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This rankings update takes a look at some movement as a result of fall performances in front of our staff. There were a few different ways to get in front of our staff this fall and some players took advantage of those opportunities by showing extremely well in those settings. Today we take a look at some big risers inside of this rankings update. Each player's breakdown includes notes on their specific performance and some video from those times that we saw them.

VA/DC Class of 2027: Risers

Waylon Ammons RHP / 2B / St. Annes-Belfield, VA / 2027 The strides Ammons has made over the last six months with his offensive profile are a big reason for the rise. The ability to impact the baseball has taken off, and he has become a legitimate threat to leave the yard on a consistent basis. It is minimal movement in the hands with above-average hand and bat speed. It is an easy barrel path that is looking to lift the baseball. The run tool has gotten better over time, but it still needs to improve to be able to stick up the middle. Long term there is a chance he moves to a corner position and unlocks that power potential.

Cam Arthur SS / 2B / Liberty Christian Academy, VA / 2027 Arthur has been steady in his development and has continued to improve his game. He has added strength to the athletic frame that has played a big part in his improvement. The offense has picked up being a contact bat spraying line drives to all fields. Defensively he is an above-average defender in the infield that works with good pace and fluid actions. He can impact the game because he is an above-average runner and has a chance to defend at a high level. If the offense can continue to trend up, then Arthur is going to be a real threat this spring.

Jacob Babcock SS / RHP / Godwin High, VA / 2027 Babcock went on a run unlike any other this fall, which seemed like a home run derby each time he stepped up to the plate. His ability to impact the baseball in game situations was a big step in his game. It is a whippy barrel path that can get the barrel out early for impact but keeps enough length through the zone for error. With more impact in the bat, the hit tool still remained present. The run tool will have to improve to stick up the middle, but with his instincts makes up for the foot speed. Wherever he ends up defensively, you can count on him making an impact on the offensive side, which is hard to ignore.

Mekhi Bullock SS / 2B / Dominion Sports Collective, VA / 2027 The way Bullock plays the game just gives you a sense of comfortability of knowing what he is going to bring each time out. He is a compact athlete that is able to move around to different positions in the infield and that can make the routine plays consistently. The offense has always been a steady presence as he puts quality at-bats together, but this fall he showed more impact with the bat than he has in the past. The approach still works from line to line but has shown the ability to get the barrel out early, with most of the impact coming to the pull side. The increased impact just adds to the versatility that he brings to the game.

Nicholas Gaines 2B / OF / Dominion Sports Collective, VA / 2027 This fall Gaines showed the ability to be a true table setter at the top of the lineup. He puts up scrappy at-bats, working the count and fouling off tough pitches to turn in a quality at-bat. It is a contact bat with line drive tendencies to all fields. He plays with a high motor and intensity that brings energy to the game. It is a second base profile that plays with bounce and has the foot speed to make plays on the move. He’s a player that does a little bit of everything that can show up in the box score at the end of the night.

Noah Lambrinides RHP / OF / Herndon High, VA / 2027 Herndon has another arm that is on the rise in the physical right-hander. It is a clean operation from the stretch with light effort. There is some present pitch ability with a three-pitch mix that he can land for strikes. The fastball is heavy and works in the mid-eighties. The slider is the go-to secondary that can generate some swing and miss as an out pitch. As he continues to mature, the velocity will increase, and that will just continue to help his ability to get outs.

George Minjack 3B / OF / St. Albans School, VA / 2027 There aren’t many players in this class that have a track record of hitting as long as Minjack dating back to the 2022 Junior Future Games. He continued to show the hit tool on the big stage this summer, including at the 2025 Future Games. With that hit tool, he showed some added impact for some extra bases and multiple exits of 100+. The impact was always the next step, and he was able to show that on a consistent basis. He brings an aggressive approach and a hitter mindset, looking to attack opposing hitters. He’s athletic and provides some versatility defensively, being able to bounce around the infield and go to the outfield. No matter the position, you will see his offensive impact.

Blake Mingo SS / 2B / Briar Woods High, VA / 2027 Mingo got healthy and returned to full strength this fall and looked to be taking off at the right time. He added some physicality to the frame, and the impact in the bat picked up. It is a balanced, upright setup with relaxed hands that shows some whip through the zone. The added strength picked up his offensive production which created more extra-base hits. Defensively it is above-average arm strength that gives him a chance to stick on the left side of the infield. Even with the present strength in the 6-foot-3, 190-pound frame, he has more power potential to tap into in the future.

Casey Rector SS / 2B / John S. Battle, VA / 2027 A huge statement was made at the 2025 Future Games from Rector, and he carried all that momentum into the fall. The ability to create quality contact and impact the baseball became consistent and increased his offensive production. He looks to do damage early in counts and shows the power working from gap to gap. Defensively he shows some flash and the range to make the difficult plays look easy. He is instinctive and uses his athleticism to make plays in the dirt. His arm strength and power potential give him a chance to stick on the left side. As he continues to add strength, the power potential can continue to grow.

Declan Schnabel 1B / 3B / Gonzaga College High School, VA / 2027 It was a strong fall for Schnabel as he continued to take a step forward into the power profile. It is a physical 6-foot-2, 220-pound frame that looks to damage the baseball. He delivers a heavy barrel with a loud impact that plays to all fields. While it is a power bat, there is some hit and adjustability in the approach. He can use the opposite field and hit in two strike counts. For his physical stature, he is a good athlete which gives him the ability to make some plays on the defensive side.