NPI: Impact 70, Class of 2028
June 16, 2026
For years, the Prep Baseball National Program Invitational at LakePoint in Emerson, Ga., has served as the unofficial starting line of the summer circuit – the first major showcase where the nation’s top underclassmen converge to separate themselves from an already talented field. This year’s group of 2028s arrived at LakePoint at the most pivotal stretch of their recruiting timeline, having just wrapped up their sophomore seasons of high school baseball and now staring down a summer that will reshape the trajectory of the entire class.
Aug. 1 looms large. That’s the date the recruiting calendar opens for the ‘28s – the first day they’re eligible to verbally commit to college programs. The runway between now and then is short.
That’s exactly what makes the NPI so valuable as a starting point. Before the grind of the summer circuit takes its toll, college staffs get some of the clearest evaluations they’ll see all year – the talent is concentrated in one spot, playing elite competition, and meaningful games create the kind of environment where helium is born. Players have used strong performances at NPI as the foundation for summer-long ascents that transformed them from intriguing follows into household names. Just as importantly, the event gives staffs an early read on which ‘28s warrant monitoring through the rest of June and July, leading into the 2026 Prep Baseball Future Games at the end of next month.
Below, we’ve identified the top-70 impact players from the 2028 class who most separated themselves at LakePoint, headlined by a top-12 that we've analyzed further.
TOP-12 IMPACT PLAYERS ⭐
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Cullen Scott RHP/3B / Melissa HS, TX / 2028Scott, the No. 5-ranked player in the ‘28 class, built a strong case as the potential top player in the country with his performance at LakePoint. A true 6-foot-3, 215-pounds with a pristine frame that should carry considerable strength in coming years, the young Texan touched 98 mph in his start for Team Elite while belting a full collection of extra-base hits including a resounding opposite field grand slam. Country strong with a young look, the fastball was eye-openingly impressive, especially the ease of its gaudy radar reading. Working exclusively out of the stretch, the arm worked loose out of the glove with a controlled arm stroke; Scott gets down the mound with efficient, dynamic action before quickly working out front with impressive extension. The slider varied a bit in shape and speed at 80-86, flashing a short, tighter out-pitch, and promising significant jumps to come. Beyond the pure stuff on the mound, the quiet, assuring confidence that Scott displayed was impressive, and there is a general look of tunnel-vision with sights set on becoming the best. Still more, the right-handed hitter showcased some thunder in the barrel at the plate while playing a solid shortstop with some athletic actions. Reverse toe-tapping to a simple, sturdy, and athletic setup, there was advanced bat speed and strength through the zone as the barrel worked more direct to the ball while working long through the zone. He demonstrated an ability to drive the ball to all fields, and while there was some minor timing issue (at times), the excitement of the bat appears to mirror that of the arm. 
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Theo Swafford SS / Sierra Canyon HS, CA / 2028The hype around Swafford, coming into the summer, was not only confirmed as warranted, but taken to greater levels with his showing at the NPI. A gifted defender with soft hands and adequate arm strength to stick at shortstop, it is the left-handed stick that appears set to separate him amongst a strong crop of shortstops in the class. Athletic in the box with a 5-foot-10, 170-pound frame that is quickly adding strength, there is some uniqueness to the trigger as active hands seem to hint at a hitchy setup, but actually feature a structured, innate (and compact) setup to get to a quality launch position with a short, quick path with length in the zone. His ability to handle elite arms with a relaxed, balanced look has been a feature of the early summer, and was once again on display at the NPI. Swafford covers the plate with ease, displaying a natural gap-to-gap approach, and the ability to keep the barrel in the zone promises the potential for opposite field power to develop (he presently drives the back side gap confidently). In short, there is a professional look to his hitting approach, and the incessant bat-to-ball ability, combined with sneaky pull side power, depicts a prospect who should garner considerable attention from the professional scouting community moving forward. 
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Breck Hemphill OF / Harrison HS, GA / 2028Athletically barrel-chested at 6-foot-2, 215-pounds, Hemphill’s presence in the box was a must-watch experience all week as each swing was delivered with dangerous intent. A slight crouch and open stance squared with a leg hang that rocked the hands down and back to a power position with a late rise. The bat speed, and especially the length and lag in the zone, were astounding, and his ability to routinely be on time while tracking with exceptional skill, was something that was impossible to miss throughout the week. Relaxed with a low pulse vibe from the left side, the strong, quality force of the lower-half assisted in the loud impact that the barrel delivered to all fields. The impact of the bat stands out right now, and there still appears to be even more physicality on the way which should only drive the power to new heights in maintaining one of the premier hit/power bats in the class. 
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Daxton Price LHP/OF / Mount Pleasant HS, TX / 2028Price’s initial introduction to the national scene came almost two years ago at the Texas State Games where he displayed the look of physically-developing, ultra-competitor to bet on. Fast forward to this year’s NPI, and the now 6-foot, 175-pound two-way emphatically made himself a must-see player in the class. Pitching in the game of the tournament for Performance against a talented Braves Scout Team lineup, the quick-armed southpaw worked 88-92 with a fastball that crowded both left and right-handed hitters from a short takeaway that jumped from the ear. Amplifying his upside on the mound was the vicious feel for a sharp breaking ball at 74-76 with nearly 3,000 rpm. Manipulating shape with advanced feel, there was depth and two-tier break in envisioning a true plus-offering in the making as a curveball. His ability to rip it off in any count promises the potential for multiple shapes to ultimately be developed. Still more, he flashed feel for a quality changeup at 79-80. While the arm talent and toughness on the mound are inherently exciting, his left-handed swing and bat-to-ball ability are also of intrigue, and only drive the ceiling higher. Confident in the box with a sturdy base, Price holds some pull side power, but the willingness to adjust in all counts presently stands out. The makeup and competitiveness are alluring, and when paired next to the high-level tools, Price is a must-follow recruit, and he has asserted himself as an impact prospect in the class. 
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Hunter Elmore CIF / American Christian HS, AL / 2028Elmore’s performance at the NPI (along with the entire spring) told the story that he is far more than just a big-bodied power-bat. The 6-foot-1, 215-pound right-handed hitter engulfs the box with a visibly imposing presence, and his ability to be on time in all counts stood out throughout the week along with the excitement provided by the power displayed to all fields. Moving athletically through impact, the weight loads quickly to the back side with a knee-knock stride with the hands finding a power-launch position with dynamically controlled forward movement. Strong through the zone with quick hands, Elmore routinely presented lag in the zone as he displayed eye-opening strength to the back side gap. Playing first base throughout the week, his athletic gate warrants a look at third, and he might also have a chance to play a corner outfield spot. Regardless, the bat holds impact upside, not only in the elite power production, but the hit-tool as well. 
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Travis Fiedler SS / Ridge Point HS, TX / 2028Fiedler looked the part of an impact bat thanks to innate timing sequence that allows his quick hands to turn a heavy barrel. The left-handed hitter fluidly rocks to a power position with an athletic base that allows for a quality launch position from a tighter, two-handed path. Perpetually on time in all counts, the 6-foot, 175-pound QB1/shortstop demonstrated elite swing decisions and pitch recognition that should drive future development, and has set the ceiling high as an impact hitter in the class. |
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Jeremiah Hall SS/RHP / Maple Mountain HS, UT / 2028The raw, unteachable tools that Hall brings to the diamond were on full display throughout the week at NPI. His 6-foot-2, 200-pound frame immediately jumps out in person with an ultra-athletic look and strong, defined back with broad shoulders. A right-handed hitter with elite bat speed and strength, there was considerable power potential on display throughout the week, including an opposite field home run in pool play. There is an ease to his presence on the field, and Hall is comfortable in the spotlight, and carries himself with a confident aura that expects success. Amplifying his high ceiling is an elite arsenal on the mound. This look saw the right-hander touch 95.3 mph with spin rates that peaked at 2,662 on the four seam as he featured two distinct shapes on the fastball including a devastating sinker. Still more, the curveball was ripped off with whiff-inducing intent at 74-77 and displayed wipeout potential. He also flashed a changeup at 79-81. In all, the pitch package, quick arm, and mound presence present the look of a potential frontline arm, and he is sure to be followed closely in coming years by the professional scouting community. 
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Jake Welch SS/RHP / Lehi, UT / 2028In what is shaping up to be a historically good class in the Beehive State, Welch is set to be the sleeper favorite of the entire scouting community. Unassuming at 5-foot-11, 170-pounds with a quiet demeanor, the bouncy shortstop played the part of an assassin throughout the week whether defensively, in the box, or on the mound (where he was up to 96 mph). The wiry right-handed hitter features active prepitch hands that work deeper into separation before pulling through the zone with advanced bat speed. There is knack for finding the barrel, and the torque generated helps to provide the surprising pull side power that was on display throughout the week. Gifted on the dirt with a plus arm across, his ability to find the same spot in the glove was demonstrated with each opportunity. Although there is a no-nonsense, no-frills vibe permeating from Welch’s manner, the tools and performance provide plenty of buzzy excitement. 
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Landon Bonner SS / Hebron HS, TX / 2028Bonner’s shorter stature (5-foot-9, 155-pounds) does not immediately pass the eye-test, but what he lacks in stature, he more than makes up for in tools and production. The left-handed hitter exhibited a dynamic look at the NPI, getting off big swings early on in counts while showing a willingness to spread out late to let the hands (and his speed) work. Bouncy out of the box with quick burst, the future plus-runner gets to full speed in an instant while still displaying an ease of operation. Relaxed in the box with innate tracking ability, the DFW native faced some elite arms throughout week and hardly flinched in battling through some professional at-bats (even on some tough sun fields). Sure to elicit some similarities to recent undersized standouts like Slade Caldwell and Slater de Brun, Bonner is in contrast to those two in the sense that he is an infielder and can really pick it on the dirt. The spring season saw the Texan shortstop elevate his (already) high ceiling, and the performance at the NPI audibly announced his presence on the national scene. |
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Thomas Shank OF / Rock Canyon HS, CO / 2028Shank was nothing short of sensational in leading a Canes West squad deep in the playoffs, and marked them as a must-follow for all coaches all summer. The wiry-athletic, 6-foot, 170-pound 6.7-runner presented a heavy barrel that he dropped emphatically on a booming home run to the pull side on the fourth day of the event. The left-handed hitter lifts the barrel off the back shoulder with a bigger leg kick that shifts the weight back before working more directly to the ball with length in the zone. Able to time-up any and all arms throughout the week, the ability to adjust planes was present, and provided the look of a potential high-level hitter in the class. Still showing room of plenty of physical development, the NPI appears to be the foundation for a lift off for Shank on the national scene. 
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Mikey Batiste OF / Port Credit HS, ON / 2028Still maturing and growing into a massive 6-foot-4, 230-pound frame, Batiste displayed a relaxed, switch-handed look with big impact while at the NPI. More upright to start, the hands take short separation away from the ear as a controlled forward move provides for a quiet look before the heavy barrel delivers some thunder to all fields. From both sides, Batiste looked the part of an impact hitter with considerable power potential, and while the bat is still refining with polish to come, the ceiling is set considerably high. Canadian prospects, especially in recent years with an influx of ultra-talented position players, have long enjoyed massive jumps late in their high school days. Batiste is ahead of schedule in that sense, which only makes his future upside that much more exciting. |
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Hudson Oliver OF / Hoover HS, AL / 2028Oliver’s relaxed confidence was on full display at LakePoint throughout the week as he looked the part of a potential impact bat who can stick in center field. The 5-foot-11, 170-pound left-handed hitter provided one of the singular, loudest moments of the week when he turned around a mid-90s fastball for a home run that traveled more than 400 feet. Slowly walking the hands back from a slightly hunched stance, his strong wrists and hands provide effortless bat speed with some innate ability (and intent) to lift. There is alluring confidence to the way he handles himself on the diamond, and should he stick up the middle long term, the professional prospect value has a chance to kick into high gear in a hurry. |
IMPACT 70 🔥
| 1 | Cullen Scott | RHP/3B | Team Elite |
| 2 | Theo Swafford | SS | USA Prime National |
| 3 | Breck Hemphill | OF | Team Elite |
| 4 | Daxton Price | LHP/OF | Performance Brewers Scout Team |
| 5 | Hunter Elmore | CIF | Arizona Diamondbacks Scout Team |
| 6 | Travis Fiedler | SS | Texas Twelve |
| 7 | Jeremiah Hall | SS/P | USA Prime National |
| 8 | Jake Welch | SS/P | USA Prime National |
| 9 | Landon Bonner | SS | Performance Brewers Scout Team |
| 10 | Thomas Shank | OF | Canes West National |
| 11 | Mikey Batiste | OF | JK Select |
| 12 | Hudson Oliver | OF | FTB Phillies |
| 13 | Collin McGowan | RHP/3B | USA Prime National |
| 14 | Alex Rodriguez | SS | FBH Angels |
| 15 | Kam Gillespie | SS | Canes Midwest National |
| 16 | Bam Bam Lindsay | C | JK Select |
| 17 | David Vargas | SS | Team Elite |
| 18 | Noah Harris | SS | CBU 2028 Scout Team Lawson |
| 19 | Rylan Jenkins | OF | Braves Scout Team |
| 20 | Jax Nystrom | 2B | Smartense Prospects |
| 21 | Tony Ciruca | SS/P | Texas Twelve |
| 22 | Dylan Cunningham | RHP | JK Select |
| 23 | Fisher Green | SS/RHP | Braves Scout Team |
| 24 | Braylon Hubbard | IF | Twin Cities BC |
| 25 | Richie Reiffenberger | RHP | Canes West National |
| 26 | Francis Conners-Schmid | OF/LHP | JK Select |
| 27 | Austin Brown | OF | JK Select |
| 28 | Yates Ashley | LHP | Texas Twelve |
| 29 | Colton Small | LHP | CBA Orioles National |
| 30 | Mason Little | RHP/IF | Performance Brewers Scout Team |
| 31 | Luke McKenna | RHP | Canes Midwest National |
| 32 | Ryan Gaines | RHP | Artillery |
| 33 | Reese Hall | LHP | Rawlings Southeast |
| 34 | Anson Bright | RHP | East Coast Sox Marucci |
| 35 | Colin Anderson | SS | Team Elite |
| 36 | Ben Terry | C | Texas Twelve |
| 37 | Nico Ayars | C | CBU 2028 Scout Team Lawson |
| 38 | Cannon Karnuth | OF | Texas Twelve |
| 39 | Max Wilkerson | SS | Florida Burn 2028 |
| 40 | Easton Holmes | RHP | Arizona Diamondbacks Scout Team |
| 41 | Rylan Farlow | RHP | USA Prime National |
| 42 | Caleb Cox | LHP | South Charlotte Panthers |
| 43 | Mateo Young | SS | JK Select |
| 44 | Brett Paciorek | SS | Midland National |
| 45 | Mason Greco | OF | CBU Scout Team Lawson |
| 46 | Sean Rodesiler | LHP | Orioles Scout Team |
| 47 | Ian Palumbo | OF | Canes West |
| 48 | Zion Avina | SS | ZT National Prospects |
| 49 | Jaxson White | OF | Canes Midwest National |
| 50 | Drew Jackson | LHP/OF | Arizona Diamondbacks Scout Team |
| 51 | Vaka Tameilau | RHP | FTB Phillies |
| 52 | Jesse Covington | SS | USA Prime National |
| 53 | Devin Raines | OF | USA Prime Aces National |
| 54 | Chase Fillman | OF | Stinger Zona Boys |
| 55 | Aiden Choo | OF | USA Prime National |
| 56 | AJ Dungan | RHP | FTB Phillies |
| 57 | Jackson Burke | IF | Louisville Baseball Club |
| 58 | Kade Maltz | OF | CBU Scout Team Lawson |
| 59 | Hunter Vitello | RHP | FTB Phillies |
| 60 | Kyle Behan | OF | Wildcatters 2028 National |
| 61 | Lawson Moore | LHP | Arizona Diamondbacks Scout Team |
| 62 | Trigg Listerman | RHP | CBU 2028 Scout Team Lawson |
| 63 | Myles Tate | IF | East Cobb Astros |
| 64 | John Crandall | IF | Phillies Scout Team |
| 65 | Canyon Koonce | OF | Indiana Bulls Black |
| 66 | Lio Garcia | SS | USA Prime National |
| 67 | Luke Hensley | LHP | USA Prime Aces |
| 68 | Troy Tewers | 3B | Stinger Zona Boys |
| 69 | Truitt Stafford | C | East Cobb Astros |
| 70 | Reid Felder | SS | Spects National |
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