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: Continuing with the playoff theme, we’re turning our attention to the MLB Postseason. Share players from your state competing in this year’s playoffs, along with any insight you have on their season, and details from their high school and/or collegiate career.

+ 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’ (10/10):

---

California

+ Brice Turang, INF (Santiago (Corona) HS, 2018):

“The current Milwaukee Brewer is doing things that many in SoCal expected him to do while he was manning the shortstop position at Santiago HS in Corona. A feared left-handed hitter in the prep ranks, Turang was taken with the 21st overall pick in the 2018 draft. And while he battled some injury issues in the minor leagues, he became a fixture in the Brewers lineup in 2023 at just 23 years old. Since his debut season Turang has continued to see his stat line fill up for the Brewers with increases in BA, HR, Runs, AVG., SLG, OPS, and RBI with career highs in each of those categories this past regular season. He also had a career high 50 stolen bases in the 2024 season. Beyond his offensive progression, the former shortstop has solidified the right side of the infield by playing a stellar second base for the Brewers setting a new career high with a 5.5 WAR this season. As we launched Prep Baseball California in 2018, Turang was always one of the top players in the class. And while we didn't produce a rankings list that inaugural year, he no doubt would've been at or near the top of the list in his class. Turang was committed to LSU and is the son of former Big Leaguer Brian Turang.”

– Les Lukach, State Director

+ Spencer Torkleson, 1B (Casa Grande HS, 2017):

“Spencer Torkelson attended Casa Granda High School out of the Petaluma area in the NorCal Region. From being a dominate force in high school, eventually going to Arizona State where he broke the homerun freshman record (25), beating the record held by Barry Bonds. Drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 1st RD in 2020, he continues to shine for at 1B for the Tigers.”

– Hank LoForte, Northern California Scouting Director

---

Florida

+ Sal Stewart, 3B/1B (Westminster Christian HS, 2022):

“Sal Stewart made his MLB Debut this season after being taken in the first comp round in 2022 by the Cincinnati Reds. Stewart was the Prep Baseball Florida Player of the Year in 2021 and made an impact this season, helping the Reds reach the postseason. In their two Wild Card Round games, Stewart went 2-for-4 with 4 RBI and a stolen base. Stewart should be a big part of the Reds' lineup in 2026.”

– Rocco Iervasi, Director of Operations

---

Illinois

+ Quinn Priester, RHP (Cary-Grove HS, 2019):

“Quinn Priester was the No. 1 prospect in the Illinois' 2019 class and was drafted 18th overall out of HS by the Pittsburgh Pirates. After mixed results in the MLB, Priester has been one of the biggest revelations in all of baseball after a trade sent him to the Milwaukee Brewers. Priester was on the mound for 19 consecutive Brewers wins in the 2025 season, which set a new franchise record for the team and tied for the third-longest streak in MLB history. Prior to this streak ending in his final start of the season, Priester had a perfect 13-0 record in that span. Entering the playoffs Priester was 13-3 with a 3.32 ERA.”

– Drew Locascio, Illinois & Wisconsin Scouting Supervisor

---

Indiana

+ Zach McKinstry, 3B (Fort Wayne North Side HS, 2014):

“McKinstry has been in a platoon role for the Tigers, seeing several starts at 3B, during the playoffs after spending his third consecutive full season in the big leagues in 2025. A Fort Wayne, Indiana native - McKinstry is yet another big leaguer that once showcased at the Prep Baseball Super 60, the #6 overall player in our 2014 class. He then went on to boast a north-of-.300 career batting average through two seasons at Central Michigan, before he was drafted in the 33rd round by the Los Angeles Dodgers.”

– Cooper Trinkle, Scouting Director

---

Iowa

+ Colin Rea, RHP (Cascade High School HS, 2008):

“Colin Rea - Chicago Cubs. Colin posted a regular season record of 11-7 for the Chicago Cubs in 2025 with a 3.95 ERA in 159.1 innings. His most recent outing was in the Divisional Round against the Milwaukee Brewers on October 6th where he came out of the bullpen to pitch 3.1 innings giving up 0 runs. Colin started his college career at the University of Northern Iowa before transferring to St. Petersburg College then finally to Indiana State University where he became a 12th round draft pick by the San Diego Padres in 2011. Colin made his MLB debut on August 11th, 2015 against the Cincinnati Reds. He has pitched for the San Diego Padres, Miami Marlins, Milwaukee Brewers and Chicago Cubs. Colin has also had a stint in the Nippon Professional Baseball League in Japan where he pitched for the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks in 2021 and 2022. Colin has a career record in the MLB of 37-27 with a 4.41 ERA with 493 strikeouts. ”

– Tyler Cropley, Assistant State Director

---

Massachusetts

+ Matt Shaw, INF (Worcester Academy HS, 2020):

“Matt plays 3rd for the Chicago Cubs. He attended a bunch of PBR events while in high school and the Future Games twice. He was a switch hitter early in hs but decided to only hit right-handed. He was an excellent prospect out of high school and had a great career at Maryland”

– Dennis Healy, Co Owner Scouting Director

+ Ben Rice, C/1B (Noble and Greenough HS, 2018):

“Ben attended Dartmouth and never attended any PBR events. He played for the Boston Prospects and blossomed as a player post high school ”

– Dennis Healy, Co Owner Scouting Director

---

Minnesota

+ Michael Busch, 1B (Simley HS, 2016):

“Michael Busch who was a 2016 grad out of Simley High School signed to play college ball at the University of North Carolina. An eventual 1st round pick, drafted 31st overall in the 2019 by the Dodgers and went on to make his MLB debut in April of 2023. An off season trade in 2024 landed him in Chicago with the Cubs and has played in over 150 games each of the last two seasons. Busch slugged 34 home runs this year, driving in 90, while hitting .261 for the Cubs in 2025.”

– Andy Judkins, State Director

---

North Caroilna

+ Gavin Williams, RHP (Cape Fear HS HS, 2017):

“Cleveland Guardians -- Williams became a stable part of the Guardian rotation this year, logging 31 starts and over 165 innings.

Williams had tremendous promise and a very high ceiling while in high school. Battling some minor injury issues, Williams missed some time during his Senior Year in high school, landing at East Carolina. Williams turned in a tremendous college career, eventually becoming a 1st round draft, 23rd overall in the 2021 draft, selected by Cleveland.

Below are some notes on one of Williams final outings of his high school career, with Prep Baseball scouts in attendance:

04.26.17 -- "For the second consecutive week, RHP Gavin Williams (Cape Fear HS, NC) dominated an opposing lineup and went seven innings without allowing a hit. Wednesday night against Jack Britt HS, NC, the East Carolina recruit allowed three walks and struck out 11. Tall and projectable at 6-foot-6, 200 pounds, Williams was 92-95 mph in the first inning and 90-92 in the second before settling into the 88-92 range. In the seventh inning with two outs, he was 90-92, touching 93, against the final batter. His curveball showed 11/5 shape with depth at 75 in the first inning, but was inconsistent the rest of the way and remains in development. He also showed a changeup in the low 80s, but he was choking the pitch. The walks came in the fifth and sixth innings when Williams’ control wavered as he was flying open with his delivery and yanking pitches to his glove side. Williams pitches with effort and with runners on, he’s very quick to the plate." ”

– Brandon Hall, Mid-Atlantic Scouting Director

---

Oklahoma

+ Cade Horton, RHP (Norman HS, 2020):

“Cade Horton - Chicago Cubs (Norman HS and OU)
Currently injured and off the NLDS roster, Horton rose to the top of the Cubs rotation as part of a 2.67 ERA in 118 Innings in 2025. The former Norman HS and OU product has been remarkable post All Star break with a sparkling .84 ERA in 53.1 IP and a 7-1 record. Hopeful to be back for the NLCS, the Cubs will need to overcome a 2-0 deficit against the division rival from up north.”

– Bret Schwartz, Oklahoma Scouting Director

+ JT Realmuto, (Carl Albert HS, 2010):

“JT Realmuto - Philadelphia Phillies (Carl Albert HS)
Realmuto has put together a storied 12-year career that includes 2 Gold Gloves and 3 Silver Sluggers. This postseason, he has a 1.125 OPS hitting in the middle of the Philadelphia lineup. Currently, LA holds a 2-0 lead in the NLDS and Realmuto assuredly will be a big part of overcoming that deficit.”

– Bret Schwartz, Oklahoma Scouting Director

---

Pennsylvania

+ Trey Yesavage, RHP (Boyertown HS, 2021):

“Trey Yesavage has been one of the hottest names in baseball as of recent. Coming off of one of the best postseasons starts in Blue Jay's history striking out 11 Yankee hitters without giving up a run. Trey was regular at Prep Baseball events coming to the 2019 Future Games and our 2020 and 2021 Northeast Procase. After a dominant high school career, he continued his reign at East Carolina University where his accolades piled up quickly. Getting drafted 20th overall in the 2024 MLB Draft. He created a lot of buzz in 2025 when he quickly rose through the farm system throughout the summer. From High-A to the big leagues where he is having one of the most dominate starts to a big league career as anyone. ”

– Nathan Ocker, Director

---

Washington

+ Blake Snell, LHP (Shorewood HS, 2011):

“Snell has been dominant on the mound for the Los Angeles Dodgers so far this postseason, representing the state of Washington for several years now. The lefty attended Shorewood High School, later attending the University of Washington before being selected in the first round of the 2011 draft by the Tampa Bay Rays. Snell has battled injuries in 2025 but has posted standout numbers when healthy, pitching to a 2.35 ERA in 61 innings across 11 starts. ”

– Dylan Grenz, Associate Scout

---

Wisconsin

+ Daulton Varsho, OF (Marshfield HS, 2014):

“Varsho, a UW-Milwaukee grad, has been one of the most productive players on the Blue Jays in 2025 – and that's despite missing more than half of the season with injury. Healthy now, Varsho excellent center field defense makes him a reliable everyday player for Toronto, but he's also in the midst of his most impactful offensive stretch of his career too. During the regular season, Varsho hit 20 homers in 71 games, slugging .548 overall, which would be 100 points higher than any other season's total. He carried that right into the postseason too, going 7-for-17 against the Yankees during the ALDS, smashing two homers in Game Two's win. The Marshfield native had a decorated college career in Milwaukee and went on to be selected 68th overall in the 2017 MLB Draft by the Diamondbacks before he helped guide the Blue Jays to the ALCS some eight years later.”

– Andy Sroka, National Managing Editor

---

RELATED CONTENT