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It has been quite some time since we have expanded our VA/DC Class of 2026 Rankings. Well wait no longer. We are moving from a Top 175 to a Top 225. In an attempt to be very thorough and detailed with our final expansion, we have waited for this update for quite some time in order to gather evaluations on potential incoming players. This class, like the 2025 class, will cap at the Top 225. The class will continue to be cleaned up every update until late next spring, but will not expand from its current Top 225 status.

In addition to the new faces, which were revealed yesterday, we have some movers that were previously inside of the rankings. Today we will take a look at some of those movers and what made them take the jump up.

To see the complete rankings update, check back on Wednesday and Thursday with our Top 50 and Top 225 releases.

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CLASS OF 2026: 10 RISERS

Matthew Belger RHP / Stone Bridge High, VA / 2026 The pitchability has always been there with Belger, but the stuff has started to tick up. The fastball has crept its way into the upper eighties, and that has played well off of the secondary stuff. The mid-seventies slider is the go-to secondary that has some sweeping shape that generates swing and miss in and out of the zone. The changeup is definitely the third pitch option but does show some promise with some late tumbling action. There is still some room to add strength in the long, wiry frame, which suggests another increase in velocity.

Logan Clark RHP / OF / Halifax County High, VA / 2026 There have been some tremendous strides that have been taken for Clark over the last year on the mound. The velocity jump has been the biggest thing that has separated him from some of the arms in the class. Our staff has seen the fastball up to 95 on multiple occasions; it usually lives in the low 90s. While the command is up and down, it has been shown to be effective when in the zone. The secondary has come along as well, and the low eighties slider has shown some swing and miss and offers as his best secondary. It is some pure arm talent, but there is still some polishing to be done, which still leaves some exciting upside.

Aiden Gallagher RHP / C / St Paul Vi Catholic High School, VA / 2026 When Gallagher steps on the mound, it is a bulldog mentality that wants to absolutely dominate opposing lineups. Gallagher had a string of dominant starts throughout the summer where he carved his way through opposing lineups. He has a four-pitch mix that he is able to throw all for strikes. The fastball can reach into the low nineties and sits in the upper eighties that he competes with in the zone. There are two different breaking balls with two distinct shapes. The curveball is shown earlier in counts and the slider is effective late in counts that get some swing and miss in and out of the zone. The changeup is used exclusively to left-handed hitters that can generate some weak contact. His competitive edge and ability to attack the strike zone with multiple pitches make him one of the toughest pitchers in the state.

Lee Garris OF / 3B / Maury High, VA / 2026 There may not have been a bigger name on the market in the state heading into the summer than Lee Garris. His breakout spring carried on into the summer, where he showed his explosive offense and loud tools that can change the game. He is a physical athlete at 6-foot-0, 192-pounds, with tools that can impact the game at any moment. He brings an aggressive approach to the plate that looks to do damage in advantage counts. When he gets to the impact, it is mostly to the pull side but has the ability to flash some impact to the opposite field. The aggressive mentality also translates on the basepaths, and he is always a threat to swipe bags. Long term his defensive profile is in the outfield, with the ability to play all three. His hitting ability and electric tools are an exciting skill set that makes him the player that he is.

Andrew Griffin OF / 2B / Great Bridge High, VA / 2026 The offense that Griffin brings is as steady as they come. He displayed that all summer, being a tough out at the plate. The biggest thing that has taken a leap for him is that impact has picked up. He shows bat-to-ball skills that works gap-to-gap in his approach, with the majority of the impact working to the pull side. He’s a wiry athlete at 5-foot-10, 168-pounds, with an above-average run tool. Defensively it is a corner outfield profile but has the athleticism to play all three. Ultimately you are buying the offense that Griffin brings that still has some upside.

Jake Gunning 1B / C / Highland School, VA / 2026 It was a strong showing for Gunning throughout the summer coming off a state title with the Highland Hawks. The power was on display in front of our staff, especially at the 2025 Prep Baseball Senior Future Games. The impact that he brings offensively shows up in the game and works to all parts of the field. To go along with the power is a combination of the hit tool as well. He does a good job of recognizing pitches and showing some adjustability in different counts. The consistency of the hit and impact has been a big part of his success this summer. It is a physical 6-foot-3, 205-pound frame that can impact a lineup and still has a chance for even more offensive production in the future.

Landon McGinn RHP / St Paul Vi Catholic High School, VA / 2026 McGinn showcased his pitchability this spring for the Paul VI Panthers, and he carried that into the spring. It is a lean 6-foot-1, 195-pound frame that works up tempo and has the ability to mix pitches. With the fastball he has the ability to work inside and out to hitters. It sits in the mid-eighties and has been up to 89. He shows feel for an upper seventies slider that shows good shape and depth as an out pitch. The changeup is the third pitch in the mix that works in the low eighties. With each look, he continues to show the dynamic movement patterns on the mound with a feel to pitch.

Markel Smith SS / 2B / Western Branch High, VA / 2026 This was a big summer for Smith as he showed some of the high offensive upside that has come in flashes in the past. It is a lean, athletic frame at 6-foot-1, 177-pounds. He is a fluid defender in the infield that has soft hands and the foot speed to be able to stay on the left side of the infield. Offensively he shows the ability to use the whole field. The impact has picked up as he has flashed some power potential. There is aggressiveness and whip to the barrel that gives him the chance for more power in the future. It is more hit over power for now, but he has the chance to have the combination to go along with the fluid actions that he brings defensively every day.

Thomas Soules 3B / SS / Centreville, VA / 2026 There has always been a track record of Soules being able to hit, and that continued to be the case this summer. To go along with the hitting ability, the ability to impact the baseball was more of a theme this summer. It is lean strength in the 6-foot-2, 197-pound frame. He keeps a simple barrel path that is short to the zone that has some slightly uphill plane. He is able to work gap to gap with the barrel path and most of the impact coming to the pull side. It is a corner profile defensively with the athleticism to move around the diamond. What he brings offensively is an impact bat that can provide value to a lineup.

Josh Weppner RHP / OF / Battlefield High School, VA / 2026 The consistency that Weppner brings to the mound is what you look for in a pitcher. When he steps on the mound, he is able to attack the strike zone with multiple pitches and make his way through the opposing lineup. The fastball works in the mid-eighties regularly with the ability to work inside and out. He shows two different breaking balls that he lands for strikes. The slider is more firm with a sharper shape that is used later in counts. The changeup has nice fading action that he is able to generate weak contact with. While his arsenal isn’t wipeout stuff, he knows when to use certain pitches to be able to make outs and work his way deep into an outing.