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LOS ANGELES, CALIF. - With the fall period of the calendar in the state of California coming to a close, our staff was able to get eyes on players through Prep Baseball California events, scout ball, tournaments and other platforms that helped track performances and observe the continued improvement/development of players in the 2026 class. With the visibility afforded to our staff to evaluate players over the last couple of months, Prep Baseball California presents our updated Class of 2026 Player Rankings.   

With the continued exposure provided this fall for our staff to the 2026 class we have made a slight expansion within our rankings to now 300 players. Included in that expansion we saw quite a bit of change, especially within the Top 100, as we saw several players making strong moves up the board both from within our Top 100 and newcomers to the Top 100. 

Beyond the Top 100 we have seen several players continue their rise up the rankings and several players coming into the rankings for the first time after this fall. All players included are looking to carry their progress from the 2024 fall circuit into the upcoming winter baseball period with an eye on their 2025 CIF high school seasons coming next year.

This class is now fully engulfed in the recruiting process after the rule change in April of 2023 to halt early communication with players prior to August 1st of the summer headed into their junior season of high school. As a result of the new rule, we have seen several notable commits in the last few months, but there are numerous players in these rankings who will come off the "uncommitted board" in the coming months. Additionally, now this class is continuing to draw more attention from MLB organizations as they near their time on the MLB draft clock for the 2026 draft.

Below you'll find the Top 10, Top 10 Uncommitted Players, along with notes on Rankings Risers and Ranking Newcomers. 

+ CLICK HERE FOR FULL RANKINGS LIST

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CLASS OF 2026, TOP TEN

***As we conclude the fall schedule of showcases, tournaments and more, for the college coaches that are continuing to work through their follow lists for the 2026 class we offer the Top 10 ranked uncommitted players in California.

Rank	Player	POS	School
19	Josiah Morris	C/INF	Clayton Valley
22	Jensen Hirschkorn	RHP	Kingsburg
30	Mateo Villanueva	RHP	Coronado
31	Noah Everly	INF/RHP	St. John Bosco
35	Julian Garcia	RHP	St. John Bosco
38	Taytum Reeves	C	Vista Murrieta
39	Jordan Walczykowski	OF	Jesuit
44	Jose Ortega	RHP/1B	Calexico
48	Jack Champlin	SS	St. John Bosco
49	Jetner Welch	OF	Santa Barbara

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CLASS OF 2026 RANKINGS: RISERS

TOP-10 RISERS:

+ Archer Horn - St. Ignatius - INF/RHP - Stanford (Now: 7 Previous: 9)

Horn jumped into the Top 10 in our previous update on the strength of a loud summer which culminated in a very impressive showing at the Underclass Area Code Games. This fall, the reports coming out of NorCal on the talented LH hitting corner INF were glowing about the strength in his offensive profile and potential to stick at the hot corner on the infield dirt. The rise for Horn continues again this fall as he is the lone mover within the Top 10 jumping up 2 spots to number 7. 

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RISERS IN TOP-100 (11-100):

+ Jensen Hirschkorn - Kingsburg - RHP - Uncommitted(Now: 22 Previous: 26)

The 6'7 righthander out of the Central Valley was a member of Team California at the Prep Baseball Future Games in 2024 where he showed off a FB up to 92 MPH to go with an easy operation to his delivery on the mound. With room to fill out his lengthy frame, and the baseball pedigree of being the son of a college coach, and younger brother of a pair of NCAA D1 baseball players, the ceiling is high for Hirschkorn as he heads towards his JR. campaign.

+ Mateo Villanueva - Coronado - RHP - Uncommitted (Now: 30 Previous: 43)

Villanueva used the fall period of the year to raise his stock by pitching at a high level including for the San Diego Padres scout team. An athletic operation on the mound with a prototipical pitchers build, Villanueva worked his FB in the high 80's consistently and touched the 90-91 MPH range on several occasions. Poised to build on a strong fall as he heads into his JR. campaign in San Diego with a profile that could see another jump here in the future.

+ Kai'Nalu Van Scoyoc - Palos Verdes - INF/RHP - USC (Now: 32 Previous: 36)

An athletic 2-way talent out of SoCal Van Scoyoc has seen his profile consistently rise throughout the 2024 calendar year. Another member of Team California at the Prep Baseball Future Games he went out and was strong across the SoCal Scout Ball circuit and in a few different settings. Van Scoyoc's FB consistently showed velocity into the low 90's now with potential for more to come while showcasing his high spin breakers. While there is still 2-way potential the profile for Van Scoyoc on the mound is making some loud noise.

+ Braden Oliver - Agoura - SS - UC Irvine (Now: 33 Previous: 77)

Oliver was outstanding in the spring at Agoura where he claimed All-Marmonte League honors over a bevy of NCAA D1 committed shortstops before carrying that into a strong summer culminating in a loud fall. The talented RH hitter impressed in live looks and the reports coming in on Oliver all rave about the continued performance/development the athletic framed Oliver is making. A rise up our board comes with a fall commitment to Big West power UC Irvine. 

+ Eric Zdunek - Maranatha - OF/RHP - TCU (Now: 34 Previous: 45) 

Zdunek has hit a very high level throughout the 2024 calendar year and the work he did on the SoCal Scout Ball scene and a variety of other platforms re-enforced the offensive profile for the Maranatha High outfielder. He put a stamp on his move up the board with a strong display of power coming in an early November high school fall game which saw him blast a trio of extra base hits including a homerun. Keep your eyes on this TCU Horned Frog commit in the upcoming months.

+ Kai Bratton - Mater Dei - RHP - Tennessee (Now: 50 Previous: 71)

Bratton continues to make moves up our board as his high spin arsenal with a FB into the low 90's has begun to fill up the zone at a consistent level while showing the ability to miss bats. A live arm with a solid build and a present arsenal that flashes potential to add velocity/life to all his pitches earned him a verbal commitment to the 2024 NCAA D1 defending champions Tennessee this fall. 

+ Tyson Bobo - Patrick Henry - RHP/OF - Uncommitted (Now: 61 Previous: 79)

Bobo is a wiry athletic built righthanded pitcher out of San Diego who has 2-way potential, but the performance he put on this fall on the bump opened eyes to his track towards his potental. With a FB that routinely works in the upper 80's, Bobo saw it bump the 90-91 MPH range on a few occasions across the SoCal Scout Ball scene and various fall tournaments which helped the Patrick Henry product make a move up the board.

+ Jameson Berigan - Thousand Oaks - RHP/OF - Uncommitted (Now: 64 Previous: 111)

Berigan is another talented SoCal arm who shows interesting 2-way potential, but a loud 2024 calendar year on the mound received a strong stamp to close out the year during the fall period. Berigan has routinely sat in the 88-89 MPH range, but this fall found an extra gear as he routinely was at 90-91 MPH in the fall schedule and there is plenty of reason to project additional velocity coming his way. Berigan has a wiry athletic build with feel for multiple offspeed offerings and has flashed a RF defensive profile with interesting impact in his RH bat, but the future on the mound for the Thousand Oaks product is helping to push him on the cusp of a potential spot in the Prep Baseball National Rankings.

+ Isaiah Hearn - Chaminade - OF - Uncommitted (Now: 68 Previous: 84)

Hearn is now solely focused on baseball at Chaminade after splitting time with football in the past. A physical build with athleticism and tools that are very loud, Hearn has started to turn those tools into intriguing performances during the fall including increased feel for tapping into the power in his profile. With the arrow pointed up on Hearn, and a big year to showcase his tools against top competition on the high school scene, don't be surprised if we see Hearn moving quickly back up the board.

+ Jack Laubacher - Oaks Christian - RHP/OF - Oklahoma State (Now: 70 Previous: 95)

Laubacher has had a strong overall 2024 calendar year which has steadily progressed his profile up the rankings board for the '26 class in California and this fall was no different. Like many of the players amongst our Top 100, there is a 2-way profile to what the Oaks Christian product brings to the table, but his potential on the mound showcased by his performances in game earned him a verbal commitment to Oklahoma State and another rise up our boards after the fall period.

+ Tristan Ramos - Orange Lutheran - RHP/OF - Long Beach State (Now: 76 Previous: 81)

Ramos put together a strong showing in the summer portion to make a good jump up the board, but continued that level of performance into the fall portion of the California baseball scene. All reports coming in were that Ramos is showing legitimate 2-way potential with his bat performing just as well as his upper 80's to low 90's arm on the mound. Ramos is poised to be a integral piece of the perennial power Orange Lutheran program and don't be surprised if we see him featured as a riser again in the future.

+ Tyler Williams - Heritage - C - CAL (Now: 77 Previous: 99)

Williams is a Cal Golden Bears commitment and has consistently peformed at a high level in the 2024 calendar year, and this fall was no different for the power hitting backstop. Physically well built with a natural feel for his barrel, and the ability to produce loud hard contact through the middle to pull side of the field, he also opened eyes during a fall scout day in NorCal. Williams makes a move up the board with plenty of potential for another future rise.

+ Keijiro Hattori - Redondo Union -SS/2B - Cal Poly SLO (Now: 80 Previous: 92)

Hattori continued to show off his athletic actions on the INF dirt this fall while adding a high quality LH hitting offensive profile that flashes middle of the field doubles impact. His consistently quality performance this fall earned him a verbal commitment to Cal Poly SLO and his first rise up the board after joining the rankings post-summer.

+ Rock Akahi - Orange Lutheran - 3B - Uncommitted (Now: 82 Previous: 91) 

Akahi is a strongly built LH hitting INF who has a solid reputation for his ability to impact the baseball at the plate while showing potential to stick on the INF dirt. This fall was no different for the Orange Lutheran product as the reports coming into were strong about the performance he has put together and the potential for him to play an integral role for the Lancers coming the spring season.

+ Alex Mestman - Patrick Henry - OF - Uncommitted (Now: 86 Previous: 116)

Mestman is a wiry athletic RH hitting OF out of San Diego who has consistently hit well for the Patrick Henry program. This fall was another testament to the offensive ability for Mestman as the reports coming in on him were strong and he should be a key piece for the Patriots this spring as they have eyes on a strong showing in San Diego.

+ Camden Goetz - Canyon - OF - Uncommitted (Now: 89 Previous: 101)

The LH hitting OF from Orange County was a member for Team California at the Prep Baseball Future Games in 2024 which helped him make his push just outside the Top 100. This fall Goetz continued to show his feel to hit finding consistent barrels throughout the fall and the reports coming back in on him show that there is a high offensive profile for his future helping him make another move up our board this time inside the Top 100. Goetz continues to look like a potential impact LH bat for a the '26 recruiting class.

+ Jacob Webster - Oak Hills - SS/RHP - UCSB (Now: 91 Previous: 98)

Webster is a top-end athlete who is a 2-sport standout in the High Desert where he is QB1 for the Oak Hills football program, while making time to step out on the baseball diamond during the fall and found his fair share of success. Webster made appearances on the tournament and showcase scene in the fall and featured a FB up to the high 80's while adding in strong offensive performances to help him move up the '26 class board.

+ Hamilton Friedberg - Orange Lutheran - OF - Air Force (Now: 94 Previous: 108)

Friedberg features an interesting blend of tools with power in his arm from the OF and in his bat at the plate, which gives him a RF defensive profile. Poised to take over a primary spot in the Orange Lutheran lineup this spring, the move up the board Friedberg makes this fall might not be his last one for his high school career.

+ Rallin Covey - Sacred Heart Prep - RHP - USC (Now: 98 Previous: 125)

Covey joined the rankings after the summer with his talent coming well-recommended from our team in NorCal. This fall the righthander with a prototype 6'4 215 lbs. pitchers frame, runs his FB up to 91mph with an easy operation picking up a verbal commitment to USC and finding himself joining the Top 100 players in the Prep Baseball California '26 class rankings.

+++ CHECK OUT THE RECENT HARDY'S HITS WITH NOTES ON RECENT VIEWINGS+++

RISERS OUTSIDE TOP 100 (101-275):

+ JuJu Diaz Jones - Notre Dame - RHP - Uncommitted (Now: 101 Previous: 112)

Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks) has a strong reputation as a pitching factory producing talented arms and Diaz-Jones is another intriguing one on the rise out of the LA Valley power. Jones took the bump this fall across the SoCal Scout Ball scene where he ran his FB up into the high 80's with regular consistency and touched 90 MPH on several occasions. It's an athletic operation with room to add more life, and while he continues to develop in the right program, don't be surprised if we see Diaz-Jones make a move inside the Top 100 in the future.

+ Taden Krogsgaard - Temecula Valley - SS/RHP - Uncommitted (Now: 105 Previous: 118)

Krogsgaard was a 2-way performer for Team California at the 2024 Prep Baseball Future Games where he put together a strong showing, and again this fall the wiry athletic product from the Inland Empire showed a profile on the rise. Krogsgaard cemented a move up the board with a strong showing at the OC Uncommitted Game held at Cypress College in October which stamped his strong fall performance.

+ Ty Diaz - West Ranch - SS - Uncommitted (Now: 107 Previous: 132)

Diaz took over the starting SS role at West Ranch as a sophomore and helped them earn a CIF-SS D1 playoff berth. The switch hitter carried it into a strong performance on the summer circuit and has come out this fall showing that not only does he look to stay at SS long term, but is adding power to his offensive profile. With reports coming in about the impact in Diaz's bat going with his already premium defensive profile, the West Ranch product slides up the board with eyes on a potential Top 100 spot in the future.

+ Devin Simonton - Pittsburg - SS - USD (Now: 109 Previous: 133)

Simonton joined the rankings after the summer in which he impressed in a variety of settings, and this fall was no different as the USD Toreros verbal commitment continued to perform at a high level resulting in his first rise up the board with eyes on future moves up the board ahead for him.

+ Akanni Owodunni - Berkeley - C - USD (Now: 114 Previous: 145) 

Owodunni caught the eyes of the entire Prep Baseball California staff during the summer circuit with positive reports coming back on the NorCal backstop, and this fall he continued that trend with a strong performance. Owodunni makes a rise up our board while also picked up a verbal commitment to the University of San Diego.

+ Luke Severns - Etiwanda - C - Uncommitted (Now: 126 Previous: 136)

Severns made a strong move up the board after a very solid summer highlighted by a loud CA State Games performance for the LH hitting backstop out of the Inland Empire, and this fall he continued to show his skill set. Severns LH bat has started to flash more impact to go with a solid feel to hit and his work behind the plate is looking more and more like that of a potential solid to impact defender at a premium spot. Severns inches closer towards a potential Top 100 spot.

+ Giani Camacho - St. Mary's - RHP - Uncommitted (Now: 137 Previous: 150)

Camacho is an athletic righthander out of NorCal who joined our board after a strong showing this summer and was again this fall he was solid. With a FB into the upper 80's, and a frame that looks to have plenty of room to add strength which will help his velocity and pitch life, the arrow is pointed up on Camacho as he moves up our board.

+ Jayden Goldman - Patrick Henry - RHP/1B - Uncommitted (Now: 146 Previous: 186)

Goldman is a a physical 6'6 righthander who works off a mid to upper 80's FB which performed very well in live looks while adding impact from the RH side of the plate as a hitter. This fall, the Patriots 2-way talent brought in several good reports to our staff that help him continue to slide up our board.

+ AJ Mai - Moorpark - SS/2B - Uncommitted (Now: 152 Previous: 168)

Mai has long been a favorite of our staff and this fall the up the middle profile defender added strength to his frame while making a swing tweak that raises his offensive profile. Mai has been hammering the baseball with increased authority and it was on display both at the Ventura County Uncommitted Game where he drilled a triple in game play. Mai makes a move up the board with plenty of potential for further upward movement.

+ Chase Groves - Elk Grove - 2B - CAL (Now: 153 Previous: 181)

The LH hitting up the middle INF defender out of NorCal showed off an impressive offensive profile this fall across a variety of platforms leaving us very impressed with his overall potential. Groves rode his strong fall showing to a verbal commitment to the Cal Golden Bears in November and now sees his name move up our rankings board.

+ Tate Hammond - Long Beach Poly - INF - Uncommitted (Now: 160 Previous: 170)

Hammond has consistently showed a strong LH hitting offensive profile with a sound defensive profile that looks to fit at the hot corner. Hammond was strong at the CA State Games in August and this fall showed well with a very good offensive performance at the Ventura County Uncommitted Game. Looking poised to play a key part in the 2025 high school season at Long Beach Poly, Hammond slides up our board.

+ Mason Trigo - Buena - 3B - Uncommitted (Now: 165 Previous: 197)

Trigo has the calm and easy demeanor one would expect of a SoCal baseball player, but don't let that fool you as the wiry athletic corner INF brings a loud profile to the diamond. His actions are smooth at the hot corner with impact potential, and his RH hitting profile flashes consistent hard line drive contact through the middle of the field. Trigo stood out at the Ventura County Uncommitted Game and in other live looks to bring his profile further up our board with plenty of potential for it to keep rising.

+ Riley Moran - Norco - RHP - Uncommitted (Now: 172 Previous: 250)

Moran opened eyes to start the 2024 calendar year with a good showing at the OC Preseason ID and then returned to throw in front of our staff at the OC Uncommitted Game in the fall. In each appearance, Moran was one of the most intriguing arms to toe the rubber which was cemented around a strong showing for the Inland Empire righthander on a variety of platforms. Moran runs his FB into the upper 80's with an athletic operation and feel for his offspeed offerings. Keep your eyes on this name for continued movement up our board in the future.

+ Dane Cunningham - Huntington Beach - 3B - Cal Poly SLO (Now: 174 Previous: 209)

Cunningham is a physical corner profile RH hitter who shows intriguing power in his profile. The Orange County product tapped into that power throughout the 2024 calendar year in a variety of different platforms, but his performace on the fall circuit came with plenty of positive reports for our staff about the potential Cunningham is showing in his performance. He makes a solid move up our board and picked up a verbal commitment to Cal Poly SLO this fall.

+ Sawyer Atkinson - Estancia - C - Uncommitted (Now: 201 Previous: 213)

Atkinson showed off a strong defensive profile throughout the 2024 calendar year looking like a strong defender at a premium defensive spot and this fall the RH hitter out of the Orange County area was no different. But, what he did on the offensive side across a variety of platforms and the reports coming in to our staff showed he is adding impact to his RH bat and moving his profile up our board.

+ Adam Whyte - Tustin - LHP/OF - Uncommitted (Now: 212 Previous: 215) 

Whyte has seen steady movement up our board over the past few rankings and with another strong showing this fall and positive reports coming in the Tustin High product sees yet another slide upward. It's an intriguing two-way profile with the OF defense/arm strength being a big asset for the uncommitted 

+ Caden Atkinson - Westlake -RHP - Uncommitted (Now: 220 Previous: 229)

Atkinson is coming off a fall in which he split time between the football field as QB1 for the Westlake Warrior football program, but as football wound down and the 2-way product returned to the baseball diamond, he showed his upside very quickly. Atkinson features a FB into the upper 80's with plenty of reason to project a rise into the low 90's to come while adding 2-way potential as a RH hitting OF. Atkinson makes a move up our board, and with his ticket punched for the Central California Preseason All-State event, and a key role for the Westlake baseball program in the spring, don't be surprised for future upward movement out of Atkinson.

+ CLICK HERE FOR FULL RANKINGS LIST

CLASS OF 2026 RANKINGS: NEWCOMERS

After a fall on the showcase/tournament/high school scrimmage circuit that provided significant exposure for our Prep Baseball California staff we introduce the newest members of our 2026 class rankings who are making their names know in baseball circles.

TOP-10 NEWCOMER:

+ AJ Curry - University City - OF - Tennessee (Now Ranked: 3)

The 2024 Prep Baseball All-American joins the California class of 2026 rankings as he moves to San Diego from Kentucky to join the University City High School program. In addition to a solid showing by the 6'3 190 lbs. LHH OF in Miami, he showcased his impact offensive ability on the fall tournament circuit with consistent barrels to all parts of the field and pull side HR power. He also showcased an interesting 2 pitch mix on the mound with an upper 80's FB and solid CB. Curry debuts in the Top 3 for our class and earned a verbal commitment to Tennessee to cap his 2024 calendar year.

TOP-100 NEWCOMERS:

+ Shoei Darvishefat - Cathedral Catholic - RHP - Uncommitted (Now Ranked: 71)

With MLB bloodlines, the son of Yu Darvish is another returner to the San Diego area after spending last year at IMG Academy. Playing with the SD Padres Scout Team this fall, the intriguing righthander who is headed to Cathedral Catholic to bolster their rotation in the spring, features an easy upper 80's FB that peaks in the low 90's with a vertical breaking CB that spins above 2500 RPMs with low to mid 70's present velocity. 

+ Osvaldo Nunez - Notre Dame - RHP - Uncommitted (Now Ranked: 92 )

Nunez is another impressive arm out of the Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks) pitching factory who looks poised to compete for a potential impact role on their 2025 pitching staff. Checking in at 6'3 180 lbs. looking like a prototype pitcher with present quality stuff highlighted by a FB that was at 88-91 this fall at the OC Uncommitted Game, he combines that with a solid 70-72 MPH sweeping style SLD and 79-82 MPH CHG which he flashed feel for. Nunez jumps inside the Top 100 with plenty of potential for future moves up the board.

NON-TOP 100 NEWCOMERS (101-275):

+ Wyatt Mohler - Los Osos - INF/RHP - Uncommitted (Now Ranked: 102)

Mohler came highly regarded into his appearance at the OC Uncommitted Game as one of the top pieces for a Los Osos program which looks to have a very strong roster headed into the 2025 CIF-SS season and Mohler did not disappoint. A solid 2-way prospect who shows slighlty more potential as a RHH INF, he profiles to be a high hit tool corner INF who has impact in the bat that was on display for our staff. Mohler adds a solid repetoire on the mound as a righthander with a reliever profile.

+ Andre Owens - Santa Margarita Catholic - 3B - Oklahoma State (Now Ranked: 103 )

The LHH INF out of the power Santa Margarita Catholic program swung a hot bat throughout the fall showing off his feel to hit with emerging impact on a variety of different stages. His performance was strong enough to carry him onto our rankings board just outside the Top 100 and pick him up a verbal commitment to Oklahoma State as he heads into his JR. season in the Trinity League.

+ Kelle Leuck - Mt. Carmel - RHP/INF - UCSD (Now Ranked: 106)

Leuck is an intriguing 2-sport star out of San Diego who plays QB1 for his high school and comes with an intriguing 6'4 195 lbs. frame. Leuck jumped out this fall on the SoCal Scout Ball scene and backed it up with plenty of solid performances on the fall tournament circuit. Leuck pitches off a mid to upper 80's FB which has peaked at 91 with an easy operation on the mound and natural arm speed. He also looks the part of potential RHH corner INF defender with some impact in the bat. Verbally committed to UCSD, Leuck joins our board ahead of his JR. season at Mt. Carmel.

+ Drew Hamburger - Homestead - 3B/SS - Uncommitted (Now Ranked: 112)

Our staff missed the chance to see Hamburger this summer after a freak accident resulted in an injury holding him out of the Future Games Tryout: Ventura County, but when he stepped on the field at the NorCal Uncommitted Game this fall, the athletically built 6'2 190 lbs. Hamburger showed just why he earned his invite to the event in the first place. It's a solid overall toolset with actions to stay on the left side of the INF long term while adding feel to hit with impact at the plate, the NorCal product makes his debut on our board after the fall.

+ Peter Jackson - Notre Dame - RHP - UCSB (Now Ranked: 119)

Jackson adds to the stable of arms at Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks) who show both a pitchers build at 6'4 190 lbs., quality stuff, and a sound delivery with upside. His arsenal is fronted by a FB which routinely sits at 86-88 MPH while touching 89 with relative ease, and plenty of projection for future velocity gains. Jackson adds a 72-75 MPH breaker with 11/5 shape that is effective while demonstrating the feel for a 78-79 MPH CHG at present. With a 3-pitch mix and a starters profile, Jackson could easily see his profile rise way up our board with a strong spring on the heels of his verbal commitment this fall to UCSB.

+ Brody Kaylor - Buena - SS/RHP - Uncommitted (Now Ranked: 121)

Kaylor saw time on the varsity level at Buena in the spring of 2024 and experienced flashes of success. But, in a fall ball live look the rising JR. made a loud impression and the reports from his coach at Buena were very glowing. Kaylor demonstrates body control with athletic actions at SS looking like a long term left side of the INF defender who adds a quick direct RH swing which easily found the barrel in a pair of in-game at bats for hard line drive contact. Yet, as good as the Central Coast product is as a position player, his profile on the mound might be even better with an easy mid 80's FB from a short compact arm stroke that peaked at 87-88, that he pairs with a 69-71 MPH 11/5 shaped breaker and 75-76 MPH CHG. Jumping on the board for the first time this fall a strong spring could bring Kaylor further up the rankings in the future.

+ Ryan Williams - Newport Harbor - OF - CAL (Now Ranked: 128)

The RHH OF from the Orange County area rode a strong fall showing to pick up a pair of honors to close out his 2024 calendar year. As an impact offensive piece who shows upside he earned a verbal commitment to the Cal Golden Bears, and now makes his debut on our rankings board. With a strong spring showing against high level high school competition in the Orange County area Williams could see himself moving further up our board.

+ Holden Newhouse - Notre Dame - RHP/1B - LMU (Now Ranked: 132)

Once again we head back to the pitching factory that is Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks) for another prototype pitcher with high quality stuff. Newhouse works off an easy upper 80's FB that touches low 90's with life on the offering while adding a sharp 79-80 MPH SLD and 77-79 MPH CHG. His combination of size 6'4 210 lbs., and present stuff, helped him to a dominant fall on the mound and earned him a verbal commitment to LMU. He also adds an interesting RHH offensive profile with some thump in the bat, but his future is on the mound long term.

+ Tanner Wall - St. Francis (NorCal) - 2B/SS - Pepperdine (Now Ranked: 138)

Wall plays in the ultra competitive WCAL in NorCal for a strong St. Francis program and looks poised to be a key piece of their offensive attack for the 2025 CIF high school baseball scene. An athletically built LH hitter who shows feel for the barrel and impact off the bat, Wall stung the baseball on the fall tournament circuit while adding a loud showing at the OC Uncommitted Game. Joining our board for the first time Wall also added a Pepperdine verbal commitment to his solid 2024 fall season.

+ Brody Williams - JSerra -SS/3B - Uncommitted (Now Ranked: 154)

Williams is another standout from the OC Uncommitted Game who put himself on the rankings board with his performance there and on the fall platform of showcases/tournament/high school baseball. A 6-foot-4, the solidly built RH hitter who demonstrates loud impact off the bat with raw power to the middle/pull side of the field, Williams profiles as a corner defender with impact potential as a hitter. A part of the talented Trinity League power JSerra, Williams will look to earn a spot on the diamond for the Lions in the spring.

+ Troy Khasaempanth - Arlington - LHP - UC Irvine (Now Ranked: 176)

Lefthanded pitchers who earn commitments to strong programs like the UC Irvine Anteaters are bound to bring buzz with them. All the reports coming in on this Inland Empire version of that profile have been glowing. Wiry an athletic enough to be a 2-way product in high school, Khasampanth works off a solid 3-pitch mix that fills up the zone including a 85-88 MPH FB with command that plays well of his 79-80 MPH CHG and 72-73 MPH vertical breaking CB. 

+ Eric Hernandez - Ayala - SS - Uncommitted (Now Ranked: 186)

Hernandez saw significant playing time for the Ayala program as a Soph. playing the premium defensive spot of SS very well and experiencing flashes of success offensively. He then carried that into a solid summer and took the next step this fall with his performance across a pair of Prep Baseball California events, tournament circuit, and fall high school baseball to put himself on the rankings board. Should the bat continue to trend in the direction it has shown this fall, on top of his ability to play SS, Hernandez looks poised for a big future rise up the board if it all clicks for him.

+ Brady Gunn - Patrick Henry - RHP - Uncommitted (Now Ranked: 191)

A rising name out of the San Diego area the reports on this righthander coming in were glowing and highlighted by his FB which has now worked up into the 91 MPH range consistently. Poised to compete for a key role on the Patrick Henry staff for the 2025 CIF-San Diego section high school season,  Gunn keeps trending in the direction of a future rise in the rankings.

+ Lucas Batrez - Rancho Bernardo - RHP - Uncommitted (Now Ranked: 195)

Batrez is a solid 6'1 190 lbs. name generating plenty of buzz out of the San Diego area this fall. He made several strong showings across the fall platform including reaching 92 MPH with his FB and pairing that with a solid breaking ball and feel for a CHG that gives him a mixture, delivery and frame to profile as a starter long term. 

+ Owen Shannon - Mater Dei - RHP - Uncommitted (Now Ranked: 197) 

Shannon is a towering 6'8 230 lbs. righthander out of the rising Trinity League Mater Dei program who shows an intriguing if presently raw profile on the mound. Toeing the rubber at the OC Uncommitted Game, Shannon worked off a mid to upper 80's FB with solid offspeed offerings. Being a big bodied pitcher at a young age can come with inherent control issues, but the upside for this righthander is uber-interesting should he be able to harness his arsenal and make forward gains on all of his pitches. Shannon joins our board after the fall and has all the potential for a future rise should things click for him.

+ Noah Dabela - La Mirada - LHP - Uncommitted (Now Ranked: 205)

Dabela is an interesting southpaw on the rise in SoCal where he looks poised to compete for a prominent role on the La Mirada staff as they have designs on another deep playoff run in 2025. During the fall period of tournaments/high school baseball, Dabela has consistently worked in the mid to upper 80's with his FB and has touched 90 MPH showing life to his FB. He backs up the FB with a pair of solid offspeed offerings including a 77-80 MPH breaking ball with a mid to upper 70's CHG as his present third offering. The La Mirada lefthander joins our board with potential for a rise up it should he have a solid spring. 

+ AJ Cabral - Benicia - RHP/1B - Uncommitted (Now Ranked: 206)

The NorCal 2-way product from north of Sacramento capitalizes on a strong showing in the fall tournament/showcase platform to join our board. Checking in with an intriguing 6'4 195 lbs. frame and the makings of a solid 3 pitch mix with high spin to both his FB and CB, there is plenty to like about what he can do on the mound. He also adds an interesting RHH profile with a quality swing that showed well at the NorCal Uncommitted Game this fall. Keep your eyes on this rising name in NorCal.

+ Owen Glick - Rancho Bernardo - C - Uncommitted (Now Ranked: 208)

In a sport that values LH hitters who also show the profile to stay at a premium spot like catcher are eventually going to generate buzz and the San Diego product did just that this fall. Backing up a strong showing in spring/summer, the 6'2 195 lbs. backstop took the next step this fall with the reports coming in on his ability both at the plate and behind to make his debut on our rankings board. 

+ Gavin Giese - San Juan Hills - RHP - USD (Now Ranked: 209)

The USD Toreros verbal commit out of the Orange County area makes his debut on our rankings board after a solid overall 2024 calendar year which culminated in a strong fall period. It's an athletic frame with some wiry present strength that shows an ease of operation to his work on the mound. Giese presently works his FB in the 86-88 MPH range while bumping 89 with room to add more as he matures. Showing life to his offspeed offerings to get swing and miss there is a starters profile here and brings him onto our rankings board.

+ Jackson Campbell - Mater Dei - RHP/OF - Notre Dame (Now Ranked: 210)

Campbell was a member of Team California at the Prep Baseball Future Games 2024 at LakePoint where he attended as a 2-way product. With a strongly built frame that has some present physicality, there is plenty to like about this Mater Dei product who shows a FB that will touch 90 MPH while consistently living in the upper 80's to go with strong offspeed offerings. He shows a corner OF defensive profile with some athleticism to his profile as a position player, but the upside to what he does on the mound earned him a verbal commitment to Notre Dame this fall.

+ Trevor Deack - Orange Lutheran - INF - Uncommitted (Now Ranked: 221)

Deack is a compact, but athletic up the middle profile defender best suited for 2B who adds an interesting RHH profile to his toolset. While he doesn't jump off the page with any one tool, the collection of his overall package of tools makes for a very strong player who has feel to hit with some impact. In the mix to compete for a role on the powerhouse Orange Lutheran program roster, his showing at the OC Uncommitted Games earns him a spot back on the rankings board.

+ Jacob Bitonti - Aquinas - INF - GCU (Now Ranked: 222)

The younger brother of 2023 MLB Draft pick Eric Bitoni, Jake is quickly making his name known for his own abilities on the SoCal High School baseball scene. The LH hitter who is poised for a potential key role on the varsity level at Aquinas hammered the baseball throughout the fall tournament circuit showing consistent barrels with emerging power. His performance this fall earned him a verbal commitment to the Grand Canyon University and puts him on our rankings board this fall.

+ Nate Guangorena - Gahr - C - CSUN (Now Ranked: 248)

Another younger brother who has the bloodlines to anticipate potential success is building his own solid reputation this time in the RHH backstop profile provided by Guangorena. With a solid fall of performance and reports coming back Guangorena makes his way on to our board for the first time while also earning himself a verbal commitment to Cal State Northridge.

+ Bennett Downey - Folsom - RHP - Uncommitted (Now Ranked: 281)

Downey was solid in his turn on the mound at the NorCal Uncommitted Game where he showcased a solid present 3-pitch mix with feel for the strike zone and potential for future velocity/life gains on all of his pitches. With a solid 6'1 190 lbs. frame and clean overall operation, the NorCal product rejoins our board after sliding off in a previous update. 

+ Branson Wade - Laguna Beach - RHP - Uncommitted (Now Ranked: 283)

Wade capitalizes on a pair of good showings this fall. During the SoCal Scout Ball scene Wade threw for the Los Angeles Dodgers scout team looking solid with a mid to upper 80's FB and feel for his offspeed offerings that are all presently quality, but have projection to their profiles. Wade also made a strong showing at the Prep Baseball West Coast Games throwing for Team California. Keep your eyes on this interesting righthander for a future potential rise up our board.

+ Gabriel Alonzo - Buena - C/OF - Uncommitted (Now Ranked: 290)

Alonzo was solid this fall in a pair of different looks. First, coming to the Ventura County Uncommitted Game he showed a quality bat to ball offensive profile with a solid overall look behind the plate as a defender. Then catching the versatility of Alonzo during high school fall ball where he played RF looking very comfortable moving around in the OF corner while hitting at the top of the Buena lineup, the emerging Central Coast product slides onto our rankings board for the first time.

+ Diego Delventhal - Piedmont - SS - Uncommitted (Now Ranked: 291)

Switch hitting middle infielders who flash the actions/potential to stay at SS are going to catch your eyes and Delventhal showed the ability to fit this profile well during his turn at the NorCal Uncommitted Game. He showed a high contact middle of the field approach both in batting practice from each side of the plate, but also feel to hit in game as he stung the ball in multiple trips to the plate. His actions are solid enough to look like a long term SS, but will need to tick his athletic ability up to stay there.

+ Robby Morgan - Chaminade - OF/RHP - Uncommitted (Now Ranked: 294)

Morgan has been on the cusp of this board for a bit this year after a very strong showing at the OC Preseaon ID in 2024 and then showing solid ability during the spring/summer. But this fall the addition of pitching to his profile with continued development to his RHH offensive profile slide the 2-way product out of the emerging Mission League program Chaminade onto our board. 

+ Luc Ross - Camarillo - RHP - Uncommitted (Now Ranked: 297)

Ross will not light up radar guns at present with his arsenal, but showing an interesting sinker/slider attack profile at the Ventura County Uncommitted Game with both pitches tunneling well off each other to generate whiff and soft contact. The 6'2" 165 lbs. Camarillo High product has the build to profile as a starter long term with feel for the strike zone and room to add strength to his frame keep eyes on this name out of the Central Coast region.

+ Nick Gifoli - Santa Margarita Catholic - INF/RHP - Uncommitted (Now Ranked: 298)

Gifoli is another smaller framed, but athletic, Trinity League product who may not jump off the page for any one tool he possesses, but does feature a strong overall package. Gifoli showed his ability to hit at a high level across the fall tournament circuit, was impressive at the OC Uncommitted Game, and is in competition for a potential role on the Santa Margarita varsity level in the spring. The arrows on this Orange County product are pointed upwards with potential for a future move up the board.

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Upcoming Events

Showcase	State	Date	Location
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San Diego Preseason All State (Invite Only)	CA	01/04/25	Maranatha Christian High School
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