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It has been quite some time since we have expanded our VA/DC Class of 2028 Rankings. Well wait no longer. We are moving from a Top 50 to a Top 75 This class, like others, will cap at the Top 225. While updates happen four times a year, we will gradually add clusters of players twice a year until we reach that 225 player cap. While there is another late fall update, we will not expand from this 75 player total until late winter.

With the expansion comes a lengthy list of new additions to the ranked class. Some moving into the Top 50, and a significant amount of the additions slotting themselves inside of the Top 50. Today we are going to highlight five of the risers that are moving up in the ranks.

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CLASS OF 2028: 5 Risers

Brody Beasley SS / RHP / Atlantic Shores, VA / 2028 It was a strong summer for Beasley as he put on a consistent display of offense. He is a wiry athlete at 6-foot-3, 182-pounds, with lean strength and room to add more. Offensively, he works gap to gap which flashes some power to the pull side at times. It is a slightly uphill barrel path that has shown the ability to lift the baseball with some impact. Defensively it is average arm strength, but he has fluid actions and the instincts to make plays on the run look easy. The offense has caught up with the glove and continues to head in the right direction heading into the fall.

Ethan Foster 2B / SS / Wise Central, VA / 2028 Foster possesses one of the best hit tools in the class, and he showed that in multiple settings against quality arms this summer. It is a short stroke from the left side that sprays line drives to all fields. He is aggressive early in counts and is consistent with being on the barrel. It has more line drive tendencies in the swing but shows some strength to the pull side. It is an offensive-first profile, but he is fundamentally sound as an infielder. The consistency and aggressiveness of the offense against quality arms this summer really stood out.

Ryan Gaines RHP / OF / Highland School, VA / 2028 Our staff had seen Gaines throw a few innings on the varsity level this spring, but the stuff took another step during the summer. It is a long, wiry frame at 6-foot-4, 175- pounds that throws with normal effort and generates easy arm speed. The fastball has reached up to 88 but works in the mid-eighties. He has shown the ability to land two different breaking balls for strikes. There is plenty of room to add strength that creates some exciting upside for the future.

Matteo Pipia 3B / RHP / Gonzaga College High School, VA / 2028 Pipia burst onto the scene this spring, playing valuable innings in the WCAC for Gonzaga. He has shown his high-end ability to defend in the infield at the hot corner. He has fluid actions in the hands, with plenty of arm strength to stay on the left side of the infield. He makes high-IQ plays with the ability to make plays on the run. Offensively, he has shown the ability to turn the barrel and flash some impact to the pull side. There is still more room for the offense to continue to grow, but you can count on him being a valuable defensive piece in the infield.

Brody Snelson OF / RHP / New Bridge Academy, VA / 2028 It was a breakout summer for Snelson as he showed some intriguing tools in his two-way display. He showcased his arm talent with running the fastball up to 90, but the velocity has fluctuated at times but settles in the mid-eighties. There is still some developing feel for the secondary pitches, but there is no denying the pure arm talent. He also showed some intrigue at the plate, showing the ability to hit the baseball with some impact to the pull side. He is an above-average runner with the arm strength to play a corner outfield position. With some potential polishing up to do, there is some exciting upside for the future.