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Updated Class of 2026 Player Rankings (December)

As Ohio’s Class of 2026 heads into its senior spring, this group will be asked to lead from the front — in the lineup, on the mound, and inside some of the state’s most tradition-rich programs. The very top of the board has now shifted into draft-mode evaluation, while the depth of the list is filled with college-bound prospects headed to every level of college baseball.

Heading into the spring, especially at the top, this list functions as both a recruiting barometer and an early draft board. While only a select few will be scouted heavily this spring, and even fewer will sign out of high school, our goal remains the same: to forecast which players from this class will be the most impactful between their age 21–25 seasons — whether that is in a college lineup, weekend rotation, or on a professional roster.

This update expands the Ohio 2026 list to 450 names, with 204 players currently committed to play college baseball in some capacity. That committed group spans Division I, Division II, Division III, NAIA, and junior college programs, and there remains a deep pool of uncommitted seniors who will be priority follows for college coaches this spring.

While the fall typically brings more consolidation than chaos after our summer looks, a handful of prospects elevated themselves with strong performances on the fall circuit. Read along for a look at some of our top MLB Draft follows, a group of spring helium candidates, and a breakdown of some of the senior classes that will carry real expectations around the state this spring.

To view the Class Rankings, click below:

• Class of 2026 | Class of 2027 | Class of 2028 | Class of 2029

To view the Prospect Reports, click below:

• Uncommitted Spotlights | Commitment Insider | Overall News

To view the entire Class of 2026 rankings, please click here.

MLB Draft Watch

Matt Ponatoski SS / RHP / Archbishop Moeller, OH / 2026 Rankings  StateRank: 1 / POS: 1 OverallRank: 18 / POS: 7 Report: Ponatoski continues to anchor the top of the board and looks the part of a true captain of one of Ohio’s premier programs. The Moeller shortstop brings a balanced profile: athleticism that plays on both sides of the ball, a polished internal clock on the dirt, and a mature left-handed stroke that has consistently shown up against quality arms. Committed to play both baseball and football at Kentucky, there will be few players with more leverage come draft day.

Shawn Sullivan RHP / OF / Walsh Jesuit, OH / 2026 Rankings  StateRank: 2 / POS: 1 OverallRank: 68 / POS: 22 Report: Sullivan remains the top arm on our Ohio board and one of the more exciting right-handed prospects in the region. The Tennessee recruit attacks with an uptempo, aggressive look, working with real intent to both sides of the plate. The fastball sits 94–96 mph, playing in and out with confidence and the ability to crowd hitters when he wants to. He’ll spin two distinct breaking balls – a firm, short slider at 82–86 mph and a true curveball at 76–77 mph with depth – and shows the feel to land both for strikes early or bury them late when he’s ahead. The separator is a power changeup at 85 mph that operates off the fastball tunnel and has become a legitimate weapon versus left-handed hitters. With the ability to fill the zone, miss bats with multiple pitches, and flat-out dominate lineups, Sullivan brings exciting arm talent into his senior spring and should draw plenty of eyes each time he takes the ball.

Deacon Nelson SS / OF / University School, OH / 2026 Rankings  StateRank: 3 / POS: 2 OverallRank: 125 / POS: 36 Report: Few players in the class have put together as many quality looks as Nelson. The Auburn-bound shortstop checks a lot of boxes evaluators like to see: steady infield actions, arm strength that fits the left side, and a hitter’s heartbeat in the box. The bat profiles as a potential top-of-the-order presence with room for more in-game impact as strength fully arrives. Expect Nelson to again be one of the more productive everyday players in Ohio this spring.

Prospects To Watch This Spring

Jack Andes OF / RHP / Hoover High School, OH / 2026 Rankings  StateRank: 30 / POS: 4 Report: One of the most explosive athletes in the class, Andes owns premium running ability, highlighted by a 6.38 60-yard dash, placing him firmly in elite territory. The arm strength matches the speed, firing 90 mph from the outfield with effortless carry. On the mound, his athleticism translates to a fastball up to 90 mph, backed by above-average spin characteristics (T2465) and a slider that spins at 2600+ rpm, giving him a true swing-and-miss secondary. His changeup features standout spin as well (avg. 2553), adding another weapon to a mound profile built on twitch and raw stuff. Andes’ blend of top-tier speed, plus arm strength, and high-end pitch metrics makes him one of the more dynamic upside athletes in the class.

Reid Hemrick RHP / OF / Olentangy Orange, OH / 2026 Rankings  StateRank: 38 / POS: 17 Report: Hemrick brings one of the stronger metric profiles among Ohio’s 2026 arms. His fastball works 87-89 mph with above average spin that produces late life and carry through the zone. Both breaking balls show above-average characteristics for his class — the curveball spins at 2338 rpm with real depth, while the slider (78-79 mph) carries 2374 rpm and the sharper, late action needed to miss bats. His changeup offers ideal contrast, holding low-spin separation (1753 rpm) and velo in the 79-81 mph range.

Draden Wardrop SS / 2B / Toledo Central Catholic, OH / 2026 Rankings  StateRank: 59 / POS: 18 Report: Wardrop brings an exciting blend of size and athleticism at 6-foot-3, 175 pounds, highlighted by a 6.44 60-yard dash, placing him among the better runners in the class. The strength shows up at the plate, where he’s posted a max exit velocity of 90.9 mph with the ability to drive the ball 266 feet, and his 23.3 G rotational acceleration points to real bat-speed potential as he continues to fill out. Defensively, he’s equipped with an 85 mph infield arm, giving him the versatility to stay on the left side or slide into an outfield role. With a long-levered frame, above-average speed, and developing impact off the bat, Wardrop offers Oakland a high-upside athlete whose best baseball is still ahead of him.

Evan Fuller RHP / 1B / Hoover High School, OH / 2026 Rankings  StateRank: 67 / POS: 23 Report: Fuller offers one of the more intriguing projection frames in the class at 6-foot-5, 185 pounds, with the type of long-levered build that typically trends upward in college. His fastball already reaches 89 mph (85-87 sitting) with a 2314 rpm peak spin, giving him a foundation of velocity and movement that should continue to climb as he fills out. The breaking ball works in the mid–upper 70s, and his changeup (77–81 mph, ~2012 rpm) flashes developing separation, rounding out a three-pitch mix that has shown steady improvement. Fuller’s upside is reinforced by his production on the field — including a 17-strikeout performance and 46 Ks in 35.1 innings during his junior season — showing that his metrics translate directly to game action. A projectable frame, late-life fastball, and growing secondary arsenal make him a high-ceiling addition for Youngstown State.

Nic Stumpf OF / 3B / Kenton Ridge, OH / 2026 Rankings  StateRank: 78 / POS: 12 Report: Stumpf brings one of the more well-rounded metric profiles in the class, highlighted by a 96.0 mph max exit velocity, 24.2 mph hand speed, and 75.2 mph bat speed — a combination that points to real bat strength and fast-twitch ability at contact. His athleticism shows in the run tool with a 6.52 sixty, and the defensive markers back the profile with an 87 mph outfield arm and 79 mph across the infield. Already known for electric bat speed and the ability to generate loud, gap-to-gap contact, Stumpf’s physicality and toolset continue to trend upward. With a lean 6-foot-2, 170-pound frame, plus developing strength and big raw metrics, he projects as one of the higher-upside position players in the class and a strong long-term fit for Marshall.

Strong Senior Classes

Badin

Badin leads the charge, owning one of the deepest groups of ranked seniors in the state (14 total). The Rams will once again be anchored by OF Chandler Taylor (No. 4, Alabama), one of the most talented position players in Ohio’s 2026 class and a name that has lived inside the top 10 throughout his high school career. He is joined by RHP Caleb Driessen (No. 32, Miami–OH) at the front of the rotation, with both players serving as foundational pieces for a club with legitimate postseason ambitions. OF Aidan Sullivan (No. 94, Charleston–WV), RHP Brooks Treadway (No. 154, Marietta), and C Cooper Anzalone (No. 170, Lincoln Trail JC) highlight the next wave of college-bound seniors, while several additional ranked players give this group rare depth. The Rams enter the spring with one of the state’s most complete senior cores.

Walsh Jesuit

Walsh Jesuit owns one of the most star-studded senior groups in the state. The Warriors will be led once again by RHP Shawn Sullivan (No. 2, Tennessee), one of the premier arms in the Midwest and the clear anchor of this staff. They pair him with another top-tier prospect in SS Matthew Mansbery (No. 10, Michigan), giving the Warriors high-end talent on both sides of the ball. RHP Caleb Mecurio (No. 27, Xavier) offers additional depth on the mound, while 1B Rylan Batley (No. 226, Mount Union) strengthens the middle of the order. This senior class mirrors the profile of a group built for sustained postseason success

Mason

Mason brings a senior class that features impact at the top and quality depth beneath it. The Comets are led by RHP Ben Hanley (No. 11, Kent State), a top-tier arm in this class and a likely tone-setter for the entire rotation. Supporting him are multiple ranked seniors expected to play significant varsity roles, including SS Sam Davies (No. 82, Lincoln Trail JC) and 1B Liam Sander (No. 113, Lincoln Trail JC). This group also includes several uncommitted names inside the rankings who should draw recruiting attention as the spring progresses. The combination of a frontline arm, experienced position players, and a deep senior class make Mason a formidable opponent entering the 2026 season.

Saint Ignatius

Saint Ignatius brings a large, balanced senior crop into 2026, headlined by OF Jackson Anthony (No. 80), C Owen Mikin (No. 105), and SS Marcus Tekancic (No. 114) — each expected to hold key roles both offensively and defensively. The pitching staff will be bolstered by LHP Dominic Singleton (No. 198) and RHP Sammy LoParo (No. 209, Thomas More), with 2B Max Hirsch (No. 247, Mercyhurst) and C Matthew McKee (No. 284, Baldwin Wallace) adding further experience. With nine ranked seniors in total, the Wildcats possess one of the most well-distributed groups in the state, giving them the depth necessary for a deep postseason run.

Lakota East

Lakota East has one of the most well-rounded senior classes in southwest Ohio, headlined by RHP Logan Cole (No. 41, Ohio State), who returns as a true No. 1-type presence on the mound. Offensively, the Thunderhawks are paced by C Brayden Reinhart (No. 89, Parkland College) and OF Donovan Corbett (No. 96, Lincoln Memorial), both of whom bring physicality and experience to the lineup. SS Brody Gilligan (No. 125, Frontier CC) and OF Ben Kuemmel (No. 193, Lake Erie) add even more depth to a senior group that touches every area of the roster. This collective experience and balance should position Lakota East among the top contenders in the region.

Olentangy Liberty

Olentangy Liberty lays claim to one of the strongest one-two punches on the mound anywhere in Ohio. RHP Parker Van Engelenhoven (No. 5, Louisville) and LHP Drew Hauenstein (No. 23, Ohio State) form a frontline duo capable of matching up with any team in the state. Behind them, OF AJ Goldmeyer (No. 88), C AJ Clymer (No. 275), and OF Gavin Jennings (No. 288) offer additional ranked senior depth and lineup stability. This group has the ingredients of a state-caliber roster, especially with the front-end pitching those two arms provide.

Princeton

Princeton’s senior class is led by one of the top shortstops in the state in SS Manuel Sanchez Gonzalez (No. 28, Louisville), a physical, toolsy infielder who should anchor the left side of the diamond once again. Supporting him are SS Joshua Davis (No. 54, Southwest Tennessee CC) and 3B Carson “Fuzz” Curran (No. 90, Shawnee State), giving the Vikings one of the most complete senior infield trios in Ohio. OF Camden Broadnax (No. 295) and OF Corey Bonner Jr. (No. 356) add athletic outfield depth, rounding out a class that should make Princeton a dangerous team offensively throughout the spring.

St. Xavier

St. Xavier’s senior class brings impact talent at the top and steady depth behind it. The Bombers are paced by RHP Jack Ryan (No. 9, Boston College), a premier two-way in the class who will draw plenty of attention this spring. Joining him are LHP Matthew Schafer (No. 195), OF Dillon Brus (No. 270), and C Jackson Sherrard (No. 276), each of whom holds a ranked position within the senior class and provides meaningful varsity experience. C Braden Bricking (No. 352, Ohio Northern) adds additional support behind the plate. 

Medina

Medina brings a focused and competitive senior class into the spring, anchored by SS Alexander Rossetti (No. 45, Akron), one of the top defenders in the region and a steady presence at the top of the Bees’ lineup. He is joined by OF Joey Johnson (No. 50, Northern Kentucky) and OF Luka Pagura (No. 93, Ashland), giving Medina a trio of ranked seniors who supply athleticism, varsity experience, and offensive impact. 3B Billy Jackson (No. 391, Mount Union) adds further stability to the infield and provides another experienced bat. While the overall class is smaller than some of the state’s powerhouse programs, the Bees possess a senior core with enough top-end ability and competitive toughness to position themselves as a factor in Northeast Ohio this spring.

***** To view the entire rankings, please click here.