MALIBU, CALIF - On Sunday, May 31st, the Prep Baseball California team hosted the SoCal ProCase at Pepperdine University in Malibu, Cal. This was an invite-only event for the top draft prospects in Southern California (2027-2028), and gave our staff an ample look at the area's top prospects.

Nearly 40 players made their way to Malibu and participated in a pro-style workout, gathering unrivaled access to data through our state-of-the-art tech partners, as well as in-depth scouting analysis from our Prep Baseball California staff. Today, we will be looking at the standout performers from the 2026 SoCal ProCase, found below.

Ira Rootman OF / Harvard-Westlake, CA / 2027 (TEXAS) Rankings  StateRank: 5 / POS: 1 OverallRank: 37 / POS: 11 Rootman put together one of the most complete performances of the 2026 SoCal ProCase, separating himself as the day progressed from the workout into live game. The tools showed up immediately during the workout, where he posted the third-fastest 60-yard dash at 6.33, recorded the third-best exit velocity at 102.8 mph, and showed off a 91 mph arm from the outfield. While the arm strength was evident, the accuracy wavered a bit early during the defensive workout with a few throws sailing high, but he made adjustments and dialed it in on his final two throws, showing the carry and accuracy expected from a center field profile. As impressive as the workout was, it was the game action where Rootman truly elevated himself above the field. He barreled baseballs throughout the day, starting with a double down the left-field line on a changeup, then swiping a bag and coming around to score. Later, he ripped a single up the middle off a 90 mph fastball, followed by a hard-hit lineout to center field before finishing his day with another base hit. The consistency and quality of contact stood out in every plate appearance. Rootman’s hit tool continues to trend upward, and his move to full-time center field for Harvard-Westlake this spring only enhances the profile. The swing is short, efficient, and direct through the zone, with virtually no wasted movement, allowing him to handle velocity and adjust to secondary offerings at a high level.

Dylan Seward SS / 2B / Norco High, CA / 2027 (TENNESSEE) Rankings  StateRank: 1 / POS: 1 OverallRank: 1 / POS: 1 The nation’s No. 1 player in the 2027 class returned to Pepperdine for his second consecutive ProCase appearance and somehow managed to top the performance that had many buzzing a year ago. In 2025, Seward, one of only three California sophomores in attendance, turned heads by running a blistering 6.18 60-yard dash. This year, he somehow found another gear, posting a ridiculous 6.09, immediately setting the tone for the entire event and everyone in attendance. Seward carried that athleticism directly into the defensive workout, where a rapid-fire double fungo session only reinforced his reputation as one of the most dynamic defenders in the country. He combines elite glove presentation, soft hands, exceptional range, and rare athleticism, allowing him to make plays to both sides that few players can. The ease with which he moves on the dirt separates him from most of his peers and continues to point toward a long-term future at shortstop. At the plate in BP, Seward posted a 101 mph max exit velocity and averaged 94 mph across both sides of the plate, while producing an 84% hard-hit rate and a 390-foot max batted distance. His best swings came from the left side, when he was driving the ball to the left-center gap with authority. During game action, Seward worked a walk in his first plate appearance, immediately stole a base, and later pulled a hard ground ball through the right side for a hit, closing out an overall productive day from start to finish. The 2025 Prep Baseball All-American is continuing to track well, with the possibility of hearing his name go 1:1 in 2027.

Andrew Carlson RHP / Trinity Classical Academy, CA / 2027 (TCU) Rankings  StateRank: 21 / POS: 8 OverallRank: 208 / POS: 65 Carlson used the SoCal ProCase as an opportunity to showcase his talent on a national stage, and it's safe to say he walked away with his stock climbing significantly after one of the most dominant outings of the event. The 6-4 right-hander showed off a durable, physical frame and an easy operation that allowed his premium stuff to play at a high level. He worked 93-96 mph with the fastball, showing 2400+ rpm spin, command to both sides of the plate, and the ability to overpower hitters with a big fastball that played through the zone. The outing was complete cruise control from start to finish. Carlson faced five batters and struck out all five, generating uncomfortable swings throughout the appearance. His slider at 78-82 mph flashed as a legitimate swing-and-miss offering, capable of both finishing hitters in the zone and expanding for chase when ahead in counts. He also showed feel for a 79-80 mph changeup, giving him a quality third pitch that complemented the fastball and slider combination. What stood out was how comfortable Carlson looked against both right-handed and left-handed hitters. The delivery is easy, the build is durable, and the arsenal checks a lot of boxes for a starter profile. Between the big fastball, swing-and-miss slider, developing kick changeup, and competitive presence, Carlson delivered the most dominant look of any arm in attendance and reinforced that there is still plenty of upside remaining as his ceiling continues to climb.

Easton Sarmiento LHP / OF / Ruben S. Ayala, CA / 2027 (UCSB) Rankings  OverallRank: 125 / POS: 13 Sarmiento turned in an impressive outing, showcasing a blend of present stuff and long-term projection that is easy to dream on. The 6-3 left-hander worked 89-91 mph with a steep-angle fastball that played exceptionally well through the zone, attacking hitters aggressively and showing no hesitation to challenge them in the strike zone. He paired the fastball with an 80-82 mph slider that flashed the potential to become a plus offering thanks to its shape and feel, while the 85-86 mph changeup featured fade and generated one of his three strikeouts. Sarmiento's operation stands out for its easy, low-effort look, allowing the velocity to come naturally from a clean, repeatable delivery. He struck out three hitters, including one looking, while allowing just one hit during his appearance. More than the results, though, it’s the projection that jumps out. His lanky 6-3 frame has room for another 15-20 pounds of strength, and when that comes, additional velocity and overall stuff gains appear likely. The profile fits the mold of the type of arm that has historically developed well at UC Santa Barbara—a projectable left-handed starter with size, athleticism, feel for a three-pitch mix, and plenty of upside remaining. Sarmiento left the event looking like a pitcher whose stock is continuing to trend upward and whose best baseball is still ahead of him.

Johnny Bowes RHP / 1B / Mission Bay High, CA / 2027 (USC) Rankings  StateRank: 13 / POS: 5 OverallRank: 92 / POS: 21 Bowes turned in one of the more intriguing pitching performances of the event, showing a combination of present stuff, projection, and deception that makes evaluators take notice. The 6-6, 215-pound right-hander worked 92-94 mph, touching 95, generating over 7 feet of extension, and creating a difficult look for hitters. The ball comes out with noticeable heaviness, and his deceptive delivery only adds to the discomfort, helping him produce weak contact and chase swings throughout a hitless inning of work. His arsenal is deep and projects well. The cutter at 84-85 mph may ultimately be the standout secondary, showing the shape and late movement to become a legitimate weapon against both right and left-handed hitters. He also mixed in a 74 mph curveball and a 79–81 mph splitter, giving him multiple ways to attack hitters and keep them off balance. There were flashes of true miss-bat ability throughout the outing, and the combination of extension, angle, and pitch mix allowed everything to play up. What makes Bowes especially interesting is how much room there still appears to be for growth. The frame already carries present strength, but there is still projection remaining, and the athleticism and arm action suggest there could be another jump ahead. Not to mention, he will only be 17 and 11 months at the time of next year's draft. Bowes left a strong impression and reinforced why he warrants close attention moving forward.

Class of 2028

Quinn Melton C / 1B / San Marcos High, CA / 2028 Rankings  StateRank: 46 / POS: 6 OverallRank: 289 / POS: 24 Melton has developed into one of the more complete left-handed hitters in California’s 2028 class, and he continued that trend with another loud showing at the SoCal ProCase. Power and consistent hard contact have become trademarks of Melton’s game, and this event was no different. He posted a 101 mph max exit velocity, 92.9 mph average EV, and a 391-foot max batted distance, working with an uphill path and 25-degree average launch angle that creates natural carry and impact. The strength in his 6-0, 215-pound frame is evident, but what stood out in this look is how well he moved for his size. Melton ran a 7.16 60-yard dash and showed continued improvement behind the plate, recording a pop time as low as 1.97, a noticeable step forward from where he was last fall. During game action, he backed up the BP performance by barreling two baseballs against quality pitching, including a double, proving once again that his offensive tools translate when the lights come on.

Jordan Lindsay C / OF / Birmingham Community Charter High, CA / 2028 Rankings  StateRank: 31 / POS: 4 Lindsey put together one of the most complete performances of the entire event, standing out from the first workout rep through the final out of gameplay. He opened the day by running a 6.82 60-yard dash, an outstanding time for a catcher and a major reason why his athleticism plays so well behind the plate. The 6-1, 200-pound frame immediately catches your attention, carrying present strength with plenty of room for additional physical development. Defensively, Lindsey showed why he is such an intriguing catching prospect, recording 1.90-2.02 pop times with an 80 mph arm, consistently staying on the bag with excellent carry and accuracy. His athleticism allows him to move exceptionally well behind the dish and also points toward potential versatility in the outfield if needed down the road. Offensively, Lindsey backed up the physical tools with a strong showing at the plate. He posted a 94.8 mph max exit velocity with a 366-foot max batted distance, showing tight turns in the box and the ability to generate quality contact from a compact operation. He wasted no time making an impact in gameplay, barreling a missile base hit early to left that he stretched into a double. His compact hands, ability to work inside the baseball, and gap-to-gap approach allow him to consistently produce hard contact when he finds the barrel. The display of physicality, athleticism, and offensive performance made Lindsey one of the standout performers from start to finish. Overall, he is a must-follow 2028 prospect whose profile should continue to trend upward and one who should draw plenty of attention throughout this summer.

Theo Swafford SS / Sierra Canyon School, CA / 2028 Rankings  StateRank: 2 / POS: 1 OverallRank: 8 / POS: 1 Swafford continues to cement himself as one of the most complete and talented athletes in the 2028 class. Defensively, Swafford has everything you'd expect from a long-term shortstop. The 5-10, 170-pound prospect showed the range, athleticism, and instincts that immediately separate him from many players in the class. His 86 mph arm was accurate across the diamond, and while the rapid-fire fungo session likely prevented him from fully airing it out, it gave him every opportunity to showcase his complete defensive skill set. The hands are soft, the actions are fluid, and there is a natural ease to everything he does on the dirt. At the plate, Swafford put together what was arguably the best all-around BP round of the event. His barrel control is elite, consistently spraying line drives to all fields while also showing the ability to create loft and impact to the pull side when he wants to. The offensive profile is further elevated by an advanced understanding of the strike zone. Swafford routinely takes quality pitches just off the edges, works deep counts, and rarely gives away at-bats, traits that consistently put him in favorable hitting situations. Ironically, the most impressive at-bat of the day may have been one that ended in a strikeout. Facing Andrew Carlson, who had already struck out four consecutive hitters while sitting 94-96 mph, Swafford stepped in as the fifth batter and immediately showed a different level of competitiveness. He fouled a fastball straight back, spoiled multiple two-strike secondary pitches that other hitters had been swinging through, and worked himself into a battle that seemed destined to continue. The at-bat ultimately ended on a called strike three on a fastball that appeared out of the zone, but the result hardly mattered. What stood out was the ability to compete, adjust, and refuse to give away an at-bat against an arm with his premium 'A' stuff. The combination of tools Swafford possesses makes him one of the premier prospects in the 2028 class. Every viewing seems to reinforce the same conclusion: he is going to be one of the most heavily followed and highly sought-after players in the country over the coming years.

Jax Janeski RHP / SS / JSerra Catholic, CA / 2028 Rankings  StateRank: 5 / POS: 2 OverallRank: 18 / POS: 3 Janeski may have shown some of his best stuff to date despite a stat line that doesn't fully capture how well he threw. The 6-4 right-hander possesses a long, athletic frame and a mature mound presence well beyond his age. Working 88-91 mph with the fastball, Janeski consistently applied pressure in the strike zone and showed feel for a deep four-pitch mix that included a 75-78 mph slider, 79-81 mph changeup, and 75-76 mph splitter. His delivery is fluid and athletic, featuring a high leg lift, loose arm action, and quality downhill angle that allows the entire arsenal to play up. Janeski recorded one strikeout in his five-batter appearance and surrendered a pair of hits, but the overall quality of the stuff stood out. The lower half has filled out considerably over the past year, and the added strength is beginning to show in both the velocity and overall consistency of his arsenal. He looked comfortable attacking hitters, showed confidence throwing all four pitches, and continued to flash the traits of a starter profile. Janeski's projection of where he is at right now to where he could be in two to three years is why he will be a big follow leading into this summer and beyond.

Ethan Torres RHP / Orange Lutheran, CA / 2028 Rankings  StateRank: 15 / POS: 6 OverallRank: 91 / POS: 26 The SoCal ProCase was a quality look for Torres, working 90-92 mph with a fastball that featured 2500+ rpm spin, showing life through the zone and the ability to challenge hitters with quality stuff. He mixed in a 71-74 mph curveball and a 75-77 mph slider, giving him multiple breaking ball shapes and a well-rounded arsenal. Torres surrendered a walk and one hit in his outing, but even the hit was telling of the quality of his stuff, as the hitter's bat completely snapped in half on contact. The overall quality of the fastball and the uncomfortable at-bats it created stood out throughout the appearance. What is especially exciting is the projection. At 6-1, 168 pounds, he may not have much more height to add, but there is still plenty of room for physical development and strength gains. The arm action is athletic and loose, fully extending in the back before accelerating through release, helping create life through the zone. Coming out of a powerhouse program like Orange Lutheran, Torres is a name that will be followed closely over the coming years as the frame fills out and the already impressive stuff continues to take steps forward.

Russell Del Castillo RHP / 3B / Damien, CA / 2028 Rankings  StateRank: 32 / POS: 9 OverallRank: 187 / POS: 48 It was another noticeable step forward on the mound for Del Castillo. Working a scoreless five-batter outing, he recorded two strikeouts while displaying a complete four-pitch arsenal with present command. His fastball sat 87-89 mph with the ability to locate to all four quadrants of the strike zone, and he mixed in a two-seamer in the low-to-mid 80s that flashed legitimate sinking action. The secondary mix continued to impress. Del Castillo's first strikeout came on a 76 mph slider, a pitch that consistently worked 76-79 mph with a near-cutter-like look. The next step for that pitch is getting the spin up for Del Castillo, as it is still a lower-spin SL with some offerings coming in at under 2000 rpm. He also mixed in a 77 mph changeup that provided a quality change of pace off both the fastball and sinker. His final strikeout came on a well-executed fastball elevated against a left-handed hitter, showcasing confidence in attacking hitters in different ways. While he also showed offensive ability with a 93.8 mph max exit velocity during BP, the future likely lies on the mound for Del Castillo, and it's likely going to be a bright one. What stands out most is the physical development. Del Castillo leaned out significantly during the fall of 2025 and has since begun adding strength back onto his frame in a positive way. Now standing 6-3, 250 pounds, he possesses the type of durable build that projects well for handling innings and maintaining stuff over time. The strong outing and physical gains being made point toward a pitcher whose arrow is trending upward heading into the next stage of his development.

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