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2026 Overall Rankings UPDATE

December 5, 2024
Shooter Hunt
Vice President, Scouting

While the summer provides an abundance of opportunities to evaluate prospects—through events, tournaments, and workouts—the fall narrows the focus. This is the time to refine those initial impressions and turn them into clearer observations. Names circled during July and August are closely monitored throughout September and October, with a final push into November. Through it all, Prep Baseball remains committed to delivering updates, reevaluations, and, most importantly, tracking progress and advancements.

***CLICK FOR TOP 500***

The 2026 class, a talented group of juniors, is stacked with premium-positioned prospects, and there was no better setting to witness their potential than at the second annual Prep Baseball All-American Game in Miami. With top talent from coast to coast, a week of workouts and game action gave the Prep Baseball scouting staff plenty of opportunities to see firsthand the standout tools and immense ceilings of the class' top players.

At the top of the rankings, #1 SS Jacob Lombard (FL) and #2 SS Grady Emerson (TX) reaffirmed their status as the clear headliners. Equipped with elite tools, both players showcased their abilities without disappointment. But what stood out even more than their physical traits was their makeup and mentality. Rarely seen at such a young age, both Lombard and Emerson displayed a level of maturity and professionalism that is sure to translate into future success. Their mindset was relentless, with a focus on hard work that promises even greater returns in the coming years. Always striving for more, these two are bound to capture the attention of MLB front offices in the years ahead.

Speaking of relentless work ethic, two rising stars—#3 OF Brady Harris (FL) and #4 LHP Carson Bolemon (SC)—bring an air of expected success that should fuel their ascent. Harris, a dynamic 6-foot-1, 187-pound athlete, blazed a 6.59 60-yard dash and launched moonshots in Miami with exit velocities over 103 mph. His presence on the diamond is commanding, with an “it factor” that can’t be taught. Combine his elite swing decisions, pitch recognition, and impressive swing metrics with his ability to stick in center field, and you’ve got a prospect who’s bound to garner a lot of attention from MLB scouts. On the mound, Bolemon, a 6-foot-2, 210-pound southpaw, threw with a chip on his shoulder and a power-packed arsenal. Up to 93 mph with a fastball that hops on hitters, he also displayed a nasty slider and above-average changeup. Along with electric #5 LHP Gio Rojas (FL), Bolemon is part of a strong crop of potential frontline left-handed starters in this class.

Finally, a new addition to the top 10, #8 SS/CF James Tronstein (CA), continued to impress with his eye-popping toolset. A compact 5-foot-9, 167-pounder, Tronstein ran a 6.6 60-yard dash and turned heads at LoanDepot Park by hitting a deep shot to center field with a wood bat during Prep Baseball All-American Game workouts. With thunderous barrel contact (107 mph exit velocity), no player in the class takes more consistently quality at-bats than the Southern California native. True to his Dodgers roots, Tronstein’s versatility as both a true shortstop and elite center fielder will only increase the growing buzz around him. As the next two years unfold, expect that buzz to turn into a full-on roar.

The Buzz:

Beyond the full roster of standouts at the Prep Baseball All-American Game, there were plenty of prospects generating buzz and elevating their game.

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