Prep Baseball Report

Become a Member

More +

Tools of the Trade: Class of 2027 Arm Strength

October 7, 2025
Nathan Goranson
Northeast Scout

In the Northeast, where grit meets grind on chilly spring diamonds and indoor cages, a new wave of high school ballplayers is turning heads—not with the bat, but with the cannon. Arm strength is a cornerstone of defensive excellence in baseball, it’s not just about throwing hard, it’s about changing the outcome of plays and controlling the field. These athletes possess the kind of arm strength that doesn’t just impress scouts—it alters the outcome of the game. From outfielders gunning down runners at third to shortstops making back-foot throws look routine, a powerful arm is more than a tool—it’s a weapon. In this piece, we spotlight the Northeast’s standout throwers and break down why arm strength remains one of the most underrated pillars of elite defense.

Yordany Herrera SS / 3B / Passaic Tech, NJ / 2027

Rankings  StateRank: 30 / POS: 5
Herrera was a Prep Baseball Future Gamer this summer and showed off his defensive instincts and natural twitchiness. His 90-mph arm strength from shortstop is even more impressive when you see how quickly he gets the ball out of his glove. He plays the game super-fast with minimal wasted movements. The 6 ‘1 and 170-pound middle infielder bounces around making tough plays and has the arm strength to make any throw. 

 

 

AJ Sada SS / 2B / Jamesville-Dewitt, NY / 2027

Rankings  StateRank: 16 / POS: 3
Sada has a strong, muscular frame with quick twitch tendencies in the field. The 2025 Future Gamer had an impressive summer offensively and defensively showing everyone why he is a top three shortstop in New York. The 5 ‘7 and 159-pound Sada packs a punch with an arm strength up to 90-mph across the diamond. He works around the ball and builds momentum to produce a strong, consistent throw to first base. 

 

 

Rowan Walker 3B / RHP / State College Area, PA / 2027

Rankings  StateRank: 28 / POS: 3
The two-way prospect has been up to 91.1-mph off the mound and has been up to 92-mph from the infield and outfield. Walker is an electric mover and thrower of the baseball that can change the game in a multitude of ways. He has a physical, athletic build of 6 ‘0 and 188-pounds and has more room to grow. The 2025 Future Game Alum is just stretching the surface of his potential. 

 

 

JJ Watkins OF / RHP / Cedar Creek, NJ / 2027

Rankings  StateRank: 27 / POS: 9
The recent Rutgers University commit has one of the strongest positional arms in the state of New Jersey. Watkins is an ultra-athletic outfielder with a 6.5 sixty and an arm strength of 90-mph from the outfield. The 6 ‘3 and 195-pound prospect provide defensive versatility with a frame that has high upside as he continues to develop. 

 

 

Enrique Diaz OF / High School for Health Careers & Sciences, NY / 2027

Rankings  StateRank: 33 / POS: 6
Diaz boasts a stout 5 ‘10 and 189-pound frame and produces throws up to 90-mph from the outfield. He has continued to improve each time we have seen him, putting himself in the conversation of New York’s most underrated 2027 prospects. Even with his strong build, Diaz has 6.8 speed to patrol centerfield. 

 

 

Nicky Vanni SS / 2B / The Haverford School, PA / 2027

Rankings  StateRank: 71 / POS: 9
Vanni is a fluid mover at shortstop with a strong arm that has peaked at 91-mph. He puts himself into strong throwing positions consistently to make difficult plays look easy. The 6 ‘0 and 180-pound middle infielder have been one of Pennsylvania’s highest rising middle infielders over the course of the last calendar year. He is an impressive all-around baseball player. 

 

 

Finnian O'Loughlin OF / RHP / Delbarton, NJ / 2027

Rankings  StateRank: 2 / POS: 1 OverallRank: 92 / POS: 23
The recent Alabama commit is not just one of the Garden State’s most dynamic players, but he is one of the country’s most dynamic players. Finnian is known for his offensive prowess, but his natural arm talent pops off the page as well. The 6 ‘2 and 202-pound athlete have peaked at 93-mph from the outfield which tops the leaderboard for New Jersey. Just a pure, all-around ball player to keep an eye on. 

 

 

Ozzy Vogel-Moore C / 1B / Charles O Dickerson High School, NY / 2027

Rankings  StateRank: 28 / POS: 2
The lone catcher on this list boasts an impressive 81-mph arm strength down to second base. A positional velocity of 81 mph at first glance might not seem impressive, but from the catcher position it is a true reflection of pure arm talent. To maintain a 1.88-1.97 pop time and produce an 80 plus mph velocity is very impressive for a 2027 graduate. A very impressive catching prospect. 

 

 

Hunter Mishock OF / 3B / PA, Royersford Pope John Paul ll High, PA / 2027

Rankings  StateRank: 26 / POS: 7
A 2025 Future Game Alum is very athletic with 6.6 speed and can throw out runners from the outfield with an arm strength up to 90-mph. The Eastern Pennsylvania prospect boasts a physical 6 ‘0 and 188-pound frame with more room for physical development. Provides defensive versatility with the ability to handle the corner outfield positions and patrol center field with ease.