2025 Showcase Standouts - Class of 2028 - Part 1
October 23, 2025
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Kentucky’s 2028 class is already showing plenty of promise, with early looks revealing a group full of athleticism and upside. The Prep Baseball Kentucky staff saw this next wave of talent throughout preseason, summer, and fall events, and several names stood out as ones to follow heading into their sophomore seasons! Here’s a look at five 2028 prospects who made strong impressions this year
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JT's SHOWCASE STANDOUTS - CLASS OF 2028
Highlighting 5 of of the top 2028 prospects that shined in front of the Prep Baseball KY staff on the 2025 showcase circuit!
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Hayden Melton 3B / 2B / Knox Central High School, KY / 2028Kicking off today's article is 2028 Hayden Melton, the No. 2 overall player in the class and the top-ranked bat, who has already established himself as one of the premier young hitters in the country. The 6’1” 217 lb infielder brings developed strength throughout his frame and currently sits No. 203 nationally — and No. 13 among third basemen — per Shooter Hunt and the Prep Baseball National Rankings. A 2024 Junior Future Games standout, Melton secured his place in Team Kentucky lore with an electric go-ahead grand slam to top Team Oklahoma and send Kentucky to the finals. The physical INF continues the action on the high school stage in Barbourville, posting standout numbers across three seasons: a .353 average with eight extra-base hits as a seventh grader in 2023, followed by a .463 mark with 13 XBH in 2024, and another .389 season with 13 XBH this past year. Already a household name in Eastern Kentucky baseball circle, Melton projects as the core bat in Knox Central’s lineup and one of the top offensive forces in the state’s 2028 class.
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Nolan White SS / RHP / St. Xavier High School, KY / 2028Rankings StateRank: 13 / POS: 2
White, ranked No. 13 overall and the No. 2 shortstop in the 2028 class, continues to impress as one of the top two-way prospects in the state. A 2024 Junior Future Games alum, the athletic 7.01s runner shows advanced actions across the board, firing 89 mph across the infield and consistently demonstrating clean and efficient footwork. At the plate, White makes mature decisions with excellent bat-to-ball skills that allow him to handle quality arms. The multi-sport athlete’s game continues to trend up, and with additional physical gains this winter, he’ll look to push his way into Head Coach Andy Porta’s talented St. Xavier squad this spring.
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Gabriel Donnelly RHP / South Oldham High School, KY / 2028Rankings StateRank: 20 / POS: 6
Moving on to 2028 Gabriel Donnelly, ranked No. 20 overall and the No. 6 right-handed pitcher in the class, who made a very strong first impression this summer at the State Games. The 5’10”, 170 lb righty offers a strong, compact build and a unique delivery, uncoiling down the mound with quick arm speed from a high three-quarter slot. His fastball carries well through the top of the zone, generating consistent swing-and-miss, while the slider continues to develop as a usable secondary piece. Donnelly also features a promising changeup that he kills down into the low 1400s, showing advanced feel for the pitch and making it his best secondary offering at this stage. With his compact strength and early pitchability, Donnelly is an arm trending up in Kentucky’s 2028 class.
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Braxton Frankenburger 1B / LHP / West Jessamine High School, KY / 2028Rankings StateRank: 10 / POS: 1
Frankenburger, the No. 10 overall prospect and top-ranked first baseman in the 2028 class, brings a compact and physical 5’11”, 220 lb frame with advanced strength for his age. The elite left-handed bat has consistently posted video-game-like BP numbers, including exit velocities up to 103 mph, placing him among the premier hitters in the class. A 2024 Junior Future Games participant and consistent showcase standout, Frankenburger was one of the biggest winners at both the 2025 Preseason All-State and 2025 PPL/Approach Data Dive events. He’s also shown a solid look on the mound and is expected to compete well as a two-way for West Jessamine this spring. With his loud offensive profile and natural power from the left side, Frankenburger continues to be one of the cornerstone names in Kentucky’s 2028 class.
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Brady Haddle RHP / SS / Elizabethtown High School, KY / 2028Rankings StateRank: 42 / POS: 8
Rounding out today's lineup is 2028 RHP Brady Haddle, ranked No. 42 overall and the No. 8 righty in Kentucky’s 2028 class, who made his first impression on the Prep Baseball Kentucky staff at the State Games and shows promise as a rising arm. The 6’0” 172 lb RHP recently transferred to Elizabethtown High School after being homeschooled, bringing a high three-quarter slot and an up-tempo delivery that generates consistent strikes. His breaking ball features true 12-6 shape with spin rates in the 2400s, complementing his command and overall mound presence. Haddle is expected to have a big spring for a young Panthers squad in the 5th Region, which returns the majority of its lineup after a 22-win season. With his combination of command and developing secondary pitches, Haddle looks poised to help anchor Elizabethtown’s pitching staff as the team pushes for a deep postseason run.
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