Colorado Class of 2028 Rankings: Picks to Click

State: Rank 28 / POS 5

VIEW PLAYER PROFILE

Entering a spring season fully healthy for the first time in his high school career, Pettinger leverages a physical, athletic frame to consistently generate triple-digit exit velocities. Expect him to rack up extra-base hits at a high volume this season; when operating at 100 percent, he profiles as arguably the most dangerous offensive threat in the 3A classification.

State: Rank 35 / POS 9

VIEW PLAYER PROFILE

Bote is the nephew of former Cub David Bote and is certainly a position player to watch over the next year. The switch-hitting middle infielder brings impressive athleticism and defensive feel, along with a developing bat that competes in the box. Bote’s play style immediately jumps out on the field through his hustle, hard 90s, and exceptional range/speed in the infield. At the 3A level this spring, Bote mashed his way to a .468 average with 21 stolen bases and 10 extra-base hits. As his size, strength, and athleticism continue to evolve, paired with his strong baseball family pedigree, we could see Bote continue to rise as one of the better position players in Colorado’s 2028 class. -Caleb Dameron (Assistant Director)

State: Rank 37 / POS 11

VIEW PLAYER PROFILE

The arm action is electric, the Division I bloodlines are real, and at a long, lean 6-foot-2, Stewart still has tons of room to pack on muscle. Everything is aligning for him to make a massive velocity jump and completely break out this spring. We are betting big on his future—Stewart is a sky-high ceiling prospect who is officially cleared for takeoff.

State: Rank 39 / POS 10

VIEW PLAYER PROFILE

Franklin is another right-handed arm we are high on entering the spring. After running his fastball up to 87 mph at the State Games in early August, his upward trajectory is clear. He is slated to combine with Nolan Taylor, forming a formidable 1-2 punch at the top of the Northfield rotation this season.

State: Rank 40 / POS 12

VIEW PLAYER PROFILE

Sikes broke out as the No. 2 for Fort Collins last year, and now he is ready to take the reins as the undeniable ace. His velo was on the rise all summer, touching 85 mph, and with a physical 6-foot-1, 185-pound frame, another velocity jump feels inevitable. He tunnels his fastball effectively with a plus slider that serves as a true out-pitch. Furthermore, Sikes offers intriguing two-way upside, flashing legitimate left-handed strength at the plate.

State: Rank 44 / POS 3

VIEW PLAYER PROFILE

Another wiry arm we believe could be in line for a significant jump is Pueblo South’s Guillermo “MJ” Molina. Molina has already proven he can compete at a high level, posting a 2.24 ERA with 48 strikeouts across 50 innings while allowing just 27 walks as a sophomore at the 4A level this past spring. At 6’3” and 160 lbs., Molina features long levers and a highly projectable frame that is screaming for added size and strength. His fastball currently works around the mid-80s, but with plenty of physical development still ahead, there is reason to believe a notable velocity jump could be coming over the next year. Molina also brings strong pitchability to the mound, giving him a solid foundation to pair with his high-ceiling frame. The right-hander shows a quick, twitchy arm that should only benefit as he continues to add strength throughout his frame, and if the velocity takes the expected step forward, Molina could quickly emerge as one of the more intriguing arms in Colorado’s 2028 class. -Caleb Dameron (Assistant Director)

State: Rank 54 / POS 4

VIEW PLAYER PROFILE

At 6’1” and 160 lbs., Carlson provides strong pitchability from the left side with an arsenal that should continue to trend upward as he adds size and strength to his wiry frame. The southpaw features a repeatable delivery with plenty of room for physical development, which could naturally lead to more velocity and continued improvement across his entire arsenal. Carlson has already proven he can fill up the strike zone with his full mix over the last year, giving him a solid foundation to build upon. His fastball currently sits in the low 80s, but with additional strength and physical maturity still ahead, there is reason to believe more velocity could be on the way. As we have seen with many Colorado arms, late bloomers can emerge from the Rocky Mountains and take significant jumps as they reach their upperclassmen years. This past spring, Carlson logged 30 innings with 28 strikeouts and just 16 walks allowed for Cherokee Trail’s varsity squad. As his frame continues to fill out and his velocity and overall stuff continue to develop, Carlson has the makings of an intriguing left-handed arm to follow in Colorado’s 2028 class. -Caleb Dameron (Assistant Director)

State: Rank 80 / POS 18

VIEW PLAYER PROFILE

Federspiel can absolutely fly! This fast-twitch athlete is already blazing down the line with a 6.7 60-time, and the scary part is that he is only going to get faster. He brings excellent bat speed to the dish, and once he packs some more muscle onto his frame, watch out. When that physical strength catches up to his speed, Federspiel is going to completely explode onto the scene.

State: Rank 67 / POS 5

VIEW PLAYER PROFILE

Predicting a breakout for a pitcher coming off a 9-1 campaign might seem counterintuitive, but Bittner is primed to elevate his game even further. He steps onto the mound for a deep, talented Golden squad that remains a perennial 4A powerhouse. After a shocking regional upset cut their playoff run short last year, do not be surprised when Bittner and company pitch their way back into state championship consideration this spring.

State: Rank 23 / POS 6

VIEW PLAYER PROFILE

Christy was one of the biggest winners from this year’s Colorado State Games event and quickly won us over with his combination of outlier strength, athleticism, and competitive makeup. The 5’11”, 182-pound athlete posted a 106 mph max BP exit velocity, 400-foot max batted-ball distance, 6.81 60-yard dash, and 85 mph infield velocity, showcasing a well-rounded athletic profile that stands out for his class. Christy’s strength immediately plays up in the box, where he is capable of producing loud impact while still showing feel for the barrel. A running back this fall, Christy brings that same physicality and competitive edge onto the baseball field. He plays the game with an aggressive, high-motor style and the type of toughness you would expect from an RB1, making him a true gamer between the lines. Defensively, his athleticism gives him the chance to move around the field and potentially handle multiple spots. With his combination of physical strength, speed, and competitive makeup, Christy is an intriguing athlete whose tools already stand out in Colorado’s 2028 class. -Caleb Dameron (Assistant Director)