Players To Watch: Uncommitted 2026 Names To Know At State
June 9, 2025
Parker Hageman
Prep Baseball, Upper Midwest
The Minnesota High School State Baseball Tournament is always a fun intersection of pressure and possibility—where legacies are built and, more often than not, college coaches are furiously scribbling new names onto recruiting lists. For the class of 2026, a wave of talent is heading into this week’s state tourney without commitments attached to their names… for now. But if recent history is any indicator, that’s likely to change. These are the uncommitted juniors who could level up their profile in a matter of innings.
Let’s dig in.
Class 4A
There’s a lot to like here, and it starts with a grown-man frame (5’11”, 209) and a left-handed bat that has real intent. Bjorgaard doesn’t just swing hard—he barrels, posting a 95 mph exit velocity and hitting nearly .380 this spring. In the field, the 7.14 runner shows enough mobility and an 85 mph arm that tracks from the corner. There’s power potential in there that hasn’t even peaked yet. |
Keaton Coe SS / 2B / Andover High School, MN / 2026
Want a left-handed bat that can flat-out barrel? Coe’s got one of the better offensive foundations in the class. He hit .329 this spring and backed it with metrics—72+ mph bat speed, 27+ mph hand speed, and rotational acceleration that’ll make a hitting coach lean in. There’s projection here, both in the frame and in the swing. Add in a 7.03 60 and some positional versatility and you’ve got something very real.
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Jack Drieman OF / RHP / Cretin Derham Hall, MN / 2026
One of the biggest breakout names in the class this spring. Drieman raked at a .380 clip with a .515 OBP and added four homers, six doubles, and 18 RBI. He’s a 6.7 runner who’s lean and twitchy, with a clean right-handed stroke that stays in the zone forever. The offensive upside is huge, and the defense adds value as well.
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Ethan Hagman RHP / 3B / Farmington High School, MN / 2026
Here’s a strike-throwing righty with a sharp edge to his stuff. Hagman hides the ball well from a low ¾ slot and fills the zone with a fastball that spins over 2,350 RPM. He’s punched out 42 in 29 innings this spring while limiting traffic. It’s a clean, repeatable delivery with room for more velocity. The command and feel are already ahead of the curve.
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Logan Nistler RHP / OF / Andover High School, MN / 2026
Logan Nistler isn’t going to light up radar guns or fill a stat sheet with eye-popping numbers—but what he does do is get outs. In 2025, he posted a 2.84 ERA over 32 innings, striking out 41 while allowing just 15 hits. His delivery is smooth and deliberate, with a strong lower half and a compact arm path that stays in sync. The fastball lives in the mid-80s and pairs well with a breaking ball and changeup that keep hitters guessing. He moves well for a pitcher, with solid athleticism and body control. Nistler may not be the loudest arm in the room, but the results speak plenty.
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Evan Nordby RHP / 3B / Champlin Park High School, MN / 2026
Workhorse. Nordby’s logged 52 innings this spring and has held opponents to a .216 batting average while striking out 51. In event his fastball sat 86–88 and his curveball spins at 2,400+, making him a difficult matchup for any lineup. He doesn’t overpower—but he out-executes. There’s polish and presence that plays right now.
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Garrett Wheeler SS / OF / Minnetonka, MN / 2026
If you’re into guys who can hit leadoff and immediately tilt a game’s energy, Wheeler checks every box. He’s a 6.8 runner with smooth defensive actions at short and posted a .458 OBP this spring—highlighted by 17 walks and 22 runs scored. He doesn’t chase, he doesn’t press, and he’s going to give you a quality AB every time. A glue-guy profile with athletic upside.
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Class 3A
Connor Finn LHP / OF / MAHTOMEDI SENIOR HIGH, MN / 2026
Big lefty (6’4”) with arm-side run and feel for spin. Finn has touched 90 this year and has punched out 29 in just 18 innings. Still raw in some spots, but the physicality and ceiling are obvious.
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The guy just wins. Geislinger’s had a huge spring—.358/.459/.679 slash with five bombs and 27 runs scored. Then he threw a complete-game two-hitter to send Delano to state. On the mound, he’s 6-0 with a 0.82 ERA, 54 K and just 6 BB. He’s wired to compete, and it shows.
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Carson Hart OF / OF / Mankato East High School, MN / 2026
Arguably the most electric stat line in the group. Hart walked 31 times, stole 23 bases, and hit .375 with a .567 OBP. Add in a 6.43 60-yard dash, 93 mph exit velo, and an 85 mph arm from the outfield? Dynamic, multi-dimensional athlete who causes chaos in the best possible way.
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Brendan Koester C / RHP / SIMLEY SENIOR HIGH, MN / 2026
Koester doesn’t scream for attention—but if you’re paying attention, he’s exactly the kind of uncommitted prospect that winds up making people look foolish for overlooking him. A backstop by trade, Koester pairs 1.97–1.99 pop times with a steady glove and enough arm (76 mph from the crouch) to keep the running game honest. At the plate, he’s more substance than flash: a .351 average, 9 doubles, and a swing that repeats with quiet violence—topping out at 93 mph exit velocity. And if that’s not enough, he’ll climb the mound and give you innings, too. Utility, durability, and production—it’s all there, even if the hype isn’t yet.
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Class 2A
Drew Ellingson RHP / 3B / PERHAM SENIOR HIGH, MN / 2026
It’s all in the spin. Ellingson’s CB hovers around 2,600 RPM, and he’s put up a dominant spring: 59 Ks in 35 innings, 0.80 ERA. Fastball’s been up to 88. This is a data darling with bulldog mound presence.
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Blake Sauer SS / RHP / LUVERNE SENIOR HIGH, MN / 2026
We haven’t seen him live yet, but man the numbers are hard to ignore. Sauer hit .506 with 35 stolen bases and only struck out three times in 85 ABs. High-level contact skills and elite strike zone control.
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Other Names To Circle:
+ Andrew Bruett – 1B/OF – Delano
+ Daschle Duwe – RHP – Minnetonka
+ Jack Goldsberry – RHP/3B – Totino-Grace
+ Jacob Musgjerd – 3B/RHP – Minnetonka
+ Jackson McGrath – 3B/OF – Edina
+ Ty Rooney – C – Perham
+ Carter Storts – OF – Minnetonka
+ Donovan Vendel – RHP/OF - Champlin Park
+ Carter Van Beusekom – OF/RHP – Delano
+ Tanner Wylie – RHP – Champlin Park
Final Thought: There’s something really fun about watching a group like this. They’re playing for their team, their town, and yeah—maybe a spot at the next level too. But there’s no script here, just opportunity. And for these 2026s, the runway is wide open.
