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Washington Rankings Update - Class of 2029's

March 12, 2026
Dylan Grenz
Assistant Scouting Director

As we enter the start of the high school season, Prep Baseball Washington continues our latest series of player rankings updates. Over the past several days, we've unveiled our rankings for each of the high school classes, featuring some of the top high school talent Washington has to offer. Today, we'll unveil the update for the freshman class, the 2029's.

This year's freshman class features an exciting talent pool, with players seen across the state that could make early varsity impacts. Click here to view the full rankings list.

Below is a breakdown of the freshman class, top ten players seen this winter, as well as other standouts from the preseason. Click here to view the rankings updates for the 2026, 2027 and 2028 classes.

Click Here to View the Full Rankings List

Top Ten Players Impress This Winter

Many freshman ranked in the top ten were seen at this winter's PNW Preseason All-State, the top invite-only event of the preseason. The young talents more than held their own amongst the older competition, with several strong showings throughout. Curtis High School's Craig Sale was exceptional in BP rounds and works his way up to the number two spot in the latest ranks update. A physical 6'0 righthander with present power, Sale carried plus bat and rotational speed through the zone to post big time numbers, including a 102.6 MPH peak and 94.7 MPH average exit velocity. Sale's strength at and through the point of contact allows him to catch the ball deep and drive balls to the middle of the field. The barrel accuracy was among the best of any underclassman of the event, with tighter, compact levers showing fluidity throughout. Sale also posted a best pop time of 2.03 seconds defensively and had sound actions at third base. The defensive versatility and offensive profile could make an immediate impact for a Curtis program that we're bullish on this spring.

An exciting L/L profile and 2-way potential, KJ Tilley looked the part in multiple ways at PSAS. Athletically the Davis High prospect has a long, lean build with wider shoulders and a tapered frame. At the plate, the lefty showed a quick, connected stroke from the left-side with natural feel for the hit tool. Tilley keeps his hands tight to the core and stays inside of the baseball, producing consistent line drive contact against a firm front side. The freshman posted a peak EV up to 91.9 MPH, with much more power likely on the way. An athletic defender at first base, Tilley could advance enough athletically to move to a corner OF role in the future. On the mound, Tilley touched 81 mph with the fastball and flashed a 4 pitch arsenal, working through a loose, easy arm action with a whippy finish out front. Every part of the 6'0 freshman's game projects well and likely won't take long for additional jumps.

Union High School's Caden Fields was another big winner at PSAS, showing significant strides in his game since his last look at JFG's last summer. The compact-framed middle INF type showed quick, active feet and a quality glove defensively, looking as likely as any in the class to stick on the dirt long-term. The bat showed more power output than last summer, with a 10 MPH jump from last summer in his peak exit velocity of 98.1 MPH. The consistency in the approach was more apparent as well with an average EV of 92.1 MPH. The arm continues to trend upward as well, topping out at 84.3 MPH while holding a fastball at 81-84 MPH throughout. The tight, quick arm action works well with control maintained when throwing his sharp CB and a heavy CH. 

Other Preseason Standouts 

The class of 2029's blend of present tools and projection was on display start to finish during our preseason event tour. Steilacoom High School's Greyson Garza carried arm talent and athleticism that stood out at the Seattle Preseason ID. The 6'0, 155 pound frame carries lean strength and quickness in all facets, posting a 3.91 second 30 yard dash with quality RSI jump metrics as well. After touching 86 MPH in the infield workout, Garza sat 83-84 T84.5 on the mound, with the fastball carrying up in the zone from a lower release point and over 2500 RPM at his best. The slider showed the makings of a plus pitch with a tighter shape and late sweep as well. Garza also showed an upright, lofted stroke from the right side of the plate with potential to grow into more power as he matures. The freshman will be one of the more intriguing follows moving forward.

Offensively, few players made it look as easy as Puyallup's Aaric Empey this winter. The righthander sets in a more relaxed, narrow setup, with very few wasted movements through the swing operation. The smooth, loose-wristed stroke carries depth through the zone with a longer one-handed finish. Empey peaked with a 97.7 MPH exit velocity, driving balls up to 367 feet. The 5'11, 210 pound infielder will likely slot into a corner role defensively, and showed ability on the mound as well. The fastball sat 81-83 MPH in this look with heavier, sinking action at times. A low spin changeup and curveball rounded out his three pitch mix. Empey will be a bat to monitor at a powerhouse high school program in the future.

Another physical two-way talent, Mount Vernon's Carson Wilms was great at the Northern Washington Preseason ID. The 5'11, 180 pound frame carries present strength, making it look easy on the mound with a three pitch mix. The fastball sat 80-81 MPH with over 2500 RPM on average, creating late life to the pitch. Wilms showed advanced command for a changeup at 78-80 MPH, paired with a slider at 70-72 MPH as well. The righty starts with a slight bend in his rear knee from the stretch position, landing slightly closed with a cross-body 3/4 slot release. Offensively, the raw strength translated to exit velocities up to 95.9 MPH, with bat speed near 80 MPH at his best. Wilms has a real chance to be a year one varsity contributor for the Bulldogs.

Skyview's Mason Eckhardt established himself as an emerging power bat in the class with upside on the mound as well. A 6'3 righthander, Eckhardt carries a wider frame with a good chance to carry more strength, but already posted exit velocities up to 94.2 MPH with quality Blast metrics at PSAS. Eckhardt's swing stays in the zone well with more of a gap to gap approach to this point, driving balls up to 341 feet in his latest look. On the mound, the FB sat 78-80 but should easily tick up as he continues to mature. The long-limbed frame moves with fluidity, carrying a longer, fuller arm stroke with plus extension down the mound. Eckhardt mixed in a CB/SL/CH as well.

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