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: This week, with the high school season nearing the end, we're looking for off-the-radar players that landed on the map this spring. Feel free to submit more than one, if you prefer, and include any information, stats, etc., that you have on the player.

+ 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’ (6/4):

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Alabama

+ Nash Davis, RHP/1B (Spain Park HS, 2028) | Uncommitted:

“An impressive rising sophomore who already stands at 6'4, 205 pounds and showcases high-end two-way potential. Davis’ physicality is immediately stands out, and with additional size and strength expected in the coming years, his projection is off the charts. Offensively, he hit in the five-hole and made an impact this spring for the the 6A Jaguars. His swing starts from a taller, narrow stance with hands set low. As he begins his load, there is clear separation of the hands and front side, with a longer stride on the front foot. The bat works on an upward path, and Davis shows a mostly gap-to-gap approach with plenty of carry to both sides of the field. On the mound, Davis; delivery is clean and low-effort from a shorter 3/4 arm slot, allowing him to repeat pitches with ease. His fastball was 84-86 mph (T88) this spring and recently 86-90 mph (T91) to kick off his summer at Lakepoint in the State Games of Georgia Showing solid command to the glove side, and with added strength, it's easy to envision more velocity in the future. His breaking ball, at 73-76 mph, shows late 11/5 shape, and he mixes it well with his fastball. Davis also flashes a late-diving changeup at 71-72 mph, showing solid command down in the zone. A high-follow dual prospect with massive upside, Davis is a player to watch closely in the coming years.”

– David Sharp, Deep South Supervisor

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California

+ Tyler Brereton, 3B (Arcadia HS, 2027) | Uncommitted:

“Brereton exploded on the scene for the Apaches this season getting off to a hot start that continued through to the postseason. A physical 3B with room to add strength to the frame, Brereton has the look of a future collegiate player already at 6'1" 180-pounds. Brereton catches your attention while manning the hot corner where he shows athletic actions along with a strong arm. Has ample range and arm strength presently allowing for the projection. Moves well to both sides while staying low and working up and through the ball. Oozes projection at the plate where it’s a simple approach of knob to the ball with some present power. In a couple viewings this season he showed the ability to pepper the gaps for extra base hits as well as leaving the yard with his present power. ”

– Les Lukach, State Director

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Florida

+ Connor Balazic, C (Creekside HS, 2027) | Uncommitted:

“Balazic was an unfamiliar name to the Florida staff before this spring, but a huge spring for Creekside piqued our interest. Balazic hit .461 with 5 homers, 17 extra base hits, and drove in 24 runs while showing above average catch and throw from behind the plate. Balazic should be a hot name at a premium position this summer.”

– Rocco Iervasi, Director of Florida Operations

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Illinois

+ Anthony Cartolano , OF (Brother Rice HS, 2027) | Uncommitted :

“Cartolano has made some incredible strides over the course of the spring. He has turned himself into one of the top outfield prospects in the entire state, starting in centerfield every day for the No. 1 team in the state. He also continues to improve and elevate himself at the plate as he has worked himself into the top part of their lineup. ”

+ Colin Doyle , RHP (Downers Grove North HS, 2027) | Uncommitted :

“Doyle has turned himself into the Trojans' ace over the course of the spring, giving them all sorts of confidence every time he takes the ball. He popped in the winter as a 6-foot-6 right-hander with an upper-80s fastball, and he will now get up around the 90 mph mark with rapidly improving off-speed. He will be one to continue to watch closely, especially heading into the summer circuit. ”

– Peter Hamot, Assistant Scouting Director Illinois/Wisconsin

Illinois

+ Landon Crawford, LHP (Farmington HS, 2026) | Uncommitted :

“Uncommitted. 6-foot-4, 175-pound frame, long-levered, wiry frame with plenty of projection and strength still to come. Started on the mound in a 2A Regional Championship, tossed a complete game with eight strikeouts, one run, four hits and five walks allowed. Although the complete polish was not there throughout, he flashed upside with his three-pitch arsenal. Simple and clean mover on the mound with minimal effort and showed a clean arm path with a shorter action. Fastball worked up to 87-88 mph in the first inning, but sat mostly 82-85 mph throughout his full outing, played with arm-side run. Mixed in a curveball with 11/5 shape, sitting 73-75 mph, flashed out-pitch potential. Also threw a change-up at 70 mph with fade and depth at times. Crawford emerged as a must-know uncommitted southpaw in Illinois’ 2026 class.

Stats heading into game: 49.1 IP, 89 K, 33 BB, 9 ER, 22 H, 1.28 ERA.”

– Gavin Smith, Manager, Content & Operations/Scout

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Indiana

+ Ben Canada, INF (Guerin Catholic HS, 2027) | Uncommitted:

“Canada was a big riser in our recent 2027 class update after showing off a toolset elevation at our Preseason All-State in March. Maturity has paid dividends for the sophomore LHH infielder, who grew 3 inches & gained 25 pounds since he appeared at our Underclass Games last summer. His 60 got cut by half a second, while arm velocities (+8 mph) and exit velocities (+6 mph) improved significantly also. He backed his big winter showcase performance with a strong spring that included a north-of-.400 batting average, and also 6 homers, which tied for the state lead amongst all sophomores. ”

– Cooper Trinkle, Scouting Director

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Iowa

+ Jackson Buttz, RHP (Ballard HS, 2026) | Uncommitted:

“Buttz appeared on the scene at the Prep Baseball Iowa Preseason ID- Central Iowa event in late April. The uncommitted 2026 grad has above avg. projection in the frame and the arm action shows higher level upside.”

– Rob Allison- Iowa State Director

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Kansas

+ Brock Bailey, RHP/OF (Blue Valley Southwest HS, 2028) | Uncommitted:

“A first team all-state selection as a freshman. Bailey went 6-0, with 37 IP, 15 H , 0.76 ERA, 30 K, and 11 BB. The mid 80s right hander is also a high level outfield prospect. ”

– Andy Urban, Kansas Director

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Michigan

+ Noah Banas, INF (New Boston Huron HS, 2026) | Uncommitted :

“Noah emerged a rising player in the 2026 class this spring as he tore the cover off the ball for the Chiefs. Banas slugged .500 BA, 14 XBH, 39 RBI, 23 walks and stealing 12 bases. Banas left handed stick makes him a must see for regional programs as they start recruiting on the summer circuit.

Tweet: https://x.com/PrepBaseballMI/status/1930040746901479707”

– Adam Goodwin, Michigan Scouting Director

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Minnesota

+ Drew Dardis, RHP (Chaska High School HS, 2025) | Uncommitted:

“Uncommitted Senior Drew Dardis showed out at Baseball Day Minnesota 2025. Out of the pen, Dardis was sitting 86-87 and ran his fastball up to 90 once. With a long and lanky frame, the righty is in a prime spot to make a huge jump in the future”

– Andy Judkins, State Director

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New Hampshire

+ Malcolm Klingler, RHP (Rabun Gap (NH) HS, 2027) | Northeastern:

“6-foot-2, 200-pound right-hander. He pitches in the upper 80's with a solid mix and shows a feel for his body. Will take his talents to Northeastern and should flourish in their program. ”

– Dennis Healy, State Director

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North Carolina

+ TJ Ziermann, RHP (Laney HS HS, 2025) | UNC Wilmington:

“A primary position player for much of his high school career, Ziermann vaulted to the top of follow lists this spring, remaining uncommitted into May, as he showed advanced stuff and athleticism on the mound. Below is the report on Ziermann from a spring break outing in late April: One of the top uncommitted arms still on the board in North Carolina. Fairly new to pitching, there are some raw areas of his development, leaving room to his ceiling. Athleticism is present. Has twitch and strength. Stands 6-foot-3, 195 pounds. Well put together with a proportional build and strength in the lower half. First base side setup. Choppy rhythm in the delivery, occasionally creating some issues finding the arm slot. Level, working to be on-line, slight across his pivot foot with his landing. Slightly closed and working to load his hips through balance. Loose, oily hips. Excellent mover down the hill. Medium arm swing. Some effort as he works to load the scapular. Over-the-top slot. Quick arm with whip. Has leverage and angle when on time. More feel for the leverage on fastball than the off-speed offerings. Fastball bumped 94 once in the first and sat 90-92 through 5 innings. Ranged 87-92 throughout. Fastball dipped in the stretch. Wide base in the stretch, working to ramp back onto the back side. At times caught in-between, forcing the arm to catch up. Fastball has ride. Control over command. Around the zone. Lacked pure feel for any one spot. Fastball ride created swing and miss in the zone throughout the outing. Slider was a bit erratic but flashed solid horizontal action at 83-84. Preferred the curveball in this outing. Hard, downer, depth at 80-83. Out pitch potential, spinning at 2400+rpm. Lacks some feel and the use is still raw, but the arm speed and depth, tunnel, and depth are advanced. Flashed a change-up that will continue to develop at 80-82.”

– Brandon Hall, State Director

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Oklahoma

+ Judson Gilliland, C (Bethany HS, 2026) | Uncommitted:

“The Bethany backstop was a key contributor in the state semifinal run. He continues to develop physically and offers a strong target for his battery mate. Offensively, he worked at the top of the order and showed the ability to extend ABs and ambush mistakes over the white. He will be a name to know for schools early this summer.”

+ Kellen Gaede, LHP/OF (Claremore HS, 2027) | Uncommitted:

“Gaede is coming off a strong spring for Claremore that showcases the work and development for him away from the yard. On the mound, the stuff continues to tick upwards with the velo rising but the secondary pitches also continue to advance. Two distinct breaking balls, both the slider and curveball show the command and feel for the southpaw. Offensively, Gaede's move is athletic as he attacks out front. Physically, he's continuing to develop, but his previous work away from the yard leads you to anticipate that he's a must follow this summer and into his junior campaign.”

+ Brysen Donnell, OF (Sapulpa HS, 2026) | Uncommitted:

“Donnell is coming off a huge junior campaign out of the leadoff spot for Sapulpa. The left handed hitter wreaked havoc on opposing pitchers, turning in an 1.094 OPS while showing the ability to use the entire yard. His development has been impressive, continuing to fill out his frame physically, and playing the game with pace - especially on the bases. He has been coached at a high level and his speed "plays up" on the field with advanced feel for angles in the OF as well as turns on the bases. Donnell has seen a rise in our ranks with each opportunity to see him and will be a name to know this summer before his senior campaign.”

– Bret Schwartz, Oklahoma Scouting Director

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Oregon

+ Zack Hankins, LHP (Taft HS, 2026) | Uncommitted:

“The junior put up simply one of the most dominant stat lines in Oregon for 4A Taft this spring on the mound, totaling 72 IP while allowing just 1 ER, good for a 0.10 ERA. The junior struck out 160 batters while walking just 23 in his incredible season. Hankins was seen this winter at PNW Preseason All-State, where he ran his FB into the low 80's for strikes and flashed a three-pitch mix overall.”

– Dylan Grenz, Associate Scout

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South Dakota

+ Everett Salonen, RHP (Sioux Falls Jefferson HS, 2027) | Uncommitted:

“Salonen held a sub 1 ERA in 42 innings pitched this spring, striking out 63 batters. Everett sat in the mid-upper 80s in the South Dakota High School State Tournament, running it up to 90 while flashing a slider at 77-79. The Sophomore from Sioux Falls, South Dakota still has a high ceiling on the bump.”

– Andy Judkins, State Director

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Washington

+ Blake Moser, RHP/INF (Lake Stevens HS, 2027) | Uncommitted:

“The sophomore broke out in a huge way late in the spring, impressing in a one-inning relief stint seen by Prep Baseball PNW Staff. The lean, athletic righty showed a FB at 90-93 MPH as well as a SL with sharp tilt at 81-83 MPH, both pitches generating swing and miss. Moser is a dynamic arm talent despite limited action on the mound. The underclassman was also productive at the plate, hitting over .370 and leading his team with a .494 OBP. Moser is the 18th ranked 2027 in Washington.”

– Dylan Grenz, Associate Scout

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