Tools of the Trade: Class of 2027 Hit Tool
September 23, 2025
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In the world of baseball scouting, few tools are as elusive—or as essential—as the hit tool. Historically, it’s been the heartbeat of a player’s offensive profile, representing their ability to consistently make quality contact, control the strike zone, and adjust to all pitch types. Long before exit velocity and bat speed became household metrics, legends like Tony Gwynn and Ichiro Suzuki were celebrated for their uncanny ability to “just hit”—spraying line drives to all fields with surgical precision. Scouts have always known power may dazzle, but the hit tool sustains.
Today, in the Northeast, a new crop of hitters is redefining what it means to possess a high-level hit tool. These players aren’t just racking up batting averages, they’re combining elite bat-to-ball skills with modern metrics like sweet spot percentage, average exit velocity, and pitch recognition. From compact swings that minimize miss zones to advanced plate discipline that belies their age, these prospects are proving that the Northeast isn’t just a cold-weather region, it’s a hotbed for hitters who can flat-out rake.
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Shea Corona SS / RHP / Homeschool (NY), NY / 2027The number 4 overall player in New York’s 2027 class is a very impressive two-way prospect. What stands out the most offensively is his ability to drive the ball all over the field while minimizing his swings and misses. At 6 ‘0 and 170-pounds he possesses a premium and projectable frame to grow into. This past spring season Corona was holding his own at the plate against some of the Northeast’s best arm talents. His 70 percent sweet spot percentage is even more consistent when it comes down to gameplay, a true gamer. Corona will be a top of the order bat for many years to come.
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Finnian O'Loughlin OF / RHP / Delbarton, NJ / 2027O’Loughlin possesses some of the most polished and mature mechanics of any player in the 2027 class. The 6 ‘2 and 202-pound outfielder is a loud contact machine when he comes up to the plate. At the Prep Baseball Future Games this summer he hit countless baseballs over 95 mph for hits, extra-base hits, and line outs. The main contribution to his consistent success is his mature approach at the plate. He controls the strike zone well and does not chase balls while looking to drive the baseball into the opposite field gap. One of the country's most talented hitters.
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Brendon Baiocco C / OF / Avon Grove, PA / 2027Rankings StateRank: 67 / POS: 9
One of the highest rising catchers in the Keystone State due to an extremely impressive summer circuit. The rising junior catcher is an all-around talent that can affect the game in multiple different ways. Offensively, his ability to use the whole field and adjust during the middle of the at-bat is what separates him from the rest. While hitting baseball up to 95.8 mph, he produces a 67 percent sweet-spot percentage and a 53 percent hard-hit percentage. Baiocco drives the ball with a repeatable, tight barrel turn and a bat path that works through the baseball. Keep an eye on this catcher.
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Derek Soroa 3B / RHP / Fordham Prep, NY / 2027Rankings StateRank: 10 / POS: 1
The number 10 overall player in New York’s 2027 class has one of the sweetest left-handed swings in the entire state. A swing that covers the entire length of the zone with a slight upward path and produces impressive metrics like 92.8 mph exit velocity, 78 percent sweet-spot percentage, and a 50 percent hard-hit percentage. The sweet swinging lefty has a lean, projectable 6 ‘1 and 185-pound frame that is only scratching the surface of his potential.
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Dan Keenan SS / 3B / Haddonfield Memorial, NJ / 2027Rankings StateRank: 29 / POS: 4
Gamer and competitor are two descriptors that fit perfectly when describing the kind of hitter Keenan is. The physical shortstop is 6’0 and 200-pounds and plays the game like a junk-yard dog. He controls the zone, fights off tough pitches, drives mistakes for extra-base hits, and takes what the pitcher gives him for a backside single. While also being able to grind out at-bats Keenan can also drive the ball up to 97 mph, reaching 379 feet with a 70 percent sweet spot percentage. He was a key contributor to Haddonfield’s successful season by having multiple double-digit hitting streaks and always found a way onto the bases. Definition of “hitters hit”.
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Leo Nockley SS / Wyoming Seminary Preparatory School, PA / 2027Arguably the highest riser in the entire country. Nockley displayed his hit-tool on the biggest stages against the best talent, and he showed out and balled out. Nockley can produce eye-popping metrics like a 105 mph exit velocity, 34.2g of rotational acceleration, and max distances of 398 feet. But the separator for Nockley is how mature he is at the plate; he stays composed and sticks to his approach. With elite barrel awareness and rotational acceleration, he can get to virtually any pitch the pitcher throws. He can beat you by peppering the ball across the field in one game and then can out slug you the next game. Big-time player.
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Rocco Grotto OF / SS / CBA-Syracuse, NY / 2027Rankings StateRank: 21 / POS: 3
An athletic outfielder with high-level hand-eye coordination that translates well into gameplay. While at the Prep Baseball Future Games, Grotto put together half a dozen quality at-bats off hard hit line drives that went right to the defender. At 5 ‘9 and 161-pounds he produces electric numbers from a twitchy, uber quick bat. Grotto is an all-around hitter that produces metrics like a 98.3 mph exit velocity, 373 max distance, 93.4 average exit velocity, 80 percent hard-hit percentage, and a 71 percent sweet-spot percentage. He is a complete hitter that can drive the ball all over the field that also possesses the ability to adjust in the middle of the at-bat as well.
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Nick Do OF / RHP / Jefferson, NJ / 2027Rankings StateRank: 82 / POS: 24
One of the most underrated hitters in the state of New Jersey. The 5 ‘10 and 160-pound outfielder have a high-level ability to rotate with a 33.4g rotational acceleration and elite barrel awareness with a 91 percent sweet-spot awareness. Do hits from a simple foot-lift gather and a quick barrel turn with a bat path that produces line drives to all fields. He can also produce exit velocities up to 94.7 mph and drive balls to a max distance of 355 feet. Coming off a high school season where he slugged .536, expect Do to continue to develop.
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Tommy Sergio 2B / 3B / Malvern Prep, PA / 2027Rankings StateRank: 54 / POS: 2
Coming off an impressive high school season for the State Champs Malvern Prep Friars, Sergio made a name for himself with his production. The sophomore earned his way into the three-hole spot in a loaded lineup full of division one commits and prospects. His elite ability to put baseball in play and create run production is a very mature aspect of his game. Sergio is an extremely hard worker on and off the field, expecting him to take a massive leap going into his junior year.
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