With the most pivotal summer of their amateur careers on the horizon, the 2026 class steps squarely into the spotlight. This latest update to the Prep Baseball’s Class of 2026 Rankings serves as both a checkpoint and a launchpad – a comprehensive snapshot of where the country’s top talent stands heading into the summer circuit, and a glimpse at the stars poised to captivate MLB decision-makers as their own road to the draft begins soon.

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THE PATH TO NO. 1

Jacob Lombard SS / Gulliver Prep, FL / 2026 A consummate professional with a mature approach to the game that is well beyond his years, Lombard heads into the summer as the top player in the class. A pristine defender who gracefully hones his craft at a premier position, the arm plays with ease thanks to crisp, nimble footwork and the softest of hands. This is all amplified by the fact that he also stands 6-foot-2, 200-pounds. At the plate, the right-handed hitter routinely belts out triple-digit exit velocities with the ability to drive the ball to all fields. Held to the highest standard as the No. 1 player in the class currently, Lombard’s production, and especially the whiff rate, is sure to be followed closely, but there is a strong chance that his all around game takes an even greater leap while still promising even more to come.

Grady Emerson SS / Argyle, TX / 2026 Easily one of the top hit tools in the class, Emerson has been a buzzed about prospect since first stepping into high school. A polished left-handed stick with advanced bat-to-ball capabilities, his focus on continuously advancing his game is what stands out most. Unwilling to rest on his natural ability, the 6-foot-1, 180-pounder has built on his sturdy foundation, blossoming into one of the better shortstop defenders in the class with additional power being added to the bat. His tight turns and lightning-quick hands provide a heavy barrel that should continue to hit at a high level and will be tracked closely for the next 12 months.

Tyler Spangler SS / De La Salle, CA / 2026 Unmistakeable on the diamond at an athletic 6-foot-3, 190 pounds, Spangler handles himself admirably at shortstop with crisp actions, clean transfers, and a strong throwing arm. However, it is the bat, and more specifically the impact potential of both the hit and power tools, that push him to the forefront of the class. A keen strike zone awareness allows the young slugger to get off big swings with controlled aggression in all counts including an innate ability to cover the plate. Routinely lifting the ball with ease to the pull side, there is a professional approach to all that Spangler does, and his ceiling is set considerably high.

Brady Harris OF / Trinity Christian Academy (JAX), FL / 2026 Simply put, Harris has "it" factor. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound center fielder is the biggest competitor in the class which only helps in elevating what are some of the loudest tools in the class. The right-handed-hitting slugger can drive the ball to all fields, building strength from the ground up, and delivering intentful swings on an uphill path. A true five-tool talent, Harris plays to win at all times, and his introduction to any in the scouting community who do not know his name, is likely to be emphatically loud upon multiple looks.

Carson Bolemon LHP / Southside Christian, SC / 2026 Boleman’s electric arm produced the most unhittable stuff of any player that attended the Prep Baseball All-American game in September, and he left some of the top hitting prospects in the ‘25 class shaking their heads in astonishment that day. An ultra-competitor, the durably-built 6-foot-2, 210-pounder looks the part of a workhorse, bulldog stopper with a mid-90s fastball and feel for two (likely) plus breaking balls, which he attacks hitters with the intent to embarrass. Punishing the strike zone with swing-and-miss stuff, he has done nothing but perform on the local and national stage, including these jaw-dropping stats from the spring: - 10-0 (11 app.) - 42.1 IP - 101:6 K:BB - 5H, 2R (0ER)

Gio Rojas LHP / Stoneman Douglas, FL / 2026 Rojas would have been a first-round pick in both 2024 and 2025, but MLB clubs will have to wait until ‘26 to finally entertain that thought. The uber-athletic, loose-armed southpaw hardly rested on prior accomplishments, and instead elevated his game to new heights throughout the spring. Running the fastball up to 97 mph with spin measured at over 2,700 rpm, the development of a wipeout slider at 77-80, and quality changeup, 81-83, only served to provide even more weapons for the scouting community to salivate over. At 6-foot-3, 180 pounds, there is still plenty of room to add strength, and while the right-now look of the stuff is intriguing, the future potential is sure to drive the value even higher. Only helping his cause as an athlete, Rojas also batted in the three-hole for national powerhouse Stoneman Douglas. - 12-0 - 68 IP - 120:16 K:BB - 7 ER (0.72 ERA)

Cole Koeninger SS / RHP / Keller, TX / 2026 There is nothing on the diamond that Koeninger cannot do, and he does all of it at an elite level. At 6-foot-2, 205 pounds, the right-handed-hitting shortstop possesses a pro-ready frame built with top-of-the-class athleticism (6.50, 60-yd. dash), dynamic actions on the dirt, and electric bat speed in the box. Few hit the ball as hard, and the ability to cover the plate while driving the ball to all fields appears innate. Only amplifying his status in the class is a frontline arsenal on the mound that includes an upper-90s fastball and devastating, downer curveball. Somewhat split as to which side of his game might be best, it feels impossible to walk away from the impact that he holds as a position player. Analytics departments are sure to light up at the thought of Koeninger being added to an organization, and should his production rate pass the in-person eye-test, few teams will ultimately have a chance to acquire his services.

Rookie Shepard SS / Faith Lutheran, NV / 2026 Shepard has routinely surpassed expectations since arriving on the high school scene. An ultra-athletic 6-foot-1, 190-pounder with alluring talent in all phases, his left-handed stick has stood out for three years on the national stage with equal parts bat-to-ball and power being seen against the top arms in the country. Compact to the frame while effortlessly creating length in the zone, there is present adjustability, and his speed burst imposes pressure on opposing defenses. A one time catcher, his transition to shortstop has been seamless thanks to confident, soft hands. Ultimately, the versatility of his defensive profile, combined with the electricity of the bat, will provide intrinsic value to any and all professional clubs.

Keon Johnson SS / First Presbyterian Day, GA / 2026 The 6-foot-1, 190-pound shortstop carries twitchy athleticism on both sides of the ball including an impactful right-handed stick. Still highly projectable with much more strength on the way, Johnson already showcases impressive power that includes the ability to drive the ball to the opposite field. More than just a bat, however, his defensive prowess is highly skilled thanks to clean, confident hands, and the chance that he sticks at shortstop long-term is definitely a possibility. There is significant upside to the high-ceiling profile, and Johnson’s summer is one that is sure to have plenty of important eyes following it.

Beau Peterson 3B / RHP / Mill Valley, KS / 2026 An aggressive hitter with a powerful left-handed stroke, Peterson’s profile as a premium third base defender and run-producing bat is nearly matched by his ability on the mound. Rarely cheated at the dish, he turns the barrel with clear intent to do damage at all times, and heads into the summer as a must-follow bat whose swing decisions are sure to be analyzed closely. On the mound, the 6-foot-2, 205-pound right-hander carries one of the top arsenals in the class with a mid-90s fastball, multiple quality offspeed offerings, and a polished delivery with a clean arm stroke. The position player profile is sure to be followed closest this summer, but the competitive, big game nature that he displays on the mound should not be ignored.

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