Prep Baseball Report

UPDATE: 2024 Overall Rankings


Shooter Hunt
Vice President, Scouting

A modest update to the 2024 Overall Rankings comes after a fall season jam-packed with action in a small window. There was some sifting and movement at the top, but for the most part, changes were small tweaks as the class continued to come into focus. The premium prospect value of up-the-middle athletes along with frontline arms should have the industry buzzing about this uber-talented group over the next 18 months. Perhaps most intriguing about this class is the regional diversity of talent. There are stellar prospects in all pockets of the United States (and Canada!) coming out of this 2024 class. Below, a look at some of the buzz created this fall.

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Big News Out of Nebraska

Kale Fountain 3B / RHP / Norris, NE / 2024

The Nebraska native created significant buzz late in the summer, and rode that to a stellar fall that culminated in a commitment to LSU. At 6-foot-5, 220-pounds, few (if any) possess the raw power of the physical third baseman, and his jaw-dropping displays in batting practice are followed up in game play with impactful production. The balance and explosiveness stands out for the future Tiger who moves up to #16 in the class with a clear path into the top 10 after the spring. Given his limited game action coming out of a northern state, the ceiling is set considerably high, and should have him being followed closely by professional scouts moving forward.


Iowa's Talented Class

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Joey Oakie

Yes, Iowa. The Hawkeye state is no stranger to talent, but this group has a special feel thanks to a pair of premium arms at the front. RHP Joey Oakie (Ankeny Centennial HS, IA), an Iowa recruit, leads the way with an electric arm that is pushing fastballs into the mid 90s with what might be even more on the way. Loose in the back with quickness out front along with a flatter vertical approach angle, Oakie’s athleticism and 6-foot-2, 190-pound frame promise more to come, and as he becomes more confident in his movement patterns with a tunneled-slider ticking up, Oakie has a chance to be a premier name when looking ahead to the 2024 MLB Draft.

Equally as impressive, LHP/OF Blake Larson (Dowling Catholic HS, IA), a TCU recruit, is already one of the more intriguing prospects in the class thanks to the athleticism that will allow him to continue as a two-way prospect with a sweet stroke, but especially the arm talent that he exhibits on the mound. Working in the low 90s throughout the fall, his spring will be followed closely by many. The depth in the state is also apparent in its ‘24 group. SS Myles Davis (Marion HS, IA), another Iowa recruit, showcased some intriguing athleticism with surprising strength coming from the right side at the plate. Two-way talent, RHP/OF Trever Baumler (Dowling Catholic HS, IA), another TCU recruit, is the brother of 2020 MLB Draft 5th round pick, RHP Carter Baumler (Orioles), and possesses similar upside and athleticism that helped carry his brother into the professional ranks. Finally, a pair of left-handed hitting sluggers, and PBR Future Games standouts, SS Brett White (Solon HS, IA), a Baylor recruit, and 1B Klayton Bolkema (Davenport North HS, IA), a Texas recruit, give an already strong crop of talent a physical boost with some pop at the plate. 

FLORIDA

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Chase Mobley

In looking ahead to the 2024 MLB Draft, the big arm talent of a pair of Floridian right-handers is sure to provide ample buzz. Both RHP Chase Mobley (Plant City HS, FL), a Florida State recruit, and RHP Schuyler Sandford (Bartram Trail HS, FL), a Florida recruit, are featured prominently in the Top 20 Overall, and will open the spring with any professional clubs looking for added track record, following them closely. Late fall workouts saw the 6-foot-5, 190-pound Mobley running his fastball up to 95 mph in game play with a tunneled slider that is likely to tick up throughout the spring. Loose and athletic with an explosive fastball, Mobley’s prospect profile grades well, and could see him climb to new heights next summer. Almost identically, Sandford and his impressive 6-foot-5, 200-pound frame delivered fastballs up to 94 mph at the PBR Florida State Games, and his ability to work athletically down the mound with a quick arm could provide for a bigger jump in the new year.
While the arms are certainly impressive, the biggest jump in the state came from OF Ty Head (Windermere HS, FL), a North Carolina State recruit, who moved into the Top 50 overall after a strong fall. Physically impressive at 6-foot-3, 185-pounds with natural strength throughout a projectable frame, the left-handed hitter demonstrated an innate ability to slow the game down at the plate while getting off big hacks with controlled aggression. Turning the barrel with some authority, it appears likely that he will develop considerably more power in coming years, although he already demonstrates the ability to drive the ball from gap-to-gap with louder outputs and plenty of plate coverage. Athletic enough to roam centerfield throughout the fall, he is a clear name to circle when looking ahead towards the spring and especially next summer.


10 Fall Risers:

Drew Dickerson SS / OF / Lees Summit West, MO / 2024

 

Luke Dickerson SS / 2B / Morris Knolls, NJ / 2024

 

Ryan Jones 3B / SS / Aledo, TX / 2024

 

Jaydon Aukai Kea C / Kamehameha, HI / 2024

 

Kyle Branch SS / 2B / Lovejoy, TX / 2024

 

 

Cole Decker OF / LHP / Evansville North, IN / 2024

 

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Akhil Nimmala 3B / Strawberry Crest, FL / 2024

 

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Samuel Richardson 3B / OF / Senatobia , MS / 2024

Cash Campbell 3B / 1B / Montini Catholic , IL / 2024

Dax Whitney RHP / SS / Blackfoot, ID / 2024

 

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