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MLB Draft Buzz: Vegas Lights

March 23, 2026
Shooter Hunt
Vice President, Scouting

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Las Vegas, NV-- A mainstay at the top of the class for nearly four years, LHP Gio Rojas (Stoneman Douglas HS, FL Miami recruit), who also hit in the 3-hole for the defending national champions, was the main attraction for the hoards of scouts and decision makers who made their way to Las Vegas for the prestigious Bishop Gorman National Invitational. Eager to see the potential Top 10 pick dominate, the throngs of evaluators were not disappointed by the two-time Prep Baseball All-American, and were witness to an intense competitor who still possesses promising upside.

This look, a dominant 6-inning, 14-strikeout performance against a fellow Florida power (Bishop Verot) saw Rojas featured more control over command of a fastball that peaked at 96 mph (2600+ rpm) on multiple occasions with a propensity for running it to the arm side with some cutting action when (rarely) going to the glove side. The pitch was explosive at times, garnering some in-zone-misses, but was mostly a shotgun effect with a challenging nature out of a low ¾ slot that was most difficult against left-handed hitters. His slider, thrown with intent at 77-80, regularly with 2750 rpm, showcased above average action (especially late), while flashing plus. He also exhibited feel for a higher spin changeup at 82-84 with quality fade. The slider was most devastating against left-handed hitters, and at times appeared to blend with near (slight) curveball depth. Rather than a detriment, this trait actually provided some intrigue as to the potential of a multi-spin separation in the future which would provide even more weaponry for the talented future starter. The changeup also showed a path as a future above average pitch.



What might ultimately separate Rojas from the other four left-handed first round hopefuls is the relatively untapped player development aspect. In similar form to the dominance of fellow Floridian southpaw and current Blue Jays top prospect, LHP Johnny King, an almost self-taught pristine delivery and ultra-dynamic movement patterns has an almost unicorn potential in the sense that the right PD-system might catapult an already high ceiling. Silky smooth with the ability to glide, long, down the mound while allowing a loose, quick arm stroke to work freely to a unique low slot, there is still plenty of physical projection to go along with pitch design sessions that will be intrinsically valuable given his present aptitude and athleticism.


While this outing did not provide some of the pinpoint command of previous years (it was also nearly 100 degrees in the desert heat on Day 3 of the event), it hardly felt concerning. Instead, the 6-foot-3, 185-pound wiry, wide-shouldered athlete routinely got better in each frame in reasserting himself as a slam-dunk first round pick. Competitive with a mound presence that oozed moxie and confidence along with alluring passion for victory, Rojas provided the look of a budding young prospect who is hardly satisfied, but rather, determined to raise his level of play. That, even more than the natural tools and ability, is what is sure to comfort scouting directors when the time comes for decisions to be made at the top of their board.

NOTES:

Easton Kitura OF / 3B / Vauxhall Academy, AB / 2026

Rankings  OverallRank: 222 / POS: 41

The Miami recruit and Super 60 attendee was a revelation in Las Vegas, and seemed to finally be putting the clean, athletic left-handed setup to good use in the production category. Perhaps even stronger looking and more filled out than in Chicago back in early February, Kitura’s 6-foot-1, 193-pound listing was a slighting to the way he looked on the field. Stronger with wide shoulders and lean athleticism, the frame was imposing while still promising much more too come. The bat is sure to be the carrying tool as the scouting community eyes the potential impact, and Kitura wasted no time announcing his presence in the States with an evaporated home run on the first pitch of the tournament that he saw. He went 5-for-11 (3 BB, 1 K, HR) over the course of four games with strong signs of a likely hit/power profile. The swing-and-miss of the summer was much more subdued as he got off aggressive, two-handed hacks in all counts while demonstrating an ability to cover the plate and change planes. An intriguing look at third base, the hands are less natural, but displayed some promise as a potential average defender and would warrant being sent off as such. In short, this was an impressive look at a heavy-barreled hitting prospect who might receive some late Day 1 attention if this spring production continues.


 

Rookie Shepard SS / 2B / Faith Lutheran, NV / 2026

Rankings  StateRank: 1 / POS: 1 OverallRank: 28 / POS: 9

Miami recruit. The 6-foot-1, 190-pounder looked leaner, perhaps coming back off of the flu that was running its course through the Faith Lutheran roster, but still managed to get off some big cuts throughout the week. There was swing-and-miss present, and while the stat line (3-for-12, 5K, 2B) was less spectacular, the mechanics and approach still left much to like. Compact with ground force present from the left side, quality, crisp separation of the hands works synergistically with a larger knee-knock leg kick that shifts weight to the back side. A more pronounced angling of the shoulders through a two-handed swing saw considerable emphasis placed on the lower-half with some ability to change planes. Shepard’s defensive profile has long been debated, but this look saw him put away multiple difficult plays with ease while exhibiting a strong, accurate arm from shortstop. A mainstay on the circuit since he entered high school, there is some “prospect fatigue” when it comes to Shepard’s looks from last summer along with this glimpse at the BGNI. However, the talent profile still provides plenty to get excited about, and a change of scenery, whether professionally or in Coral Gables, might catapult his stock as a fast-moving prospect in a farm system or an impact freshman in the ACC.

 

+ OF Rafael Diaz (Columbus HS, FL)
Diaz, a Miami recruit, took quality at-bats all week for Columbus, and his production level and hit-tool might warrant some late round attention, but likely more of a note as a performer heading to The U. A simple setup with minimal to no stride from the left side sees a handsier load separate to a near-stagnant stretch before pulling through. More than the mechanics, the bat-to-ball and pitch recognition stood out in these looks in Vegas from the versatile defending 5-foot-11, 190-pounder.



+ RHP Jake Ourique (Gahr HS, CA)
Ourique, an Oregon recruit, continued to show off a high-floor profile with quality uncoiling and feel for a three-pitch mix. Sturdy with some durable strength on a 6-foot-1, 200-pound frame, the right-hander worked 88-92 (2300s) with some four-quadrant feel while landing an average breaking ball at 76-77 with advanced feel for an above average changeup at 79-80 (1500s) that he threw to both left and right-handed hitters. Competitive with a clean, repeatable delivery, Ourique has some starter potential and might see some velocity uptick in the future.



+ RHP Joey Lawson (Bishop Verot HS, FL)
It was much of the same from the burly, 6-foot-2, 210-pound right-hander who has routinely pounded the zone with a tunneling fastball/curveball combo. Working 89-93 out of an over-the-top slot that reveals near-true backspin and generated whiffs up in the zone, Law drove firm and linear down the mound while getting quality extension out front with short, quick arm. The separator, right now, is a big, downer curveball with 12/6 action that came out at 74-77. He also flashed a firmer slider at 80 mph in this look, but was mostly fastball/curveball throughout. While he presently can overpower most high school lineups, a lateral offering in the form of that slider, as well as a potential kick-changeup, feel necessary at future, higher levels, and given his innate feel for spin and movement patterns, should develop fairly quickly.



+ OF Nolan Ramoley (Brother Rice HS, IL)
The pure tools and athleticism of the Northwestern recruit are enough to get excited about at the next level. The 6-foot-1, 210-pound outfielder carries defined, imposing strength along with 6.5-speed and tantalizing swing metrics. There was considerable bat speed demonstrated from the right side throughout the week, and while the swing borders on being grooved at times, Ramoley seemed to exhibit some adjustability late in the week. Belting a home run on Day 3 with a near half-swing, there is plenty of “unteachable” to the profile which will warrant intriguing follow moving forward.



+ RHP Jack Stoner (Bishop Gorman HS, NV)
Built in the mold of so many East Carolina recruits who promise high upside while quickly advancing once on campus, Stoner’s movement patterns and arsenal promise plenty to get excited about. More physical at 6-foot-3, 180-pounds than he was at last summer’s West Coast Procase, the wiry right-hander still holds significant room for added strength, and should see it come in a hurry. Stepping slightly across the frame while displaying a loose, quick arm that delivers out of a near ¾ slot, Stoner worked 88-91 while featuring a cutter (84-85), slider (79-82), and changeup (79-80). The starter profile is inherent and while he likely winds up performing in front of The Jungle in Greenville, the notes passed along from 4-Corner area guys to their peers in the Carolina’s will likely feature Stoner as gut-feel guy.



+ RHP/SS Alex King (Mountain Vista HS, CO)
Xavier recruit. Two-way talent who likely does both at the next level. 6-foot-1, 175-pounds with fast, casted, arm stroke that worked 89-91 with more on the way. Countered with an upside slider at 77-78 along with quality feel for a changeup at 82-84. King also hit in the 3-hole with a quick-handed, more direct right-handed stroke and provided some impact in this look. More than anything, the competitor and athleticism stand out, right now, and there is reason to believe that he will make fast strides forward while on campus.

+ C Warren Gravely (Santa Margarita HS, CA)
Notre Dame recruit. Sturdy 5-foot-11, 195-pound backstop with adequate defensive ability behind the plate, but a right-handed stick that stands as top tool. Rocking the hands to a power position with a short stride that provides fluid movement through impact, Gravely displayed the ability to change planes throughout the week while getting off cuts with controlled aggression including a resounding, early-morning home run on Day 3.



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