2027 MLB Draft: West Coast Buzz
June 22, 2026
The summer showcase circuit opened out west and the Class of 2027 wasted no time. Across the SoCal ProCase and the Four Corners ProCase events, the headliners reaffirmed their billing while a wave of new names forced their way into the Day One conversation for next summer. Here’s the West Coast buzz worth carrying into the months ahead.
Two early-summer Prep Baseball ProCase events set the tone for the '27 MLB Draft cycle, and both delivered on the promise of a deep, athletic class. From a returning No. 1 reasserting his standing in Southern California to a loaded Four Corners field that has its area scouts already considering how to approach next spring's evaluations, the West Coast leg of the circuit produced EVs, arm strength, and the athletes that demand a closer look. Below are the standouts from these two events according to the Prep Baseball VP of Scouting, Shooter Hunt.
SoCal ProCase 🌴
For an in-depth look at some standouts from the event, Prep Baseball California’s Vinnie Alfino put together an excellent scout notebook immediately following the event.
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Dylan Seward SS / Norco, CA / 2027It is impossible not to talk about 2027’s No. 1 player, who was not dodging anything to start the summer, but rather was ready to assert himself as the preeminent prospect in the class. The 5-foot-11, 170-pound, slick-fielding shortstop looked even better on the dirt than he did a year ago after sprinting to an astounding 6.09 60-yard dash. Balanced at the plate from both sides, his sturdy athleticism and more spread-out look provide significant strength with uphill intent. Seward dominates workouts thanks to his real five-tool ability, and the game at-bats only helped to create an elite foundation that all others will try to chase. Receiving each arm’s best bolt, Seward slowed the game down with meticulous takes, and battled from behind in counts with quality results. His expression rarely changes as the motor plays incredibly high, and while all of amateur baseball knows his name at this point, Seward’s focus maintains a tunnel-vision approach centered on becoming the best version of himself. |
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+ LHP Easton Sarmiento (Ayala HS, CA; UC Santa Barbara commit)
Sarmiento was the lesser-heralded, eye-opening act, and emphatically stamped himself as a must-follow all summer for the MLB scouting community. Wide-shouldered with a long, wiry 6-foot-3, 165-pound frame, the loose southpaw started the day by showing off a nice left-handed stroke before a dominant performance on the mound. Loose out of the glove to a high slot, the steep fastball dominated in the zone up to 91-plus, and it is easy to envision a considerable jump on the way. Relaxed on the mound with quiet confidence, he featured feel for a firm power-changeup at 85-86 with some late life to the arm side, along with a firm, sharp slider. The slider, in particular, stood out as a potential plus-offering at 79-82 (2,500-plus rpm) with shorter, true shape, and was ripped off effectively against both left- and right-handed hitters. Combining the impressive numbers Sarmiento posted all spring with this quick look, his starter profile, feel for three potential above-average offerings, and ultra-projectable frame should provide ample opportunity to make considerable advancements over the next year, and beyond.
Easton Sarmiento (5/31/26)
+ OF Ira Rootman (Harvard-Westlake HS, CA; Texas)
Don’t mistake the ease of operation for a lack of effort. Rootman not only impacted the workout but also collected multiple hits in game action. The 6-foot-1, 190-pounder blazed a 6.33 60-yard dash before belting out triple-digit exit velocities at the plate without breaking a sweat. Built with lean, defined strength, the right-handed hitter features an almost robotic look with a compact, two-handed stroke that emphasizes the barrel staying in the zone to the point of a cutoff finish. That cutoff hardly alters the loud exit velocities, and the still head provides an accurate path with a chance for power to all fields. The speed and athleticism should provide a chance to stick in center field long term, and his ability to play hard while making it look easy stands out at all times.
Ira Rootman (5/31/26)
+ RHP Andrew Carlson (Trinity Classical Academy, CA; TCU)
Carlson carried a bullying presence to the mound at 6-foot-5, 235-pounds and immediately put it to good use with a matching arsenal. Power-armed with a hoppy fastball up to 96 mph, Carlson pounded the zone before featuring quality feel for a sharp slider (78-80), changeup, and cutter. The frame and arm action alone warrant a close follow, but the feel for a multitude of pitches makes Carlson a close starter follow all summer.
Andrew Carlson (5/31/26)
+ OF Carson Richter (Newbury Park HS, CA; Michigan)
Richter tested off the charts with an unteachable toolset that is sure to draw plenty of attention. The 6-foot-6, 220-pound outfielder blazed a 6.28 60-yard dash before unleashing throws up to 94 mph from the outfield and exit velocities up to 104.1 mph. There is some rawness at the plate, with unique barrel and hand lift throughout the forward move that disrupted timing in game play, but the bat speed is impressive and the power potential is immense. Few enjoy the ceiling Richter does, and should the swing polish and produce, he has a chance to catch some of the bigger helium over the next year.
Carson Richter (5/31/26)
Four Corners ProCase 🏜
After watching the Four Corners ProCase, this ’27 class has a chance to be historically good – as good as, if not better than, the memorable 2018 group that contained two first-rounders from Arizona (Matthew Liberatore, Nolan Gorman) and three other top-150 picks (Brennen Davis, Jonathan Ornelas, and Jayce Easley). Area scouts are sure to be buzzing about this group, and the flights into Phoenix and Las Vegas figure to be numerous from cross-checkers and decision-makers next spring.
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Jake Turner OF / LHP / Centennial, NV / 2027Turner has the high ceiling and impact tools that organizations crave, and he started his summer with a strong showing. The 6-foot-4, 215-pounder possesses one of the best frames in the class, and still holds considerable room for more strength. His usual aggressive torque and hip-strike was on full display throughout batting practice with exits up to 106.6 mph and a max distance of 420 feet. Active hands dive into a deeper load, and there is innate ability to be on time with aggressive hacks in all counts. The present plus-power is likely to cultivate into real power to all fields, and his ability to drive the back side was on display in game action. Still more, the whippy-armed southpaw was up over 95 mph while ripping off sliders with more than 2,700 rpm and flashing intrigue as a starter with a quality changeup. The arm works so loose and athletic that it is hard to walk away from Turner on the mound, no matter what the hit/power combination might hold as a position player. In short, analytics departments will be sounding (positive) alarms on Turner, and he will have ample opportunity to rise up boards with his in-game performances over the next year. |
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JJ Utash OF / Williams Field, AZ / 2027Featuring a barrel-chested, pristine frame at 6-foot-4, 215-pounds, the Texas recruit immediately passes the eye-test, and the tools stood out throughout the workout. After posting a 6.53 60-yard dash, the right-handed hitter averaged over 100 mph throughout batting practice while maxing at 106.5 mph (370 feet) without breaking a sweat. Rocking the weight back with a knee-knock stride, the hands take a minor separation that allows them to stay tight to the frame in presenting a more direct path with innate ability to lift. There was a professional look to the way Utash stood in the box, and the ease of explosiveness makes him ultra-alluring as a high-end Day 1 prospect. |
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Tyler Ransom LHP / Crimson Cliffs, UT / 2027Less than a year ago, Ransom was just emerging on the scene with a strong showing at the Prep Baseball Future Games before committing to the Aggies. Fast forward ten months and the former Idaho native jumped to 96 mph in his short stint in Phoenix against a talented lineup of bats. A wiry 6-foot-1, 170-pounds, the southpaw utilized a lightning-quick arm with a semi-fuller stroke along with some dynamic uncoiling in delivering the bullying, shotgun fastball into the zone for whiffs. The slider has a real chance to blossom into an out-pitch and worked 76-80 (2,540 rpm max) with varying shape but displayed innate comfort in manipulation. While the frame is still slender, the upside continues to excite, and combined with a tough mound demeanor and presence, Ransom should grab plenty of attention throughout the summer. |
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+ RHP Liam Radke (Faith Lutheran HS, NV; TCU commit)
Radke is headed into the summer as a potential helium candidate, and looked set on affirming that notion. A sensational mover with a polished delivery, the 6-foot, 185-pound right-hander pounded the zone at 91-92 (2,300-2,500 rpm) with a fastball that he moved in and out with intent, displaying plus-command characteristics. He also flashed a sharp slider (2,700-2,900-plus rpm) that he manipulated in shape, a true weapon, and a changeup (80-82) that projects as a quality, above-average third offering. In total, Radke looked the part of a future starter, and his low-maintenance, athletic look is sure to earn the admiration of the scouting community all summer.
+ OF Cooper Goff (Mountain Ridge HS, UT; TCU)
The true appreciation of his game didn’t present itself until live action, where he put on an absolute display against some of the best arms in the country, including a triple and a booming home run. After posting a 6.77 60-yard dash and providing more of a corner-outfield look, the left-handed hitter averaged 94.8 mph (101 mph max, 390 feet max) throughout a more subdued batting-practice round that saw him let the hands work and turn the barrel with relative ease. Athletic with a quiet intensity in the box, there is a late hitch through the separation, but the innate ability to get the bat to the ball stood out, and was especially apparent in game action. Showcasing the ability to manipulate the barrel and change planes while driving the ball to all fields, Goff was a revelation in cementing himself as a close Day One follow.
Cooper Goff (6/2/26)
+ SS Aldo Teilon (Tucson HS, AZ; Arizona State)
Showed off an enticing skill set that included quickly developing power from the left side. A wiry 6-foot-2, 175-pound shortstop, he confidently moved around defensively after posting a 6.63 60-yard dash, and exhibited a slick glove with adequate arm strength across the diamond. However, it was the left-handed stick that really stood out, as he moved well through impact, rocking the hands to a launch position before displaying easy loft, including a max distance of 399 feet (105-plus mph EV). Teilon carries himself with some swagger that helps lift the tools, and they should immediately catch the attention of the scouting industry this summer.
Aldo Teilon (6/2/26)
+ SS Jace Harrell (Chandler HS, AZ; UC Santa Barbara)
Between the Four Corners ProCase and his NPI performance, Harrell was the biggest revelation of the early-summer circuit. The 6-foot-2, 160-pound, high-waisted, switch-hitting shortstop posted a 6.59 60-yard dash in Phoenix before showcasing a fluid stroke from both sides in batting practice, including a stronger look from the right side (102.9 max exit, 390 feet max distance). Balanced with an athletic look, both sides feature a flatter path, and Harrell added a loud knock from the left side during game action of the Procase. Seemingly fiercely competitive, Harrell asserted himself and was less inclined to dip his toes than to jump in for a big splash — a must-follow impact name and high-ceilinged prospect in the class.
Jace Harrell (6/2/26)
+ 3B Colton Floyd (Corona del Sol HS, AZ; Texas A&M)
Turned in a loud, tool-filled performance. Unmistakable physically at 6-foot-5, 230-pounds with a 6.83 60-yard dash, the powerfully built right-handed slugger also posted an event-best 107.8 mph exit velocity during batting practice. Upright with the hands held high, an early near-waterfall load sets the coiled hands and barrel into launch position before he gets on plane early with the ability to lift with authority in the air (403 feet max distance). The power profile and athleticism continue to stand out, with the hit tool and defensive profile the closest things to monitor moving forward.
+ SS Bobby Villa (Liberty HS, AZ; Alabama)
Heads into the summer as one of the more intriguing Day One follows, and backed that up with a solid showing at the ProCase. A compact 5-foot-9, 180-pound frame carries a strong, athletic look, though an unassuming one with regard to the plus speed (6.46 60-yard dash at the event). There is more impact in the barrel than the frame would hint at, and Villa moves around with a relaxed confidence that lets the tools play on both sides of the ball.
+ RHP Pratt Morley (Spanish Fork HS, UT; BYU)
Displayed a starter look with an ultra-athletic 6-foot-2, 195-pound frame that shows considerable room for added strength. The right-hander worked 91-94 with considerable arm-side life to the fastball, along with a sweeping slider that came in at 78-81. There is an ease to the operation, and the heaviness of the fastball stands out as a weapon.
Pratt Morley (6/2/26)
+ RHP Zayden Peltz (Chandler HS, AZ; Cal Poly)
Provided one of the bigger upside looks of the entire event. The 6-foot-3, 195-pound right-hander was up close to 94 mph with a fastball that featured 2,600-plus rpm and explosive characteristics at times. There is a raw look to the way he operates on the mound, but with a slider that flashed as plus (81-83, 2,900-plus rpm) and a changeup/splitter that flashed for strikes, there are clearly weapons to work with. Adding to his upside allure was a near-35-inch vertical. In short, Peltz has a chance to make huge jumps over the next year and should be followed closely.
+ LHP Will Gnirk (Chaparral HS, AZ; Indiana)
Provided a strong look as a summer follow with his performance at the Four Corners ProCase. Standing tall at an athletically lean 6-foot-4, 190-pounds, the left-hander featured a drop-and-drive delivery that gave way to a quick arm finding a high three-quarter slot with ease. The fastball sat 89-91 with some arm-side life and showed signs of climbing in the near future. He countered with feel for an above-average slider at 79-81 (2,758 rpm max) with bullet-like shape and a changeup at 80-81. Long and lean with a strong left arm and feel for three, Gnirk warrants a close follow — especially with likely jumps on the way.
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