Arizona’s 2026 class is one of the more talented and physically advanced groups we have evaluated in recent years. At the top sits a collection of proven performers who have built strong résumés through in game production, summer dominance, and consistent impact at Prep Baseball events. Several of these seniors enter the spring as established leaders in their programs with the tools, track record, and presence to separate themselves in a major way.

As always, the Player of the Year race is fluid. Production matters. Winning matters. Big moments matter. And in a state as deep as Arizona, there are always a handful of players ready to make a jump.

In addition to our top 2026 candidates, we have included a group of Challengers who have clear pathways to the award if things break right this spring, along with some Darkhorses who have the talent to crash the conversation with breakout seasons.

Click HERE to register for upcoming Prep Baseball Arizona events.

Stay tuned for continued preseason coverage including team previews, updated rankings, and in depth player spotlights throughout the spring.

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PLAYER OF THE YEAR WATCHLIST

10 FRONT RUNNERS FOR OUR PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARD HEADING INTO THE SPRING

PLAYER	HIGH SCHOOL	Year	COMMITMENT
Ryan Harwood	Casteel	2026	Texas A&M
Click to view Harwood's Player Profile
Alain Gomez Gudino	Sagurao	2026	South Carolina
Click to view Gudino's Player Profile
Ryne Barker	Casteel	2026	Texas Tech
Click to view Barker's Player Profile
Jet Berry	Queen Creek	2026	Arizona State
Click to view Berry's Player Profile
Abram Sherrin	Liberty	2026	TCU
Click to view Sherrin's Player Profile
Jackson Weber	Horizon	2026	Arizona State
Click to view Weber's Player Profile
JJ Utash	Williams Field	2027	Texas
Click to view Utash's Player Profile
Bobby Villa III	Liberty	2027	Alabama
Click to view Villa's Player Profile
Baylor Denny	Casteel	2027	Oklahoma
Click to view Denny's Player Profile
Soren Etheridge	Phoenix Country Day	2027	Wake Forest
Click to view Etheridge's Player Profile

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CHALLENGER CANDIDATES

10 MORE NAMES WITH A CLAR PATH TO THE AWARD

PLAYER	HIGH SCHOOL	Year	COMMITMENT
Devin Long	Chaparral	2026	Mississippi
Click to view Long's Player Profile
Ben Ball	Hamilton	2026	Arizona
Click to view Ball's Player Profile
Zander Bratspis	Saguaro	2026	Kansas State
Click to view Bratspis' Player Profile
Brody Cox	Queen Creek	2026	Cambell
Click to view Cox's Player Profile
Brock MacDonald	Desert Vista	2026	Baylor
Click to view MacDonald's Player Profile
Colton Floyd	Corona del Sol	2027	Texas A&M
Click to view Floyd's Player Profile
Grafton Marshall-Inman	Chaparral	2027	Arizona
Click to view Marshall-Inman's Player Profile
Aldo Teilon	Tucson	2027	Arizona State
Click to view Teilon's Player Profile
Blake Gonzales	Casteel	2027	Brigham Young
Click to view Gonzales' Player Profile
Ben Jacobus	Corona del Sol	2027	Texas Christian
Click to view Jacobus' Player Profile

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DARKHORSES

5 PLAYERS LOOKING FOR A BIG SPRING TO THROW THEIR NAME INTO THE PLAYER OF THE YEAR TALKS

PLAYER	HIGH SCHOOL	Year	COMMITMENT
Owen Konerko	Cactus Shadows	2027	Michigan
Click to view Konerko's Player Profile
Dre Ethier	Brophy Prep	2027	Miami
Click to view Ethier's Player Profile
Chase Fillman	Millennium	2028	–
Click to view Fillman's Player Profile
Cooper LeRoy	Perry	2028	–
Click to view LeRoy's Player Profile
Macgraw VanWormer	Casteel	2029	–
Click to view VanWormer's Player Profile

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Upcoming Events

Showcase	State	Date	Location
East Valley Rising Stars ID (2030-2031 Grads)	AZ	04/03	Desert Ridge HS - Mesa, AZ
West Valley Rising Stars ID (2030-2031 Grads)	AZ	04/11	Verrado HS - Buckeye, AZ
Southern AZ Rising Stars ID (2030-2031 Grads)	AZ	04/18	Kino Sports Complex - Tucson, AZ
Arizona Rising Stars Games (Invite-Only)	AZ	05/26	Desert Ridge HS - Mesa, AZ
2026 Four Corners ProCase (Invite-Only)	AZ	06/02	Grand Canyon University - Phoenix, AZ
East Valley Summer ID	AZ	06/09	Arizona Athletic Grounds - Mesa, AZ
East Valley Rising Stars ID (2030-2031 Grads)	AZ	06/09	Arizona Athletic Grounds - Mesa, AZ
Southern Arizona Summer ID	AZ	06/16	Tucson, AZ
Southern Arizona Rising Stars ID (2030-2031 Grads)	AZ	06/16	Tucson, AZ
East Valley Summer ID (Session 2)	AZ	07/07	Desert Ridge HS - Mesa, AZ
Arizona State Games (Invite-Only)	AZ	08/07	Arizona Athletic Grounds - Mesa, AZ

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