Future Games Spotlight: '26 RHP Eli Herst (Seattle Academy)
November 12, 2024
Nearly 600 uncommitted underclassmen traveled to LakePoint Sports in Emerson, Ga. for the Prep Baseball Future Games this past July. After a 2023 event in which more than 375 college coaches were in attendance, a total of 425 coaches were out in full force at this year's edition. Of the nearly 600 uncommitted players, over 250 are now Division I commits (and counting), with 6 of those players being from Team PNW.
Today, we spotlight '26 RHP Eli Herst. Herst committed to Vanderbilt after a breakout high school season playing for Garfield HS in Seattle, a strong showing on the summer circuit playing for Trosky National, and representing the PNW at Prep Baseball Future Games. Herst features an already advanced arsenal and plenty of upside in his already ideal frame. Below is a full breakdown of the top ranked junior.
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2026 RHP featured an advanced arsenal on the mound. 93 mph max fastball velocity opened eyes at the event, along with sitting in the low 90s, Herst's movement profile and command behind his secondary pitches is what makes his arsenal so special and separates him from the pack.
Herst broke out a slider maxing out at 79.7 mph, a 5 MPH jump from a season prior. At the event, his slider registered a horizontal movement average of -12.5 inches. His average slider spin rate of 2,441 revolutions per minute is also an impressive metric.
On top of his slider, Herst's feel for his changeup has also steadily improved. The pitch gained over 5 inches of average horizontal movement over the calendar year, from 13.4 to 18.7 inches, along with another one of his pitches gaining nearly another 5 mph in velocity.