Prep Baseball Dakotas Rankings Insider: Class of 2027

April 3, 2025
Andy Judkins
State Director, Prep Baseball Dakotas

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TOP FIVE

RANK	PLAYER	SCHOOL	POS
1	Cason Borchardt	Horace (ND)	OF/LHP
Cason Borchardt, a 2027 OF/LHP from Horace (ND), presents an intriguing two-way profile with a projectable 6-foot-2, 175-pound frame. On the mound, the left-hander showcases a controlled, athletic delivery with a long arm swing from a three-quarter slot. His fastball sits 82-83 mph (T83) with solid spin rates, complemented by a 69 mph curveball and a sharper 74-75 mph slider, both showing distinct shape and spin. His changeup (72-74 mph) is developing with lower spin characteristics. Offensively, the left-handed hitter features an upright stance with athletic movements, working primarily to the mid/pull side with firm line-drive and fly ball contact. His bat speed (70.9 mph) and rotational acceleration (11 G) pair well with his 91 mph exit velocity and 338-foot max distance, hinting at emerging power. Defensively, Borchardt moves well in the outfield, displaying an 88 mph arm with clean actions and an athletic approach to the ball. A solid 7.23 runner in the 60, he offers an exciting blend of tools and projection on both sides of the ball.
2	Caden Nelson	Fargo South (ND)	RHP
Caden Nelson, a 2027 RHP/3B from Fargo South High School (ND), boasts an impressive 6-foot-2, 180-pound frame with room for continued physical development. On the mound, he utilizes a standard start with a slide step into his leg kick, showing strong lower-half engagement and fast hip rotation while maintaining an inline landing. His arm action is compact with a tight, inverted "W" break, generating deep separation and a consistent ¾ slot. Nelson’s fastball sits 89-92 mph, topping at 92 with high spin (T2381, avg. 2332 rpm), showcasing late life. His slider (74-78 mph, T2546 rpm) is a sharp breaking pitch with swing-and-miss potential, while his changeup (77-79 mph, T1974 rpm) provides solid velocity separation. An athletic mover, Nelson posts a 7.02-second 60-yard dash with impressive 10-yard (1.68) and 30-yard (3.87) split times, highlighting his quick-twitch ability and potential two-way upside.
3	Kade Wede	Harrisburg (SD)	RHP
Kade Wede, a 2027 RHP/3B from Harrisburg High School (SD), possesses an athletic 6-foot, 178.6-pound frame with projectable strength. On the mound, he features a controlled delivery with a high leg lift and a big hip coil, efficiently rotating while staying in line to the plate. His arm action is long and whippy, working from a ¾ slot with good timing. Wede’s fastball sits 87-90 mph, topping at 90 with spin rates around 2,012 rpm. He mixes in a 71-73 mph curveball with solid depth (T2089 rpm), a changeup at 77-78 mph with lower spin for effective deception, and an 82-84 mph cutter that adds another look. His combination of arm speed, pitch mix, and efficiency in his mechanics make him a high-upside arm to follow in the 2027 class. Listen to Kade Wede's appearance on the Ducks On The Pond podcast here.
4	Maddux Munson	Sioux Falls Christian (SD)	RHP
Maddux Munson, a 2027 RHP/OF from Sioux Falls Christian Schools (SD), boasts a strong 6-foot-1, 213-pound frame with a power-driven arsenal on the mound. Operating exclusively from the stretch, he starts closed with a leg lift into a coil, maintaining tall posture through hip rotation before landing in line. His arm action features a down-to-up path with scap retraction, creating good separation and working from an over-the-top slot. Munson’s fastball sits 85-89 mph, topping at 90 mph with solid spin rates, while his curveball (73 mph) and slider (75-78 mph) offer distinct breaking action, the latter spinning up to 2,224 rpm. His changeup, sitting 80-82 mph, provides a solid velocity gap with lower spin. With his physicality and developing velocity, Munson is a high-upside arm to watch in the 2027 class.
5	Jack Tooke	Mandan (ND)	SS
Jack Tooke, a 2027 right-handed pitcher and shortstop from Mandan High School (ND), presents a strong two-way profile with a well-built 6-foot-1, 187-pound frame. On the mound, he utilizes a hybrid start with a high leg lift, maintaining a tall backside before landing in line. His arm action is compact, staying flexed through his motion with an over-the-top slot, though it can be slightly late at times. Tooke’s fastball sits at 84-85 mph, touching 85, with spin rates averaging 1,740 rpm. His slider, thrown at 73-76 mph, shows solid bite with spin rates up to 2,081 rpm, while his changeup works in the low 70s with a lower spin profile. Offensively, the left-handed hitter employs a slightly closed stance with a stride across his body. His flat swing plane allows him to stay on the ball well at times, producing a line-drive approach with a mid-to-pull-side focus. Tooke shows projectable power, registering a 93 mph max exit velocity with a 343-foot max distance. Defensively, he displays active footwork and athleticism, playing through the ball with clean and consistent hands. His arm strength stands out, reaching 87 mph across the infield. With his combination of pitching potential, infield versatility, and offensive upside, Tooke is a prospect to follow in North Dakota’s 2027 class.