MD/DE Class of 2026 Rankings: Top 50

May 29, 2024
Staff
Prep Baseball Maryland

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It is with great excitement that we release to you today, the Top 50 players across Maryland and Delaware in the 2026 class. Tomorrow, our staff will unveil the Full Top 125, along with key risers on Friday.

Following a long and highly intriguing spring across Maryland and Delaware, our staff was able to get eyes on the 2026 class fairly consistently throughout the season. Inside the updated Top 50, our staff sees a new No. 1, as well as 21 risers and 3 new faces.

For the first time in the 2026 class, our staff sees a new face at number 1, as two-way Osiah Kelley (Sussex Central, DE) takes over the top spot after a dominant spring campaign in Delaware. As much as the hit tool features intrigue, the arm contains the highest ceiling with added velo and feel for the secondary in our few looks this spring. It's a smooth, controlled operation on the bump that features a three-pitch mix, with the fastball sitting comfortably in the upper 80s and into the low 90s. The slider/changeup combo plays extremely well off the fastball and is shown to be thrown in any count for strikes to both sides of the plate. As the frame continues to fill, velocity increase will surely follow suit with athleticism that jumps off the chart. Don't sleep on the hit tool, however, as Kelley has showcased a consistent line drive approach to all fields with added thump to the pull side gap. With quick hands and an accurate barrel, look for the hit tool to continue to turn heads as muscle mass is added to the frame.

Arguably the most impressive breakout star in the class this spring, right-handed pitcher Arian Vargas (Archbishop Spalding) slides into the top 3 of this newest update. Working out of the bullpen and the closer role for the MIAA "A" Conference Champion, Archbishop Spalding, Vargas turned a ton of heads on the bump with his explosive three-pitch mix. The fastball showcases ride through the zone, up to 92 mph fairly consistently with feel for both sides of the plate and the ability to induce swing and miss in the zone. The curveball varies shapes and showcases some late bite away to right-handed hitters in the upper 70s, and looks to project as an above-average pitch at the next level. As we turn to a busy summer circuit, look for Arian Vargas to be a hot commodity across the recruiting world.

Fellow Sophomore standout at Archbishop Spalding, shortstop Braeden Martin was a mainstay in the Cavs lineup this spring and was an integral part of their success all season long. Left-handed hitting shortstops are a hot commodity across the recruiting world, and Martin fits that mold seamlessly with tools that jump off the board consistently. It's a relaxed, yet explosive operation at the dish with the ability to spray line drives to all fields. Awareness and the ability to manipulate the barrel through the zone is something to key in on, as speed and a high baseball IQ makes for this to be a can't miss prospect heading into the summer months.

MD/DE Class of 2026 Top Ten

1	Osiah Kelley	DE	Sussex Central	2026	RHP/SS
2	Eli Livingston	MD	St. Paul's	2026	OF	Maryland
3	Arian Vargas	MD	Archbishop Spalding	2026	RHP
4	Miguel Leon	MD	John Carroll	2026	MIF	Maryland
5	Cruz Luna	MD	Archbishop Spalding	2026	UTL
6	Braeden Martin	MD	Archbishop Spalding	2026	SS
7	Kai Schmelzer	MD	Wootton	2026	C
8	Pierce Quinn	MD	John Carroll	2026	RHP
9	Ethan Frank	MD	Calvert Hall	2026	OF
10	Ayden McCauley	DE	Delmar	2026	RHP

MD/DE Class of 2026 Rankings (Top 50)