2026 16U National Championships: Primer

June 25, 2026
By Prep Baseball Staff

This is the week of the 16U National Championship, taking place June 25-July 1 at LakePoint in Emerson, Ga., primarily featuring players from the Class of 2028. Well over 2,000 players are headed to LakePoint this weekend, and almost half of them are currently ranked on their home state's Prep Baseball rankings.

Inside this article, we're previewing the talent making its way to LakePoint in Emerson by analyzing Prep Baseball showcase data since the start of 2025 to find the most impressive statistical outliers and under-the-radar athletes on this weekend's rosters.

Find more information by visiting tournaments.prepbaseballreport.com or from the pages linked below:

Top Position Players to Watch

These players stood out across multiple measurables at Prep Baseball showcases and are among the most intriguing athletes in the field this weekend.

Colin Anderson

3B/OF • Class of 2028 • #9 National • #2 GA

6-0/185 • Right/Right • Kennesaw Generals - KG National • Uncommitted

Max EV	Avg. EV	Avg. BS	60-Yd.
105.7	97.8	78.9	6.63

No. 2-ranked avg. bat speed among all players; No. 6 overall in max EV.

Jakob Groeschel

OF/RHP • Class of 2028 • #10 National • #1 OH

5-9/166.2 • Right/Right • HIT DOGS OHIO • Uncommitted

Max EV	Avg. EV	Avg. BS	60-Yd.
106.8	97.3	75.8	6.30

No. 2-ranked max EV; Fastest 60-yd. dash this weekend.

Xavier Rodriguez

C/1B • Class of 2029 • #19 National • #1 GA

6-0/211.4 • Right/Right • ProStock Baseball Club • Uncommitted

Max EV	Avg. EV	Avg. BS	60-Yd.
99.4	92.9	73.2	8.07

2nd-highest max EV among 2029s.

Dylan Murphy

SS/3B • Class of 2028 • #80 National • #3 IN

6-3/200 • Right/Right • Athletics Scout Team • Uncommitted

Max EV	Avg. EV	Avg. BS	60-Yd.
101.4	94.0	70.6	6.72

Krue Patrick

3B/OF • Class of 2028 • #91 National • #3 MO

6-1/190 • Right/Right • Building Champions Cisneros • Uncommitted

Max EV	Avg. EV	Avg. BS	60-Yd.
99.8	96.4	70.2	6.61

Stat Leaders: Position Players

All metrics from official Prep Baseball showcases attended since the start of 2025 (minimum thresholds applied).

Exit Velocity Leaders 🔴

Top-15 Overall, Sorted by Highest Max EVs

#	Player	Pos.	Class	Max EV	Avg. EV	Avg. BS
1	Mason Cevette (#2 PA) FTB DB Philly Scout	RHP/INF	2028	108.3	100.9	76.6
2	Jakob Groeschel (#1 OH) HIT DOGS OHIO	OF	2028	106.8	97.3	75.8
3	Kyle Coleman (#185 GA) 643 DP Cougars	C	2028	106.0	94.3	75.2
4	Weston Ensign (#44 IL) Rhino K's	RHP/3B	2028	105.8	90.3	74.9
5	Tim Pirone (#37 PA) Flood City Elite - 28s	OF	2028	105.8	96.7	78.1
6	Colin Anderson (#2 GA) Kennesaw Generals - KG National	3B	2028	105.7	97.8	78.9
7	Miles Bessenbach (#65 OH) HIT DOGS OHIO	OF	2028	105.7	92.6	72.6
8	Anthony Agah (#33 GA) ATL Lightning Gold	OF	2028	105.3	100.5	76.8
9	Emery Young (#38 NC) Orioles Scout Team	1B	2028	105.2	95.2	74.8
10	Cooper Harmon (#66 IN) Titans National	1B	2028	105.0	96.3	68.7
11	Conor Alvezi (#10 MA) GBG Northeast	OF	2028	105.0	97.4	75.7
12	Peyton Wilson (#90 ) Valor National	1B	2028	104.7	93.7	70.7
13	Braylon Storey (#9 IN) Indiana Bulls Select	OF	2028	104.7	93.3	76.9
14	Everett Hash (#13 KS) Building Champions Horner	OF	2028	104.6	98.1	74.4
15	Nico Owimrin (#34 NJ) Ghost National	SS	2028	104.5	98.0	74.3

Bat Speed Leaders ⚡

Top-15 Overall, Sorted by Highest Avg. Bat Speeds

#	Player	Pos.	Class	Avg. BS	Avg. RA	Max EV
1	Hayden Melton (#2 KY) KMA	3B	2028	81.2	22.8	102.1
2	Colin Anderson (#2 GA) Kennesaw Generals - KG National	3B	2028	78.9	12.4	105.7
3	Andrew Oppenheimer (#12 OH) Gem City Throwbacks White	OF	2028	78.9	10.4	101.9
4	John Brady (JB) Nichols (#43 GA) East Cobb Astros	3B	2029	78.8	18.9	95.9
5	Jagger Jackson (#27 MO) Building Champions Horner	1B	2028	78.3	6.9	101.2
6	Carter Tucholski (#23 PA) FTB DB Philly Scout	SS	2028	78.2	20.8	99.0
7	Tim Pirone (#37 PA) Flood City Elite - 28s	OF	2028	78.1	19.6	105.8
8	Braxton Frankenburger (#13 KY) The Dream	1B	2028	78.0	18.9	103.2
9	Jay Baird Top Tier Americans	RHP/OF	2028	78.0	11.5	95.9
10	Thomas Barnhart (#29 OH) Motor City Hit Dogs National	C	2028	77.9	19.7	102.2
11	Jason Klokis (#35 PA) RCS Warpath Gold	C	2028	77.8	16.1	103.5
12	Myles Tate (#29 GA) East Cobb Astros	SS	2028	77.7	11.0	98.1
13	Wesley Thiry (#82 GA) Top Tier Roos GA Navy	RHP/3B	2028	77.5	8.1	97.8
14	Peyton Osheaski (#25 GA) 643 DP Cougars	RHP/OF	2028	77.2	29.3	94.7
15	Crew Chance (#8 TN) Southeast Rawlings Mad Mavericks	C	2028	77.1	30.1	102.1

Athletic Testing Leaders 💨

Top-15 Overall, Sorted by Fastest 60-Yard Dash Times

#	Player	Pos.	Class	60-Yd.	Pos. Velo
1	Jakob Groeschel (#1 OH) HIT DOGS OHIO	OF	2028	6.30	89 mph (OF)
2	Carson Bass (#37 MO) Building Champions Cisneros	OF	2028	6.30	79 mph (OF)
3	Owen Hoch (#75 OH) Cincy Legends National	2B	2028	6.40	81 mph (IF)
4	Conor Alvezi (#10 MA) GBG Northeast	OF	2028	6.48	84 mph (OF)
5	Braylon Storey (#9 IN) Indiana Bulls Select	OF	2028	6.48	91 mph (OF)
6	Cole Vanjonack (#50 PA) SBA Bolts American	OF	2028	6.50	85 mph (OF)
7	Harrison Milanowski (#9 AL) East Cobb Astros	SS	2028	6.52	90 mph (IF)
8	Rogan Bailey (#41 IN) Canes Great Lakes Premier	SS	2028	6.54	86 mph (IF)
9	Evan Mauritzen (#128 TX) Houston Wildcatters Navy	SS	2028	6.54	83 mph (IF)
10	Marshall Awtry (#15 KS) Building Champions Horner	SS	2028	6.55	86 mph (OF)
11	Jace Loggins Excel Blue Wave American - Morrison	OF	2028	6.55	83 mph (OF)
12	Gabe Escobar (#12 KS) Engaged Athletics Black	SS	2028	6.57	91 mph (IF)
13	Garrison Copeland (#15 SC) Orioles Scout Team	SS	2028	6.58	86 mph (IF)
14	Brody Jeffries (#99 OH) Cincy Legends National	OF	2028	6.59	76 mph (OF)
15	David Bankston (#108 ) East Coast Grays National	3B	2028	6.59	85 mph (IF)

Top Arms to Watch 🔥

These are the pitchers our system has flagged in the lead-up to this week's tournament across multiple categories like velo, spin, movement profiles, etc., based off past Prep Baseball showcase performances.

Landon Echelberry

RHP/3B • Class of 2028 • #21 National • #2 OH

6-2/213.9 • Right/Right • Motor City Hit Dogs National • Uncommitted

Max FB	FB Range	CB	SL	SL Avg. Spin	CH
94.0	89-92	73-76	81-82	2,449	82-82

Hardest-throwing arm this weekend from past showcase data.

Mason Cevette

RHP/3B • Class of 2028 • #32 National • #2 PA

6-4/219.4 • Right/Right • FTB DB Philly Scout • Uncommitted

Max FB	FB Range	FB IVB Avg.	CB	CB Avg. Spin	SL
93.0	92-93	18.9 in.	78-79	2,420	84-84

Top-5 FB velo in the field; Elite FB IVB (18.9 in. avg.) at 93 mph velo.

Tommy Driver

RHP/1B • Class of 2028 • #43 National • #1 NY

6-4/186.3 • Right/Right • Upstate Academy Blue • Uncommitted

Max FB	FB Range	FB HM Avg.	SL	CH
93.0	91-93	20.6 in.	75-77	80-82

Top-5 FB velo; Notable FB HM (20.6 in. avg.) at 93 mph.

Carson Steingall

RHP/1B • Class of 2028 • #63 National • #3 PA

6-3/175 • Right/Right • Diamond Jacks Super 16s • Uncommitted

Max FB	FB Range	CB	CB Avg. Spin	SL	CH
93.0	89-92	75-77	2,250	78-80	82-83

Top-5 FB velo in the field.

Sean Rodesiler

LHP/1B • Class of 2028 • #70 National • #5 NC

6-0/176.2 • Left/Left • Orioles Scout Team • Uncommitted

Max FB	FB Range	FB HM Avg.	CB	CB Avg. Spin	SL
89.0	86-87	-17.2 in.	76-78	2,516	77-78

Notable FB HM (-17.2 in. avg.) at 89 mph.

Stat Leaders: Pitchers

All metrics from official Prep Baseball showcases attended since the start of 2025.

Fastball Velocity Leaders 🔥

Top-15 Overall, Sorted by Max Fastball Velocity

#	Player	Pos.	Class	Max FB	FB Range	FB Avg. Spin	FB Avg. IVB	FB Avg. HM
1	Landon Echelberry (#2 OH) Motor City Hit Dogs National	RHP	2028	94.0	89-92	2,342	12.6	14.7
2	Peyton Osheaski (#25 GA) 643 DP Cougars	RHP	2028	94.0	88-92	2,184	13.1	7.3
3	Cullen Garner (#28 FL) Midland National	RHP	2028	94.0	88-91	2,265	16.6	11.5
4	Mason Cevette (#2 PA) FTB DB Philly Scout	RHP	2028	93.0	92-93	2,325	18.9	11.3
5	Carson Steingall (#3 PA) Diamond Jacks Super 16s	RHP	2028	93.0	89-92	2,318	14.9	9.1
6	Elijah Prisciandaro (#61 FL) Orioles Scout Team	OF/RHP	2028	93.0	90-92	2,130	10.0	5.9
7	Tommy Driver (#1 NY) Upstate Academy Blue	RHP	2028	93.0	91-93	2,050	10.8	20.6
8	Carson King (#4 PA) Marucci Spikes National	RHP	2028	92.4	90-92	2,026	15.1	10.8
9	Akhil Pilla (#14 MI) Motor City Hit Dogs National	1B/RHP	2028	92.2	88-91	2,208	11.5	10.4
10	James Fenton (#1 NJ) Diamond Jacks Super 16s	RHP	2028	92.1	89-92	2,213	18.5	10.0
11	Aaron Gaskey (#11 PA) Flood City Elite - 28s	RHP	2028	92.1	90-91	2,085	15.0	6.7
12	Bronson Weng (#7 OH) Gem City Throwbacks White	RHP	2028	92.0	90-91	2,197	15.3	12.3
13	Jon Calcaterra (#4 MO) RBC National	3B/RHP	2028	92.0	88-91	2,411	14.0	7.4
14	Ryan Gaines (#8 VA) Snyder Bucks	RHP	2028	92.0	88-91	2,216	16.6	9.3
15	Clayton Moore (#12 VA) Canes American	RHP	2028	92.0	86-90	2,230	9.5	16.6

Breaking Ball Spin Leaders 🌀

Top-15 Overall, Sorted by Highest Avg. Breaking Ball Spin Rate (CB/SL)

#	Player	Pos.	Class	Type	Avg. Spin	Velo Range	Avg. IVB	Avg. HM
1	Haitham Abulatifa (#36 NC) Dirtbags All Blacks	3B/RHP	2028	CB	3,032	73-74	-8.5	-15.9
2	Will Evert (#45 MO) Building Champions Horner	RHP	2028	CB	2,946	72-76	-14.9	-16.9
3	Andrew Oppenheimer (#12 OH) Gem City Throwbacks White	OF/LHP	2028	SL	2,780	73-75	-8.1	15.8
4	Jackson Posey Beast National	RHP	2028	CB	2,742	73-74	-8.7	-15.1
5	Levi Huettl (#94 WI) Halos National	LHP	2028	CB	2,706	66-70	-5.5	11.2
6	Asher Krimmel (#8 MO) Rawlings Tigers Icon	RHP	2028	SL	2,691	72-74	-5.6	-20.1
7	Tyler Caperton (#2 VA) Stars Baseball Marucci	SS/RHP	2028	CB	2,684	71-75	-7.1	-13.6
8	Elijah Prisciandaro (#61 FL) Orioles Scout Team	OF/RHP	2028	CB	2,682	74-76	-4.7	-15.8
9	Beckett Gaiski (#14 PA) FTB DB Philly Scout	1B/RHP	2028	SL	2,681	76-78	-3.4	-13.9
10	Andrew Britton (#287 GA) Service Baseball - DEV GRU	1B/RHP	2028	CB	2,678	—	-1.9	-20.6
11	Eli Mathis (#16 AR) East Coast Sox Marucci	1B/RHP	2028	SL	2,676	75-77	-8.1	-8.5
12	Maddox Nuckols (#58 GA) USA Scout Team Nike U.S.	RHP	2028	SL	2,675	74-75	-7.1	-14.2
13	Brycen Scheffler (#117 NC) USA Prime Coastal Premier	RHP	2028	SL	2,671	73-76	-3.0	-7.2
14	Oliver Higgins (#39 AZ) Orioles Scout Team	LHP	2028	SL	2,665	71-73	-4.6	21.4
15	Jackson Ramaley (#298 GA) East Cobb Angels	C/RHP	2028	CB	2,663	73-75	—	—

Top Uncommitted Prospects 🎯

These are the top-ranked uncommitted players on rosters headed to our tournament this week.

State Rank	Player	Pos.	Class	Ht/Wt
#1	Beau Hite (SC) Canes American	SS/RHP	2028	6-0 / 175 lbs.
#1	Jakob Groeschel (OH) HIT DOGS OHIO	OF/RHP	2028	5-9 / 166.2 lbs.
#1	Brett Paciorek (TN) Midland National	SS/RHP	2028	6-0 / 165 lbs.
#1	Brooks Robinson (AR) East Coast Sox Marucci	RHP/1B	2028	6-2 / 193 lbs.
#1	Josh Gunning (VA) Stars Baseball Marucci	3B/RHP	2028	5-9 / 170.2 lbs.
#1	James Fenton (NJ) Diamond Jacks Super 16s	RHP/3B	2028	6-4 / 195 lbs.
#1	Tommy Driver (NY) Upstate Academy Blue	RHP/1B	2028	6-4 / 186.3 lbs.
#2	Mason Cevette (PA) FTB DB Philly Scout	RHP/3B	2028	6-4 / 219.4 lbs.
#2	Landon Echelberry (OH) Motor City Hit Dogs National	RHP/3B	2028	6-2 / 213.9 lbs.
#2	Brodee Rawlins (KS) Building Champions Horner	SS/RHP	2028	5-10 / 175 lbs.
#2	Colin Anderson (GA) Kennesaw Generals - KG National	3B/OF	2028	6-0 / 185 lbs.
#2	Luke Hensley (IN) SBA Bolts American	LHP/1B	2028	6-5 / 185 lbs.
#2	Hayden Melton (KY) KMA	3B/2B	2028	6-2 / 208 lbs.
#2	Tyler Caperton (VA) Stars Baseball Marucci	SS/RHP	2028	6-0 / 168 lbs.
#2	Cooper DeWaal (MD) Canes American	SS/RHP	2028	6-2 / 195 lbs.
#3	Dylan Murphy (IN) Athletics Scout Team	SS/3B	2028	6-3 / 200 lbs.
#3	Krue Patrick (MO) Building Champions Cisneros	3B/OF	2028	6-1 / 190 lbs.
#3	William Pepper (KS) Mac N Seitz Black	SS/RHP	2028	6-2 / 185 lbs.
#3	Carson Steingall (PA) Diamond Jacks Super 16s	RHP/1B	2028	6-3 / 175 lbs.
#4	Connor Bresler (NJ) Diamond Jacks Super 16s	OF/RHP	2028	6-1 / 190 lbs.

All showcase metrics from Prep Baseball events attended since the start of 2025. Leaderboards compiled from officially submitted tournament rosters. Players who have not attended a recent Prep Baseball showcase will not appear. Find an upcoming showcase near you.