2026 Top Uncommitted: LHP

Justin Gaisford LHP / 1B / Valencia High, CA / 2026

From 5/6/25: “From the very first look at Gaisford in December of 2023 to this live look the LH hitter from Santa Clarita has embodied my favorite statement of “hitters hit.” But, as impressive as that first look was, the way Justin has continued to improve his already strong foundation of baseball tools, physicality, and athleticism over the past 18 months speaks to his future as a college level baseball player. Gaisford has continued to improve his body and athleticism looking more athletic with a leaner, stronger frame now that he is maturing with age and hard work off the baseball field he is moving better as a runner, showing increased range to go with an already impressive 1B defensive profile that could even play an OF corner with the improvements in his athleticism and in the box where his operation is smoother, more athletic and the bat speed has ticked up to provide increased impact at contact. Gaisford uses a relaxed posture in his set up in the box and then takes a smooth controlled forward move to get to the launch position with consistent feel for arriving on time to make high level swing decisions against all types of pitching (faced five different arms in five at bats). The swing has been geared for middle of the field leverage, but is now moving quicker through the zone which has translated to increased impact with barrel feel (doubled to dead CF in first AB just missing an HR and launched another deep drive about 10 feet short of the wall in RCF while adding a pair of rocket 1Bs to RF) to a disciplined approach which is willing to take walks (18 on the season). Gaisford profiles as a top of the order bat profile who can hit, get on base, impact the baseball, drive runs in and score runs while playing high level defense at either 1B or potentially an OF corner. Add in a quality LH pitching profile with strong command of a three pitch mix there is so much to like about Gaisford’s present profile and with the developments he has made in the last 18 months there is plenty of reason to project him to only continue to get better going forward. College programs would be well served to put eyes on Gaisford for their 2026 recruiting classes at all levels of the game.”

Brayden Charness LHP / 1B / Sierra Canyon, CA / 2026

Kyle Casey LHP / Simi Valley High, CA / 2026

From 4/2/25: “Casey was a standout in the winter exhibition season, then again during his outing at the 2025 Central California Preseason All State event and was an arm I was prioritizing getting an extended look at this spring. In an era where “stuff” tends to be a focus, pitchers like Casey who show advanced strike throwing ability and project to continue adding “stuff” as they mature are diamonds in the rough that can be difference makers for the next level. Working from a low ¾ slot with an easy clean delivery down the mound Casey looks to have added a tick more of arm speed which had his FB living at 80-82 topping 83 with running life to the arm side, but interestingly he showed the feel to sink the ball down in the zone and ride the ball for chase up in the zone. His ability to manipulate the shape of his FB and feel for command allows him to attack all four quadrants of the strike zone with it and expand the zone across all four locations to induce soft contact or chase on the offering. His primary offspeed continues to be an uber-deceptive CHG which has heavy tumbling action in the 72-74 MPH range which dives off the table to the arm side and is a true weapon against both RHH and LHH because of the arm speed and command of the offering he has shown across multiple looks. The SLD for Casey is the offering which needs some polish as it comes in at 68-71 MPH with short horizontal break to the offering and is the pitch he gave up two of his three hits over five innings on. Learning to add either additional velocity to the pitch to get a sharper break or creating more horizontal sweep will be a key focus for him going forward to take it from a cross-count or “trick” pitch into more of a legitimate weapon against hitters. While the “stuff” may not jump off the page over 1.5+ years of varsity level success including this year having topped 30 innings while allowing a WHIP below 1.0 and striking out around .75 batters per inning there is no doubt about Casey’s ability to pitch and profile as a long term starter. The ability to add strength to his frame, additional life to his “stuff” and develop his SLD will determine what level of college baseball that future will be at.” 

Adam Whyte LHP / OF / Tustin , CA / 2026

From 4/10/25: “Adam Whyte took the ball as the starter for Tustin High School and delivered a complete game performance, showcasing polish, mound presence, and pitchability across 7 strong innings, allowing just 1 run on 6 hits and 2 walks, while striking out 4. It was an efficient outing from the left-hander, who consistently got ahead in counts and pitched to contact with confidence with 64% strikes. Throwing from a high three-quarter arm slot, Whyte repeated his delivery well and utilized a three-pitch mix that kept hitters honest. His fastball sat 81-84 MPH and was commanded well throughout the zone, with particular success when elevated. While it occasionally showed late run, Whyte's natural supination limits horizontal movement and instead gives his fastball a more true, riding life, which plays especially well at the top of the zone. He paired it with a firm changeup at 74-76 MPH that mimicked fastball shape and release, making it effective—particularly against right-handed hitters—by creating late fade and disruption of timing. Whyte also mixed in a curveball at 68-70 MPH, a classic over-the-top breaker with sharp vertical action. He was able to land it in the zone and use it as a chase pitch, showing the ability to work it in multiple counts. The separation in velocity between his fastball and offspeed offerings gave him a solid mix that allowed him to keep hitters off balance. Beyond his presence on the mound, Whyte also impressed with his athleticism, making a diving play off the mound to prevent a bunt hit, highlighting his instincts and fielding ability as a pitcher. With a solid frame and clean mechanics, Whyte continues to show projectable pitchability and mound presence that should draw attention moving forward. His feel for a three-pitch mix, ability to command the zone, and competitiveness make him a key arm in the Tustin rotation and a name to monitor as the season progresses.”

Otto Graham LHP / JSERRA CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL, CA / 2026

From 2/18/25: “A medium framed southpaw Graham came in after Hollis to throw an impressive three innings of work which really caught my eye. It’s a tempo based operation with confidence in his move down the mound with a feel for the strike zone with a three pitch mix. He attacks predominantly with an 83-86 MPH FB that he throws to all four quadrants of the zone while backing it up with a deceptive 75-77 MPH CHG which induces both soft contact/whiff from RHH. His third offering is a softer, loopy shaped 65-67 MPH CB that can be improved but was a good “steal a strike pitch” or cross-count offering. Graham struck out three hitters over his outing.”

Isaac Esquer LHP / 1B / San Marcos , CA / 2026

Esquer made 11 appearances last spring for the Knights in which he went 6-3 with a 2.16 ERA. As impressive as his front line stats are Esquer showed quality stuff over his 52.2 IP with 59 Ks, but will need to continue to polish his control going forward to make a jump after joining the rankings for the first time.

Andrew DesMarets LHP / OF / San Dimas High, CA / 2026

From 7/30/25: “DesMarets was the first arm to take the mound for the Orange squad at Fullerton Union and the southpaw took advantage of the opportunity with a loud three innings of work. Solidly built a 6' 198.9 lbs. DesMarets worked predominantly off a 80-82 MPH FB which had strong riding life especially above the belt or above the zone with spin rates as high as 2383 RPMs with 16.9" of IVB which in turn set up his vertically breaking 67-71 MPH CB which when thrown down in the zone featured power in the break. Attacking mainly north/south against hitters DesMarets picked up whiff/chase on his FBs up in the zone or above the zone before dumping in his curveball for strikes or landing it in the dirt below the zone for Ks. The southpaw mixed in the occasional CHG to RHH at 75-76 showing solid movement to the arm side that gives him a chance to start going forward should he polish the feel for it. Overall, DesMarets tossed three innings with five strikeouts in a strong showing.”