VA/DC Class of 2026 Spring Update: Top 50
May 21, 2025
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Today we release a late spring update to the 2026 class. This update will have the class holding at the Top 175, with the next expansion coming in late summer after our tournaments and showcase events. Below we highlight a few players that our staff had an opportunity to gather evaluations on this spring during the high school season.
While there is no change with the top three, there was some shuffling inside the Top 10 and throughout the rest of the Top 175. Today we will focus on some movement in the Top 50, as well as some players who stood out this spring.
+ Daniel Nienaber - RHP - Glen Allen- Virginia
Two summers ago Nienaber was arguably the best arm at the Procase, that time two years behind the main focal points at the event. Last spring he was dinged up, had some ups and downs, and just was not the same arm that we saw in August 2023. This spring, he has been much closer to that day, and maybe better. When our staff saw him versus Godwin at home, he was electric. He possesses a fastball that, when on, would give a college team a chance to win games now. He was low to mid 90's througout the outing, held velo, and won at bats on that pitch alone. When you factor in the potential above average changeup (very good HS pitch) and a breaking ball as a solid third pitch, Nienaber possesses some of the best stuff in this class. What is the next step? Consistency. The stuff is there, the frame is there, the operation is solid, and there is still some projection left. It is simply stringing together one quality start after another. The Virginia commit moves back into the Top 10 for the first time since our late summer update.
+ Will Hodges - RHP - Hanover- Liberty
The Liberty commit has been really strong in our few looks this spring. Low slot, low release height, and a fastball that has been mid-upper 80's during his outings. While the secondary still has room to improve, mostly when it comes to consistency, he has been able to compete and win with the fastball. He is a competitor on the mound and attacks hitters from the first pitch to the last. There is some funk to the delivery and arm actions that plays into his ability to limit opposing offenses.
+ Thomas Jewett - SS - Paul VI - Uncommitted
Currently, Jewett is the top ranked uncommitted infielder. Why does he continue to rise and standout to our staff? The Paul VI shortstop plays with a motor and is a high level defender at the high school level whose actions translate to the collegiate level. While those are two of the big reasons, Jewett also took a really significant leap in his offensive production this season. Of qualifying players on the roster, Jewett led the team in batting average (.381), doubles (10), homeruns (2), OBP (.557), SLG (.571), and OPS (1.128). While it is a compact frame, he has some present strength to that frame and moves well laterally with above average foot speed.
Game 2 of the WCAC Championship series between St. John’s and Paul VI.
— Prep Baseball Virginia/DC (@PrepBaseballVA) May 10, 2025
Plenty of ⭐️ power on both rosters, but first uncommitted player of note is ‘26 Thomas Jewett. Big spring from the slick fielding SS and watch for him making another 📈 in rankings update on May 21.… pic.twitter.com/7EG4Gf78gL
+ Nick Warner - 2B - John Champe- Wright State
Warner is an absolute spark plug for the Champe offense. He is hitting .512 on the season with ten extra base hits, including two homeruns. While he is playing second base for the Knights, he is athletic, versatile, and has the instincts to move around to a few different positions and contribute. It is not a big physical athlete with top of the scale tools, but it is a player who wins you games and will compete. In the long term, winners are the ones that have the most success at the next level, and with his track record of in game production to go along with his instinctive play, he should continue to make moves up in this class.
+ Lee Garris - OF/3B - Maury - Uncommitted
There always seems to be a player or two that "slips through the cracks", or is a late jump guy. Whichever of those two it is, Garris is this spring's eye opener. Left handed hitter with proportional strength and the ability to impact the baseball. There is some hit tool and ability to hit for average, while maintaining some power potential and has displayed some of that power this spring. As stated in the New Faces story yesterday, Garris has motor out of the box, can impact the ball at the plate, and is athletic enough to offer some versatility on the defensive side. After landing inside of the Top 50, where does it go from here? While we have gotten some looks this spring, it will be important for us on the evaluation side in the next few weeks to really close in on where we project he will land positionally, which in turn will give us the ability to project long term value and where in fact he can settle in this class. Regardless, we would anticipate things heating up very much in the recruitment world for Garris.
VIRGINIA/DC Class of 2026 Top 10
*Positions listed are primary positions listed on their profile.*
| 1 | Lawson McLeod | Trinity Episcopal | RHP | LSU |
| 2 | Aaron Dierks | West Springfield | RHP | South Carolina |
| 3 | Mandela Browman | Miller School | OF | North Carolina |
| 4 | Casey Cuddyer | Great Bridge | SS | North Carolina |
| 5 | Bryant James | Gonzaga | SS | Duke |
| 6 | Jalen German | Trinity Episcopal | RHP | Coastal Carolina |
| 7 | Drew Christine | St. John's | LHP | Tennessee |
| 8 | Daniel Nienaber | Glen Allen | RHP | Virginia |
| 9 | Brady Elrod | Hanover | OF | Virginia Tech |
| 10 | Jack Woda | Bishop O'Connell | C | East Carolina |
Click Here For The Full Release --> VA/DC 2026 Rankings: Top 50