Prep Baseball Nebraska Rankings Insider: Class of 2027

April 15, 2025
Pascal Paul
State Director, Prep Baseball Nebraska

+ CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL NEBRASKA CLASS OF 2027 RANKINGS

TOP FIVE 👑

RANK	PLAYER	SCHOOL	POS
1	Bubba Day	Omaha Skutt	RHP/SS
Bubba Day, Skutt Catholic, profiles as a high-upside SS/RHP with a lean, projectable 6-foot-3, 173-pound frame. On the mound, he shows a relaxed, low-effort delivery with a short, controlled leg lift that helps build momentum into foot strike. His whippy, loose ¾ arm slot generates a fastball that sits 91–93 mph, touching 93 with riding life (T2090, avg 1995 rpm). He pairs it with a sharp slider at 78–80 mph (T2094, avg 2019 rpm) and a developing changeup at 79–80 mph (T1711, avg 1623 rpm). A standout athlete, Day posted a 6.85 60-yard dash with explosive splits (1.67/3.84) and a 26" vertical. Offensively, he hits from a simple, grounded setup with a wide base and heel lift stride. His quick, strong hands deliver loud contact to both gaps, showcasing advanced barrel control and consistent power. He posted a 101 mph max exit velocity, averaging 96.7 mph with a top batted distance of 350 feet. Day’s combination of two-way ability, athleticism, and easy velocity makes him one of the more intriguing 2027s in the region.
2	Kowen Rader	Adams Central	RHP
Kowen Rader, a RHP/OF from Adams Central, presents a highly projectable frame at 6-foot-2, 156 pounds with long limbs and a clean, low-effort delivery. He shows short, controlled movements down the mound with efficient momentum and an easy rotator into foot strike, suggesting significant upside as he continues to physically mature. His arm action is longer out of the glove but quick and efficient, producing a quality downhill angle from a ¾ slot. Rader's fastball sits 87–88 mph (T88.3) with an average spin rate of 2135 rpm, complemented by a sharp 79–80 mph slider (T2260 rpm) and a slower, more traditional curveball at 72–74 mph (2042 avg rpm). He also mixes in a changeup at 78–81 mph and a splitter at 81 mph with lower spin, adding depth to his arsenal.
3	Markus Chandler	Omaha Westside	SS/RHP
Markus Chandler, a two-way prospect from Omaha Westside, showcases an impressive blend of physical tools and baseball skill. Standing 5-foot-9, 185 pounds, Chandler is a right-handed hitter with a relaxed, balanced setup and a direct, closed stride that allows him to drive the baseball with a slightly uphill path. He shows advanced bat speed and strength at contact, generating a max exit velocity of 100 mph and a top distance of 381 feet, while averaging nearly 93 mph off the bat. Defensively, Chandler profiles as a high-level third baseman with an 88 mph infield arm, soft hands, and fluid body control while on the move. He’s also a strong athlete, posting a 6.90 in the 60-yard dash and a 29.4" vertical. On the mound, Chandler works from the far right side of the rubber with a fluid delivery that builds momentum through an athletic leg lift and efficient lower half. His arm action is loose and quick from a three-quarter slot, and he commands a fastball that sits 89–90 mph (T90) with spin rates up to 2533 rpm. He mixes in a sharp curveball at 71–74 mph with high spin (avg. 2458 rpm) and a fading changeup at 83–84 mph. Chandler’s all-around athleticism and two-way potential make him a high-follow in Nebraska’s 2027 class.
4	Andrew Jackson	Lincoln Southwest	RHP
Andrew Jackson, RHP/SS from Lincoln Southwest, showcases an athletic 6-foot, 189-pound frame with present strength and physicality. On the mound, Jackson uses a high leg lift and shows some push down the slope, pairing it with fast rotation and a clean finish. He works from a quick, tight backside arm circle through a ¾ slot. His fastball sits 88-89 mph, topping at 89 with up to 2422 rpm. He complements it with a tight 76-78 mph curveball (2451 avg rpm) and a developing changeup at 78-79 mph. At the plate, the right-handed hitter works from a slightly open, wider stance with a direct stride and a slightly downhill barrel path. He flashes occasional pull-side pop, highlighted by a 92 mph max exit velocity and 288-foot max distance, though contact can be inconsistent.
5	Matthew Gorman	Papillion LaVista South	LHP/OF
Matthew Gorman, Papillion LaVista South, profiles as a LHP/1B with intriguing two-way potential. Standing 6-foot-2, 174 pounds, Gorman shows a lean, projectable frame with room to add strength. On the mound, he operates exclusively from the stretch with a calm, high leg lift and maintains an upright posture as he drives down the mound. He builds momentum efficiently into foot strike and finishes with a smooth, effortless rotation. The left-hander features an athletic, longer arm action out of the glove, delivering from a ¾ slot with a fast, whippy hand. His fastball sits 84–86 mph, topping at 87, with above-average spin rates (T2483, 2376 avg rpm). Gorman mixes in a sharp 70–73 mph curveball (T2434 rpm), a tight 76 mph slider (T2445 rpm), and a fading 75–78 mph changeup that averages 1787 rpm. His feel for spin and clean mechanics make him one of the more polished arms in Nebraska’s 2027 class.

+ CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL NEBRASKA CLASS OF 2027 RANKINGS

NOTABLE RISERS 📈

Players who made jumps in the rankings.

PREVIOUS	CURRENT	PLAYER
11	5	Matthew Gorman
14	7	Samuel Schroeder
16	10	Keyan Schadwinkel
28	17	Colton Williams
45	23	Brandt Schmidt
44	29	Renton LaHolt
52	31	Chance Kinman
81	32	Bronx Knudtson
63	34	Jaxson Kneifl
55	35	Adrian Contreras

NEW NAMES 👋

Players who make their debut on the rankings.

RANK	PLAYER	POS
18	Luke Mitchell	OF/SS
33	Caiden Cannon	OF/RHP
37	Grant Kozisek	RHP/SS
56	Colton Nixon	3B/OF
66	Franco Jankowski	OF
67	Jackson Corey	RHP/OF