Las Vegas Rising Stars Games: Quick Hits

Jayzen Aquino (Bishop Gorman, 2030)

Aquino put together one of the top overall performances at the Las Vegas Rising Stars Games. Standing 5-foot-5, 120-pounds, the right-handed hitting middle infielder showed advanced barrel awareness in his batting practice session, then carried that directly into live gameplay, lining a double to right field along with a single to right field. Defensively, his footwork allowed him to work smoothly through the baseball, matching an athletic baseline that makes him an underclassman to know as he continues to add size and strength over the next few years at Bishop Gorman.

Julian Arenas (Centennial, 2031)

Arenas emerged as one of the clear biggest winners from the #LVRSG26, turning heads with an impressive overall performance. Standing an athletic 5-foot-9, 145-pounds with clear room to add physical strength, he generated one of the event’s top Exit Velocities at 99.0 mph and an event best 373-foot max distance during batting practice. He carried that power into gameplay by smoking a hard liner to center field. On the defensive side, his arm strength stood out loudly, pulling down an 86 mph velocity from the outfield. Arenas has all the attributes of a potential prospect and will be a high-follow player over the next few years.

Christopher Bannister (Centennial, 2030)

Bannister emerged as one of the clear biggest winners from the event, standing out immediately with an athletic 5-foot-10, 164-pound frame. He generated electric bat speed from the right side, registering a 21.4 mph max hand speed and a 359-foot max estimated distance. Defensively, he pulled down an 80 mph outfield velocity that also earned a spot in the Top 10, solidifying himself near the top of multiple leaderboards as a tool-heavy, high-ceiling player to keep close tabs on heading into the Summer.

Chase Barnes (Coronado, 2030)

The athletic 5-foot-11, 157-pound two-way recorded 103.0 mph TrackMan max exit velocity which landed in the top spot for the event, and maintained an exceptional 94.2 mph average exit velocity that also ranked in the top spot of the #LVRSG26. His Blast Motion numbers backed up the visual, highlighted by an event-best 22.9 mph max hand speed and an elite 84.5 mph max bat speed, both finishing in the #1 spot. The athleticism and strength paired with the present tools could be an early impact type player at the HS level next Spring. 

Otto Braverman (Bishop Gorman, 2031)

Braverman paired his advanced defensive actions with a his advanced feel for the barrel on Day 1 of the #LVRSG26. At 5-foot-5, 113-pounds, the projectability is there with the confident actions projected to only continue to trend as he adds size and strength over the next few years. He continued his standout performance into live gameplay, showcasing great barrel feel to drive a single to right field. On the defensive side, his feet and hands work with an easy flow through the ball, pulling down a clean 71 mph infield velocity.

Aiden Castro (Bishop Gorman, 2030)

Making his presence felt on both sides of the ball, the Bishop Gorman product brought an impressive array of tools to secure his spot as a high-level two-way prospect. Standing a physical 6-foot-2, 148-pounds, Castro generated a line drive fill batting practice session, but he shined on the mound during live gameplay, where he put together one of the more dominant performances of the event, racking up 4 strikeouts during his outing. The present feel on both sides of the ball makes this a potential immediate impact type player at the HS level next Spring, you can expect his game to continue to trend over the next few years.

Ezra Conrado (Durango, 2030)

Conrado delivered one of the most complete performances of the event, asserting himself as a legitimate two-way name to watch as he heads into his high school career. Coming in at 5-foot-10, 155-pounds with clear room to fill out his athletic frame, he translated his tools perfectly into live game action. Conrado showcased great feel on the mound before swinging a hot bat, driving a ball deep to the left-field wall for a double and adding a single to left field. Keep an eye on this one for the next few years as we expect him to only continue seeing his game progress.

Wyatt Erickson (Bishop Gorman, 2030)

Erickson put together a stand out as one of the more polished players at the event. At a Prep Baseball Verified 6-foot, 151-pounds, balanced swing produced an 88.5 mph max exit velocity during BP. That present feel for the barrel carried over clearly into game action where he crushed a double to the left-field wall, while also jumping on the mound to show off his arm strength by picking up a strikeout. His physical metrics are highly projectable across the board, backed by an 18.9-inch vertical jump height that finished in the Top 10, making him an intriguing prospect who is just scratching the surface of his potential.

Lucas Galarza (Southeast Career Tech, 2030)

The Southeast Career Tech product stood out for his premium barrel consistency and infield arm strength, putting together an impressive overall event. His proportional strength throughout his 5-foot-9, 169-pound frame, Galarza posted a loud 94.4 mph TrackMan max exit velocity to go with an exceptional 91.3 mph average exit velocity that landed in the Top 10. The tools translate to the defensive side where he showed advanced infield actions, recording a 80 mph infield velocity. This is another 2030 that we expect make some noise this summer heading into his freshman campaign.

Jedd Gallagher-Spencer (Palo Verde, 2030)

Gallagher-Spencer quietly put together a highly productive showing, continuing to profile as an under-the-radar infielder with tools that play across the board. Standing 5-foot-6, 116-pounds, he carries a lean build with athletic actions. At the plate, he repeated his swing consistently on a line-drive approach that resulted in an 85.8 mph max exit velocity before staying back on a pitch in gameplay to drive a single to right field. Defensively, his hands and feet worked efficiently through the ball, proving he will be a high-follow prospect whose game we project to take off over the next few years.

Kona Hashimoto (Palo Verde, 2030)

Hashimoto delivered one of the most impressive offensive and defensive performances of the entire event, showcasing some of the easiest juice in his round of BP. A physical 5-10, 173-pounder, he posted a 98.2 mph TrackMan max exit velocity that ranked in the Top 10 and a 372-foot max estimated distance that also landed in the Top 10, which he carried directly into live gameplay by lining a single up the middle and stealing a base. His advanced catch-and-throw skills, paired with smooth, accurate transfers to produce an event best 1.96–1.98 pop time alongside an event best 72 mph catcher velocity. Leaving no doubt as one of the top overall catchers in attendance, Hashimoto is a player we will track closely over the next few years.

Aahrion Hermosura (Bishop Gorman, 2030)

Hermosura made an immediate statement at the showcase, lighting up multiple leaderboards with premium athleticism. Standing 5-foot-9, 140.4-pounds, he brings twitch and quick actions that show up across the profile, leading the event with a massive 20.9-inch vertical jump and an elite 1.80 RSI, both finishing second overall during the VALD testing. His advanced actions translated to a loose stroke in game action, where he drove the baseball with intent all over the yard to collect a triple past center field, a triple down the right-field line, and a line-drive single to center field. Defensively, he added to a standout day by pulling down a 75 mph velocity from the outfield, validating his standing as a potential prospect with a bright future.

Ruben Hernandez jr. (Las Vegas, 2031)

Hernandez Jr. put together a stellar performance that was punctuated by a highly dominant, polished showing on the mound. Standing 5-foot-10, 157-pounds, he carries a strong, athletic frame that points toward significant upside as he continues to mature. He put his high-level competitive traits and pitchability on full display during live game action, where he carved up opposing hitters, racking up 2 strikeouts from a clean, repeatable delivery while showing tremendous command for his class. His physical traits are highly apparent, supporting his on-field success by posting an elite 1.19 RSI and a strong 17.6-inch vertical jump height, both earning a spot in the Top 10 during VALD testing.

Cooper Hutton (Palo Verde, 2030)

Hutton put together one of the event’s top overall performances with standout stuff on both sides of the ball. Standing 6-foot, 178-pounds, he carries a strong, athletic build with present strength. He caught the attention of our staff immediately during VALD athletic testing, posting an event-best 21.3-inch vertical jump. On the diamond, that present strength in the lower-half translated in the outfield, earning an event-best 89 mph outfield velocity that also topped the leaderboard after putting up an impressive a 93.2 mph max exit velocity and a 340-foot max distance, proving his status as a high-follow outfielder over the next four years.

Noah Manumaleuna (Durango, 2030)

Manumaleuna showed an advanced skill set and physical maturity that separates him from most young backstops in the region. Coming in at 5-foot-11, 168-pounds, he owns a strong, athletic build that plays across his entire profile. At the plate, he drove the barrel on a strong upward path to post a 91.7 mph max exit velocity and a 337-foot max distance. Behind the dish, his present catch-and-throw ability is highly apparent, pairing smooth transfers with accurate throws to produce a 68 mph catcher velocity and consistent 2.08–2.11 pop times that will only continue to go down. The tools are there and we have him as a player we expect see continue to trend over the next few years.

Russell McGee (Undecided, 2031)

McGee made his mark with advanced in-game actions. He posted an 86.6 mph max exit velocity with a clean path that allows him to repeat his actions efficiently. He took those skills right into the live games where he made a standout defensive play on the run at third base, showing off lateral range and a 77 mph infield velocity. He also hit the barrel cleanly for a triple to right field, showing off his advanced instincts that point to a highly projectable profile.

Garrett Pierce (Centennial, 2030)

Pierce put together one of the more complete, tool-based showcases of the event, pairing present twitch with impressive defensive polish. Listed at 5-foot-5, 126-pounds, he stood out immediately during VALD testing, turning in a 20.2-inch vertical jump and a 1.79 RSI, both finishing comfortably in the Top 10 for the event. That athletic ability translated directly behind the dish, where his highly efficient transfers produced premium 1.99–2.04 pop times, to go with a 72 mph catcher velocity. 

Ethan Robertson (Undecided, 2031)

The 5-foot-7, 125-pound Swiss Army Knife type player has shown his game continue to trend over the past year with multiple new best posted at the #LVRSG26. That improved strength lower-half power translated directly behind the dish, where his actions helped pull down a 66 mph catcher velocity and an improved 2.01–2.02 pop time which landed in the Top 10, alongside a 70 mph infield velocity. At the plate, he displayed a smooth, direct path to produce an 84.1 mph max exit velocity with much more to come as he continues to add size and strength.

Carson Schoener (Bishop Gorman, 2030)

Schoener put together an impressive event, validating his standing as one of the top players set to enter the HS level next year, finding himself near the top of multiple leaderboards. Standing 5-foot-10, 172-pounds, showed off his tools from the outfield with an 84 mph outfield velocity, that ranked in the Top 10, to go along with a sharp 77 mph infield velocity. At the plate, his present strength translated to a 92.8 mph max exit velocity and a 358-foot max distance, which he carried cleanly into gameplay by hammering a triple off the right-field wall.

Braylen Silva (Durango, 2030)

Silva showed a well-rounded offensive and defensive profile built on repeatability and athleticism from the right side. A 5-foot-11, 125-pounder, he posted an 85.1 mph max exit velocity, which he carried directly into gameplay with a clean single to center field. Defensively, he showed real positional versatility, flashing a 71 mph infield velocity alongside a 66 mph catcher velocity and a clean 2.04–2.12 pop time behind the dish. He backed up his field work during VALD testing with a sharp athletic profile, reinforcing his upside as a quality utility player to follow closely as his frame fills out.

Liam Sparks (Coronado, 2030)

Sparks showed off his two-way ability at the #LVRSG26, standing out as one of the more dominant performers in attendance with a strong, physical build that shows up in every phase. He turned in a loud batting practice round with a 93.4 mph max exit velocity. He carried that athleticism onto the mound during live gameplay where he proved effective against opposing hitters from a clean delivery, running his fastball up to 78 mph while racking up 5 strikeouts. Pairing his present build with the athleticism on display at the event, Sparks adds another exciting profile to monitor closely in the ‘30 Class.

Tristan Trainor (The Meadows, 2030)

Trainor delivered an impressive offensive showcase, showing off some of the most dynamic rotational metrics and raw bat speed recorded by our staff. The 5-foot-9, 134-pounds saw his game translate directly into live game action, showing off his present barrel feel by shooting a single through the 6-hole and adding another lined single to left field. On the defensive side, his athleticism translates cleanly to the outfield where his feet work efficiently to pull down a 78 mph outfield velocity.

Andrew Works (Palo Verde, 2030)

Works put together a strong offensive and defensive showing that highlighted his ability to repeat his actions within a mature approach. Standing 5-foot-5, 117-pounds, he showed off his compact, direct right-handed swing, displaying consistent barrel accuracy during his round to post an 82.8 mph max exit velocity. On the defensive side, he showed off athletic actions through the ball with easy, fluid lateral range, pulling down a 65 mph infield velocity with accurate throws across the diamond.

Jacob Young (Bishop Manogue, 2030)

Young quietly put together a strong showing, continuing to profile as an under-the-radar middle infielder with projectable tools that play across the board. Standing 5-foot-7, 119-pounds, he put on a show during his Blast Motion session, registering a loud 22.7 max rotational acceleration that earned a spot in the Top 10, which helped him put up a 84.5 mph max exit velocity. His athletic actions carried over cleanly to the defensive side of the ball, where his hands work efficiently through the baseball to pull down a 71 mph infield velocity. Keep an eye on this one over the next few years as a player who we expect to be on more than a few radars if he continues on this trajectory.

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