What JUCO Prospects have stood out this fall?
October 4, 2024
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: As our Fall ID circuit ramps up, we wanted to use this edition of the 'Hotlist' to highlight upcoming fall showcases by spotlighting a 'pick-to-click' or 'breakout' candidate who's already registered to attend an event this season.
+ 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.
♨️ The ‘Hotlist’ (10/4):
Alabama
Two strong innings of work from Soph. RHP Luke Fernandez (@LukeDez2279; @WallaceBaseball) to open up Game 2.
— Prep Baseball Alabama (@PrepBaseballAL) October 2, 2024
Filling up the zone with a four-pitch mix and generating multiple whiffs during his outing.
FB: 91-93, T94 mph 🔥
SL: 80-82 mph
CB: 76-78 mph
CH: 79 mph#ALJUCO ||… pic.twitter.com/kNHbFznRRN
+ Luke Fernandez, RHP (Wallace-Hanceville, 2022) | Uncommitted:
“Fernandez logged two strong innings of work during his brief outing on Wednesday in Hoover. Filled up the zone with a four-pitch mix and generated several whiffs by keeping opposing hitters off balance. He worked the fastball in the low-90's and touched 94 mph on the mound. Had feel for all three offspeed offerings and showed the ability to throw them in any and all counts. A former Future Gamer for Prep Baseball Georgia back in 2020 as well.”
– Colin Chamblin, Deep South Operations & Area Scout
Canada/BC
+ Noah Cassie, INF (Mineral Area, 2023) | Uncommitted:
“Is a right-handed bat that showed some power in KC. Smart in the box and has a plan with some power from the right-side.”
– Josh Fields, JUCO Wire Staff
Colorado
+ Noah Scott, RHP (Iowa Western, 2023) | Uncommitted:
“A workhorse frame and one of the top returning arms for the Reivers after pitching his way into a large role as a freshman starting 12 games. The stuff has ticked up since his freshman season, now reaching up to 94 mph with his fastball and both secondaries are swing/miss pitches right now.”
– Josh Fields, JUCO Wire Staff
Colorado
+ Anthony Treto, RHP (Barton, 2023) | Uncommitted:
“Treto showed loud stuff that will immediatley translate to the next level. Heavy fastball usage, up to 93 mph with the pitch attacking hitters in the zone. The breaking ball is the separator, flashing sharp and thrown in the low-80s and looks like a pitch that can be relied on heavily.”
– Josh Fields, JUCO Wire Staff
Georgia
+ Luke Flading, OF (South Georgia State, 2023) | Uncommitted:
“LH bat. Averaged upper 90's EV's in BP with multiple triple digits. Put multiple balls over the right field wall. Then followed it up in game play with 2 triple digit barrels. (We have tweets of BP and game play on our account)”
– Hudson Graham, Georgia State Director
Illinois
+ Austin Wiegand, OF (John A. Logan, 2023) | Uncommitted:
“An All-Region player for Carl Sandburg CC in 2024, now at John A. Logan, Wiegand is a high ceiling and athletic name-to-know for 2025. The left/left centerfielder stands at a strong 5-foot-10, 175 pounds with real feel to hit. Wiegand has feel for the barrel that has played in game for our staff, a low effort operation through contact taking a direct path to the baseball with extension past contact. Strong at the point of contact and able to leverage the baseball in the air and showed feel to use the whole field. Defensively in the outfield, Wiegand has in-game speed and takes natural and athletic routes to the baseball with a strong and accurate arm that has been up to 92 mph from the outfield. Wiegand is a high-ceiling prospect with present skills that can translate at a high-level and should be a sought after player for the Volunteers.”
– Josh Fields, JUCO Wire Staff
Illinois
+ Parker Price, OF (Kaskaskia, 2023) | Memphis:
“Left-handed hitting outfielder with a chance to stick in center field. At the plate from the left-side, Price looks the part in the box and gets his A swing off consistently. A fluid and athletic swing with some ability to elevate the baseball, taking a tight turn and direct path to the baseball.”
– Josh Fields, JUCO Wire Staff
Illinois
+ Michael Farina, INF (Southeastern, 2023) | Uncommitted:
“Farina stands at 6-foot-1 with strength in his frame despite there being more room for added fill to his frame. The right-handed hitter returns as one of the top bats for Southeastern after swatting 10 home runs last year. A performer at both the PUMA Classic and the KC JUCO Showcase showed natural feel for the barrel making consistent contact across both event.”
– Josh Fields, JUCO Wire Staff
Indiana
+ Pierce Herrenbruck, RHP (Rend Lake JC HS, 2023) | Uncommitted:
“One of the top pitching prospects at the PUMA, Herrenbruck is an athletic 6-foot-3 with more room for added fill. Showing feel for multiple pitches that have upside themsleves. A proven performer with a 2.48 ERA across 50 innings as a freshman.”
– Josh Fields, JUCO Wire Staff
Indiana
+ Jackson Peeler, RHP (Kankakee, 2023) | Uncommitted:
“Peeler was one of the top arms from the PUMA Classic, going 1-2-3 in his first inning of the day. The 6-foot-1 right-hander was a high-leverage arm for the Cavaliers in 2024 and showed loud stuff during his outing. Peeler ran his sinking fastball up to 94 mph and beat hitters in the zone with the pitch, he went to a low-80s sweeper that got up to 23 inches of sweep and a 81-83 mph changeup. A clear winner of the day and one of the top prospects that was in attendance.”
– Josh Fields, JUCO Wire Staff
Iowa
+ Ty Thomson, LHP (Des Moines Area CC HS, 2023) | Uncommitted:
“Thomson has grown figuratively and literally since high school. His thin inmature frame has developed into a formidable 6-5, 220-lb's. The DMACC southpaw sits comfortably in the low 90's; touching into the 93's while participating at the Prep Baseball Iowa Juco Scout Day- DMACC. The arm works relatively well; and the fastball is paired with a quality breaking ball. Strong performances at Scout Day, the Puma Classic & at this past weekend's Juco event at Creekside have strongly elevated his stock moving forward this year.”
– Rob Allison- Upper Midwest Supervisor
Iowa
+ Pierce Anderson, RHP (Kirkwood, 2023) | Uncommitted:
“Anderson is a sturdy 6-foot-2 right-hander with arm strength. Anderson ran his fastball up to 94 mph while sitting 90-92 throughout the inning at the PUMA Classic, getting uncomfortable swings with his fastball and missing the barrel.”
– Josh Fields, JUCO Wire Staff
Kansas
+ Josiah Golden, RHP (Johnson, 2023) | Oklahoma State:
“The recent Oklahoma State commit was impressive at the Johnson County Scout Day where he ran his fastball up to 95.7 and his slider and changeup in the low 80s. He showed that his elite stuff plays in game against a tough Iowa Western team. ”
– Josh Fields, JUCO Wire Staff
Kansas
+ JT Adams, RHP (Fort Scott, 2023) | Uncommitted:
“The right-hander had an efficient outing at the KC JUCO Showcase, running his fastball up to 93 mph while sitting in the low-90s throughout. Adams showed a BB that was usable during the outing that has swing/miss qualities.”
– Josh Fields, JUCO Wire Staff
Kentucky
+ Hayden Trier, RHP (Lincoln Trail, 2023) | Uncommitted:
“Trier is another arm for Lincoln Trail that returns with a number of innings under his belt. The stuff plays, a sinker that gets into the low-90s with hard running action and depth, both secondaries have a shot at being above-average to plus offerings down the road.”
– Josh Fields, JUCO Wire Staff
Kentucky
+ Thomas Howard, RHP (John A. Logan, 2023) | Uncommitted:
“Howard is a 6-foot-4, 225-pound workhorse that showed loud stuff during his outing at the PUMA Classic. Howard has one of the quickest arms from the event and showed feel for three pitches. The fastball sat 91-93 mph with life and carry through the zone, missing bats at the top of the zone. Howard went to his low-80s breaking ball often and threw it with confidence using it as a putaway pitch, the changeup sat in the mid-80s and is a usable third offering.”
– Josh Fields, JUCO Wire Staff
Michigan
+ Jack Bakus, OF (Lansing, 2023) | Uncommitted:
“Bakus immeidately stands out when he enters the box, a physical 6-foot-5 frame with plenty of strength. One of the top left-handed hitters on the market and hit over .400 as a freshman with more walks than strikeouts while swatting double digit home runs.”
– Josh Fields, JUCO Wire Staff
Michigan
+ Aamir Mitchell, INF (Lansing, 2023) | Uncommitted:
“Mitchell is a wiry 6-foot-4 infielder and was one of the more projectable hitters at the event. Returning as one of the top bats in the lineup, Mitchell has a knack of making hard contact when he connects with the baseball. From the right-side, Mitchell stays short to the baseball while showing some ability to leverage the baseball.”
– Josh Fields, JUCO Wire Staff
Minnesota
+ Reece Cox, RHP (Dakota County Technical, 2022) | Uncommitted:
“Reece Cox was a standout arm for the Blue Knights at their Scout Day in early September. The big righty profiles at 6-foot-4, 190-pounds and ran his fastball up to 92 mph that should make for a strong follow into the spring for 4-year schools. The long limbed Cox moves well on the mound and has some whip to the long arm action and should be an exciting arm for DCTC next spring.”
– Andy Judkins, State Director
Minnesota
+ Jordan La Tour, RHP (Iowa Central, 2023) | Uncommitted:
“La Tour is a low pulse athletic 6-foot-3 right-hander with a quick arm from a low slot that impressed at both the PUMA Classic and KC JUCO Showcase. Heavy fastball usage, La Tour ran his fastball up to 91 mph with spin (2300-2600 RPMs) cruising at 90 throughout the inning, flashed a low-80s slider.”
– Josh Fields, JUCO Wire Staff
Missouri
+ Coleman Morrison, RHP (Jefferson County, 2023) | Uncommitted:
“Imposing presense on the mound at 6-foot-5, 230 pounds and was a standout at both the PUMA Classic and the KC JUCO Showcase in September, landing multiple pitches in the zone while working his fastball up to 94 mph.”
– Josh Fields, JUCO Wire Staff
Missouri
+ Jonah Sarabia, RHP (Mineral Area, 2022) | Uncommitted:
“Lean and athletically built with a simple and repeatable delivery, Sarabia showed a swing/miss arsenal at the KC JUCO Showcase. Fastball up to 94 with a slider and splitter combo that misses bats. Still room for fill in his frame Sarabia has not yet reached his ceiling.”
– Josh Fields, JUCO Wire Staff
Nebraska
+ Cade Parry, INF/RHP (Kansas City Kansas, 2022) | Uncommitted:
“Parry was a two-way performer in KC, showing loud stuff on the mound during his outing with a carry fastball up to 91 and a power breaking ball in the low-80s, showing a second breaking ball in the mid-70s. Parry also showed feel for find the barrel in the box, a strong and physical frame with some pop from the right-side.”
– Josh Fields, JUCO Wire Staff
Nevada
+ Seth Graham Pippin, RHP (College of Southern Nevada, Soph.) | Uncommitted:
“Pippen was 90-93 last year during the season and he went on to have a great summer in the weight room which should fuel more velo in the spring. Heavy ASR on his FB. Slider is late and sharp, spins in the 3000’s. Split change has good late ASR to match his FB. An elite Arm.”
– Brett Harrison, West Region Supervisor
Nevada
+ Kaden Soder, RHP (College of Southern Nevada, Soph.) | Uncommitted:
“This is a 90-92 arm that can flat-out pitch. He can pitch traditional or backwards. Elite spin on his breaking ball and slider. Than change has heavy depth and ASR. Elite Arm.”
– Brett Harrison, West Region Supervisor
Nevada
+ Chase Frey, LHP (College of Southern Nevada, Soph.) | Uncommitted:
“6’6” arm that can throw his FB in the low 90’s. He has incredible angles on his FB. His slider is a wipeout pitch that is late and sharp. Must watch as he develops.”
– Brett Harrison, West Region Supervisor
New York
+ Nolan Feidt, LHP (Niagara CCC, 2023) | Uncommitted:
“High celling LHP at 6'4" . Long levers, loose and fluid actions. Continues to get stronger, up to 91mph FB this fall. Solid 4-pitch mix with high spin on everything. Attracting a lot of attention from college and pro scouts this fall at Niagara CCC scout day and Northeast JUCO Jam.”
– Charlie Spano, VP of Scouting NY/PA
New York
+ Devin Ryan, RHP (Monroe College (NY) HS, 2024) | Uncommitted :
“Efficient inning of work at Northeast JUCO Jam. Filled up the zone with above average FB-CB combo. Feel for CB, spot & expand. FB: 90-92 MPH, Heavy - ASR, CB: 76-78 -Sharp w/ some depth.”
– Charlie Spano, VP of Scouting NY/PA
Ohio
+ Aiden VanDeHatert, LHP (Lincoln Trail, 2023) | Uncommitted:
“VanDeHartert collects strikeouts in bunches. A three pitch mix with some funk from the 6-foot-4 left-hander with a low-90s fastball and two mid-80s secondaries that flashed swing/miss potential.”
– Josh Fields, JUCO Wire Staff
Ohio
+ Dane Ebel, RHP (Lincoln Trail, 2023) | Uncommitted:
“Ebel showed loud stuff during his inning at the PUMA Classic, striking out two of the three hitters he faced. The 6-foot-1 right-hander was ultra efficient during his outing only throwing 13 pitches in his inning. Two pitch mix for Ebel, a carry fastball that reached 91 mph sitting at 90 throughout the inning, his power breaking ball got up to 82 mph and was spun at 2900+ RPMs. Ebel has the stuff that will play in the backend of a bullpen right now and is a high-end name to know.”
– Josh Fields, JUCO Wire Staff
Pennsylvannia
+ Liam O'Leary, RHP (Lackawanna College, 2023) | Uncommitted:
“High waisted 6-3 170lbs. with a frame that can take on mass. Impressed over his 2IP at Northeast JUCO Jam. FB sat 85-87, T 89; held lower 1/3 ; SL: 75-78; sweep action; CB: 71; 10-4 shape. ”
– Charlie Spano, VP of Scouting NY/PA
Texas
+ Blade Carver, C (NOC Tonkawa, 2023) | Uncommitted:
“Returning All-American, Carver has shown some of the best feel in the box this fall hitting for both power and average. Defensively Carver continues to improve behind that plate and has a shot at sticking behind the plate at the next level.”
– Josh Fields, JUCO Wire Staff
Washington
+ Kevin Spear, C (Iowa Western, 2022) | Uncommitted:
“Spear was one of the top bats seen this fall, showing power at the plate from the right-side while also showing to be a high-level defender behind the dish. One of the top uncommitted bats on the JUCO Wire.”
– Josh Fields, JUCO Wire Staff
Wisconsin
+ Marcelino Alonso, OF (Madison, 2023) | Uncommitted:
“Alonso is an athletic 6-foot-2 outfielder for the Wolfpack. The right-handed hitter sits into his backside with some rhythm and clear bat-to-ball skills. Growing into more pop as he matures into his frame, Alonso is a name-to-monitor throughout his sophomore year.”
– Josh Fields, JUCO Wire Staff
Wisconsin
+ Brady Davidson, INF (Heartland, 2023) | Uncommitted:
“Davidson was one of the top hitters for the Hawks last year, hitting at the top of the order. The compact and strong left-handed hitter has real feel to hit with some bat-to-ball ability making contact often and spoiling pitches. Davidson singled in his first at-bat of the weekend, barreling the ball back up the middle.”
– Josh Fields, JUCO Wire Staff
Wisconsin
+ Owen Nowak, OF (McHenry County, 2023) | Uncommitted:
“Nowak is one of the top returning hitters in the Midwest. The left-hander has no problem hitting velo or spin consistently finding the barrel, speed translates in-game routinely extending plays with his feet.”
– Josh Fields, JUCO Wire Staff
Wisconsin
+ Ashton Kampa, CIF (Bryant & Stratton, 2023) | Uncommitted:
“Kampa is a middle-of-the-order bat for the Bobcats with pop from the left-side while possessing some bat-to-ball skills.”
– Josh Fields, JUCO Wire Staff