Prep Baseball Report

Become a Member

More +

2026 MLB Draft Buzz: NPI Pitchers

June 16, 2025
Shooter Hunt
Vice President, Scouting

draft-buzz-pitchers-website 

Florida Frontline Trio:


Emerson, GA-- The dip in prep MLB Draft talent out of the Sunshine State over the past two years is officially OVER in all facets of the game, but the frontline potential of LHP Gio Rojas (Stoneman Douglas HS, FL), RHP Kaden Waechter (Jesuit HS, FL), and RHP Denton Lord (South Walton HS, FL) each made emphatic statements to assert that fact.

Rojas, a Miami recruit, had a sensational spring (named Prep Baseball Florida PoTY), and entered the summer as the top pitching prospect in the class. At 6-foot-3, 180-pounds with a square-shouldered, ultra-athletic frame, he whipped in fastballs up to 97 mph throughout 3.1 dominant innings that saw the southpaw strike out eight against two walks and just one hit. He countered a sizzling fastball that included 2700+ rpm with a sweeping, sharper slider at 78-80 (2700+) which he confidently threw for strikes as well as burying hitters late. Unnecessary in this look, he also flashed solid feel for a faded changeup. A dynamic mover whose loose, whippy arm pumps out of a low ¾ slot, there still appears to be upside to the arsenal. However, the present stuff is elite, and given his highest end athleticism (he also went 5-for-11 out of the 4-hole while busting out 4.1 run-times from the right side), he should be able to make advancements and adjustments with ease. There is a relaxed ease to Rojas’ presence on the diamond, but he is an impressive competitor whose baseball IQ and pitchability stand out at all times.

Waechter, a Florida State recruit, doubles as one of the better shortstops in the class, and it would be wise to give him as many opportunities to continue as a position player given the warrior-like competitiveness that drives him. Having said that, the polish and starter profile that he displays on the mound is hard to ignore. Working 93-96 with more than 2700 rpm on an explosive fastball, the 6-foot-3, 190-pound right-hander went 3.1 innings with five strikeouts while yielding just a (questionable) walk and a hit. Amped up to start the game, the slider took shorter cutter shape during the first two innings at 85-87 before the adrenaline appeared to wear off a bit, and allowed the arm to work a bit freer in ripping off near plus-sliders with more depth and wipeout potential. He also flashed feel for what appeared to be a powerful kick-change at 87 mph. Moving well down the mound, there is an ease to the operation with the makings of two plus-pitches, and given the relatively limited amount of time that the talented two-way devotes to mound work, there still might be substantial advancements to come.

Finally, Lord, a Florida recruit, asserted his position as the potential #1 right-hander in the class (and close challenger to Waechter) with an electric performance that saw him strike out five in three efficient innings that included just one hit. At 6-foot-8 there should be more difficulty finding a repeatable delivery, but sensational movement patterns and a tight, short, and quick arm stroke routinely found a high ¾ slot as he leveraged his big frame in creating a steeper plane. The fastball jumped out of the hand and at the plate with ride and run through the bottom of the zone at 93-96, and there is little doubt that the velocity will continue to grow throughout the summer and beyond. He commanded the fastball to both sides of the plate before tunneling a tight, true 11/5 curveball that was ripped off at 77-78 (2700+ rpm, multi-tier) as well as a faded changeup at 86-87. The breaking ball, which flashed as plus, feels destined for jumping a grade throughout the summer as many of the talented arms that toed rubbers at Lakepoint experienced some difficulty spinning those pitches throughout the week. While Lord certainly did not have much difficulty spinning the baseball, it only piqued the curiosity that the pitch might be even better in subsequent outings. Stamping himself as a must-follow frontline arm, there are only a handful of pitchers in the class who can come close to matching Lord’s high ceiling.

Start the Buzz:

Cooper Shrum RHP / 1B / Belton, MO / 2026

Rankings  StateRank: 2 / POS: 2 OverallRank: 187 / POS: 70

While the mega matchup that pitted Gio Rojas vs. Trey Rangel was going on, Shrum almost unassumingly stepped up the mound on the field right next to them and was the biggest surprise winner at the event. The athletic, 6-foot-6 right-hander, who also hit in the 3-hole for the Royals Scout Team (left-handed slugger), exhibited a clean and dynamic delivery that featured a quick, whippy arm action. Pumping out fastballs at 91-94 with a more effectively wild look to the pitch, it is easy to envision even greater velocity on the way, and the pitch ran north of 2400 rpm at times with some inconsistency to the axis, but holds high whiff potential. Shrum posted an impressive 6-innings of no-hit baseball that featured 8 strikeouts with one walk. He dropped in a more gradual curveball with some multi-tier break at 71-76 that took solid shape with clear upside and some aptitude. It was the changeup, however, that stood out as a weapon. Thrown with confidence at 78-83, it parachuted into the zone, profiling well against the fastball as a weapon against both left and right-handed hitters. Able to throw in any count, he commanded the pitch better than any other. Still growing into his frame, the upside is immense, and Shrum should firmly be placed onto the highest of follow list for all organizations as he is still only scraping the surface of what he might ultimately become.

Premium Content Area

This article is only available to PBRPlus Subscribers. If you wish to continue reading this article:

Login to the Subscriptions Website.
To purchase a NEW SUBSCRIPTION, please click here to go to our subscription products page.