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2023 National Program Invitational: Impact 2026s

June 16, 2023
By Shooter Hunt & PBR Staff

From June 8-12, Prep Baseball Report held the perennial National Program Invitational at LakePoint Sports Complex in Emerson, Ga., featuring many of the country’s best talent spread across three age brackets – 15U, 16U, and 17U. The NPI ignites the road to next summer’s MLB Draft, while also previewing some surefire first-round talent in the summers that follow.

We’re going to be breaking down the most impactful takeaways from the 2023 NPI in the coming weeks, and that starts today as we examine the Class of ‘26 talent that rose to the occasion in Georgia last week. The 15U rosters were bursting with many of the top-ranked names on our overall ‘26 rankings – seven of the top-10 overall players were in attendance, 18 of the top-25, 29 of the top-50, and 46 of the top-100 in total.

The lists below takes into account both prospect status, as well as the players’ performances at the tournament itself:

THE FAB-15:

Alex Harrington SS / Cathedral Catholic, CA / 2026

The No. 1 player in the class did not disappoint as his energy matched the high level toolset throughout the whole week. The Stanford recruit set the tone from the top of the order going 6-for-15 with a handful of walks and stolen bases. The wiry-athlete 6-foot-2, 170-pounder is a true shortstop with ultra-advanced actions on the defensive side of the ball including soft, confident hands with graceful strides and crisp, polished footwork. He made plays to all sides, throwing athletically on the run with ease, and was a must-watch at all times defensively. At the plate, a mature approach saw the right-handed hitter track exceptionally well, seeing multiple pitches in most at-bats, and working deep into counts. Utilizing a reverse toe-tap with the hands starting semi-higher by the head, they freely loaded down and back into a power position before working the barrel short-to-long through the zone with easy lag and innate plate coverage including a propensity to work to the back side gap. Harrington is still far from physical maturation, and it is a near certainty that he will fill out much more in coming years. The tools, actions, and leadership seen in this look shine as promising, and the ceiling appears quite high for the true SoCal shortstop.

(NPI, 2023)

Jacob Lombard SS / Gulliver Prep, FL / 2026

Lombard, the No. 3 player in the ‘26 class, made a strong case for climbing to the top spot in coming years with his showing at the NPI. Uber athletic with a 6-foot-1, 180-pound frame that promises plenty of future physicality, the right-handed hitting shortstop looked the part as the most imposing hitter in the class. Staying behind the ball while quickly working the barrel endlessly through the zone, the near triple digit exit velocities that he produced to all fields screamed high upside and exciting potential. There is a quiet confidence to his approach at the plate, and it hardly takes any effort for his bat speed to be produced. On the infield he moves with the same confidence and grace, and his premium position profile already makes him a must-follow prospect in the class.

(NPI, 2023)

Kevin Roberts Jr. SS / RHP / Jackson Preparatory, MS / 2026

Special. That is what Roberts has a chance to be. The 6-foot-5, 200-pound right-hander (he can also swing it and is nearly equally as high upside as a position player) is nearly a year younger than the vast majority (almost two years younger than some) of the class, but already possesses some of the most explosive stuff to go along with the highest upside. The long-limbed, 6-foot-5, 200-pound right-hander worked up to 92.8 mph in a quick, two inning glimpse that saw him strike out four. Uber-athletic down the mound with a polished delivery that features a controlled arm stroke giving way to eye-opening hand speed out front, Robert flashed feel for an intriguing changeup at 84-85 along with a quality slider that showed upside. The arm talent is unmatched in the class, and his upward trajectory appears almost certain.

(NPI, 2023)

CJ Sampson RHP / OF / Tomball, TX / 2026

Sampson first intrigued with his physical left-handed bat, and finished the week at a 6-18 clip including a towering home run to the pull side. The 6-foot-2, 185-pound left-handed hitter carries some strength in the lower-half with plenty of room to continue filling out. Looking to drive the ball in the air, he showcased easy plate coverage with firm contact to all fields. However, his upside might be highest on the mound, and he turned in the most electric performance of the tournament in a 1-0 no-hitter that included 11 strikeouts in the playoffs. The fastball got up into the mid 80s with much more on the way, but it was his ability to spin a tight, mid 70s breaking ball that separated.

(NPI, 2023)

Charlie Ziola OF / LHP / Creighton Prep, NE / 2026

Likely not having faced many premium arms throughout the spring in Nebraska, Ziola’s performance at NPI might have been the biggest eye-opener. The 5-foot-11, 175-pound center fielder took the best swings of the week from any player at any level, and went 6-for-11 with three multi-hit games. A high-waisted athlete with the ability to generate quickness in a tight window, the left-handed hitter was never sped up and adjustments were made effortlessly from pitch to pitch. Well synced with a leg kick and minor hands separation to a power position, the rotational acceleration and torque combined with exceptional barrel accuracy in some thunderous outputs. There is already a real chance to hit at a high level with gap-to-gap power prevalent, and the bounce out of the box promises a chance to stick in center field long term. Only adding to the excitement of his upside was the quick arm that he showcased on the mound with some feel for spin and even greater velocity on the way. Overall, Ziola’s promising performance is sure to have his name circled in all recruiting circles, and given the foundation of the swing, he has a chance to make quick adjustments and continue quick ascent in the class.

Parker Granse LHP / Pensacola Catholic, FL / 2026

Granse, a wiry-athletic, long-limbed, 6-foot-4, 165-pound southpaw got the start for Aces National against a South Charlotte Panthers squad that featured one of the most imposing lineups at the event, and is likely filled with a plethora of future power commitments. In that outing, he looked the part of a future starter, disrupting timing while pounding the zone in a complete game, walk-off victory that saw him strikeout six allowing just three hits and one run with a pair of walks. Featuring loose sling to the arm stroke with quickness out front from a lower ¾ slot, Granse’s fastball featured some arm side life as he worked 82-85+ with upwards of 2298 rpm. Routinely pulling the string on an advanced changeup (mid 70s, 1700s), he nibbled on the corner successfully as the pitch profiled well off of the fastball. Only adding to his upside, he also showed some feel for a 66-67 breaking ball. Beyond the pure stuff and premium upside that his frame and athleticism displayed, the mound presence stood out as elite, and he walked around with moxie that should only help push his future advancements.

(NPI, 2023)

Ethan Bass SS / OF / Glenbrook North, IL / 2026

Bass did not disappoint in his NPI debut going 5-for-14 for a Top Tier Americans 15U team that is a must-watch squad. The 6-foot-1, 165-pound shortstop already looks the part as an elite performer on both sides of the ball and is the player you want up at the plate in a big spot or getting a ball hit to late in the game. A natural shortstop, his athleticism provided for a flawless shift to center field at times due to some roster configurement at the event. Utilizing a larger leg kick/hang to build some momentum in the stride, the hands worked exceptionally well throughout the week with some dynamic capability that allows him to change planes with ease in spraying firm contact to all fields. A consummate athlete and winner, there is an alluring presence when he is on the diamond.

(NPI, 2023)

Landon Schutte RHP / Oakdale, CA / 2026

Schutte pitched with full energy and emotion for the Padres Scout Team, and reaffirmed his position as one of the top arms in the class. Utilizing a burly, yet athletic, 6-foot-3, 215-pound frame, the right-hander repeated a polished delivery that included aggressive use of the lower-half in driving down the mound with a semi-rip out of the glove to ignite a quick arm. He worked 88-91, touching 93, with some explosive ride through the zone, and there is anticipation that the velocity will only continue to rise. More intriguingly (perhaps) was the sharp, downer curveball that he ripped off at 77-80 with 2600 rpm. The pitch has the makings of a plus-offering on the way, and he demonstrated an ability to throw it for strikes and bury late. Schutte also exhibited advanced feel for a faded changeup albeit with a slowed arm (73-74). Unafraid and feeding off the energy of the game, Schutte appears to relish the limelight which will likely garner plenty of fans in the scouting community.

(NPI, 2023)

Jacob Smith RHP / Ronald W. Reagan, NC / 2026

One of the top arms in the class, the NC State recruit showed the mound presence and polish of a pitcher much older in his outing for the South Charlotte Panthers squad. The 6-foot-3, 195-pound right-hander worked 86-88 to both sides of the plate mixing in a tight 11/5 curveball (72-74) and changeup (77-79) for strikes in any count. Semi-casted through the arm stroke, he found a consistent high ¾ slot with quickness out front, and the mound presence reigned supreme with hardly an emotion shown throughout a brilliant five innings of 1-hit ball (6K-1BB).

(NPI, 2023)

Dylan Bowen SS / Hanover Central, IN / 2026

A true revelation in this look, Bowen cemented himself as a player to follow closely in the class with a breakout performance at the NPI. Currently 5-foot-11, 175-pounds, it seems likely that he will continue shooting up and adding strength which will only assist in approaching his high ceiling. Playing with a quiet intensity on both sides of the ball, he looked the part at shortstop with confident hands and quality glove-to-hand ability and appeared capable of sticking at the position long term. The right-handed hitter paced a stout offense from the leadoff spot going 6-for-12 on the week finding barrel after barrel. A 6.8-runner with quick hands at the dish, it is easy to bet on the athleticism.

Andrew Costello C / Cathedral Prep, PA / 2026

Rarely cheated at the plate, Costello’s ability to be consistently on time with a powerful stroke stood out throughout the week as he went 5-for-11 after arriving from state tournament play in Pennsylvania. The Wake Forest recruit is still developing physically at 5-foot-10, 185-pounds but already possess compact strength, noticeably in the wrists/forearms/hands, and gets to it well in creating impressive bat speed. His ability to change planes and adjust while still getting off quality swings stood out all weekend almost as much as his missiles to second base between innings that were must-watch as he quickly transferred before showcasing what is likely to be a plus-arm.

Noah Everly SS / Maranatha, CA / 2026

The 6-foot, 180-pound, right-handed-hitting shortstop showcased advanced bat speed throughout the week along with a propensity for getting hits. Helping lead Wow Factor to the 15U crown at the NPI, Everly went 8-for-18 over the course of five days where his twitchy hands turned the barrel with authority while lacing line drives to all fields.

(NPI, 2023)

Jack Ryan RHP / CIF / St. Xavier, OH / 2026

Opening the tournament in dominant fashion for Team Elite Black, the Ohio native struck out 8 of the 10 hitters than he faced in 3.1 innings, allowing just one hit. The athletically built, 6-foot-2, 180-pound right-hander was up to 93 mph in the start with a chance to climb even higher in coming years. Already a well-known name in the state of Ohio, the national buzz is likely to grow significantly around Ryan this summer.

Ty Tillery RHP / SS / Morgan County, GA / 2026

Colton Haire SS / RHP / Pro5 Baseball Academy, NC / 2026

Hit after hit after hit, Haire finished the week at 9-for-15 and seemed to cement himself as a must-follow, consummate performer who had the scouting community buzzing a bit. The switch-hitting shortstop demonstrated an ease of adjustment, moving the barrel around the zone and finding different planes to deliver a consistent barrel to. The 6-foot, 185-pound frame exhibits some present strength, but also promises future physicality.

(NPI, 2023)

BEST OF THE REST: NPI STAND-OUT '26s

The players below are listed in alphabetical order:

+ Evan Alexander, RHP (CA; Legacy Baseball Group): The lanky, 6-foot-2, 160-pound right-hander comfortably looked the part of a future starter thanks to a low maintenance delivery and the ability to throw multiple pitches for strikes. Low-pulsed with future swing-and-miss stuff, he worked up to 83 mph with a semi-casted arm stroke that back spun fastballs at up to 2372 rpm. Countering the riding heater, his sharp, near 12/6 curveball spun north of 2600 rpm, and he appeared to have the aptitude to manipulate its shape. Circle the name now because there is a strong chance that a year from now Alexander will have made a significant jump in velocity.

+ JD Alexander, OF (LA; Knights Knation National): While Alexander continues to compete and look the part of a potential weekend starter at the next level, the left-handed stroke is impossible to look away from. The 20th player in the class and likely two-way talent exhibits an ease of operation that few can match, especially when paired with the exciting power potential that he presents. The 6-foot-3, 185-pound left-handed hitter grinded out some quality at-bats throughout the week, and the extended stay of his barrel in the zone, along with quick hands, provides easy projection for his upside as a hitter.

+ Coleman Borthwick, RHP/3B (FL; Aces National): Borthwick, an Auburn recruit, was impossible to miss thanks to a hulking 6-foot-6, 240-pound frame that engulfs the batter’s box. A power-armed right-hander with an explosive, low 90s fastball, it was his right-handed stick that was most dominant in this look. A simple approach with a more direct path led by hands that remained compact to the frame, Borthwick went 7-for-10 on the week and looked the part of a major two-way talent.

(NPI, 2023)

+ Bubba Coleman, SS (GA; East Cobb Astros):

+ Jackson Debe, SS (NC; South Charlotte Panthers): 

+ Hudson DeVaughan, RHP (IN; Canes Midwest): A recent rise in the 2026 overall rankings brought DeVaughan all the way up to No. 17 in the class, and he showed why with his performance at LakePoint. The right-hander worked six innings and struck out five while playing up a level, yielding just two hits and a run. His ability to move the fastball around the zone at 88-92 mph stood out as he drove the pitch to the arm side with intent along with commanding the glove side at times. Less consistent with the breaking ball in this look along with a developing changeup, his quick arm and ease of movement promise bigger jumps to come.
(NPI, 2023)

+ Beckett Doane, LHP (IN; Indiana Bulls Black):

+ Cadem Glauber, RHP (SC; South Charlotte Panthers): Another of the South Charlotte Panthers’ stellar stable of arms, Glauber ended up taking a tough luck loss, but not before he made some massive pitches in some tight spots. The athletic, 6-foot-2, 185-pound right-hander looked the part of a high upside arm, and worked 86-88 from a flatter vertical approach that allowed his fastball to disappear from hitters with spin measured at over 2,300 rpm. Even more exciting about the upside was the innate aptitude that he displayed for a tight slider (73-76 mph; 2,400-plus rpm) that he manipulated shape with, and was at its best when tunneling the fastball. The frame and whippy arm promise future jumps, and combined with the fearless competitiveness in stressful spots, look for Glauber to continue to rise.

+ Max Hamilton, RHP (KS; USA Prime American):

+ Chandler Hart, LHP/OF (TX; USA Prime National):

+ Archer Horn, RHP/MIF (CA; Legacy Baseball Group):

+ Connor Langdon, LHP, (GA; Canes National): Langdon’s explosive fastball, which climbed up to 90 mph in a big outing for Canes National, is delivered from a lower ¾ slot with considerable deception. Aggressive late towards the plate with normal effort out front, his advanced feel for a tighter, 74-76 slider that took short, late-breaking action only helped to elevate his upside look. The Mississippi State recruit was downright dominant throughout the majority of his outing against a strong lineup before tiring somewhat late, but the ceiling is set high for the wiry-athletic, 6-foot-2, 175-pound southpaw.

(NPI, 2023)

+ Lorenzo Laurel, OF (FL; 5 Star National): Hitterish to the fullest extent, Laurel’s presence in the box is nearly unmatched in this young class, and his powerful stroke is already one of the most dangerous. A right-handed bat with quick hands and intent to do damage in all counts, the 5-foot-11, 175-pound outfielder was routinely on time in all counts. Loading up onto the back side with a leg lift before moving with ease through contact, there is some lightning to the hands with eye-opening exit velocities. Look for the Florida recruit to be a mainstay as one of the top right-handed bats in the class.

(NPI, 2023)

+ Jack Leach, RHP (NC; South Charlotte Panthers):

+ Parker Loew, SS (FL; 5 Star National): The 5-foot-11, 175-pound LSU recruit did not disappoint for 5-Star National as he went 5-for-11 on the week while portraying plenty of 'it' factor. More spread out from the right side, the weight rocks back along with the hands before working the barrel uphill through the zone with some authority. Loew was on the barrel all throughout the tournament, and his frame appears to be on its way to adding significant physicality in coming years. The bat-to-ball skills are clearly present along with some present gap-to-gap power that  is highly likely to evolve into much more.

+ Jaxon Lueken, RHP (IN; Canes Midwest):

+ Jaxon Matthews, OF (NC; Canes National):

+ TJ McQuillan, 3B/OF (IL; Top Tier Americans): At 6-foot-1, 210-pounds, McQuillan provided an imposing presence in the heart of a stellar Top Tier Americans lineup. He lived up to the power notion that the frame suggested, and began the weekend by turning around a pitch for an absolute missile en route to going 7-for-14 overall. Moving well at both first and third base, the Louisville recruit appears well on track to blossoming into a major power threat given his ability to turn the barrel in a tight space with length through the zone and a heavy barrel.

+ Joseph Mittiga, C/RHP (GA; East Cobb Astros):

+ Braylen Montgomery, OF (LA; USA Prime American): Montgomery, a Louisiana native, presented himself as one of the more intriguing upside outfielders at the event. At 6-foot-3, 175-pounds the frame is easy to dream on and the long, graceful strides allow him to be a 6.8-runner with mid-90s exit velocities. There is plenty to like about the upside, and while there is some rawness to the approach, he found success at the NPI.

+ Dillon Moss, C (FL; Legacy Baseball Group): 

+ William Myhand, OF (GA; SmarTense): Myhand, an uncommitted outfielder, looked the part of a potential middle-of-the-order bat while hitting out of the 2-hole for his SmartTense squad. The 6-foot, 185-pound left-handed hitting center fielder utilized a strong bottom hand to pull the barrel through the zone with lag and a loose finish. He went 4-for-10 on the week, and handled some talented arms with ease. Strong follow moving forward.

+ Keaton Neal, RHP/SS (KS; USA Prime National)

+ Luke Nitkowski, SS/RHP (GA; Georgia Jackets):

+ Beau Peterson, RHP/UTL (KS; USA Prime National)

+ Hunter Rose, OF (TX; Sticks Baseball): 

+ Myles Ross, SS (KS; USA Prime Americans):

+ Paddy Roth, RHP (IL; Top Tier Americans): Roth turned in one of the most dominant performances of the event in the first game for Top Tier Americans. The athletically-built, 6-foot-2, 185-pound right-hander worked up to 88 mph early on ripping off a tighter 70-74 slider for whiffs in and out of the zone. The arm works semi-longer and quick in the back before getting quality extension out front. The Illinois recruit turned in a complete game effort that included nine strikeouts and no walks with just four hits and two runs. The frame is clearly still adding strength, and there is a good chance that the velocity continues to steadily rise in future looks.

(NPI, 2023)

+ Rookie Shepard, MIF (NV; USA Prime National): The 2026 class’ No. 2 player played at full-tilt at all times while setting the table from atop his USA Prime National team’s lineup. Lean, defined strength is visible throughout a more mature, 5-foot-10, 170-pound frame, and Shepard utilized it with each swing. A left-handed hitter, Shepard sets up with an athletic base flowing through an easy load with fluid hands before eliciting eye-opening bat speed with a thunderous barrel. The impact of the bat is matched by the acceleration out of the box as he went 4.28 on the turn for a double, and his speed looks to be a present and future weapon. It says a lot about Shepard’s upside that his 8-for-21 week was somewhat subdued.

(NPI, 2023)

+ Tyce Smith, OF (CO; USA Prime American): One of the smoothest strokes in the ‘26 class comes from the left-handed-hitting outfielder out of Colorado, Smith. Although he was thrown directly into facing the gauntlet of the premium arms that abounded at the NPI, he took quality at-bats throughout and demonstrated advanced barrel accuracy with more power on the way. Look for big jumps to steadily come with more live action throughout the summer.

+ John Stowers, C (AL; Aces National): Stowers, an Auburn recruit, routinely landed on the barrel throughout the weekend even without the overwhelming stats to match. A compactly built left-handed hitter, the hands remain tight to the frame with uphill intent and quality use of the lower-half. His relaxed approach stood out in each game along with the ability to deliver a heavy barrel.

+ Sammy Swank, RHP (IN; Indiana Bulls Black):

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