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Today we release a late fall/early winter update to the 2028 class, our fourth and final update of 2025. This update has the class expanding from the Top 75 to Top 100. This is the second expansion in the last two updates, moving from the Top 50 in the summer to now a Top 100. Today we will focus on players inside of the Top 50 of the rankings.

With a smaller and younger class, you will generally see more overall movement, but those moves are usually smaller as we keep this class tighter until players have a chance to develop. Below we highlight a few players that our staff had an opportunity to gather evaluations on this fall. These players have seen a tick up in the most recent rankings update.

2028 Rankings Stories:

Rankings Risers

There were more than twenty-five new players moving into the Top 100, as well as plenty of movement throughout the rankings. Today we highlight a handful of players in the Top 50.

+ Trent O'Malley - OF/RHP - Langley HS

The #2 ranked 2028 continued to impress this fall. It was more of the same from O'Malley, loud impact during tournament/game play, competes with present above average stuff on the mound, and simply produces in game. While the in game stuff has been impressive, our staff was able to gain a better look into where the metrics stand and what the whole picture looks like. It is above average hand speed, average to slightly above bat speed, raw power that translates as well if not better in game, and above average arm strength from the outfield. Today, I would say RF/1B positional projection with the arm strength to play right field and the power and in game offensive production to play either corner outfield spot or first base. On the mound it comes off as more reliever/back end type of arm. Mostly two pitch mix and an attacking demeanor. O'Malley is one of the best in game producers in this class, while having some solid tools to back up his production rate.

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+ Ryan Gaines - RHP - Highland School

It is always good to see a player's development and strides that they make over a year to year basis. Gaines is a glaring example of the that process. From being 82-83 mph in mid February at a Freshmen Free event, to now sitting comfortably in the 85-89 (T90) range just eight months later, he is making huge strides almost every time we see him. Normal effort delivery, quick whippy arm that works, clean and repeatable mechanics, and an ability to land multiple pitches for strikes. Outside of the fastball velo being above average for his class, those are some things that are allowing Gaines to begin to separate himself from others in this class. The fastball and changeup have nearly identical release heights and come from the same window, while also have similar extension. The changeup is a very solid second pitch that plays well off of the fastball and his added ability to land the slider makes him a very tough AB at this stage. The slider could use some firming up in the velo department if we are talking long term outlook, but he does a very good job with his usage of this pitch, landing it more than 65% of the time. Gaines make nearly a twenty spot jump, rising from #27 to #8.

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+ Hudson Large - SS/RHP - Abingdon HS

Our staff was excited to get a full look at the Abingdon product on November 1st and 2nd at the Mid-Atlantic State Games and he did not disappoint. Large had one of the best showings of any player at the event and I think it is safe to say that if we did an Underclass MVP from the event, it would have gone to him. Production at the plate, dominance on the mound, and standout metrics during the workout. You name it, there was really no stone left unturned when it came to showing out during that weekend. It is a solid and durable 6-foot frame, hands high and pre-set back, and a direct path to the ball with above average bat speed through the zone. I thought he did a really good job of matching planes and his setup and the way he attacks the strike zone lean to some long term upside at the plate. While it is an average to slightly below run tool in the 60, if you watch him move in the infield he plays with more bounce than maybe the 60 time would lead you to believe. Thought the feet worked extremely well and even if the 60 does not take a big step forward, I feel like he can still be more than serviceable at third base. On the mound it was a dominating performance. Large struck out six in two innings of work while working in the mid 80's range. Higher pace, higher intent, handspeed maintained on the secondary pitch, and he is ultra confident in his abilties on the mound. Big big fans of this 2028 and we are very excited to get out and see him this spring. Large is the biggest riser in this update, climbing more than fifty spots into the Top 15.

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+ Tucker Von Herbulis - 3B/RHP - Glen Allen HS

While we did not see Von Herbulis in an event this fall, we did see him compete in multiple tournament settings and while it was more of the same from what we have seen previously, hit tool bat, long and lean frame with room to fill, and a bit of a swiss army knife to his game. While there are no real loud tools, he does a little bit of everything between the lines and does it well. Higher waist and looks longer than his listed 5-foot-11 frame. Lean strength projection long term, quiet and simple setup at the plate, repeatable and operation, and a fluid defender. Has a tendency make plays on the move look easy and can get it to the bag with accuracy. Biggest want in terms of next steps, outside of natural physical growth and strength being added, would be the improvement of the run tool. Von Herbulis moves up more than twenty spots, settling inside the Top 30.

‘28 Tucker Von Herbulis (Glen Allen // @RichmondBraves)

Pulls his hands through the zone and laces a 2RBI triple down the LF line. @PrepBaseballVA #VAFallWorldSeries pic.twitter.com/pA2SrxSxD9

— Prep Baseball VA/DC Scouting (@PrepBaseVAS) October 5, 2025