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2027 Rankings Update: Fall 2025

September 3, 2025
Prep Baseball KY Staff

 

As the Class of 2027 returns to school for their junior year, our updated rankings are here to follow a summer packed with high-level performances across the state. This group has quickly proven itself to be one of the most talented classes in Kentucky, with high-end arms, uber athletic position players, and advanced bats making noise on the summer circuit. Our staff has been dialed in all summer, providing coverage at events, showcases, and tournaments to evaluate this deep and exciting crop of talent.

This update not only features movement among the top 10, but also brings in a wave of newcomers to the rankings—players who have emerged over the past several months and forced their way into the conversation. Alongside the fresh faces, we’re also highlighting some of the biggest risers in the class, prospects who used the summer stage to elevate their profiles and solidify themselves as names to follow moving forward.

While these players still have plenty of time before recruiting ramps up to its peak, college coaches and professional scouts alike are already circling this class. With projection, athleticism, and high-level tools spread throughout, the 2027 group looks poised to keep Kentucky on the national radar in the years ahead. Find the full updated list below, followed by a deeper dive into some of the newcomers, risers, and uncommitted prospects who have firmly planted themselves on our radar heading into the fall!

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TOP 5 NEWCOMERS

Five newcomers crack the rankings in this update, including two Future Games invitees! Just the start of a deep wave of new talent in Kentucky’s 2027 class.

Eddie Davis RHP / OF / Christian County High School / 2027

Rankings  StateRank: 8 / POS: 4

Eddie Davis makes a big jump into the top 10, landing at No. 8 overall in this update after a strong spring and summer. The right-hander joined the #KYHeatSheet late in the 2025 high school season and carried that momentum into the Future Games, where he shined on the national stage. Davis works with a high-spin arsenal—pushing the fastball north of 2550 rpm—and pairs it with a sharp breaking mix that changes eye levels effectively. He’s shown the ability to command all of his pitches while maintaining poise in big moments, a trait that should serve him well as he anchors a talented Christian County squad heading into his junior year.

Maximus Brunkel C / SS / Conner High School / 2027

Rankings  StateRank: 24 / POS: 2

Maximus Brunkel makes his rankings debut at No. 24 after a breakout summer that firmly established him as one of the top catchers in the class. Brunkel brings impact tools across the board—he posted 32 hits this spring with half going for extra bases, and his offensive upside shows in exit velocities north of 100 mph with a max distance of 399 feet. Defensively, he showcased a 79 mph arm behind the dish with pop times as low as 1.88, and impressed at the Future Games by throwing out two of three would-be base stealers. A 6.98 runner with middle-of-the-order potential, Brunkel looks primed to take another step forward this upcoming junior season and will be a must-see this spring.

Nick Cantrell RHP / SS / Calloway County High School / 2027

Rankings  StateRank: 33 / POS: 13

Nick Cantrell comes in at No. 33 as a hard-throwing righty with a lightning-quick arm and plenty of projection left in his 5’10”, 155-pound frame. He already features two plus pitches with a fastball that shows ride and carry and a wipeout slider, while mixing in a serviceable changeup to keep hitters off balance. Cantrell works best elevating the fastball and pairing it with the slider to both sides of the plate, a combination that helped him pile up 96 strikeouts to just 18 walks over 59 innings last spring, finishing with a 2.02 ERA. With velocity expected to creep into the 90s soon, Cantrell has both a high floor and an even higher ceiling, making him a must-see arm this spring.

Austin Krohmer 1B / LHP / Dixie Heights High School / 2027

Rankings  StateRank: 44 / POS: 2

Austin Krohmer debuts at No. 44 as a 5’11”, 200-pound left-handed hitter with a physical frame and big-time power potential. His premium blast numbers reflect electric hands and a bat-first approach, giving him a high offensive ceiling moving forward. Defensively, he’s a smooth mover with an above-average glove and light feet, and he even shows upside on the mound, averaging more than a strikeout per inning. If Dixie Heights is going to make a run in the 9th Region, Krohmer is the bat that will lead the way, and he’s one of the high-follow players in Northern Kentucky this spring!

Hudson Doughty 2B / SS / Marshall County High School / 2027

Rankings  StateRank: 52 / POS: 2

Hudson Doughty jumps in at No. 52 as a 5’9”, 185-pound powerfully built middle infielder with a bat that can do damage from both the right and left side of the plate. He hit .394 last spring with 41 hits, 12 going for extra bases, and shows a smooth left-handed swing that works gap to gap, while flashing pull-side power from the right side. During our look, he posted a max exit velocity approaching 99 mph when catching the ball out front. Confident defensively with room to grow—and potentially a future move to third base if his power and arm strength continue to develop—Doughty looks poised to be an offensive catalyst for Marshall County. Paired with one of the better pitching staffs in the state, the Marshals could be a handful in the 1st Region if he continues producing at the plate.

TOP 5 RISERS

Five helium risers that turned heads this summer, each boosting their stock and staking their claim as must-watch players heading into the spring.

Ari Wells 1B / LHP / Caldwell County High School / 2027

Rankings  StateRank: 11 / POS: 1

Ari Wells makes a big jump in this update, climbing from No. 24 up to No. 11 after a standout showing at the Future Games, where he was one of the biggest winners of the event. The left-handed hitter posted a 99.9 mph exit velocity and launched a towering home run in his first game, immediately putting scouts and coaches on notice. Wells is a 6.75 runner with the athleticism to handle a corner outfield spot, paired with outstanding defensive ability at first base. On the mound, he presents a four-pitch mix with feel for off-speed and a fastball that consistently sits in the mid-80s, adding another layer to his overall value. With middle-of-the-order run-producing potential, high-level tools, and massive upside, Wells is a must-see prospect this spring and one who could make a major impact for Caldwell County.

Kai Anderson C / OF / Highlands High School / 2027

Rankings  StateRank: 16 / POS: 1

Kai Anderson jumps 13 spots to No. 16 after a standout showing at the Future Games, cementing his status as one of the top defensive catchers in the Commonwealth. Anderson’s arm plays up with 80 mph velocity from behind the plate, paired with showcase pop times between 1.75 and 1.90, allowing him to control the running game and manage high-level arms with ease. He displays an innate ability to lead on the field, call a game, and consistently put his pitchers in the best positions to succeed. At the plate, Anderson handles the bat with a short, compact swing, and grinds out quality at-bats while showing the potential to produce in key situations. High-IQ, coachable, and a true gamer, Anderson is a must-see prospect this spring and one who could have a major impact at both ends of the field for Highlands.

Tristan Wicker RHP / Breckinridge County High School / 2027

Rankings  StateRank: 17 / POS: 7

Tristan Wicker jumps 15 spots in this update after a dominant high school season and strong summer performance, firmly establishing himself as one of the top arms in the class. The 5’10”, 180-pound right-hander boasts elite arm talent and a strong, projectable frame, showing off a fastball that spins at 2334 RPM and sits comfortably 85-87 mph with room to climb. Over 73.1 innings last season, Wicker struck out 95 while posting a microscopic 1.05 ERA, pairing that fastball with two distinct breaking balls that spin 2675 RPM on the curve and 2706 RPM on the slider. A bulldog on the mound, he attacks hitters with confidence and commands the zone with precision. Wicker is a top arm in Kentucky and a must-see prospect this spring as he continues to develop.

Keith Mitchell OF / 3B / South Oldham High School / 2027

Rankings  StateRank: 20 / POS: 5

Keith Mitchell makes a massive jump of 74 spots to No. 20 after a breakout summer that included an impressive showing at the Future Games. The strong + athletic outfielder boasts a powerful frame and posted a max exit velocity of 98.4 mph, showing the ability to manipulate the barrel and blister line drives to all fields. An uber-athlete with the tools to stick in center field, Mitchell runs a 6.66 60-yard dash with top-end speed reaching 20.9 mph, pairing athleticism with impact power. With even more pop expected this spring, Mitchell is a high-follow prospect poised to make big waves for South Oldham.

Peyton Layne OF / OF / South Oldham High School / 2027

Rankings  StateRank: 35 / POS: 7

Peyton Layne moves up 23 spots to No. 35 overall following a standout performance at the State Games. The outfielder displayed big-time power both in batting practice and in game action, launching multiple home runs and driving balls with authority. A smooth defender in the outfield, Layne works the barrel from short to long and handles velocity well, showing advanced pitch recognition. He covers the plate effectively when down in the count and is a player our staff is eager to get a long look at this spring.

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