As we look back on the 2025 summer tournament circuit here in Kansas City, we’ll be breaking down the top players by tool from each class — based on evaluations from our scouting team at Homefield and Creekside. Follow along as we take a deep dive into these players and highlight the summers they put together. Each week will feature our top five players based on each tool from the class, presented in no particular order.

Top Hit Tool Class of 2027

Ryker Mahnke OF / SS / Lawrence Free State, KS / 2027 Rankings  StateRank: 5 / POS: 3 OverallRank: 402 / POS: 84

One of our top runners in the 2027 class, Mahnke also stands out as one of the Midwest’s most elite barrel-control hitters. The Mizzou commit shows impressive poise in the box with lightning-quick hands. This summer with the Royals Scout Team, Mahnke slashed .400/.505/.613 with five doubles, four triples, one home run, and just six strikeouts in 95 plate appearances.

‘27 | OF | Ryker Mahnke (Lawrence Free State)

A pair of swings from yet another multi-hit day for @RoyalsScoutTeam, including an opposite field RBI 3B.

Top of the order bat that is consistently on time and on the barrel. #Super1625@PrepBaseballKS pic.twitter.com/Kw2yTHAkJ1

— Eliott Wilk (@PB_Wilk) June 19, 2025

Follow along on X: @ljhatchpb and Instagram: @ljhatchprepbaseball as we continue breaking down the top tools from this past summer.