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This VA/DC Class of 2027 has been perplexing at times, with highs and lows, and plenty of question marks as to who should be in that top overall spot. The four players below are on a tier by themselves and each of them has their own Case For #1. After weighing individual grades on our internal model, compiling video and data from spring evaluations, and comparing their present and future value, we had to make a decision as to who should be in that top spot. While we did ultimately land on Teagan Leach as the top overall player in this group, the story today takes a look at some reasons that each of these invididuals have made their case for that spot.

*Please note, that some of the tools and grading for these players are done more on the college and pro scale, as opposed to a high school scale. Saying average is not a bad thing in terms of that grading and outlook, most all of the tools and abilities that these four possess are well above average tools for high school, but we do not grade on a high school scale.* 

VA/DC Class of 2027: The Case For #1

Teagan Leach 1B / LHP / Battlefield High, VA / 2027 Leach is somewhat far and away the best offensive producer in this group. Bat to ball skills, mix of hit and power, and can get to his power with minimal effort. The defensive profile and position value were the biggest holdups on making this move, but the offensive production is just hard to walk away from. While we are not saying that the Virginia Tech commit is Bryce Eldridge by any stretch, it was not long ago that the top overall player in the class was also a power hitting first baseman. Leach does not chase the power during his at bats and it is power that works line to line. For his size and frame, he is an average to maybe slightly above athlete and he is an average defender at first. While there is certainly an argument to be had about the top spot going to a first baseman, it is an offensive game and he is the best producing and most impactful offensive piece in this class.

Nico Moritz-Toledo OF / 1B / Battlefield High, VA / 2027 Moritz-Toledo joins fellow Virginia Tech commit and high school teammate, Teagan Leach, in this discussion. The centerfielder has the highest scaled tool of this group, the run tool. Moritz-Toledo's run tool is near top of the scale, regularly turning out 60's in the 6.2-6.3 range and the ability for sub 4.0 home-first times and turns at first base in the low 4.0's. Obviously has the footspeed and range to cover ground in center and stay in center long term. The arm is below average, but because of the high end ability to run, it does not play a big of a factor into the overall value. The offense has continuosuly improved, but still lacks consistent quality contact. Because of the run, we do not think it is a situation where he needs to chase power or extra bases, but the higher the level some of that quality of contact will certainly change his rate of reaching base. Moritz-Toledo spent the last six months at the top overall spot before now moving back to #2 behind Leach.

Sam Szefc RHP / SS / Blacksburg High, VA / 2027 Szefc adds another Virginia Tech commit to this list of top spot hopefuls. He has had arguably the best spring of any of these four players and one of the best overall springs of any player in the state. While we detailed some of the metrics he has posted this season (2026) in the spring rankings update, we want to focus more on the set of tools and where his profile lies today and where there is room to add in the future. Szefc is one of those guys that does everything well, but does not have any one tool that is well above average. Hit tool, has flashed some power, controls the zone as well as anyone in this group, and has an average to slightly above average run tool. His bat to ball skills and ability to control the strike zone are as good as anyone in this group, and mirror older brother John Michael Szefc. Defensively, Szefc profiles more 2B/3B, but is certainly a capable defender at short. It is offense first and while he is the best defender of these three positional players, it is not an elite defensive skillset. While the Blacksburg HS product is a good high school arm, the positional value and what he brings to the table at the plate carry some of the future projection. On the mound he works usually in the 87-90 mph range, throws multiple pitches for strikes, low pulse, and pitches. It is pitch over stuff and while he could certainly factor into some innings at the next level, especially with roster limitations, his biggest impact lies at the plate. What keeps him out of the top overall spot? The lack of high end tool that would be a true carrying tool stands out as maybe the biggest factor in that decision. This is a clear case of as time continues to progress, and as the present and projection scale flips, Szefc could move up.

Cole Cinnamond LHP / 1B / Great Bridge High, VA / 2027 Of the four players in this conversation, the Clemson commit may have the highest overall ceiling (probably between Cinnamond and Moritz-Toledo). While there is certainly a high ceiling, the left hander may have the widest gap between the floor and ceiling. Generally a 88-91/92 mph fastball (has been up to 93-94) from a 6'4" left hander turns plenty of heads, and if you have paid attention to his progression, Cinnamond has shown some improved feel for spin and has showed a changeup at times. The breaking ball has shown as a slightly above average HS pitch at times, but isn't consistent enough (from what we have seen) to say it is a college ready second pitch. The changeup has also shown well at times, but its present state is similar to the slider. Grading these secondary pitches alone, on a long term scale they are a below average pitch, but certainly have average future potential. Overall, Cinnamond's physical traits, paired with being a left hander and having the arm strength he does puts him as a prime candidate for the top spot in the state, as well as one the premier left handers in the country. For us, the consistency of the outings, pitchability, and the gradual progression of the stuff are the things that will get him there.