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, we're taking a look at freshmen and sophomores that starred this spring for their high school teams.

+ 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’ (6/12):

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Arizona

+ Ben Jacobus, CF (Corona del Sol HS, 2028) | Uncommitted:

“Jacobus hit .396 on the season with 44 hits and batted leadoff from the number 1 team in Arizona and helped lead them too a 6A state championship.”

– Antonio Torres, AZ State Director

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Colorado

+ Brayden Moreno, OF/LHP (Pine Creek HS, 2028) | Uncommitted:

“The freshman started for his 5A Pine Creek program this spring and put together a fantastic season at the plate. The smooth left-handed swing from Moreno produced a .512 average across 55 plate appearances with a 1.174 OPS and just 4 strikeouts. Moreno comes with above average bat-to-ball skills and does a great job keeping a level barrel through the hitting zone. The outfielder has a chance to really increase his ceiling as his strength and athleticism continues to develop. ”

– Caleb Dameron, Colorado Staff

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Illinois

+ Carver Cohn, OF (McHenry HS, 2028) | Uncommitted:

From 4/14/25: "Uncommitted. Currently ranked No. 1 in the state and No. 15 nationally. Athletic and twitchy 5-foot-9, 163-pound frame. Batted leadoff and played center field for the Warriors. He continues to impress with the quality at-bats he puts together for his age, while also facing the level of competition that he is. His takes continue to show maturity and an understanding of the zone, working two walks in this look. A switch-hitter, he has an athletic swing from both sides with bat speed to pair. He finished the game 1-for-2 with two walks and a stolen base."”

+ Anderson Kaufmann, RHP/C (Alton HS, 2028) | Uncommitted:

From 5/8/25: "Uncommitted, currently ranked No. 2 in the state and No. 77 nationally. Coming in at a well-proportioned 5-foot-11, 172-pound frame with room to add strength. Kaufmann started at second for the Redbirds and closed the game to earn them a 2-0 victory. The right-handed hitter showed clean actions in the infield, making all of his plays and showcasing the ability to stick wherever he is put in the field. At the plate, he helped the Redbirds score their only runs of the game. His hit tool was on full display all game, showing quality barrel control throughout the contest. In his first at-bat, he worked a seven pitch walk after spoiling a tough two-strike offering. In his next at-bat, he sent a single up the middle for Alton’s only hit of the game, later resulting in two runs scoring. He also hopped up on the bump to record the last out of the game, sitting 85-86 mph with his fastball to produce a flyout for the save. Overall, Kaufmann continues to make a name for himself as one of the state’s top freshman prospects."”

– Gavin Smith, Manager, Content & Operations/Area Scout

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Minnesota

+ Jackson Kolb, RHP/SS (White Bear Lake HS, 2027) | Uncommitted:

“Kolb is the 4th ranked player in Minnesota's 2027 class and an arm to keep eyes on in the class. The righty threw 35.1 innings this spring and struck out 45 with a 2.57 era in one of the tougher conferences and sections in the state. An upper 80s fastball, moves well and athletic on the mound, Kolb is a summer watch”

– Andy Judkins, State Director

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North Carolina

+ Hunter Hedgecoe, C (Terry Sanford HS HS, 2028) | Uncommitted:

“Hedgecoe played in 29 games for the Bulldogs, collecting a bulk of the action behind the dish while hitting .341 with 9 doubles. Terry Sanford made a run to the NCHSAA 3A East Finals and finished #21 in the North Carolina Power 25. Hedgecoe is a physical athlete at 6-foot, 175 pounds. Agile, he receives with confidence and has shown a willingness to block and recover, working for his pitching staff. Offensively, the Bulldogs had depth in 2025 and Hedgecoe still played a prominent factor in their 8.5 runs per game average.”

– Brandon Hall, NC / Mid-Atlantic Director of Scouting

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Oklahoma

+ Bradley Hastings, SS/RHP (Bishop Kelley HS, 2028) | Uncommitted:

“Hastings was a force in the middle of a talented Bishop Kelley squad this spring as he settled into the middle of the order. The freshman put up a .369/.459/.573 slash line with results mirroring the mature and advanced approach consistently using the middle of the field. Doing a majority of his damage in the field and with the bat, we also saw him run the fastball up to 90 in a short relief outing this spring. He burst onto the scene in 25 and will be a name to follow for a BK squad coming off a 5A State Tourney run.”

+ Tripp Thomas, 3B/RHP (Heritage Hall HS, 2028) | Uncommitted:

“Thomas was a difference maker for Heritage Hall this spring in multiple opportunities for our staff to see him. Working out of the leadoff spot, he put together a monster spring with a .407/.466/.516 slash line that included 10 doubles. A strong, athletic frame at 6'1" and 179.5 lbs, Thomas provided a combination of thunder and lighting at the top of the order - ambushing early count fastballs but also showing the ability to pressure teams on the bases. He'll be a must follow for schools at the next level as he continues to show signs of development, in all phases of his game, in each opportunity we've had to see him.”

– Bret Schwartz, Oklahoma Scouting Director

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Oregon

+ Sam Smith, OF/LHP (Central Catholic HS, 2028) | Uncommitted:

“Last seen at PNW Preseason All-State this winter, Smith was a dynamic two-way player for Central Catholic, logging a sub-2 ERA on the mound while getting on base consistently from the leadoff spot. The top-ranked 2028 in Oregon showcased plus speed and bat-to-ball skills while filling up the zone on the mound. Smith earned second-team all-state honors for the state of Oregon, and was the only freshman on any of the Oregon all-state teams.”

– Dylan Grenz, Associate Scout

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Vermont

+ Kaiden McCarthy, RHP (Vermont Academy HS, 2027) | Uncommitted:

“Cruised through his high school season, leading his team to a 15-1 record. The fastball sits in the low 90's and he shows the makings of a power breaking ball. The 6-foot, 190-pound right-hander has a bright future. ”

– Dennis Healy, co-owner PBR New England

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Washington

+ Madden Pike, RHP/OF (Puyallup HS, 2028) | Uncommitted:

“The top-ranked freshman in the state of Washington had a stellar start to his high school career, logging 38.2 IP for Puyallup, the number one team in the WA Power 25 for much of the spring. The righty posted a 1.27 ERA, allowing just 23 hits while posting 53 K's and 23 BB's. The switch-hitter also reached base at a .375 clip for 28-1 Puyallup.”

+ Noah Adams, OF (Kentlake HS, 2028) | Uncommitted:

“Adams jumped into the top 10 of Washington's '28 rankings after a breakout performance at PNW Preseason All-State, and he carried his momentum into his spring season. The freshman was second on his team hitting .413, reaching base at a .565 clip. Adams had 26 hits total, including 3 doubles, 2 triples, and 2 home runs. The athletic righty bat also added 30 runs scored and 17 RBI, and was a key contributor from the leadoff spot who helped Kentlake go 14-8 this season.”

– Dylan Grenz, Associate Scout

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Wisconsin

+ Camden Jeske, OF (Oak Creek HS, 2028) | Uncommitted:

“Has been a constant presence at the top of Oak Creek's order the entire spring. The bat-to-ball stands out and is advanced for his age no matter the velo or quality of spin, to pair with a sound and quiet approach. Hit over .300 with 11 doubles and 11 walks to just four strikeouts after making every start on offense. The defense plays in center field making rangy plays with quick jumps and efficient routes.”

– Josh Fields, Wisconsin Staff

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