Prep Baseball KY 2027 Watchlist - Part 1

March 21, 2025
Carter Floyd | Jamie Tessoff
KY Social Media Director | KY Scouting Director

Moving on today to our first round of 2027 prospects who found themselves on the KY staff's watchlist for the 2025 season. This sophomore class is stacked with highly talented players across the state, check out just a few of them who are in line for a breakout year!

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Abrahm Howard RHP/SS | George Rogers Clark High School

Rankings StateRank: 7 / POS: 3 OverallRank: 327 / POS: 83

One of, if not the most talented all-round two-way prospect in the 2027 class, Howard has had one of the most impressive physical developments that the KY staff has seen over the past couple of years. Now standing in at 6'1" 210lbs, the young RHP/MIF is a true threat to pitchers and hitters alike in the 10th Region. Howard found plenty of success at the plate during his freshman campaign (.303 AVG, 30 H, 34 R, 23 RBI, 12 XBH, 23 BB, 9 SB), but only tallied 3.0 innings on the bump in a loaded rotation at George Rogers Clark. As the physical strength continued to improve, however, something seems to have clicked for the righty as he has boosted the fastball up to 91.5mph with a spin rate well into the 2300s, as well as a high 70s to low 80s CB/SL/CH mix. Noting that this is a velocity jump of over 5mph since his stint just six months ago at the inaugural Midwest Super Sophomore Games, look for Howard to pick up a much larger role in the GRC pitching staff this season. With a max exit velocity of 98.6mph and a 6.93s 60 yard dash time, Howard seems to check all the boxes as he is shaping up to have a breakout sophomore season with the #23 preseason ranked George Rogers Clark program.

Grant Slater RHP/OF | Boyd County High School

Rankings StateRank: 4 / POS: 2 OverallRank: 209 / POS: 48

Another Team KY member of both the Junior Future Games and Midwest Super Sophomore Games, the two-way out of the northeastern corner of Kentucky finds himself as the 4th ranked prospect in the 2027 class and the 2nd overall RHP. The 6'3" 195lb righty is coming off a fantastic freshman year on the mound in Boyd County, going 6-1 with a team low 0.71 ERA, as well as recording 69 strikeouts through just 39.2 innings of work. At the plate, Slater earned a .366 AVG with 26 H, 18 R, 17 RBI, 8 XBH, and 16 BB as the Lions steamrolled through the 16th Region to a 31-4 record before being upset in the regional championship. The young RHP/OF is certainly another one who can be argued as the top two-way prospect in the class, now with his FB velocity up to 91.1mph with spin rates north of 2400, as well as a 96.1mph top exit velocity with the bat. After losing two arms with almost 50 IP apiece to graduation, it looks like Slater will be leading the charge this year in the Boyd County rotation, which is certainly going to be a big time problem for 16th Region hitters.

Gabriel Kuerzi RHP/1B | North Oldham High School

Rankings StateRank: 22 / POS: 8

One of the most impressive offseason growths belongs to this young two-way as Kuerzi joined the 90mph club in front of the KY staff just a few weeks ago, hopping on the mound at our Preseason All-State event and clocking 90.0mph with a spin rate nearing 2400. Certainly more in the tank for the highly projectible righty as he fills out his 6'2" 165lb frame, as he has already made a 4mph velocity jump since September, and also happened to be battling debilitating illness during our preseason event. The RHP/1B has found success at the plate as well, posting a .278 AVG and recording 25 hits last season for North Oldham. Although only picking up 17.0 varsity innings on the bump in 2024, his role is certainly expanding this season as he continues to develop a dangerous presence on the mound. Kuerzi has found himself as a threatening #2 arm in the Mustang rotation, as North Oldham has quietly crafted one of the best 1-2 punches in the state behind a sneaky 2025 Pitcher of the Year candidate Ryan Sanders. Look for Kuerzi to help anchor the rotation and boost the lineup for a breakout season in Goshen.

Kyler Claunch SS/RHP | Boyle County High School

Rankings StateRank: 10 / POS: 1

Rounding out the top 10 overall rankings, Claunch finds himself starting the season off as the top ranked '27 middle infielder in the state. A long time favorite of the KY staff, the young two-way has stood out for years during his two stints at the Junior Future Games, and the ceiling continues to grow for the 5'10" 155lb SS/RHP. Hailing from a family of athletes, it's no surprise that Claunch has turned into one of the smoothest and most athletic prospects in the state. At our Preseason All-State showcase just a few weeks ago, Claunch led the group of 80 sophomores in the 60 yd dash (6.72s), vertical jump (29.4in), and run speed (21.0mph) categories. Despite his smaller stature, Claunch consistently flashes an 88mph velocity across the infield and finds barrels effortlessly at the plate with a top exit velocity just shy of 90mph. Last year, Claunch totaled 20.0 IP and picked up 2 saves on the mound for Boyle County, leaving 12th Region hitters lost with an impressive 2600+ spin rate. The young two-way is already off to a hot start to his sophomore campaign, helping boost the Rebels' offense to back-to-back 12 run victories to open up the year. After unfortunately having to miss the Midwest Super Sophomore Games in August, Claunch is getting his time to shine in Danville this year as a part of a talented Boyle County program.

Joey Dudeck RHP/3B | Pleasure Ridge Park High School

Rankings StateRank: 14 / POS: 7

Rounding out our first batch of 2027s is RHP Joey Dudeck, who is coming off of one of the most outright impressive freshman seasons that the KY staff has seen across the state. Totaling 73 strikeouts while allowing just 17 ER and 23 BB, Dudeck recorded a perfect 11-0 record in 69.1 IP and 9 starts, including a gritty 120 pitch complete game W over Trinity in the state semifinals to send Pleasure Ridge Park through to the finals and their eventual State Championship. Working with a mid 80s fastball and spin rates in the 2100s, Dudeck relies heavily on the wicked movement of the SL/CH as well as great command on the FB from an over-the-top arm angle to consistently find success on the mound. There is certainly more in the tank as the young righty continues to gain strength and size, filling out his 5'8" 160lb frame. Look for Dudeck to lead the PRP rotation once again this season as the boys from the South End begin their quest for a second consecutive State Title.