Prep Baseball Report

2025 Rankings Update


California Staff

New Episode LIVE now! At The Yard Podcast

LOS ANGELES, CALIF.  A modest update to the 2025 California Rankings comes after many winter and early spring HS looks at several of the top players in the state. With that, we added 50 new players expanding the list to 200. There were some small changes at the top, but for the most part, changes were small tweaks as the class continues to come into focus. This 2025 class is looking like a special one where several of these top 200 are making substantial impacts on their HS teams this spring. Below, we take a look at the top 10 in the class, the top 10 uncommitted (outside of the top 10), and some scouting notes on 6 risers/newcomers.

CLICK HERE FOR FULL RANKINGS LIST

TOP 10

RANK NAME STATE SCHOOL CLASS POS COMMITMENT
1 Billy Carlson CA Corona HS 2025 SS/P Vanderbilt
2 Brady Ebel CA Etiwanda HS 2025 3B/P
3 Seth Hernandez CA Rancho Cucamonga 2025 RHP Vanderbilt
4 Trey Morris CA Washington Union 2025 LHP/1B Texas
5 Zach Strickland CA Marantha 2025 RHP UCLA
6 Vaughn Neckar CA Vista Murrieta 2025 P/3B LSU
7 Grayson Boles CA Saint Augustine 2025 RHP/1B  
8 Maverek Russell CA La Mirada 2025 OF UCLA
9 Brock Sell CA Tokay 2025 SS/P Stanfrod
10 Chase Bentley CA Granite Bay 2025 RHP Texas A&M

CLICK HERE FOR FULL RANKINGS LIST 

TOP UNCOMMITTED (non top 10)

RANK NAME STATE SCHOOL CLASS POS
11 Josiah Hartshorn CA Orange Lutheran 2025 OF
14 Linkin Garcia  CA Huntington Beach 2025 SS
17 Alec Blair CA De La Salle  2025 OF/LHP 
23  John Short  CA Cypress  2025 3B/P 
27 Jaxon Baker  CA Vista Murrieta  2025 LHP
28 Brock Ketelsen  CA Valley Christian  2025 OF/LHP 
29 Joshua Woodworth  CA Ventura  2025 RHP 
30 Ryland Duson  CA Vista Murrieta  2025 MIF 
33 Jordan Ortiz  CA Valley Christian  2025 C

RANKINGS RISERS

Diego Velazquez, MIF/RHP, Crespi HS (USC commit)

  • Velazquez has exploded onto the scene with his play on both sides of the ball this early spring for Crespi. To start, he has a standout frame/build that projects well currently standing a lean/athletic 6-2/175. The strength he has added within the past year has been quite noticeable where while hitting a strong .528 (19/36) this early spring he has also slugged as he has 2 HRs, 5 doubles, and a triple. He has a relaxed presence in the box where his loose/quick hands deliver a whippy barrel through the zone. Then he can also jump on the mound and run it up into the high 80s. Through 24 innings he has given up just 3 runs (0.88 ERA) and has K’d 25. Look for Velazquez to continue climb up these ‘25 rankings especially if he performs well through the Mission League gauntlet.

Erik Rico, RHP/SS, Redwood HS (Visalia)

  • A two-way player at the high school level, time will tell what he is after HS. At the Fresno Preseason ID in January he really shined on the mound. With a quick, lively arm and energetic, powerful delivery, the stuff was borderline electric. He sat 87-88 mph in the pen session with spin peaking at 2467. Then Rico got to the breaking stuff and his curveball (66-68 mph) was particularly noteworthy with it's quick change of direction, due in part to the release, extension and the 2717 rpm max spin. He also possesses a slider and change, so the repertoire is full. Offensively he posted a 91.4 max EV and 81 mph INF arm. We look forward to seeing Rico as one of the 2025s at Northern CA ProCase.

Dylan Harrison, RHP/1B, Summit HS

  • Harrison is another two-way player that should be at the top of most colleges' ‘25 follow lists. He stands a tall and lengthy 6-5/180lbs. On the mound, he is an easy/simple mover that works at an ultra-fast pace. His stuff continues to trend upward whether that's with his FB velo now being in the mid-80s of late or his breaking ball being thrown harder with sharper break. Then at the plate, he’s an impact bat from the left side where he hits in the middle of the order and seems to make consistent loud contact, especially to the pull-side.

Hayden George, RHP, Santa Margarita

  • George has seen considerable time on the mound this spring for the Eagles (7-2). So far, he has collected quality outings against top lineups in Edison, Damien, and Orange Lutheran. He has one of the easiest operations in his class where he moves his taller/durable frame under control, in line, and with a shorter/clean arm action. Currently, the FB sits comfortably in the mid-80s and he has feel for a short/tight SL in the mid-70s that induces a lot of RHH chase. He should continue to be a top uncommitted follow, especially as he takes on the other top lineups in the Trinity League.

Ethan Johnson, C, The King's Academy

  • First noticeable given the physical body at 6-foot-2, 196-pounds, Johnson has the profile that stands a strong chance to draw attention from professional scouts in the future. He's a left-handed hitting catcher whose tools are of the standout variety. Last fall he came out to Islanders Field and put himself FIRMLY on our map at the Underclass Games. Behind the plate he showed off the BIG arm at 79 mph and the pops were in a competitive range (2.08 as a low time), which given his age, he has plenty of time to keep improving. Offensively he boasts big hitting tools as well, with a 96.9 max EV and 74.1 max bat speed. Definitely a 2025 to keep a close eye on in Northern California.

Davis Minton, MIF, Serra HS (San Mateo)

  • Minton enters the rankings after a strong showing at the Peninsula Preseason ID in January and is making contributions at the varsity level for Serra in the strong West Catholic Athletic League. What stood out about Minton, aside from good numbers and metrics (85 mph arm, 93.8 max EV, 72.5 max bat speed, 22.9 max hand speed), was his swing. He's compact and has the ability to quickly get the barrel into the zone while maintaining control of the barrel through contact. It's a repeatable stroke and should lend to consistent hitting performance as he matures and embraces an approach that favors his hitting mechanics. Defensively the ball jumps out of his hand with carry, allowing him to profile at 2B, SS, or 3B.

UPCOMING EVENTS

SHOWCASE STATE DATE LOCATION
Rising Stars ID: San Diego CA 03/19 Eastlake
Rising Stars ID: Inland Empire CA 04/16 Santiago High School
Rising Stars ID: Bay Area CA 04/23 College of San Mateo
SoCal Rising Stars Game CA 05/21 Cerritos College 
CA FUTURE GAMES TRYOUT CA 06/03 Fullerton College
NorCal ProCase CA 06/04 Chabot College - Hayward
SoCal-NV-AZ-ProCase CA 06/04 University of Southern California - Dedeaux Field
NorCal Rising Stars Game CA 06/06 Islanders Field (morning)
Team CA Future Games ID CA 06/06 Islanders Field (afternoon/early evening)
Bay Area State Gamess Open ID CA 06/14 College of San Mateo
OC State Games Open ID CA 07/11 Hart Park


MORE PREP BASEBALL NEWS