Prep Baseball KY 2027 Watchlist - Part 2
April 7, 2025
Moving on to round two of our 2027 Watchlist! Check out five more sophomores to keep an eye on this season
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Max Phillips OF / LHP / Trinity High SchoolKicking off this group of 2027 prospects is #3 overall ranked Max Phillips. At 6'4" and 190lbs, the Trinity High School lefty is one of the most physically impressive two-ways in the state. The southpaw is coming off a quick but dominant inning out of the bullpen at our HS Invitational, where he topped out at 88mph on the fastball for a new personal best. Phillips works with very natural movement and a loose arm action, leading to effortless strength and great command. Changing speeds with a biting 68-72mph curveball and a 73-76mph changeup, the young lefty is a menacing presence on the mound. Arguably even more skilled with the bat, Phillips is a true athlete in the box with an even 7.00s 60yd dash and an exit velocity of 91.5mph. The OF/LHP is batting a cool .364 so far this season, and is up to 9 Ks with just 2 H and 2 BB through 5.0 innings on the mound. Look for Phillips to continue to stand out as one of the highest ceilings in the region as he continues to develop strength and experience.
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Ross Milburn RHP / SS / Apollo High SchoolRankings StateRank: 11 / POS: 5
Next up we have uber talented two-way out of Apollo High School in Ross Milburn. A long-time favorite of the KY staff, Millburn is a 2x Junior Future Games alum and a recent standout at the 2024 Midwest Super Sophomore Games. The RHP/SS led Team KY in SLG% at the SSG last August with two triples, showing off his footspeed that's good for a 6.88s 60yd dash. At a well-built 5'10" 190lbs, Milburn starts in a wide stance with a low base, before engaging a slow leg-kick load into an explosive drive through the zone. Exit velocity north of 95mph with gap-to-gap power. The presence on the mound is what boosts the young two-way into the top 5 RHPs in the class, working with a controlled but agressive delivery. Milburn displays a coiling windup motion before sinking down into a strong base for a sturdy drop-and-drive move, working from a close-to-3/4 arm angle. One of just four 2027 arms to reach 90mph at our Preseason All-State event, Milburn's FB sits comfortably at 90-91mph, spinning at over 2300rpm with +17.2in of horizontal movement. Adding a 75-78mph CB, 78-79mph SL, and 80-81mph CH to the rotation, the young righty has a devasting mix when the command is on. This season for the Eagles, Milburn sits at a tough 0-1 record despite two great outings against a pair of top-15 teams. The righty has 9.0 IP and already 11 Ks, allowing just 3 ER and only 1 BB so far in what is shaping up to be a great sophomore year.
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Jakob Reed RHP / OF / St. Xavier High SchoolRankings StateRank: 13 / POS: 6
One of the most overlooked arms in the 2027 class belongs to RHP Jakob Reed, another 2024 Super Sophomore Games participant. At just 5'9" and 155lbs, the KY staff has been very impressed with Reed's abilities on the bump as he has as impressive of an arm as anyone else, with plenty left in the tank. The young righty has an electric three pitch mix, working with above average velocities for his size as well as incredibly strong movement. The fastball has been up to 88mph but sits between 85-86, pushing spin rates over 2300rpm and +17.3in of horizontal movement. The 75-79mph late breaking slider spun at over 2650rpm at our Preseason All-State Showcase, leading all 2027 offspeed pitches. To polish it off is a running 77-80mph changeup with late sink. When Reed has his command dialed in, the arm is truly dominant and very projectible as he continues to grow and fill out his athletic frame. Very natural movements in the delivery, displaying a compact motion with a tight leg lift before extending down the mound, working with a low 3/4, almost sidearm action. As the young RHP continues to build strength, these free and easy movements with a unique arm slot are certain to become a big problem for opposing hitters, even in a ridiculously talented 7th Region. If Reed can continue to lock in the command, it's only a matter of time before he begins to take on a big role in the Tiger rotation.
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Brayden Singleton LHP / 1B / LaRue County High SchoolOur top ranked southpaw and #2 overall prospect in the 2027 class is the two-way out of LaRue County, one of the top players to watch at any level in the Bluegrass State. Singleton stands in at a physical but very lean and athletic 6'5" 220lb frame, giving him strength on the mound and effortless power in the box. Hitting .414 at the plate this season with 12 H, 18 R, 15 RBI and a homer already, the physical lefty displays a narrow, balanced stance, controlled load and effortless rotation through the zone for easy pull side power. Although the hitting capabilities are a plus, it's Singleton's arm that sets him apart from the rest. With a fastball just shy of 90mph with arm side run, a nasty 12-6 slider at 73-74mph and a 76-78mph changeup, Singleton is a dominant arm from the left side. Working exclusively from the stretch, the towering southpaw starts in a hitched stance and displays a smooth leg lift before a swinging drive down the mound, landing with a slightly closed front foot. Arm slot at a true 3/4 angle. Pitches with energy, Singleton is not afraid to show emotion on the mound and works at a fast tempo, making him a nightmare for anyone who steps in the box. This is evidenced by a ridiculous 27 strikeouts through his first 11.1 IP for the Eagles this season. Definitely more room to grow for the young lefty as he fine tunes his mechanics and continues to build experience on the mound as Singleton is one of the definite must-follow names in the Commonwealth.
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Gray Davis RHP / SS / Trinity, KY / 2027Rounding out our second group of watchlist players is Kentucky's top ranked 2027 prospect and standout Trinity High School two-way Gray Davis. Another true competitor who plays the game with lots of energy, Davis has found loads of success both on the mound and at the plate, playing a large role in the Shamrocks semifinal run last season. In the box, the 6'0" 185lb righty displays a controlled move, starting in a wide stance before working a steady toe-tap load to stay on time, and a very level bat path through the hitting zone. Handles velocity well, applies a good contact approach and strong bat speed for easy barrels sprayed to all parts of the field. Exit velocity up to a low-effort 96.0mph. On the mound, it's tough to find more electric arm action at this level, as Davis is coming off a dominant 6.0 inning, 9 strikeout win over the #3 ranked Sayre Spartans during our HS Invititational. Very athletic delivery and loose arm, sitting comfortably between 88-91mph and clocking the fastball up to 92mph. Lots of swing and miss generated from a filthy 77-80mph slider with late sweep, as well as a strong 80-82mph changeup and a recently developed 81-82mph cutter that he broke out at our Preseason All-State event. Davis has proven his fantastic ability to miss barrels all day long with great command, as evidenced by his perfect 11-0 record last season for the Shamrocks. Look for Davis to continue to shine on the mound and in the box, as the ceiling is uncapped for the young two-way who will be very sought after come August 1st.
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