Inside the UT Class of 2026: Rankings Risers

Kenny is coming off of a very strong Junior campaign that culminated with a CG in the State Championship game and put AF on top of 6A, again. His physical growth and maturity have been substantial, and steady over his career and with another offseason of work this Winter, we should see an even better version of Kenny in 2026. The right hander features a legit 3 pitch mix, with a FB that will likely sit upper 80s by late Spring. The SLCC Commit has a bright future and high ceiling. 
  

🥇 AMERICAN FORK is BACK on top of 6A Baseball securing their 12th State Championship in school history!! 🔥 for the Cavemen this is their 3rd title in last 5 Seasons!! (‘21,’23,’25) 🏆

AF Junior starter, Kenny Johnson, was lights. OUT. Throwing an 88 pitch, 2 run, CG. 😤 thanks… pic.twitter.com/F24jkz4WAv

— Prep Baseball Utah (@PrepBaseballUT) May 24, 2025

Jowell lands himself in the top 30 after not being ranked in the prior Fall release. Since living in the Dominican Republic for the last few years, he has moved back to Utah and will attend Layton HS. Present strength and physicality throughout his game, providing real thump in the bat from the right side and a plus runner. One of the more exciting Seniors to watch this Spring.
  

✨𝑼𝑻 𝑭𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝑻𝒐𝒑 𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒔 𝑮𝒂𝒎𝒆𝒔✨

Jowell Dasni (@jowelldasni)
2026 OF
Layton HS @PB_Uncommitted

Explosive weekend from Jowell both in the workout and the gameplay. In a loaded event full of talent, Jo stood out. Impressive physicality on display… pic.twitter.com/TRlEzFvUor

— Prep Baseball Utah (@PrepBaseballUT) November 3, 2025

Braxton burst onto the scene in early June for his club team, where he flashed a legit FB/SL combo with huge athletic upside. Sitting in the upper 80s with a wipeout secondary pitch, it was easy to see why he punched out over 100 hitters this past Spring. After a strong summer circuit, he caught the attention of Utah Tech and signed this Fall. The ceiling is high for Braxton and he stands to have another dominant season in 2026.   

Braxton Pickett
2026 RHP/UTIL
Gunnison Valley HS #Uncommitted

Braxton is coming off of a monster Junior Year for the 2A Bulldogs with TRIPLE digit Strikeouts.. 👀 103 SO 23 BB in 57 IP and showed today those numbers play at higher levels too 👊🏼 Sat 87-88 for 2 innings and… pic.twitter.com/38J5E8IcNu

— Prep Baseball Utah (@PrepBaseballUT) May 31, 2025

Jack cracked into our rankings last time around but after more digging and scouting, we realized a large jump was necessary for this impressive right hander. 2025 was a dominant season for Jack, landing him a much deserved spot on our PBR All State teams. Standing now at 6’5 with an electric arm and attack mindset, Colorado Mesa has found a future dude for their rotation. 

Alex has become one of the best athletes in the state, and with his recent commitment to play collegiate Football and Baseball for Army West Point, that statement is hard to refute. The 6’5 left hander has extreme upside on the mound with a FB touching 90, in the middle of his football season this Fall. When he gets a chance to focus his training on baseball this offseason, you could be looking at one of the most dominant arms in the state when all is said and done.  

𝓦𝓮𝓼𝓽 𝓒𝓸𝓪𝓼𝓽 𝓖𝓪𝓶𝓮𝓼

Alex Brannigan @AlexBrannigan11
2026 LHP | Park City HS@PB_Uncommitted

🚨 𝑺𝑻𝑨𝑵𝑫𝑶𝑼𝑻 𝑷𝑬𝑹𝑭𝑶𝑹𝑴𝑬𝑹 🚨

Extremely impressive display from Alex on the mound today, especially under the circumstances. Going from having 8 tackles on… pic.twitter.com/dQEajPWZVL

— Prep Baseball Utah (@PrepBaseballUT) October 5, 2025

Taygen finally got his chance to pitch at the West Coast Games this Fall, after not having the opportunity all Summer. This kid can absolutely pitch. The FB sat 85-86 in his outing, featuring a 3 pitch mix and strong sense of how to manipulate spin and change eye levels. He attacked all 4 quadrants of the zone and is an athlete on the mound with a huge Spring in front of him. Whoever lands Taygen at the next level is getting a legit arm that’s been very overlooked. 
  

𝓦𝓮𝓼𝓽 𝓒𝓸𝓪𝓼𝓽 𝓖𝓪𝓶𝓮𝓼

Taygen Stephensen@TaygStephensen
2026 RHP | Lehi HS@PB_Uncommitted

Solid outing from Taygen today showcasing a feel for 3 pitches, and an ability to manipulate spin. FB sat 85-86 moving between 2 and 4 seamers, sink/ride Combo while also… pic.twitter.com/uXzw0ZfMPh

— Prep Baseball Utah (@PrepBaseballUT) October 4, 2025

The Summer and Fall circuits went very well for Joey in 2025, making notable physical improvements and cementing himself into the recruiting cycle. He seems to be working hard in his off time because each time we see him, he's better. The West Coast Games at LMU last October really displayed his skillset and athletic upside moving into 2026. Although still looking for a next level home, Joey has shown he can play collegiate baseball and I anticipate a breakout Spring the Senior.  

𝓦𝓮𝓼𝓽 𝓒𝓸𝓪𝓼𝓽 𝓖𝓪𝓶𝓮𝓼

Joey Breza (@JoeyBreza)
2026 OF
Park City HS@PB_Uncommitted

Strong showing at the #WCG from Joey. Making noticeable improvements from previous events this summer, the athleticism and skill set are there to play at a high level. A 6.8 runner and… pic.twitter.com/QM6xO4M0N0

— Prep Baseball Utah (@PrepBaseballUT) October 22, 2025

Ryder lands inside our top 65 after not being ranked last time around. He attended our West Coast Games last October at LMU, and really showcased his skills on the mound well. From the left side, he flashed a very mature sense of mixing speeds and how to get hitters out. He utilized all quadrants well and featured one of the nastier pitches of the event, a true Splitter that he threw in any count for strikes. Very intriguing left hander that should see plenty of innings for a loaded Lehi group in 2026. 

𝓦𝓮𝓼𝓽 𝓒𝓸𝓪𝓼𝓽 𝓖𝓪𝓶𝓮𝓼

Ryder Ockey @RyderOck22
2026 LHP | Lehi HS@PB_Uncommitted

Impressive 3 pitch mix from Ryder last weekend at #WCG. FB sat 78-80 but the separator was the CH/SPL combination. The splitter was tumbling at Less than 1000rpm, producing consistent… pic.twitter.com/eJdesi3ivO

— Prep Baseball Utah (@PrepBaseballUT) October 13, 2025

Payton put together a strong Summer and Fall circuit, putting on display his right-handed power in the box with regularity. Clear, present strength and a mature gap to gap approach make Payton a dangerous hitter when you add the fact his power comes with relative ease, and he doesn’t overswing. A corner OF profile that could potentially transition to 1B at the next level, you’re looking at one of the best power hitters in 3A this upcoming season.  

Payton Cummings
2026 RHP/OF
Grantsville HS @PB_Uncommitted

Payton drives this ball to the RC wall with wood, backing up the impressive numbers from his Junior Season (7 2B, 7 HR). Intriguing swing and played the game hard all day. #BeSeen@prepbaseball pic.twitter.com/cVaIi46k0w

— Prep Baseball Utah (@PrepBaseballUT) June 9, 2025

At our Northern UT Fall ID we got our first look at Lincoln and his two way talent. From the mound he filled up the zone with quality pitches and a FB sitting low 80s, but when the athletic frame fills out you could easily see big uptick on the velo. The arm action works clean and fluid, and offensively his swing plays and should contribute heavily to a loaded Ridgeline group in 2026. Lincoln could be in store for another major jump up the rankings if he has a strong Spring that he looks capable of!

🏔️ 𝐍𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐔𝐓 𝐅𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐈𝐃 🏔️

Lincoln Jackson @LJack710
2026 RHP/SS
Ridgeline HS @PB_Uncommitted

Lincoln turned in one of the better overall workouts at our Northern UT Fall ID last week, putting up top 5 metrics in multiple categories. The 6’1 Senior displayed… pic.twitter.com/XvUci4Jz98

— Prep Baseball Utah (@PrepBaseballUT) September 18, 2025