The Hotlist: Navigating the Contact Period
August 10, 2026
The ‘Hotlist’ is a series that provides weekly insight into the high school baseball scene spanning the country, curated by Prep Baseball’s state directors who are situated nationwide, with vital intel on the prospects who are in their own backyards. Each week, we’ll publish our ‘Hotlist’ on varying topics that are timeliest to the national baseball calendar at that point in time.
This week’s topic: With the contact period for 2028s opening on August 1st, submit one piece of recruiting advice for rising juniors.
+ Learn of our directors stationed nationwide by visiting the staff directory.
+ View which Prep Baseball events are headed your way next at this page.
+ Read about previously published ‘Hotlist’ topics here.
♨️ The ‘Hotlist’ (8/10):
California
"Run your own race. Don't get lost in what others around you are doing or who they're talking to. The process is yours and not anyone else's. Invest in building connections with the schools who are recruiting you, learn as much as you can about the school, the coaches and the program. Take your visits and make sure that the program and college you select is the best fit for "you" and not for anyone else. Enjoy the process, even amongst all the stress that can come with it, you've worked hard to get here and the process should be a reward for that.”
– Steven Hardesty, Assistant Director
Canada
“My advice for rising juniors beginning their recruitment is to not change and continue prioritizing development. While so much is changing off their field for them, it's their work on the field that will ultimately determine where they end up two years from now. For the kids already talking to schools, put your head down and keep working. For the players who haven't heard from a single school yet, put your head down and keep working. Enjoy the ride, this truly is just the beginning of what you're working towards.”
– Cam Black-Araujo, Assistant Director
Colorado
“My advice is, communicate with everyone who reaches out to you, even if it’s to say you aren’t interested. They took the time to reach out, you can thank them and tell them no thanks.”
– Marc Wagner, State Director
Illinois
“One of, if not the most important piece of advice that I tend to give is to not go somewhere just for an 'Instagram post'. Make sure the school you are choosing is checking your boxes and is somewhere you actually want to be, and you aren't just choosing it because of the Roman numeral in front of it. There are talented players at every level, especially now more than ever. Handle your business the right way and have fun with it. ”
– Peter Hamot, Assistant Scouting Director Illinois/Wisconsin
Indiana
“Run your own race. The recruiting process does not move at the same pace for every player. Appreciate every opportunity that you're given and take advantage of every opportunity to build a relationship with a coach / staff who has interest in you. Know the things that you value and find the fit that aligns most with those values. ”
– Cooper Trinkle, State Director
Iowa
“Recruiting is a long relationship-building process, not a one-day event. The players who succeed create opportunities through consistent improvement, proactive communication, and realistic targeting rather than waiting passively. Enjoy the process of finding the right college fit for you. Find out what playing time could look like, get to know the coaching staff, does the academics fit your wants, ask questions about the culture of the program and most of all go somewhere that you will develop on the field.”
– Tyler Cropley, State Director
Louisiana
“Comparison is the thief of joy! Do not compare what calls you did or did not get to other players. Hear every coach out that reaches out to you. They took the time out to call you, so listen with intent and be engaged!”
– Alex Armand, State Director
Minnesota
“Focus on finding the right fit. Look for a school where you match the coaching style, academic opportunities, campus culture, and potential playing time. The best recruiting decision is one that sets you up to succeed both on the field and in the classroom”
– Andy Judkins, State Director
New Jersey
“Over my 10 years with Prep Baseball, and through all the recruiting rule changes we've seen, one thing has stayed consistent: the vast majority of college commitments happen in the summer before or fall of a player's senior year. Most players aren't headed to Power-4 programs. Instead they're playing closer to home, and in New Jersey that means mid-major D1s, along with a strong mix of D3s and JUCOs, most of which are still actively recruiting rising seniors well into August, September, and October.
So my advice to a rising junior is simple: you have more time than you think. Start close to home. Build interest with local schools first before you widen the search. Do this not just because it's practical, but because those are the programs where most players from this area actually end up.”
– TJ Hunt, State Director
North Carolina
“Early in my tenure with Prep Baseball, we conducted a nationwide study as part of our Recruiting Essentials series to better understand college commitment trends. One statistic consistently stood out: across nearly every state we analyzed, more than 50% of each graduating class committed after December 1 of their senior year.
Keep in mind, those numbers came during the "early commitment" era, when eighth-grade commitments were far more common than they are today. If anything, the timeline has shifted even later in the current recruiting landscape.
As August 1 arrives and college coaches begin contacting players in the 2028 class, it's important to remember that this is just the beginning of the process—not the finish line. While some of the highest-profile prospects will come off the board early, the vast majority of players will continue to develop, gain exposure, and create recruiting opportunities over the next 18 months.
Development matters. Players who may not hear from colleges on August 1 can still make tremendous strides physically, athletically, and on the field, ultimately finding the right fit at the collegiate level. There is still a tremendous amount of baseball to be played before most of the 2028 class makes its college decision.”
– Brandon Hall, Mid-Atlantic Director
Ohio
– Kyle Weldon, State Director
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