What prospects are set to breakout during the fall showcase circuit?
September 26, 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’ (9/26):
Alabama
+ Luke Houser, C (Mountain Brook HS, 2026) | Uncommitted:
“C Luke Houser (Mountain Brook, 2026) continues to do nothing but trend up, as he's impressed in multiple looks over the past year which now includes the spring, summer, and fall. A strong 6-foot-1, 200-pound backstop, Houser enjoyed one of the more well-rounded days from the event and was near the top of most statistical leaderboards. Posted a barrel-filled round of BP with deep drives to the pull-side and consistent firm contact using a strong base to hit from and a well-connected right-handed swing. Recorded the top EV of the event at 98.4 mph. Ball has some off the barrel with some glimpses of power and certainly more to come. Skilled defender from the crouch showing receiving skills and 2.05-2.18 pop times and a C velocity of 73 mph, both of which should continue to improve in the future. Earned playing time at the catcher position this past spring for Mountain Brook as a sophomore and had a strong summer, as well. Looks to be trending in the right direction heading into his junior campaign.”
– Austin Sharp, Alabama Scouting Director
Canada
+ Theo Lima, OF/RHP (Donald A. Wilson HS, 2027) | Uncommitted:
“From Ontario: Lima jumped onto our radar at the Toronto Preseason ID and his game has really taken off since then, as shown last week at the Ontario Yankees Fall Scout Day.
The young 2027 talent started by sitting 83-85mph on the mound and followed it up with the best round of BP at the event, posting the top exit velocity of 99.2mph (91.1 avg). His ability to make an impact on both sides of the ball make him one of the top 2027s in Ontario.”
– Cam Black-Araujo, Assistant Director (CAN)
Colorado
+ Tyler Harvey, LHP/1B (Legend HS, 2025) | Uncommitted:
“Harvey has been actively developing through fall and summer as the southpaw now has his fastball up to over 90 mph. The senior comes with a 6'4'' frame at 180 Ibs with some real upside on the mound thanks to his natural movement, velocity, and deception. Harvey is able to pair his fastball with a competitive slider and curveball mix that sits around 2300 rpm. The surging lefty will be taking his talents to this year's West Coast Games in Southern California where he will be representing Team Colorado. ”
– Caleb Dameron, Colorado Staff
Illinois
+ Tyler Trapp , INF (Lane Tech HS, 2025) | Uncommitted :
“The 2021 Junior Future Games alum flashed his power potential with a home-run on Friday afternoon. Upside frame standing at 5-foot-11, 167-pounds. Simple swing with a slow load and explosive bat. Quick runner out of the box. Also displayed quality defensive actions playing up the middle.”
– Pete Hamot, Assistant Director Illinois/Wisconsin
Indiana
+ Clark Bucher, OF (Hamilton Southeastern HS, 2027) | Uncommitted:
“An athletic mover with an ultra-projectable, 6-foot-1, 150 pound frame, Bucher saw a significant bump in our last rankings update, now inside the Top 25 of a strong Indiana 2027 class. Bucher switch hits, but is more advanced from the left, and he hit again & again on the summer circuit. I love the left-handed swing and think he will continue to hit velocity and eventually hit for extra bases as he adds strength to his wiry frame. Bucher is set to attend our Fall State Games in October and is certainly a "pick to click" bat amongst his peers. ”
– Cooper Trinkle, Indiana Scouting Director
Indiana
+ Logan Johnston, RHP (Crown Point HS, 2026) | Uncommitted:
“Johnston is an arm that I am super bullish on - a recent riser in our 2026 player rankings moving inside the top 30. Offering an ultra-projectable, 6-foot-5, 170 pound wiry, athletic frame, it is easy to dream on future velocity gains when the frame is combined with a clean arm and athletic movement patterns. Johnston works in the mid-80's (T85) for now, but he gains 7-plus feet of extension on his fastball that shows above average carry properties, allowing it to play even higher in game. He shows feel for both a low-70's slider and change, both serviceable offerings at the moment. While the present stuff does not jump off the page, this is a '26 arm that could tick in a hurry & I am excited to see at our Indiana Fall State Games in October. ”
– Cooper Trinkle, Indiana Scouting Director
Iowa
+ Finn Faber, OF/RHP (Waukee HS, 2028) | Uncommitted:
“Faber is an up-and-comer in the Iowa 2028 class. Lean and athletic at 6-1, 170-pounds; the Waukee product had an eye opening workout late this summer at the IA Sticks Scout Day. Faber has easy movements in the field and on the mound; producing 87 mph throws from the outfield and projects to continue to add velocity on the mound.”
– Rob Allison, Upper Midwest Supervisor
Kansas
+ Braydon Shannon, SS (Shawnee Mission Southwest HS, 2027) | Uncommitted:
“Braydon has been steadily rising as he continues to polish his game and add strength at an impressive clip. One of the fastest players in the class and emerging as a high-end defender, Shannon recently entered the national rankings and his arrow continues to point up. ”
– Andy Urban, Central Region Scouting Director
Kentucky
+ Gabriel Kuerzi, RHP (North Oldham HS, 2027) | Uncommitted:
“Kuerzi is a name to follow as the 6'2" 155 pound Righty has a frame to dream on. Long levers that works from a higher 3/4 slot with some serious upside. Look for Kuerzi to develop big swing and miss in the zone and if he is able to draw in a third offering to go with an already above average change up the ceiling will be high in The Commonwealth. The frame will fill and as it does look for the under the radar Righty to gain serious traction moving forward. This is certainly a young man to keep an eye on as he will no doubt continue to gain velocity.”
– Jamie Tessoff, Kentucky Scouting Director
Louisiana
+ Alex Richardson, RHP (Belle Chasse HS, 2026) | Uncommitted:
“Richardson came to our New Orleans ID and made a name for himself thanks to a 86-88 mph FB with life through the zone. He’s got a durable 6’2” 180 lbs. frame and the arm really works. The Belle Chasse product is slated to be at our Louisiana State Games this weekend and reports are that he’s been up to 90-91 mph this fall, which is why we’re excited to see him. ”
– Alex Armand, Louisiana Scouting Director
Maine
+ Scottie Sockabasin, 3B/1B (Bangor HS, 2026) | Uncommitted:
“Shows plus strength with the bat and the ability to spread the field with his approach. The power potential is there, good looking hitter”
– Dennis Healy, State Director New England
Michigan
+ Jayden Yancy, RHP (Flat Rock Community HS, 2026) | Uncommitted:
“Jayden has made jumps each time we've seen him from fall 2023 to end of 2024 summer. An increase development in his off-speed pitches with a combination of increase in fastball velocity positions Yancy to have a break out Fall TPG event which we expect to carry into the spring. Yancy will look to take on a larger role for Flat Rock this spring and coaches should circle to see. ”
– Adam Goodwin, Michigan Scouting Director
Minnesota
+ Lucas Langin, RHP (Waconia HS, 2026) | Uncommitted:
“Langin (2026, Waconia), a future games participant this past summer has taking it up a notch and carried that into the fall. Most recently in a couple different events, Langin has been 87-89 mph topping at 90mph in a late August tournament. A clean arm and athletic mover on the mound, we have started to see the potential and the confidence building in young arm”
– Andy Judkins, Minnesota State Director
Mississippi
+ Sawyer Pettit, Catcher (Tri-County Academy HS, 2027) | Uncommitted:
“Sawyer continues to get more physical each time we see him. The two time Junior Future Games participant is a great example of what true development looks like. His metrics continue to improve and it transfers into game play. A top catching prospect that can spray the baseball to all fields with developing power potential demands attention.Could be a huge spring on the horizon for Pettit. ”
– Matt Miller, Mississippi State Director
Ohio
+ Nicholas Hood, 2B/SS (St. Francis de Sales HS, 2026) | Uncommitted:
“One of top defensive middle guys in the class and consistent performer in Prep events over the years. Nick plays the game the right way and has the skills to go with it. Quick hands and feet up the middle with the ability to take away hits in the holes and make dynamic throws. Offensively he gets a lot out of his frame producing low to mid 9's exit velocity, but the highlight with the bat is the barrel control and swing decisions. Hood will be participating in this year's State Games and we expect the momentum he's created through the summer to continue into his junior spring. ”
– Kyle Weldon, Ohio Scouting Director
Oregon
+ Jack Barss, SS/OF (Lakeridge HS, 2025) | Uncommitted:
“After missing some time last summer with a hip injury, Barss is back and put together strong performances across multiple events this summer. He has the look of a 'breakout' candidate at the upcoming PNW Senior Games in October and is one of our top remaining uncommitted athletes in Oregon. A versatile defender with actions that work at SS or in the OF, Barss is a fluid mover with lean strength that still projects. Offensively he has a quiet set up with few moving parts and quick hands. We feel confident that Barss is ready to finish the Fall on a high note and carry that momentum into the spring season. ”
– Dan Jurik, Pacific Northwest Scouting Director
Pennsylvania
+ Cole Guy, RHP/OF (Bristol HS, 2026) | Uncommitted:
“A highly ranked player in the PA 2026 class (32nd). The Southeast Pennsylvania Fall ID (10/7/24) event will be his first Prep Baseball showcase. Has tore up the tournament scene, we are excited to get a chance to see him workout. He has advanced bat control with big time juice in the barrel. EV has been over 100mph at times. Projectable frame, Guy has 2-way ability with a FB that sits in the upper 80's. ”
– Charlie Spano, VP of Scouting PA/NY
Washington
+ Cervantes Gatterson, OF (Decatur HS, 2027) | Uncommitted:
“Gatterson is a 'pick-to-click' prospect to watch this Fall after a stellar showing back in the Summer at our Ridgefield Summer ID in late June.
Extra strong frame at 5'5, 160 with a powerful, compact upper half. Put on a laser show in BP with a great average EV of 90.9 and peak of 93.8. Demonstrated consistent timing and ability to deliver the barrel out front. Easy lift to pull-side and a chance to develop into above average power. Strong, accurate arm in the OF with quality closing speed on the ball. Exciting watch in the 2027 class.”
– Dan Jurik, Pacific Northwest Scouting Director