Quick Hits: 2026 Future Games (Pitchers)

Cole Albert RHP / Vermilion Catholic, LA / 2028

Albert drew the Game 2 start against Arkansas last Friday and delivered one of the most dominant pitching performances of the week. The Vermilion Catholic standout was perfect across two no-hit innings, needing just 17 pitches—80% of them strikes—to retire all six hitters he faced while recording two strikeouts and issuing no walks.

Working from a repeatable delivery with a quick, loose arm stroke, Albert pounded the strike zone with an 88-92 mph fastball that he commanded to all four quadrants. His 74-78 mph slider showed sweeping action with the ability to both miss bats and land for strikes in any count. He rarely needed to turn to his mid-70s changeup, but the pitch projects as a quality third offering that further strengthens an already impressive arsenal.

At 6-foot-5 and 170 pounds with long limbs and plenty of room to add strength, Albert owns one of the highest ceilings in Louisiana's 2028 class. The combination of his projectable frame, clean operation, advanced strike-throwing ability, and three-pitch mix gives him all the traits of a future starter at the next level. After another eye-opening performance on one of the biggest stages of the summer, expect his phone to stay busy once August 1 arrives, as he has firmly reinforced his status as the state's premier pitching prospect in the 2028 class.

2028 RHP Cole Albert (Vermilion Catholic HS) with a stellar start in Game 2.

6-5, 170-pound long-limbed frame

Two no-hit innings with 0 BB & 2 K and 80% strikes.

Locates to both sides and can elevate with his fastball. Secondaries for strikes too.

Proven winner ✅#BeSeen… pic.twitter.com/wp5S1zRDPj

— Prep Baseball Louisiana (@PrepBaseballLA) July 24, 2026

Grayson Pat Conner RHP / Sam Houston, LA / 2028

Conner saved one of Louisiana's most electric pitching performances for the final game of the week. The physical 6-foot-5, 205-pound right-hander took over for the final two innings against Oklahoma last Saturday and quickly had evaluators around LakePoint Sports Complex taking notice.

Pitching with obvious intent and confidence, the Sam Houston product worked at a relentless pace, attacking hitters with an explosive 89-94 mph fastball that overpowered the strike zone. The heater showed late life through the zone and generated five in-zone swings and misses, a testament to the quality of the pitch. He complemented it with a developing 75-80 mph slider that flashed sharp bite and accounted for one of his strikeouts.

Conner struck out the side in his opening inning of work and finished his two scoreless innings without allowing a run. With his imposing frame, remaining projection, and rapidly improving power arsenal, he left LakePoint looking every bit like one of the premier uncommitted arms in Louisiana's 2028 class.

⛽️ 𝕃𝕠𝕦𝕚𝕤𝕚𝕒𝕟𝕒 𝔽𝕦𝕖𝕝 ⛽️

2028 RHP Pat Conner (Sam Houston HS) showed premium stuff to close out the Game 3 win for Louisiana.

6-5, 205-pounds

Confident and imposing presence on the mound with bullying stuff.

Punched out the side in his first inning and allowed 0… pic.twitter.com/8WAWGOUOLG

— Prep Baseball Louisiana (@PrepBaseballLA) July 25, 2026

Logan Maricle LHP / Grace Christian School, LA / 2028

After posting one of the most eye-popping statistical seasons in the country this spring—recording 190 strikeouts in 90 innings—Maricle carried that dominance with him to the Future Games. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound left-hander worked the third and fourth innings against Arkansas and was simply overpowering, allowing no hits or runs while striking out the first five hitters he faced.

Maricle's fastball sat 88-90 mph but consistently played above its velocity thanks to nearly seven feet of extension, allowing it to get on hitters in a hurry. He paired it with a sharp 75-77 mph breaking ball that he confidently landed for strikes in any count, keeping Arkansas hitters off balance throughout his outing. Between his advanced pitchability, deceptive fastball, and ability to command both offerings, Maricle once again proved why he's one of the top left-handed arms in Louisiana's 2028 class.

Couldn’t ask for a much better first inning of work from 2028 LHP Logan Maricle (Grace Christian HS) as he strikes out the side.

6-2, 190-pounds

Gets great extension down the mound (7.0 ft.) and the fastball jumps on hitters.

Confident with a bulldog mentality 👍 #BeSeen… pic.twitter.com/bwsyAnlkkY

— Prep Baseball Louisiana (@PrepBaseballLA) July 24, 2026

Lane Holubec RHP / West Monroe, LA / 2028

Holubec gave Louisiana a completely different look out of the bullpen and was instrumental in closing out the team's Game 2 victory over Arkansas. The physical 6-foot-3, 225-pound right-hander fired two scoreless innings while showcasing one of the more deceptive deliveries on this year's staff.

The West Monroe product works exclusively from the stretch with a cross-fire delivery and lower arm slot that creates significant deception and allows him to hide the baseball until late. His 86-90 mph fastball featured heavy arm-side sink and run, making it an especially uncomfortable at-bat for right-handed hitters. He complemented it with a mid-70s slider that flashed sweeping horizontal break across the zone and projects as a potential swing-and-miss weapon as it continues to develop. Holubec's combination of size, deception, movement, and competitive presence made him one of the more intriguing bullpen arms Louisiana featured throughout the week.

2028 RHP Lane Holubec (West Monroe HS)

6-3, 225-pounds

Comes in and closes out a 5-3 win over Arkansas in Game 2 with two shutout innings.

Cross-fire delivery with a lower slot and release height. Drives a heavy fastball in on the hands of RHH’s.

Unique look makes for an… pic.twitter.com/eseZlBq1CQ

— Prep Baseball Louisiana (@PrepBaseballLA) July 24, 2026