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Stock Report: Updated 2025 Rankings

August 29, 2024
By Prep Baseball Staff

Last year, the Class of 2024 looked a little bit unsettled at its top, even headed into its final offseason as prep prospects. This year, the Class of 2025 is in a much different place. It's headlined by some increasingly famous names, and it's also boosted by some high-powered prospects who have made the most of a pivotal summer circuit for this group.

Today, we'll dig into our takeaways from the summer, which has provided this group the platform to perform on national stages against the very best competition, and these rankings reflect our takeaways now that we're nearing the fall and, ultimately, this class' last offseason before they graduate high school.

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First, let's get a word from D.J. Svihlik, Senior Advisor at Prep Baseball, who's been out and about this summer familiarizing himself with this collection of talent. The former Miami Marlins scouting director has a glowing outlook on this '25 class as it enters an important fall.

“After a summer on the trail, one thing is abundantly clear: There is a lot to be excited for in 2025. Few player types get professional evaluators more excited than the middle-of-the-field prep player, and that’s exactly what the top of this prep class offers. Unlike the 2024 class which included only two consensus MOF bats, the ‘25 class offers at least five premier MOF prospects that appear destined for a Round One selection, and many of them are on the dirt. While the story will not conclude for another 10 months, the summer offered an opening chapter... "

– D.J. Svihlik, Senior Advisor, Prep Baseball

CLASS OF '25, THE TOP-10:

Rank
Player (Pos.)
HS (State)
Commit.
No. 1 Ethan Holliday (SS) Stillwater (OK)
No. 2 Seth Hernandez (RHP) Corona (CA)
No. 3 Cameron Appenzeller (LHP) Glenwood (IL)
No. 4 Brady Ebel (SS/3B) Corona (CA)
No. 5 Kayson Cunningham (SS) S.A. Johnson (TX)
No. 6 Brayden Jaksa (C/OF) Irvington (CA)
No. 7 Eli Willits (SS) Fort Cobb-Braxton (OK)  
No. 8 Xavier Neyens (3B) Mount Vernon (WA)
No. 9 Quentin Young (3B) Oaks Christian (CA)
No. 10 Billy Carlson (SS/RHP) Corona (CA)

BLUE CHIP VALUATION 🔹

1. SS Ethan Holliday (OK)

Even without the gaudiest performance numbers throughout the summer, there was something “different” about Holliday each time he stepped on the field. Facing the best bolt from each and every arm that he squared up against, the left-handed hitting slugger showed off his explosiveness with lightning-quick hands and a thunderous barrel. The power potential drives the value with the hit tool making it more likely to consistently show, and even with an imposing, 6-foot-4, 200-pound frame, he flows around nimbly at shortstop with a strong, athletic arm that will stick on the left side. Even beyond the uber-projectable tools, the professional maturity that Holliday handled himself with throughout the summer was utterly impressive, especially given the fact that he was under a microscope that nobody else came close to.

2. RHP Seth Hernandez (CA)

The most alluring arm in the class was coming off a brilliant spring performance that helped guide his Corona High squad to Prep Baseball National Championship. However, that run greatly impacted the number of innings of the summer circuit, and the 6-foot-4 right-hander threw single-digit innings while showcasing more of his athleticism as a position player at many stops. Those rare innings were impactful as Hernandez, who was likely in a preseason-type stage, still pumped out an effortless 96-100 with advanced feel for a quality changeup. While the breaking balls were less consistent (warranted), they still exhibited the makings of wipeout offerings. Hernandez hardly needed to audition throughout the summer, and the brief glimpses were a reaffirmation as to who the top pitcher in the class was.

3. LHP Cam Appenzeller (IL)

Cementing his status as the top southpaw in the class, Appenzeller’s low stress innings featured minimal traffic all summer. Mostly working 89-93 mph with advanced feel for a changeup and a breaking ball that is likely to be above-average, the 6-foot-5 left-hander separated himself in presenting an early Day One look in each outing. Most impressive about the Illinois native were the times that he did not have his best stuff and still worked clean, effortless innings. It was a maturity rarely seen from a prep prospect, and the stuff that should help drive him to greater heights.

4. SS Brady Ebel (CA)

Ebel’s summer finished at its strongest, and that only emphasized the upward trajectory of one of the class’ youngest players. At 6-foot-3, 190 pounds, the left-handed hitter carries the sharpest eye in the class with elite strike zone awareness along with a simple left-handed stroke that yields surprising strength given the developing frame. There were glimpses of future power potential, and while the frame is presently impressive, the likelihood of considerable strength on the way should drive up value. A consummate ballplayer, he would likely be sent off (and stick) at shortstop, but would comfortably assimilate to any of the nine positions on the diamond if needed.

5. SS Kayson Cunningham (TX)

The debate was likely already being spoken prior to the summer as to whether Cunningham warranted Jett Williams comparisons, and all he did was confirm, and surpass, them at each turn. At 5-foot-9, 180-pounds, the left-handed hitter does not immediately pass the eye-test, but stole the show, at times, during batting practice lifting balls to the pull side with some forceful effect. No player has performed year in and out like Cunningham, and to ignore the past production would not tell the full story of why his value continues to climb. Built with a chip on his shoulder, he holds more defensive value than the aforementioned Williams, and while the run-tool might be the smallest margin less, it still plays up in game, and the hit-tool is presently more advanced. Thus, while the frame may not scream impact, the motor and performance certainly do.

6. C/OF Bradyen Jaksa (CA)

Beyond the effortless power that lands him in an elite category in the class, Jaksa's supreme ability to create athletic, yet tight movement patterns at 6-foot-6 provide the look of a true outlier. Slowing the game down with ease, nothing speeds up the right-handed slugger in the box, and he took great hacks throughout the summer in presenting one of the top hit/power profiles. Pushing him to a premium tier was the defensive versatility, and while he maintains his pure status behind the plate, it was gazelle-like strides and crisp outfield play combined with some eye-opening work at first base that should provide ample value to clubs all over the board.

7. SS Eli Willits (OK)

Willits shined in every facet throughout the summer as he imparted his will defensively, at the plate, and on the base paths. The youngest player in the class, he hardly looked intimidated, but rather felt comfortable delivering barrels from both sides of the plate with seemingly every visit to the dish. A pristine defender at shortstop with a quick first step, he was equally adept when shifting to center field, and the defensive impact stands out as potentially the best in the class. Only adding to his alluring profile is the pressure that he puts on opposing teams with his speed on the bases as a natural base-stealer. The impact potential of the bat might hold some questions, but his ability to perpetually be on the barrel should help wash those away as the frame continues to develop.

8. 3B Xavier Neyens (WA)

Neyens had multiple defining moments throughout the summer with some impactful contact, but also displayed some swing-and-miss at the plate. The left-handed slugger has some of the biggest power in the class and routinely got off aggressive hacks in all counts with the ability to do damage to all parts of the field. Interestingly, more so than any other player, Neyens was negatively impacted by questionable strike zones that may skue some future data. As the polishing of the bat continues to take form, the professionalism of the approach coupled with his athleticism and frame are sure to be coveted. Adding to the allure that will surround Neyens over the next 10 months was the fact that he played adequately on the left side of the dirt, many times at shortstop and his plus arm should allow him to be set at third base.

9. 3B Quentin Young (CA)

Young’s ceiling is one of the highest in the class, and while his massive 6-foot-4, 200-pound frame is elite, it is important to remember that he is a reclassified player who played his first summer against a group nearly entirely a year older. Bat speed and raw power, predominantly to the back side, permeated each look, and while the results were a bit less consistent, the upside remains eagerly enticing. Only helping his prospect status was the defensive wizardry that the nimbly-footed, soft-handed infielder displayed, and there is a chance that blossoms into a plus-defender long-term. Should the consistency tick up, so too will Young’s status in the class as few can match him when at their bests.

10. SS/RHP Billy Carlson (CA)

While the debate may continue to rage on whether Carlson’s biggest value is on the mound or as a position player, the step forward that he took at the plate, and presence on the dirt helped to elevate the latter after the summer. The right-handed hitter continued trending up at the plate, and while the impact of the stick still presents some questions, there is no doubt as to the prowess of the glove. Fluid at shortstop with plus marks in actions, as well as with the glove and the arm, Carlson shows long-term staying power with some impact potential at a premium spot. As his wiry-athletic frame continues to fill out, the tools have a chance to jump a grade, and should any ignore the upside he holds as a position player, the moundwork also stands out as some of the best in the class.

BULLISH OUTLOOK 😤

While a fair number of the 'presumed' top players in the class maintained their elite status, below is a look at five names that Prep Baseball believes have a chance to distinguish themselves even more as premier prospects:

  • C Jaden Fauske (IL): A gut-feel candidate heading into the summer, Fauske affirmed that intuition by showcasing one of the sweetest strokes in the class. Physically-gifted with lean strength throughout an athletic frame, the flick seen in his strong wrists combines with quick hands to produce endless lag in covering the plate with authority. Equipped with a keen eye, few (if any) demonstrated the plate discipline of Fauske and his swing decisions are advanced for the class. Synopsis: There is a chance that the Illinois native is the best pure hitter in the country.
  • RHP Justice de Jong (NY): Competitor with big makeup and an arsenal of power stuff that is boosted by the athleticism that enables him to challenge as a real two-way prospect. Just hitting his stride on the mound, the upside is considerable especially when considering that de Jong is one of the youngest prospects in the class (will not turn 18-years old prior to the draft) and hails from a cold-weather state.
  • LHP Caden Crowell (IN): Quality mover with smooth athleticism and quick arm, Crowell’s advanced changeup pairs with the chance for an above average slider to present a real starters’ vibe. An offseason jump might take him much higher.
  • LHP Johnny Slawinski III (TX): Hang around in Texas long enough and you will find plenty of arms to dream on. Slawinski has the dynamic movement patterns, quick arm, and multi-pitch arsenal to follow a similar path to the elite arms that have come out of the Lone Star State.
  • C Owen Jenkins (KY): One of the more impressive physical specimens in the class with an athletic 6-foot-2, 195-pound frame, nobody seemed to hit the ball harder than Jenkins this summer. The right-handed hitter has an innate ability to generate eye-opening bat speed in an instant, and power potential is extremely exciting.

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POSITIONAL BREAKDOWNS

TOP-10 RIGHT-HANDERS

  1. Seth Hernandez (CA)
  2. Angel Cervantes (CA)
  3. Justice de Jong (NY)
  4. Matthew Fisher (IN)
  5. Aaron Watson (FL)
  6. Billy Carlson (CA)
  7. Reid Worley (GA)
  8. Landon Harmon (MS)
  9. Josh Hammond (NC)
  10. Nico Partida (TX)

TOP-10 LEFT-HANDERS

  1. Cameron Appenzeller (IL)
  2. Caden Crowell (IN)
  3. Johnny Slawinski III (TX)
  4. Kruz Schoolcraft (OR)
  5. Eli Blair (FL)
  6. Alex Barr (IN)
  7. David Ramirez (TX)
  8. Uli Fernsler (MI)
  9. Jack Bauer (IL)
  10. Xavier Mitchell (TX)

TOP-10 SHORTSTOPS

  1. Ethan Holliday (OK)
  2. Brady Ebel (CA)
  3. Kayson Cunningham (TX)
  4. Eli Willits (OK)
  5. Billy Carlson (CA)
  6. Coy James (NC)
  7. JoJo Parker (MS)
  8. Carson Brumbaugh (OK)
  9. Tate Southisene (NV)
  10. Nicky Becker (NJ)

TOP-10 OUTFIELDERS

  1. Ty Peeples (GA)
  2. Jacob Parker (MS)
  3. Danny Wallace (NE)
  4. Josiah Hartshorn (CA)
  5. Brock Sell (CA)
  6. Brock Ketelsen (CA)
  7. Dean Moss (FL)
  8. Alec Blair (CA)
  9. Cannon Goldin (GA)
  10. John Stuetzer (GA)

TOP-10 CATCHERS

  1. Brayden Jaksa (CA)
  2. Jaden Fauske (IL)
  3. Omar Serna (TX)
  4. Owen Jenkins (KY)
  5. Trent Grindlinger (CA)
  6. Cash Williams (OK)
  7. Quinn Schambow (IL)
  8. Luke Billings (TX)
  9. Stow Rogers (SC)
  10. Peter Mershon (SC)

TOP-10 CORNERS/UTILITY

  1. Xavier Neyens (WA)
  2. Quentin Young (CA)
  3. Gavin Fien (CA)
  4. Caleb Barnett (AL)
  5. Josh Hammond (NC)
  6. Boston Kellner (AZ)
  7. Sean Gamble (FL)
  8. Kelvyn Paulino Jr. (NC)
  9. Josh Proctor (CA)
  10. Jason Fultz (PA)

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