What Pitchers Have the Scariest Stuff?
October 31, 2025
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: Since it's Halloween week, we’re highlighting pitchers with “Scary Stuff.” Please submit a pitcher (or two) from your state who features some of the most intimidating stuff you’ve seen this year. It could be high-end velo, sharp secondary pitches, or swing-and-miss stuff.
+ Learn of our directors stationed nationwide by visiting the staff directory.
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+ Read about previously published ‘Hotlist’ topics here.
♨️ The ‘Hotlist’ (10/31):
Alabama
+ Cooper Anderson, RHP (Vestavia Hills HS, 2026) | Mississippi College:
“RHP Cooper Anderson (Vestavia Hills, 2026) proved to be one of the top arms for Team Alabama at the Future Games, regardless of class or team. The lean and wiry 5-foot-10, 146-pound right-hander possesses one of the best secondary pitches in the state. Working behind a fastball that reaches 91 mph, Anderson’s slider is a true difference-maker, sitting 76-78 mph with sharp, late bite and spin rates consistently exceeding 2,900 RPM. He demonstrates the ability to land it for strikes early in counts or bury it beneath the zone as a put-away pitch. A Mississippi College recruit, Anderson posts a 112 Sweep+ score on the offering, further solidifying it as a legitimate wipeout weapon in his arsenal.”
– Austin Sharp, Scouting Director
California
+ Davis Wilson, RHP (Clovis North HS, 2027) | Uncommitted :
“Davis is an absolute savage on the mound. Big league SL/CT. Made a name for himself this summer. NorCal ProCase, Future Games, Miami. ”
– Hank LoForte, Northern California Scouting Director
Canada
+ Sean Duncan, LHP (Langley Blaze HS, 2026) | Vanderbilt:
“Sean Duncan was already generating buzz as a potential Top 100 selection in the 2026 MLB Draft and the 'scary' part is he found a new gear in September when his max fastball velocity jumped to 95.2mph.
Low-to-mid 90s from a fluid high school left-hander is 'scary' enough, but he also possesses another two weapons with a changeup at 86-87mph and slider at 80-83mph where he's able to manipulate the shape and velocity.”
– Cam Black-Araujo, Assistant Director
Colorado
+ Maddox Burnett, RHP/UTL (Erie HS, 2026) | BYU:
“Burnett is one of Colorado's premier two-way prospects, but has been actively developing on the mound with a nasty arsenal overall. The fastball on Burnett has been seen up to 94 mph lately while he has debuted a new cut-fastball in the upper 80s to go with his strong curveball, slider, and changeup combination. Burnett certainly knows how to make an impact on the game, but his ceiling continues to grow higher as his arsenal develops at a higher level with pitchability. ”
– Caleb Dameron, Assistant Director
Florida
+ Landon Green, RHP (Northside Christian HS, 2027) | Uncommitted:
“Landon Green has always been known as a flamethrower from the time he was throwing 91 as a 13-year-old. Now in his Junior year, Green continues to have throw one of the hardest fastballs in the country for a high schooler, topping 98 mph at the 2025 Florida State Games.”
– Rocco Iervasi, Director of Operations
Illinois
+ Kaden Wasniewski , RHP (McHenry HS, 2027) | Uncommitted :
“Kaden has one of the more electric fastballs in the entire country, and it was on full display on the biggest national stages over the past few months with the likes of the Future Games and our All-American Game. The velocity alone is loud, reaching 95 mph at its peak, and pairs with an average spin rate of over 2,600 rpm with big carry through the zone. Also a premium athlete with a 6.54 in the 60, you can certainly expect that peak fastball velocity to trend up in the coming years. ”
+ Brady Buenik , RHP (Libertyville HS, 2027) | Tennessee:
“Brady has some of the more premier and front-line potential stuff in the class, pairing a dynamic three pitch mix with a workhorse frame. The fastball will get up to 95 mph and pair with a wipeout slider and disappearing splitter that flashes big swing/miss upside. He's only scratching the surface with his upside, and he's primed to take on a big roll this coming spring for the reigning 4A State Champs on the mound. ”
– Peter Hamot, Assistant Scouting Director Illinois/Wisconsin
Indiana
+ Cole Cheatham, RHP (Union County HS, 2027) | West Virginia:
“The top-ranked right-hander in our 2027 class, Cheatham fits the mold of 'intimidating' to say the least. There is real, natural, country-type strength to the 6-foot-3, 230-pound frame and when it is dialed, it is one of the most intimidating arms in the 2027 class nationally; up to 95 with heavy ride, complimented by a low-80s curveball & flashes of an upper-80s swing-and-miss slider/cutter hybrid. ”
– Cooper Trinkle, Scouting Director
Iowa
+ Hayden Anderson, LHP (Waukee HS, 2027) | University of Texas:
“The 6'5" 213 lb junior from Waukee recently announced his commitment to the University of Texas after a solid sophomore campaign. Logging 34 strikeouts in 22.1 innings and a .117 BAA. He also had a 2.19 ERA with a WHIP of 1.43. Hayden took part in our State Games in August flashing controlled tempo working down the mound, the arm is clean and loose, his frame is physical with projection. Overall above average stuff with a FB up to 88, he has shown two breaking balls slider and curveball, and the CH is a plus pitch. ”
– Tyler Cropley, State Scouting Director
Louisiana
+ Evan Vincent, LHP (Teurlings Catholic HS, 2026) | Louisiana-Lafayette:
“Vincent led the Rebels to back-to-back Division II (Select) State Titles after another dominant spring on the mound. The Louisiana-Lafayette commit posted a flawless 10-0 record with 1 save and a 1.26 ERA with 86 strikeouts across 61 innings pitched. He also won the Division II (Select) Most Outstanding Player award at the LHSAA State Tournament for the second year in a row. Vincent presents one of the toughest and scariest looks in the entire state with a “cross-fire” delivery that is reminiscent of Chris Sale.”
– Alex Armand, Scouting Director
Massachusetts
+ Brody Bumila, LHP (Bishop Feehan HS, 2026) | Texas:
“Mid 90's left-hander with size and leverage. The stuff is real and he is aggressive with his pitches”
+ Kaiden McCarthy, RHP (Vermont Academy HS, 2027) | Uncommitted:
“Ultra quick armed right-hander out of Vermont. The fastball was up to 95 mph and shows a feel for the secondary pitches. The real impressive part is he is under control throughout and shows a feel for making adjustments. ”
– Dennis Healy, State Director New England
Minnesota
+ Hudson Ohm, RHP (Zumbrota-Mazeppa HS, 2026) | Minnesota:
“One of the top prep arms in Minnesota comes from the Southeast part of the state in Hudson Ohm. The Minnesota commit has some of the best stuff in his class, let alone state, that makes him one of the tougher arms to face. A three pitch mix of a fastball, slider, and change-up each of which continue to get better both with velocity and movement. A low 90s fastball, low 80s slider with hard late break, and a low 80s change-up. Ohm will be one of the more impressive arms the state has to offer and should get attention from professional scouts this spring.”
– Andy Judkins, State Director
Mississippi
+ Parker Israel, RHP (Hernando HS HS, 2028) | Uncommitted:
“Parker had a very strong showing on the mound at the Southeast Super Sophomore Showcase at Lakepoint in August. We knew he was moving in a good direction and now everyone knows it. Up to 89 mph with his fastball that he can work up in the zone while featuring a tumbling 12/6 breaking ball that has lots of depth. Not a lot of fun for hitters to face already and he’s still progressing! ”
– Matt Miller, State Director
Nebraska
+ Colin Driffill, RHP (Millard North HS, 2026) | Kansas State:
“Up to 97 this fall out of a strong durable build. The Kansas State commit spins a tight late breaking slider that has a chance to be a real out pitch at the next level”
+ Bubba Day, RHP (Omaha Skutt Catholic HS, 2027) | Tennessee:
“The Vols commits fastball averaged 92.2 and topped 93.3 at the 2025 futures games paired with a hard/sharp slider and the ability to kill spin on his change up that has late arm side fade. Its Spooky season everytime Bubba toes the rubber”
– Pascal Paul, Scouting Director
North Carolina
+ Chase Kiker, RHP (Metrolina Christian Academy HS, 2026) | Clemson:
“Kiker's stuff and pitch-ability earned him an invite to represent the Class of 2026 in Miami at the 2025 Prep Baseball All-American Game. The right hander has impressed over the past 3+ years with his arsenal and his ability to attack hitters in a variety of ways. As he moves into his senior spring, the velocity continues to climb, peaking at 95mph and 2610rpm early this fall at LakePoint. Kiker manipulates a breaking ball with late, hard action, spinning up to 2600, settling at 2300rpm. Pair that with a fun "toy" in a knuckleball that is thrown with velocity, dancing through the zone and giving hitters another legitimate pitch they have to concern themselves with. Kikers pure stuff is frightening but when you pair it with his ability to control and manipulate each pitch, it becomes down right scary. ”
+ Connor Salerno, LHP (Sun Valley HS HS, 2027) | Mississippi State:
“Monsters that jump out from behind doors are scary — sure. But the ones that blend in, hiding in plain sight until it’s too late? Those are the ones that really haunt you.
Enter Salerno. On paper, he’s just another left-handed pitcher. The fastball is very firm, but there are harder throwers out there, and there are certainly breaking balls in the game with flashier spin rates. But once a hitter steps into the box, that calm exterior turns menacing fast.
At the Prep Baseball All-American Game, Salerno faced some of the best bats in the 2026 class and turned the outing into his own horror flick — eight swings and misses, three strikeouts, and one dominant inning later, he walked away as the event’s Most Outstanding Pitcher.
From the stands, it’s hard to understand the fear he creates. But from 60 feet, six inches away, hitters quickly realize that Salerno isn’t just another arm — he’s the monster hiding in plain sight.”
– Brandon Hall, Mid-Atlantic Director of Scouting
Oklahoma
+ Cole Dunlap, RHP (Edmond Memorial HS, 2027) | TCU:
“Edmond Memorial RHP Cole Dunlap flashed some of the most "scary" stuff throughout his sophomore campaign with a mix designed to miss barrels and get swing and miss when needed. The low 90s fastball can ride at the top of the zone with up to 15.3" IVB from a strong, short frame of 5'10" and 200 pounds making it feel like the ball is rising as it enters the hitting zone. The nightmare fuel of opposing hitters come from the two breaking balls, however. First, the curveball has spun over 2700 RPMs with the ability to land in the zone with -18" IVB and -8.2" IVB. The slider is the true swing and miss pitch, working into the mid 80s, tunnels with the fastball flashing an average of -.1" IVB before working off the barrel between -3.5" to -5" HM. The TCU commit has showcased the loud mix on more than one occasion with the ability to attack hitters in a variety of ways.”
– Bret Schwartz, Oklahoma Scouting Director
Oregon
+ August Ware, LHP (Glencoe HS, 2026) | Oregon State:
“Lefty August Ware has risen to become one of the best arms in Oregon's senior class, and has continually shown to be one of the more uncomfortable at-bats in the area. The 6'5 frame moves well and generates plus extension down the mound, giving even more life to a FB that was seen into the upper 80's this summer. Ware was dominant in his high school season as well, earning our Pitcher of the Week honors to highlight his spring thanks to a 7 inning, no-hit, 18 strikeout performance. Ware should be one of the best and scariest arms in the area heading into his senior campaign.”
– Dylan Grenz, Associate Scout
Texas
+ Branden Daniel, RHP (East Central HS HS, 2026) | Incarnate Word:
“Daniel was the MVP at the Texas State Upper Class games after striking out 5 hitters in 2 innings of work. With a FB that tops 92, he consistently sits 89-91 with some run to his ball. Spin rate on the FB is north of 2600rpm. His SL sits 77-80 with 2500+rpm. Daniel has feel for his SL and can throw it in any count. The CH sits around the 76-78 mark with a 900 spin rate. Branden is a solid get for UIW and has a ton of upside.”
– South Texas Area Scout
Washington
+ Dawsyn Anderson, RHP (North Kitsap HS, 2026) | Oregon:
“The righty has been arguably one of the biggest risers from 2024 to 2025, putting together a remarkable year and turning into one of the more imposing arms in Washington's senior class. Anderson broke out in a big way at Preseason All-State, sitting 89-90 with a heater that had previously peaked in the mid-80's. The 6'4 arm featured a steady wind with late intent, mixing in four pitches overall. Anderson showed similar stuff through the spring and summer, topping out at 93 MPH at the NW Scout Games, earning a commitment to the University of Oregon in the process. The sheer size on the mound and life on his pitches has elevated Anderson into one of the better arms in his class.”
– Dylan Grenz, Associate Scout
Wisconsin
+ Tanner Effertz, RHP (Whitnall HS, 2026) | Uncommitted:
“Electric arm talent that stands out on the mound as well as the gridiron, one of the top uncommitted players in the state for both baseball and football. The 6-foot-4 right-hander has shown feel to spin a power breaking ball that has yet to reach its ceiling as a pitch while flashing a power, carry fastball at 90-92. The curveball sits in the mid-70s, spinning at 2,686 RPMs on average from a high release with late downer action. The fastball has routinely worked into the 90-92 range, would settle in at 88-90 during extended outings. Flashing big-time carry at the top of the zone and routine beat quality hitters when in the zone.”
– Josh Fields, "Scary Stuff" expert
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