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Updated Class of 2026 Player Rankings (December)

December 4, 2024
Prep Baseball Ohio Staff

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Updated Class of 2026 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 2026.

As fall sports come to an end and winter sports season kicks off, we will take a look at "What's New at the Top", "Notable Newcomers”, "Fall Showcase Standouts", "Prospects College Coaches Need To Circle Back To" and a look some of the top uncommitted prospects by position, and a close look at the Top 10.

To view the Class Rankings, click below:

To view the Prospect Reports, click below:

To view the entire Class of 2026 rankings, please click here.

What's New In The Top 10

Matt Ponatoski SS / RHP / Archbishop Moeller, OH / 2026

Rankings  StateRank: 1 / POS: 1 OverallRank: 11 / POS: 5

Report: It was a quiet fall on the baseball front as Ponatoski rewrote the record books on the football field for Moeller. Rising stock as a QB is opening more doors for multi-sport collegiate opportunities. With the rapidly changing landscape of the NIL era it’s anyone’s guess how this all shakes out, but we know for certain that there will be P4 opportunities to play both sports. 

Shawn Sullivan RHP / OF / Walsh Jesuit, OH / 2026

Rankings  StateRank: 2 / POS: 1 OverallRank: 80 / POS: 27

Report: Moving up a spot to #2 is Shawn Sullivan who put up some jaw dropping numbers this summer thanks to an electric fastball that reached velocities up to 97 MPH that we could confirm.

Chandler Taylor OF / 1B / Badin, OH / 2026

Rankings  StateRank: 4 / POS: 1 OverallRank: 169 / POS: 27

Report: Still at #4 is recent University of Alabama commit, Chandler Taylor. Chandler drew interest from multiple P4 schools following strong spring and summer campaigns with Badin and the Legends Scout Team. It was evident that getting south was a priority in his recruiting process and he seems to have found the right fit in Tuscaloosa.

Enzo DiCocco OF / OF / Brecksville-Broadview Heights, OH / 2026

Rankings  StateRank: 8 / POS: 2 OverallRank: 307 / POS: 51

Report: Enzo DiCocco remains at #8 and has had interest from P4 schools ever since his breakout performance at Future Games this summer. The speedy 5-foot-9 outfielder packs a punch at the plate and impressed evaluators with his advanced plate discipline and ability to manage at-bats. Enzo and Ponatoski are the only uncommitted players left in our Top 10.

Notable Newcomers

Robert Anderson SS / 2B / Saint Edward Lakewood, OH / 2026

Rankings  StateRank: 50 / POS: 13

Report: 6-foot-1, 185-pound lighter, athletically built infielder with 81 mph velo across the infield. Showed well at State Games and has drawn some attention from a few mid-major Division 1 schools. Robbie enters the rankings at #50.

Manuel Sanchez Gonzalez SS / 3B / Princeton High School, OH / 2026

Rankings  StateRank: 64 / POS: 16

Report: Manny followed up a fantastic spring season for Princeton with an impressive showing at Top Prospect Games this summer. He’s a pro-style third baseman with the ability to get behind the dish if needed. Offensively you’ll be hard pressed to find a better looking right-handed swing in the class. He’s made some big strides since TPG to add some power to the game and will be a name to follow in the spring. Manny enters the rankings at #64.

Brayden Reinhart C / 2B / Lakota East, OH / 2026

Rankings  StateRank: 99 / POS: 11

Report: Brayden finished second in the GMC in hitting as a sophomore behind only Jake Hanley. The rising junior catcher/utility man for Lakota East put on an impressive hitting display at TPG in-game and continued that success during the summer for CBC. Brayden enters the rankings at #99.

Fall Showcase Standouts

Manny Camacho LHP / 1B / West Holmes, OH / 2026

Rankings  StateRank: 25 / POS: 5

Report: State Games provided a platform for another standout performance, this time for 6-foot-7 left-handed pitching prospect Manny Camacho. He sits in the low to mid-8’s with the ability to run it up to 87 mph and extension numbers in the range of 6.5 to 6.8. He’s an athletic big guy who moves well down the mound and creates an uncomfortable look for hitters. Manny now ranks at #25 overall in Ohio and committed to Kent State shortly after State Games.

Joshua Davis SS / OF / Princeton, OH / 2026

Rankings  StateRank: 48 / POS: 12

Report: Another Princeton position player who continues to impress and climb the rankings. Josh came to a number of events throughout 2024 but we most recently saw him at State Games in Chillicothe this fall. A natural hitter with good feel for the strike zone and easy gap to gap power, Josh handles higher velocity well and is poised for a strong 2025 spring season.

James Hackworth LHP / OF / Marysville, OH / 2026

Rankings  StateRank: 130 / POS: 11

Report: Left-handed pitcher Hackworth showed well at Central Ohio Data Day this fall, sitting 84-86 T86.9. His size sets up a unique look with a 4.7 release height and IVB on the heater up to 16 inches. James jumped to #131 this update.

Prospects To Look At In 2025

Nathan Bryant RHP / 3B / Lake Center Christian, OH / 2026

Rankings  StateRank: 21 / POS: 8

Report: Another Future Games participant that will be attending Procase. We’ve heard some reports of the velocity ticking up which would put him in elite company at the top end of the class, last we saw him at Future Games he topped at 91 mph. A funky delivery creates some timing issues for hitters and he’s done a good job improving the command over the past 12 months.

Donovan Corbett OF / RHP / Lakota East, OH / 2026

Rankings  StateRank: 59 / POS: 8

Report: Donovan showed off his explosive skill set at Future Games this summer and will be back with us again in February for Procase. There’s a lot to like about the raw tools he possesses but what impressed evaluators the most at Future Games was the ability to cut down runners from the outfield. Donovan is currently ranked #59 overall in the state.

Luke Heckert OF / LHP / Lake Center Christian, OH / 2026

Rankings  StateRank: 76 / POS: 13

Report: Joining us at Northern Ohio Preseason All-State is outfielder Luke Heckert. Luke is a LHH top of order profile who can steal bases and cover a lot of ground in center. There are few outfielders in the class who defend as well as he does. 

College Coaches Need to Circle Back To

Kane Stephey SS / RHP / Newark Catholic, OH / 2026

Rankings  StateRank: 35 / POS: 6

Report: The everyday shortstop for one of the most competitive 2026 groups in the state, Kane likely sticks at shortstop at the next level and should be a name that coaches come back and watch this spring. A sure handed defender with the ability to make dynamic throws from multiple slots. Offensively he’ll profile as a line-to-line spray guy with a high level of feel for the game.

Kenyon Oakes LHP / OF / Massillon Jackson, OH / 2026

Rankings  StateRank: 43 / POS: 7

Report: A name to add to the watchlist is Kenyon Oakes. Coming off of an injury, in one of his first outings healthy we had him at TPG up to 88 from the left side. A dynamic two-way player who can impact the game in a lot of ways. 

Markale Martin OF / Lexington, OH / 2026

Rankings  StateRank: 72 / POS: 11

Report: Markale had a standout summer for Launch and is a player that coaches will want to circle back to this spring. The speedy outfielder from Lexington delivers the barrel from the left side as good as anyone and showed well against some good arms this summer. 

TOP UNCOMMITTED PROSPECTS BY POSITION

Below we look to name the top 5 prospects in specific categories based on primary position in profile for the 2026 class rankings. Beyond this group, there are numerous prospects that can help a collegiate program in some capacity.

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