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Oregon Rankings Summer Update - Class of 2027

September 8, 2025
Dylan Grenz
Associate Scout

Throughout the summer, Prep Baseball Oregon travelled across the state, gaining valuable looks at some of the top high school talent in the area. Whether it was in a showcase or a gameplay environment, many players showed significant development in their overall skillsets.

Today, we continue with our series of summer player rankings updates, focusing on the class of 2027. Player rankings are a comprehensive and ever-evolving list, using a mixture of information gathered from our events, in-game looks, present tools, and future projection.

Click here to view the full 2027 Rankings.

Below, we highlight some key takeaways from the 2027 update. Stay tuned in the coming weeks for updates to the 2028's rankings list.

New Name At #1

Joe Mendazona Jr. C / RHP / Central, OR / 2027

Rankings  StateRank: 1

A dynamic two-way talent from Central High School, Mendazona takes over the top spot in our 2027 Oregon rankings after a series of excellent showings this spring and summer. The 6'3 prospect stands out with his well-rounded game and ability to move well given his size. Mendazona's performance at PNW State Games was particularly impactful, as he was a staple near the top of several statistical leaderboards that featured some of the best talent in the area. The arm strength is real from a tighter, quick high 3/4 slot release, seen both on the mound and behind the plate. The power plays to all fields from the left side of the dish, seen both in BP rounds with triple digit exit velocities and in-game with several loud barrels. Mendazona further built his case for the top spot at the NW Scout Games, once again standing out with the bat against low-90's arms. The Central product also appeared on the Area Codes Underclass team, and should be one of the most sought-after prospects coming out of the '27 class during this recruiting period.

From 8/7/25... "The 6'3 backstop moved with exceptional quickness with a plus arm behind the plate, resulting in an event-best 1.81 second pop time. Mendazona then put on a show in BP, carrying a heavy barrel through the zone with hand speed & blasting balls up to 100.7 MPH. Some loft present in the swing, with a 364 foot blast as the highlight of his BP rounds. 6.98 runner in the 60. Also showcased his arm talent on the mound, sitting 85-88 T89 on the mound with a lower-spin SL as his lone secondary pitch. Exceptional talent and a must-follow moving forward."

Future Games Standouts Near The Top

JT Girod SS / 3B / Central, OR / 2027

Rankings  StateRank: 3

A longtime staple near the top of the 2027 ranks, Girod's smooth game was on display in Georgia and at PNW State Games in Vancouver this summer. Another high-level talent from Central High School, Girod looks to be in total control in all facets of his game, while also showing some added strength and athleticism at the Future Games. The righty peaked with a 102 MPH exit velocity, averaging 94.1 MPH with a 384 foot max batted ball distance. Starting in a narrow, slightly open setup, Girod maintains compact levers through the zone with a slight uphill path and a smooth one-handed finish. Defensively, he should be able to stick at short at the collegiate level, but a move to 3B could be on the table as well. He also highlighted his workout with a 6.88 60-time and 83 MPH throws across the diamond. In-game, the 6'0 prospect showed bat to ball skill with multiple hard hits. The overall polish and maturity should allow Girod to continue trending upward, after also producing an exceptional spring high school season.

Jaxon Wetzler LHP / LHP / Clackamas High School, OR / 2027

Rankings  StateRank: 5

After breaking out at the Corvallis Preseason ID, Wetzler flashed some impressive tools in Georgia on the mound. Listed 6'3 & 197 lbs, the lefty plays larger on the hill thanks to his long levers and loose, fluid delivery. Despite working through some control issues in the extreme humidity, Wetzler still flashed a higher-spin heater up to 91.4 MPH, paired with a low-80's CH and an upper-70's SL that both flashed at times. The high waisted-frame generates extension well down the mound with fluid actions. A higher 3/4 slot release gives some ride to the heater & plays at the top of the zone. If Wetzler can throw enough strikes, he has the true makings of an impact starter and will be one of the most highly touted arms in the state class with an extremely high ceiling. 

Chase Kelly LHP / OF / Jesuit, OR / 2027

Rankings  StateRank: 8

Kelly has been a steady riser in recent rankings updates thanks to his strong pitch-ability and results in 2025. The lefty turned in one of the best pitching performances of the Future Games event, going 1-2-3 with 3 K's in his first inning and notching another K in his second inning thrown. Kelly featured some sink on the FB to all quadrants of the zone at 83.4-86.3 MPH. The Jesuit arm also dropped in a loopier CB in all counts, including in multiple full counts. Kelly generated a ton of whiffs with a lower spin arsenal that played best to the bottom of the strike zone. After throwing a bulk of productive innings for Jesuit this spring, Kelly figures to be one of the most reliable starting arms in Oregon for the next two years.

Other Summer Breakouts

Mason Christian RHP / OF / Willamette, OR / 2027

Rankings  StateRank: 13

One of many impressive arms at PNW State Games, Christian shut down hitters in a short stint this July. The 6'3 athlete works quickly with an up-tempo delivery, filling up the zone in his most recent look. Christian primarily leans on a FB/SL combination, sitting 85-88 MPH with the heater and 77-79 MPH with the breaking ball. Both pitches were commanded well to the glove side. The arm fires from a longer, fluid arm action into a high 3/4 slot release. The strength from the ground up was apparent, with a firm leg block and balanced finish. The Willamette product is an intriguing follow with D1 upside. 

 

 

Ryder Carpenter C / 3B / Mountain View, OR / 2027

Rankings  StateRank: 22

The multi-sport athlete was seen multiple times this summer, first at the Pacific Northwest Summer ID and later at the PNW State Games. A dynamic, twitchy prospect, Carpenter ran a 6.77 60 yard dash and showed strong defensive actions. Carpenter also flashed plus arm strength, with throws up to 81 MPH from the catcher position and a best pop time of 1.90 seconds. Offensively, Carpenter has shown gap power, working from a balanced base and an uphill barrel path through the zone. The righty peaked with a 94.2 MPH exit velocity, getting the most out of his medium frame. Carpenter catches ball out front with some bend in the front knee at contact, looking to do damage to the pull side. It's easy to bet on the athleticism and the present tools when looking at Carpenter moving forward.

Roy Bannister SS / RHP / Corvallis High School, OR / 2027

Rankings  StateRank: 29

Another medium-framed, athletic prospect seen at an ID event this summer. Bannister impressed from start to finish at the North Portland Summer ID, with ability as an infielder and a RHP. Posted a 6.84 60-yard dash time to kick off his event, followed up with a sound defensive showing up the middle. Showcased a quick transfer and easy arm strength with throws up to 83 MPH. Can shoot the gaps at the plate when on time, with a peak exit velocity of 93.3 MPH. Uses strength in lower half and stays stacked on his rear side, rotating quickly through the zone. On the mound, the Corvallis High School arm ran his FB up to 83, mixing in three pitches for strikes. Lower spin rates on all offerings with a clean delivery could suggest more velocity may come. Athletic player to circle.

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