MD/DE Class of 2028 Rankings Update: Top 25
September 15, 2025
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The summer circuit is all but over across the state of Maryland, as our staff updates the Class of 2028 before the fall gets underway. In this rankings edition, we reveal the top 25 players in the class of 2028. Plenty of shakeup in the top 10 with movement throughout, including close to 10 risers inside the top 25 and 2 new faces in the top 20. See write-ups on a plethora of risers inside the Top 25, including a look at the full Top 10.
East Coast Super Sophomore Standouts
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Cooper DeWaal SS / RHP / Oakdale High, MD / 2028The left-handed hitting shortstop remains at number two in this recent update following an impressive and standout performance down in North Carolina. Smooth and fluid actions at the dish paired with pull side power and a knack for finding the barrel, DeWaal continues to mold himself into one of the more consistent bats in this class. Still awaiting some physicality to hit the frame, look for this to be a can’t-miss player to watch as the fall rolls on. |
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Mason Glover C / OF / Sussex Academy, DE / 2028Rankings StateRank: 3 / POS: 1
The physical 6-foot-1, 195-pound two-way continues to spark throughout this class, leading to a jump to number three in this latest update. It’s a powerful, yet controlled approach at the dish that yields strength to the middle of the field with backspun line drives sprayed to the alleys. |
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Jerome Alejandro (JA) Stephens OF / LHP / Mcdonogh School, MD / 2028Rankings StateRank: 5 / POS: 1
Stephens was arguably the player that garnered the most attention in North Carolina and had scouts and coaches circling his name right out of the gate following the workout day. The smooth swinging lefty produced outlandish numbers during the workout, notching PR’s in Exit Velocity (102.1) and the 60-Yard Dash (6.75). It’s a highly athletic 6-foot, 165-pound frame with plenty of room to fill out that only adds to the projection and excitement that surrounds Stephens as we head deeper into the fall. As the approach becomes more consistent at the dish, look for the left-handed hitting outfielder to become a household name across this state for years to come. |
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Micah Nelson OF / LHP / Saint Mark's High, DE / 2028Yet another player that jumped onto the scene down in North Carolina, Nelson confirmed himself as one of the top two-ways in this class. The 5-foot-10, 155-pound southpaw worked three scoreless innings at the East Coast Super Sophomore Games, running the fastball into the mid 80s with advanced feel for the slider/changeup mix. As the athleticism starts to take shape, and more physical maturity is added to the frame, look for this to be yet another highly touted arm to come out of Delaware. This hit tool also sparks interest, and certainly did in game in North Carolina, consistently spraying line drives to both gaps with relative ease. High average, high contact type hit tool with game-changing ability on both sides of the ball. |
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Diarmuid Gardiner RHP / SS / Walt Whitman High, MD / 2028Rankings StateRank: 7 / POS: 2
It’s not difficult to see why “Puck” Gardiner has been one of the more consistent risers in this class, and following an eye-opening performance in North Carolina sees the athletic two-way jump inside the top 10 for the first time. The hit tool is consistent and yields strong line drive tendencies to the gaps, however, it’s the arm talent on the bump that continues to impress immensely. The fastball runs into the upper 80s with run/ride through the zone and the ability to induce whiffs in and out of the zone. The slider shows promise, differentiating shapes and tunneling well off the heater that only adds to the effectiveness. |
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Max Darby C / RHP / John Carroll School, MD / 2028Rankings StateRank: 15 / POS: 2
The East Coast Super Sophomore Games is a chance for these younger athletes to really put their name on the map, and not many took full advantage of the opportunity quite like Max Darby did. The physical 6-foot-1, 215-pounder showcased plenty of power at the dish and transferred it well in-game that included multiple hits including a loud ground-rule double to dead center field in the final game in North Carolina. Swing decisions need to clean up a touch, however, the power upside is for real and should develop even more so as the maturity sets in. |
Notable Risers
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Ashton Taylor LHP / 1B / Archbishop Spalding, MD / 2028Rankings StateRank: 8 / POS: 1
A standout performance at this year’s MD Future 50 lands the athletic southpaw inside the Top 10 for the first time. It’s a smooth, repeatable delivery on the bump, running the fastball into the low to mid 80s that is coupled well with a devastating sinker that produces whiffs in the zone. The slider and changeup combo compliment each other well and allow the fastball to play up in velocity already. Plenty of room to fill out the frame, look for Taylor to potentially be that next big arm to come out of Archbishop Spalding in this class. |
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Imani Ukiteyedi OF / RHP / Archbishop Spalding, MD / 2028Rankings StateRank: 9 / POS: 3
Ukiteyedi lands himself back inside the top 10 following an eye-opening performance at the MD Future 50. The hands are fluid, yet explosive at the dish that produces loud power to the pull side. The wrists are strong and the hand speed produces quickness through the zone that should only increase as more strength is added to the frame. This is a highly athletic outfielder that impacts immensely in all facets. |
MARYLAND/DE Class of 2028 Top 10
*Positions listed are primary positions listed on their profile.*
| 1 | Jason Marll | Archbishop Spalding | 3B | |
| 2 | Cooper DeWaal | Oakdale | SS | |
| 3 | Mason Glover | Sussex Academy | C/RHP | |
| 4 | Marcus Blaqman | Southern MD Christian Academy | SS/RHP | |
| 5 | JA Stephens | McDonogh | OF | |
| 6 | Micah Nelson | St. Mark's | LHP/OF | |
| 7 | Diarmuid Gardiner | Walt Whitman | RHP/INF | |
| 8 | Ashton Taylor | Archbishop Spalding | LHP | |
| 9 | Imani Ukiteyedi | Archbishop Spalding | OF | |
| 10 | Brandon Toadvine | St. Michaels | LHP |