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 college baseball opening this week, we’re highlighting former high school prospects our staff evaluated before they moved on to the college level. Please submit a former 2025 prospect from your state who is opening the college season this weekend. Include where you saw them in high school, what stood out during their prep career, and why you’ll be watching their transition into the college game this spring.

+ 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’ (2/13):

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Alabama

+ Mason McCraine, OF/LHP (Auburn University, 2025):

“OF/LHP Mason McCraine (Glenwood, 2025) was seen multiple times last spring where he continued to prove why he was one of the more intriguing two-way prospects in the ’2025 class throughout his prep career. A former Future Gamer, McCraine consistently stood out at the high school level thanks to his rare 6-foot-6, 205-pound frame, athleticism, and ability to impact the game on both sides of the ball. On the mound, he showed steady velocity growth over time, working comfortably in the upper-80s/lower 90s with feel for a three-pitch mix, highlighted by a fading changeup he can land to the arm side. His clean, repeatable delivery and ease of operation point to more upside as he continues to add strength. Offensively, McCraine was a mainstay in Glenwood’s lineup, coming off a prep season where he hit .469 with 14 home runs and 14 doubles, using a simple, controlled left-handed swing geared toward hard contact to all fields. On the mound he was 5-0 with a 0.33 ERA. That combination of physical projection, strike-throwing ability, and a polished left-handed bat makes his transition into the college game at Auburn worth following closely, as continued development could unlock another level on both the mound and at the plate.”

– David Sharp, Deep South Supervisor

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California

+ Angel Cervantes, RHP (UCLA, 2025):

“After being selected with the 50th overall pick in 2025, Cervantes turned down pro ball to enroll at UCLA where he immediately cemented himself as one of the best freshman pitchers in college baseball. A projected weekend starter for the Bruins, Cervantes was long a well known name in SoCal scouting circles, and after participating in the Prep Baseball All-American game twice, he was a household name nationally. My first viewing of Cervantes was a two-way player his sophomore year. Back then his fastball was upper-80's with his signature pitch, a hammer breaking ball that flashed high spin even as a young sophomore. Cervantes would go on to attend a few Prep Baseball events including the Inland Empire Preseason All-State where he was 2-for-3 with both hits coming off two future Division I Power Four arms. Fast forward to the West Coast ProCase at USC where Cervantes was dominant on the mound and earned an invitation to the All-American Game on the spot. At the All-American Game he was magnificent in closing out the game for the Class of 2025 in their win. More impressively, he started the next All-American Game for the Class of 2025 getting out of the inning on just 13 pitches. Cervantes now will take on Division I hitters with a loaded arsenal and the ability to put up numbers that certainly will have him in the conversation for All BIG-10 and Freshman All-American honors. ”

– Les Lukach, State Scouting Director

+ Max Farrell, INF (San Diego State, 2025):

“Farrell was a standout in the San Diego region in both 2024 and 2025, hitting .363 and .344 in his junior and senior seasons while totaling 16 home runs (9 and 7). After multiple live looks last spring, it was clear he could consistently find the barrel and handle velocity at a high level. He plays with urgency and controlled aggression, traits that should translate well to the next level. Offensively, Farrell features a line-drive, gap-to-gap approach with legitimate pull-side power, as evidenced by his 16 homers over his final two high school campaigns. He doesn’t sell out for power; instead relies on a true hit tool that should project well over the next 4 years. He also adds value on the bases as a sub-6.7 runner with high baseball IQ and strong instincts. Defensively, Farrell was primarily a shortstop in high school but shows the versatility to handle every infield spot thanks to his sure hands and present athleticism. Farrell profiles as a potential impact bat with a chance to get everyday playing time for the Aztecs as the program enters a new era under Head Coach Kevin Vance and prepares for its transition to the Pac-12 in 2027.”

– Vinnie Alfino, Manager, Content & Operations

+ Devon Wilkes, 1B/DH (CSU-Bakersfield, 2025):

“Wilkes was one of the most talented hitters I've seen in nearly 20 years of evaluating players as a college coach/evaluator. Starting with my first look during his sophomore season at Pacifica HS, when he launched a massive pull-side HR off a D1 commit, it was three years of loud contact at a high rate for the LH hitter. By the time he was a senior with the Tritons, I had seen Wilkes hammer velocity, spin, soft tossing arms, LHP, and RHP, basically any type of pitcher you can envision. Wilkes crushed it. By the end of his senior season, he was generating some draft buzz as a later-round potential pick.

Now on campus with the Roadrunners at CSU-Bakersfield, the LH hitter has a chance to break into the lineup quickly and be a potential impact bat for the Big West program. His innate ability to hit and use the whole field, combined with the loud power in his bat (reaching around 110 MPH on his best bolts) with backspin and carry to all fields, could take the Big West by storm. Where he slots into the mix for Bakersfield would be either at 1B, DH, or as a late-inning bat off the bench for a key moment late in the game. All in all, the offensive profile for Wilkes is as good as I've seen in my time evaluating players, and it's that type of profile that can make noise immediately on the collegiate level.”

– Steven Hardesty, Associate Director SoCal

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Canada

+ Shane Brinham, LHP (Michigan, 2025):

“Shane Brinham is preparing for his freshman campaign at Michigan after being drafted by the Dodgers in the 20th round but failing to sign a contract. The left-hander rose to prominence at the 2023 Future Games and quickly accelerated himself into being one of the country's top arms. The BC native should see some important innings for a freshman and looks destined for a strong career in the Maize and Blue.”

– Cam Black-Araujo, Asst. Director

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Colorado

+ Connor Larkin, 1B/OF (Oklahoma, 2025):

“Larkin was named Prep Baseball Colorado HS Player of the Year in spring 2025, and is a 2023 Future Games standout. The left-handed hitter from Cherry Creek mashed for a .457 average last year with 11 homers, 10 doubles, a triple, 20 stolen bases, just an 8% K rate, and a 1.463 OPS across 110 plate appearances. We also saw the lefty mash all week long during the 2023 Future Games where he hit a home run in the first game and never looked back, racking up plenty of extra-base hits to all fields during the games. The smooth left-handed swing on Larkin has produced some easy power, which made him one of the most dangerous at-bats for opposing teams in HS. Larkin's hit tool continues to develop at a high level while his approach yields tons of overall production, and a very high ceiling for the future. The Colorado standout has a chance to make an immediate impact for the Oklahoma Sooners in 2026. ”

– Caleb Dameron, Assistant Director

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Georgia

+ John Stuetzer , SS/OF (Florida State, 2025):

“I first saw Stuetzer his sophomore year early in February at North Forsyth. He made an immediate first impressive with a barrel his first AB, but the way he exploded out of the box is what caught my eye. He was playing CF at the time so watched him move around out there and could tell he was really athletic. Had a base hit bunt single and even pitched in the game as well. He immediately got on the radar for Future Games. The more I watched the more I liked it. He was explosive, gritty and could just tell he loved playing baseball. Fast forward to the summer and he landed a spot on Team Georgia, and now as a freshman at Florida State he looks to be the top ranked freshman headed into the ACC. He also made a stop in Chicago at the Super 60 and landed one of the top 10 yard dash splits in the history of the event. If there are any football fans reading go check out his football highlights. No gloves, dynamic WR that put up video game numbers. ”

– Hudson Graham, Scouting Director

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Illinois

+ Jack Bauer , LHP (Mississippi State, 2025):

“Jack Bauer enters the 2026 spring season as the top freshman to make it to campus per D1 Baseball, and he's already garnering plenty of buzz around his electric fastball. He broke the internet last spring when he set the high school fastball record at 103 mph, and we can expect to see that fastball dominating lineups in Starkville very soon, as he's also been named Preseason Freshman of the Year. A standout at every stop in high school, Bauer progressively got better each time we saw him before he catapulted himself up draft boards senior year with his triple-digit heater, making him one of the more polarizing prep arms of recent memory.”

– Peter Hamot, Assistant Scouting Director, Illinois/Wisconsin

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Iowa

+ Cole Moore, RHP (University of Iowa, 2025):

“Cole Moore is looking to help a young and inexperienced pitching staff at the University of Iowa this 2026 season. The Hawkeyes will have a lot of new faces on the mound and Moore will be one of those guys. He is a 6'4" 220 lb freshman who has been clocked up to 93.1mph and 3 off speed pitches with above average metrics. Cole provides ride and life through the top of the zone causing issues for hitters to get on top of his ball. His simple repeatable mechanics allows him to be fluid with all his pitches and is a strike thrower with all those pitches. Cole was a participant in the Prep Baseball Iowa Spring League as well as seeing him pitch during his high school season with the Van Meter Bulldogs. During the 2025 season Moore posted 86 strikeouts in 45.2 innings with a 1.53 ERA and a 0.92 WHIP. The Hawkeyes will begin their season this weekend in Arizona against Kansas State, Air Force, and Northeastern at the MLB Desert Invitational. Cole's "stuff" will translate to the D1 level, it will be the inexperience that will be the only question mark going into the season for him. However, what he has proven over the course of his high school career he will transition into his role on the staff just fine.”

– Tyler Cropley, Scouting Director

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Michigan

+ Chad Brown, RHP (University of Cincinnati, 2025):

“Chad had one of the more consistent high school careers of anybody I have covered in my time with Prep Baseball. Chad continued to get better each time we saw him whether it be preseason event, HS season or summer circuit. Chad has a towering figure at 6-6 250 with a fastball that sits in the low 90s with good shape to the slider and made at-bats uncomfortable for many hitters he faced. We look forward to seeing him continue his baseball journey at UC as they open up this weekend at Jax State (AL).”

– Adam Goodwin, Michigan Scouting Director

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Minnesota

+ Nicholas Terhaar, RHP (Iowa, 2025):

“Terhaar was one of the more dominant Minnesota arms in the 2025 high school season. A physical presence and power arm that would consistently be upper 80s and touching low 90s paired with a above average breaking ball. A two-way standout through his prep career, Terhaar will now turn his attention to the mound. Iowa lost a good amount of innings on the mound from a season ago and Terhaar will look to compete for his spot on the staff”

– Andy Judkins, State Director

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New Hampshire

+ Brendan Horne, MINF (VCU, 2025):

“Played in the Future Games 3 years ago and showed very well. He was originally at Vanderbilt commit but with the rule changes he had to adjust to attend VCU. Showed to be a plus defender in the middle infield. Should be interesting to see how early he can adjust to college pitching”

– Dennis Healy, New England Co-Scouting Director

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New Jersey

+ Joey Erace, MIF (Rutgers University, 2025):

“Erace is a South Jersey product that the Prep Baseball New Jersey crew was fortunate enough to see many times throughout the years. While at St Augustine Prep, Erace racked up many hits, wins, and trophies behind his athleticism and grit he plays the game with. As he moves onto College ball at Rutgers, we are excited to see Erace bring that same spunk with him to the next level.”

– Nathan Goranson, Northeast Asst Scout

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Oklahoma

+ Carson Brumbaugh, INF (Arkansas, 2025):

“Brumbaugh is a winner that impacted games in a variety of ways that culminated in a 6A State Championship for Edmond Santa Fe in 2025. The right handed hitting shortstop showed the ability to drive the baseball to all parts of the yard with extra base hits showing up in a loud way. Throughout his career, our staff saw him showcase an advanced approach, driving balls through the middle of the field, but also capitalize on mistakes of elevated secondary pitches in a loud way. A freshman at the University of Arkansas, we look forward to seeing Brumbaugh impact a talented lineup with the same maturity we have seen time and time again throughout his prep career.”

– Bret Schwartz, Oklahoma Scouting Director

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Oregon

+ Andrew Mhoon, INF (LMU, 2025):

“Mhoon, the 8th ranked prospect in Oregon's 2025 class, has gained steam in recent months as he enters his freshman spring at LMU. The Sprague High School product was seen in-game where he proved to be a quality middle infielder with offensive upside. Mhoon was also seen at a Preseason ID event in 2023. Mhoon has already earned multiple preseason accolades as he heads into 2026, including being named the WCC Preseason Freshman of the Year by D1 Baseball. Prep Baseball will be monitoring Mhoon's continued upward trajectory as he begins his collegiate career.”

– Dylan Grenz, Associate Scout

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Pennsylvania

+ Evan Jones, RHP (Wake Forest, 2025):

“Jones is a very intriguing 2025 grad from Pennsylvania that can provide immediate impact on Wake Forest's bullpen. He is a 6-foot-3 right-handed pitcher that has been up to 97-98 mph. While WF is set on starting pitching, it is always valuable having a young flame thrower in the bullpen that can develop with innings and live game action. Excited to see the role that Jones develops into this year and for years to come with the Demon Deacons. ”

– Nathan Goranson, Northeast Asst Scout

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South Dakota

+ Eli Kokenge, RHP (Minnesota, 2025):

“Kokenge had one of the more lively arms we have seen out of Dakotas and specifically South Dakota in recent years. An athletic two-way player out of Harrisburg High School that is now turning his attention to the mound for the Gophers. The arm talent always stood out about Kokenge with how short, quick and athletic he was with the baseball. A two-pitch mix in high school and now added a change-up this past fall, the righty will look to battle for innings on the Gopher staff”

– Andy Judkins, State Director

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Washington

+ Mason Pike, RHP/INF (Oregon State, 2025):

“Pike, the two-time Prep Baseball Washington Player of the Year, heads to Corvallis as one of the most highly-touted freshman in the country this spring. The two-way talent put up video game numbers on the mound, posting sub-1 ERA's in each of his last two seasons and pitching deep into the 4A state playoffs for Puyallup High School. The switch hitter was also a force at the plate, hitting over .400 with power potential from both sides. The second ranked player in Washington's 2025 class was drafted in the 19th round by the Washington Nationals in last summer's MLB Draft, but he chose to forego the pro opportunity to play at one of the premier college programs in the country. Prep Baseball will be monitoring how long Pike will be able to maintain his two-way status as a player, as he boasts tremendous ability on the mound as a RHP.”

– Dylan Grenz, Associate Scout

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