Prep Baseball is in attendance as the USA 18U Team embarks on a full round of trials in Cary, North Carolina with more than 80 of the top 2025 (and a handful of elite 2026s) prospects. Below a look at some quick-hits from Day 1:

Statements Made:

🌲🌲’25 Xavier Neyens (WA)🌲🌲

LOUDLY closes the door on last year’s draft w/ this mega 💣💣 that goes 1️⃣0️⃣8️⃣ off the bat traveling a majestic 440 feet.

A premier bat in an exciting class…

👍👍👍#MLBDraft || @PBR_DraftHQ pic.twitter.com/t2cxLAlYlX

— Shooter Hunt (@ShooterHunt) July 17, 2024

+ 3B Xavier Neyens (WA, Oregon State)
The 6-foot-4, 205-pound left-handed slugger had the loudest moment of the day as he sent a majestic shot soaring high over the right field wall for a home run. Checking in at 108 mph off the bat and traveling 440 feet, he matched the plate of a low 90s fastball delivering a thunderous barrel. While his next two at-bats resulted in strikeouts (each looking on HIGHLY questionable calls), he was a must-watch every time he stepped in the box and got off vicious swings with dangerous intent against some talented arms. Creating quality ground force, the hands separate deeper, down and back before he gets on-plane early and efficiently before pushing back against the ball with considerable torque. Neyens is clearly in the upper echelon of power prospects in the class, but it is the pitch recognition and ability to cover the plate that might push him highest up boards. The left side defender showcased adequate actions at third base in pregame with a strong arm (he is also one of the top pitchers in the class) before shifting over to shortstop after a teammate was injured.

+ SS Eli Willits (OK, Oklahoma)