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Who are the breakout players of the high school season?

May 9, 2024
By Andy Sroka
Managing Editor, Scouting

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: Who’s your state’s breakout player of this spring season – in other words, a player who’s fully put themselves on the radar in between our looks at them.

+ 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’ (5/9):

Alabama

(4/6/24)

+ Brue Milner, C (Tallassee HS, 2027) | Uncommitted:

“Milner has been a name our staff has been hearing plenty of good things about over the course of the spring and he certainly didn't disappoint with a massive series on the offensive side this past week. Listed at 5-foot-9, 190-pounds, the freshman backstop possesses a strong build with good lower-half strength and is built like a prototypical catcher. While certainly he's a quality defender behind the plate for a freshman, but certainly the most eye-opening tools right now is the ability to hit for power to all fields.

Hitting in the three-hole for a talented Class 5A program, Milner was on the barrel from the first pitch of the series, showing the ability to inflict loud contact to the baseball. Hitting from a balanced stance with a wider, strong base, the right-hander has a simple forward movement to contact and utilizes his strength to his advantage offensively. The barrel gets on-plane early and it stays that way throughout the swing accompanied by above-average bat speed, allowing him to hit for power. He carries himself like a prospect much older than his current age, and exudes a professional right-handed approach and showed the ability to handle upper-80s with relative ease during Game Two. Delivered two home runs and five RBIs in Game Three to help lift them to a series win.

Noteworthy prospect in the 2027 class in Alabama who is going to be a hot commodity in a couple years.”

– David Sharp, Deep South Supervisor

Delaware

(4/11/24)

+ Noah Burroughs, OF (Sussex Central HS, 2024) | Salisbury commit:

“A standout at our Unsigned Senior Games in 2023, Burroughs has made a name for himself this spring and has exceeded the already lofty expectations entering 2024. The physicality is eye-opening, standing at 6-foot-1, 200 pounds, and proportional strength that is tough to match across the state of Delaware. The hit tool has excelled this spring, however, the arm is promising as well, running the fastball up to 93 mph. Here's his stat line from this spring so far: .709, 5 HR, 23 RBI, 10 XBH.”

– Jamie Naill Jr., Maryland & Delaware Scouting Director

Florida

(3/8/24)

+ Joseph Lawson, C/INF/RHP (Bishop Verot HS, 2026) | Uncommitted commit:

“Lawson has had a monster sophomore season for Bishop Verot, batting .436 with two homers, 13 doubles, and 31 RBIs. He has also impressed on the mound, where he's been up to 89 mph. Lawson leads the team with 41 innings pitched and holds a 1.54 ERA with 49 strikeouts.”

– Rocco Iervasi, Florida Managing Director

Georgia

(5/6/24)

+ John Stuetzer, SS/CF (Pope HS, 2025) | Florida State commit:

“Stuetzer has seemingly taken his game to another level since the Future Games. Already one of the most athletic players in the class, with video game-type football numbers last fall, Stuetzer has blasted five home runs this spring and he has stolen over 30 bases on the regular season, breaking the school record of 29, which was the record he himself set last season. He's leading Pope back to the final four on a team that has nowhere near the talent from years past.”

– Hudson Graham, Georgia State Director

Illinois

(4/22/24)

+ Brandon Shannon, RHP (McHenry HS, 2025) | Uncommitted commit:

“Shannon gave our staff an eye-opening first look last Saturday. He has a highly projectable frame, coming in at 6-foot-3, 160-pounds with long limbs and a high-waist. He has an easy and athletic delivery, and there’s plenty of upside in his operation alone. The right-hander cruised with his fastball around 89-90 mph, pounding the zone with running action and finish, playing with easy life from his high ¾ release. His curveball and slider both have out-pitch potential, with his curveball playing around 75-79 mph (2,664 rpm) and his slider sitting around 77-80 (2,411), delivering both offerings with arm speed and late bite. To round off his arsenal, he went to a splitter in the 83-85 mph range, falling off the table with running action to his arm-side. High-upside arm with his best days still yet to come.”

– Pete Hamot, Illinois & Wisconsin Asst. Director

Indiana

(4/13/24)

+ Mateo Wells, RHP (Zionsville HS, 2024) | High Point commit:

“Report from April 19: 'Wells is a senior arm that has really taken a step up this spring. A durable, projectable, 6-foot-5, 220 pounder – we have always seen Wells as a projectable strike-thrower (84-87 mph last summer) however his stuff has ticked ahead of schedule. The High Point recruit has held 87-90 mph through two looks this spring, and touched 92 on his best bullet in my last look. The fastball works downhill from an over-the-top slot and he shows the ability to command it to both sides. Wells shows feel to land a big, 70-73 mph curveball, and he can locate the fastball/breaking ball in any count, keeping opposing hitters off balance. I also liked his 78-82 mph changeup – he used it more to left-handed hitters but flashed it to righties, and it works with arm-side fade. Wells has turned into the ace of a talented Zionsville staff and our staff has been extremely impressed with his progress this spring.'

Here are his stats through May 6, pitching in arguably the toughest conference in Indiana: 37 IP (3-0), 0.38 ERA, 9 BB, 52 K, .150 OBA.”

– Cooper Trinkle, Indiana Lead Scout

Iowa

+ Trever Baumler, RHP/OF (Dowling Catholic HS, 2024) | TCU commit:

“Baumler has been on the radar for quite some time due to overall strong toolset. As those tools have continued to progress, Baumler has clearly performed on the field as well, solidifying himself as a legitimate 2024 MLB Draft prospect. True three- or four-pitch mix with a starting pitcher profile. The Dowling grad also offers some intrigue as a position player showing the ability to handle him offensively against elite competition.”

– Rob Allison, Upper Midwest Director

Louisiana

(3/27/24)

+ Travis Adams, OF/INF (Sterlington HS, 2025) | Louisiana-Monroe commit:

“The athletic and physical 6-foot, 185-pound junior entered the spring relatively unknown, but that has definitely changed, after what’s been a breakout spring for the Sterlington product. He leads the Panthers offense into this week’s LHSAA State Tournament hitting at a .392 clip with eight homers and 34 RBIs. Uncommitted to start the season, Adams has since committed to the University of Louisiana-Monroe, and looks like a sure-fire bet to have an impact for the Warhawks early on his college career.”

– Alex Armand, Louisiana State Director

Maryland

(3/14/24)

+ Ryder Sowa, RHP (Calvert Hall HS, 2027) | Uncommitted:

“Sowa's an ultra-athletic righty that has dominated the top conference in the state. It's a clean operation with advanced actions, running the fastball into the upper-80s and a low 70s curveball that consistently induces swing and miss, as well as weak contact. Here's his stat line so far this spring: 41 IP (4-0), 1.19 ERA, 58 K.”

– Jamie Naill Jr., Maryland & Delaware Scouting Director

Michigan

(2/24/24)

+ Cameron Niehaus, RHP (Divine Child HS, 2025) | Uncommitted:

“Niehaus came to our winter Eastern Preseason ID event which coupled with an invite to Preseason All-State a few weeks later. He showed very well in both outings at our winter events ramping up the fastball to 91 mph with above-average spin rates on his fastball specifically. Cam is now starting to put it together for Divine Child and is one to follow for remainder of spring into the summer. A 2025 graduate with a 6-foot-3, 185-pound frame and his best innings are certainly ahead of him.”

– Adam Goodwin, Michigan Scouting Director

Minnesota

(3/16/24)

+ Alexander Menth, LHP (Minneapolis South HS, 2025) | Uncommitted:

“A standout uncommitted left-hander, Menth, currently ranked No. 31 in Minnesota's 2025 class, possesses a towering 6-foot-5 frame with promising room for further physical development. Menth's fastball, a key weapon in his arsenal, consistently sat at 83-85 mph, with occasional bursts up to 86 and 87. Thrown from a high ¾ slot, it demonstrated varying shapes, but the fastball's carry gained numerous swinging strikes above the zone in his most recent outing. The big lefty also shows a hard slider, bigger breaking curveball and a firm changeup. A lot to like from Menth and should attract eyes the rest of spring and into summer.”

– Andy Judkins, Minnesota State Director

Tennessee

(5/6/24)

+ Brock Beddingfield , C (Christ Presbyterian Academy HS, 2025) | Uncommitted commit:

“A former Future Games standout, Beddingfield collected two clutch extra-base hits to lead his team to a district championship. He's currently hitting .400 with eight home runs, 39 RBIs and he has a 1.214 OPS as the regular season comes to a close. He's his team's three-hole hitter, and it's a talented lineup with DI prospects.”

– Hunter Martin, Tennessee State Director

Utah

(2/24/24)

+ Austin Park, SS/RHP (Juab HS, 2025) | BYU commit:

“Park is a two-time Future Games participant and a West Coast ProCase alum and he has had a massive spring with the bat and arm on the mound. The leading candidate for Player of the Year honors in 3A, as well as statewide for Prep Baseball Utah. Park hit a robust .565 with seven home runs, 13 doubles, three triples, 18 steals, and his 58 RBIs are among the most in the nation. On the mound, Park finished with 48 innings pitched and he allowed only 24 hits, 10 walks, and he totaled a staggering 80 strikeouts.

Numbers like these leaves one wondering what kind of year Park will put up as a senior in 2025. BYU should be proud of how the No. 1-ranked prospect in the class represented his school, especially since he made his commitment to the Cougars earlier this year.”

– Jeff Scholzen, Utah Scouting Director

Wisconsin

(3/10/24)

+ Levi Watts, OF/INF (Appleton North HS, 2025) | Uncommitted:

“Watts is a versatile athlete who can play multiple positions, but he's been breaking out offensively this spring for an Appleton North squad that's also streaking, now ranked No. 14 overall on the state's Power 25. Through 15 games, Watts is leading the Lightning in batting average (.444) and he's reaching base at a nearly .500 clip, with four doubles and a home run this year, as well as four steals. He has a short, compact right-handed swing and he uses the middle of the field well. Watts is an above-average runner (7.17) with arm strength (87 mph from the outfield in March), and he has advanced bat speed, as showcased in March at the Madison ID.”

(3/16/24)

+ Chance Ruby, SS/RHP (Wilmot Union HS, 2026) | Uncommitted:

“Ruby is an exceptionally talented sophomore in Wisconsin who's balling out on both sides of the ball this spring for the Panthers. The state's sophomore class is budding, and it should become a memorable one, and Ruby has the potential to be one of the very best among them. He's currently a legit two-way player with all kinds of tools – he's a 6.77 runner who can repeatedly hit the ball hard (94.4 mph max EV) with huge arm strength for his age. In March, he was also up to 88.5 mph on the mound with a power sinker-type fastball, and he has the makings of a wipeout breaking ball and a deceptive changeup.

Ruby's an athlete and he's starring in his sophomore spring at Wilmot. Currently, he has a 1.389 OPS, hitting .518 with 10 doubles and four triples in 15 games, as well as 11 steals. On the mound, he's K'd 26 batters in 20.1 innings, and he's walked only seven with a 1.72 ERA on the spring so far.”

– Andy Sroka, Managing Editor, Scouting

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