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: It's Class of 2025 Rankings Week, and we're using this week's Hotlist topic to highlight the biggest risers to your state's '25 board in this end-of-summer update. Please share 1-2 players who are climbing either the most spots overall, or the player making the most significant rise up your state's rankings.

+ 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’ (8/22):

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Alabama

+ Ethan Walls, RHP (Prattville Christian Academy HS, 2025) | Uncommitted:

“Showcased the electric, high-octane arsenal at two events this summer (Yellowhammer State Games, Senior Future Games) and generated some really uncomfortable swings by some good hitters. A bit of a unique windup with hands and glove going over his head with a rocker step, but explodes down the mound and produces a lively fastball sitting 90-92 mph, topping at 93.6 mph at the Senior Future Games. Possesses sizable arm-side run and can really get it in on right-handed hitters. Spins a sweeping slider ranging 79-82 mph with 13-15 inches of horizontal movement. More horizontal break than lateral, and has a feel for landing it in the zone and beneath it. Also has a fading changeup sitting 76-79 mph with killed spin. Long, loose, whippy right-handed arm. Can swing it from the left side, too. Look for Walls to make a noticeable jump in the updated Alabama 2025 player rankings. ”

– David Sharp, Regional Supervisor, Deep South

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Arizona

+ Landon Sloan, RHP (Estrella Foothills HS, 2025) | Grand Canyon:

“Sloan has made significant gains on mound both in his physical metrics and in his progression on the mound. Sloan currently works 89-92 with glimpses of 93. Sloan went from a mid 80s prospect on the state of Arizona to #17.”

– Shea Sbranti, Arizona Scouting Director

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California

+ Caden Sramek, RHP (Royal HS, 2025) | Uncommitted:

“The 6-foot-7 right-hander out of Royal started the summer at the Prep Baseball ProCase West where he showed his upside including a FB up to 89 paired with a sweeping SL. He built on a quality performance at the ProCase West with a strong summer overall including seeing his velocity tick up into the 92-93 MPH range and adding more power to his SL. With an intriguing frame, stuff continuing to trend up, further polish being added to his pitch ability, the profile for Caden is on the rise. Sramek made the decision to decommit from Cal State Fullerton at the end of the summer and now sits as one of the top uncommitted players in California. In addition, he makes a 107 spot jump up the rankings from No. 168 to No. 61 now and enters the Prep Baseball National rankings for the 2025 class.”

– Steven Hardesty, California Area Scout

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Canada

+ Keegan Russell, RHP (All Saints HS, 2025) | Uncommitted:

“Russell was Ontario's 7th-ranked prospect heading into the spring and his overall stuff on the mound ticked upwards and led to a strong summer season, now in the No. 2 spot.

XL-frame at 6-foot-7, 240-pounds and moves well with a fastball that's now jumped into the low-90s. The Toronto Mets product was one of Canada's leading arms at the 18U Pan-American Championships and is one of the top uncommitted arms in the country.”

– Cam Black-Araujo, Assistant Director

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Colorado

+ Jackson Tuttle, RHP (Highlands Ranch HS, 2025) | Uncommitted:

“Tuttle is another quick riser over the last year as the senior has gotten the fastball consistently around 90 mph with pitch-ability. During this year's Colorado State Games, Tuttle's fastball sat 88-90 (~2300 rpms) with a serviceable slider and curveball he could throw for strikes. Tuttle comes with an athletic/strong frame that is actively developing and has earned himself a trip to this fall's West Coast Games in California as a top uncommitted 2025 prospect. ”

– Caleb Dameron, Colorado Staff

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Georgia

+ Reid Worley, RHP (Cherokee HS, 2025) | Kennesaw State:

“2024 All American. Went from 75-32 in National. 10-2 in state. The slider is making a case for one of the best in the class getting upwards of 3200-3300 spin. Mixed with velo that us is trending up and easy pitch ability, Worley was a sleeper that is slowly making a name for himself as one of the top arms in the class. ”

– Hudson Graham, Georgia State Director

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Illinois

+ Joe DuSell , OF/LHP (St. Edward HS, 2025) | Cincinnati :

“Built at a strong 6-foot-1, 202-pounds, DuSell is a simple mover on the bump and creates some easy velocity from the left-side, topping out at 90 mph in front of our staff. As for off-speeds, DuSell’s curveball plays with late 1/7 action and sharpness (2,750 rpm on average). On the other side of the ball, he swings a heavy barrel with a peak EV of 99 mph in-event, and we've seen him do damage in-game as a well. Above-average overall athlete with a 6.85 in the 60.”

– Pete Hamot, Assistant Director Illinois/Wisconsin

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Illinois

+ Brandon Menser , RHP (Sesser Valier HS, 2025) | Cincinnati :

“RHP Brandon Menser (Sesser Valier) Stands in a hard-to-miss 6-foot-3, 176-pound frame with long levers and all kinds of projection still to come. He earned Illinois State Games Most Valuable Pitcher honors after tossing two innings on the mound with four strikeouts and no hits, runs or walks allowed. His fastball played with heavy carry through the zone (avg. 19.4” IVB), sitting 87-89 mph and topping out at 91 mph with quality spin to pair (avg. 2486 rpm). He mixed in a curveball with 12/6 action, sitting 74-79 mph with an average of 2680 rpm as well as an average of -15.4 inches of induced vertical break. He rounded out his polished three-pitch mix with an 80 mph changeup with slight fading action to the arm-side. A must-know prospect that is trending up in Illinois.”

– Pete Hamot, Assistant Director Illinois/Wisconsin

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Indiana

+ Xavier Carrera, RHP (Boone Grove HS, 2025) | Indiana:

“Carrera makes his debut appearance in Indiana's top 10 during this end of summer update, establishing himself amongst the most talented arms in the class, jumping up to the No. 6 spot. A Future Games alum that has made a name for himself in the state with a premier fastball, Carrera provided the most electric one-look outing that I've seen of a prospect in a start this summer, grabbing 97 mph on his heater and casually sitting in the low-to-mid 90's with a future swing-and-miss slider to pair. The arm talent is undeniable - with upside in the long-limbed, athletic frame to make triple digit fastball projections more and more likely as he continues to develop and refine. Although his stuff is well-ahead of his pitch ability at this time, the talent that the Indiana recruits owns is one-of-a-kind & will surely draw a plethora of area scouts to Boone Grove next spring. ”

– Cooper Trinkle, Indiana Scouting Director

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Kansas

+ Nate Schlote, RHP (Shawnee Mission East HS, 2025) | Vanderbilt:

“Schlote is up 14 spots to No. 2 in KS and makes a splash into the national rankings. The right-hander started his meteoric rise when when he made his return to the mound this spring and just keeps getting better. Most recently, the new Vanderbilt commit was up to 95 with high spin and showed an impressive breaking ball at the Area Code Games. Schlote has solidified his reputation as a must see draft prospect for this coming spring. ”

– Andy Urban, Central Region Director

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Kansas

+ Terran Marshall, SS/2B (Mill Valley HS, 2025) | Uncommitted:

“One of the top uncommitted climbers in the KS rankings update, Marshall is up over 50 spots after showcasing huge gains in athleticism and strength. The tooled out middle infielder is poised to have a breakout senior season for the Jaguars, and is a must for colleges of all levels. ”

– Andy Urban, Central Region Director

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Massachusetts

+ Dean Gobeil, OF/C (Tabor Academy HS, 2025) | Massachusetts- Amherst:

“Athletic left-handed hitter with plus versatility. He is a plus runner, can play outfield and kick behind the dish as well. The bat is advanced and he can spread the field. ”

– Dennis Healy, New England Co-Scouting Director

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Michigan

+ Uli Fernsler, LHP (Novi HS, 2025) | TCU:

“A rising LHP who's dominated competition last summer with a strong showing at FG. Continued impressive outings this spring and summer and is poised for a strong 2025 campaign. Uli has seen added velocity sitting into the low 90s with plus pitchability and uncomfortable at bats for hitters who face him.”

– Adam Goodwin, Michigan Scouting Director

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Minnesota

+ Patrick Binnebose, RHP (Rockford HS, 2025) | Uncommited:

“Binnebose has continued to trend up since the Preseason All State event last March. Most recently at a Scout Day event, the Senior Future Games participant's fastball sat 92-93 mph, topping at 94 mph along with registering a hard mid 80s slider. The uncommitted right hander has continued to physically mature, develop, and will be interesting to see where he's at come next spring season”

– Andy Judkins, Minnesota State Director

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Ohio

+ Owen Graf, RHP (Anthony Wayne HS, 2025) | Ohio State:

“Owen jumps to No. 31 in Ohio after a stellar summer which earned him a commitment to Ohio State. The big RHP has continued to make velocity jumps sitting at 88-91 topping as a high as 94 in the 17U National Championship. His three-pitch mix includes a late breaking slider that he'll throw 79-81 mph, inducing above average swing and miss. ”

– Kyle Weldon, Ohio State Director

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Ohio

+ Connor Davis, RHP (Reading HS, 2025) | Miami (OH):

“Connor jumped up boards this summer after a stellar spring at Reading. He sat 88-90 at TPG in the early summer and would shortly after commit to Miami University. Connor was impressive in that TPG performance, locating all three pitches for strikes. He jumps into our Top 50 in this update.”

– Kyle Weldon, Ohio State Director

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Pennsylvannia

+ Ethan Grim, RHP/3B (Governor Mifflin HS, 2025) | Virginia Tech:

“Really started climbing the charts this winter at Keystone State Bombers Scout day. He was up to a 94mph fastball, 7mph increase from the previous year. After that workout he dominated the high school season, leading his team to a state title. Picked up invites to East Coast Pro and Area Code Games where he continued to perform and gain national attention. He has now jumped to number 2 (16th to start the summer) in the state and a MLB draft prospect. He has a polished 3-pitch mix, sitting 91-94 in the zone. Big time strikeout ability. ”

– Charlie Spano, VP of Scouting PA/NY

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Pennsylvannia

+ Mason Ligenza, OF/LHP (Tamaqua Area HS, 2025) | Pittsburgh:

“Player who has made the biggest jumps this season. Entering the winter ranked 159th in the state. Early commitment to Pitt, known for high celling as a 6'5 LHP. The LHH OF produced some eye popping stats (.493, 8 HR, 16 XBH, .591 OBP %) leading to an All-state season with the bat. He jumped to 88th in the rankings and got the attention of pro scouts with invites to East Coast Pro and Area Code Games workouts. He has long levers and a very high upside. Excellent speed (3.608 30yd) and advanced barrel control. His 100mph EV plays to the whole park and produced against top competition. He has earned a spot in the top 10 of the PA rankings in the this latest release. ”

– Charlie Spano, VP of Scouting PA/NY

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South Carolina

+ Jace Stancil, RHP (P27 Academy HS, 2025) | College of Charleston:

“Jace Stancil is a 2025 RHP with a 6-2 210 pound strong physical frame. Long loose athletic arm action. Fastball shows good life to it while sitting 89-91 mph, topping out at 92 mph. Paired it with low-80’s breaking that creates sweeping action to it and also flashed changeup with good sinking action to it.”

– Sammy Esposito, South Carolina State Director

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Tennessee

+ Josh Owens, MIF (Providence Christian Academy HS, 2025) | Georgia Southern:

“Josh Owens has quickly jumped on the scene since getting on our radar this past spring where he helped lead Providence Christian to a state championship birth for D1-A batting in the leadoff spot. Owens put together an impressive summer on the travel circuit that saw him finish with making team USA 18u where he would bat consistently in the lineup, while also getting multiple innings on the mound. Owens was previously ranked in the middle half of the 2025 class and has quickly and loudly jumped all the way to the #2 spot in the 2025 rankings. With a strong frame and plenty of future projection left out there, watch has Owens continues to climb in the national rankings. ”

– Hunter Martin, Tennessee State Director

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Wisconsin

+ Ryan Brennecke, LHP (Oconomowoc HS, 2025) | South Carolina:

“Is a southpaw that took over the top spot in this update. Brennecke has seen his velocity tick up since the winter, now reaching the low-90s (T93 mph) with two off speed pitches that work off the fastball giving him a chance to start down the road.”

– Josh Fields, Area Scout

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