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 positional 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.

+ 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.

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♨️ The ‘Hotlist’ (8/21):

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Alabama

+ Leyton West, OF (Hartselle HS, 2030) | Uncommitted:

“OF Leyton West (2030) put together an impressive summer with strong showings at the Birmingham Summer ID and across multiple Prep Baseball tournaments at River Run Park with the Birmingham Stars. The 6-0, 180-pounder has an athletic, projectable build and produced an electric round of BP at the Summer ID, driving balls out of the yard to all fields while posting a 103.4 mph exit velocity. He also ran a 6.82 60-yard dash, pairing high-end athleticism with one of the more advanced bats in the country for the class. West does not look like a typical rising freshman and carries some of the highest positional upside in Alabama’s loaded 2030 class.”

+ GG Wuis, SS (Bob Jones HS, 2030) | Uncommitted:

“SS GG Wuis (2030) further established himself as one of the top young position players in Alabama this summer with strong showings at both the Yellowhammer State Games and Junior Future Games. The 5-10, 156-pound left-handed hitter owns an advanced offensive skill set, showing loose hands, quality barrel control, and the ability to handle velocity while posting a 94.7 mph exit velocity. His feel to hit and overall approach continue to stand out well beyond his age, giving him the look of one of the more polished bats in the class. After hitting in the heart of the order for one of the state’s top programs as an eighth grader last spring, Wuis enters the fall as a premier name in Alabama’s loaded 2030 class.”

– Austin Sharp, Scouting Director

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Arizona

+ Andres Armenta, OF (Casteel HS, 2028) | Uncommitted:

“Armenta established himself as one of Arizona’s top summer standouts with impressive showings at LakePoint and the Area Code Games. The athletic 6-foot, 174-pound outfielder repeatedly produced loud contact, averaging 94 mph off the bat and putting together quality at-bats. His 6.67 60-yard dash further highlighted the speed and athleticism that complement his offensive upside. With an advanced ability to find the barrel, emerging impact and a well-rounded tool set, Armenta strengthened his status as a 2028 prospect to follow closely heading into the fall.”

+ Jacob Gabbel, SS (Red Mountain HS, 2028) | Uncommitted:

“Gabbel made a strong impression this summer with a polished offensive approach and game-changing speed. The 5-foot-10, 155-pound left-handed hitter reached base in six of his eight plate appearances, controlling the strike zone while consistently producing quality at-bats. His line-drive approach and bat-to-ball skills allow him to use the entire field and keep constant pressure on the defense. A 6.64 runner, Gabbel’s speed translated seamlessly to game action, where he stole three bases and aggressively looked to take the extra 90 feet. His high motor, instincts and combination of on-base ability and speed made him a catalyst throughout the summer.”

+ Max Gamboa, SS (Desert Ridge HS, 2028) | Uncommitted:

“Gamboa emerged as one of Arizona’s most impactful performers this summer coming off a hot Spring, showcasing legitimate power from the left side of the plate. The compact, physical 5-foot-7, 164-pound hitter launched two home runs while pairing his aggressive intent with a mature approach and strong strike-zone awareness. He plays the game hard and fast, bringing an 88 mph arm across the infield along with the versatility to handle multiple positions. Beyond the tools, Gamboa’s even-keeled presence, natural leadership and blue-collar mentality make him a player teammates follow and coaches trust. His blend of power, competitiveness and makeup has him positioned as a potential breakout prospect in Arizona’s 2028 class.”

+ Mattox Murray, SS (Canyon View HS, 2028) | Uncommitted:

“Murray delivered one of Arizona’s strongest all-around performances of the summer, making an impact with his bat, speed and advanced approach. The athletic 5-foot-11, 182-pound infielder consistently produced quality at-bats against high level arms. His quick hands and mature approach allow him to handle velocity and adjust to offspeed, while his 6.67 speed gives him another way to pressure opponents. Murray’s combination of bat-to-ball ability, athleticism and versatility made him a consistent presence on both sides of the ball and a prospect to follow closely this fall.”

+ Max Nibarger, OF/SS (Perry HS, 2028) | Uncommitted:

“Nibarger showcased a well-rounded combination of plate discipline, athleticism and defensive versatility throughout the summer. The projectable 6-foot-2, 185-pound switch hitter controls the strike zone and consistently finds his way on base, where his speed and instincts allowed him to create immediate pressure. He swiped four bases at LakePoint and showed an aggressive feel for taking the extra 90 feet. Defensively, Nibarger possesses the glove to handle the infield, along with the range and 93 mph arm strength to project in the outfield. His switch-hitting ability, 6.8 speed, arm strength and positional flexibility give him an intriguing all-around profile heading into the fall.”

+ Ian Palumbo, OF (Brophy Prep HS, 2028) | Uncommitted:

“Palumbo continues to establish himself as one of Arizona’s most dynamic prospects, displaying an exciting blend of athleticism and offensive impact. The physical 6-foot-2, 191-pound left-handed hitter consistently produced loud contact at LakePoint with every ball he put in play during game action registering above 90 mph. His 77 mph bat speed further highlights the damage potential within his left-handed swing. A 6.48 runner, Palumbo creates immediate pressure on the bases and has the range to impact the game in the outfield, where his 91 mph arm provides another high-level tool. His combination of speed, high level bat-to-ball skills, and arm strength gives him one of the most exciting all-around profiles in Arizona’s 2028 class.”

+ William Parker, OF/C (Desert Ridge HS, 2027) | Uncommitted:

“Parker delivered one of the top offensive performances among all Senior Future Games participants, going 6-for-8 with two doubles and a grand slam. His production continued a standout year in which he hit .426 with 10 home runs during the high school season. The physical 5-foot-11, 181-pound right-handed hitter features a line-drive approach, advanced bat-to-ball skills and the strength to produce consistent hard contact. Parker also brings impressive versatility, running a 6.79 60-yard dash with a 92 mph outfield arm and a 1.98-second pop time behind the plate. His combination of offensive consistency, athleticism, instincts and blue-collar makeup allows him to impact the game from nearly anywhere on the field.”

– Antonio Torres, State Director

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California

+ Chase Miranda , C (St. Augustine HS, 2028) | Uncommitted:

“We have seen Miranda now for a couple of seasons going back to his freshman season starting at St. Augustine. A high level defensive catcher, Miranda has seen an uptick in production with the bat as he demonstrated during the Future Games Tryout: San Diego where he not only threw out two runners on the defensive side, but also added a pair of hits in the gameplay portion of the event. That performance earned him a trip to the 2026 Future Games in July where he once again stood out. During the workout Miranda showed his defensive prowess with 1.94-2.03 pop times all in the catch and tag radius. That carried over to the games where he threw out two would be base stealers while adding multiple hits over the three games. As he heads into his junior season for the Saints, Miranda has established himself as one of the top catchers not only in San Diego, but in the Southern California region as well. ”

– Les Lukach, State Director

+ Theo Swafford, SS (Sierra Canyon HS, 2028) | Uncommitted:

“The number one player in the Prep Baseball California 2028 class kicked off his electric summer showing with a outstanding day at the 2026 SoCal ProCase. The polished LH hitting SS showed off his potential to stick at SS long term during the defensive workout moving with fluidity, and comfort in all directions to show the ability to make every play necessary of a next level SS. Already well regarded as a polished LH hitter with one of the best hit tools in the country he flashed intriguing raw power by launching several balls high off the concrete wall beyond the outfield fence nearly reaching the upper parking lot. That was the kickstart to an all around summer of highlights for the talented Swafford who will be headed to the 2026 Prep Baseball All American Game in Miami in September.”

– Steven Hardesty, Assistant Director

+ Samuel Poirier , OF/MIF (Elsinore High School HS, 2028) | Uncommitted :

“Poirier put together a strong sophomore spring and carried that momentum into the summer with standout showings at the San Diego Future Games Tryout and California State Games. The athletic 6-foot-1, 192-pounder brings multiple tools to the table, including 6.7 speed and a max exit velocity up to 99 mph with considerable pull-side power when elevating the baseball. The swing consistently produces line-drive contact to all fields with limited swing-and-miss.

Poirier collected three hits, including a home run, during gameplay at the State Games to earn First Team honors. Primarily a middle infielder during the high school season, Poirier showed legitimate ability in the outfield throughout the summer, where the athleticism and speed played particularly well. With room to continue filling out the frame and an intriguing blend of tools and versatility, Poirier will be a player that contributes directly to winning games at the next level.”

– Vinnie Alfino, California Content Manager, Ops

+ Nick Davis, INF (Brea HS, 2027) | UC Santa Barbara:

“After a strong spring season saw him lead his Brea team to a strong league finish, Davis continued his torrid pace during the summer. A strong showing at the OC Summer ID where he ran a 6.86 and posted a 79 mph infield velocity, was just another display of his upside. Davis is a sure handed MINF that has a legitimate chance to stick at shortstop as he matriculates into UC Santa Barbara where he committed this summer. However, the bat might be the carrying tool right now. It's a simple approach that see him use his 21.4 mph hand speed to get the barrel in and through the zone on plane resulting in a sweet spot percentage over 60% and a consistent all-fields line drive approach. Davis has the look of a player who is just beginning to hit his stride in terms of his potential. ”

– Les Lukach, State Director

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Canada

+ Mikey Batiste, OF (Ontario Blue Jays HS, 2028) | Uncommitted:

“Mikey Batiste was in the national conversation last year, but has really taken it to a different level in 2026, including helping JK Select win the 2026 16U NPI at LakePoint earlier this summer. The 2x Future Games participant for Canada put on an electric workout day performance as he continues to impress with some eye-popping numbers putting up a 106.5 max EV, 418ft distance, 93mph OF velo, and running a 7.17 60-yard dash all while standing 6-4/247lbs. The combination of size, power, switch-hitting ability and athleticism is special, which carried into gameplay highlighted by his 105.5 EV double off the wall vs Maryland. Batiste is the most sought after player in Canada's '28 class and shouldn't be uncommitted for too long. ”

– Josh Arce, Director of Canada

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Colorado

+ Ashton Santomo, OF (ThunderRidge HS, 2028) | Uncommitted:

“Santomo is coming off of a massive summer, catapulted by a huge performance all week long at this year's Future Games. During the showcase portion, Santomo ran a 6.4 60-yard dash, posted a 102mph max EV, an 87 mph outfield throwing velo, and a 32" vertical. Santomo then parlayed that with 2 homers during gameplay, with plenty of stolen bases. The outlier athleticism on Santomo has been actively developing over the years but the full toolset has really been on display throughout this summer which will make him a fast mover up the Colorado rankings. ”

– Caleb Dameron, Assistant Director

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Florida

+ Shaurya Bhosale, SS/2B (Hagerty HS, 2028) | Uncommitted:

“Bhosale had a strong 2026 summer circuit. He added strength and athleticism this year and improved in many different aspects in his game. He got his 60 time under 7.00 and showed improved arm strength from both the infield and outfield. Bhosale is a versatile gamer with a strong work ethic who can impact many different college programs.”

– Rocco Iervasi, Director of Operations

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Georgia

+ Chance Hopper, OF (Pepperell HS, 2029) | Uncommitted:

“Hopper seemingly burst onto the scene during the summer at LakePoint after one of the top freshman seasons in the state. He carried that into Southeast Super Sophomore Games and has quickly solidified himself as one of the top hitters in the class. He is going to me a must follow into his sophomore year with a high floor and gamer qualities that the thrive when the lights are on. ”

– Hudson Graham, State Director

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Illinois

+ Russell Applegate, OF (Charleston HS, 2027) | Uncommitted:

“Applegate recently made his Prep Baseball Showcase debut at our Illinois State Games and came away a huge winner. A twitchy and athletic 6-foot-1, 169-pound left-handed hitter, he posted quality metrics across the board that translated in-game. He ran a 6.54 60 during the showcase and continued to show easy foot speed in-game both out of the box and in the outfield. He also led the event in outfield velocity at 95 mph. Offensively, he peaked at 98.5 mph off the bat with a max distance of 359 feet during the workout which translated in-game when he hit a pair of balls above 90 mph in one game including a pull-side homer. Applegate has positioned himself to be a high-follow name in the state's 2027 class following his State Games performance.”

– Tyler Defibaugh, Manager, Content & Operations/Area Scout

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Kansas

+ Asher Newton, SS (Manhattan HS, 2028) | Kansas State:

“We knew Asher Newton has some quick twitch athleticism. We also know he possessed a polished skill set defensive with elite hands and quick feet. We also knew he had a flat and simple stroke that allowed him to stay on plane. What we did not know is that he was going to put it all together and have one of the strongest showings of the summer at our Creekside and Homefield facilities, ultimately landing him a spot on the Kansas Future Games squad and a commit to his home town KSU Wildcats. No elite player in the region raised their stock higher this summer. ”

– Andy Urban, Central Region Director

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Michigan

+ Jaxon Distelrath, 3B/SS (Richmond HS, 2028) | Uncommitted:

“Jaxon continued his hot bat into the summer coming off a big spring output at Richmond HS & helped lead them to a Quarterfinal finish in the MHSAA Postseason. Picked up where he left off with strong performances at Grand Park with South Oakland A's and Michigan Summer Championships in Metro Detroit. Has a knack to find consistency on the barrel which led to a strong number of extra-base hits for Jaxon while flashing power with a handful of home runs throughout the course of the summer, a name programs will want to circle back on as they continue to construct their 2028 recruiting classes. ”

– Adam Goodwin, Michigan Scouting Director

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North Dakota

+ Max Zenker, 3B (West Fargo Sheyenne HS, 2027) | Uncommitted:

“Zenker's physical tools are beginning to catch up with Zenker's defensive reputation. At the 2026 Prep Baseball Future Games, Zenker posted a 7.13 60-yard dash time, a 97.6 mph exit velocity, and an 87 mph infield velocity, demonstrating above-average athleticism and arm strength to complement his plus defense. He also showed offensive impact potential by homering during the event.”

– Andy Judkins, State Director

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Virginia

+ Teagan Leach, 1B (PDG Academy HS, 2027) | Virginia Tech:

“Leach had the most dominant performance in the Mid-Atlantic Program Invite this summer, earning MVP honors. He was instant offense throughout the tournament with four home runs. To go along with the impact, the hit tool is just as impressive, as he has bat-to-ball skills with quality swing decisions. The physical traits and the in-game power production from the 6-foot-4, 216-pound left-handed hitter match a true heart of the order impact bat. A strong showing throughout the summer circuit has created a lot of buzz around the future Hokie.”

– Jordan Jones, Assistant Scouting Director

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Washington

+ Nathan Pohl, OF (Olympia HS, 2029) | Uncommitted:

“Olympia's Nathan Pohl stood out at multiple events this summer, first at the Olympia High School Scout Day and later at the invite-only Pacific Northwest State Games. The lean-framed rising sophomore boasts a standout run tool, posting the best 60 time we've seen in the PNW this year at 6.46 seconds. Pohl led the State Games event, which featured over 260 players, despite being one of the youngest players in attendance. The lefty stick has also worked exit velocities up to 94 MPH and throws up to 81 MPH from the outfield. Pohl is an arrow up prospect to keep an eye on as he continues to develop.”

– Dylan Grenz, Assistant Scouting Director

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