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Class of 2027: Post-Summer Rankings Update

August 19, 2026
Prep Baseball Georgia
Staff

The summer has come to a close and the fall is getting ready to ramp up. We had a busy summer with covering tournaments at LakePoint to Summer ID's and Top Prospect Games. This class continues to develop with new prospects emerging and players starting to find their 4 year home. We will continue to follow this class closely into the fall and preseason then get one more look at them during their senior year. 

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As always, the evaluation process is a fluid and ongoing process with multiple viewings in order to get the best feel for players abilities. It’s important to note that as players continue their development some show marked improvement at a much more rapid pace. That doesn’t indicate that other players got worse or went backwards, it’s just how player development works. As the year unfolds, players make improvements and new prospects pop up on the radar expanding the Preo Baseball rankings universe. In addition to the evaluations of players, our scouts, both those in Georgia and nationally, have also had multiple discussions with each other to review our individual lists and then make adjustments based on what we've each seen. 

To see all 450 players in the 2027 rankings CLICK HERE

Today we will take a look at the top 10, summer standouts and biggest risers. We have mutliple articles lined up for the rest of the week, including top uncommitted players and staff selects from the summer. 

The Top 10

Malachi Butler SS / 2B / McEachern, GA / 2027

Rankings  StateRank: 1 / POS: 1 OverallRank: 2 / POS: 2

Caden Borcherding C / 2B / Etowah, GA / 2027

Rankings  StateRank: 2 / POS: 1 OverallRank: 32 / POS: 3

Caden Dawson OF / Blessed Trinity Catholic, GA / 2027

Rankings  StateRank: 3 / POS: 1 OverallRank: 57 / POS: 15

Harry Jones Jr SS / RHP / McEachern, GA / 2027

Rankings  StateRank: 4 / POS: 2 OverallRank: 72 / POS: 20

Brennan Neal SS / RHP / Brookstone School, GA / 2027

Rankings  StateRank: 5 / POS: 3 OverallRank: 73 / POS: 21

Evan Brand 2B / RHP / Kell, GA / 2027

Rankings  StateRank: 6 / POS: 1 OverallRank: 81 / POS: 1

Hayes Maginnis SS / RHP / Newnan, GA / 2027

Rankings  StateRank: 7 / POS: 4 OverallRank: 100 / POS: 27

Luke Winbush 3B / SS / Pope, GA / 2027

Rankings  StateRank: 8 / POS: 1 OverallRank: 101 / POS: 4

Carter Allen RHP / OF / Bremen, GA / 2027

Rankings  StateRank: 9 / POS: 1 OverallRank: 125 / POS: 33

CJ Wall C / OF / Georgia Premier Academy, GA / 2027

Rankings  StateRank: 10 / POS: 2 OverallRank: 180 / POS: 18

Summer Standouts

Brennan Neal, RHP/SS, 2027, Brookstone
The 2025 Future Gamer and Auburn commit put together yet another outstanding spring season together for Brookstone that led to another deep playoff run and helped jumpstart full breakout this summer. Arm talent made huge strides in a hurry with an eye-opening look at NPI that put the scouting community on notice. The whippy RHP would run it up to 96 in multiple outings this summer, while holding 93-95 with consistent ride and run that can beat guys in-zone and create chase as well. Slider has the makings of a future plus pitch in the low-to-mid 80s with sharp bite and budding feel to spin that continues to show well in the biggest situations. Changeup rounds things out in the high-80s with some fade that tunnels off the fastball well. A dynamic mover with plus athleticism and room for plenty of added physicality that point to even bigger strides on the mound. Let’s not forget the bat is very real with a power/speed combo that flashes in-game often including a big performance at East Coast Pro as well as an above-average glove on the left-side of the dirt. Stock stays growing for Neal and all things point to a massive senior season upcoming.

Rocco Baxter, LHP, 2027, Calhoun
The recent Georgia State commit has been on a mission throughout the year and it’s shown extremely well this summer, finishing with a standout performance at Senior Future Games. Athletic mover armed with a high-waisted 6-foot-1 frame and deceptive lower three-quarters slot that he repeats well. Fastball has continued to tick up throughout the year, now living in the high-80s while touching 90 with some natural cut and command to paint the entire zone. Mixes a pair of breaking balls with a tight slider in the high-70s and curveball at 71-75 that will miss barrels in-zone often. Low-70s kick change flashed above-average potential all summer with ability to kill spin and velocity alike while generating swing-and-miss in every look. Baxter is showing a path towards one of the higher floors in the class in a hurry.

Grant Bradley, 3B/1B, 2027, Holy Innocents
Regardless of the setting, the 2026 Senior Future Gamer has done nothing but hit over the last 18 months and finishes the summer as one of the top uncommitted infielders in the state. Flat path through the zone that matches plane against both velocity and spin very well and does a tremendous job staying within himself in the gap-to-gap, line-drive approach. Advanced plate discipline and zone awareness only strengthen the long-term hit tool as well. Present bat speed and barrel feel can allow Bradley to turn on balls to the pull-side without selling out and could have a path to above-average raw power at peak if the development stays on this path. Defensively, Bradley has shown actions that play well at either corner infield position backed by accurate arm strength and with sneaky 6.7 speed, there’s a chance to moonlight in a corner outfield spot as well down the line. This profile can provide real value at multiple levels and will be an asset to a recruiting class.

Jon Walker Brown, 1B, 2027, Lassiter
The raw left-handed power for the recent North Georgia has become one of the more potent tools for the class with in-game production and a hit tool that is quickly catching up. Barrel accuracy in the uphill path is advanced with effortless carry to the pull-side that has led to some of the most prestigious HR our staff has seen over the past year. What’s really stood out for Brown over the last year is the clutch factor. Seemingly living for the moment while carrying a quiet confidence that allows for a low pulse in high pressure situations. The physical 6-foot-3 frame shows good flexibility at first base backed by soft hands that can point to an above-average glove long-term. Brown will be a focal point for Lassiter next spring and can provide the instant impact when he gets on campus next year in Dahlonega.

Sam Hubbard, LHP, 2027, Bulloch Academy
Hubbard has been on a steady climb up the rankings over the past year and now finds himself as a borderline Top 100 player in the state. Working from a high, near over-the-top slot, the Georgia Southern commit commands a strong three-pitch mix that grows with every look. Fastball shows some ride through the zone at 86-88 while working from a steeper angle that allows the LHP to create in-zone misses with the fastball often. Slider pairs extremely well with tight horizontal break at 77-80 that shows command to land frequently on the outer half. Spin-killing changeup in the low-to-mid 80s is a weapon for Hubbard with excellent tunneling and late tumble that falls off a table at 800 RPM. The pitchability and command raise the floor for the LHP with stuff that has a chance to continue to grow going forward.

CJ Wall, C, 2027, Georgia Premier Academy
There may not have been a hotter hitter on the planet than the Arkansas commit across the summer circuit while facing stout arm talents throughout. High-level hit/power showed often and rivals anyone near the top of the ‘27 class. Thunderous barrel with easy juice and ability to spray the ball to all parts of the field with authority. Syncs up a longer load extremely well with significant hand/bat speed through the zone and innate barrel feel to match. Controlled violence with instincts and feel to adjust in-zone that allow him to handle all mixes while seeing premium velo with ease. Defensive actions and athleticism to stick behind the plate long-term which only makes the overall profile that much more intriguing. Advanced receiver with clean footwork and an excellent transfer paired while showing present arm strength. IQ really stands out and controls the running game at will with accuracy to the bag. It has been a banner year to date for Wall as he firmly has his sights set on next year's upcoming draft and draft stock still has a chance to skyrocket.

Braden Little, OF, 2027, Gordon-Lee
Uncommitted. The term “plays with his hair on fire” is a saying often used when describing Little and he exuded that on the diamond with a statement summer. Racked up hits at will against high-level arms on multiple instances during my looks. Always stays within himself with present bat speed and loose wrists that work really well while allowing for coverage across multiple parts of the zone. Stays well-connected through the load with ability to manipulate the barrel while creating length in-zone. Level path with feel to create pull-side loft at contact with more strength on the way. Glove profiles across the grass long-term backed by present above-average foot speed paired with advanced instincts and range alike. Gamer qualities and in-game intangibles are amongst some of the best as he fully staked his claim as one of the top uncommitted outfielders still on the market.

James Sharp, 3B/RHP, 2027, Fellowship Christian
One of the top uncommitted two-way prospects in the state, Sharp has done nothing but perform at a high-level for staff over the years with more of the same continuing during this past summer circuit. Physicality stands out in the box with feel to hit and impact in the barrel which was evident after a 9 HR spring campaign with the Paladins. Great balance in a positive move forward and stays well-connected throughout with an abundance of strength in the lower half. Creates separation while transferring weight well and instincts with adjustability in-zone. Well-leveraged barrel that stays in the zone forever with strong pitch recognition while showing an aptitude to use the whole field. Athletic actions over at the hot corner paired with quality instincts and footwork alike along with present arm strength to match that could carry the defensive profile long-term. On the mound, moves really well down the slope with a stout lower half and loose whip to the arm action from a repeatable low ¾ slot. The velo continues to tick up as Sharp has ran the fastball up to 90 while living in the upper 80s with arm-side life and ability to create in-zone misses. Feel to spin two-distinct breaking balls in the low to mid 70s that hold two-plane shape and tunnel extremely well off the fastball. Sparingly mixes in a changeup in the upper 70s as well. Sharp offers a versatile skillset paired with a plus makeup that will prove to be a strong addition to a recruiting class across multiple levels.

Joshua McCall, RHP, 2027, Paulding County
Uncommitted. McCall offers the type of profile and projection to dream on with a significant ceiling that can be tapped into. Showed well during the summer circuit where he would go on to land a Senior Future Games bid with another quality look on a massive stage. Long-levered and high-waisted 6-foot-3, 165-pounds with body control and ability to create huge extension downhill. Loose and athletic delivery with advanced arm strength and excellent scapular retraction that points to much more velo down the line. Operates from a repeatable higher slot while showing a tight turn. Fastball sits in the upper 80s and touched 91mph while mixing shapes with life through the zone. Depthier curveball was the go to secondary offering with 12/6 break at 75-77 while generating plenty of freezes. Budding feel to spin a tighter slider with teeth at 77-79, while also mixing in a changeup at 78-79 to LHH. The pure arm talent is clear to see as the overall stuff will continue to develop and the profile could take off when he steps onto a college campus come Fall of ‘27 whether that be at a p4 or Mid-major.

Bryce Fontenot, 1B/RHP, 2027, Cherokee Bluff
Fontenot, one of the premier power bats in the class paired with a bulldog demeanor and bullying stuff to match on the mound, earned himself a commitment to Samford after another loud summer. The Former Future Games alum boasts unreal strength in the imposing 6-foot-2, 220-pound frame that shows often in a potent RH cut. Quiet actions in the box with very minimal to zero wasted effort in the swing and delivers a heavy barrel through the zone. Compact path and tight turn while working from the ground-up and ball jumps at contact. Plus bat speed with feel to manipulate the barrel in a flat path through the zone and ability to create leverage for significant carry with ease. The raw power is what jumps off the page but the approach and feel to hit for Fontenot show up in every single setting. Physical athlete on the mound while moving really well downhill with whip to the arm action and advanced arm strength to match. Attacking mentality while owning the zone and mound presence simply stands out with feel for the entire mix. Repeats the delivery extremely well and ability to generate swing-and-miss with all. Fastball lives in the low 90s and has been up to 95 with ride and arm-side life out of the had for whiffs at will in the zone. Mixes a sinker off it with heavy bore through the zone for barrel-breaking sink. Slider has a chance for a future advanced offering with feel to manipulate shapes while tunneling in the upper 70s and low 80s. Fading changeup rounds out the arsenal in the low 80s. Fontenot’s stock only continues to grow at a rapid rate and a chance for a day 1 impact at Samford seems imminent.

Biggest Movers

Brody Bohannon, C/OF, 2027, Sequoyah
166th to 43nd


Everett Grubbs, RHP, 2027, Pickens
111th to 44rd

Jennings Allen, MIF, 2026, Pickens
123rd to 68th

Brady Willis, C, 2027, Troup County
Unranked to 71st

Ethan King, 2B, 2027, Wesleyan
118th to 86th

Evan Hollis, SS, 2027, South Effingham
449th to 87th

Kendall Turner, SS, 2027, Newton
Unranked to 88th


Brady Flesner, SS, Mill Creek
131st to 101st

Spencer Leftoff, OF/LHP, Dunwoody
162nd to 102nd


Thomas Strickland, RHP, Heritage
357th to 120th

Jayzen Johnson, RHP, 2027, North Hall
241st to 141st

Tyler Bright, OF, 2027, New Manchester
349th to 144th


Heath Ward, OF, 2027, Woodstock
437th to 149th

James Dockter, MIF/OF, 2027, Marist
214th to 155th

Davis Robinson, RHP, 2027, North Oconee
314th to 166th

Andrew Moran, C, 2027, Mount Vernon
285th to 178th


Hunter Williams, 1B, 2027, Lakeview Academy
335th to 185th

Judson Pankow, 1B, 2027, Woodstock
291st to 186th

Parker Burst, C, 2027, Lakeside
379th to 188th

Daniel Rico, RHP, 2027, Gainesville
295th to 191st

John Cook, RHP, 2027, Pope
Unranked to 193rd

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UPCOMING EVENTS

Showcase State Date Location
Georgia Senior Games GA 09/05 LakePoint Sports
Fall Campus Tour: Mercer GA 10/25 Mercer University
Fall Campus Tour: Georgia Southern GA 11/01 Georgia Southern University
Fall Campus Tour: Georgia GA 11/07 University of Georgia
Fall Campus Tour: North Georgia GA 11/08 University of North Georgia
Fall Campus Tour: Kennesaw State GA 11/15 Kennesaw State University

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