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This VA/DC Class of 2028 is interesting, mostly in the fact that nobody has really put their foot down as the absolute, no doubt #1 player in the class. While the 2027 class has four players that have sort of separated themselves from others, this 2028 class has a much deeper mix, which could be a good thing long term. For the present, there are certainly some highs and lows to each player's profile. Some have shown more polish and present ability, while others may offer a lower floor, but higher ceiling. Instead of taking a deep dive into just a few players like the 2027 class, we are going to dive into the Top 10 players from this 2028 class. 

*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 2028: The Case For #1

Josh Gunning 3B / RHP / Battlefield, VA / 2028 Probably one of the higher floor players of this group. Gunning is a producer. More compact frame, average athlete, RHH, and probably more 2B/3B long term. While he does have some things working "against him", the fact that he hits in game, better than anticipated in game impact, consistent defender, and some of the best pitchability/strike throwing in this class, it leans to a higher floor and slightly lower ceiling than some others. Gunning was slowed a little early on this spring positionally and on the mound, but basically as soon as he came back, he impacted the Battlefield roster in a big way. It is not a super flashy profile with loud tools, but a player that is going to produce and help you win baseball games. There are some higher ceiling type players behind him that have some louder tools, but until they close the gap between the floor and ceiling, Gunning is where we think he should be.

Tyler Caperton SS / RHP / Eastern View High, VA / 2028 Arguably the best athlete in this class. Well above average athlete, twitch, and plays the game with aggression. Chance to stay in the middle of the field, switch hitter, and aggressive and instinctive on the bases. While the defense can use a little more simplicity and consistency at times, he can make the hard play look easy at times. Makes throws off platform, lateral range, changes arm slots, and has future average to slightly above arm strength. The bat is more contact right now and could use more impact to elevate the profile, but there are some hitter instincts there to pair with the athleticism. While the ceiling and potential position could hold more value than Gunning's future potential, the biggest difference is the ability for the offense to show up consistently.

Braiden Miller 3B / RHP / Woodgrove High, VA / 2028 New face to the 2028 class, Miller was the top ranked 2029 and now moves into the #3 spot. For the 2029 class, just so much more polished and physical than most all other players in that class. Functional movements for his size and age. Goes from a 2029 that is a touch older in the class, to a 2028 that is on the younger side. What keeps him near the top of this class? The combination of hit and power potential are certainly intriguing. He is an adequate defender at third, but with the size and footspeed, you are probably looking more first base long term as far as positions go. On the mound there is some polish and pitch that was well above average for a '29 and still in a good spot in the '28 class. Upper 80's arm with feel for multiple secondary pitches. While it is a large to XL frame. there are still young features that have some maturing to do, offering the potential for more growth in some of his game. Think the biggest questions are will he hit for power enough to be a RHH 1B, or will the arm take over the profile, and if so, does the overall stuff continue to tick up?

Tyler Howard RHP / Spotswood High, VA / 2028 Most pitchability, repeatability in the delivery, clean arm, strike thrower, young features, extremely extremely young age for the class, and one of the better secondary pitches in this class. All of those positives, and you are probably asking why he is at #4 and not #1? Right handed arms do not possess a ton of value if you are talking about from a scouting perspective. In addition to that, while the changeup is really good and the feel to pitch is the best in this class, the stuff is not overwhelming. We believe some of it is simply him choosing to stay within himself and pitch, as opposed to just throwing. There are arms in this class that are 4-6 mph firmer than he is, and he simply cannot find barrels in the mid 80's, while others are low 90's and cannot miss a barrel. The spin will need to continue to develop consistent shape and turn it into an above average high school pitch. Outside of the velo, the changeup shape and action makes it a legitimate next level pitch. Can play more like a diving splitter at times. The overall feel to pitch, ceiling to the physical traits that will continue to mature, and just sheer ability to get outs will draw plenty of attention.

Ryan Bahr 3B / RHP / St Paul Vi Catholic High School, VA / 2028 Large framed multi-sport athlete. Listed at 6-foot-5 and 205-pounds, Bahr has some of the best combo of hit and present/future power in this group. It is a heavy barrel, he gets to the power with ease, and his athleticism at his size is a rare combination of traits. Plays third base and has average to slightly above arm strength, but may be more corner outfield or first base with the frame. Not a pure footspeed type of athlete, but again, a very functional athlete for the size. Quiet competitor and looks to have a low pulse type of makeup to his game. Fairly easy arm strength on the mound, but more athlete on the mound than true pitch. Buy the offense. It is loud, heavy barrel, and has shown carry from backside gap to the pullside line. Showed well last season as a freshman, but has really taken off in the last few months. Because of the time spent on the basketball court and being more of a part time baseball player, as opposed to some others playing 10 months, Bahr's best days very well may be in front of him.

Jack Guerin SS / RHP / St. Alban's, VA / 2028 Guerin may have had the most impressive spring on the mound, especially considering some of the competition he faced. Just over 40 innings, .67 ERA, sub-1.00 WHIP, and nearly a 6:1 K/BB ratio. Average athlete, decent mover on the mound, repeats well, and competes in the zone. Certainly has some ceiling left, but also has some polish to the overall profile. Throws three secondary pitches for strikes, can get into the low 90's, misses barrels, and has some starter profile. While someone like Howard may have the edge in ceiling, Guerin holds the floor when it comes to those two top right handers. Some of the best combination of pitch and stuff in this class makes him a must see this summer.

Ryan Waddell SS / RHP / Western Branch High, VA / 2028 Ultra competitor, high energy, and attacking demeanor. When we saw him this spring he worked from a low slot and kept his fastball in the upper 80's with some ride. The slider is more sweeper and has some lift. The slider is a touch softer in velo, but quality shape, misses bats in the zone, and has shown the ability to expand the zone. Right now, with the intent and overall feel, it looks more reliever, but he has shown the ability to maintain velo deeper into outings, and has the makings of a legitimate second pitch. With where the intent, and some of the usage rate has been this spring, how much ceiling is left? He is really young, but will the body and arm continue to hold up and still make steps forward.

Ryan Gaines RHP / OF / Highland School, VA / 2028 Some of the best arm strength in this group of pitchers. Has been into the low 90's and does not take much to get there. Has shown feel for two secondary pitches, while he can throw the breaking ball for strikes on a fairly consistent basis. Upside lies in the frame, at a listed 6-foot-5, as well as in the pure arm strength. He is able to get to the velo with fairly normal effort and has a respectable breaking ball, that while it has shown some variance in the velocity range, he has been fairly consistent with the feel. Two areas pop up in the evaluation on our end. Gaines is a bit older, so how much projection is left, more so in terms of the stuff, as opposed to the frame. Can he add a quality third pitch? The third pitch would be huge for Gaines, as he has shown a tendency to find bats at times with the fastball. Between he and Howard, he may have the best frame and physical traits of any arm in this class.

Trent O'Malley OF / RHP / Langley High, VA / 2028 Cannot take away much from the spring that would change the overall thought process of where O'Malley is heading into the summer. Was dinged up this spring, so more so looking at what we saw last fall and summer. While O'Malley is on the younger side in terms of actual age, there is some maturity to the frame and is a touch filled out with his physical traits. Reliever profile with an attacking style on the mound. At the plate there is some hit, but probably more power over hit. Has shown the ability to impact the ball in game and has done it without sacrificing a ton of the hit. O'Malley has gotten into the low 90's on the mound and is mostly a two pitch mix. Interested to see when he is back on the field and see how some of those power traits have progressed. Looking at overall profile from the last time we saw him, more RF/1B for the position and more reliever on the mound.

Elijah Archer OF / 1B / Highland Springs High, VA / 2028 Maybe the widest gap between the floor and ceiling for any profiled player in the Top 10, while also holding the highest offensive ceiling for any hitter in this group. Legitimate raw power, has some bat to ball and hand eye abilities, while also being a slightly above average runner for the frame. Archer's hand and bat speed, paired with his raw strength, allow him the opportunity to mishit balls for extra bases. The biggest takeway for this impactful LHH is the need for him to see top end arms on a more consistent basis. There are some swing decision and pitch selection questions, as well as where he will project positionally long term. Right now, we lean more first base/left field, and was in some defensive spots this spring that did not necessarily help prepare him for his long term positional opportunities. The raw talent needs to be polished and there should be some development focus to close that gap in the floor and ceiling, but the offensive upside is as high or higher than any hitter in this 2028 class.