VA/DC 2026 Rankings: Risers
May 31, 2024
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Here are ten players that have made a significant jump in the 2026 class rankings. See video and notes on these players.
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Jake Cozart LHP / 1B / Hickory, VA / 2026Our staff had a chance to see Cozart last fall at an organizational scout day and really liked what we saw. Long, projectable 6-foot-4 frame. Higher three quarter slot, works with pace on the mound, and shows a clean and quick arm swing. In a pair of short outings in front of our staff this spring, Cozart has been low to mid 80's and has shown some feel for multiple secondary pitches. This is an arm you can dream on, and with his depth of arsenal, Cozart could have some long term starter potential as he continues to mature.
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Casey Cuddyer SS / 3B / GREAT BRIDGE HIGH, VA / 2026Cuddyer has taken a big step this spring after getting his feet wet as a freshman last spring. In quite a few looks this spring he has been impressive offensively. It is a wiry 6-foot-1 160-pound frame with advanced bat to ball skills with line drive tendencies to all fields. He does show some occasional power to the pull side. Defensively at shortstop he is fluid and fundamental with some arm strength. The consistent offensive production was well deserved for a rise in the rankings.
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Giacomo Franco LHP / Grassfield, VA / 2026Franco came into the spring for Grassfield and contributed in different ways. On the mound it is a short arm action that works in the low to mid 80's with a curveball with late depth. Franco competes and works to be efficient to get quick outs. At the plate he has a simple, short path that uses the big part of the field that flashes some power to the pull side. It is a wiry 6-foot-0 160- pound frame that still has plenty room to add strength. As he continues to develop there is more to tap into for the two-way standout.
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Levi Jones C / OF / Glen Allen High School, VA / 2026Jones stepped into a big role this spring behind the dish handling the staff for the Jaguars. It is a lean 5-foot-11 185-pound frame. He is vocal and shows leadership qualities that has the ability to handle a pitching staff. He receives well and blocks balls in the dirt. He has shown the ability to handle the bat as well. It is a aggressive approach working gap to gap with the ability to hit with two strikes. A strong spring trending up heading towards the summer.
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Cooper Molloy 2B / SS / Atlee, VA / 2026Molloy has been impressive in different ways for Atlee this spring. The first thing that has stood out has been the knack to hit. He has been productive at the top of the Raiders line up with bat to ball skills spraying the ball to all parts of the field with doubles power. Molloy has been equally impressive in the infield as well. At second base he has shown soft hands and fluid actions making consistent plays in the dirt. Molloy has improved and taken strides at the right time.
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Nicholas Rock SS / OF / Stone Bridge, VA / 2026Rock has taken a large role with the Stone Bridge Bulldogs. The athletic left handed bat shows plenty to like at the plate. Swing adjustability, willingness to adjust in counts, and ability to use the whole field in approach. Rock is a versatile defender whom we have seen play infield and outfield, excelling at both. Rock is an average to slightly above average runner whose run tool has a chance to continue to make strides forward.
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Evan Salapka RHP / Atlee, VA / 2026Salapka had a strong sophomore compaign pitching in some big innings as a shutdown guy out of the Atlee bullpen. There was a significant velocity jump this spring where the fastball has been up to 89 but working mostly in the mid 80's. He has shown feel for a mid 70's slider as a solid secondary pitch to work off of the fastball. With a lanky 6-foot-5 185-pound frame there is plenty to dream on as the big righty continues to develop.
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Ryan Steeper RHP / 1B / St. Annes-Belfield, VA / 2026Steeper was a impact guy for the Saints this spring on the mound and at the plate. It is a short, quick stroke that works gap to gap that shows some power to the pull side. Steeper has fluid actions at second base with arm strength. On the mound it is a short arm action from a over the top slot with a fastball that works in the mid 80's to pair along with a curveball that has late depth. There is two way potential for the 2026.
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John Michael Szefc SS / 2B / Miller School, VA / 2026It is really hard not to be impressed with the spring that Szefc put together. He was a impact guy at the top of a talented Miller lineup as well as being a strong defender in the infield. Offensively he displays above average bat to ball skills that uses the whole field with occasional power to the pull side. It is a short, quick stroke with a mature approach. Defensively it is soft, fluid actions with arm strength to play up the middle. It was definitely a breakout spring for the sophomore.
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Will Yow SS / RHP / Saint Anne's-Belfield, VA / 2026Yow was the spark plug to the Saints offense this spring in the leadoff spot and the anchor at shortstop as a sophomore. It is a wiry 6-foot-0, 155-pound frame with plenty of room to add strength. He is your typical leadoff guy that is patient, has zone awareness, and works deep counts. He is a premium runner that has the ability to stick in the middle of the infield. There is bat to ball skills that works gap to gap with some occasional power to the pull side.
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