Tools of the Trade: Class of 2027 Power Tool
September 9, 2025
When it comes to raw power, the Northeast is no longer just grinding—it’s launching. Across New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York, hitters are flashing serious juice, turning heads with exit velocities north of 98 mph and game-changing swings that demand attention. Each year the physicality and talent level of our youth prospects are exceeding the standards that the previous class set in place.
The “power tool” refers to a hitter’s ability to drive the baseball with authority—typically measured by raw power (bat speed, exit velocity) and in-game power (extra-base hits, home runs). It’s one of the five traditional tools used to evaluate position players, and in today’s recruiting landscape, it’s often the separator. Whether it’s a corner infielder launching moonshots or a lean outfielder showing surprising pop, Northeast hitters are proving that power travels—and it’s time we spotlight the bats that are making noise. Here’s a look at a crop of Northeast hitters that possess the power tool.
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Nick Machusko 3B / 1B / Moon Area, PA / 2027When looking at Machusko the first word that comes to mind is physicality. Standing at an intimidating 6 ‘2 and 221 pounds, he is the physical embodiment of a power hitter. At the plate he produces exit velocities north of 103 mph and bat speeds up to 83 mph. He does a great job staying in his legs and controlling his forward move, which allows him to maintain power and adjustability. When taking pregame BP on field at the 2025 Prep Baseball Futures Games Machusko put on an absolute laser show, outshining some of the Keystone State’s top hitters.
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Matthew Gryskiewicz OF / 3B / Eastern Regional, NJ / 2027Rankings StateRank: 23 / POS: 7
Probably the Garden State's most physical ball players at 6 ‘0 and 200 pounds. His swing is very compact and direct to the baseball which allows him to consistently be on the barrel and minimize swings and misses. For someone who produces hitting metrics of 103.5 mph exit velocity, 89 mph bat speeds, and 95.5 mph average exit velocities, Gryskiewicz has a very effortless, easy swing.
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Reed Supranowitz OF / LHP / Pleasantville, NY / 2027Rankings StateRank: 30 / POS: 5
A left-handed hitter that will have you enjoying every single swing during his round of batting practice. Hits from a tall, relaxed setup with low hands and then loads into a good hitting position with his hands loaded into a strong slot. At 6 ‘0 and 204 pounds, Reed produces impressive metrics of 99.9 mph exit velocity, 390 feet max distances, and 94 mph average velocities. A New York ball player that deserves some spotlight.
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Kellen Chelton LHP / OF / General McLane, PA / 2027Rankings StateRank: 51 / POS: 5
A Western Pennsylvania ball player that can really tear the cover off the baseball. He is a left-handed hitter with a physical frame of 6 ‘5 and 235 pounds. Every time we get to see Chelton display his talents he has improved and impressed. This winter he produced exit velocities of 100.3 mph, bat speeds of 79.8 mph, and a sweet spot percentage of 75 percent. The improvements shown have no indications of Chelton slowing down anytime soon.
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Casper Billington OF / 1B / Rumson-Fair Haven, NJ / 2027Rankings StateRank: 17 / POS: 5
This past summer Billington was one of Team New Jersey’s top performers at the 2025 Prep Baseball Futures Games. The 6 ‘4- and 205-pound slugger collected at least one hit in each game and multiple hits in multiple games. He displayed his ability to hit with two strikes while still being able to put a charge into the baseball. On top of his impressive performance, Billington also produced eye-popping hitting metrics of 103 mph exit velocity with a 70 percent sweet spot percentage. A premiere bat out of the Garden State.
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Xander D'Onofrio C / 1B / Briarcliff, NY / 2027Rankings StateRank: 46 / POS: 7
D’Onofrio has a knack for consistently being on the barrel. In gameplay his extra base hits are over 100 mph exit velocities and his groundouts and flyouts are over 100 mph exit velocity. The 6 ‘2- and 215-pound catcher produces a 102.9 mph exit velocity and 397-foot max distance from a whippy bat with loose wrists. His loose wrists allow him to accelerate his bat through the zone so his peak bat speed can be at the point of contact.
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Graham Keen 3B / OF / Mt Lebanon, PA / 2027The number 1 player in the state of Pennsylvania and the number 12 player in the whole country is a very complex talent with a multitude of high-level traits, including his immense power tool. His frame may be 6 ‘6 and 200 pounds but Keen moves around and plays like a wiry 6 ‘2 shortstop. His power tool can go head-to-head with anyone else’s best tool in the class with exit velocities up to 106 mph, max distances up to 427 feet, average exit velocity of 101.3 mph, and a sweet spot percentage of 86 percent. Over the course of the summer, Keen has consistently been producing against some of the country’s top talents and is solidifying his name atop the 2027 class.
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Brayden Longo OF / RHP / Mount Olive, NJ / 2027The recent Rutgers commit is one of the more explosive athletes on this list. Being a multi-sport athlete, Longo packs a punch at 5 '9 and 183 pounds. Hits from a repeatable setup with a toe-tap gather. A line drive hitter that produces extra base hits into the gaps during gameplay, especially at the 2025 Prep Baseball Futures Games. Longo produced multiple 100 mph plus exit velocities at Lakepoint against some of the country's top talent.
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Ryan Huban 1B / CBA-Albany, NY / 2027Rankings StateRank: 23 / POS: 2
The Albany, NY native is exactly the type of hitter you want from your first baseman, powerful. The 6 ‘2 and 288-pound first baseman has an innate ability to backspin the baseball pull side with impressive power. With exit velocities reaching 100.8 mph, an average exit velocity of 95.6 mph, and a max distance of 383 feet, this first baseman looks to cause damage when he steps up to the plate.
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Jacob Carrasco C / 3B / Manheim Township, PA / 2027A very versatile ball player with perennial 3–4-hole power at the next level. Every time Carrasco steps to the plate it feels like something is going to happen. The combination of power and hit tool from this 6 ‘1 and 207-pound catcher make him a very desirable prospect. The power tool is hard to miss when he is producing metrics like 102.6 mph exit velocities, max distances of 387 feet, and an average exit velocity of 93.8 mph. One of the top catching recruits in the country is a can’t miss prospect.
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