Which High School Programs Should You Watch Out For This Spring?
January 24, 2025
The ‘Hotlist’ is a series that provides weekly insight into the high school baseball scene spanning the country, curated by Prep Baseball’s state directors who are situated nationwide, with vital intel on the prospects who are in their own backyards. Each week, we’ll publish our ‘Hotlist’ on varying topics that are timeliest to the national baseball calendar at that point in time.
This week’s topic: This week, we're looking for some early takes on the inbound spring season. We thought since we began to get the spring conversation started by circulating our first attempt at the National HS Top-50 Rankings, we could turn that into an early look at some of the programs in your state to be on the lookout for in 2025.
+ Learn of our directors stationed nationwide by visiting the staff directory.
+ View which Prep Baseball events are headed your way next at this page.
+ Read about previously published ‘Hotlist’ topics here.
♨️ The ‘Hotlist’ (1/24):
California
“It's scary to think that defending Prep Baseball National Champions could be even better as they embark on defense of their title, but that's my view of the Corona Panthers. Yes there are significant departures, particularly behind the dish, but Corona has significant pieces on the mound, and a lineup that can feature as many as eight Division I commits. Hernandez, Carlson, Bingaman, and Gerfers give Corona four D1 arms to role out against opponents, with Carlson likely closing games out coming off shortstop. In a fall game viewing the lineup featured the following commits in order: LSU, Tennessee, LSU, Vanderbilt, Auburn, Texas A&M, Vanguard, Arizona St., uncommitted freshman. It's a gauntlet for opposing pitchers and one, on paper at least, could be one of the best anywhere in the country. When you put it all together, what you have is a rotation that features three MLB Draft prospects and a lineup that features as many as four. This spring could be another special year for the Panthers if they put it all together. ”
– Les Lukach, State Scouting Director
Hawaii
“Coming off 2024 where Kamehameha Kapālama boasted the best collection of arms on one Hawaii high school team ever. Team lost two 90+ arms but return their best pitches from a year ago as the team's core group of stud 2025's. Led by Prep Baseball Player of the Year Greyson Osbun, Kapalama features six committed pitchers (Osbun, Iwanaga, Kaneshiro, Kiakona, Sanchez & Flores) with all six up to 87-93, and one recetly decommitted pitcher/catcher in Pono Kong (2027), and return many of their top poistion players as the #1 team to beat on all Hawaii. ”
– Dan Cox, West Coast Crosschecker
Illinois
“It's hard for us not to go with the reigning 4A State Champs, Providence Catholic for this one. Perennially one of the top teams in the state with now an Illinois-leading six state titles, the Celtics are always a team to watch come playoff time. Longtime head coach Mark Smith will shift his lineup around all spring long to find different pieces that click, and they also do not shy away from anyone, scheduling one of the toughest slates year after year to prepare themselves for the playoffs. They are looking extremely solid on paper, seemingly only losing a couple players from last year's team. They have the reigning Chicago Catholic Blue Player of the Year in Minnesota commit Nathan O'Donnell, and they also have one of the best bats in the state in Cincinnati commit Enzo Infelise returning, among countless other key pieces from last year's squad. Overall, they have depth both on the mound and in the lineup with a plethora of seniors returning, though now with experience and a state title already under their belt. ”
– Peter Hamot, Assistant Scouting Director Illinois/Wisconsin
Indiana
“Center Grove will enter 2025 with a loaded roster on paper and sights set on Victory Field.
The Trojans' pitching staff will be led by two of the top 2026 arms in the state, Gannon Grant (Tennessee) and Kobe Cherry (uncommitted), both power-armed righties that have reached 93 mph already with strong secondaries to pair. Junior Kellen Thomson (Ball State) and Senior Kyle Boots (Eastern Illinois) add depth and stability, while Junior Eric McAtee is another top ranked uncommitted junior on the staff.
The Trojans will come out with a dynamic offense, as well, led by Senior 1B/OF Cal Schembra (Valparaiso), Sophomore CF Drake McClurg (Indiana), and SS/2B Gannon Grant (Tennessee). Junior OF Hudson Stewart (Dayton) is a likely breakout candidate with upperclassmen like 3B Carson Bush (Indiana Wesleyan), C Tristan Yerman (uncommitted), OF Andrew Krupa (Olney Central), 1B/OF Cayden Jones (Indiana Wesleyan), OF Reed Sawa (uncommitted) and C Easton Smith (Olney Central) all bringing back significant varsity experience to a club that was ranked #1 for much of 2024. ”
– Cooper Trinkle, Indiana Scouting Director
Massachusetts
“Phillips Andover Academy:
D1 signees: Luke Gallo (Boston College), Robert Brown (Penn State), Marek Krystolofski (Elon)
Liam Lennon (Uncommitted) Logan Umbach (Bates College)
Austin Prep:
D1 signees: Bradley McCafferty (Duke), Chase Edgar (Elon)
Ryan Moreschi (Uncommitted), Nick Ranaldi (Uncommitted), Charlie Kubiet (Uncommitted)
Dexter Southfield:
D1 signees: Chase Hartsell (Boston College), Gabriel Malaret (Boston College), Sachin Gopal (Navy)
Jett Little (Uncommitted), Matt Blanusa (Uncommitted), Alex Cantwell (Uncommitted)
Milton HS:
D1 signees: Scott Longo (Northeastern)
Bishop Feehan:
D1 commits: Brody Bumila (Texas), Andrew Shute (Northeastern)
– Dennis Healy, Co-Scouting Director New England
Minnesota
+ Noah Filer, RHP (Wayzata HS, 2025) | Purdue:
“Filer and the Wayzata Trojans will look to continue their winning ways, coming off a season of going 26-1 and a 3rd place finish in the state tournament. With a few key pieces who graduated, the Trojans return a good amount from last years squad. Filer will be look to lead the team on the mound taking over for last year's Mr. Baseball winner Riley Leatherman (North Carolina). Wayzata has a talented group and could be one of the states top team again this season”
– Andy Judkins, State Director
Oklahoma
+ Cooper Kardokus, SS/INF (Edmond Memorial HS, 2026) | Nebraska:
“Looking ahead to our Preseason All State event next month in addition to the upcoming spring, we take a look at an impact player on a team looking to get back to the state tournament in 2025 - Cooper Kardokus. One of the most well rounded players in the state, the switch hitting infielder has shown the ability to spray extra base hits to all parts of the yard. We will see him at our upcoming Preseason All State event in February and look forward to seeing the polish and maturity he has showcased in-game and out throughout his career. The future Husker is a mainstay in the heart of a talented Edmond Memorial lineup and will be a key piece in their bid to get to Bricktown in 2025.”
– Bret Schwartz, Oklahoma Scouting Director
Oregon
“This spring Prep Baseball Oregon will be keeping a close eye on South Salem as a potential 6A state contender. The Saxons are headlined by the state #1 ranked junior and Oregon State commit Teagan Scott, a plus defender at catcher and staple in the middle of the order. LMU commit and Future Games alum Sawyer Nelson provides excellent defense and a smooth left-handed swing, while seniors Josh Feik and Kevin Semm fortify the infield. 2027 Harrison Buckingham had a breakout 2024 on the mound and should only get better this spring. If South Salem can find another arm or two to step up, expect them to make noise in competing in the state playoffs, in a quest to knock off the three-time defending 6A state champs West Linn.”
– Dylan Grenz, Associate Scout
Washington
“In the State of Washington, any time you start a conversation of top high school programs Puyallup is usually where the conversation starts. The Vikings boast a unique blend of high-end talent and overall depth. They are headlined by the #2 ranked Washington 2025 and Oregon State commit RHP/INF Mason Pike, a dynamic athlete both on the mound and as a switch-hitter. Their infield will consist of fellow Oregon State commit Gage Thompson as well as #2 ranked sophomore Brayden Landry. Washington commit Max Schweyen provides another dynamic righty on the mound, with a fastball in the upper 80's and a wipeout slider. Outfielders Riley Sanoy and junior Noah Benedict provide left-handed staples in the lineup, while underclassmen Madden Pike and Keagan Soliza could be poised for larger roles this season. After a state runner-up finish in 2024, expect Puyallup to be right back in the mix for a 4A state title this spring.”
– Dylan Grenz, Associate Scout
Wisconsin
“Muskego will enter the spring with a talented roster on both sides of the ball, and impact upperclassmen with multiple years of varsity experience.
The pitching staff is deep and looks to feature some of the top talent in the state regardless of class.
The lineup runs deep, and has a chance to be a dynamic offense. Multiple players return after playing significant roles last spring including senior Dean Staudacher (Wabash Valley commit), and juniors Ben Kuglitsch (Florida State commit), Maddux Lessard and Tyson Grulkowski.”
– Josh Fields, Lead Scout