2026 Prep Baseball Iowa Player of the Year Watchlist
May 14, 2026
Tyler Cropley
State Director, Prep Baseball Iowa
Prep Baseball Iowa is committed to being the most comprehensive source of player information in the state. As the leading resource for high school baseball in every state we cover, we provide in-depth coverage through events, an on-the-ground scouting staff, daily content, and multimedia platforms. Our integrated approach makes us the most effective platform for high school baseball promotion at the state level.
Unlike organizations with a broad national focus, we prioritize in-depth, local coverage to be the authoritative voice for high school baseball in Iowa.
As we gear up for the 2026 season, we will highlight five top candidates for Prep Baseball Iowa’s Player of the Year.
2026 PLAYER OF THE YEAR WATCHLIST
(In alphabetical order)
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Kaleb LaFavor RHP / 1B / Sioux City Heelan, IA / 2026
Kaleb LaFavor is a 6-7, 195-pound right-handed pitcher from Bishop Heelan Catholic in Sioux City, Iowa (class of 2026, committed to the University of Iowa), possessing an ultra-projectable, long, lanky, high-waisted frame with significant room to add strength and leverage that screams future velocity gains. The strike-throwing ability, pitchability, and feel for the zone with his growing arsenal, which has translated to a dominant high school season in 2025 with an ERA of 0.71 in 49 innings with 69 strikeouts. The fastball is in the low 90’s with above average velocity on the off speed pitches proving that he is one of the dominant arms in the state with a real chance to win the award.
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Tucker Long RHP / SS / Ottumwa High School, IA / 2026
One of the most athletic arms in the state, Long showed controlled ease and elite movement at the Prep Baseball Super 60. The fastball sits in the low 90s, maxing out at 92.9 mph with heavy arm-side run and movement averaging around 19-20 inches of horizontal break and maxing out near 22-23 inches, generating swing-and-miss when elevated or located properly. His changeup at 82-84 mph with even more pronounced arm-side run/fade up to 23.5 inches horizontal movement that mirrors the fastball well, a slider at 79-81 mph with tight spin, 2400+ rpm, and sharp 10-4/tilt break, and a cutter at 84-85 mph that adds another look to keep hitters off balance. Ranked No. 1 in Iowa’s 2026 class, the Mississippi commit has proven to be the top player in this class and has the tools to win the award.
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Matt Meeker OF / 1B / Waukee High School, IA / 2027
The 6-4, 228-pound University of Arkansas commit and No. 2 ranked player in Iowa’s 2027 class showed a power bat at the 2026 Upper Midwest Procase, posting a 106.8 mph exit velocity and 414 ft. True middle-of-the-order thunder that could lead the state in homers. His physical, high-waisted frame with present strength and athleticism supports a projectable delivery. The arm speed that produces 94+ mph outfield velocity has the potential to take home the award this upcoming season.
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The top ranked prospect in Iowa’s 2027 class and a true five-tool threat who could crash the POY race. At the 2026 Upper Midwest ProCase he hit 98.8 mph exit velocity and 385 ft, threw 92 mph from the outfield, and ran a blazing 6.36 60. The left-handed bat + elite defense/speed gives him star potential in his junior year. The 2025 season was a solid one, posting a .435 batting average and an OPS of 1.272. The athletic, compact, and projectable frame that continues to add strength while maintaining twitch and explosiveness could produce numbers to take home the award during 2026 for the University of Arkansas commit.
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Ryan Stedman RHP / 1B / West Des Moines Valley, IA / 2026
The tall, long, lanky, and projectable frame continues to fill out with athletic strength, giving him significant remaining upside as he adds weight and matures physically. Topped out at a session-best 96 mph at the Upper Midwest ProCase and pairs it with a deep four-pitch mix (curve, changeup, cutter). Stedman had a great year last season where he posted a 1.68 ERA with 56 strikeouts in 33.1 innings pitched looking to do the same during the 2026 season. His velocity and feel to miss bats make him a nightly game-changer on the mound. Ranked No. 2 in Iowa’s 2026 class, the University of Iowa commit has the talent to win the award.
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Other Names To Consider:
+ Cal Jepsen, 2026, Sioux City East [Western Kentucky commit]
+ George Blake, 2027, Indianola
+ Drew Sullivan, 2026, Dubuque [Nebraska commit]
+ Colton Roemmich, 2026, WDM Valley [Nebraska commit]
+ Braylon Bingham, 2027, Pleasantville [Iowa commit - football]
