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Updated Class of 2028 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", "The Risers", and "Coaches Need To Circle Back To", as we expand our Class of 2028 Rankings.

To view the Class Rankings, click below:

• Class of 2027 | Class of 2028 | Class of 2029

To view the Prospect Reports, click below:

• Uncommitted Spotlights | Commitment Insider | Overall News

To view the entire Class of 2028 rankings, please click here.

The Top Spot

Koltyn Watters OF / LHP / Rochester Adams, MI / 2028 Rankings  StateRank: 1 / POS: 1 Report: Flip stays at the #1 spot as we enter the fall and certainly deserving of it with a strong summer. Watters spent much of his summer on the National scene in Cary, NC, Area Code Games & Future Games. A superb athlete with quick hands in the box and can impact the game on the bases, what sticks out most about him is the present physicality & the time spent to get bigger, faster and stronger leading into the spring and summer. Watters will be a hot commodity for many programs as they begin to piece together their 2028 recruiting classes.

What's New At The Top

Tyson Linde C / RHP / Chelsea High School, MI / 2028 Rankings  StateRank: 7 / POS: 1 Report: Linde was one of many top performers at the 2026 Future Games and paid off with a recent verbal commitment to Coach Mingione and the Wildcats of Kentucky. A strong, slender frame at 6’3 205, Linde had a strong workout on Day 1 with an impressive pop time and visible arm strength up to 84. He followed up the workout with an impressive 4 runners thrown out throughout the course of the week in Atlanta with one runner being tossed out on his knees. Was able to come up a few base hits along the way. Linde could arguably be more projectable on the mound with a fastball into the low 90s and ability to spin the slider for strikes.

Jaxon Rinehart LHP / OF / Edwardsburg High School, MI / 2028 Rankings  StateRank: 8 / POS: 3 Report: Rinehart jumped onto the scene with a strong spring and make a strong impression at Top Prospect Games. Rinehart had one of the best outing for Team Michigan running up his strikeout total to 6 batters in his two inning stint. The southpaw possesses an athletic frame at 6’3 with certainly more room to add strength and mass. A strong ability to fill up the strike zone and moving the ball around the zone earned him an opportunity to verbally commit to the Chanticleers.

Colton Small LHP / 1B / Forest Hills Eastern High School, MI / 2028 Rankings  StateRank: 4 / POS: 1 Report: A transplant from the Tar Heel State, Small has as big of a frame of anybody across all classes in Michigan with a staggering 6’10 211 height & weight. Small punched out a handful of hitters in his outing v. Team Select at Future Games flashing a 2/7 shaped breaking ball and a handful of changeups to RHH. Fastball was consistently into the 85-87 range. A name to follow into the fall.

The Risers

Chase Steger C / SS / Northville, MI / 2028 Rankings  StateRank: 17 / POS: 3 Report: Steger came into the Future Games with a strong output with South Oakland A’s playing a difficult schedule and went toe to toe with the region's top arms. Steger had a strong showing in the workout with a quick release and packed a solid punch with his left handed stick. Will be a challenging match-up for anybody in the KLAA as he continues his HS career at Northville.

Zane Hemler RHP / Grosse Pointe North High School, MI / 2028 Rankings  StateRank: 23 / POS: 5 Report: Hemler, a right handed arm from Detroit’s eastside in Grosse Pointe. Showed ability to spin the breaking ball with a mid-80s fastball. Slender frame with plenty of ability to add on more mass in the coming months.

Tate Russell 1B / RHP / Petoskey High School, MI / 2028 Rankings  StateRank: 40 / POS: 3 Report: Flew under the radar heading into the summer hailing from Petoskey but is starting to emerge as one to keep a close follow on as he progresses into the fall. Physical 6-5 frame with some athleticism has flashed big power at the plate against Legion ball teams in Mid-Michigan over the last 2 summers.

Will Neveau C / 1B / Central High School, MI / 2028 Rankings  StateRank: 44 / POS: 7 Report: Another exciting left handed bat where baseball runs deep in the family as his dad is a former all league player at SVSU, Neveau is right on track to be a RBI producer down the road and projects to be a middle of the order type of bat and will so for TCC in the spring. We had a small glimpse of Will in the MHSAA playoffs where he came up big for the Trojans depositing a ball over the right field wall that eventually led to a Trojans win. Overall solid athleticism with sound footwork around first base, also a multi sport athlete for TCC.

Evan Newingham 2B / SS / Rochester Adams, MI / 2028 Rankings  StateRank: 39 / POS: 1 Report: Newingham was a staple for the Highlanders this season in the lineup and played a solid third base and continued his strong defensive play into the summer for Elevate 16u. Possesses a strong arm with sound footwork and has ability to make plays outside of the average ones - Newingham will look to take another jump this fall offensively to round out his game.

Jaxson Lestock 3B / SS / Bedford Senior High School, MI / 2028 Rankings  StateRank: 12 / POS: 1 Report: Lestock had a good run this summer for the Kicking Mules and Midland Redskins summer program. The Lestock stock continues to creep up as we’ve seen continual development from him over the last 18 months and filled with ample athleticism. Stronger 6’3 frame with a knack to find the barrel - excited for what is to come for the rising 2028.

College Coaches Need to Circle Back to

Jaxon Distelrath SS / 3B / Richmond Community High School, MI / 2028 Rankings  StateRank: 21 / POS: 5 Report: Distelrath has been one of the more consistent hitters in the class over the last 4-5 months ending a strong spring at Richmond for Scott Evans. A smoother left handed stroke who has flashed power to the pullside. Distelrath is a name programs will want to circle back on as he looks to make another jump this fall setting up a big spring in 2027.

Nolan Gambino C / RHP / Bedford, MI / 2028 Rankings  StateRank: 20 / POS: 4 Report: Gambino has been a consistent player in the class since we first ID’d him a few years ago. Gambino was hampered by an injury this winter which caused him to miss some time, but is primed to have a promising fall. A sturdy backstop with strong catch and throw capabilities is one programs won’t want to sleep on as they build their 2028 classes.

Johnny Woytowich OF / RHP / Novi High School, MI / 2028 Rankings  StateRank: 29 / POS: 6 Report: Woytowich is another up and coming Wildcat who saw a vast amount of playing time for Novi. Johnny was one of many who made a strong impression at Top Prospect Games in June. Can make an impact on the game on the hill and in the box. Tons of athleticism present with more to come as his best baseball is ahead of time.

Tyler Ladd OF / 3B / Hudsonville High School, MI / 2028 Rankings  StateRank: 28 / POS: 5 Report: Another exciting up and coming Eagle from Hudsonville who is getting better each time we see him. Ladd will look to play a more permanent position for HHS in 2027, but more room to add strength but present position versatility in the OF and on INF at 1st base. One to keep close tabs on.

Jax Ichesco OF / SS / Chelsea High School, MI / 2028 Rankings  StateRank: 30 / POS: 7 Report: Ichescho brings much value to the diamond though he doesn’t profile the larger frame. He can impact the game on both sides of the ball with his legs and playmaking ability in the outfield. A multi-sport athlete for Chelsea HS.

Caden Chisholm RHP / SS / Vicksburg High School, MI / 2028 Rankings  StateRank: 34 / POS: 7 Report: Chisolm made some big jumps this spring and summer - played a big role for the Bulldogs Final Four appearance at MSU in June. 6’2 frame with an upper 80s fastball that can overpower at times. Fastball has some late run into RHH.

Benjamin Feldkamp SS / 3B / Saline, MI / 2028 Rankings  StateRank: 58 / POS: 8 Report: Fledkamp caught our eye early in 2026 and then more notably for Saline. Strong bodied LHH with solid infield actions with a compact swing had a strong summer season. Ability to play multiple positions on the infield.

Maksim Neshov OF / LHP / Brother Rice High School, MI / 2028 Rankings  StateRank: 2 / POS: 2 Report: A talented switch hitting outfielder from Brother Rice who competes in the box as well as anybody in the class. We’ve seen an ample number of at bats and would say he’s more comfortable from the left side of the batters box. Neshov stole 40+ bags this spring, a name programs should not sleep on as he’s had record production since his freshman campaign.

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