VA/DC Class of 2028 Rankings: Top 50

June 4, 2026
Staff
Prep Baseball Virginia/DC

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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 2028 class, our staff has combed and crosschecked more than 1200 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.

2028 Rankings Stories:

Rankings Risers
New Faces
Top 50 Rankings

Today we look at the Top 50 from the VA/DC Class of 2028. In this update we give a little insight into what we have seen from players inside the Top 10. We have included updated video and notes from the spring evaluation period. You can also see the entire Top 50 release, as well as Rankings Risers and New Faces that have entered the rankings during this update.

Class of 2028 Top 10

*Players are listed in alphabetical order.*

1.	Player	Class	Pos.	School
	Josh Gunning	2028	3B/RHP	Battlefield HS
	+ Click here for notes & video Maybe the highest floor of any of the positional players in this group. Has the most in game production and most consistent offensive impact at the plate. For us, more 2B/3B defensive profile, with the chance to be an arm as well. Was slowed early this spring and didn't get into game action until about a month in, but has not really missed a beat since being back. Bat to ball skills and capable defender at multiple positions.

2.	Player	Class	Pos.	School
	Tyler Caperton	2028	SS	Eastern View HS
	+ Click here for notes & video Arguably the best athlete of the group. Switch hitter, above average runner, and most importantly he has the best chance of these positional players to play either middle spot. The impact on the baseball and consistency of quality contact will need to continue to improve, but due to his athleticism and LHH, the ceiling is probably the highest of any of the positional players.

3.	Player	Class	Pos.	School
	Braiden Miller	2028	3B/RHP	Woodgrove HS
	+ Click here for notes & video Classed up from the 2029 class, Miller is a physical corner infielder that, for his frame and physical makeup, is a pretty solid mover in the box and on the mound. Probably more first base than third base long term, but more than capable defender at third for high school. Upper 80's arm with average to slightly above secondary offerings for a sophomore. Was a touch old in the freshman class and now moves to one of the youngest sophomores in the group.

4.	Player	Class	Pos.	School
	Tyler Howard	2028	RHP	Spotswood HS
	+ Click here for notes & video Extremely young for the class, best pitchability of this group, some of the best control/command, and maybe the best secondary pitch of any of these arms. The overall stuff is light, but there is so much ceiling left. Good mover on the mound, arm works, and has a lot of room to add strength. Because of the fastball velo, you could say a little lower floor, but sometimes it seems like he is pitching in the mid 80's just to keep something in the tank. There is more there, and along with the ability to pitch, that is what we are betting on.

5.	Player	Class	Pos.	School
	Ryan Bahr	2028	3B	Paul VI
	+ Click here for notes & video Has quickly emerged as one of the best offensive pieces in this class. Two sport star at PVI (also a starter on the #1 ranked basketball team). Just a heavy barrel and even on some swings that don't sound or look like hard contact, he produces it anyway. Positional value long term is still TBD in terms of where he will settle, but you buy the offense and the athlete will figure out the position. Also and upper 80's arm that can get into the 90-91 range on the mound.

6.	Player	Class	Pos.	School
	Jack Guerin	2028	RHP	St. Alban's
	+ Click here for notes & video We saw Guerin this winter and early this spring. It business as usual. Athletic makeup, full arm circle, quality secondary offerings, and the ability to pitch. When we saw him it was mostly in the 87-89 range with some 90's mixed in, and from the sounds of it, he made a little jump late spring. Not a big physical arm, but with the secondary and his ability to pitch, there is some starter profile.

7.	Player	Class	Pos.	School
	Ryan Waddell	2028	RHP	Western Branch HS
	+ Click here for notes & video Huge compete on the mound. Maybe the most fun arm to watch in this group. While fun does not add value, his ability to win in the zone certainly does. Upper 80's and will touch a 90, mid 70's slider/sweeper, and the ability to land both. Both pitches get swing and miss in the zone and paired with his compete and intensity, that gives him as high of a floor as any arm in this group.

8.	Player	Class	Pos.	School
	Ryan Gaines	2028	RHP	Highland School
	+ Click here for notes & video Listed at 6-foot-5 and 180-pounds, Gaines has a longer lean frame with room to fill. Pretty normal effort delivery with above average arm speed. Upper 80's fastball that will get into the low 90's at times and a mid 70's breaking ball. Able to manipulate shape on a breaking ball that will show more get over early in counts and can add a little velo to tighten it up for more finish late. Will show a changeup, but is more FB/SLV on a regular basis.

9.	Player	Class	Pos.	School
	Trent O'Malley	2028	RHP/OF	Langley HS
	+ Click here for notes & video Not a lot ton to add here. Has been hampered all spring and we have not gotten to see a ton because of it. Going off of when we last saw him in the fall and prior, strong and somewhat mature frame. Upper 80's to low 90's arm on the mound, competes and attacks hitters. Maybe more reliever profile with the intent and attacking demeanor. Maybe one of the best in game producers when it comes to power production at the plate. Seems like every time we see him, he is driving the ball for extra bases or running a ball out of the yard.

10.	Player	Class	Pos.	School
	Elijah Archer	2028	1B	Highland Springs
	+ Click here for notes & video Some of the best power projection and hitter traits in this group. Plays some first base and outfield, but is without a definite position at this time. Has shown solid bat to ball skills and significant offensive upside from the left side, with plenty of ceiling left and polish to add. The floor is lower, but the ceiling is equally as high. Whether he gets close to that ceiling will be largely dependent on upping the level of competition he sees on a regular basis and the player development that he is able to benefit from.