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Pacific Northwest State Games - Quick Hits - 2027 Graduates

August 10, 2024
Dylan Grenz
Associate Scout

Last week, Prep Baseball hosted the first ever Pacific Northwest State Games. This three day event held at Heritage High School in Vancouver, WA showcased some of the top talent the area has to offer. High school players invited from the 2025-2028 graduating classes competed in both workout-style and in-game settings. PBR's mission is for prospects to face high-level competition and gain as much exposure as possible, in order to truly determine the best of the best prospects in the PNW and help pave the way for playing baseball at the next level.

Today, we release our 2027 Quick Hits, featuring scouting notes on standout rising sophomores. Prospects are listed alphabetically by last name. With over 180 prospects attending our first ever State Games, the level of overall talent on display was at an all-time high for a PNW event. As a result, many talented prospects will be omitted from this article, but we encourage viewing full event statistics, results, and rosters by clicking here.

Pacific Northwest State Games

Quick Hits - 2027 Graduates

'27 INF/OF Easton Aalbu (Arlington)
Versatile player has taken strides forward in recent looks. Medium framed with increasing strength, can make the routine play in the infield and outfield. At the plate, starts with bat resting on rear shoulder with quiet pre-pitch and a short stride. Consistently lifted the ball in BP rounds, with a 344 foot shot that was among the best from the 2027's. Found the barrel multiple times in-game as well. 

'27 C/INF Pete Browand (Peninsula)
A top '27 prospect that has also shown steady improvement with each look. Bat currently leads the way, shown with standout BP rounds on the State Games workout day. Sprayed the ball on a line, with an average exit velo of 89.5 MPH topping the '27 class. Present strength with wider base, stays in lower half and keeps head on ball through contact. Commanding prescence behind the plate defensively with some arm strength. Underclassman name to know.

'27 RHP Harrison Buckingham (South Salem)
One of the most impressive underclassman arms, Buckingham overpowered hitters and turned heads with his outing. FB topped out at 88.5 MPH, consistently sitting 86-87 MPH with a peak spin rate of 2437 RPM. Sharp action on a plus SL with a peak spin rate of an incredible 2878 RPM, the second-best of the event. Exciting upside to follow as 6'2 frame continues to develop.

'27 RHP/INF James Collier (Silverton)
A strong, athletic frame beyond his years. At the plate, features slightly open stance with higher leg kick into smooth RH swing. Plus bat speed present. Potential to grow into massive in-game power with added ability to lift the ball. On the mound, topped out at 86 MPH and spin rates nearing 2300 RPM, with more easily in the tank. CH/CB combination mixed in on occasion. Lots to like from 6'4, 215 pound prospect.

'27 INF/RHP Rhyse Elder (West Valley)
An exciting two-way talent, Elder was up to 86 in a recent look this summer and comfortably sat in the low-mid 80's at the State Games. Releases from a compact, high 3/4 slot with a low gloveside follow. Generates plus spin on all pitches, including averaging north of 2500 RPM on his slider. Bat plays as well with pullside-oriented approach. Creates separation with hands and extends with controlled two-hand finish. Natural athlete.

'27 RHP/INF Austin Halvorson (Jackson)
Lean, medium framed righty had a nice showing on the mound with some impressive underlying metrics. FB sat 80-82 peaking at 83.3 MPH. SL showed legit promise with plus spin rates and horizontal movement. Sits in lower half through wind with controlled, tucked gloveside finish. Potential to make a big leap moving forward.

'27 OF Gino Humphrey (South Eugene)
Produced impressive BP metrics from medium frame, including a 97.3 MPH exit velo. Features short RH swing with some twitch and quickness in hands. Hits to all fields with plus knowledge of the zone. Shorter stride in the OF but has ability to close gaps quickly. Some overall rawness present but solid all-around game.

'27 C/RHP Leyton Hurley (University)
Another exciting underclassman with versatility. Impressive quickness with some arm strength behind the plate resulted in sub-2 second pop times. Up to 83 MPH on the mound, partnered with a steady breaker and CH with some natural run. Longer, swinging action with 3/4 slot release to throw. Set a new personal best in exit velocity offensively, potential to make real strides at the plate with continued physical maturity. 

'27 OF Zaydon Marguth (Union)
Advanced hitter from the LH side. Natural batspeed present in larger, strong 6'3 frame. Balanced setup, generates consistent hard contact. Averaged 88.6 MPH exit velo in BP rounds with a max batted ball distance of 363 feet, one of the best distances from the '27's. Currently projects as more of a corner OF with some present arm strength. Underclassman to watch.

'27 RHP/INF Xzyyvn Martinez (Othello)
Simple, mature delivery on the mound. Rides backside down the mound with late armspeed, working from 1B side of the rubber. FB peaked at 84.3 MPH. True 4-pitch mix with CH/SL/CB mix. Stays behind the CH well with consistent armspeed. Lower release height can give added life on the heater. Some polish present in arm.

'27 OF/RHP Wyatt Plyler (Sumner)
A big riser in spring and summer looks. Lean strength present, plus athlete ran a 6.69 60-yard dash. High intent late down the mound, best FB peaked at 85 MPH with a CH/SL combination. Spin metrics suggest more velocity should be coming down the line. Solid RH approach at the plate, able to hit to all fields with athletic setup. Among the event's best as well with an 89 MPH throw from the OF. Top-end talent in the area. 

'27 OF/RHP Will Prinz (Bishop Blanchet)
Left a loud impact on both sides of the ball. 98.3 MPH peak exit velo was among the best in the '27 class. Long barrel path with smooth one-hand finish. Impressive 6.79 60-yard dash time suggests an easy stick in the OF in the future, with in-game reads on fly balls suggesting the same. Also topped out at 84 MPH on the mound, showcasing four different pitches overall. Another top-end talent coming off of a strong freshman campaign.

'27 INF/OF Benjamin Wiepert (Wilsonville)
Lean strength present in 6'2 frame. Flatter approach at the plate from the RH side. 93 MPH max exit velo in BP rounds. Positional versatility present with natural athletic movements. 6.8 runner in an earlier look this summer. Real potential with increased ability to lift the ball at the plate as frame continues to fill out.

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