2026 Northeast Buzz 5/10-5/17
May 18, 2026
Welcome back to The 2026 Northeast Buzz, your weekly pulse on the rising stars, breakout performances, and can't-miss moments from the diamond across The Northeast Whether it's a flamethrower lighting up the radar gun in Philly, a smooth-swinging shortstop making noise in North Jersey, or a sleeper prospect turning heads in upstate New York, we’re here to highlight the talent that’s shaping the future of baseball in the Northeast.
Each week, we’ll deliver scouting insights and player write-ups to get a better understanding of the great talent that surrounds us. In this region, the grind is real, the ceilings are high, and the buzz is just getting started.
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Week of 5/10
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Jacoby Mapes 1B / RHP / Deposit Central School, NY / 2027Rankings StateRank: 102 / POS: 4
Physical 6-1, 225 lb primary 1B with loud impact traits at the plate. Posted a 102 MPH max EV with a strong 93.3 MPH average EV, showing consistent hard contact and middle-of-the-order power potential. Ball jumps when on time, producing a 393’ max distance with a 64% hard-hit rate, 64% sweet spot rate and 45% line-drive clip. Strength-driven offensive profile with bat speed up to 70.3 MPH and strong rotational acceleration numbers. Solid corner INF arm at 78 MPH with 7.65 foot speed.
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Jacob Rudy Schouten 3B / RHP / Port Jervis Senior High School, NY / 2028Rankings StateRank: 14 / POS: 1
High-upside 6-2, 206 lb two-way prospect with a physical build and impact tools. Offensively, shows a power profile with elite bat speed and consistent loud contact (102 EV, 91 avg EV). Defensively, brings arm strength (89 MPH) suited for the corner. On the mound, features a three-pitch mix highlighted by a high-spin SL and a FB with life through the zone.
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Philip Soltes LHP / OF / The Cheshire Academy, CT / 2027Rankings StateRank: 33 / POS: 4
6-0, 185 lb LHP with an athletic build and intriguing movement profile. FB 84–87 MPH (T88.4) with ~1900–2200 RPM shows advanced carry traits (18–23” IVB) with a unique movement profile from the left side. CH 72–80 MPH offers quality separation with arm-side fade (~14–15” HM) and feel. Pitchability lefty with movement traits and projection.
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Kevin Smith RHP / OF / Pittsfield High School, MA / 2029Rankings StateRank: 8 / POS: 3
5-11, 175 lb freshman RHP/OF with an athletic, high-upside frame. On the mound, FB 86–88 MPH (T88.1) with ~2100–2200 RPM shows advanced carry (~16–22” IVB) and elite strike-throwing ability (96% zone) with above-average extension (6.5 ft). CB 72–74 MPH (~2300 RPM) features depth and sweep, while the CH ~77 MPH shows feel with arm-side action and strong command (83% zone).
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Jude Morgan / Gloucester Catholic, NJ / 2026
Morgan stands out as one of the Northeast’s top uncommitted arms, and his year‑over‑year growth backs it up. When our staff saw him last April, he worked 82–84 mph and touched 85 with feel for a three‑pitch mix. Fast‑forward to this spring, and he’s added noticeable strength to the frame and roughly 4 mph across the board. Through 47 innings, he’s pitching to a 3.43 ERA while sitting 87–89 mph and continuing to show true pitchability with all three offerings. A must‑see senior arm with real late‑cycle momentum.
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Bobby Kleinow C / RHP / Gloucester Gloucester catholic high-school, NJ / 2028
Kleinow is emerging as one of South Jersey’s top young arms showing his ability to be a workhorse competitor on the mound. The strike throwing machine is pitching to a 1.01 ERA through 41.2 innings pitched with a 29 to 6 strike out to walk ratio. He currently has a 20 innings consecutive scoreless earned run streak. The sophomore right hander’s pitch arsenal consists of a 82-85 mph fastball, 75-76 slider with short and tight movement, and a firm changeup at 79-80 mph. South Jersey prospect to watch.
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Kellen Delaney LHP / LHP / Upper Saint Clair, PA / 2028Rankings StateRank: 70 / POS: 4
Delaney is the 4th ranked left-handed pitcher in Pennsylvania’s 2028 class. Over the offseason he added size to his frame and measured at a 6-foot-2, 195-pound frame and added 7 mph onto his fastball. The athletic LHP topped 85 mph and sat 81-84 mph on his fastball this preseason. His curveball has a shorter shape profile and is 73-75 mph, he showcased feel for the strike zone and landed it over 50 percent of the time for strikes. Delaney makes for a tough matchup on all hitters as he has a high release point with a unique cross-fire attack. Intriguing LHP to follow.
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Xavier Wood SS / 2B / West Chester Bayard Rustin, PA / 2028Rankings StateRank: 83 / POS: 14
Wood is an intriguing middle infielder that was a standout performer from Pennsylvania’s Preseason Southeast Session 2. The 5-foot-10, 160-pound middle infielder showcased his athleticism with a 7.32 sixty-yard dash and peaked at an 18.9 mph spring speed. Defensively, Wood has a high-level 87 mph arm strength and displayed soft and quick feet while making accurate throws to first base. At the plate, he has a loose swing that has length through the zone and generates bat speed at the point of contact out front. Middle infielder from Eastern PA to watch.
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Jackson Lawrence SS / RHP / Frankfort High School, WV / 2029
Lawrence was one of the youngest players at the WV Preseason All-State event and held his own amongst players 2-3 years older than him. The 5-foot-9, 155-pound middle infielder displayed developing athleticism with an impressive 7.26 sixty-yard dash. Offensively, he showcased an efficient swing that drove the baseball back up the middle on a line. Clean, fluid swing that looks to be advanced for a freshman in high school. Defensively, Lawrence plays with confidence and has a lot of later range to make the difficult plays. Look out for Jackson Lawrence as he continues to physically mature.
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Nayan Dominguez SS / 2B / Jefferson, WV / 2027
Dominguez showcased his athleticism with one of the top sixty-yard dashes this winter at the WV Preseason All-State event. The 5-foot-7, 151-pound middle infielder ran a 7.01 sixty-yard dash while recording a 1.64 ten-yard split. Offensively, he hits in a crouch, engaged position and gathers himself with a minimal leg kick. Dominguez gains ground while maintaining posture, balance, and repeatability within his swing. Defensively, he showed his ability to be a versatile defender that can handle multiple infield positions. Smooth, athletic fielder with an accurate arm to first base. 
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