2026 KY Scout Blog: Regional Tournaments (Part 1)
June 4, 2026
We have officially made it to the 2026 KHSAA State Tournament! Last week, the Prep Baseball KY staff was able to make it around the Bluegrass State to cover several elite regional tournament matchups. Today we continue with another Scout Blog feature from the week, providing an inside look at individual's skills, potential and performance. Our next Scout Blog covers 25 prospects who had big time performances in their respective regional tournaments!
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MONDAY, MAY 25, 2026
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Cameron Smith 1B / 3B / Rockcastle County High School, KY / 2027Uncommitted. Smith brings an imposing physical presence to the diamond with an athletic, 6’2, 215lb frame that projects for significant impact. At the plate, the right-handed hitter consistently showed well, displaying a polished gap-to-gap approach paired with quality bat-to-ball skills. He creates easy leverage through the zone, flashing the ability to supply legitimate power to the pull-side when he gets extended. Defensively, he is an athletic mover who utilizes his XL frame effectively in the field, showing range and fluidity that is rare for his size. This was an impressive first look at the young ‘27, as he maintained a disciplined approach throughout the game while showing off a smooth, level path that should allow him to continue working to all fields as he develops. |
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Dillon Cruver RHP / 2B / Danville High School, KY / 2029Cruver plays with an athletic yet physical 6’1, 180lb frame, with plenty of room for continued growth. He keeps a quiet and athletic stance with a wide base, utilizing a direct path at the plate. The smooth-moving RHH impressed both at the plate and on the mound, where he ran his fastball up into the mid-80s, leading the Danville staff with 55.1 innings pitched. Offensively, he was a force, hitting .371, tallying 43 hits, 10 extra-base hits, and 4 home runs. I was very impressed by the young '29, and he will undoubtedly be a player to watch in the Commonwealth moving forward. |
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Trevor Smith RHP / SS / Knox Central High School, KY / 2028Rankings StateRank: 51 / POS: 10
The ‘28 right-hander possesses a wiry, athletic 5’11, 160lb frame that moves with notable fluidity down the mound, punctuated by an explosive lower half. His fastball operated in the 84-86 mph range with effective ride, allowing him to dominate counts by consistently jumping ahead of hitters. He paired the heater with a mid-70s curveball that flashed sharp, late break. After navigating a challenging opening frame, Smith settled in to deliver an impressive performance, commanding the zone vertically and inducing significant weak contact. Showing the ability to fill the zone with his entire arsenal, Smith is certainly a young arm to keep an eye on heading into the summer.
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Banks Heinrich RHP / 3B / Sayre School, KY / 2026Rankings StateRank: 58 / POS: 19
Denison commit. Heinrich presents a lean, explosive profile on the mound, moving with notable athleticism and intent throughout his delivery. The right-hander featured a fastball that sat 87-90 mph, touching 91 mph with significant life and ride through the upper half of the zone. He showed advanced command of the heater, consistently attacking hitters to induce weak contact and dominate the stripe. He complimented the velocity with a sharp slider at 75-77 mph that flashes plus potential; the offering features tight rotation and late, biting action that effectively tunnels off the fastball. Whether landing it for strikes or utilizing it as a wipeout pitch to draw chase, Heinrich demonstrated the confidence to mix his arsenal in any count. Coming off a dominant senior campaign where he racked up 82 strikeouts, he has firmly established himself as a high-leverage arm and a premier force to watch as he heads into the state tournament.
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Elliot Jansky OF / RHP / Sayre School, KY / 2027Rankings StateRank: 82 / POS: 15
Uncommitted. Jansky possesses a long-levered and athletic 6’2, 185lb frame with significant physical projection remaining. The uncommitted '27 two-way prospect has been a standout this spring, consistently demonstrating advanced bat-to-ball skills and a knack for finding the barrel to all fields. A breakout performer in Lexington, he tallied 18 extra-base hits and 3 home runs during his junior campaign. With his ability to drive the ball with authority and his athletic profile, Jansky has firmly established himself as a high-follow player in the Commonwealth moving forward. |
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Henry Zimmerman / Bullitt Central, KY / 2026Marion Military Institute commit. Zimmerman turned in one of the more impressive pitching performances of the 6th Region tourney, leading Bullitt Central to a statement victory over the defending state runner-up. The senior right-hander is a smooth mover down the mound with a low-pulse demeanor and competitive mentality that allows him to consistently attack hitters. Zimmerman worked comfortably off a firm fastball up to 85 mph with late arm side run, showing the ability to command and get ahead early in counts. He paired it with a sharp 75-76 mph curveball that he landed for strikes and buried below the zone for swing-and-miss, helping fuel a strong complete game effort. The high-academic two-way standout got the job done for the Cougars all season long, and his postseason performance reinforced that reputation.
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Channing Bibelhauser C / Bullitt East High School, KY / 2026Marion Military Institute commit. Continues to be one of the steady leaders for a Bullitt East squad making noise on a red-hot ride to the state tournament. The senior backstop possesses a physical, athletic frame and showed a strong, smooth right-handed swing that has helped anchor the talented Chargers' lineup. Behind the plate, Bibelhauser's impact was just as, if not even more evident, displaying advanced receiving skills with the ability to consistently steal strikes and control the game from a defensive standpoint. He commands the field with confidence while handling the pitching staff at a high level. Coupled with an ultra-competitive mindset, the senior catcher continues to prove why he is such a valuable piece for the Chargers as the postseason continues. |
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Rowen Burton SS / RHP / North Bullitt, KY / 2026Rankings StateRank: 41 / POS: 10
Bellarmine commit. Burton has put together one of the most impressive offensive seasons in the state, and he continued to show why during postseason play. The 5’11” 185-pound shortstop combines a strong, physical frame with an aggressive swing that stays in the zone for a long time, consistently finding barrels all year long. What stands out most is the remarkable plate discipline—Burton finished the regular season with 60 hits and a .517 batting average while striking out just twice in 116 at-bats, a truly shocking stat. He has the ability to impact the baseball to all fields, piling up 20 doubles, 5 home runs, and 57 RBI while also showing enough athleticism to move well and defend the shortstop position at a high level. Burton plays the game with confidence on both sides of the ball and was one of the most driving forces behind North Bullitt’s success in 2026. |
WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2026
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Landen Walters OF / LHP / Great Crossing, KY / 2028Rankings StateRank: 54 / POS: 10
The ‘28 southpaw possesses a smooth, athletic delivery, moving with notable fluidity down the mound while operating from a loose, slightly high ¾ slot. Walters impressed in this look, demonstrating an advanced feel for a mix that featured a fastball and curveball pairing that kept hitters off-balance. He displays the confidence to attack the zone with his entire arsenal, pitching with a remarkably low pulse regardless of the count. It was an intriguing first look at the young left-hander, who projects to be a under the radar arm in the Commonwealth as his velocity projects to tick up with physical development.
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Tanner Ross OF / LHP / Henry Clay High School, KY / 2028The ‘28 southpaw showed well in a brief relief appearance, operating with a smooth delivery and a fastball that sat 84-85 mph. Ross displayed a mature presence on the mound, attacking hitters with confidence and consistently challenging the zone. He complimented the heater with an impressive slider that featured tight rotation—spinning up into the 2700s—and sharp, late-biting action. He demonstrated advanced command of the breaking ball, flashing the ability to land it for strikes or utilize it as a wipeout pitch to draw chase and empty swings. Coming off a dominant sophomore campaign where he racked up 32 strikeouts in just 21.2 innings of work, Ross has firmly established himself as a high-follow left-handed arm in the Commonwealth heading into the summer circuit. |
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Kannon Cook 1B / OF / Madison Central High School, KY / 2027Rankings StateRank: 44 / POS: 2
Uncommitted. Cook presents an imposing, XL frame at 6’3, 225lbs that combines physical strength with notable athleticism. In the box, the right-handed hitter maintains a calm, quiet presence before delivering a quick and powerful stroke through the zone. The uncommitted ‘27 demonstrated a knack for finding the barrel consistently, showing off the ability to drive the ball with authority to all fields while staying on plane for an extended period. Despite his massive build, Cook moves remarkably well on the basepaths, as evidenced by a pair of doubles in this look where he displayed a high baseball IQ.. He is coming off a productive spring campaign where he tallied 19 extra-base hits, including 12 doubles and 7 home runs, while driving in 39 runs. After a strong showing this season, Cook has established himself as a legitimate force to watch as he heads into the summer circuit.
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Joaquin Acevedo OF / RHP / SAYRE Lexington, KY / 2027Rankings StateRank: 79 / POS: 14
Uncommitted. Acevedo possesses a wiry, athletic frame that offers significant physical projection as he continues to mature. A high-IQ presence in the box, the uncommitted ‘27 outfielder demonstrates advanced bat-to-ball skills and a polished approach that plays well in game action. He flashes the potential for a plus arm defensively while showing the ability to impact the ball with a blend of power and consistent contact at the plate. Acevedo utilizes a compact, athletic stroke to drive the ball with authority to all fields, making him yet another talented junior and high-priority follow heading into the summer circuit.
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Luke Belardo SS / 3B / South Oldham High School, KY / 2026Rankings StateRank: 42 / POS: 11
Louisville commit. Belardo has been one of the catalysts behind South Oldham’s success this spring, putting together a monster senior campaign after missing last season with injury. The 6’0” 185 lb shortstop possesses an uber-athletic and physical frame, pairing present strength with the ability to impact the baseball to all parts of the field. Belardo consistently showed quality plate vision and a steady load at the plate, tracking pitches well and rarely getting beat by a fastball. The right-handed hitter led the Dragons with a .408 batting average while reaching double-digit home runs, showcasing both hit ability and legitimate power. Coupled with a low-pulse demeanor and steady presence on the field, the future Cardinal continues to look every bit the part of one of the top senior position players in the state. |
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Jake Dillon SS / C / South Oldham High School, KY / 2028Rankings StateRank: 66 / POS: 11
Dillon continues to emerge as a name to know in Kentucky’s 2028 class, bringing an impressive blend of athleticism and baseball IQ to the field. Despite standing at 5’6” and 155 pounds, the sophomore plays with strength and fast movements, showcasing a mature approach both offensively and defensively. At the plate, Dillon works from a wide base with a steady load before firing his hips aggressively through contact, creating violent impact and consistently finding the barrel. Defensively, he is a smooth mover with the versatility to handle multiple positions, showing smooth hands in the infield while also possessing the leadership and field command to excel behind the plate. After collecting 26 hits so far this spring, Dillon looks poised to continue climbing the ranks as one of the more intriguing young prospects in the Commonwealth.
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Peyton Layne OF / OF / South Oldham High School, KY / 2027Rankings StateRank: 41 / POS: 8
Uncommitted. Layne continues to establish himself as one of the more intriguing prospects in Kentucky’s 2027 class. The 5’7” 165 lb outfielder possesses a lean, athletic frame and one of the cleaner lefty swings in the state, pairing a crisp swing path with elite bat-to-ball skills and a near-100 mph max exit velocity. Hitting at the top of the order, Layne thrives in the two-hole thanks to an advanced plate IQ and disciplined approach, with the ability to consistently put quality swings on pitches in the zone with very little swing-and-miss. The athleticism translates defensively as well, where his 6.86 second 60-yard dash speed allows him to cover plenty of ground and turn the outfield into a no-fly zone. With his combination of hit tools, athleticism, and overall feel for the game, Layne is undoubtedly a name to know in the Commonwealth’s talented 2027 class.
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Jackson Bowen 2B / RHP / North Oldham High School, KY / 2026Rankings StateRank: 181 / POS: 11
Frontier CC commit. Bowen has been an ultra reliable presence atop the North Oldham lineup throughout his senior campaign, providing leadership and consistency as one of the region’s top prospects. The 5’9” 175 lb two-way brings an athletic frame and mature offensive approach, routinely working deep counts and extending at-bats with an advanced two strike mindset. Bowen utilizes a controlled toe-tap load before firing quick hands through the zone, allowing him to get the barrel out front and consistently square up quality pitching. His level swing path produces hard gap to gap contact with the ability to drive the ball to all fields. Coupled with his leadership in the clubhouse and dependable ability on the mound, Bowen proved to be a key piece for the Mustangs in both the regular season and playoffs.
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Jack Yarka OF / LHP / North Oldham High School, KY / 2028Rankings StateRank: 111 / POS: 25
Yarka carved out a significant role this spring as the lone sophomore in a veteran North Oldham lineup, a testament to both his mature approach and ability to compete against quality arms. The 5’11” 180 lb first baseman brings a sturdy, physical frame and a polished offensive approach that continues to stand out for a young prospect. At the plate, the lefty starts from a wide, low base before working into a controlled load with a slight leg lift, generating strong rotational power through the zone while keeping the head steady and tracking the ball well. He consistently stays through the middle of the field and to the backside, showing a mature approach and feel for contact. Defensively, Yarka provides value at both first base and the corner outfield spots, making him a versatile piece of the North Oldham lineup and a promising name to follow in Kentucky’s 2028 class. |
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Baylor Nolin SS / 1B / Henry County High School, KY / 2027Rankings StateRank: 121 / POS: 16
Uncommitted. Nolin continues to stand out as a high-upside arm in the 2027 class with a long, lean 6’5” 200 lb frame that projects well moving forward with more in the tank. The right-hander works with a high effort delivery down the mound, generating solid drive off the back side and creating a tough angle for hitters to track. His fastball works in the low-80s with run, playing up thanks to his extension and downhill plane. Shows feel for a late-breaking curveball and a developing changeup, mixing his arsenal effectively while maintaining a fast tempo on the mound. He competes with a low pulse and steady demeanor, giving him a solid foundation to continue taking steps forward as his frame and velocity continue to mature. |
THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2026
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Keith Mitchell OF / 3B / South Oldham High School, KY / 2027Rankings StateRank: 9 / POS: 3
Memphis commit. Mitchell continues to look like one of the premier outfielders in Kentucky each and every time. The 2025 Future Games standout possesses a lean, athletic 6’0” 200 lb frame and impacts the game in all phases, combining strength, speed, and defensive ability at an elite level. At the plate, Mitchell is a grinder in the box with a competitive presence, working from a sturdy setup before exploding through the zone with quick hands and vicious intent. He has the ability to hammer the ball to all parts of the field and presents legitimate home run power, making him a constant threat in the middle of the lineup. Add in true plus speed with a 6.66 second 60-yard dash and elite defensive instincts in center field, and it’s easy to see why Mitchell is regarded as one of the top talents in the Commonwealth.
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Gabe Donnelly RHP / South Oldham, KY / 2028Rankings StateRank: 22 / POS: 5
Donnelly continues to emerge as one of the more intriguing young arms in Kentucky’s 2028 class amid a phenomenal breakout sophomore season. The 6’0” 205 lb righty possesses an athletic build and works with a smooth, fast-tempo delivery that creates quality extension down the mound from a high 3/4 arm slot. Donnelly’s fastball has taken a jump this year, running up to 89 mph and sitting comfortably in the 86-87 range, with the ability to work effectively at the top of the strike zone. He complements it with a sharp, late-breaking slider that flirts with 80 mph and a sweeping changeup that consistently misses barrels, generating ample soft contact and swing-and-miss. Donnelly pitches with visible energy and confidence on the mound, and with his combination of stuff, athleticism, and competitive edge, he is undoubtedly a 2028 prospect to know with plenty more still to come.
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Kaden Dickhaut RHP / SS / North Oldham High School, KY / 2026Rankings StateRank: 67 / POS: 25
Thomas More commit. Kaden Dickhaut embraced the ace role for the North Oldham staff this spring, bringing both energy and production every time he takes the mound. The 6’0” 170 lb two-way standout pairs true athleticism and a competitive drive, also showing quality bat-to-ball skills and power to all parts of th field offensively. On the mound, Dickhaut works with a high-tempo delivery and drop-and-drive move off the rubber, creating an elevated angle from a high arm slot. The fastball has been up to 93 mph with high-spin characteristics, routinely operating in the upper-80s to low-90s while showing sinking action through the zone. He complements it with a swing-and-miss slider when located at the bottom of the zone and a firm changeup with late movement, giving him a complete arsenal that helped anchor the Mustangs throughout his senior season.
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Sawyer Carlisle 3B / RHP / Beechwood, KY / 2026Rankings StateRank: 180 / POS: 12
Massachusetts Institute of Technology commit. Carlisle continues to profile as one of the more intriguing arms in the 2026 class as the high academic senior providing value to a deep Beechwood roster as a two-way piece. The 6’1” 195-pound righty has a sturdy, athletic build and works with steady and controlled movements down the mound from a high 3/4 slot. His fastball holds 84–86 mph consistently deep into outings with ticks up to 88 mph earlier this year, showing both carry and durability as he maintains velocity. Carlisle pairs it with a heavy 77–78 mph curveball that shows true 11–5 shape, along with a low-80s changeup that features late fade and plays well off the heater to miss barrels. He competes with feel, tempo, and impressive endurance, giving Beechwood a reliable presence on the mound every time he takes the ball.
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Colton Zuege LHP / LHP / Louisville St.X, KY / 2026Rankings StateRank: 47 / POS: 6
Murray State commit. Zuege possesses a lean, athletic 6’0, 160lb frame and delivered a commanding performance on the mound, tossing seven impressive frames against one of the nation’s premier offensive lineups. The left-hander featured a fastball that sat 84-86 mph, touching 88 mph with notable sinking action. He demonstrated advanced command of the heater, consistently attacking the zone and pairing it effectively with a sharp slider in the 78-80 mph range. Showing the ability to land his breaking ball for strikes early in the count, the Murray State commit has displayed remarkable control throughout the season. Over 42.2 innings of work, he has surrendered just 17 walks while racking up 62 strikeouts. Capping off his high school career with a dominant final outing, Zuege has firmly established himself as a high-leverage southpaw to watch as he transitions to the collegiate level.
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Grayson Willoughby RHP / 3B / Trinity, KY / 2026Kentucky commit. The premier right-hander showcased elite velocity, featuring a fastball that operated in the 93-96 mph range and reached 98 mph during this look. He paired the high-octane heater with a wipeout slider at 79-81 mph and flashed a devastating changeup that kept hitters guessing. A high profilel MLB draft prospect, Willoughby operates with an upbeat tempo on the mound, delivering an electric fastball with notable ride and slight arm-side run. Moving into the state tournament, he has racked up 80 strikeouts over 50.1 innings of work, establishing a dominant presence while working downhill with significant intent. The young right-hander is firmly established as a priority name to know out of the Commonwealth as he heads into July.
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