HS, 2025) | Illinois State commit:

“At Illinois' Preseason All-State, Zilis had an impressive all-around showing. The 5-foot-9, 162-pound junior ran a 6.87 in the 60-yard dash, his fastest mark at our events to date. All but one of Zilis’ swings in BP produced exit velocities above the 94 mph mark with six at 98-plus mph, including a peak mark of 99.9 mph. Zilis’ arm strength showed on the infield, where he was up to 89 mph across the diamond, and on the mound as he pumped his fastball at 87-89. Zilis also spun his slider at 77-78 mph (2,777 rpm) and he threw a changeup at 77-79 that averaged 16.8 inches of horizontal movement.

That's carried over into a strong spring for Minooka, which is now the No. 10-ranked team in the state, and Zilis has been a major contributor.”

– Pete Hamot, Illinois & Wisconsin Asst. Director

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Indiana

+ Carson Bush, 3B/SS (Center Grove HS, 2025) | Uncommitted:

“Bush is a physical, 6-foot-3, 195-pound infielder who showed significant improvements within his game at our Indy Preseason ID this past February. Bush added 15 pounds of muscle over the winter, and his showcase metrics improved drastically compared to his showing at the Top Prospect Games in the summer of 2023. Bush produced a 99 mph exit velocity (up 10 mph) and was 87 mph across the infield (up 12 mph), while also turning in a 7.03 time in the 60-yard dash. The uncommitted infielder won the starting 3B job for 4A 's No. 1-ranked Center Grove, and he has made the most of that opportunity. Bush has climbed his way into the Trojans' three-hole and is batting (.500) through 15 games, along with 18 RBIs and five doubles. ”

– Cooper Trinkle, Indiana Lead Scout

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Iowa

+ Dane Gosselink, LHP (WDM Valley HS, 2026) | Uncommitted:

“Gosselink jumped on the scene in this year's Prep Baseball Iowa Spring League. Long, thin, athletic frame with clean arm action and ability to throw two or three pitches for strikes. Extremely projectable physically and has been able to run his fastball as high as 85 mph; paired with a larger-shaped breaking ball consistently in the zone.”

– Rob Allison, Upper Midwest Supervisor

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Kansas

+ Lance Alexander, RHP/3B (Olathe Northwest HS, 2025) | Uncommitted:

“Alexander showed a big velo jump into the upper-80s this preseason, and he has gone on this spring to lead Kansas' 6A class in strikeouts thus far.”

– Andy Urban, Central Region Director

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Louisiana

+ Andrew Clapinski, C (Catholic B.R. HS, 2025) | Uncommitted:

“The uncommitted junior backstop looked primed and ready to make an impact for the Bears this season at our Baton Rouge Preseason ID, and that’s exactly what he’s done. Clapinski has done a fabulous job at handling a talented Catholic B.R. pitching staff that includes flame-throwing RHP William Schmidt, but he’s also been one of the team’s best bats. Entering the playoffs, Clapinski is hitting .386 with six home runs and 41 RBIs, both of which are best on the entire club.”

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+ Brayden Clement, SS/RHP (South Terrebonne HS, 2025) | Uncommitted:

“A standout from our New Orleans Preseason ID, Clement was a force for the Gators this past spring. The uncommitted junior finished the year hitting at a .430 clip with eight doubles, a triple, 32 RBIs, and 24 runs. Clement also offers upside on the mound, with a mid- to upper-80s fastball and a 76-78 mph slider.”

– Alex Armand, Louisiana State Director

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Michigan

+ Brett Faccio, RHP (Midland HS, 2025) | Uncommitted:

“Faccio has continued to improve from last summer, most notably with his control. We saw him recently in a conference matchup and he did not disappoint. The uncommitted junior fanned 10 batters in five innings while up to 90 mph several times. Faccio is a good follow for those looking to add to their 2025 class on the mound.”

– Adam Goodwin, Michigan Scouting Director

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Minnesota

+ Landon Majerus, RHP (Waconia HS, 2025) | Uncommitted:

“Majerus is one of the top uncommitted arms in the state. Currently ranked No. 13 overall in the 2025 class, Majerus looks to carry his impressive Preseason All-State performance into the spring season for the No. 9-ranked Waconia Wildcats. At 6-foot-4, 225 pounds, he's imposing on the mound and the fastball is a tick up to 88-89 mph from last spring, where he was nearly unhittable down the stretch and into the playoffs. The big righty will look to carry that momentum into the 2024 season.”

– Andy Judkins, Minnesota State Director

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Missouri

+ Ryan Bradford, OF/INF (Seckman HS, 2025) | Kansas State commit:

“Bradford's rise as a prospect over the last 12 months has been noticeable. The muscle-bound 5-foot-11, 180-pound right-handed bat represented Team Missouri at the Future Games last summer, committing to Kansas State shortly afterwards. He attended the Preseason All-State in early February and impressed yet again, taking a polished round of BP with inherent bat strength and natural feel to lift as well. Bradford's helped engineer one of the state's more prolific offensive attacks, slashing .479/.570/.761 in 87 plate appearances thus far into the season. He's homered four times, has six doubles, a triple, and 18 RBIs. Bradford's walking almost three times (14) as much as he's striking out (5), and he's swiped 15 bags as well.”

– Diego Solares, Central Region Media Director & Scouting

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North Carolina

+ Chase Kiker, RHP/INF (Metrolina Christian Academy HS, 2026) | Uncommitted:

“Kiker, a former Team Carolina member at the Junior Future Games, has solidified his candidacy for the 2024 Future Games with his winter and spring performances. At the Preseason All-State Central in February, Kiker was very impressive, up to 91.2 mph (2,304 rpm) with strength present in a simple delivery. Arm strength with arm speed paired with hard breaking ball, presenting elite level stuff for the age. During the spring season, Kiker has led Metrolina Christian to a No. 2 ranking in the NC Power 25 while going 9-0 in 10 appearances with one save. He has given up 16 hits and 10 walks while striking out 96 batters in 47 innings of work.”

– Brandon Hall, NC/Mid-Atlantic Scouting Director

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Ohio

+ Isaac Sullivan, SS/RHP (Chaminade-Julienne HS, 2026) | Uncommitted:

From the winter's Bo Jackson Scout Day: “Impressive display of athleticism and versatility. Standout, toolsy performer for CJ last spring. On the mound, fastball sat 88-89 mph, touched 90, with command; sinker, 87-88, with up to 16.9 inches of horizontal break. Other secondary options showed good movement qualities with developing command. Positionally he was 86 mph across the infield and ran a 6.69. In the box it’s explosive with run-producing traits – EVs in the 90-94 mph range (96 max). High-follow.

And so far this spring, through 11 games, he's slashing .465/.489/.791 with nine extra-base hits (two homers) and 17 steals.”

– Kyle Weldon, Ohio Scouting Director

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Oklahoma

+ Layton Bryan, RHP/INF (Chickasha HS, 2025) | Uncommitted:

“Bryan, a junior, was making jumps in the offseason and he showed his potential at Oklahoma's Preseason All-State with a velocity jump and a tighter breaking ball from where we've seen him in the past. Bryan worked the fastball at the event in the upper-80s and reports from the spring he is showing a little bit more in the tank. Bryan has continued to impress throughout the spring including being honored with the 'National Player of the Week' a few weeks ago after he picked up an amazing 21 strikeouts in a seven-inning game. Bryan has plenty of pitchability and with his increases in stuff and velocity, look for him to be a more coveted name on the recruiting scene in the near future.”

– Scott Hood, Oklahoma State Director

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Tennessee

+ Tommy Baker, OF (South Gibson County HS, 2026) | Uncommitted:

“Baker jumped on the radar at our Preseason All-State where he showed off high-level bat speed with an almost 95 mph exit velocity, while having multiple low-90s. He has been on a tear this season thus far hitting upper nearly .400 while in the top of South Gibson's lineup. This past week he was 11-for-20 (.550) with four doubles, two homers, and nine RBIs. He also had three walks with a .625 OBP and a 1.100 slugging. He has been on the baseball from the start of the season and looks to carry that over as district tournament play starts up shortly.”

– Hunter Martin, Tennessee State Director

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Wisconsin

+ Cal Schneider, LHP (New Berlin Eisenhower HS, 2027) | Uncommitted:

“Wisconsin's freshman class is looking more and more like one of the best to come through the state in recent years, and as evidence of this, many inside this group have hit the ground running in their first taste of varsity baseball. Those at the top of the class are making big impacts, but I want to point to Cal Schneider here, a craft left-hander who I feel will earn a reputation as the go-to, competitive arm you want on the mound in big games.

It's an easy-to-like delivery, and the southpaw might only cruise in the upper-70s, but he has three pitches and attacks the strike zone – and all indicators point to a huge velo jump in the near future.

He's already appeared in three games this spring for Eisenhower, and he's been dominant, and against some quality competition, headlined by a complete-game shutout of then-ranked Homestead. On the year, he's not yet allowed a run in 11.2 innings with just four hits allowed, three walks, and he's K'd nine.”

– Andy Sroka, Managing Editor, Scouting

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