Prep Baseball Dakotas Rankings Insider: Class of 2026

April 1, 2025
Andy Judkins
State Director, Prep Baseball Dakotas

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TOP FIVE

RANK	PLAYER	SCHOOL	POS
1	Kyler Kudrna	Dickinson (ND)	RHP
A long and projectable 6-foot-3, 180-pound right-handed pitcher and outfielder, he features a fluid hybrid delivery with a rocker step into a controlled leg lift, staying tall over the backside while maintaining tension through hip rotation. His arm action works down to up, staying behind the torso before flipping up on time with separation from a low three-quarter slot. His fastball sits 87-88 mph, topping at 88 with solid spin (T2233 rpm), while his slider, thrown at 74-77 mph, shows sharp action with spin rates up to 2212 rpm. He rounds out his arsenal with a fading changeup at 79-80 mph (T1959 rpm). An athletic mover, he posts a 6.98 60-yard dash with quick 1.70 and 3.90 splits in the 10- and 30-yard marks, further showcasing his overall athleticism.
2	J.D. Prorok	Chester (SD)	RHP
JD Prorok, a 2026 right-handed pitcher and third baseman from Chester Area Schools (SD), boasts a strong 6-foot-3, 240-pound frame. On the mound, he utilizes a slightly hybrid start with a small side step into his delivery, incorporating a knee drive with a slight coil at the top to stay closed before landing slightly across his body. His short arm action features a chest-high hand break, a compact backswing, and a ¾ release slot. Prorok’s fastball sits 81-83 mph, topping at 84 mph, with solid spin rates (T2279, avg. 2202 rpm) that suggest late life. He mixes in a breaking ball at 68-72 mph (T2350, avg. 2173 rpm) that shows depth and spin potential, giving him an effective secondary offering. His size and developing arsenal make him an intriguing follow in the 2026 class.
3	Alex Seaver	Red River (ND)	RHP
Alex Seaver, a 2026 right-handed pitcher from Red River High School (ND), boasts a strong 6-foot-2, 200-pound frame with a hybrid delivery that features a controlled leg lift and hip coil, creating some back-leg drop as he moves down the mound. His arm action includes a down-to-up spiral, working behind the hip before delivering from a low three-quarter slot. Seaver’s fastball sits at 86-87 mph, topping at 87, with solid carry and spin (T1891 rpm). He mixes in a 69 mph curveball with depth (T2108 rpm) and a sharp 74-77 mph slider (T2149 rpm) that profiles as a putaway pitch. His 80-81 mph changeup shows potential with lower spin rates, creating deception. An above-average athlete for his size, he runs a 7.41 60-yard dash with quick 10- and 30-yard splits (1.76, 4.10), indicating solid mobility on the mound.
4	Drake Eastman	Dell Rapids (SD)	RHP/SS
Drake Eastman, a 2026 right-handed pitcher and shortstop from Dell Rapids (SD), showcases an athletic 5-foot-9, 170-pound frame with a dynamic delivery. Working exclusively from the stretch, he features a high leg lift with a pronounced hip coil, generating impressive hip rotation while maintaining an inline landing. His arm action includes a medium spiral with a slight inverted W, but he gets his arm up on time, delivering from a high three-quarter slot. Eastman’s fastball sits 87-89 mph, topping at 89, with high spin rates (T2379, 2278 avg. rpm), giving it carry through the zone. His curveball, a sharp breaker at 70-72 mph, spins up to 2896 rpm, showing strong potential as a swing-and-miss offering. He rounds out his arsenal with a changeup at 79-80 mph, maintaining solid separation from his fastball. An athletic mover, Eastman posted a 7.20 60-yard dash with quick acceleration (1.82 10-yard, 4.03 30-yard splits), indicating strong overall athleticism.
5	Grady Gindorff	Brandon Valley (SD)	SS
Grady Gindorff, a 2026 SS/3B from Brandon Valley (SD), showcases a well-rounded skill set with strong athleticism and offensive upside. At 5-foot-11, 175 pounds, he features a square, crouched stance at the plate, generating firm line-drive and fly-ball contact to the middle and pull side. His power potential is evident with a 98 mph max exit velocity and a 373-foot max distance. Defensively, he moves with athleticism, staying light on his feet with a balanced setup and smooth hands that work well out front. His 79 mph infield arm strength complements his quick reactions. A standout runner, Gindorff posted a 6.79 60-yard dash with explosive 1.74 and 3.83 times in the 10- and 30-yard splits, highlighting his speed and agility.

+ CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL DAKOTAS CLASS OF 2026 RANKINGS

NOTABLE RISERS

Players who made jumps in the rankings.

RANK	PLAYER	POS	COMMENT
1	Kyler Kudrna	RHP	Kudrna overtakes the no. 1 spot on the list after being ranked 7th heading into the winter last year.
4	Drake Eastman	RHP	Eastman jumped 10 slots after showcasing well at the Preseason ID-South Dakota.

NEW NAMES

Players who make their debut on the rankings.

RANK	PLAYER	POS	COMMENT
9	Karl Hartmann	2B/RHP	On the mound, he features a fastball at 85-86 mph, a sharp slider (74-75 mph), and a developing changeup (80-82 mph), with a clean arm action and solid projection.
16	Chris Logue	OF/RHP	6-1, 180-pound arm with a smooth delivery, featuring a fastball at 84-86 mph, a sharp slider at 76-78 mph, and a solid changeup at 80-81 mph, all with impressive spin rates.
17	Griffen Haagenson	RHP/3B	6-3, 190-pound RHP/3B with a fastball at 84-85 mph, plus a solid curveball and changeup, while also showing power at the plate with an 88 mph exit velocity and solid defensive ability at third base.
18	Brody Strahm	IF	Versatile 5-10, 175-pound right-handed hitter with solid contact, a line drive approach, an 83 mph arm across the infield, and a 7.15 60-yard dash time.