MLB Draft Board 2.0: Prep Stock Report

Caleb Barnett 3B / Mountain Brook, AL / 2025

⬆️ FROM NO. 31 TO 13

The upside of the 6-foot-6, 211-pounder is nearly unmatched in the class thanks to a big, athletic frame that will still add considerable strength while already producing eye-opening power. Silky smooth in the box with fluid movement patterns throughout the approach before taking swings with some controlled violence, Barnett matches his offensive prowess with clean hands and a plus arm at third base. There is simply a “plethora of unteachable” that brings intrinsic value.

Nicky Becker SS / Don Bosco Prep, NJ / 2025

⬆️ FROM NO. 35 TO 14

Preseason looks have provided plenty to get excited about as one of the summer’s biggest winners continued an upward trend with quality advancements. A simple, albeit electric, right-handed stroke provides for a hit/power profile while crisp actions on the dirt may allow for the opportunity to stick at shortstop long term. The brother of potential 2026 1st round pick, SS Eric Becker (University of Virginia), the bloodlines only help quell any question marks about a cold weather hitter. Should Becker maintain his success from the spring and fall, a Luke Dickerson-esque rise is not out of the question.

Aidan West SS / Long Reach, MD / 2025

⬆️ FROM NO. 114 TO 16

West showed up to the Prep Baseball Super 60 in February at an impressive 6-foot-2, 205-pounds with lean, defined strength and athleticism that allowed him to post a 6.5 60-yard dash time to go along with 104.5 mph exit velocities. Tight turns with a direct path that features length in the zone from the left side, there is plenty of electricity in the hands and bat speed, and he opened the year by belting two home runs. A quality defender who can throw from all angles with ample glove-to-hand, the bat feels destined to hit, and should he shine on the dirt throughout the spring, his rise may only be in its beginning stages.

Nic Partridge 3B / Mulberry, FL / 2025

⬆️ FROM NO. 83 TO 36

Partridge’s loose-wristed, silky left-handed stroke features an impressive barrel turn, but even more so, premium plate coverage with a high likelihood of hitting for a long time. Slowing things down with a relaxed approach against premier arms, he has shown of pull side power throughout the spring while also driving the ball with some authority to the opposite field. Still developing physically at 6-foot, 170-pounds, there is a chance for significant additions in coming years. Confident in his soft hands at shortstop, the foot speed likely pushes him to third base long-term (or even an offensive second baseman), but the bat should carry the WAR.

John Stuetzer OF / Pope, GA / 2025

⬆️ FROM NO. 51 TO 40

A consummate performer on the national circuit for four years, Stuetzer also starred on the gridiron where he put up 42 touchdowns across the past two years as a standout wide receiver. Compactly-built at 5-foot-11, 200-pounds with defined strength throughout an ultra-athletic frame, his right-handed stroke produces loud, triple-digit thump to go along with exciting metrics. High-energy, but in a cool, assured way, winter looks saw his infield play make advancements as a potential avenue for some success, but he is likely to be a defensive weapon in center field.

Johnny Slawinski III LHP / Johnson City, TX / 2025

While the Texas A&M commitment now holds a bit more sway, even for slam dunk Day 1 picks, Slawinski’s steady rise from the summer through the Prep Baseball All-American Game in September, and now into a strong start to the spring has allowed the uber-athletic Texan to build strong consideration in the supplemental 1st round, which essentially features 16 picks. Up into the mid-90s with one of the silkiest and dynamic deliveries in the class, Slawinski is essentially self-taught and still might have a substantial amount of upside. For an even deeper dive click here.

Briggs McKenzie LHP / Corinth Holders, NC / 2025

The LSU recruit continues to build a case as an earlier Day 1 selection thanks to a full arsenal of pitches including a mid 90s fastball and tightly-spun slider with nearly 3000 rpm. The early spring has raised intrigue even more, and should the Prep Baseball All-American continue to post on an upward trend, a Dasan Hill-esque helium ascension appears likely.

Uli Fernsler LHP / Novi, MI / 2025

A revelation over the summer, Fernsler will be one of the last of these talented southpaws in game action with hopes that the Michigan spring is a warm one. Square-shouldered with a 6-foot-4 frame, his loose left arm delivers from a lower slot for a deceptive three-pitch look. Winter workouts and preparation have seen the TCU recruit continue to trend up while making advancements, and spring helium feels inherently likely, especially when adding in the fact that he will not turn 18 until after the draft.

Robert X. Mitchell LHP / Prestonwood Christian, TX / 2025

The ease of operation that Mitchell brings to the mound, along with his quick arm, has long generated intrigue in the scouting community. This spring, the ever-coveted “jump” has joined the discussion, as the Texas recruit has filled the zone at 92-94 while dropping in his big, 1/7 curveball (77-80) and faded, firmer changeup (85-87). Athletic with some whip to the arm action, Mitchell glides down the mound with everything appearing to come easy…and there still looks to be more to come. He has performed admirably throughout roughly two months of appearances, now, and early looks from decision makers have left a positive impression.

Alex Barr LHP / Kankakee Valley, IN / 2025

Up to 95.4 mph in the preseason, Barr possesses the unteachable and valuable traits that are coveted in the draft. The winter provided a sturdier lower-half to athletic, 6-foot-2, 200-pounder, and his aggressive drive down the mound provides for a tough look for opposing hitters. Equipped with a sharp slider at 81-84, two-plane curveball at 73-75, and developing spin-killing changeup at 82-84, he has all the ingredients that a player development department salivates over. Should the spring reveal a path to a starter profile, Barr’s value may continue to rise.

Aiden Stillman LHP / Trinity Prep, FL / 2025

Stillman, a Virginia recruit, presents one of the more intriguing profiles from an analytics standpoint with quality stuff across the board and the ability to garner in-zone whiffs with three pitches. Up to 95 mph this spring with steepness to the plane (at times), he counters with a manipulated slider that boasts high spin metrics with varying speeds and looks along with a spin-killing changeup at 81-83 (roughly 1100 rpm). Athletic on the mound, he has also shown well at the plate, which may only help drive his value up in the end. There is a definite Day One profile.

Jack Bauer LHP / Lincoln-Way East, IL / 2025

Hardly at full-tilt throughout the summer, Bauer emerged from a longer off-season in impressive form to the tune of 100 mph fastballs from the left side. The ceiling has long been set high on the wide-shouldered, 6-foot-3, 190-pounder whose metrics jump off the page with a nearly 3000 rpm breaking ball and above average changeup to go along with the now triple-digit heater that comes from arm action that lulls hitters to sleep before exploding on them. Strikes have come and gone in the past, but should he showcase consistency in the zone throughout the spring, there might not be a higher ceiling arm in the class.

Talon Haley LHP / Lewisburg, MS / 2025

Easy to root for, Haley dazzled at the Super 60 thanks to an electric arm that pumped out mid 90s fastball with sizzling action to the bottom of the zone before countering with his long held feel for both a sharp slider and big curveball to go along with an impressive changeup. A cancer survivor who has overcome multiple obstacles, the makeup only adds to the allure that the Vanderbilt recruit brings to the mound, and his early spring success has only helped continue the buzz from Chicago.

Ethan Rogers LHP / Lone Jack, MO / 2025

A delightful surprise at the Super 60 back in February, the small town, Missouri native dazzled while showcasing a full arsenal of high analytics including innate ability to spin the baseball. The 6-foot, 170-pounder has continued to show off a hoppy fastball throughout a cold, early spring with reports up to 94 mph. However, it is his ability to manipulate both a strong slider and curveball that may ultimately separate him from other similarly profiled arms as the next in a growing tradition of southpaws who have utilized the Super 60 as a jumping off point for spring helium.