Area Code Underclass Games: Fab 15 Breakdown

Rookie Shepard SS / 2B / Faith Lutheran, NV / 2026

If the goal for his summer was to try and assert himself as preeminent prospect in the class, then Shepard more than did so.

From his brilliant showing at the Prep Baseball West Coast ProCase back in early June, to his brilliant display in Long Beach, the dynamic talent more than stamped himself as a must-follow over the next 24 months. The exclamation point to the entire event came on Day Three where he blasted a no-doubt home run that served to be the defining moment of the underclass event, and it was also the first of three hits on that day. Turning in quality at-bat after quality at-bat, the 6-foot-1, 190-pound left-handed hitter was a treat to watch. Short to the ball and long through the zone with what appears to be shorter arms that allow him to stay compact to the frame, he turns the barrel with voracious force, covering the plate with ease, and presenting a hit/power tool that stands out as an elite force in the class. A premium runner whose ground force and burst provide a quick first step, the speed plays up on the bases and in game play. A consummate winner, his glove has shown well on the dirt throughout the summer, and while the arm holds more of an average grade, the defensive look provided throughout the event warrants consideration on the left side although his athleticism and versatility have long provided ample avenues for playing anywhere on the diamond.

Keon Johnson SS / 3B / First Presbyterian Day, GA / 2026

A week after a brilliant showing at the Prep Baseball Future Games, Johnson easily could have opted out of a West Coast road trip, but instead he grabbed the spotlight once again.

Impossible to miss on the diamond thanks to an ultra-athletic and projectable 6-foot-2, 195-pound frame with lean and defined strength, Johnson’s batting practice on the first day looked even better than his strong showing at LakePoint. Somewhat more fluid without the deep arm bar, the California pace appeared to slow down the separation which allowed his lightning-quick hands to play with ease. His usual hard contact to all fields was on display throughout game play as well, and there was little doubt that he was a preeminent prospect. Most impressive about this look was the baseball IQ and energy that he brought to the diamond on each day. A stalwart on the left side defensively, Johnson’s future plus arm and instincts combined with a silky, confident glove to provide the look of a future plus-defend tool, and while the vast majority of his action came at third base, there is no reason to doubt his acumen at shortstop.

Savion Sims RHP / Edmond Santa Fe, OK / 2026

Sims was a jaw-dropping sensation in his work in Long Beach, especially given the mediocre look that he provided a year ago in San Diego.

Just starting to grow into his long, 6-foot-6, 180-pound frame, there was an aura of confidence that pervaded his all-stretch performance that showcased electric arm talent and one of the easier 97 mph fastballs that can come out of a hand. Loose out of the mitt with a controlled arm stroke, the whip came out front as Sims nearly touched the glove with elite extension, and pounded the zone at 93-97 mph (2,400-plus rpm) throughout three strong innings.

While the fastball did not generate many whiffs, the ride and run to the bottom of the zone featured some sizzle when efficiently thrown. Given the monumental jump that the big right-hander made over the past year, it feels a near certainty that the fastball metrics will spike up in a hurry. Beyond the pure arm talent and silkiness of the arm stroke, his ability to land a quality slider at 82-84 mph (2,500-plus rpm) with manipulated shape with wipeout potential and a quality changeup, firmly thrown at 84-88 (1,700), gave strong evidence of a future starter. A stoic, quiet confidence was seen in the mound presence, and there was some expectation of success from the Oklahoma recruit. He was the clear headline grab, on the mound, from the event, and there might not be a more exciting right-hander to follow in the class.

Alex Hoffman C / RHP / Charlotte Catholic, NC / 2026

A true ballplayer who spends the majority of his time with a bat in his hand and as a catcher, Hoffman’s emergence as a potential power arm was on full display in Long Beach.

Built with sturdy athleticism on a 6-foot-3, 200-pound frame, the right-hander poured in strikes at 90-93 mph with a shorter arm stroke similar to a catcher, and it featured heavy life at times with north of 2,600 rpm generating whiffs in the zone. Countering with a bullet slider at 81-83 mph (2,600 rpm), the pitch looked the part of a future plus-offering, especially when taking into account his relatively low mileage. Compact throughout a simple, repeatable delivery, the Virginia Tech recruit looked the part of a potential future starter, and is likely to make sizable jumps over the next year.

Easton Webb RHP / Charles Page, OK / 2026

Pummeling the zone with a quality three-pitch mix, Webb looked the part of a future starter with plenty of athleticism to dream on.

Pristinely built at 6-foot-4, 200-pounds with square shoulders and more room to fill out, the Oklahoma State recruit put together one of the top deliveries at the event with impressive drive off the back side that allowed a short, efficient arm stroke to work quickly with some whip before jumping out of the hand over a deceptively higher front shoulder. The fastball worked 89-92 mph (2,400 rpm) with some hop to the top of the zone as the slider, 77-79, (2,600-plus rpm) was manipulated in the zone, and exhibited swing-and-miss characteristics. Finally, a faded changeup, 81-85 mph, was a clear third pitch but thrown with some confidence, and it should progress nicely over the next two years (and beyond). It was a true “that’s what they look like” moment for Webb, who is likely to enter next summer as high follow for the scouting community.

David Hinojosa RHP / Poly Prep, NY / 2026

The most efficient outing of the week came from the New York native as he needed just 20 pitches (16 strikes) to get through two innings that included three strikeouts and just one hit.

The wiry-athletic, 6-foot-1 right-hander still appears to be maturing physically,  and he sat 88-91 mph with an easy delivery that found a consistent, high ¾ slot in pumping strikes to both sides. Commanding a quality slider at 76-80 mph, he manipulated the shape by dropping it over early and burying late. Killing spin on a future above-average changeup at 82-83 mph (1,400 rpm), Hinojosa compiled a full collection of (potential) above-average offerings and looked every bit the part of a future starter. With a low-pulse and clean arm, the ceiling has been set high for the young right-hander who is likely to get plenty of attention this coming spring on a Poly Prep squad that includes multiple high-level ‘25 MLB Draft hopefuls.

Spencer Browning SS / Pleasant Grove, TX / 2026

Browning announced his presence early and often, and his hard-nosed athleticism was on display throughout.

Seeming to make double-digit plays at shortstop, the crispness of the footwork, and the will to try and make every play were fully apparent. Equipped with a strong arm and quality glove-to-hand, he ranged well to both sides in presenting a strong case for sticking at the position long-term. At the dish, the right-handed hitter featured some tight handsiness in the setup that triggered minor separation with a short leg hang stride. HIs ability to change planes and adjust, along with the strength seen on a flat plane, provided the potential to hit as he covered the plate with ease. Browning is likely going to have to perform to drive up value over the next two years, but this performance clearly kicked things off positively.

Anthony Del Angel OF / Cleveland, NM / 2026

Del Angel has the early lead as the most polarizing prospect in the class thanks to a unique, somewhat awkward setup from the right side.

At 6-foot-4, 195 pounds, there might not be a more pristine frame in the class, and while he is presently lean and athletic, the square-shoulders and high-waist should add impressive strength over time, which will only add to the already eye-opening power outputs. Crouched from the right side with a hitchy, deeper load, it felt like there would be no chance for the New Mexico native to find success in the box, but nearly each time, the electricity jumped out of the barrel in surprising fashion. The hand and bat speed are noticeable as the plane works uphill, and a growing track record of in-game success can no longer be ignored. There is hit/power potential, and Del Angel played hard at all times throughout the week. Metrically speaking, he is advanced in analytics and athleticism, so a deeper follow is warranted over the next 24 months.

Archer Horn 3B / RHP / St. Ignatius Prep, CA / 2026

Horn has long been a Stanford recruit who has received the ball on the mound in big spots, but it was what he displayed as a position player in Long Beach that propelled his status on this list.

Heavy-barreled from the left side, nobody put up the consistent triple-digit exit velocities that the 6-foot-2, 190-pound left-handed slugger did in batting practice, and he followed it up with a quality showing in game play. Collecting force from the ground with strength in the lower-half, he flowed to a power position with a rock back before showing easy lag through the zone with a chance to hit for power to all fields. A stout defender with confident, athletic actions, he looked the part at third base, and along with the potential power profile, should have scouts monitoring his progress closely moving forward.

Gary Morse RHP / Orange Lutheran, CA / 2026

With a slew of talented California arms toeing the rubber in Long Beach, Morse was the most notable standout, and secured himself as a preeminent force in this Golden State draft class.

The 6-foot-8, 190-pound right-hander who still features considerable room for physical strength, had something to prove in his three dominant innings against a powerful Rangers lineup. Compact throughout a semi-dynamic delivery that saw him effortlessly repeat a near over-the-top slot, he comfortably pumped out fastballs at 90-92 mph while featuring a heavy dose of curveballs, 78-79, with 11/5 shape that drew a full collection of swords. Effective with the fastball/curveball combo throughout, it was actually a turbo changeup thrown at 83-84 mph (1,500 rpm) that stood out as the best chance for a future plus pitch. In all, it was a full starter profile displayed by Morse who also featured supreme (quiet) confidence in establishing himself as a highest follow in the class.

Dylan Minnatee OF / Franklin, CA / 2026

The track record keeps building for Minnatee as a hitter, and it is fair to say that he has one of the sweetest strokes in the class.

The 6-foot, 190-pound outfielder moves well through impact from the left side with a fluid load that quietly stretches the hands away before quickly igniting a heavy barrel flat through the zone with significant lag. Somewhat unassuming in the box, it has become abundantly clear over time that the NorCal native, who plays for a stout Franklin squad, has the foundation to blossom into a real impact bat in the class. The ball jumped off the bat, and his ability to change planes while maintaining aggressive swings was on display throughout. While the positional profile has not yet fully shown itself, the upside potential of the bat is just starting to ignite.

McCoy Silicz RHP / 3B / Bakersfield Christian, CA / 2026

The Bakersfield native was one of the lesser known entities coming into the event, but he had all of Blair Field buzzing after his dominant pitching performance.

At 6-foot-5, 205 pounds, the frame is imposing yet still developing, and that should only allow for future jumps on a fastball that sat 88-92 mph throughout a three-inning look. Working downhill with the fastball, Silicz displayed confidence in 74-77 mph breaking ball which he manipulated well in trying to distinguish between a slider and curveball. Regardless of what he called the breaking pitch, it received two handfuls of whiffs, and has a chance to make a bigger jump over the next year. Also featuring a nice stroke throughout batting practice, the athleticism of the big right-hander is something that will likely assist in future jumps on the mound. Beyond the pure stuff and arm strength, the poised mound presence stood out, and he should have a chance to maintain a starter role at future levels.

Dylan Blomker RHP / La Cueva, NM / 2026

The 6-foot-4, 195-pound right-hander looked the part of a future starter thanks to a simple, repeatable delivery and strong feel for a three-pitch arsenal.

Working 89-93 mph with a short, near-catcher arm stroke, the New Mexico native stepped slightly across while looking to maintain linear action with the head. Generating whiffs in the zone on the fastball, he countered with a sharp slider at 79-82 mph with out-pitch upside, along with a changeup, 84-85. Already building a reputation in the region as a perpetual strike-thrower, Blomker has the ingredients necessary to blossom into one of the better arms in the class.

Hudson Alpert RHP / SS / Regis Jesuit, CO / 2026

Alpert asserted a commanding dominance in a three-inning stint that saw him strike out three while yielding just two hits with better than 70 percent strikes.

The 6-foot-2, 190-pound, ultra-athletic right-hander worked 90-93 mph to both sides of the plate before manipulating a tight (2,600-plus rpm) breaking ball, 79-83, that exhibited a clear path to being a plus-offering in the near future. Also a talented shortstop, Alpert featured a shorter arm stroke utilized a near rip out of the glove to ignite arm speed as he glided down the mound with clean posture. The athleticism alone warrants close attention in coming years, but the feel to pitch was refreshing in a week that saw some talented arms struggle to throw quality strikes at times. The state of Colorado has routinely seen athletic young arms like Alpert make significant jumps late in their high school careers, so to say that the Regis Jesuit product is a close follow moving forward, would be a vast understatement.

Brody Schumaker SS / Santa Margarita, CA / 2026

Initially showcasing his sweet left-handed stroke on the workout day, Schumacher collected multiple hits in multiple games during game play.

The 5-foot-10, 170-pound infielder plays much bigger than his frame would suggest, and there is a confidence to his presence in the box that shadows over the opposing pitcher. Rhythmically loading the hands with a well-connected upper and lower-half, there is plenty of athleticism in swing with some heaviness to the barrel as he creates plenty of length in the zone. Driving gap-to-gap with easy barrel accuracy throughout batting practice, that look carried over to game play where the SoCal native was able to change planes and competed in each at-bat. The Trinity MVP as a sophomore, there is already a clear performance record for the rising junior, and he is likely to be followed closely over the next two years.