2026 Prep Baseball Iowa Preseason All-State: Record Breakers?
March 6, 2026
We recently dug into the Preseason All-State archives to check out the statistical leaders from the past decade—what Rob Allison calls the Catalina Wine Mixer of Iowa showcases.
Over the years, the way we collect data has changed dramatically. Early on, exit velocity and pitching velocity were tracked with a Stalker radar gun and a batting tee. Today, multiple Trackman units capture detailed metrics on every pitch and batted ball.
Our batting practice setup has also evolved. Overhand toss BP has been replaced with Hack Attack Juniors, which provide firmer, more game-like rounds. Last year marked the first time we implemented that change.
The event has come a long way and will continue to evolve with new technology. The goal remains the same: give players access to advanced metrics using the best tools available. Still, the game is played on the field. The numbers help scouts and college coaches identify players to follow, but performance in games ultimately matters most.
Now, let’s take a look at the all-time leaders in the main categories and see who on the 2026 Preseason All-State roster could be climbing the leaderboards.
60-Yard Dash Leader: Cade Sears – 6.38
Sears clocked an electric 6.38 in 2023. Can anyone top that?
Looking down our roster, Johnston's Ahvyance Taylor, the top uncommitted player from the class of 2027 in attendance, ripped off a 6.49 at the Iowa Sticks Scout Day in August 2025. He's probably the frontrunner to knock Sears out of the top spot. Meanwhile, Waukee Northwest's Tyler Honkomp was a 6.63 at the same event.
Other potential burners and their top 60 times in 2025:
+ Jordan Zimmerman (Linn-Mar) - 6.72
+ JJ Phillips (Pleasantville) - 6.81
+ Will Nesler (Ankeny Centenntial) - 6.81
Infield Velo Leader: Jackson Wentworth – 94 MPH
The 2021 Waukee grad was selected in the 5th round of the 2024 MLB draft by the Toronto Blue Jays as a pitcher because clearly Wentworth has a big arm.
Dubuque Wahlert's Jacob Pierro (2028) is the odds-on favorite for this. At last summer's Super Sophomore Games in Kansas City, he unleashed a 94 dot across the infield. This led all Iowa infielders in velo in all classes last year. Assuming he's ready to cook, it's very likely Wentworth will be sharing that title, at minimum.
Other names to consider:
+ Brooks Bond (Lewis Central) - 91 MPH
+ Beau Morio (Cedar Rapids Xavier) - 90 MPH
+ JP Elbert (Dubuque Wahlert) - 89 MPH
Outfield Velo Leaders: Tommy Specht, Trever Baumler & Isaiah Kettler – 95 MPH
Iowa Falls Alden's Raine Pitre is currently 4th on the all-time leaderboard after rattling off a 92 MPH at the Preseason All-State last year. He's back and will show the offseason gains off this weekend. Dallas Center-Grimes' Carson Gill also peeled off a 92 of his own at the Iowa Sticks Scout Day in August.
Other outfield arms to watch:
+ JJ Phillips (Pleasantville) - 91
+ Ty Lamfers (North Polk) - 90
+ Brekken Miller (Ankeny Centennial) - 90
+ Finn Faber (Waukee) - 89
Catcher Velo Leader: Gehrig Christensen – 86 MPH
Christensen threw 86 down to second at the 2020 Preseason All-State. That number feels down right unreachable at this point.
A few players could push that mark this year, including:
+ JP Elbert (Dubuque Wahlert) - 82
+ Brekken Miller (Ankeny Centennial) - 82
+ Ty Heydon (Coon Rapids-Bayard) - 81
Trackman Max Exit Velo Leader: Trever Baumler – 106.6 MPH
With 2027 thumpers Bridger Schmidt and Matt Meeker now committed, the top candidate to knock Baumler off the perch falls to Ankeny's Ryan Wille. Wille came out to our Winter Hitting Update and proceeded to try to knock the entire building down. His session culminated in a 111.3 MPH exit velocity.
That'll do, Donkey. That'll do.
Others:
+ Luke Merrick (Solon) - 104.8 MPH
+ Charlie Rutherford (Waukee) - 103.5 MPH
+ Blake Fort (Lewis Central) - 101.2 MPH
+ JJ Phillips (Pleasantville) - 101.1 MPH
Trackman Max Fastball Velo Leader: Cole Moore – 93.0 MPH
Van Meter’s Moore set the bar in 2024.
Jacob Pierro is once again the favorite in this category. He pulled out a 90 at last year's Preseason All-State and we have seen him record some 93s in his offseason training sessions. That said, it's different to do it at our Catalina Winemixer when all the eyes are on you.
Other arms to monitor:
+ Sam Bartlett (Iowa City West) - 89.0 MPH
+ Brady Smith (Dallas Center-Grimes) - 88.0 MPH
+ Christian Sawyer (Iowa City West) - 88.4 MPH