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 Class of 2027 rankings updating state-to-state across the nation, please share the name of a prospect who you think will break out between now and the next time we update the '27 rankings, in the fall.

+ 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’ (6/6):

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Alabama

+ Jace Duckett, LHP/OF (Madison County HS, 2027) | Uncommitted:

“Duckett is a definite two-way follow that is equally adept on the mound and with the bat. The 6-foot-2 168-pounder has continued to fill out physically and and is not done growing. The lengthy frame and long limbs bode well for future development as it will be no surprise if he ends up around 6-foot-6 or 6-foot-7 (dad is 6-foot-7). On the mound, the southpaw works in the low-80s from a clean arm path and easy operation. The curveball (70-73 mph) has developed well and is a late-breaking swing-and-miss pitch that he commands well. He can be an especially difficult matchup for LH hitters as he shows a bit of crossfire action. Offensively, Duckett shows gap-to-gap power with some leverage in the swing plane using a small toe-tap trigger on the front side. ”

– David Sharp, Deep South Supervisor

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Arizona

+ Soren Etheridge , RHP (Phoenix Country Day HS, 2027) | Uncommitted:

“Soren Etheridge, a promising 2027 prospect from Phoenix Country Day High School, presents an intriguing profile as a 6-foot-3, 180-pound right-handed pitcher with considerable upside on the mound. Etheridge displayed a polished three-pitch mix, featuring a heavy fastball that consistently sat between 84-86 mph, effectively locating strikes. His curveball, thrown with consistency at 70-73 mph, demonstrated a sharp and dropping break, adding to his repertoire. Etheridge's pitching mechanics include an over-the-top delivery with a fast arm, showcasing both precision and conviction in his approach. With his physical attributes and refined pitching arsenal, Soren Etheridge emerges as a prospect with significant potential moving forward.”

– Shea Sbranti, Arizona Scouting Director

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California

“Rootman, a freshman starter on the CIF-SS D1 finalist Harvard Westlake Wolverines, has quickly established himself as the "next one" in the outfield for the storied program hitting .310 in his freshman campaign while starting all but two games this spring. Rootman fnished with three doubles and a home run this season flashing some raw potential. In the field he's equally impressive where he used his 6.97 speed to track balls with ease while his 81mph OF velo places him near the top of his peers in his class. Rootman started his summer with another standout performance at the Future Games Tryout where he had two backside standup triples while making two outstanding catches in the gaps while playing center field. At 6-foot-2 170-pounds there's some projectable physicality to the frame that would indicate the power numbers could continue to improve over the coming years. ”

– Les Lukach, State Director

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Idaho

+ Kellen Viehweg, RHP (Middleton HS, 2027) | Uncommitted:

“Big frame with strength with more velo to come, topped at 85 at the Idaho State Games. Will likely be the 2 or 3 guy in the rotation next year for Middleton. Has a strong arm from third where I think he plays the best. His glove is smooth over in the hot corner, despite his tall frame he moves really well. ”

– Gareh Dahlgren, Associate Director

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Illinois

+ Brady Cunningham, RHP/3B (Brother Rice HS, 2027) | Uncommitted:

“Uncommitted. Currently ranked No. 14 in the state. Physically advanced frame, listed at 6-foot-2, 212-pounds. The right-handed hitter showed no fear at the plate despite being just a freshman, working with an easy and simple operation with little perceived effort, he sees spin well and battles deep into counts, utilizing quality pitch selection, also attacking early in the count when he sees a pitch he likes. Already has some present power with a max EV of 93 mph in-event, projects into much more as he continues to develop.”

– Peter Hamot, Illinois & Wisconsin Assistant Director

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Iowa

+ Brady Smith, RHP (Dallas Center-Grimes HS, 2027) | Uncommitted:

“Smith has made big jumps throughout his freshman year. High-70s to low-80s in the Fall, Smith has developed into a consistent 85-87 mph arm. 3-pitch mix with above average command for his age. Shows advanced pitchability, arm works well, and should see continued progression on the mound.”

– Rob Allison, Regional Supervisor - Upper Midwest

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Minnesota

+ Beckett Shimpa, LHP (Maple Grove HS, 2027) | Uncommitted:

“Shimpa is a left-handed arm with an above-average frame at 6-foot-3, 185-pounds. A standout at the Preseason All-State event and a starter for Maple Grove High School this spring. The fastball sits low-to-mid 80s and has been up to 87 mph, with room to grow. Shimpa is a young and talented arm to watch this summer in Minnesota's 2027 class.”

– Andy Judkins, State Director

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Nebraska

+ Kowen Rader, RHP/OF (Adams Central HS, 2027) | Uncommitted:

“6-foot-2 147-pounds. High waisted, long limbed, projectable body. Some whip in his arm on the mound sitting 84-86 mph. Slider is tight up to 76 mph with good feel for the zone - 19 K over 10.1 IP this spring pitching varsity in Class C. Two-way upside at the plate with loose hands in a relaxed swing that produces hard line drives in the middle of the field.”

– Pascal Paul, Nebraska Director of Scouting

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Nevada

+ Cash Martin, RHP (Faith Lutheran HS, 2027) | Uncommitted:

“The 2027 made a name for himself with his standout performance at the 2023 Jr. Future Games and at the Las Vegas Preseason ID, his stock made another jump after producing the top bullpen session of the event, earning a number of event bests. His fastball showed real life, topping out at 90.3 mph via TrackMan with a polished secondary mix that saw his curveball spin reach up to 3197 rpm, elite MLB numbers, and changeup that had up to 20.2 inches of Horizontal Movement. Expect Martin to be a key contributor for a talented Faith Lutheran team that is primed for a big 2024. Martin is set to represent Nevada at the 2024 Future Games.”

– Brett Harrison, West Coast Supervisor

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New England

+ MIles Desrosiers, C/1B (Keene, NH HS, 2027) | Uncommitted:

“The bat has a chance to be special, good looking player. ”

– Dennis Healy, New England Co-Scouting Director

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North Dakota

+ Cason Borchardt, OF/LHP (Horace HS, 2027) | Uncommitted:

“Borchardt is an athletic two-way player out of North Dakota. A projectable frame at 6-foot-2, 175-pounds, we have seen growth in a short period of time from last summer's Junior Future Games to this March at the Preseason All State event. Solid numbers and metrics to go with his game, Borchardt has the athleticism to become a high-end player out of North Dakota in the 2027 class.”

– Andy Judkins, State Director

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South Dakota

“Possibly one of the harder throwing arms so far to come out of South Dakota in the freshman class. A young and maturing frame at 6-foot-2, 200-pounds, Munson was up to 89 mph late in February at a Preseason event. An aggressive arm action where the fastball sat 87-89 mph, a feel for his secondary pitches, and still plenty of time for growth. Munson, could possibly be one of the more sought after arms out of South Dakota.”

– Andy Judkins, State Director

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Wisconsin

+ Wes DuCharme, OF/RHP (Waunakee HS, 2027) | Uncommitted:

“...is a name our staff has heard some positive things about recently, and during his Prep Baseball showcase debut they proved to be true. Boasting a high-upside 6-foot-1, 157-pound frame, Ducharme started off his day with a 7.06 60-yard dash and also recorded a 29.8” vertical jump, which speaks to the athleticism he possesses. Offensively, DuCharme swung a free and easy bat from the left-side that showed the ability to shoot line drives from gap-to-gap. Defensively, he is a clean and athletic mover, pairing it with an arm that topped at 84 mph with carry through the target. DuCharme also flashed some upside on the bump, too. Out of a repeatable delivery, Ducharme’s fastball sat in the upper-70s with some carry through the zone. He also featured a curveball with 10/4 shape and a fading changeup, too.”

– Josh Fields, Wisconsin Area Scout & Content Manager

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