Prep Baseball KY 2026 Watchlist - Part 1 (Committed)

March 24, 2025
Carter Floyd | Jamie Tessoff
KY Social Media Director | KY Scouting Director

Kicking off this week with the first round of 2026 graduates who are shaping up to have a standout year in the Bluegrass State. We're highlighting five of the top committed players in Kentucky today, as this has truly been one of the most exciting classes to watch develop! Stay tuned tomorrow as we highlight some big uncommitted juniors.

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Grayson Willoughby RHP/3B | Trinity High School

Rankings StateRank: 2 / POS: 2 OverallRank: 320 / POS: 103

Coming in as the #2 overall prospect in the highly talented 2026 class, expect a breakout season from Willoughby as the ace of Trinity rotation, the preseason ranked #1 team in the state. The righty signed with the University of Kentucky just weeks after the Future Games, where he topped out at 92mph on the fastball with a spin rate just shy of 2200, as well as a 73-74mph CB and 79-82mph CH. Willoughby continued his rapid development over the offseason, as showcased by his standout performance at our Preseason All-State event. Now topping out at a fastball velocity of 95mph and boosting the spin rate to over 2450rpm, Willoughby is looking as dangerous as ever as we plunge into the high school season. A threat at the plate as well, the RHP/3B has reached an exit velocity of 95.7mph with a bat speed of 70.4mph and hand speed up to 21.6mph. On the mound for the Shamrocks last season, Willoughby totaled just 18.2 IP in a loaded rotation, limiting a talented 7th Region to a 1.12 ERA while picking up 25 stirkeouts on his way to a 4-0 record. This season, the 6'2" 185lb two-way is off to a hot start, picking up 4.0 scoreless innings and the win in Trinity's run-rule victory on Opening Day.

Griffin Loy RHP/1B | Somerset High School

Rankings StateRank: 5 / POS: 4

Another long time favorite of the KY staff, the Duke University commit has been a standout performer in LakePoint multiple times, as a 2x Junior Future Games alum and a recent 2024 Future Games participant. The RHP/1B signed with the Blue Devils back in October, and is shaping up to have a great year with the preseason top 10 Somerset High School program. Loy stood out this past summer at the Future Games as he has now filled out a very physical 6'5" 220lb frame, recording a running fastball up to 91mph with 2250+ spin rates. The righty also changes speeds well with the breaking balls, featuring a firm SL at 80-82mph, slightly slower CB at 74-77mph, and an 80mph sinking CH for a polished four pitch mix. The 1B helps anchor the stacked Somerset lineup when not on the mound, posting a .327 AVG last year with 32 H, 20 R, 32 RBI, 12 XBH including 5 HR, as well as drawing 30 BB. On the mound for the Briarjumpers, the righty started 6 games for a 5-1 record, recording a 1.96 ERA while striking out 38 in 2.0 IP. Look for the physical RHP/1B to be a key part of Somerset's success this season both on the mound and at the plate.

Chase Farmer 2B/SS | Pulaski County High School

Rankings StateRank: 52 / POS: 1

Next up on our watchlist is Belmont University commit Chase Farmer. The 6'0" 185lb MIF stood out in front of the KY staff at our Preseason All-State showcase, our first time seeing him since a full year before. Farmer is up to 88mph across the infield, leading all 2026 middle infielders. At the plate, Farmer displays an excellent swing, posting a top exit velocity of 97.4mph as well as a 25.5mph hand speed and 80.8mph bat speed. Running a 7.06s 60 yard dash, Farmer is a well rounded prospect with a definite ability to compete in the Ohio Valley Conferece in a few years. In the 2024 high school season, the middle infielder recorded a .309 AVG with 25 H, 26 R, 21 RBI, 14 XBH including three home runs, 17 BB and 9 SB for the Pulaski County offense. After losing nine seniors to graduation, including most of the offense, look for Farmer to lead the lineup at the plate as well as defensively this year as the Maroons prepare for another run at a regional title.

Cole McLean LHP/OF | Taylor County High School

The #2 ranked 2026 southpaw has been one of the most impressive LHPs in his class for years now, as McLean prepares for another strong season with the highly ranked Taylor County program. A two-way University of Tennessee commit, McLean has some of the best tools of any prospect in the state. On the mound, the 6'0" 170lb lefty is up to 89mph with the FB, rounding out a four pitch mix with a 74-77mph CB, 76-77mph SL and 78-79mph CH. Working from a 3/4 arm angle, McLean flexes an aggressive delivery and the ability to command all four pitches to find success on the mound. Last season for the Cards, the southpaw totaled 42.1 IP for a 7-2 record in addition to picking up 3 SV, recording an impressive 71 strikeouts and maintaining an ERA of 1.82. At the plate, McLean hit .275 last season with 28 H, 20 R, 20 RBI, 12 XBH, 4 HR and 9 BB. After losing 85% of the rest of their innings on the mound to graduation or transfers, look for McLean to lead the rotation this season and anchor a very talented lineup. In his first start of the season against preseason ranked #20 Larue County, the lefty recorded 9 strikeouts through 5.0 scoreless innings to pick up the W as Taylor County is off to a quick 4-0 start to the season.

Kace Eastridge OF/RHP | Campbellsville High School

Rankings StateRank: 14 / POS: 3

One of the most well rounded athletes in the state, Eastridge has been a standout performer and a big time favorite of the KY staff for years. As a 2x Junior Future Games alum and a 2024 Future Games participant, the Eastern Kentucky University commit has found success against some of the best competition in the country and is sure to be a big contributor at the next level. With a top exit velocity of 103.5mph, the 6'1" 190lb bat is a truly physical threat at the plate. At our Preseason All-State event, Eastridge posted a hand speed of 29.4mph, as well as a bat speed of 89.9mph to lead all 180 hitters at the showcase. The young two-way certainly gets the job done on the mound as well, running a FB up to 87.1mph and CB/SL/CH all in the mid 70s for a competitve four pitch mix. With a 90mph outfield velocity and a 6.73s 60 yard dash time, Eastridge was one of the biggest winners of the Preseason All-State showcase, putting his true strength and athleticism on display. At the plate last year for the Campbellsville offense, Eastridge hit .343 with 35 H, 43 R, 40 RBI, 21 XBH (including a striking 12 HR), 16 BB and 15 SB. On the mound for the Eagles, the righty led the rotation with 69.2 IP for a 9-2 record, recording 82 Ks and a 2.11 ERA. A dominant multi-sport athlete, Eastridge began his junior campaign on the gridiron back in the fall, where he led the Eagles to the 1A state semifinals after a terrific season as QB1 with 17 TDs and over 3,300yds of offense. Look for Eastridge to continue his success on the diamond in 2025, where he has already picked up 7 Ks in 4.0 IP in an Opening Day win for the Eagles.