Prep Baseball Report

Initial Class of 2028 Player Rankings (December)


Prep Baseball Ohio Staff

Follow on Twitter- @PrepBaseballOH
Follow on Twitter- @PrepBaseOHScout
Follow on Instagram- @prepbaseballohio

Initial Class of 2028 Player Rankings (December)

Throughout the fall we were all over the state, scouting numerous prospects and seeing many new names came to the forefront of the recruiting scene. With that information, we are updating each of our class rankings based off what we have seen. Up now, the Class of 2028.

As fall sports come to an end and winter sports season kicks off, we will take a look at the Top Five and "Who's Next".

To view the Class Rankings, click below:

To view the Prospect Reports, click below:

To view the entire Class of 2028 rankings, please click here.

The Top Five

Carter Shouse OF / LHP / Bishop Fenwick High School, OH / 2028

Report: An impressive athlete with explosive hands at the plate, feel to hit, and a fastball climbing into the upper-80’s from the left side. The hit tool was on full display this summer as he turned in a standout performance at USA Baseball. Shouse had plenty of local buzz coming into 2024 but his production on the summer circuit brought him more national attention and has solidified him as one of the premier players in the county.

Landon Echelberry 3B / RHP / Findlay, OH / 2028

Report: Landon is going to look the part getting off the bus. Standing at 6-foot-2, 195-pounds he’s one of the more physical 2028’s in the country. Strong presence in the box with the ability to run balls out of the yard. On the mound he was 84-87 T88 at Future 50 back in June. Two-sport athlete who is already receiving MAC offers to come play quarterback. 

Jakob Groeschel OF / RHP / Kenton Ridge, OH / 2028

Report: Freakishly athletic outfielder who runs a 6.6 and has flashed the pop on numerous occasions. Not often you see a 5-foot-8, 145-pound kid that can hit balls 95+ and make it look easy. Has multiple tools in the belt for getting himself to second base thanks to the speed and power combo. Excellent plate discipline, rarely whiffs in the zone, and attacks pitchers early in counts.

Keegan Sawyer C / 3B / Badin, OH / 2028

Report: It seemed like every time we turned around this summer someone new was calling to tell us how good this catcher from Ohio looked in whichever tournament they happened to have seen him in. He has surely made an impression and for good reason. The Badin freshman is perhaps the best backstop in the midwest with elite foot and glovework and a lightning fast transfer. Offensively he looked good the times we’ve seen him, performing well against high level arms. Another high performing player in a long list of them from Badin.

Brennan Mustard RHP / 1B / Baylor School, OH / 2028

Report: Brennan is a two time JFG participant who has made significant jumps in pitchability and maturity over the past few years. On the mound his arsenal features a fastball up to 88 with some reports of that number being north of 90 this winter, accompanied by a slider that he can throw ball-to-strike and strike-to-ball with intention. He pitches with conviction and works with pace to keep pressure on opposing offenses. 

Who's Next

Andrew Oppenheimer OF / LHP / Beavercreek, OH / 2028

Report: Mid-8’s LHP who showed well at JFG this past summer. Oppenheimer is an elite competitor with high pitchability. He draws an easy comparison to 2027 Noah Milburn - slightly undersized LHP with a good arsenal and full of piss and vinegar. While we think his future will likely be on the mound, we would be derelict in our duties not to mention he can also swing the bat a bit and has a chance to be one of the top 2028 two-way players in the state this year.

Sutton Mullins 1B / RHP / Olentangy, OH / 2028

Report: Big, physical specimen at 6-foot-3 and 195-pounds. Sutton’s bat carries some thump with exit velocities approaching triple digits. Grades well in the raw power department. Competed at a high level all summer and had some big hits at JFG. Has been up to 85 on the mound.

Jake Koelling SS / Mason, OH / 2028

Report: Springy, hyper-athletic middle-infielder with lightning quick feet and natural baseball instincts. Competes at a high level against some of the best competition in the country. Defensively the footwork, hands and arm strength all jump off the page. At the plate there’s some sneaky pop in there, swings with some natural loft and easily elevates balls to the pull side. Dangerous on the base paths, can change a game with his legs.

Holden Wilcox SS / RHP / Dublin Coffman, OH / 2028

Report: We could easily see Holden pushing for a Top 5 or Top 10 spot in the future as he’s one of the more projectable players in the class. The frame is long and lean, very athletic - reminiscent of 2007 Moeller grad and Oklahoma St. middle infielder Tom Belza. He moves well in the middle and has clean hands. The left-handed hitter has above average bat to ball skills and profiles well at the top of a lineup.

Jackson Vondersaar C / RHP / Olentangy Berlin, OH / 2028

Report: Talented backstop with natural, raw athleticism. Popped a 1.93-1.96 at Future 50 and ran balls up to 90 off the bat in BP. Gap-to-gap hitter with potential for power down the road. Has made some significant jump with his body this off-season.

Grady Kerins 3B / RHP / Dublin Jerome, OH / 2028

Report: Could be one of the top hitters in the class when it’s all said and done. Swing has natural loft to the pullside, backspins the ball well. Performed well against high level competition all summer and showed his ability to hit good arms. Defensively he’s a clean mover in tight spaces and has advanced footwork at 3B, makes clean throws across the infield. Can take away runs with his glove.

Trey Remy RHP / 1B / Ontario, OH / 2028

Report: Highly projectable frame with long levers. At 6-foot-5 and 210-pounds he has an imposing presence on the mound that when coupled with the occasional arm side miss can make for some very uncomfortable at-bats for hitters. Another player we could easily see pushing for a Top 5 or Top 10 spot down the road.

Nolan Samarin C / 3B / Berea-Midpark, OH / 2028

Report: Physical catcher with an advanced hit tool and developing power. Played a demanding schedule this summer and performed well. Behind the plate it’s advanced for the age group with quick transfers and a tight release. At the plate there’s a lot to like, some power to the pull side and the ability to control the barrel and dump balls backside.

Caleb Williams 3B / RHP / Cincinnati Christian, OH / 2028

Report: Mostly stayed under the radar this summer, quietly putting together some impressive performances. An extremely high make-up kid with some projectable tools that will be interesting to watch develop over the next 4 years. Tall, athletic body that moves well on the field. Dangerous hitter with gap-to-gap, middle of the order profile written all over him.

Sammy Vovak RHP / 3B / St. Xavier, OH / 2028

Report: 6-foot, 180-pound RHP from St. Xavier that sits 83-86. High ¾ slot that gets some arm side movement of the fastball. Overpowered hitters all summer and drew some attention after turning in a series of strong performances.

Colt Ward C / 1B / Defiance, OH / 2028

Report: 5-10, 175-pound left-handed hitting C/1B. The Defiance product and USA Prime National team member was a 2023 Junior Future Games participant for Team Michigan. The hit tool and leadership are what sticks out currently, while also showcasing the ability to catch high velocity at a young age. Look for the arm strength and pop at the plate to improve as the body matures physically, which should come in time, as his dad was a former D1 linebacker.

***** To view the entire rankings, please click here.