Which 2026 Draft Prospect Are You Most Excited to See This Year?
January 5, 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: Looking ahead to the 2026 MLB Draft, we’re putting together a New Year’s Resolution Hotlist. Please submit a 2026 draft-eligible prospect (or a few) from your state whose spring you’re most looking forward to following. Include the “resolution” you’re tracking this year whether it’s a tool taking a step forward, a jump in performance, or a specific aspect of their game that could meaningfully impact their draft stock.
+ 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.
♨️ The ‘Hotlist’ (1/5):
Alabama
+ Will Adams, OF/LHP (Hoover HS, 2026) | LSU:
“Adams continues to show high end two-way impact, consistently influencing the game both offensively and on the mound. The LSU recruit features a mature presence in the batter’s box, displaying advanced strike zone awareness and rarely expanding beyond the zone. He’s comfortable attacking early or working deep counts, pairing present bat speed with the ability to drive the baseball to both gaps from a slightly uphill path, making him a consistent challenge for opposing arms.
On the mound, the left-hander flashes electric stuff from a clean, easy delivery. The fastball sits 88–91 mph and reaches 92, with command to both sides of the plate. He complements it with a sharp, late-breaking curveball (1/7 shape) in the 76–78 mph range that consistently disrupts timing. The arm talent stands out, and when combined with his offensive upside, Adams profiles as a premier two-way prospect to follow closely this spring.”
+ Jaxson Wood, SS (Hoover HS, 2026) | Tennessee:
“Wood has continued to cement himself as one of the top prospects in Alabama’s 2026 class, with sustained performance over time backing up the reputation. The Tennessee commit consistently finds the barrel, highlighting an advanced offensive profile. His bat speed is a true separator, having produced exit velocities north of 100 mph at previous events and he pairs it with pull-side juice from an uphill path for consistent in-game production.
On the defensive side, Wood handles the routine play with ease while also flashing premium arm strength from the left side of the infield. Wood is ultra-competitive and shows plenty of future projection on the diamond. One of the most complete shortstops in the state, he continues to impact the game in both phases and appears primed for a huge senior campaign with the Bucs.”
– David Sharp, Deep South Supervisor
California
+ Anthony Murphy, CF/RHP (Corona HS, 2026) | LSU:
“Murphy has been a starter in CF for Corona since his freshman year and has led the team in hitting (avg.) each of the last three years. Few outfielders, if any, in the Golden State have shown the combination of range, athleticism, arm strength, and effort that we've seen from Murphy the last three years. This summer he added the potential of him on the mound as he threw a number of innings in relief throughout the summer including with the 18U National Team that won a gold medal. With the 2026 season less than two months away, Muphy has positioned himself as one of the top MLB Draft prospects in the state, but with that comes some questions. Despite leading the team in average, there are questions about the swing-and-miss, which, to his credit, he has cut down on in a major way. However, the thing that I'm most looking forward to is his development on the mound where it has a chance to be a very good closer given his loose, athletic delivery and his ability to consistently throw strikes despite not really being a pitcher. This spring will go a long way in dictating where Murphy will be playing in the summer, whether an assigned collegiate league or pro ball. ”
– Les Lukach, State Scouting Director
Canada (British Columbia)
+ Sean Duncan, LHP (Langley Blaze HS, 2026) | Vanderbilt:
Outline1.png)
“Sean Duncan's stuff ticked up throughout the course of 2025 which elevated him into the conversation of a Top 50 prospect heading into the 2026 draft. What we're tracking this spring from the BC native is his overall performance, tracking his odds of becoming the first Canadian first-rounder since Bo Naylor in 2019. To go further, we will also be tracking if he will become the earlier British Columbia native drafted since James Paxton in 2009 (37th overall).”
– Cam Black-Araujo, Assistant Director
Illinois
+ TJ McQuillan , CIF (Mount Carmel HS, 2026) | Wake Forest :
“McQuillan has been one of the top bats in the Midwest for some time now, and we're eager to see what 2026 has in store for him. The hit tool has always been premium with McQuillan, pairing maturity with bat-to-ball and advanced power to all fields. Limited by injury the last two seasons, we want to see what he can do with a full season under his belt - and if he dominates like we think he can, his draft stock should only continue to rise. ”
– Peter Hamot, Assistant Scouting Director Illinois/Wisconsin
Indiana
+ Sean Dunlap, C (Crown Point HS, 2026) | Tennessee:
“Dunlap is the most intriguing Hoosier state native heading into the spring for this year's draft. While already a big name, a 2x Prep Baseball All-American currently regarded as a top 25 prospect in the country, his stock is still largely dependent on how he shows this spring still. He performed well on the fall circuit after showing glimpses of his ceiling throughout the summer, but there were some inconsistent moments that leave question marks heading into the spring. The being said, the young-for-class prospect has done nothing but elevate himself as an athlete and from a tool perspective since his sophomore season, and another jump in terms of tools could put him in a "rare air" amongst high school prospects in the 2026 class. If Dunlap continues to trend the way he has as an athlete, and mitigates swing-and-miss questions this spring, he could easily continue to climb boards prior to the 2026 draft. ”
– Cooper Trinkle, Scouting Director
Iowa
+ Tucker Long, RHP/SS (Ottumwa HS, 2026) | Mississippi:
“Tucker Long's resolution is to continue refining his dominant RHP profile. This spring, the focus will be on his ability to handle himself overall and potentially take another jump in velocity with command to solidify his draft-eligible status. His athletic, loose arm action mixed with the effortless delivery is something scouts will circle on their page. Tucker will be a participant in this years Prep Baseball Super 60 to show off his improvements this off-season. ”
+ Brandon Bea, OF/RHP (Davenport North HS, 2026) | Kirkwood Community College:
“Brandon Bea is one of the top athletes in the class, boasting a 6.60 60-yard dash, 92 OF velocity, and exit velocity of 102.9mph. The resolution for this spring is to see him consistently use that elite speed to impact the game, both on the bases and covering ground in the outfield. While showing more consistent pop in the box to show scouts he can play at the highest level. He will be a participant in the Upper Midwest ProCase at the end of February to show off his improvements the past few months. ”
– Tyler Cropley, Scouting Director
Louisiana
+ Hayes Holton , RHP (Loranger HS, 2026) | Texas:
“The former Future Gamer is, without question, the premier pitching prospect in Louisiana’s 2026 class. The University of Texas recruit owns a lean, wiry 6-foot-3, 195-pound frame with an ultra-quick arm that produces fastballs up to 97 mph. He complements the heater with a low-80s slider and a spin-killing split-change that shows late tumble. If Holton can prove this spring that he can consistently hold his velocity and command the zone with his full arsenal, his draft stock has a chance to take a significant jump.”
– Alex Armand, State Director
Massachusetts
+ Brody Bumila, LHP (Bishop Feehan HS, 2026) | Texas:
“Brody is set to return from injury. The stuff is real, up to 96 out of a 6-foot-8 frame. He shows the ability to throw strikes and repeat his delivery. Sky is the limit for this young man.”
– Dennis Healy, New England
Nebraska
+ Brody Jindra, SS/RHP (Elkhorn South HS, 2026) | nebraska:
“The reigning Nebraska player of the year will look to repeat in 2026. Expect his velo to tick up to consistently in the low/mid 90s on the mound this spring with a very good three pitch mix that gives hitter all kinds of trouble. Offensively he is returns as the best in the state of Nebraska after a .419/.565/.731/1.296 2025 campaign. An increase in his power output in 2026 would see the two way talent Draft status rise into the summer!”
+ Colin Driffill, RHP (Millard North HS, 2026) | Kansas State:
“After a big end of the Summer and Fall. Colin saw his fastball make some noise with mid to upper 90s in game Velocity. Colin will enter the 2026 season with the most loud stuff of anyone in the state with a plus breaking ball to go along with his high velo. Consistency will be key for Driffill and if the Summer/Fall were any indication of whats to come, we are poised for a monster 2026 from the Hard throwing KState Commit”
– Pascal Paul, State Director
New Jersey
+ Sean Loggie, LHP (Christian Brothers Academy HS, 2026) | UVA:
“Loggie is a draft‑eligible New Jersey product with the makings of a highly intriguing prospect. The 6-foot-6, 190-pound right-hander offers a massive ceiling, and this summer Shooter Hunt saw him run the fastball up to 94 mph while sitting comfortably at 91–93. The frame, projection, and present velocity all fit the mold of a legitimate draft follow. The New Year's Resolution for Loggie is refining consistent command of his three-pitch mix; improved strike‑throwing could push Loggie up evaluators’ boards in a hurry.”
– Nathan Goranson, Northeast Asst Scout
Oregon
+ Sawyer Nelson, INF (South Salem HS, 2026) | LMU:
“Nelson put together one of the best 2025's of any player in the state, exploding offensively at nearly every opportunity. The South Salem infielder put up massive numbers in the spring, followed by an MVP performance at PNW Scout Games over the summer. Nelson earned an invite to the prestigious Prep Baseball Super 60 event this February, where he will have a chance to elevate his draft stock even further. If Nelson can continue to show out with the bat, he could generate real buzz as an under the radar draft prospect heading into the summer.”
– Dylan Grenz, Associate Scout
Pennsylvania
+ Luke Williams, SS (Franklin Regional HS, 2026) | Vanderbilt:
“Williams is a dynamic athlete who jumps off the page metrically. The 5-foot-11, 180-pound shortstop has produced a 105 mph exit velocity, 96 mph arm strength across the infield, and 98 mph from the outfield — loud, undeniable indicators of his raw tools. This Year's Resolution is more consistent in‑game hit tool performance, particularly against higher‑end arms. With pro‑level athleticism already in place, the development of his hit tool and continued refinement of his barrel accuracy will ultimately dictate how high he climbs on draft boards.”
– Nathan Goranson, Northeast Asst Scout
Tennessee
+ Bo Holloway, LHP (CPA HS, 2026) | Vanderbilt:
“There is no shortage of talent with Holloway, coming in at 6 foot 5 with a lean and athletic frame in the 205-210 pound range. Holloway has one of the easiest fastballs in the entire class, but needs to take the next step forward with overall command, consistency and secondary offering showings in his arsenal. The biggest step for him will be the overall command of a game when he toes the rubber. If he is able to show consistent control in the strike-zone, look for his draft stock to rise considerably into the summer. ”
– Hunter Martin, State Director
Washington
+ Eli Herst, RHP (Seattle Academy HS, 2026) | Vanderbilt:
“The top-ranked senior in the state and two-time Prep Baseball All-American Game attendee, Herst will have plenty of eyes on him as he enters his senior spring. The lean 6'5 arm has already showcased a fastball into the low-90's with a potential plus changeup. Prep Baseball will be watching to see how the breaking ball develops as Herst's potential next step. The breaker currently sits in between a slider and curveball shape, spinning at 2500 RPM in the mid to upper 70's. If Herst can lock in the breaking ball shape more consistently and potentially add more velocity to the pitch, he may gain more MLB Draft traction and be swayed away from his Vanderbilt commitment.”
– Dylan Grenz, Associate Scout
Wisconsin
+ Dominic Santarelli, 1B/OF (St. Joseph HS, 2026) | Louisiana State:
“Huge power potential and the feel for the barrel is advanced beyond his years. One of the top power-hitting lefties in the class and can vault himself even higher on draft boards with polished swing-decisions and bat-to-ball skills against velo and quality spin this year giving scouts and decision makers more confidence in the overall hit tool.”
+ Jace Mataczynski, SS (Hudson HS, 2026) | Auburn:
“The glove is the calling card, a potential plus defender with a huge arm that can stick on the left-side long term. As a prospect that burst on to the scene this spring for our staff, and nationally over the summer/fall the lack of history and track record will mean the in-game performances this spring will be evaluated heavily, especially at the plate. ”
– Josh Fields, WIAA Connoisseur