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Super Sophomores: Updated 2027 Rankings

September 12, 2024
By Shooter Hunt
Vice President, Scouting

While new recruiting rules may have slowed down the process, it most certainly did not slow down the development of a budding group of stars littered throughout the 2027 class. Yes, there were noticeably less college coaches clinging to radar guns and behind backstops, but to say that this group went noticed would be a fallacy. College coaches could not help themselves but to glance over, and given the value of long track records, MLB scouts were equally as intrigued.

From the National Program Invitational (NPI) to the National Championships at LakePoint, to the State Games from coast to coast, and culminating with the inaugural roll out of Prep Baseball’s Super Sophomore Games – which featured these Class of 2027 prospects – there was no shortage of looks at the next wave of talent set to impact the amateur baseball space.

+ VIEW THE TOP-300 HERE

So, after a full summer of action, an update to the 2027 Overall Rankings is warranted. There are sure to be considerable changes over the next two-plus years as the list climbs to 500. As always, Prep Baseball can be counted on to provide the most credible and comprehensive coverage along the way as college coaches continue to lean on the more than one hundred boots-on-the-ground scouting staff to keep them up-to-date.

Below a deeper dive into the class.

A NEW NO. 1 💫

Jared Grindlinger (September 2024)

Huntington Beach High School has long churned out prospects, so the emergence of two-way standout, and new No. 1 player, OF/LHP Jared Grindlinger (CA), should come as no surprise. He debuted at No. 3 overall on the first edition of our Class of 2027 rankings, and he takes over the top overall spot . A wiry 6-foot, 160-pounder with loose wrists and electric bat speed from the left side, Grindlinger’s upside is equally as impressive on the mound with a low-90s fastball and full arsenal. A standout for the Oilers at the varsity level as a freshman, and on both sides of the ball, his production from day one only amplifies the upside and outlook for the future. Along with premium athleticism, his confidence on the diamond and expectation of success only serves to elevate the overall profile.

According to California state director Les Lukach, “his continued physical growth has led to the development of the bat that has seen Grindlinger put together the type of offensive summer that further cemented himself as the top player in the class in California.”

And now Grindlinger is the top-ranked player in the country. He clearly kicked in the door with his performance in year one, but the outlook for the future is even more exciting and helped catapult him to the top spot in the class.

THE TOP-3 

Graham Keen (July 2024)

As hoards of MLB scouts, cross checkers, special assistants, and GMs made their way to get a peak at Mount Lebanon’s (PA) LHP David Shields (Royals, second round), they were greeted to the next big prospect in ‘27 ATH Graham Keen. The 6-foot-5, 180-pound right-handed hitting slugger who was a breakout freshman for a program rich with tradition, and carried that status right through the summer before capping things off with a brilliant display at the Super Sophomore Games at Wake Forest.

Able to leverage his frame for an assault at the plate, the bat holds the highest upside with regards to hit and power tools, and combined with the premium athleticism that he displays, five-tool potential is a possibility. A dynamic defender who unleashes throws up to 97 mph from the outfield with graceful closing speed while also looking the part at both corner spots on the infield, Keen has shown well on the mound with seemingly nothing that he cannot do. His ceiling has been set at the highest level, and given propensity of Pittsburgh area prospects to develop, he should be a fun one for northeast area scouts to circle back to in a couple years.

Still Keen will not be able to rest on his laurels as a pair of dynamic two-way players chase him at Nos. 2 and 3. SS/RHP Chase Fuller (Lincoln HS, FL) maintains his spot with sights set higher. An uber-projectable athlete who balances both polish and natural abilities on both sides of the ball, his ceiling is yet to be set and the outlook is remarkably bright. Hardly alone, these two were chased (in this update) by a group of more than 50 that warrant top-10 consideration. Obviously there are three long years of development ahead with changes abound, but the foundation is firmly set with lots of excitement.

Key Risers 🚀

Banks Addison (July 2024)

RHP Camden Boehm (September 2024)

STATE-ments 

Must-follow states filled with immense early talent (excluding CA-FL-GA-TX):

1. Tennessee (five in the top-60; eight overall):

Jayden Pearl (TN, July 2024)

2. Illinois (three in the top-100; 14 overall):

Kash VanHouten (IL, August 2024)

3. Pennsylvania (four in the top-100; 15 overall):

Will Swisher (PA, August 2024)

4. Missouri (two in the top-75; nine overall):

Max Partney (MO, August 2024)

5. Alabama (three in the top-100; nine overall):

Connor Greb (AL, June 2024)

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