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The spring update is arguably the most important and most in depth update of the year. Our staff has taken in more than 240 games this season and during the course of that time, we have gathered evaluations, provided updated scout blogs, updated pitching velos, discussed players on High & Tight, and spent hundreds of hours observing and scouting thousands of players in the state of Virginia & DC. With all of that time put in, we also do a complete overhaul of the entire database of profiles within each class. With the 2027 class our staff has combed and crosschecked more than 1300 profiles in the state to try and be as thorough as possible. The full schedule for the week is as follows: Rankings Risers, New Faces, Top 50, Overall Class Update, and Case for #1. 

Today we dive into a group of Rankings Risers from the VA/DC Class of 2027. This group of players have made significant jumps and have showed extremely well this spring, displaying upside and production in game. Take a look at video and notes on a small group of players that have stood out this spring.

Bryce Arbogast LHP / OF / COLONIAL FORGE HIGH, VA / 2027 Arbogast has stepped into a frontline role for Colonial Forge this spring and has thrived. The pitchability has always been there, but the stuff has taken another jump, and that has led to more success. He is a smooth mover from the left side that has shown the ability to spin quality breaking balls. The slider and the curveball are two secondary offerings that he shows confidence in that are both used as out pitches. The fastball has made a jump as well, being up to 89 this spring and working in the mid to upper eighties. He competes in the zone with a bulldog mentality and brings a relentless mindset attacking hitters.

Mason Archer C / SS / Hayfield Secondary, VA / 2027 The offensive profile has taken a step up this spring as Archer has added some strength, and some of the impact has picked up. He still brings a gap-to-gap approach with line drives, but he has shown the ability to provide more impact to the pull side with the strength being added this spring. He has handled the catching duties this spring, but he also brings athleticism and position versatility to move to different positions. The consistency of the offense and the breakout performances have been key to his and Hayfield’s success this spring.

Seth Carter RHP / OF / PULASKI COUNTY SR. HIGH, VA / 2027 This spring Carter has shown a power surge with some in-game power. It is a strong, physical frame at 6-foot-3, 219 pounds, with five home runs on the year. He looks to lift the baseball with authority with the strength to run the ball out of the yard from gap to gap. He has drawn walks and shown some patience this spring to go along with being a run producer in the middle of the order. It is a corner defensive profile with 1B/RF, and he has the frame and future power potential to go with it.

Reid Hydock SS / RHP / Independence High, VA / 2027 This spring Hydock has done a nice job sliding over being the everyday shortstop for Independence. It is an athletic, wiry frame at 6-foot-0, 170-pounds that has some sneaky strength with room to add more. He has shown the ability to impact the baseball to the pull side with extra base hits and a few home runs on the year. Defensively he has shown fluid actions and above-average arm strength. With the foot speed and actions, it gives him a chance to stick on the left side long term. It is a good frame to dream on that gives excitement for future development.

Dani Jensen RHP / OF / Briar Woods High, VA / 2027 A big stock riser this spring due to an increase in his arsenal. The velocity has taken a significant jump this spring, being up to 91. He also displayed his usual ability to pitch with a deep arsenal. He shows feel for four pitches and mixes the arsenal well. The fastball and cutter really work well off of each other, with the cutter being the best secondary offering. It is a compact frame that moves well with some late intent. Even with being a more filled out and compact frame, he gets the most out of it and has success with knowing how to pitch and use his arsenal effectively.

Walker McElwain 1B / 3B / Bishop Denis J. Oconnell High School, VA / 2027 It was a breakout spring for McElwain as he was a consistent offensive producer for the Knights. He showed the ability to hit for average as well as for some power against quality arms this spring. He has minimal movement with a simple load that has the ability to turn the barrel and impact the gaps with impact. It is a corner defensive profile that has the future impact to go with the profile at 6-foot-2, 205-pounds. The body has cleaned up and has been able to move better and show more athleticism.

Cooper McPherson C / 3B / Glen Allen High, VA / 2027 McPherson has been an important bat in the Glen Allen lineup this spring. He is a physical presence that has provided some value to the offense. There is bat speed and plenty of strength in the 5-foot-11, 223-pound frame that can impact the baseball. Not only is there power in the bat, but he has shown the ability to handle the bat and hit for some average. While the defensive position is still to be figured out, he has some athleticism to move to different positions. The offensive potential drives the profile no matter the position he ends up at.

Wyatt Parker SS / 2B / Mechanicsville High, VA / 2027 It has been a big spring for Parker as he has made some strides in his game. Parker has begun to separate himself as one of the best defensive shortstops in the state. He is a fluid defender with athleticism to make difficult plays. While the hands are fluid, the arm strength that he has separates him from other players. He has easily above-average arm strength that doesn't take much to get to. He is able to make off-platform throws from different angles that still get enough carry on the ball. With being an above-average defender, the offense has taken another step this spring. He has picked up some impact and been more consistent with the bat. There are still more strides to be made offensively, but things are turning around quickly, giving him an intriguing all-around profile.

Brett Taylor 3B / RHP / Northside High, VA / 2027 Taylor has been consistent offensively this spring for Northside. He leads them in multiple offensive categories and has been a producer in the heart order. He is a physical athlete who provides a combination of a hit tool that flashes some impact as a switch hitter. He is comfortable with using the opposite field and can turn the barrel on pitches on the inner half. It is above-average arm strength that is shown in the infield as well as on the mound. The consistent offense this spring has been a huge factor as well as some intrigue on the mound.

Kees Yashko OF / 3B / Centreville High, VA / 2027 This spring Yashko impressed our staff in multiple looks in his first season with Centreville. He is a physical athlete that showed off the hit tool with the ability to impact the baseball for extra-base hits. There is minimal movement in the hands with a simple load that attacks the baseball with authority. He works from gap to gap with some strength that can be to the pull side as well as to the opposite gaps. He is a good athlete running baseball down in the outfield and showing some foot speed on the basepaths. The combination of the offensive potential and the athleticism that was on display this spring was well worthy of a rise. He is one of the top uncommitted position players in the state and is a name to circle this summer.