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 Throw Tool Class of 2027

Evan Cates OF / RHP / Olathe Northwest, KS / 2027 Rankings  StateRank: 52 / POS: 15

Evan Cates is a name that flies under the radar, but his athletic ability definitely grabs your attention. The Olathe Northwest outfielder put together a strong showing at the Kansas City Top Prospect Games at Homefield, where he ran a 6.55 60-yard dash and posted a 94 MPH outfield velocity, earning him a spot on our top throwers list.

Cates was in attendance at several of our events this past summer with US Nationals and played a key role in their success with steady, reliable defense in the outfield. As he continues to polish his game, we believe Cates has the potential to become a true impact defender at the next level.

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