Prep Baseball Report

Oregon Class of 2028 Rankings Release


Dylan Grenz
Associate Scout

As we near the end of the year, Prep Baseball Oregon concludes our final rankings update of the high school classes. Today, we unveil the first player rankings for the class of 2028.

The first Class of 2028 Rankings list features ten prospects with present tools combined with high upside. Many of these players have impressed in previous looks and should be immediate contributors to their respective high school teams.

Below is a breakdown of the prospects at the top of the rankings. Stay tuned in the coming days for further rankings content.

Previous Rankings Updates
+ Class of 2025 Rankings Release
+ Class of 2026 Rankings Release
+ Class of 2027 Rankings Release

CLICK HERE TO VIEW COMPLETE RANKINGS LIST

At The Top

#1 2028 OF/LHP Sam Smith (Central Catholic)
The top ranked freshman features plus athleticism and bat-to-ball skills in a 5'10 frame. The lefty has posted sub-7 second 60-yard dash times and has run his fastball up into the low 80's as well. Smith passes the eye test, holding his own against upperclass competition over the summer.

At the plate, Smith features an open stance and sinks deep into his lower half. The stride closes and widens his base as his hands coil slightly. Hands fire quickly as the hips fire to contact. Head stays down through contact with a firm front side and two-handed finish. The line drive approach plays to all fields, and his quick first step out of the box is sure to help generate an extra base hit from time to time.

On the mound, Smith has shown a three pitch mix. Working from the full wind from the 3B side of the rubber, Smith shows steady intent and a repeatable operation. Post-wind, Smith releases from a lower 3/4 slot with a slight cross-body follow through, giving some arm side run to his fastball and changeup. A slider in the low 70's rounds out his arsenal. Smith will be a must-follow as the top ranked 2028 prospect in the state.

#2 2028 RHP/OF Zeke Thomas (Crescent Valley)
The multisport 6'0 athlete stands out on the mound, already running his fastball into the low-mid 80's. Working from the 1B side of the rubber, Thomas sets below the belt before extending down the mound to release. The arm action is clean into a compact, over-top release to throw, with his momentum carried slightly to the 1B side. Has shown a slider as his sole secondary offering in the low 70's as well.

Offensively, Thomas shows explosive hands and an uphill swing path. Short strider has minimal wasted movement pre-pitch, creating subtle separation in his hands before firing to swing. With a lean, athletic frame, Thomas certainly has plenty of potential to add strength and power to his offensive profile.

#3 2028 1B/RHP Ryker Combs (Ridgeview)
5'11 prospect with two-way potential as well. Features an upright, narrow righthanded stance with the barrel stacked horizontally over his rear shoulder. Loads with a toe-tap as hands load away from frame. Hands fire quickly through the zone with uphill swing path, accelerates through contact with a loose one-handed finish. Defensively, can make the routine play with comfort going to both the forehand and backhand.

Combs also shows potential on the mound, with a fastball in the upper 70's and two distinct breaking balls shown. The righty arm's hands set at the letters, winding into an over-top slot release and tucked gloveside follow. The fastball plays to all quadrants, and both breaking pitches have loopier actions that play to the bottom of the zone. The bat currently stands out but Combs will be a two-way prospect to watch moving forward.

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