What pitchers stood out the most this summer?
August 28, 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 summer wrapping up, we're taking a look back at the two-way and pitcher only standouts from the circuit. Please submit a prospect (or a few) from your state who stood out most this summer, whether at a showcase or tournament. Include where you saw them and what made their summer performance one to remember heading into the fall.
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+ Read about previously published ‘Hotlist’ topics here.
♨️ The ‘Hotlist’ (8/21):
Alabama
+ Maxwell Kimbrell, RHP (Hartselle HS, 2030) | Uncommitted:
“RHP Max Kimbrell (2030) was one of Alabama’s biggest standouts this summer, showing big-time arm talent at the Junior Future Games. The physical 6-2, 195-pound right-hander worked 89-92 mph with the fastball and paired it with a 74-76 mph breaking ball that reached 2790 RPM and a fading 77-78 mph changeup. Kimbrell is an easy mover down the mound with loose arm action from a high three-quarter slot and showed the ability to pound the zone with all three pitches. He enters the fall as one of the premier arms at the top of a loaded 2030 class in Alabama.”
– Austin Sharp, Scouting Director
Arizona
+ Christian Estrella, OF/RHP (Corona del Sol HS, 2028) | Uncommitted:
“A ProCase, Future Game, and Area Code participant, the two-sport athlete, Estrella emerged as one of Arizona’s most intriguing offensive prospects this summer. The athletic 6-foot-4, 222-pounder is a contact-first hitter with advanced bat-to-ball skills, a mature approach and has shown the ability to adjust with two strikes time and time again. There is already considerable juice in the bat, with his physicality and offensive foundation pointing toward even greater power production as he continues to develop. Estrella’s 6.76 speed and 95 mph arm from the outfield round out a well-balanced tool set that stands out at his size. The combination of physicality, contact ability, emerging power, speed and arm strength gives Estrella the all-around profile of a power prospect in the making.”
(7/29/26)
+ Evan Hedlund, LHP (Casteel HS, 2028) | Uncommitted:
“Hedlund strengthened his reputation as one of Arizona’s top 2028 left-handers with an impressive summer on the circuit. The athletic 5-foot-10, 163-pound southpaw attacked hitters from a low three-quarter slot, creating a difficult look while running his fastball up to 90 mph with nearly 19 inches of horizontal movement. He showed advanced feel for a four-pitch mix, confidently working with a slider, curveball and changeup while generating weak contact. Hedlund’s athletic delivery, pitchability and even-keeled presence allowed him to settle in quickly and become more efficient as his outings progressed. His combination of movement, command and feel to manipulate multiple offerings makes him an intriguing arm to follow heading into the fall.”
+ Oliver Higgins, LHP (Canyon View HS, 2028) | Uncommitted:
“Higgins took a notable step forward at LakePoint, reaching new personal bests and establishing himself as a left-hander to follow in Arizona’s 2028 class. The 5-foot-10, 165-pound southpaw ran his fastball up to 87 mph while generating more than 20 inches of horizontal movement from a three-quarter slot. He repeated a loose, athletic delivery with good direction and complemented the fastball with a 2,600 rpm slider that he landed for strikes and used to generate chase. Higgins also showed confidence in a 79–81 mph changeup, giving him a promising three-pitch mix. His improved stuff, athleticism and competitive toughness made his summer performance at LakePoint one to remember heading into the fall.”
+ Cooper LeRoy, RHP (Perry HS, 2028) | Uncommitted:
“LeRoy reinforced his status as one of Arizona’s top-ranked 2028 prospects with a dominant showing on the summer circuit. The wiry, projectable 6-foot-4, 185-pound right-hander attacked from a low three-quarter slot with a loose, whippy arm, running his fastball up to 92 mph with 17 inches of horizontal movement. His changeup closely mirrored the fastball with 16 inches of arm-side run, while an 81 mph slider worked in the opposite direction to create a difficult three-pitch tunnel. The combination produced consistent whiffs and weak contact while highlighting his advanced feel for sequencing. With his projectable frame, starter traits and hard-nosed competitive mentality, LeRoy possesses one of the most intriguing pitching profiles in the region heading into the fall.”
+ Nolan Leitner, LHP (Casteel HS, 2027) | Uncommitted:
“Leitner stood out this summer with advanced pitchability and a clear understanding of how to sequence his arsenal. The 6-foot, 170-pound left-hander ran his fastball up to 89 mph with nearly 20 inches of horizontal movement, creating a challenging look for opposing hitters. He complemented it with a breaking ball that reached 2,765 rpm and a changeup featuring arm-side action, giving him three distinct offerings with which to attack. Leitner’s ability to read swings, change speeds and remain composed highlighted a mature presence on the mound. His combination of left-handed movement, quality secondary stuff and advanced feel for pitching makes him one of Arizona’s more intriguing 2027 arms heading into the fall.”
+ Ryan Sanchez, 1B/RHP (Valley Christian HS, 2027) | Oregon:
“Sanchez emerged as one of Arizona’s biggest two-way risers this summer. The physical 6-foot-3, 233-pound prospect displayed his offensive strength by driving a 102 mph double off the center-field wall, but his most impressive work came on the mound. Despite limited pitching experience, the right-hander held 90–94 mph throughout his outing and paired the fastball’s considerable arm-side movement with a slider that reached 2,625 rpm and a developing changeup. His arm strength, physicality and aptitude stood out as he navigated the outing and continued to trust his arsenal. With impact potential at the plate and significant upside on the mound, Sanchez’s competitive, team-oriented approach makes him an exciting pick-up for Oregon.”
+ Jaggar Wethington, RHP (Mountain Ridge HS, 2027) | Iowa Western CC:
“Wethington delivered one of the strongest outings among Arizona’s pitchers this summer, showcasing poise, command and advanced pitchability. The lean, athletic 6-foot-1, 161-pound right-hander ran his fastball up to 91.3 mph with nearly 20 inches of induced vertical break. He showed an impressive understanding of how to sequence and tunnel a deep four-pitch mix, complementing the fastball with two distinct breaking balls and a changeup featuring arm-side run. Wethington landed his curveball for strikes before using his slider to expand the zone, preventing hitters from settling into comfortable at-bats. His athletic delivery, feel for multiple offerings and remaining physical projection give him considerable upside heading into the fall.”
+ Retton Ethier, SS/RHP (Brophy Prep HS, 2029) | Uncommitted:
“Ethier delivered one of the summer’s most eye-opening outings from an Arizona underclassman. After playing three games at shortstop, the 6-foot-4, 180-pound two-way prospect took the mound and worked comfortably at 90–92 mph, reaching 93 with his fastball. He generated the velocity from a low 4.5-foot release height, creating a difficult angle while displaying loose, easy movement and minimal effort. Ethier complemented the fastball with a mid-70s slider that flashed encouraging shape and spin. His athleticism, two-way versatility and highly projectable frame suggest there is considerably more velocity and overall development still to come.”
– Antonio Torres, State Director
California
+ Jayden Singer, RHP (Calabasas High School HS, 2028) | Uncommitted:
“Singer has been high on my radar going back to his freshman season at Calabasas, but made his first appearance on the Prep Baseball California event platform with a strong showing at the Future Games Tryout: Malibu. Working into the low 90's with his running FB while pairing it with his strong arsenal of off-speed pitches and showing polish to his pitch-ability, Singer attacked the five hitters he faced aggressively to put together one of the cleanest outings of the event. He backed up the dominance of his performance at the FGT event over the remainder of his summer including a dominant outing at the Prep Baseball West Coast Program Invite event, then on the mounds of LakePoint at Future Games before capping an excellent summer for himself by shining at the Area Codes Underclass event. A long-term starter profile with strong stuff at present with plenty of projection still to his profile should make him a top recruit of college programs around the country for the 2028 class.”
– Steven Hardesty, Assistant Director
+ Matthew Prior, RHP (St. Augustine High School HS, 2028) | Uncommitted :
“Prior made significant noise on the national stage this summer, highlighted by strong showings at the Future Games and Area Codes. The projectable 6-foot-4, 184-pound right-hander tossed two scoreless frames at LakePoint, showing an easy fastball into the low 90s with a developing secondary arsenal. At Area Codes, the fastball again worked 89-91, T92 while Prior showed advanced poise and mound presence, navigating traffic and limiting damage before returning with a scoreless second frame. The ceiling is extremely high as the secondary arsenal continues to develop, particularly a slider that is beginning to take shape and gives Prior another weapon to pair with the fastball. With considerable physical projection and MLB bloodlines, Prior has all the ingredients to continue making significant strides as one of the top rising arms in California’s 2028 class.”
– Vinnie Alfino, California Content Manager, Ops
Illinois
+ Liam Nash, RHP (Huntley HS, 2027) | Florida:
“Fresh off a commitment to Florida, Nash has been one of the buzzier names across the state this summer. Presenting a starter profile at 6-foot-3, 200 pounds, he boasts a loud arsenal headlined by a low-90's fastball that was recently up to 96 mph. Nash also turns to a bullet slider 80 mph when needed and has flashed a changeup in the low-80's. Nash has positioned himself as a draft follow for pro scouts entering 2027.”
+ Charley Spour, RHP (St. Anthony HS, 2027) | Louisville:
“Spour was arguably the biggest winner for Team Heartland at this summer's Prep Baseball Senior Future Games and committed to Louisville shortly after. The projectable 6-foot-3, 198-pound righty sat 94-95 mph (T96.6) early with his swing and miss fastball, before settling in in the low-90's. Spour's go-to secondary was a high-spin slider (2600+ rpm) at 82-85 mph. Spour is a high-follow name to know in the region and will garner pro eyes next spring.”
– Tyler Defibaugh, Manager, Content & Operations/Area Scout
Indiana
+ Hudson Walker, RHP (Huntington North HS, 2029) | Uncomitted:
“Amongst 2029s in Indiana no player established themselves this summer quite like Walker. Slated to move up significantly in our 2029 rankings, Walker first showed off big velocity jumps at our Top Prospect Games in June, working up to 87 during a dominant outing there. He continued to post in each look at Grand Park before finally showing even more velocity at the Midwest Super Sophomore Games for Team Indiana. A super athletic mover with a highly-advanced breaking ball and frame that holds a ton of projection, Walker's velocity jumps only enhanced his ability to miss bats and warrants a shout out as one of the top summer performers from the Hoosier State. ”
– Cooper Trinkle, State Director
Iowa
+ Luke Merrick, OF/RHP (Solon HS, 2028) | Uncommitted:
“Luke Merrick lead 3 categories at the Prep Baseball Future Games in key TrackMan hitting metrics. He recorded a 108.6 mph max exit velocity, a 101.9 mph average exit velocity, and a 427-foot maximum batted-ball distance. Showing off his raw power in the national event. Coming off a solid summer season where he batted .396 with 12 doubles and 11 home runs in 101 at bats as well as more walks than strikeouts and a name that opened some eyes in recent weeks. He can also get on the mound and run the fastball up to 88 while running a 6.86 60 and 89 outfield velo. Athletic athlete than has upside to hit for real power at the next level.
”
– Tyler Cropley, State Director
Kentucky
+ Nick Cantrell, RHP (Calloway County HS, 2027) | Uncommitted:
“Cantrell is a big uncommited riser after a strong showing at our Pre Season All State South event with a top velocity of 93mph while averaging an impressive 91mph (2354 avg rpm) during his pen. Don't be fooled though despite the smaller frame as he brings a full arsenal of weapons when he is on the bump. He offers two distinct breakers with a curve ball averaging over 2450 rpm's and a slider with big time sweep. His 4th offering might be his best secondary however with a change up that's killed down in the 1700's rpm averaging 18 inches of movement. Amassing 96K's in 59 innings of work last Spring to go with this velocity jump makes the young righty a priority must see this Spring. If Calloway County is going to make some noise in the 1st region beginning in March you can bet that Cantrell will be making headlines for the Lakers.”
+ Abe Mullins, RHP (Montgomery County HS, 2027) | Uncommitted:
“Mullins is back and in a big way as the big Righty turned in a dominant effort at The State Games. Abe is 100% healthy and it was great to see as the young man who would have been a no doubt 2025 Future Games selection for Team Kentucky. He works from a higher 3/4 slot creating a steep uncomfortable plane while tunneling a 3 pitch arsenal that will only continue to improve. Working an 88-91 mph heater spinning at almost 2400 rpm's while averaging over 17+ IVB he gets a ton of in zone swing and misses. A hard tight slider has the potential to be a wipeout offering in the future as he continues to improve feel with a spin killing change up averaging barely into the thousands. Mullins would surely not still not be on the board if not for injury but word to the wise. BUY STOCK in Mullins now while you can because he is going make the program that lands him very very happy.”
– Jamie Tessoff, State Director
Minnesota
+ Joshua Keenan, LHP (Chaska HS, 2027) | Uncommitted:
“Keenan is a 2027 LHP from Chaska who is emerging as one of Minnesota’s more intriguing young left-handed pitching prospects. At 6-foot-3, 180 pounds, he offers a projectable frame and a developing arsenal. His fastball has progressed into the upper-80s, recently sitting 86–89 mph at this summer's Senior Future Games, with a slider in the mid-70s and a changeup around 78–80 mph. Keenan’s combination of size, developing velocity and feel for multiple pitches gives him considerable upside.”
– Andy Judkins, State Director
Mississippi
+ Tucker Elliott, LHP (Myrtle Attendance Center HS, 2029) | Uncommitted:
“Tucker put together one of the better outings we saw this summer at the Southeast Super Sophomore Games at Lakepoint. The wiry lefty was sharp for 3 innings while showing a solid 3 pitch arsenal that included a fastball up to 86 mph. His secondary stuff is coming along nicely as well, highlighted by a slider that shows quick bite, depth, and swing and miss action. We look forward to seeing him in the spring!”
– Matt Miller, State Director
Oregon
+ Camden Buchheit, RHP/INF (Sprague HS, 2029) | Uncommitted:
“The young righthander was seen multiple times this summer, first at the Eugene Summer ID and later at PNW State Games. Buchheit showcased an advanced look on the mound, running the fastball up to 87 MPH and a changeup/breaking ball combination, both pitches in the mid-70's. Buchheit's long, lean 6'3 frame and whippy arm action should lead to continued gains as he enters the remainder of his high school career. He also got it done in-game on the mound, flashing a similarly strong arsenal to record a pair of quick innings. Pairing this with mid-90's exit velocities at the plate and a 7.2 run time, Buchheit was one of the biggest winners in Oregon's 2029 class this summer. ”
– Dylan Grenz, Assistant Scouting Director
South Dakota
+ Jack Blomgren, RHP (Brandon Valley HS, 2027) | Uncommitted:
“Jack Blomgren stands out because of his combination of present stuff, physical projection and competitive makeup. The 6-foot-2, 185-pound right-hander entered the scene in the late spring, reaching 90–92 mph and touching 92.7 mph at the 2026 Top Prospect Games. His upper-70s slider has up to 20 inches of sweep and causes consistent uncomfortable at-bats for hitters. ”
– Andy Judkins, State Director