Which prospect had the best power tool this spring?
July 8, 2025
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: Now that every state's spring HS season is in the books, we'll spend the next few weeks highlighting some of the best tools of the spring. Today we're looking for the 'Best Power Tool of the Spring'.
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+ Read about previously published ‘Hotlist’ topics here.
♨️ The ‘Hotlist’ (7/3):
Alabama
+ Eric Hines, OF (American Christian HS, 2025) | Alabama:
“An Alabama signee and the No. 3 overall prospect in the state’s 2025 class, Hines (6'3, 224 pounds) was a force all season long for the 5A state champion Patriots. The physical right-handed hitter posted jaw-dropping numbers at the plate, finishing the year 63-for-144 (.438) with 20 home runs, 12 doubles, a triple, 58 RBIs, and 66 runs scored. He walked 32 times, stole 25 bases, and reached base at a .557 clip while slugging .951, good for a staggering 1.508 OPS. The power tool was on full display all season long as he led the state in homeruns. ”
– David Sharp, Deep South Supervisor
Arizona
+ Ryan Harwood, OF (Casteel HS HS, 2026) | Texas A&M:
“In a key playoff setting, Ryan Harwood delivered a timely RBI single to right, setting off a run rule rally that sealed a 12-2 win for Casteel. At 6’3, 215 pounds, Harwood offers a rare blend of physicality and athleticism that immediately stands out. He generates elite bat speed from the left side, consistently producing high exit velocities and true backspin carry to all fields. The raw power is evident and plays in game, with the ball jumping off his barrel on a consistent basis. Over the past year, Harwood has made measurable strides in his approach, showing improved swing decisions and a more refined understanding of the zone. His swing mechanics have become more efficient, allowing for better timing and energy transfer through contact. A Preseason All-State selection, he also impacts the game defensively with a 94 mph arm from the outfield and the instincts to stick in a corner spot at the next level. Harwood’s ability to show up in big moments, paired with five-tool potential, makes him one of the premier 2026 prospects not only in Arizona but across the region.”
+ Tait Reynolds, OF (Queen Creek HS HS, 2026) | Clemson:
“One of the top offensive threats in Arizona’s ‘26 class, Tait continued to solidify his status with a loud playoff showing. He turned around a fastball for a no-doubt 2 run shot in the 3rd, flashing plus bat speed, advanced barrel control, and strength that produces loud, consistent contact. The Clemson commit shows a mature presence in the box with the ability to adjust to spin and drive the ball to all fields. Finished 2-3 with a walk, reinforcing his blend of power and plate discipline that profiles well at the next level.”
– Antonio Torres, Arizona Director
Canada
+ Justin Rompré, 3B (ABC Academy HS, 2025) | Iowa Western:
“Justin Rompré has put together one of loudest springs in recent memory for a Canadian and the highlight was a five HR day back in May, also blasting seven total on the weekend. The infielder was a top power producer on the Canadian Junior National Team this spring/summer and capped off his Canadian prep career with a HR on their MLB Draft League trip last month.”
– Cam Black-Araujo, Assistant Director
California
+ Masen Belding , C/1B (Del Oro HS, 2026) | LSU:
“Belding hadn’t really done much at the plate prior to his last at bat of the game. On the defensive side, he was looking very athletic behind the plate. The throwdowns in between innings were all accurate and had plenty of carry coming from behind it. Pivoting back to going 0-3 is his previous at bats, Belding had one more shot to prove and he made sure he didn’t miss that inside fastball. Probably the most important AB of the game and Belding ended up smoking a double that beat the RF, Belding slid into second base and fired up knowing his team just took the lead 6-5. It was tough for the DO offense to get some bats going early, partially because Jackson Cook was cruising for a lot of the game. The momentum eventually kept carrying, the DO offense ended up putting a seven spot on the Fighting Zebras. Hitting is contagious, so contagious in fact the Eagles batted around the whole lineup. Belding ended his day 1-4 with two RBI’s, played flawless defense controlling the running game and making sure his pitchers’ tempo was mixed up. Belding is looking to eliminate his two strikeouts he had this game, the beauty of baseball is he will be able to get 4 more at bats tomorrow against Roseville High School.”
– Hank LoForte, NorCal Director
Colorado
+ Connor Larkin, 1B (Cherry Creek HS, 2025) | Oklahoma:
“Larkin is a back-to-back 5A state champion who has been one of the top hitters within Colorado over the last few years. The 6'3'' left-handed hitting first-baseman from Cherry Creek mashed for a .457 average in 2025 with 11 homers, 10 doubles, a triple, 20 stolen bases, just an 8% K rate, and a 1.463 OPS across 110 plate appearances en route to Colorado's 2025 Player of the Year award. ”
– Caleb Dameron, Colorado Staff
Illinois
+ Enzo Infelise , C/CIF (Providence Catholic HS, 2025) | Cincinatti :
“Enzo has long been regarded as one of the premier power bats in Illinois, and he has done nothing but elevate his stock in the past years. Fresh off a loud showing at the Super 60 in the winter, Enzo dominated in the spring - hitting his way to a .516 average with 12 doubles, 12 home runs, 48 RBIs, a .913 slugging percentage and 1.524 OPS. ”
+ Jack Wheeler , 3B (Morris HS, 2025) | Illinois :
“Jack has been a cornerstone for his club every since he stepped on campus, and he capped things off with a bang in his final season - swatting 12 home runs to the tune of a .377 average and .798 slugging percentage. A three-sport standout, there's a ton of power still to come for the 6-foot-5, 205-pound right-handed hitter. ”
– Peter Hamot, Assistant Scouting Director Illinois/Wisconsin
Kansas
+ Michael Winter, RHP (Shawnee Mission East HS, 2025) | Dartmouth:
“Michael Winter has the 2nd firmest fastball we saw all spring in KS up to 95, but it is not just the velo that made it the best fastball of the year. The Dartmouth commit was able to command the fastball as well as we have seen in recent history in the Sunflower State, using it to only walk four batters in over 62 innings, while punching out 100. ”
– Andy Urban, Central Region Scouting Supervisor
Louisiana
+ Travis Adams, UTL (Sterlington HS, 2025) | Louisiana-Monroe:
“The Louisiana-Monroe recruit had a monster senior campaign for the Panthers who finished as the Division III (Non-Select) State Champions. Adams hit at a .345 clip with 14 home runs, 14 doubles, 3 triples, 47 runs batted in, and 49 runs scored.”
– Alex Armand, State Director
Massachusetts
+ Morrie Fried, 1B (Pittsfield HS, 2026) | Uncommitted:
“Plus power, 106 exit velocity with the wood at a recent ProCase. The ball jumps off the barrel. Should be scary with the aluminum bat”
– Dennis Healy, PB New England
Minnesota
+ Nick Bowron, C (Rochester Lourdes HS, 2025) | Creighton:
“Since Bowron came onto the Prep Baseball scene his power tool has always stood out. Physically matured and grown into his 6-foot-2, 210-pound frame that now posts up to 105.2 peak exit velocity with averages in the upper 90s. The future Blue Jay launched 12 home runs his senior year that was one of the states best.”
– Andy Judkins, State Director
Mississippi
+ Jacob Parker, OF (Purvis HS, 2025) | Mississippi State:
“By now everyone knows Jacob is one of the top power hitting prospects in the country. We’ve had the pleasure of watching him grow and mature and he leaves his high school career behind having connected on over 40 home runs which is almost unheard of. Now, whether it be at Mississippi State or in professional baseball, there are plenty more long balls on the way. ”
– Matt Miller, State Director
Nebraska
+ Drew Grego, SS/RHP (Bellevue West HS, 2025) | Nebraska:
Grego had a nice day at the dish too.
— Prep Baseball Iowa (@PrepBaseballIA) February 20, 2025
💥100.2 MPH#UMWProcase25 | @Drew_grego pic.twitter.com/4AaY7UmEyg
– Pascal Paul, State Director
Oklahoma
+ Ethan Holliday, SS (Stillwater HS, 2025) | Oklahoma State:
“The #1 ranked player in the country has long been one of the top prep power bats in the country and this spring was no different. Pitched around for a majority of the spring, he still put up eye-popping numbers when given the opportunity to do damage. Legitimate power to all fields, the LHH shortstop finished the season with 19 HRs and a 2.308 OPS. Faced with huge expectations each time he came to the plate, Holliday consistently surpassed them while showing patience to stay within the strike zone and punishing opposing pitchers for mistakes over the white.”
– Bret Schwarz, Oklahoma Scouting Director
Oregon
+ Sawyer Nelson, INF (South Salem HS, 2026) | Loyola Marymount:
“Nelson exploded in his junior season, tallying 13 home runs and 63 RBI while also slugging 13 doubles. The Futures Game alum was a force near the top of the order, hitting .543 and slugging over 1.000 overall. Nelson's athletic 6'0 frame provided easy power to the pull side and middle of the field. The lefty bat was a key catalyst for a South Salem side who lost just one game all season.”
– Dylan Grenz, Associate Scout
Washington
+ Xavier Neyens, INF (Mount Vernon HS, 2025) | Oregon State:
“Neyens, the top-ranked 2025 grad in Washington and ranked 7th overall nationally, posted a great senior season from a power perspective. The infielder led Washington state players with 8 home runs this spring, adding 10 other XBH's as well. The power tool of Neyens is one of the most prodigious in the country, and is seen by many scouts as his carrying tool heading into this summer's MLB Draft.”
– Dylan Grenz, Associate Scout
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