Arizona Class of 2026: Rankings Risers

December 11, 2025
Antonio Torres
Arizona Director

As fall wraps up and the high school season approaches, we are excited to unveil our newest update to the Arizona Class of 2026 Player Rankings, spotlighting this cycle’s Rankings Risers. This update reflects a full year of evaluation, highlighting players who elevated their profiles through impactful spring seasons, productive summer circuits, and strong fall performances at Prep Baseball events. The class continues to take shape with a blend of established seniors and true late risers all working to position themselves for their final push before graduation.

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Our evaluation process remains fluid and ongoing, built on live looks, verified data, and consistent dialogue with coaches and scouts both in Arizona and nationally. Player development is never linear. Some prospects make big jumps while others progress steadily, each following their own timeline with natural peaks and valleys. As the season nears, new names will emerge and familiar ones will look to solidify their standing. With continued collaboration across our scouting staff and fresh insights gathered throughout the fall, this update provides the most accurate snapshot yet of Arizona’s 2026 class.

To view the full Class of 2026 Rankings, CLICK HERE.

Rankings Risers 📈

RANK	PLAYERS	HIGH SCHOOL	POSITION	Spots Moved
5	Ryne Barker	Casteel	SS	+8
Click to view Barker's Video Ryne has seen his game elevate in every phase over the past year, emerging as one of the premier risers in the class with a blend of strength, athleticism, and confidence that continues to trend up. His left handed bat has taken a real step forward as he now drives the baseball with conviction while maintaining the ease and balance that have always been present in his swing. Defensively, his actions and arm strength fit comfortably on the left side with the physicality to handle third and the tools to be a key catalyst in the Casteel lineup this season.
12	Brody Cox	Queen Creek	LHP	+4
Click to view Cox's Video Brody has been one of the most consistent upward movers in the class thanks to a level of poise and pitchability that continues to separate him on the mound. The delivery is calm and repeatable, the arm works clean and he attacks hitters with a plan, showing the ability to work to both sides of the plate and neutralize right and left handed hitters alike. His stuff has sharpened across the board with a heavy fastball dependable breaking ball. With his confidence growing and his arsenal trending up, the Campbell commit enters the spring looking every bit like a frontline piece for Queen Creek and one of the true risers in the 2026 class.
15	Brock MacDonald	Desert Vista	RHP	+3
Click to view MacDonald's Video Brock has seen his game climb steadily over the past year as his physicality, mound presence and overall feel to pitch continue to sharpen. He thrives in competitive moments, showing a calm heartbeat and the ability to execute his full arsenal when the lights are the brightest. The breaking stuff has tightened, the fastball carries and he has developed a strong sense of how to attack hitters with sequencing rather than simply relying on velocity. With his confidence growing and his pitch package trending up, the right hander enters the spring looking like one of the more polished and dependable arms in Arizona’s 2026 class.
22	Jonah Castle	Brophy Prep	C	+7
Click to view Castle's Video Jonah is a savvy young ballplayer who plays with a noticeable edge and a competitiveness that shows up in every part of his game. Behind the plate, he is a steady and reliable backstop who knows how to manage a staff, control the tempo and call a game with maturity beyond his years. The bat matches the mentality as he stays true to himself in the box, never trying to do too much and consistently proving to be a tough out with quality at bats and dependable contact. With his feel for the game, toughness and all around steadiness, the St. Mary’s commit continues to climb and has firmly established himself as one of the more underrated risers in the class.
24	Regan Mazura	Canyon Del Oro	LHP	+20
Click to view Mazura's Video Regen has been one of the more intriguing left handers on the rise, showing the type of poise and pitchability that continues to separate him each time out. He competes with a calm presence, moves the ball to all four quadrants and leans on a three pitch mix that he commands with consistency. The fastball plays with carry, the changeup tunnels well off it and the curveball gives him a reliable third look that keeps hitters off balance. Regen’s feel to pitch and his steady developmental arc make him a left hander who continues trending in the right direction with plenty of momentum heading into the spring.
26	Kale Thorson	Red Mountain	SS	+32
Click to view Thorson's Video Kale has been one of the more consistent risers in the class, showing a steady blend of athleticism, polish and quietly competitive edge that allows his game to translate in every setting. He moves with rhythm and confidence on the dirt, staying in tempo through the play with the type of clean actions and carry across the diamond that project him to stick on the left side. At the plate, Kale knows exactly who he is, working through the middle with controlled aggression and a short, efficient move that produces firm line drive contact. The approach continues to mature, the tools keep trending up and the Chandler Gilbert commit has positioned himself as a reliable, high floor infielder who is only getting better with each look.
41	Kellan Tom	Corona del Sol	1B/RHP	+14
Click to view Tom's Video Kellan has taken one of the more noticeable steps forward in the class, emerging as a physical two way threat whose tools continue to climb. At the plate, he brings a mature and confident presence, staying grounded in his legs and driving the baseball with real intent while maintaining the simplicity in his move that allows him to repeat quality swings. On the mound, the arm strength shows up with a fastball that carries through the zone and a developing mix that keeps hitters honest. Kellan’s blend of strength, athleticism and competitiveness gives him a chance to impact the game in multiple ways and his rising stock reflects a player whose best baseball is still ahead.
42	Eli McBryde	Canyon View	C	+49
Click to view McBryde's Video Eli has been one of the more noticeable risers in the class, playing with a confidence and edge that continues to show up in big moments. He brings real strength from both sides of the plate with a swing that produces loud contact when he stays balanced and lets the barrel work through the zone. Behind the plate, he competes with energy, showing improved receiving actions and enough arm strength to keep runners honest while continuing to refine the finer details of the position. Eli’s toughness, intent and ability to impact the game in multiple ways make him a player whose ceiling is still growing and whose trajectory remains pointed in the right direction.
50	Brock Jackson	Valley Christian	OF	+12
Click to view Jackson's Video Brock has been one of the steadier climbers in the class, bringing a spark plug style of play that fits perfectly with his athletic, left handed profile. He moves with confidence and intent, using his speed to pressure defenses and impact the game in multiple ways. At the plate, Brock stays short and direct with the barrel, consistently finding hard contact while maintaining a disciplined approach that allows his natural athleticism to show. The competitiveness, energy and reliability he brings each time out have helped him trend upward and the Colorado Mesa commit enters the spring looking like a player ready to take another jump.
62	Clayton Cooper	Basha	OF	+8
Click to view Cooper's Video Clayton has continued to trend up thanks to a strong, physical offensive profile and a confident presence in the box. He hits with intent, staying grounded in his lower half and driving the baseball with authority, especially to the pull side where his strength shows up most. The swing is compact and repeatable, allowing him to consistently find the barrel and produce mature contact. In the outfield, the arm strength plays with carry, giving him another tool that continues to develop. Clayton’s steady progression and run producing potential make him one of the more intriguing risers in the class as he heads into a big spring.