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Updated Class of 2026 Player Rankings (August)

Throughout the summer we were all over the state, scouting numerous prospects and seeing many new names came to the forefront of the recruiting scene. With that information, we are updating each of our class rankings based off what we have seen.

As summer sports come to an end and the new school season starts, we will take a look at "What's New at the Top", "Fall Showcase Standouts", "Prospects To Look At In 2025" and a look some of the top uncommitted prospects by position, and a close look at the Top 10.

To view the Class Rankings, click below:

• Class of 2026 | Class of 2027 | Class of 2028

To view the Prospect Reports, click below:

• Uncommitted Spotlights | Commitment Insider | Overall News

To view the entire Class of 2026 rankings, please click here.

What's New At The Top

Drake Roa SS / OF / Notre Dame Preparatory School & Marist Academy, MI / 2026 Rankings  StateRank: 8 / POS: 4 Report: Roa moves into the top 10 after a strong spring and summer campaign for Pontiac Notre Dame Prep and West Oakland Wings organization. Roa has continued to display strong infield play and cementing himself as a top defender in the class. His offensive production saw an increase while having a strong offseason of putting on mass, Roa saw a jump in power numbers from Sophomore to Junior season.

Jack Manzella RHP / SS / Fraser , MI / 2026 Rankings  StateRank: 9 / POS: 3 Report: Jack Manzella climbs up the rankings as he had a strong season at Fraser dominating hitters in the batters box. His fastball creeped up into the low 90s paired with his changeup and slider that generates swings and misses. After another strong start to the summer, Manzella locked up his college baseball fate with a commitment to Michigan State and Jake Boss & Co.

Brenden Olsen 1B / OF / Niles Senior High School, MI / 2026 Rankings  StateRank: 11 / POS: 1 Report: Olsen flew under the radar heading into the spring season and certainly made noise after a big spring at the plate for the Niles Vikings. Olsen recorded 18 XBH including 9 homers in Southwest Michigan and was able to drive in 39 RBIs. A good eye at the dish - Brenden punched out only in 9 ABs in 117 at-bats for the Vikings. Olsen earned himself a Senior Future Games invite after a big performance at TPG in June, Olsen has recently pledged his commitment to Todd Whitting and the Houston Cougars once he completes his senior season.

Who's At The Top

Ethan Armstrong RHP / 3B / Garden City High School, MI / 2026 Rankings  StateRank: 1 / POS: 1 OverallRank: 105 / POS: 30 Report: Armstrong stays at No. 1 in the 2026 Class after spring and summer seasons. Armstrong presents a bundle of issues for hitters with a fastball up to 93 MPH and a slider that generates good bite. Armstrong represented GC and Michigan at the prestigious East Coast Pro in August in Hoover, Ala. at the beginning of the month - an arm area scouts should circle for the 2026 MLB Draft.

Risers

Boden Bishop OF / LHP / Lakeland High School, MI / 2026 Rankings  StateRank: 13 / POS: 1 Report: A dynamic player who continued to dominate the summer circuit after another strong high school campaign for Lakeland. Our staff has been high on Bo from day 1 and he’s stepped up to the plate in many ways. Strong frame paired with good baseball IQ makes him an exciting addition to the Broncos 2026 recruiting class.

Lennox Peacock RHP / 1B / Escanaba, MI / 2026 Rankings  StateRank: 26 / POS: 11 Report: Peacock is another recent Western Michigan commit from the Upper Peninsula. Peacock spent the summer with ISA of Green Bay and made another jump in his development and represented Team Great Lakes at the Senior Future Games dazzling hitters with a 3-pitch mix featuring a polished changeup.

Chris York RHP / 3B / Clarkston, MI / 2026 Rankings  StateRank: 45 / POS: 20 Report: York also pledged his commitment to Billy Gernon & WMU over the last few weeks after a good last few months for Clarkston and Detroit Prospects. A sturdy 6’2 210 frame, York will run the 4-seam fastball into the low 90s with a sweeping slider. Another participant in the Senior Future Games for Team Great Lakes.

Noah Banas 2B / SS / Huron High School, MI / 2026 Rankings  StateRank: 54 / POS: 2 Report: Banas gained a bundle of traction to his recruitment, establishing himself as a top player in Southeast Michigan. A smooth left handed stroke - Banas generates XBH to both alleys and utilizes his speed on the base paths. Banas recently pledged his commitment to Saginaw Valley State earlier this month, a strong get for the Cardinals.

Brian Dopp OF / SS / Adrian Madison , MI / 2026 Rankings  StateRank: 42 / POS: 5 Report: Another recent Cardinal commitment from Southern Michigan - Dopp has a good strong frame with good lower half twitch and demonstrated that at Top Prospect Games in June. 6.42 runner was 91 from OF and up to 101 off the bat.

Notable Newcomers

Dylan Lunney OF / Montrose Hill-McCloy High School , MI / 2026 Rankings  StateRank: 91 / POS: 17 Report: Lunney made a big impression over the summer at the Western Michigan showcase at GVSU. Lunney profiles a good build and athleticism at 6’1 200 - has ability to run down balls into the gaps in centerfield - had a good summer campaign participating in many PBRT events.

Luke Charlton C / SS / LHNW, MI / 2026 Rankings  StateRank: 99 / POS: 9 Report: Charlton was a standout at multiple events this summer attending TPG and Unsigned Senior Games. 5-10 backstop had strong showing at the plate across HS and summer seasons. Had 35 XBH on the year with 43 walks and just 8 Ks.

The Sleepers

Jacoby Lind LHP / 1B / Midland High School, MI / 2026 Rankings  StateRank: 61 / POS: 6 Report: Lind presents a towering 6’7 + frame with much room to grow into his own physically over the course of the coming fall and winter. Long levers and ability to spin the breaking ball with 12/6 tilt and a low 80s fastball. Lind played a key role this spring for Midland High behind ace Brett Faccio (Yale) - logging a lot of key start in the always strong Saginaw Valley League. Look for Lind to take another step in the right direction over the offseason.

Jacob Gjonaj SS / RHP / Dakota High School, MI / 2026 Rankings  StateRank: 33 / POS: 6 Report: Gjonaj established himself as a key player for the Dakota Cougars as they made another Final Four appearance in East Lansing - a swift mover on the infield with a strong arm makes him a good prospect to play on the left side of the infield at the next level. Was able to string together quality at bats throughout the spring and summer. A ‘26 MIF who should be on radars for area programs.

Aden Bailey C / OF / Brighton High School, MI / 2026 Rankings  StateRank: 49 / POS: 4 Report: Switching hitting backstop with a good “catchers” build. Features a quick release behind the dish with some pop in the bat from both sides - a strong Top Prospect Games performance earned himself an invite to compete at Senior Future Games. Bailey had a strong week with multiple base hits against the regions toughest competition at LakePoint.

Ian Hall RHP / OF / Divine Child High School, MI / 2026 Rankings  StateRank: 68 / POS: 27 Report: A mid 80s righty who continues to get better each step of the way from winter to spring to summer. Improved pitchability paired with the changeup and breaking ball makes Hall an intriguing prospect at the next level. Still has work to do to add more to the frame overall, was apart of a strong 1-2 punch at Divine Child this past spring season.

Don't Sleep On These Arms

Landon Love OF / LHP / Beaverton JuniorSenior High School, MI / 2026 Rankings  StateRank: 133 / POS: 22 Report: Landon Love made a big jump this spring/summer after leading the Beavers pitching staff in the Jack Pine Conference and gaining valuable innings for Berryhill Post 165. A low 80s fastball that will touch 85 - a refined changeup that keeps hitters off-balanced - Love is a name programs should take a second look at as they look to fill out their 2026 recruiting classes.

James Nuechterlein RHP / OF / Dakota High School, MI / 2026 Rankings  StateRank: 32 / POS: 15 Report: Nuechterlein played a pivotal role for Dakota over the spring and was apart of the formidable rotation with Luke DeMasse (Ball State) and Ryan Petrovitch (Houston Astros). A slender profile with high ceiling - Nuechterlein should continue to garner attention as we head into the offseason.

Emmett Lingeman RHP / 3B / Central Montcalm Middle, MI / 2026 Rankings  StateRank: 20 / POS: 8 Report: Lingeman was also selected for East Coast Pro earlier this month going to Hoover Alabama. A large 6’4 frame that will run the fastball into the low 90’s - Lingeman has another step to make this offseason in Central Michigan.

Jack Danielewicz LHP / 1B / Grosse Pointe South High School, MI / 2026 Rankings  StateRank: 118 / POS: 13 Report: Danielewicz played a large role for a deep run the Blue Devils made to East Lansing. A crafty lefty with above average pitchability - still has room to take another jump with his arsenal and physicality - our staff was impressed with his poise and presence throughout the postseason run, an arm who will add value to a pitching staff at the next level.

College Coaches Need To Circle Back To

Mccallister Doelle C / SS / Rochester Adams, MI / 2026 Rankings  StateRank: 97 / POS: 8 Report: Doelle features an athletic frame and some good bounce behind the plate - one of the quicker arms in the class - Doelle has ability for position versatility as he posted a sub 6.8 60 yard dash and a strong arm from behind the dish.

Keegan Malley OF / RHP / HH Dow, MI / 2026 Rankings  StateRank: 43 / POS: 6 Report: A recent standout at the Unsigned Senior Games at Oakland University - Malley put on a strong workout followed it up with multiple extra base hits in the game to both alleys at OU. Having bounced around defensively - Malley is another uncommitted 2026 with position flexibility.

Brody Meier SS / 2B / Romeo High School, MI / 2026 Rankings  StateRank: 101 / POS: 17 Report: Under the radar SS from Romeo with good range up the middle and into the 6 hole - Meier possesses good bat to ball skills at the plate with ability for more extra base hits as he continues to mature. Another uncommitted LHH short-stop regional schools should keep tabs on heading into the offseason

TOP UNCOMMITTED PROSPECTS BY POSITION

Below we look to name the top 5 prospects in specific categories based on primary position in profile for the 2026 class rankings. Beyond this group, there are numerous prospects that can help a collegiate program in some capacity.

• Top Right-Handed Arms: Emmett Lingeman | James Nuechterlien | Ryer Olsson | Brady Henman | Hunter Farbman
• Top Left-Handed Arms: Ray Smith | Jacoby Lind | Andrew Cusick | Coleton VanderPloeg | Chase Tobias
• Top Outfield Prospects: Kellen Ford | Matt Toeppner | Keegan Malley | Ivan Wilkinson | Dante Perry
• Top First Basemen Prospects: JonTae Wright Jr. | Logan Kurtz | Nick Garnick | Trevor Rusnak | Kanaan Taylor
• Top Second Basemen Prospects: Tate Bainbridge | CJ Hornberger | Brody Matelic | Keagan Noble | Julien Lambright
• Top Shortstop Prospects: Jacob Gjonaj | Jamir Campbell | Caleb Sadowski | Cooper Arnedt | Colton Tousa
• Top Third Basemen Prospects: Rafael Valdovinos | Andrew Tribul | Ben Fausey | Nick Davis | Josh Mccune
• Top Catching Prospects: Gabriel Geisner | Aden Bailey | Tyler Shubnell | McCallister Doelle | Luke Charlton

***** To view the entire rankings, please click here.