Prep Baseball Iowa Rankings Insider: Class of 2026

Tucker Long, a standout two-way prospect from Ottumwa committed to Ole Miss, showcases high-level athleticism and arm talent that make him one of the more intriguing players in the 2025 class. At 6-foot-1, 160 pounds, Long possesses a lean, projectable frame with plenty of room to add strength. Defensively, he profiles as a rangy infielder with advanced lateral movement and a strong arm that has been up to 87 mph across the diamond. His fielding actions are above average, though there is occasional stiffness at times. Offensively, the left-handed hitter brings rhythm and ease to his swing, consistently squaring balls up with loud line drive and fly ball contact. He registered a max exit velocity of 96 mph in batting practice, flashing gap-to-gap power with more likely to come as he fills out physically. A 7.01 runner in the 60, Long shows solid athleticism that translates on both sides of the ball.

On the mound, Long is a high-upside right-handed pitcher with an athletic and repeatable delivery. He works with a long, clean, and fluid arm action from a high three-quarters slot, and the ball jumps out of his hand with late life. His fastball sits 91-93 mph and touches 92.9 with a spin rate around 2,195 rpm. He complements it with a sharp slider at 77-79 mph (2,230 spin) that features significant horizontal break (-11.9 inches), and a changeup at 79-81 mph that shows excellent arm-side fade (16 inches of movement) and a lower spin profile. Long’s combination of tools, projection, and present pitchability make him a high-ceiling arm and a versatile athlete who should be an impactful contributor at the next level.

Ryan Stedman, a right-handed pitcher and shortstop from West Des Moines Valley and a University of Iowa commit, presents a highly projectable two-way profile with intriguing upside on the mound. Standing at 6-foot-2 and 175 pounds, Stedman features a lean, athletic frame with room for continued physical development. His delivery is loose and athletic with clean sequencing and a full arm circle, finishing with noticeable hand speed out front. His fastball sits comfortably in the 91–92 mph range and touches 92.6 mph (95 mph in game in the Iowa Spring League) with a high spin rate of 2352 rpm, suggesting potential for ride through the zone. He pairs the fastball with a tight, short slider at 79–81 mph and an 84 mph cutter, giving him a well-rounded arsenal capable of missing bats. Stedman's arm action and present velocity combined with his athleticism and feel for multiple pitches make him one of the more exciting pitching prospects in the region.