MD/DE Class of 2027 Rankings: Breakout Players

Brandon Emig RHP / 2B / Salesianum, DE / 2027

Following a strong spring at Salesianum, Emig continued to impress throughout the summer, all culminating to a dominant outing at the Future Games where he struck out two over two scoreless innings. The fastball continues to tick up in each look, showcasing hard sink down in the upper 80s with the ability to grab an occasional 90. The slider continues to sharpen, working it away to right-handed hitters with swing-and-miss capability especially late in counts. The difference-maker is the changeup, showcasing fade and feel to the bottom of the zone, inducing plenty of whiffs. This is an athletic arm with velo still left in the tank. 

Justin O'Connor 1B / 3B / Conrad Schools of Science, DE / 2027

Following what was one of the more impressive spring campaigns from any player in the state of Delaware, the physical, yet athletic 6-foot-1, 215-pound corner infielder hit over .530 during the spring and kept the momentum rolling throughout the summer, continuously showcasing a powerful, high contact hit tool that sparked interest in each look. At the Future Games, O’Connor was arguably our most consistent hitter, slashing .500 over the three game span with multiple extra-base hits and seven RBI. It’s a whole-field, line drive approach with power potential to all fields. Quick hands, strong wrists and feel for the barrel allow power to come with relative ease. As the power is really unlocked in the approach, look for O’Connor to keep the trend as being one of the more feared hitters that Delaware has to offer entering 2026. 

Jaidon Maxwell 1B / RHP / Linganore High, MD / 2027

If you want power upside out of a corner infielder, none more fits that mold better than the 6-foot-3, 200-pounder from Linganore high school. A feared hitter in his own right, Maxwell can turn and burn with the best of them, slashing line drives to both alleys with proven power to the opposite field gap. It’s a smooth, yet explosive approach, looking to do damage with the ability to adjust in the box. The hands work quick with controlled actions and fit the mold of a middle of the order power bat to a T. 

Camden Hunter RHP / 3B / Archbishop Spalding, MD / 2027

It was a huge summer for the 6-foot, 190-pound right-handed pitcher who performed extremely well in each look in front of our staff. Whether it was a tournament across the Mid-Atlantic or a standout performance at the MD State Games, the wiry, yet athletic righty was consistent in the pitchability and showcased one of the top arsenals that the class has to offer. The fastball looks to continue to tick up, working in the mid to upper 80s with plenty left in the tank, mixing a tight, late breaking slider down in the zone that works well off the heater. As the frame continues to mature, look for the velo to tick up and the secondary get sharper. Certainly a name to circle as being a high riser as we make our way into 2026.

Carter Jackson OF / RHP / Boonsboro High, MD / 2027

This summer was the first time our staff was really able to key in on the athletic two-way, and the actions certainly impressed in multiple facets. A standout performance at this year’s MD Future 50 put Jackson on the map, and our staff is highly intrigued on the upside on both sides of the ball. The arm strength is present, running the fastball into the mid 80s out of a shorter, high three-quarter slot that adds deception. The curveball is thrown with confidence, inducing plenty of whiffs in the zone that works well off the heater. It’s an athletic makeup that pounds the zone and should only get stronger as the pitchability and feel increases. Offensively, this was one of the more intriguing hit tools we saw at the MD Future 50, showcasing pull side power with a high contact rate and plenty of thump in the barrel, showcasing upside in the power to the middle of the field with more to come as the body matures. It’s a relaxed, yet explosive operation with high average/high power upside. 

Jay Sanchez OF / RHP / Caesar Rodney High School, DE / 2027

‘27 Jay Sanchez (DE)
- @Baseball1CR // @DcpShowcase

Strikes out the side in his one inning of work.

Arsenal continues to get better w/ each look, mixing frequently w/ heavy dose of the CB for whiffs ITZ.

FB: 84-87, T88 (X1)
CB: 73-75
CH: 80@PrepBaseballMD #MDOpen pic.twitter.com/QVKcrvjiph

— Cole Ledger (@LedgerPBR) June 1, 2025

Jeremy McConnaughey OF / RHP / Clear Spring High, MD / 2027

Dalton DePriest SS / RHP / Calvert Hall College High School, MD / 2027

Anthony DeVito SS / 2B / Marriotts Ridge High, MD / 2027

Jason DeVito 3B / OF / Marriotts Ridge High, MD / 2027