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Texas Scout Blog: High School Preseason

February 4, 2025
Brandon Gowins
Texas Scouting Director

Texas Scout Blog: Standouts from Across the State

High school baseball in Texas is special. The combination of talent, competition, and passion for the game is unmatched anywhere else in the country. From the packed stands on Friday nights to the year-round grind that players put in to get better, baseball isn’t just a sport here—it’s part of the culture.

At Prep Baseball Texas, we’re out at the ballparks watching the best the state has to offer, and each week in the Texas Scout Blog, we’ll highlight the players who stood out. Whether it’s a top-ranked commit showing why he’s one of the best in the country, an uncommitted prospect making a name for himself, or an under-the-radar player who demands attention, we’ll shine a light on those making an impact.

This isn’t about box scores—it’s about recognizing the guys who are stepping up when the lights are on. Texas high school baseball is as good as it gets, and we’re here to make sure the players proving it get the attention they deserve.

Check back each week to see who caught our eye across the Lone Star State.

Xavier Mitchell
Position: LHP
School: Prestonwood High School (2025)
Commitment: University of Texas
2023 Future Gamer

Xavier Mitchell opened his 2025 season with a strong performance on the mound, showcasing his potential as one of the top prospects in the class. The left-handed pitcher works with a low-effort delivery that allows him to generate easy velocity. His fastball sits comfortably at 92-94 mph, with some late life. Mitchell's curveball, which ranged from 77-80 mph, showed solid depth when on, and he also flashed a changeup at 85-87 mph, recording a strikeout with it during the outing.

Mitchell has clearly added strength this offseason, and while he's showing signs of development, there’s still plenty of projection left in his frame. His combination of stuff, poise, and physicality makes him an intriguing prospect to follow throughout the spring, with continued attention for the MLB Draft.

Trent Vilade
Position: CIF/RHP
School: Prestonwood High School (2026)
Commitment: Texas A&M
2024 Future Gamer

Trent Vilade was locked in at the plate during his recent outing, tallying two hits, including a double to the left-center gap that bounced off the wall. The Texas A&M commit continues to develop physically, with noticeable strength gains that are beginning to show up in his power at the plate. Vilade is expected to also feature in the low 90s on the mound this spring, adding to his already impressive skill set.

Vilade was a standout as part of Team Texas at the 2024 Future Games

Hogan Nelson
Position: INF/OF
School: Liberty Christian (2025)
Commitment: DBU

Hogan Nelson impressed during his team's recent scrimmage, showcasing his explosive athleticism and bat speed. The DBU commit was on point at the plate, collecting two barrels, including a double down the left-field line. Nelson's ability to generate plus bat speed combined with his natural power makes him a constant threat to leave the yard. He also brings positional versatility, contributing both in the infield and outfield.

Lash Henderson
Position: OF
School: Prestonwood High School (2027)

2024 Future Gamer

Lash Henderson, the #1 player in Texas for the 2027 class, wasted no time making an impact in his recent game. He smoked the first pitch he saw down the left-field line for a double. Henderson continues to showcase some of the loudest tools in the state, regardless of class. As one of the top athletes in the country for his class, the progression in his movement from last year to this year is noticeable, particularly in the outfield where he looked more fluid and comfortable. With his combination of speed, power, and athleticism, Henderson has all the makings of a five-tool center fielder in the making.

Landon Murphy
Position: RHP/3B
School: Prestonwood High School (2025)
Commitment: UTA

Landon Murphy, a UTA signee, was the third member of Prestonwood’s hard-throwing trio in his recent outing. The right-handed pitcher featured a fastball in the 87-90 mph range, complemented by a slider at 77-78 mph. Murphy displayed a loose arm and capped off his outing by finishing strong, throwing a couple of nice sliders to record a punchout. On top of his pitching duties, he should be a big part of Prestonwood's offense this season. His ability to contribute on both sides of the game adds tremendous value to his team.

Brody Walls
Position: RHP
School: McKinney Boyd High School (2025)
Commitment: Texas

Brody Walls made a strong debut to his 2025 season, going 92-95 mph with his fastball and showing off a cutter at 85-86 mph. His slider sat at 79-81 mph, and he also flashed a changeup at 84 mph. Walls didn’t allow a baserunner during his outing, showing a smooth, easy delivery with the kind of pitchability that catches the eye of scouts. The Texas commit also contributed at the plate, hitting a 3-run home run. With pro scouts likely in attendance for each of his starts, Walls will be a player to watch this spring.

Cole Koeninger
Position: SS/RHP
School: Keller High School (2026)
Commitment: Tennessee
Prep Baseball All-American, 2024 Future Gamer

Cole Koeninger started his 2025 season by launching a bomb in his first game, showcasing his power at the plate. He looks like a grown man in the batter's box, with a mature approach and the ability to drive the ball with authority. On defense, Koeninger is an elite athlete at shortstop with a plus arm, and he continues to impress with his smooth movements and sure-handed play. Expect more of his power to show up in game situations this spring as he continues to develop both offensively and defensively.

Kaden Robardey
Position: OF
School: Prosper High School (2025)
Commitment: Uncommitted

Kaden Robardey looks to be in midseason form as he kicks off his 2025 season. The switch hitter collected three hits, including a bomb from the right side of the plate and a single from the left. Robardey looked noticeably bouncier and more athletic, showing improved movement and explosiveness. His ability to contribute in various areas makes him a player who can help a team win in multiple ways. Whether at the plate or in the outfield, Robardey’s presence makes any team better.

Hunter Vincent
Position: LHP
School: Prosper High School (2025)
Commitment: ORU
2024 Senior Future Gamer

Hunter Vincent got the start for Prosper High School and was sharp early, showcasing his increasing velocity with a fastball that sat 89-92 mph. He also mixed in a slider at 80 mph and a splitter at 85 mph, both of which were effective in getting swing and misses. The ORU commit has seen his velo continue to tick up, and his ability to throw quality sliders only adds to his potential. Vincent is part of a deep and talented pitching staff at Prosper, and he’s a player to watch closely this season.

Luke Billings
Position: RHP/OF/C
School: Prosper High School (2025)
Commitment: Texas A&M
2023 Prep Baseball American, 2021 Future Gamer

Luke Billings got his first action of the spring and looked sharp on the mound. His fastball sat at 90-93 mph, with excellent command, allowing him to work both sides of the plate effectively. Billings also featured two distinct breaking balls, a slider at 83 mph and a curveball at 75-76 mph, along with a changeup at 80 mph. The Texas A&M commit is one of the top two-way players in his class and is known for being one of the fiercest competitors in Texas. His ability to contribute both on the mound and at the plate makes him a key player to watch this season.

Taegan Tate
Position: RHP/QB
School: Amarillo High School (2028)

Taegan Tate, the #6 player in the country for the 2028 class, made an impressive debut for Amarillo High School, going 3 up, 3 down with three punchouts in his first high school outing. The right-handed pitcher showed easy velocity for his age, with a fastball sitting at 87-89 mph and a curveball at 73 mph. Tate is a natural strike thrower, and his poise on the mound at such a young age makes him one to watch closely as he continues to develop.

Tyler Scarborough
Position: RHP
School: Lovejoy High School (2027)

Tyler Scarborough, a 6'3" right-handed pitcher from Lovejoy High School, is an intriguing prospect with plenty of projection. While I didn’t capture video of him, he was getting hitters out with relative ease. His fastball reached up to 91 mph, and he showcased the ability to throw strikes consistently. Scarborough impressed as he worked through the heart of Prosper’s lineup, making his presence felt. He looks poised to throw big innings this spring, and I’ll definitely be back to catch him soon.

Cole Flashnick
Position: SS/CF
School: Highland Park High School (2027)

Cole Flashnick had a strong day for Highland Park out of the leadoff spot, hitting a double and, unfortunately for me, launching a bomb after I had to leave. The talented sophomore showed impressive physicality and looks much stronger than before. A true athlete, Flashnick has the ability to play all the spots up the middle. With all the tools in place, once he starts letting the barrel fly, I expect Flashnick to have a monster season.

Alex Cooley
Position: SS
School: Rockwall Heath High School (2026)

Alex Cooley got the Heath Hawks going with a leadoff pump to start the game. An energetic player, Cooley brought more to the table with three additional barrels on the night, showing his ability to drive the ball to all fields. He plays strong defense at shortstop and has noticeable pop in his bat. As one of the top uncommitted infielders in Texas, Cooley plays the game the right way and is always locked in. He’s a talent maximizer, and his presence on the field makes any program better.

Carson O’Neil
Position: LHP
School: Allen High School (2026)

Carson O’Neil, a 6'5" lefty, is still relatively new to pitching but certainly looks the part. He worked with a fastball sitting at 82-84 mph, topping out at 85 mph, and showed a smooth, easy arm action. O’Neil repeated his delivery well, and it's easy to envision his velocity ticking up as he gains more innings on the mound. He also flashed a nice changeup, showing his potential on the rubber. While there isn’t a big track record on the mound yet, O’Neil is the type of blank canvas you bet on, with plenty of upside moving forward.

Kolt Flowers
Position: RHP
School: Rockwall Heath High School (2026)

Kolt Flowers got the start for Rockwall Heath in their recent scrimmage and looked solid on the mound. The uncommitted right-hander works with a fastball in the 84-86 mph range and a curveball at 68-70 mph. Flowers shows the ability to sink the ball and generate weak contact, especially on the ground. His ability to manage hitters and keep the ball in the lower half of the zone is a strong asset moving forward.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Showcase State Date Location
DFW Rising Stars ID (2029's & 2030's) TX 03/16 Mid-Cities
2025 TX Rising Stars Games (Invite-Only) TX 04/19 Prestonwood Christian Academy - Plano, TX
DFW Summer ID - Session 1 TX 05/27 Denton Ryan HIgh School
Fort Worth Summer ID TX 06/03 Weatherford College - Weatherford, TX
Top Prospect Games: Fort Worth (Invite-Only) TX 06/24 Texas Christian University - Fort Worth, TX

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