The ‘Hotlist’ is a series that provides weekly insight into the high school baseball scene spanning the country, curated by Prep Baseball’s state directors who are situated nationwide, with vital intel on the prospects who are in their own backyards. Each week, we’ll publish our ‘Hotlist’ on varying topics that are timeliest to the national baseball calendar at that point in time.

This week’s topic: With the second annual Prep Baseball All-American Game behind us, we thought it would be a fun exercise to share some insight on the top player(s) who have the potential to be on the Class of 2027 roster at next year's All-American Game.

+ Learn of our directors stationed nationwide by visiting the staff directory.
+ View which Prep Baseball events are headed your way next at this page.
+ Read about previously published ‘Hotlist’ topics here.

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♨️ The ‘Hotlist’ (9/18):

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California

+ Jared Grindlinger, LHP/1B (Huntington Beach HS, 2027) | TCU:

“Grindlinger has been good enough to follow in the footsteps of recent high round draft picks for national powerhouse Huntington Beach. By being a freshman starter for the Oilers, and earning a spot on the USA Baseball 15U team, the L/L Grindlinger has evaluators excited about the prospects of his future potential. While his spring impact was felt predominantly on the mound, where the southpaw is into the low 90's and features quality secondaries, 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. ”

– Les Lukach, California State Director

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Canada

+ Jalen Jacob, 1B/3B (St. Joan of Arc HS, 2027) | Uncommitted:

“From Ontario: Physically advanced for his age with sheer size from the left-side, generating a peak exit velocity of 99.2mph (89.3 avg) and distance of 380 feet at the Future Games as the lone 2027 on the team. He continues to put together quality AB’s against high-level arms, while showing a mature approach and utilizing the entire field to collect hits. Bat speed and strength allow him to generate high exit velocities in-game (102mph). Jacob has blossomed into quite the prospect as his maturity and ability to read the game have developed alongside his tools.”

– Josh Arce, Ontario Director

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Illinois

+ Sebastian Wilson , OF (Lane Tech HS, 2027) | Tennessee :

“Wilson provides one of the more polished and dangerous left-handed bats in the entire 2027 class. Currently slotted at No. 1 in Illinois and No. 21 Nationally, Wilson got his prep career off to a strong start playing up on varsity; turning in a .422 average in 116 at-bats, also recording 16 doubles, three triples, six home runs, 41 RBIs and 50 runs scored. Listed at a muscle-bound 6-foot, 190-pounds, Wilson can delivery exit velocities easily into the upper-90s with feel to hit and power to the whole field. Also a 6.76 runner in the 60, Wilson can cover ground in the outfield to pair with a strong arm (T90 mph OF). ”

– Pete Hamot, Assistant Director Illinois/Wisconsin

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Illinois

+ Kaden Wasniewski , RHP/INF (McHenry HS, 2027) | Uncommitted :

“Kaden Wasniewski (McHenry) has made major strides, and continued to make a case for why he’s one of the top prospects in the 2027 class at this year’s Illinois State Games. Pitching against the ProCase team, Wasniewski struck out the first three batters he faced, predominantly using his fastball that sat 87-90 mph and topped out at 90.9 mph with clear ride through the zone and quality spin (2403 avg. rpm). He later showed a mid-70s slider with minimal induced vertical break and quality horizontal movement, averaging -17.8 inches. He rounded out his arsenal with a change-up that sat 79-81 mph with slight arm-side fade. Wasniewski has all kinds of confidence on the mound, showing minimal emotions throughout. He finished his outing with four strikeouts, one run and two hits allowed. He’s a legitimate two-way threat, beginning the showcase running 6.54 60 time, which cracks the 12th for all of the State Games events across the country, regardless of class. The right-handed hitter has a calm/confident approach at the plate with some easy juice, recording a max exit velocity of 94.3 mph and a max batted distance of 358 feet. An athletic defender on the infield with range to both sides, Wasniewski’s arm plays strong and accurate across the diamond, topping out at 89 mph in this look.”

– Pete Hamot, Assistant Director Illinois/Wisconsin

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Indiana

+ Cooper Collins, C (Vincennes Lincoln HS, 2027) | Uncommitted:

“Collins elevated to No. 7 in our recent rankings update, the top-ranked catcher in Indiana and slated to be amongst the top nationally. Simply put - the kid can flat out catch, showing the most advanced actions and catch & throw abilities that I have seen at the age. Collins fires strikes from the crouch in the low-80's, paired with a swift transfer that allows showcase pops to reach into the upper - 1.7's. This tool translates to the game, where a high motor is shown to go along with real instincts and IQ. Offensively - there is budding power potential in the short, right-handed stroke, as he clubbed three homers in the 15u Team USA trials - leading to his selection to represent 15u Team USA this fall. ”

– Cooper Trinkle, Indiana Scouting Director

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Kentucky

+ Gray Davis, RHP/SS (Trinity HS, 2027) | Uncommitted:

“One of the top arms in the class who we have seen up to 90mph, established himself as potentially the best arm on a talented pitching staff of the nationally ranked Trinity High School that includes four Division 1 commits already. Davis won 11 games in 58.2IP this past season as a freshman, striking out 64 along the way, as well as making the state all-tournament team while helping the Shamrocks to a final four appearance. Late this summer he was a standout performer at the Super Sophomore Games, pushing himself to the #1 ranking in the class of 2027 in Kentucky.”

– Jamie Tessoff, Kentucky Scouting Director

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Louisiana

+ Jordin Griffin, OF (Barbe HS, 2027) | LSU:

“The LSU recruit had a successful freshman campaign for Barbe HS, who finished as a State Finalist last spring. Griffin hit at a .341 clip with 10 XBH’s and 25 R, and got hot during the Bucs playoff run. He can impact the game in a variety of ways, whether it’s with his speed on base paths, his defense in the outfield, or with his bat. ”

– Alex Armand, Louisiana Scouting Director

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Michigan

+ Broder Katke, C (Brother Rice HS, 2027) | Duke:

“Broder presents a advanced skill set for a 2027 whom is already a Duke commit from spring 2023. A reliable backstop with a strong arm and ability to minimize the running game, Broder played a key role to Brother Rice's state runner up finish this spring earning an everyday spot for the Warriors. We expect Katke to add strength and increased mobility in the coming years as he heads into his Sophomore year at Rice.”

– Adam Goodwin - Michigan Scouting Director

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Nevada

+ Jake Turner, OF / LHP (Centennial HS, 2027) | TCU:

“Coming into his sophomore year, Turner has already made a name for himself on the national scene, producing another big Summer campaign that will lead into an exciting Fall and Spring. At 6-foot-3 (and growing), Turner has already developed advanced actions on both sides of the ball with a power fastball that we project to live in the mid-to-upper 90's by the time he graduates and present power in the bat that was on full display at the Dodgers Elite Scout Day where he posted a TrackMan Verified Exit Velocity 103.6 mph with more expected to come. With the 2027 Class National Rankings coming out Thursday, expect to see Turner's name among the top prospects in the country.”

– Brett Harrison, West Region Supervisor

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North Carolina

+ Jacob Seamon, OF (Metrolina Christian Academy HS, 2027) | Uncommitted:

“Seamon is a left-handed hitting outfielder with a ton of potential still to tap inside a 6-foot-4, 175 pound frame. Athletic, he is a solid mover where the ball to barrel ability, and his power potential, will carry his overall prospect status. While being very projectable, Seamon has produced on a national level with a great showing at the 2024 Prep Baseball NPI Tournament in June, as well as being named to the 15U National Team this summer.”

– Brandon Hall, Mid-Atlantic Scouting Director

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Ohio

+ Devlan Daniel, OF / RHP (Indian Hill HS, 2027) | Uncommitted:

“The switch hitting OF/RHP had some loud performances with the Cincinnati Spikes this summer. Devlan has made consistent jumps but it's always been a high level skill set and a premium bat. Plays with a ton of passion and enthusiasm, profiles as a top of the order guy who can impact the game in a lot of ways.”

– Kyle Weldon, Ohio Scouting Director

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Pennsylvannia

+ Graham Keen, 3B/OF/RHP (Mt. Lebanon HS, 2027) | Uncommitted:

“The number 1 ranked player in the 2027 class quickly made a huge impact at the high school level. He started season as the #1 pitcher and only moved to #2 when MLB draft pick/teammate David Shields returned to the rotation. He led his team to the State playoffs while batting in the middle of their order as a Freshman. He did not slow down and the success carried over to the summer. At 6'5, 180 he will always stands out but he lets his play do the talking. He crushed many Prep Baseball events such as Southwest ID, State Games, and East Coast Super Sophomore. He also made a trip to Lake Point with his team the Motor City Hit Dogs for the 16u National Championship. He has a long frame with fluid actions; a very high celling. His bat speed is excellent and routinely has an EV in the 100mph range. Has a 90mph arm from the field and on the mound. He is at his best under pressure and always performs well on the big stage. ”

– Charlie Spano, VP of Scouting PA/NY

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Tennessee

+ Banks Addison, SS (Evangelical Christian School HS, 2027) | Uncommitted:

“A rising sophomore who is currently the No. 2 overall player in the state had a very impressive outing during the showcase portion of the Futures game’s festivities this morning at Lake Point. Addison showed very solid speed at 7.18 during the 60 yard dash, prior to putting on clinics both at shortstop and at the plate. Currently ranked the number 1 shortstop in the state for his class, Addison showed off a smoothness and precision in the field as one way past his years, while showing off a plus arm already at 88 across the diamond. At the plate he showed off a very smooth lefty swing with a polished gap to gap approach that screams projectability down the line. (2024 Future Games)”

– Hunter Martin, Tennessee State Director

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Vermont

+ Kaiden McCarthy, RHP (Vermont Academy HS, 2027) | Uncommitted:

“Right-hander up to 93 already, with a power breaking ball. The delivery is athletic and the arm is extremely quick. ”

– Dennis Healy, New England Co-Scouting Director

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Wisconsin

+ Maddux Lessard, C (Muskego HS, 2027) | Uncommitted:

“Lessard has been the top prospect in the state since the release of the 2027 rankings. A physical, 6-foot right-handed hitting catcher that has the ability to stick behind the plate long-term. Lessard has the ability to impact the baseball with some of the best raw power in the state as an underclassmen. ”

– Josh Fields, Area Scout

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